Positive temperature refrigeration system

Abstract

Positive temperature refrigeration system (3) comprising at least one unit of refrigeration equipment (2), at least one thermal compartment (3.1) including at least one eutectic plate (3.2), at least one temperature controller (3.4), at least one air tube (4), and at least one fan (5), wherein the positive temperature refrigeration system (3) further comprises at least one temperature sensor.

Description

POSITIVE TEMPERATURE REFRIGERATION SYSTEMFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention falls within the technical field of vehicle refrigeration systems, more specifically fortransporting food cargo. In particular, the present invention refers to a positive temperature refrigeration system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Currently, the eutectic plate is a type of refrigeration device commonly used in the transportation of temperature-sensitive products such as ice cream.

[0003] These plates are comprised of a mixture of water and a freezing agent, which freezes at a specific temperature and maintains that temperature for a long period.

[0004] However, the eutectic plate is not used in the transportation of temperature-sensitive products that require positive temperatures, such as chocolates.

[0005] Existing technology for positive temperature cargo refrigeration involves the use of Diesel-powered refrigerators. One disadvantage of this technology currently in use is the noise generated by the engine and the emission of CO2.STATE OF THE ART

[0006] The document entitled Numerical Simulation of the Heat Transfer in a Refrigerated Trailer Equipped with Eutectic Plates for Frozen Food Delivery (available at https: / / www. researchgate.net / publication / 351914619_Numerical_Simulation _of_the_Heat_Transfer_in_a_Refrigerated_Trailer_Equipped_with_Eutectic_Plates_for_Frozen_Food_Delivery) refers to a study related to heat transfer in a refrigerated trailer with eutectic plates. The tests show that the configuration of eutectic plates fixed to the bottom of the trailer tends to maintain a higher temperature in the test without the presence of cargo, making them less preferred when the goal is to maintain temperatures for transporting frozen cargo, which is the case in this article. In addition, the article compares two modes of air circulation: suction or blowing.

[0007] Document CN101934755 discloses a type of electric refrigeration compressor for refrigerated storage designed for energy saving and environmentally friendly refrigeration for refrigerated vehicles. The compressor does not use gasoline or Diesel, but is driven by an electric motor. The engine power supply is an ordinary 220V power supply. When the car is parked, the refrigeration compressor can start refrigeration while the power is connected. The energy generated by the refrigeration compressor is stored in the eutectic salt phase-change cold storage device for use in vehicles transporting frozen or cold cargo during the day.

[0008] Document IN 303334 discloses a refrigeration management system for commercial vehicles with an electrically powered compressor using eutectic plates fixed to the inside walls for transporting heat-sensitive cargo, providing high temperature stability for up to 36 hours, low operating cost, low noise, and greater flexibility in the desired temperature range (positive temperatures are possible), and is non-polluting (because it is electric).

[0009] Document PI 0700660-8 discloses a refrigeration system using eutectic plates coupled to a food transport vehicle using the usual engines of class 4 and 5 Diesel trucks used for ice cream or fresh food delivery.

[0010] Document BR 1120210190333 discloses a container intended to transport products at a desired conservation temperature, for example at a temperature between -40°C and -18°C for the storage of frozen products, orat a temperature between 0°C and 4°C for the storage of fresh products. It uses dry ice plates and eutectic plates.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, defines a positive temperature refrigeration system comprising:- at least one refrigeration equipment;- at least one thermal compartment including:- at least one eutectic plate,- at least one temperature controller,- at least one air tube, and- at least one fan;- wherein the positive temperature refrigeration system further comprises at least one temperature sensor.

[0012] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the positive temperature refrigeration system further comprises at least one photovoltaic panel installed on the top of a trailer; wherein the photovoltaic panel powers the at least one fan.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one thermal compartment is coupled to a trailer at the end of the trailer that is coupled to the truck tractor; and the thermal compartment more preferably comprises at least three eutectic plates and at least one door.

[0014] In addition, according to another preferred embodiment, the at least one air tube is installed on the top of the thermal compartment extending to the inside of a trailer.

[0015] Furthermore, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one eutectic plate is powered by the at least onerefrigeration unit comprising a three-phase compressor connected to the electrical power.

[0016] In addition, according to an additional preferred embodiment, the at least one temperature sensor is connected to the at least one temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller is configured to disable the transfer of cold air to a trailer if the temperature of the trailer reaches a temperature below a pre-defined threshold.

[0017] Furthermore, the positive temperature refrigeration system further comprises at least one copper pipe for the passage of compressor gas; at least one electrical extension cord with at least one electrical cable; at least one main electrical plug; and at least one electrical cable for connection to at least one battery.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to complement the present description and to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof, an accompanying set of drawings is submitted, wherein the preferred embodiment is provided in an exemplary and, not limiting manner.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a truck with a refrigerated trailer with the refrigeration system at positive temperature.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the refrigeration system at positive temperature with the door open.

[0021] Figure 3 shows the eutectic plates.

[0022] Figure 4 depicts the thermal compartment with the door closed.

[0023] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the refrigeration system at positive temperature.

[0024] Figure 6 illustrates another side view of the refrigeration system at positive temperature.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a truck in which positive temperature refrigeration system 3 is arranged on a trailer.

