Method and system for cooling

Abstract

A system for cooling a storage area (101) of a vehicle (100) is disclosed, the system comprising: one or more eutectic plates (102) for cooling the storage area (101); a refrigeration system (103) configured to cool the one or more eutectic plates (102); an electrical system (106) configured to receive electrical power from a mains power supply and to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system (103); a variable displacement hydraulic pump (113) having an input shaft for being driven by an engine (112) of the vehicle (100); and a generator (107) configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump (113), generate electrical power in response thereto, and supply electrical power to the refrigeration system (103); wherein the hydraulic pump (113) is configured to reduce the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator (107) for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for cooling, and in particular to systems and methods for cooling storage areas of a vehicle, such as when the vehicle is transporting refrigerated or frozen cargo. Background Art

[0002] It is common for cargo to need to be kept at or below a certain temperature during transportation and delivery. When transporting cargo on a vehicle, keeping the cargo at or below a certain temperature (or within a certain temperature range) may involve using a refrigeration system powered by a power source on the vehicle to cool the cargo. However, such refrigeration systems place power demands on the vehicle. In addition, if a refrigeration system or power source fails, the temperature of the cargo may increase above the allowed temperature before it is possible to resolve the failure or provide an alternative cooling system.

[0003] Alternatively, cargo transported on a vehicle can be cooled using pre-cooled materials on the vehicle that provide a "cooling reservoir" that is capable of maintaining the cargo at or below a specific temperature for a specific amount of time. Phase change materials can be effective for providing a "cooling reservoir" because they can absorb latent heat as they change phases while maintaining a substantially constant temperature until the phase change is complete. Eutectic plates are examples of containers containing phase change materials that can be used for the purpose of cooling cargo during transportation.

[0004] When used for this purpose, on a vehicle used to transport goods, the eutectic plate is typically cooled while the vehicle is stationary by a refrigeration system powered by a mains power supply (an electrical network external to the vehicle - e.g., a national / domestic electrical network). After the eutectic plate is cooled such that the eutectic mixture contained within the eutectic plate is in a solid phase, the refrigeration system stops cooling the eutectic plate, and the vehicle can then be driven away. The eutectic plate keeps the goods being transported on the vehicle below a specific temperature (e.g., below the phase transition temperature of the eutectic mixture) for a specific amount of time (e.g., until the eutectic mixture has absorbed enough heat to transition from a solid phase to a liquid phase). The process can then be repeated by cooling the eutectic plate again while the vehicle is stationary using power supplied from the mains power supply.

[0005] It may be desirable to use eutectic panels to cool cargo being transported on a vehicle because the eutectic panels do not require a power source to cool the cargo while the vehicle is moving. However, the vehicle will have a limited time to transport the cargo before the eutectic panels can no longer keep the cargo at or below the desired temperature. This reduces the time (and therefore distance) during which the vehicle can transport the cargo while keeping the cargo at the desired cooling temperature. Furthermore, if access to a storage area of ​​the vehicle containing the cargo is required before all of the cargo has been transported (e.g., to deliver some but not all of the cargo), this may result in an increase in temperature in the storage area and additional heat supplied to the eutectic panels. Thus, there may also be a limited number of "delivery stops" before the eutectic panels are then no longer able to keep the cargo at or below the desired temperature.

[0006] Providing additional eutectic sheets on a vehicle may increase the time during which cargo transported on the vehicle may be maintained at or below a particular temperature (and / or the number of "delivery stops" that may be made). However, this will add weight to the vehicle (e.g., a eutectic sheet may weigh approximately 100 kg), may reduce the storage capacity of the vehicle, and will increase the time and / or power required to cool the eutectic sheets while the vehicle is stationary before the vehicle transports cargo. Summary of the invention

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for cooling a storage area of ​​a vehicle, comprising: one or more eutectic plates, the one or more eutectic plates being used to cool the storage area; a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system being configured to cool the one or more eutectic plates; an electrical system, the electrical system being configured to receive electrical power from a mains power supply and to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system; a variable displacement hydraulic pump having an input shaft for being driven by an engine of the vehicle; and a generator, the generator being configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump, generate electrical power in response thereto, and supply electrical power to the refrigeration system; wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to reduce the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases.

