Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the release of heat by a temperature control unit are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a heat release condition of the temperature control unit. This method also includes determining, via a controller, whether to release the heat generated by the temperature control unit to an ambient environment outside of the internal space based on the heat release condition. Also, this method includes operating a HVAC circuit of the temperature control unit in a heat release mode when the controller determines that the heat generated by the temperature control unit is to be released to the ambient environment outside the internal space. Further, this method includes operating the HVAC circuit of the temperature control in a heat storage mode when the controller determines that the heat generated by the HVAC unit is not to be released to the ambient environment outside the internal space.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the release of heat by a temperature control unit are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a heat release condition of the temperature control unit. This method also includes determining, via a controller, whether to release the heat generated by the temperature control unit to an ambient environment outside of the internal space based on the heat release condition. Also, this method includes operating a HVAC circuit of the temperature control unit in a heat release mode when the controller determines that the heat generated by the temperature control unit is to be released to the ambient environment outside the internal space. Further, this method includes operating the HVAC circuit of the temperature control in a heat storage mode when the controller determines that the heat generated by the HVAC unit is not to be released to the ambient environment outside the internal space.

Abstract: A method of defrosting a transcritical vapor compression system having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant during a cooling mode, an expansion valve for decreasing the pressure of the refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for cooling a space during the cooling mode. The method includes attaining a superheated refrigerant condition in a defrost mode of the transcritical vapor compression system and defrosting the second heat exchanger in the defrost mode by directing the superheated refrigerant to the second heat exchanger without bypassing the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS), a refrigerated transport unit, and a method of charging a thermal accumulator in a TRS are disclosed. The TRS includes a thermal accumulator including a phase change material (PCM) configured in a first state, to absorb thermal energy from the interior space of the transport unit during transformation to a second state. A heat exchanger, a portion of which is disposed within the thermal accumulator, is in thermal communication with the PCM. The TRS also includes an expansion device and a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). A heat transfer fluid circuit connects the TRU and the heat exchanger, and is configured to direct a heat transfer fluid from the TRU to the heat exchanger via the expansion device for charging the PCM.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes a frame and a cabin mounted to the frame. The cabin includes a roof and a passenger zone defining a passenger zone length. An air cleaning unit includes an air cleaner housing mounted to the roof. The air cleaning unit is operable to draw in air through an inlet, through an air cleaning device, and discharge a flow of cleaned air out of an outlet. An air conditioning unit includes an air conditioner housing separate from the air cleaner housing. The air conditioning unit is operable to draw in air through an inlet, through an air conditioning device, and discharge a flow of conditioned air out of an outlet. The outlet of the air conditioning device is in communication with a duct system to direct the flow of conditioned air to the cabin substantially evenly along the passenger zone length.

Abstract: An apparatus for the storage, transport and distribution of refrigerated or frozen goods, in particular for thermally insulated containers of refrigerated vehicles, cold rooms and the like, including one or more thermal storage devices, each including a housing defining a cavity for holding a phase change material. The cavity contains a heat exchanger that may be supplied with a heat exchange fluid. The housing includes a substantially flat wall portion and a heat transfer enhanced wall portion. The apparatus includes ventilator in communication with the thermal storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thermally insulated container is disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more heat accumulators. Each of the thermal accumulators includes a plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules. Each of the longitudinal modules includes a casing forming a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to receive a phase change material. A first wall of the casing includes a substantially flat surface and a second wall includes a heat transfer enhanced surface portion. The longitudinal modules include a heat exchanger having at least a portion disposed within the cavity that is configured to supply a heat transfer fluid. The plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules are securely connected to each other and are in thermal communication with each other.

Abstract: A thermal accumulator, a thermal accumulator module, and a method for controlling refrigeration in a transport refrigeration system (TRS) are described. The thermal accumulator module includes a plurality of thermal accumulators. Each of the plurality of thermal accumulators includes a fluid tight housing configured for attachment in an internal space of a refrigerated transport unit. The housing is configured to withstand a load applied when installing the thermal accumulator module in the internal space. An aluminum compatible phase change material is contained within the housing in a first state and configured to absorb thermal energy from the internal space of the refrigerated transport unit during transformation to a second state. One or more faces of the housing include a heat transfer enhancer.

Abstract: A method for charging a phase change material (PCM) of a thermal accumulator provided in a refrigerated transport unit is provided. The refrigerated transport unit includes a prime mover to move the refrigerated transport unit, a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a heat transfer fluid circuit. The heat transfer fluid circuit has a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device and a PCM heat exchanger. The method requires monitoring for, via a controller, a braking signal from a braking sensor of the refrigerated transport unit. Also, the method includes directing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to the TRS when the controller receives a braking signal from the braking sensor. Further, the method includes the TRS charging the PCM of the thermal accumulator via the heat transfer fluid circuit when the energy generated by the prime mover is directed to the TRS.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS), a refrigerated transport unit, and a method of charging a thermal accumulator in a TRS are disclosed. The TRS includes a thermal accumulator including a phase change material (PCM) configured in a first state, to absorb thermal energy from the interior space of the transport unit during transformation to a second state. A heat exchanger, a portion of which is disposed within the thermal accumulator, is in thermal communication with the PCM. The TRS also includes an expansion device and a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). A heat transfer fluid circuit connects the TRU and the heat exchanger, and is configured to direct a heat transfer fluid from the TRU to the heat exchanger via the expansion device for charging the PCM.