[0026] More specifically, the positive temperature refrigeration system 3 comprises:- at least one photovoltaic panel 1 ; wherein photovoltaic panel 1 can be installed at the top of the trailer;- at least one refrigeration equipment 2;- at least one thermal compartment 3.1 ; wherein the at least one thermal compartment 3.1 is coupled to the trailer at the end of the trailer that is attached to a truck tractor;- wherein the at least one thermal compartment 3.1 includes, inside thereof, at least one eutectic plate 3.2, more preferably, at least three eutectic plates 3.2; and at least one door 3.3;- wherein the thermal compartment 3.1 further comprises at least one temperature controller 3.4; and at least one air tube 4; wherein the at least one air tube 4 is installed on the ceiling of the thermal compartment 3.1 and extends to the inside of the trailer;- at least one fan 5; and- at least one temperature sensor.

[0027] Photovoltaic panel 1 can be a panel with 300W power.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a front view of positive temperature refrigeration system 3, illustrating thermal compartment 3.1 with the at least one door 3.3 open, showing at least three eutectic plates 3.2. Particularly, eutectic plate 3.2 is powered by the at least one refrigeration equipment 2, which can be installed under the trailer and can be a three-phase compressor 220v / 380v connected to the electrical power.

[0029] Figure 3 shows another front view of the positive temperature refrigeration system 3 of the present invention, illustrating thermal compartment 3.1 with the at least one door 3.3 open, highlighting the at least one air tube 4, more preferably, at least two air tubes 4, which extend to the top inside part of the trailer.

[0030] Figure 4 shows positive temperature refrigeration system 3 of the present invention, illustrating thermal compartment 3.1 coupled to a trailer with the at least one door 3.3 closed.

[0031] Specifically, according to figure 5, at least one air tube 4 exhausts the hot air from inside the trailer to thermal compartment 3.1 where the hot air, upon over the frozen eutectic plates 3.2 absorbs the cold, lowering the air temperature, and where the cooled air is returned to the trailer through the at least one fan 5 installed on the inner ceiling of the trailer. More specifically, the cooled air passes through the at least one ventilation duct 5.1 installed on the inner ceiling of the trailer. In addition, the at least one fan 5 is powered by solar energy through the at least one photovoltaic panel 1. Figure 6 illustrates another side view of the refrigeration system.

[0032] Furthermore, the at least one fan 5 is installed on the inner ceiling of the trailer, at the intersection with the thermal compartment 3.1 , inside the at least one fan support compartment.

[0033] The at least one temperature sensor is connected to the at least one temperature controller 3.4, wherein the temperature controller 3.4 is configured to disable the transfer of cold air to the trailer, said transfer of cold air performed using at least one fan 5, if the temperature in the trailer reaches a temperature below a predefined threshold, for example, below 16°C or below 20°C.

[0034] The trailer has the following approximate dimensions: 14.60m x 2.50m x 2.20m. However, the present invention is not limited to the dimensions of the trailer.

[0035] Thus, as can be appreciated in Figure 5, the positive temperature refrigeration system 3 according to the alternative and preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises at least one copper pipe for the passage of gas 6 from the compressor 2 to the at least one eutectic plate 3.2; at least one electrical extension for outlet 6 with at least one electrical cord; at least one main electrical plug 8; and at least one electrical cable 9 for connection to at least one battery that stores energy captured by the at least one photovoltaic panel 1 .

[0036] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the knowledge presented herein and will be able to reproduce the invention in the embodiments presented and in other variants, encompassed within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims1. A positive temperature refrigeration system (3), characterized by comprising:- at least one refrigeration equipment (2);- at least one thermal compartment (3.1 ) including:- at least one eutectic plate (3.2),- at least one temperature controller (3.4), - at least one air tube (4) and- at least one fan (5);- wherein the positive temperature refrigeration system (3) further comprises at least one temperature sensor.

2. The positive temperature refrigeration system (3) according to claim 1 , characterized in that further comprises at least one photovoltaic panel (1 ) installed on the top of a trailer; wherein the photovoltaic panel (1 ) powers the at least one fan (5).

3. The positive temperature refrigeration system (3) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one thermal compartment (3.1 is coupled to a trailer at the end of the trailer that is coupled to a truck tractor; and the thermal compartment (3.1 ) comprises, more preferably, at least three eutectic plates (3.2) and at least one door (3.3).

4. The positive temperature refrigeration system (3) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one air tube (4) is installed on the ceiling of the thermal compartment (3.1 ) and extends to the partinside a trailer.

5. The positive temperature refrigeration system (3) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one eutectic plate (3.2) is powered through at least one refrigeration equipment (2) comprising a three-phase compressor connected to electrical power.

6. The positive temperature refrigeration system (3) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one temperature sensor is connected to the at least one temperature controller (3.4), in which the temperature controller (3.4) is configured to disable the transfer of cold air to a trailer if the temperature of the trailer reaches a temperature below a pre-defined threshold.

7. The positive temperature refrigeration system (3) according to claim 1 , characterized in that further comprises at least one copper pipe for the passage of gas (6) from the compressor (2); at least one electrical extension for an outlet (6) with at least one electrical cord; at least one main electrical outlet (8); and at least one electrical cable (9) for connection to at least one battery.