[0008] Similarly, the hydraulic pump is configured to increase the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft decreases.

[0009] Applicants have recognized that providing a refrigeration system for cooling one or more eutectic plates that can be selectively powered by a generator on a vehicle (e.g., using power provided from the vehicle's engine) can increase the period of time during which the one or more eutectic plates can maintain the temperature in a storage area of ​​the vehicle at or below a particular temperature (when it is not possible to cool the eutectic plates using a power source external to the vehicle, such as a mains power supply).

[0010] Conventionally, vehicle storage areas are cooled passively by pre-cooled eutectic plates (which are cooled by connection to a mains power supply), or actively cooled by a refrigeration system that is activated when the temperature in the storage area rises above a certain set point. These techniques are considered alternatives to each other. For example, if the use of the vehicle is such that it is only necessary to keep the storage area cooled for relatively short periods of time while the vehicle is moving, eutectic plates may be selected, while when it is necessary to keep the storage area cooled for relatively long periods of time, an active refrigeration system may be selected. Because these systems are conventionally considered alternatives, cooling the eutectic plates while the vehicle is moving by using a variable displacement hydraulic pump and generator on a vehicle as described herein has not previously been considered.

[0011] The use of a hydraulic pump that can reduce the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases can maintain a suitable amount of hydraulic fluid supplied to the generator regardless of the rotational speed of the input shaft. This allows a suitable amount of power to be generated by the generator (for supply to the refrigeration system) regardless of the rotational speed of the input shaft. Therefore, regardless of the RPM ("engine speed") of the vehicle engine used to rotate the input shaft, this can allow a suitable amount of power to be supplied from the generator to the refrigeration system. This can avoid the need for additional electrical wiring / components that would otherwise be required to regulate the supply of electrical power between the generator and the refrigeration system. The system can thereby maintain the power supplied from the generator to the refrigeration system within a specific range regardless of the rotational speed of the input shaft.

[0012] The hydraulic pump may be configured such that the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft varies in an inversely proportional relationship to the rotational speed of the input shaft.

[0013] The generator may be configured to supply a substantially constant power supply to the refrigeration system regardless of the RPM of the vehicle engine.

[0014] The generator may be configured to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system at substantially the same voltage and / or frequency as is supplied to the refrigeration system when the electrical system is connected to a mains power supply.

[0015] The system may be configured such that the power supplied from the generator is substantially the same as the mains power, thereby avoiding a complete redesign of the electrical supply system of the refrigeration system cooling the eutectic plate. This may allow the refrigeration system to use simpler electronics, and allow existing systems employing refrigeration systems intended to be powered (only) by a mains power supply to be more easily modified to include a generator configured to supply power to the refrigeration system according to the present disclosure.

[0016] Both the generator and the electrical system may be configured to supply three-phase electrical power at 400V and 50 Hz to the refrigeration system.

[0017] The hydraulic pump may include a piston configured to displace hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic fluid conduit as the input shaft rotates, and configured to vary the amount of hydraulic fluid displacement in the hydraulic fluid conduit per revolution of the input shaft by varying the amount of piston displacement per revolution of the input shaft. The hydraulic fluid conduit may fluidly connect the hydraulic pump to the generator.

[0018] The refrigeration system may be configured to cool the one or more eutectic plates by circulating a refrigerant through conduits in the one or more eutectic plates and / or conduits in contact with an exterior surface of the one or more eutectic plates.

[0019] The system may include one or more temperature sensors for sensing the temperature of the one or more eutectic plates and / or the temperature of a storage area of ​​the vehicle.

[0020] The system may provide an indication to a user of the temperature sensed by the one or more temperature sensors (eg, so that the user may control the system based on the temperature sensed by the one or more temperature sensors).