Abstract: A multi-temperature transport refrigeration system (TRS) for a refrigerated transport unit having an interior space divided into a plurality of zones is disclosed. The multi-temperature TRS includes a thermal accumulator in a first of the plurality of zones. The thermal accumulator includes a phase change material in a first state to absorb thermal energy from the first of the plurality of zones of the interior space during transformation to a second state. The first of the plurality of zones is maintained at a first temperature and a second of the plurality of zones is maintained at a second temperature.

Abstract: A display for supporting produce generating ethylene gas as the produce ripens includes a surface for supporting the produce, a blower positioned in communication with the produce to move a gas containing at least a portion of the ethylene gas from the produce and an ethylene scrubber positioned in communication with the produce and in a flow path of the gas. The ethylene scrubber removes the at least a portion of the ethylene from the gas. The display does not include a refrigeration system such that a life of the produce is lengthened without use of refrigeration.

Abstract: A display table for supporting produce includes an enclosure, a table top defining an upper surface of the enclosure, a blower, an ethylene scrubber and an outlet. The table top is open to the atmosphere and configured to support the produce, and includes perforations. The blower is positioned in communication with the enclosure to create an underpressure that draws a gas into the enclosure through the perforations. The ethylene scrubber is positioned in communication with the enclosure and in a flow path of the gas, the ethylene scrubber being configured to remove at least a portion of ethylene from at least a portion of the gas. The outlet is located downstream of the ethylene scrubber for returning the gas from the enclosure to the atmosphere.

Abstract: The method includes operating an HVAC unit for a test period in an automatic temperature control mode and measuring power consumed at one or more testing heat loads at one or more rotational speeds. The method further includes determining an association between the measured power consumed at the one or more testing heat loads and one or more tested bus engine speeds and calculating power consumed at the one or more testing heat loads at a plurality of profiled bus engine speeds based on the association, wherein the plurality of profiled bus engine speeds is derived from a bus road profile of known bus engine speeds at known time durations, with the known time durations summing to a time period. The method also includes calculating energy consumed at the one or more testing heat loads over the time period.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes a frame and a cabin mounted to the frame. The cabin includes a roof and a passenger zone defining a passenger zone length. An air cleaning unit includes an air cleaner housing mounted to the roof The air cleaning unit is operable to draw in air through an inlet, through an air cleaning device, and discharge a flow of cleaned air out of an outlet. An air conditioning unit includes an air conditioner housing separate from the air cleaner housing. The air conditioning unit is operable to draw in air through an inlet, through an air conditioning device, and discharge a flow of conditioned air out of an outlet. The outlet of the air conditioning device is in communication with a duct system to direct the flow of conditioned air to the cabin substantially evenly along the passenger zone length.

Abstract: A display for supporting produce generating ethylene gas as the produce ripens includes a surface for supporting the produce, a blower positioned in communication with the produce to move a gas containing at least a portion of the ethylene gas from the produce and an ethylene scrubber positioned in communication with the produce and in a flow path of the gas. The ethylene scrubber removes the at least a portion of the ethylene from the gas. The display does not include a refrigeration system such that a life of the produce is lengthened without use of refrigeration.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle including a cabin mounted to a frame and including a roof and a passenger zone defining a passenger zone length, an air cleaning unit including an air cleaner housing mounted to the roof, an air cleaning device disposed within the housing, an inlet upstream of the air cleaning device, and an outlet downstream of the air cleaning device, and a duct system disposed within the cabin and extending substantially along the passenger zone length. The air cleaning unit is operable to draw in air through the inlet, through the air cleaning device, and discharge a flow of cleaned air out of the outlet, and the duct system is in fluid communication with the outlet and operable to receive the flow of cleaned air from the outlet and direct the flow of cleaned air to the cabin substantially evenly along the passenger zone length.

Abstract: A tractor and trailer combination including a tractor having a tractor frame, a supply unit, a trailer coupling, a skid plate, and a first connector coupled to the tractor frame and coupled to the supply unit to receive at least one of high voltage electrical power and coolant from the supply unit. The combination also includes a trailer having a trailer frame, a tractor coupling rotatably connecting the trailer to the tractor, and a second connector coupled to the trailer and configured to provide the at least one of high voltage electrical power and coolant to the trailer. The combination further includes a conduit having a first end coupled to the first connector, a second end coupled to the second connector. The conduit flexes and is supported between the first and second ends by the skid plate throughout rotation of the trailer relative to the tractor.

Abstract: A method of defrosting a transcritical vapor compression system having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant during a cooling mode, an expansion valve for decreasing the pressure of the refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for cooling a space during the cooling mode. The method includes attaining a superheated refrigerant condition in a defrost mode of the transcritical vapor compression system and defrosting the second heat exchanger in the defrost mode by directing the superheated refrigerant to the second heat exchanger without bypassing the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: A tractor and trailer combination including a tractor having a tractor frame, a supply unit, a trailer coupling, a skid plate, and a first connector coupled to the tractor frame and coupled to the supply unit to receive at least one of high voltage electrical power and coolant from the supply unit. The combination also includes a trailer having a trailer frame, a tractor coupling rotatably connecting the trailer to the tractor, and a second connector coupled to the trailer and configured to provide the at least one of high voltage electrical power and coolant to the trailer. The combination further includes a conduit having a first end coupled to the first connector, a second end coupled to the second connector. The conduit flexes and is supported between the first and second ends by the skid plate throughout rotation of the trailer relative to the tractor.