[0021] The system may include a controller configured to control whether to supply electrical power from the generator to the refrigeration system to cool the eutectic plate based on a comparison of the temperature sensed by the one or more temperature sensors with the one or more temperature set points. A user may set the one or more temperature set points using a user input device. The controller may include a memory and may include a processor and / or processing circuitry / circuitry.

[0022] The temperature set point may be determined based on one or more other temperature set points. For example, one or more temperature set points may correspond to a (e.g., predetermined and / or programmable) offset from one or more other temperature set points (e.g., a "target" temperature set point).

[0023] When the temperature sensed by the one or more temperature sensors is at or above a first temperature set point, the controller may be configured to control the system to supply electrical power from the generator to the refrigeration system to cool the eutectic plate. When the temperature sensed by the one or more temperature sensors is at or below a second temperature set point, the controller may be configured to control the system to stop supplying electrical power from the generator to the refrigeration system to stop cooling the eutectic plate.

[0024] The controller may be configured to control whether the generator receives hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump based on a comparison of the temperature sensed by the one or more temperature sensors and one or more temperature set points.

[0025] The controller may be configured to activate the generator (by supplying hydraulic fluid to it from a pump) and / or deactivate the generator (by not supplying hydraulic fluid to it from a pump) based on determining whether the refrigeration system is required to cool one or more eutectic plates (e.g., based on one or more temperature set points).

[0026] The system can be configured so that when the generator is not generating electrical power, the input shaft is allowed to rotate without causing displacement of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic pump. This can reduce the power supplied from the engine to the system to a suitable minimum amount (when desired).

[0027] From another aspect, the present disclosure provides a vehicle comprising the system for cooling described herein, the vehicle further comprising: the storage area; and an engine for moving the vehicle; wherein the engine is mechanically coupled to the input shaft of the hydraulic pump.

[0028] The vehicle may be a road vehicle, a marine vehicle or an air vehicle. For example, the vehicle may be a truck, a lorry or a van (eg, a van / van truck).

[0029] From another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for cooling a storage area of ​​a vehicle described herein, the method comprising: (i) when the vehicle is stationary: connecting a mains power supply to an electrical system, and supplying electrical power from the mains power supply to a refrigeration system to cool one or more eutectic plates; and (ii) when the vehicle is moving: using the vehicle's engine to rotate an input shaft; supplying hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump to a generator, which generates electrical power in response thereto, and supplying electrical power to the refrigeration system to cool one or more eutectic plates; wherein the hydraulic pump reduces the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases.

[0030] The method may include reducing a volume of hydraulic fluid supplied by the hydraulic pump to the generator in response to an increase in the rotational speed of the input shaft.

[0031] From another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for providing the vehicle described herein by installing the system for cooling described herein in the vehicle, the method comprising: providing one or more eutectic plates for the storage area; providing the vehicle with a generator, a hydraulic pump, a refrigeration system and an electrical system; mechanically connecting the engine to an input shaft; fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump to the generator; and electrically connecting the generator to the refrigeration system.

[0032] Although the cooling element is described herein as a eutectic plate, it is contemplated that the plate may be substantially planar or any other geometric shape. It is also contemplated that a cooling block that does not include eutectic material may be provided in place of the eutectic plate.

[0033] Therefore, the present disclosure also provides a system for cooling a storage area of ​​a vehicle, comprising: one or more cooling blocks, which are used to cool the storage area; a refrigeration system, which is configured to cool the one or more cooling blocks; an electrical system, which is configured to receive electrical power from a mains power supply and supply electrical power to the refrigeration system; a variable displacement hydraulic pump, which has an input shaft for being driven by an engine of the vehicle; and a generator, which is configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump, generate electrical power in response thereto, and supply electrical power to the refrigeration system; wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to reduce the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases.

[0034] Each of the one or more cooling blocks may include a phase change material adapted to cool a storage area of ​​a vehicle by absorbing heat while undergoing a phase change.

[0035] In aspects and embodiments described herein, one or more cooling blocks may be provided in place of one or more eutectic plates.

[0036] For example, the refrigeration system may be configured to cool the one or more cooling blocks by circulating a refrigerant through conduits in the one or more cooling blocks and / or conduits in contact with external surfaces of the one or more cooling blocks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 A vehicle having a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0039] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of cooling a storage area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0040] Figure 3Ashows a temperature versus time plot for a conventional system with a eutectic plate, while Figure 3B Shown is a graph of temperature versus time for a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present disclosure relates to cooling methods and systems for cooling that can be used to cool cargo located in a storage area of ​​a vehicle.

[0042] Figure 1 An example of a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, the vehicle 100 including a system for cooling a storage area 101 of the vehicle 100. Although the vehicle shown is a truck, it will be appreciated that any other form of vehicle may be provided with the system disclosed herein, such as a truck, a caravan, a marine vehicle, or an aerial vehicle. The system includes a plurality of eutectic plates 102 and a refrigeration system 103. The refrigeration system 103 is configured to cool the eutectic plates 102 by circulating a refrigerant through one or more conduits (e.g., a tube / tubes) 104 passing through the eutectic plates 102. As the refrigerant passes through the eutectic plates 102, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the eutectic mixture contained within the eutectic plates 102 to cool the eutectic mixture. The refrigeration system 103 may be configured to absorb heat from the eutectic plates 102 to cause the refrigerant to undergo a phase change from a liquid phase to a gas phase or vapor phase. The refrigerant may then pass through a compressor 105 to increase the pressure of the refrigerant (and may also increase the temperature of the refrigerant). The refrigeration system 103 may be configured to cause the refrigerant to then undergo a reverse phase change from a gas or vapor phase to a liquid phase while transferring heat to the exterior of the vehicle 100. The pressure of the refrigerant may then be reduced (e.g., using one or more expansion valves) such that the temperature of the refrigerant is reduced before the refrigerant is recirculated back through the eutectic plate 102.

[0043] The electrical system 106 is configured to receive electrical power from a mains power supply (an electrical grid external to the vehicle 100) and to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system 103. The electrical system 106 is adapted to provide power to the refrigeration system 103 when the vehicle 100 is stationary. The refrigeration system 103 uses the power supplied by the electrical system 106 to power the compressor 105 and to circulate the refrigerant to cool the eutectic mixture. The refrigeration system 103 may thereby cause the eutectic mixture to transition from a liquid phase to a solid phase. Once the eutectic plate 102 has cooled, the electrical system 106 is disconnected from the mains power supply and the vehicle is driven away.

[0044] For example, while the vehicle 100 is stationary (e.g., prior to transporting cargo), the refrigeration system 103 may cool the eutectic plate 102 so that the eutectic mixture is in a solid phase (and the vehicle 100 may be loaded with cargo to be transported) before the vehicle then becomes mobile (e.g., to transport cargo).

[0045] Once the eutectic plates 102 are cooled, they cool the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 and keep it cool for a period of time while the vehicle 100 is mobile (e.g., while the vehicle is transporting cargo) without the need to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system 103. The eutectic plates 102 cool the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 through the eutectic mixture absorbing heat from the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100. When the eutectic mixture is in a solid phase and close to the temperature at which the eutectic mixture will transition from the solid phase to the liquid phase (the eutectic point), the eutectic mixture will continue to absorb heat while maintaining a substantially constant temperature until the transition from the solid phase to the liquid phase is complete. Therefore, the eutectic plates 102 can be particularly effective at cooling the storage area 101 of the vehicle when the eutectic mixture is in a solid phase and has a temperature close to the eutectic point (phase transition). Therefore, the eutectic mixture can be selected for the eutectic plates 102 based on the temperature of the eutectic point of the eutectic mixture and the temperature at or below which the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 is desired to be maintained. For example, a eutectic mixture may be selected that has a eutectic point between the temperature to which the refrigeration system 103 is suitable for cooling the eutectic mixture and the temperature at or below which the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 is desired to be maintained. Thus, the refrigeration system 103 may be configured to cool the eutectic plate 102 to below the eutectic point of the eutectic mixture by, for example, selecting a suitable refrigerant (e.g., selecting a refrigerant that will undergo a phase change at a lower temperature than the eutectic point of the eutectic mixture when in one or more conduits 104 passing through the eutectic plate 102).

[0046] Still refer to Figure 1 , the system for cooling the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 also includes a (hydraulically driven) generator 107, which is configured to generate and supply electrical power to the refrigeration system 103. The generator 107 is configured to be able to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system 103 when the vehicle is moving (when desired). The generator 107 can be used to selectively provide power to the refrigeration system 103 to cool the eutectic plate 102, for example automatically when the temperature of the storage area 101 (or plate 102) rises above a certain set point or manually through user intervention. The generator 107 can be used to selectively provide power to the refrigeration system 103 in order to keep the eutectic mixture in a solid phase. This use of the generator 107 can extend the period during which the eutectic plate 102 can keep the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 at or below a specific desired temperature. However, as stated below, the generator 107 may only need to supply power to the refrigeration system 103 during some, but not all, of the time when the vehicle 100 is in motion.

[0047] Continue to refer to Figure 1, a system for cooling a storage area 101 of a vehicle 100 may include a controller 108 , a temperature sensor 109 , and an optional user input device 110 .

[0048] The temperature sensor 109 is configured to sense the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100, and can provide an indication of the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 to the controller 108. The user input device 110 is configured to allow the user to provide the controller 108 with a first temperature set point and a second temperature set point. The controller 108 is configured to use the temperature sensor 109 to determine when the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 is at or above the first temperature set point, and control the system to supply electrical power from the generator 107 to the refrigeration system 103 when it is determined that this is the case. The refrigeration system 103 can use the electrical power supplied from the generator 107 to cool the eutectic plate 102 in the manner discussed above. The controller 108 is also configured to use the temperature sensor 109 to determine when the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle is at or below the second temperature set point, and control the system to stop supplying electrical power from the generator 107 to the refrigeration system 103 (e.g., by stopping the generator 107) when it is determined that this is the case. It will be appreciated that the second temperature set point should correspond to a lower temperature than the first temperature set point, and using the functionality described above, the controller is configured to control the system based on the first temperature set point and the second temperature set point to adjust the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 (e.g., to maintain the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 between the first temperature set point and the second temperature set point).

[0049] Still refer to Figure 1, an engine drive shaft 111, such as a power output drive shaft, may be arranged such that it is configured to operate a (variable displacement) hydraulic pump 113 using power provided by an engine 112 of the vehicle 100 (e.g., by the engine drive shaft 111 rotating the input shaft of the hydraulic pump 113). Thus, the engine 112 drives the hydraulic pump 113 so as to provide a hydraulic force that drives the generator 107 to generate electrical power (when required). More specifically, the rotation of the engine drive shaft 111 causes one or more pistons of the hydraulic pump 113 to move so as to pump hydraulic fluid through the generator 107, which generates electricity from the moved fluid. The hydraulic pump 113 is configured such that the amount of fluid displacement caused by the movement of the one or more pistons (i.e., by each stroke) is related to the rotational speed of the input shaft (and therefore the engine speed). Thus, when the engine speed (RPM) changes, the displacement (i.e., stroke length) of the one or more pistons of the hydraulic pump 113 also changes. More specifically, the hydraulic pump 113 is configured such that within at least a certain range of the rotational speed of the input shaft (i.e., the engine speed), the faster the input shaft rotates, the shorter the stroke length of each of the one or more pistons is such that the volume of fluid displaced by each stroke is smaller. For example, the hydraulic pump 113 may be configured such that the amount of hydraulic fluid displaced by each stroke (e.g., by volume) is inversely proportional to the rotational speed of the input shaft (within at least a certain range of the rotational speed of the input shaft). Thus, the hydraulic pump 113 may be configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the generator 107 at a substantially constant speed regardless of the rotational speed of the input shaft (i.e., regardless of the engine RPM). The generator 107 may thereby supply a substantially constant amount of electrical power (e.g., having a substantially constant voltage) to the refrigeration system 103 independent of the speed at which the engine 112 rotates the engine drive shaft 111 (e.g., independent of the “engine speed” or the RPM at which the engine 112 operates). Thus, generator 107 may supply electrical power to refrigeration system 103 with substantially the same characteristics as electrical power that may be supplied from the mains via electrical system 106. For example, both electrical system 106 and generator 107 may be configured to provide three-phase electrical power at 400V and 50Hz to refrigeration system 103 (although other suitable electrical characteristics may be selected as desired).

[0050] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 Flow chart of a method for storing an area 101 of a vehicle 100 .

[0051] like Figure 2, when the vehicle 100 is stationary (step 201), the electrical system 106 receives electrical power from the mains power supply and supplies electrical power to the refrigeration system 103 to cool the eutectic plate 102 (step 202). Subsequently, for example, after the eutectic plate 102 has cooled a sufficient amount (e.g., when the eutectic mixture is in a solid phase and / or the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle is at or below a second temperature set point), the electrical system 106 is disconnected from the mains power supply so that the vehicle 100 can be moved (step 203). Subsequently, the controller 108 uses the temperature sensor 109 to determine when the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 rises to or above a first temperature set point (step 204). The first temperature set point may be provided to the controller 108 by the user input device 110. When it is determined by the controller 108 that the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 is at or above the first temperature set point, the controller 108 controls the system to supply electrical power from the generator 107 to the refrigeration system 103 to cool the eutectic plate 102 (step 205). To provide power to the hydraulically driven generator 107 (as described above), the engine drive shaft 111 is rotated by the engine 112 to rotate the input shaft of the variable displacement hydraulic pump 113. The rotational speed of the input shaft may vary (e.g., based on the varying "engine speed"), and when this occurs, the variable displacement hydraulic pump 113 varies the volume of hydraulic fluid supplied to the generator 107 per rotation of the input shaft (e.g., providing the generator 107 with hydraulic fluid at a substantially constant rate over time). The controller 108 will use the temperature sensor 109 to determine when the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 is at or below the second temperature set point (step 206). When the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 is determined by the controller 108 to be at or below the second temperature set point, the controller 108 controls the refrigeration system 103 and / or the generator 107 to stop supplying electrical power from the generator 107 to the refrigeration system 103 (step 207). Steps 204-207 may be repeated each time the controller 108 determines that the temperature in the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 is subsequently at or above the first temperature set point. When the vehicle 100 is subsequently stationary, step 202 may be repeated to cool the eutectic plate 102 using the mains power supply.

[0052] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is an example of a temperature versus time graph illustrating the advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure over conventional systems using eutectic plates.

[0053] Figure 3Ais a comparative example showing a graph of temperature versus time in a storage area of ​​a vehicle cooled by a eutectic plate in a conventional system. In this system, the eutectic plate can be cooled only when connection to the mains power supply is possible, i.e. when the vehicle is stationary. At point 301, electrical power is provided by the mains power supply to the refrigeration system to cool the eutectic plate. As the refrigeration system cools the eutectic plate, the temperature inside the storage area decreases. At point 302, after a first time period 303 (during which the vehicle is stationary), the mains power supply is disconnected from the refrigeration system. The vehicle can then be moved within a second time period 304. During the second time period 304, the temperature in the storage area continues to increase until it reaches the ambient temperature (or the refrigeration system is connected to the mains again).

[0054] Figure 3B is a diagram showing an embodiment according to the present disclosure Figure 11 is an example of a graph of temperature versus time in a storage area 101 of a vehicle 100. At point 311, the electrical system 106 receives electrical power from the mains power supply and supplies electrical power to the refrigeration system 103 to cool the eutectic plate 102. As the refrigeration system 103 cools the eutectic plate 102 during the first time period 312, at point 314, the temperature inside the storage area 101 decreases to a second temperature set point 313. The mains power supply is then disconnected from the refrigeration system 103, and the vehicle 100 can be moved during the ongoing second time period 315. During the second time period 315, the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 initially increases due to the relatively high ambient temperature outside the vehicle. The temperature inside the storage area 101 increases until point 316, at which point the controller 108 determines that the temperature inside the storage area 101 is at the first temperature set point 317. At point 316, the hydraulically driven generator 107 begins supplying electrical power to the refrigeration system 103 to cool the eutectic plate 102. The hydraulically driven generator 107 continues to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system 103 to cool the eutectic plate 102, and the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 decreases over a time period 318 until the second temperature set point 313 is reached at point 319. At point 319, the hydraulically driven generator 107 stops supplying electrical power to the refrigeration system 103, and the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 then increases until the first temperature set point 317 is (again) reached at point 320. At point 320, the hydraulically driven generator 107 again begins supplying electrical power to the refrigeration system 103 to cool the eutectic plate 102, and the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 decreases over a time period 321 until the second temperature set point 313 is reached at point 322. At point 322, hydraulically driven generator 107 stops supplying electrical power to refrigeration system 103, and the temperature inside storage area 101 of vehicle 100 increases. At point 323, for example, it may be determined that the storage area no longer requires cooling (e.g., because all the cargo that was transported for delivery and required cooling has been delivered). Therefore, the temperature inside storage area 101 of vehicle 100 is allowed to continue to rise to ambient temperature by deactivating the refrigeration system.

[0055] Although in Figure 3BIn the example shown in FIG. 1 , the mains power supply is disconnected from the refrigeration system 103 when the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 reaches the second temperature set point. It will be appreciated that the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 may be reduced to below the second temperature set point 313 before the mains power supply is disconnected from the refrigeration system 103, and / or the storage area 101 may be maintained at a temperature for a period of time before the mains power supply is disconnected from the refrigeration system 103. Additionally or alternatively, the electric power system 106 may be configured to control the electric power supplied to the refrigeration system based on one or more temperature set points.

[0056] Not like Figure 3A in Figure 3B , the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 is maintained between the first temperature set point and the second temperature set point. This can be achieved by the hydraulically driven generator 107 supplying electrical power to the refrigeration system 103 during time periods 318 and 321. However, during the entire second time period 315 (i.e., when disconnected from the mains power), the hydraulically driven generator 107 does not need to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system 103. In addition, during Figure 3B The temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 at point 324 is lower than that at Figure 3A Thus, if electrical power is again supplied from the mains power supply to provide power to the refrigeration system 103 after point 324, less power and / or time may be required to cool the eutectic plate 102 in order to reduce the temperature inside the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 to the second temperature set point 313 than if the temperature at point 324 was the temperature at point 305.

[0057] In addition, use Figure 3A The process and / or system for maintaining the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 at or below a specific temperature for a specific period of time is used according to Figure 3B Compared to processes and / or systems according to Figure 3A systems and / or processes compared to Figure 3B The system and / or process may reduce the temperature range to which the refrigeration system 103 is required to be able to cool the eutectic plates 102, may reduce the time and / or power required to cool the eutectic plates 102 before the mains power supply is disconnected from the system, and may allow the system to maintain the storage area 101 of the vehicle 100 within a narrower or more controllable temperature range. Embodiments also allow for the use of fewer or smaller eutectic plates to maintain a desired temperature for a given period of time because the plates can be recooled while the vehicle is in motion.

[0058] Although the systems described herein are described in this disclosure as including a hydraulic pump 113 and the generator 107 is described as being hydraulically driven, this is not essential, and it is contemplated that the generator 107 may (less preferably) not be hydraulically driven and the systems described herein may (less preferably) not include the hydraulic pump 113. The electrical system 106 is also not essential, and (less preferably) the systems described herein may not include the electrical system 106.

[0059] Although the systems described herein are described in this disclosure as including one or more eutectic plates 102 , one or more cooling blocks may be provided in place of the one or more eutectic plates 102 .

[0060] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A system for cooling a storage area of ​​a vehicle, comprising: one or more eutectic plates, the one or more eutectic plates being used to cool the storage area; a refrigeration system configured to cool the one or more eutectic plates; an electrical system configured to receive electrical power from a mains power supply and to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system; a variable displacement hydraulic pump having an input shaft for being driven by an engine of the vehicle; as well as a generator configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump, generate electrical power in response thereto, and supply the electrical power to the refrigeration system; Wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to reduce the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The hydraulic pump is configured so that the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft varies in inverse proportion to the rotational speed of the input shaft.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The generator is configured to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system at substantially the same voltage and / or frequency as is supplied to the refrigeration system when the electrical system is connected to the mains power supply.

4. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The hydraulic pump includes a piston configured to displace hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic fluid conduit when the input shaft rotates, and configured to vary the amount of hydraulic fluid displacement in the hydraulic fluid conduit per rotation of the input shaft by varying the amount of displacement of the piston per rotation of the input shaft.

5. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The refrigeration system is configured to cool the one or more eutectic plates by circulating a refrigerant through conduits in the one or more eutectic plates and / or conduits in contact with external surfaces of the one or more eutectic plates.

6. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The system includes one or more temperature sensors for sensing a temperature of the one or more eutectic plates and / or a temperature of a storage area of ​​a vehicle.

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that The system includes a controller configured to control whether to supply electrical power from the generator to the refrigeration system to cool the eutectic plate based on a comparison of the temperature sensed by the one or more temperature sensors with one or more temperature set points.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that The controller is configured to control whether the generator receives hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump based on a comparison of the temperature sensed by the one or more temperature sensors and the one or more temperature set points.

9. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The system is configured such that the input shaft is permitted to rotate without causing displacement of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic pump when the generator is not generating electrical power.

10. A means of transport, comprising: A system according to any preceding claim; the storage area; as well as an engine, the engine being used to move the vehicle; Wherein the engine is mechanically coupled to the input shaft of the hydraulic pump.

11. A method of cooling a storage area of ​​a vehicle according to claim 10, the method comprising: (i) when the vehicle is stationary: connecting a mains power supply to the electrical system and supplying electrical power from the mains power supply to the refrigeration system to cool the one or more eutectic panels; and (ii) when the vehicle is moving: using the vehicle's engine to rotate the input shaft; supplying hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the generator, the generator generating electrical power in response thereto, and supplying the electrical power to the refrigeration system to cool the one or more eutectic plates; wherein the hydraulic pump reduces the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method includes reducing a volume of hydraulic fluid supplied by the hydraulic pump to the generator in response to an increase in the rotational speed of the input shaft.

13. A method of providing a vehicle according to claim 10 by installing a system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a vehicle, the method comprising: providing the storage area with the one or more eutectic plates; providing the vehicle with the generator, the hydraulic pump, the refrigeration system and the electrical system; mechanically coupling the engine to the input shaft; fluidly coupling the hydraulic pump to the generator; and The generator is electrically coupled to the refrigeration system.

14. A system for cooling a storage area of ​​a vehicle, comprising: one or more cooling blocks, the one or more cooling blocks being used to cool the storage area; a refrigeration system configured to cool the one or more cooling blocks; an electrical system configured to receive electrical power from a mains power supply and to supply electrical power to the refrigeration system; a variable displacement hydraulic pump having an input shaft for being driven by an engine of the vehicle; a generator configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump, generate electrical power in response thereto, and supply the electrical power to the refrigeration system; Wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to reduce the volume of hydraulic fluid it supplies to the generator for each rotation of the input shaft as the rotational speed of the input shaft increases.

15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that The refrigeration system is configured to cool the one or more cooling blocks by circulating a refrigerant through conduits in the one or more cooling blocks and / or conduits in contact with external surfaces of the one or more cooling blocks.

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