Refrigeration Truck / Trailer with Unified Charging Port

Abstract

A system and method for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a unified charging port with a charging station is provided. The charging port is configured to receive electrical power from the charging station. The vehicle drive system and the refrigeration unit system are configured to connect to the charging port. The vehicle drive system receives electrical power from the charging station and stores the electrical power in the vehicle battery at a vehicle drive system voltage. The refrigeration unit system receives electrical power from the charging station and stores the electrical power in the refrigeration unit battery at a refrigeration unit system voltage. The refrigeration unit system converts the electrical power from the refrigeration unit battery into mechanical energy in the refrigeration power system.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 949,493, filed on December 18, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Background Art

[0003] Refrigerated trucks and trailers are commonly used to transport perishable goods, such as produce, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, cut flowers, and other fresh or frozen perishable products. To maintain perishable goods, transport refrigeration units are typically mounted to trucks or mounted to trailers. Transport refrigeration units can be driven mechanically (e.g., direct mechanical coupling or belt drive) or electrically. When mechanically driven, the transport refrigeration unit draws power from the vehicle engine. When electrically driven, the transport refrigeration unit can draw power from a generator or from an onboard battery.

[0004] Vehicles, including refrigerated trucks and trailers, are moving away from fossil fuels and toward electric power as an energy source. Electric vehicles use one or more electric motors for propulsion. To supply power to drive the one or more electric motors, electric vehicles typically use one or more on-board vehicle batteries. When paired with an electric-driven transport refrigeration unit, the on-board vehicle battery can be used to drive both the vehicle and the refrigeration unit. As an alternative to a shared battery system, separate batteries can be used. For example, an electric vehicle may have a battery separate from the refrigeration unit battery.

[0005] When having separate batteries, it is common for each battery to have a separate charging port. Each charging port typically has its own connection to a charging station. With each charging station having a limited number of available connections, using multiple connections for a single electrically powered refrigerated truck greatly reduces the number of electrically powered refrigerated trucks that can be charged through each charging station.

[0006] Accordingly, a need remains for a more efficient system for recharging the vehicle battery and refrigeration unit battery of an electric refrigeration truck. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to one embodiment, a system is provided for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station. The charging station provides electrical power at a charging station voltage. The system includes a charging port, a vehicle drive system, and a refrigeration unit system. The charging port receives electrical power from the charging station. The vehicle drive system is connected to the charging port, and the vehicle drive system receives electrical power from the charging port. The vehicle drive system includes a vehicle battery, which is used to store electrical power at a vehicle drive system voltage. The refrigeration unit system is connected to the charging port. The refrigeration unit system receives electrical power from the charging port. The refrigeration unit system includes a refrigeration unit battery and a refrigeration power system. The refrigeration unit battery stores electrical power at a refrigeration unit system voltage. The refrigeration power system converts the electrical power from the refrigeration unit battery into mechanical energy.

[0008] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the vehicle powertrain further includes a vehicle power system for converting electrical power from a vehicle battery into mechanical energy.

[0009] According to additional or alternative embodiments, electrical power is transferable between the vehicle drive system and the refrigeration unit system.

[0010] According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the charging station is a direct current (DC) charging station.

[0011] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the vehicle powertrain further comprises a vehicle DC-DC converter for converting electric power from the charging station voltage to the vehicle powertrain voltage, the electric power converted by the vehicle DC-DC converter being stored by the vehicle battery.

[0012] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the refrigeration unit system further includes a refrigeration DC-DC converter, which is used to convert electric power from the charging station voltage to the refrigeration unit system voltage, and the electric power converted by the refrigeration DC-DC converter is stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

[0013] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the charging station is an alternating current (AC) charging station.

[0014] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the charging port includes an AC-DC converter for converting electrical power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

[0015] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the vehicle powertrain further comprises a vehicle DC-DC converter for converting electric power into a vehicle powertrain voltage, the electric power converted by the vehicle DC-DC converter being stored by a vehicle battery.

[0016] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the refrigeration unit system further comprises a refrigeration DC-DC converter for converting the electric power into a refrigeration unit system voltage, the electric power converted by the refrigeration DC-DC converter being stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

[0017] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the vehicle transmission system further includes a vehicle AC-DC converter, which is used to convert electric power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), and the electric power converted by the vehicle AC-DC converter is stored by the vehicle battery.

[0018] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the refrigeration unit system further includes a refrigeration AC-DC converter, which is used to convert electric power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), and the electric power converted by the refrigeration AC-DC converter is stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

[0019] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the electrical power converted by the AC-DC converter is stored by a vehicle battery.

[0020] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the electrical power converted by the AC-DC converter is stored by a refrigeration unit battery.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station is provided. The charging station provides electrical power at a charging station voltage. The method includes: receiving electrical power from the charging station at a charging port; delivering the electrical power from the charging port to a vehicle drive system, which stores the electrical power in a vehicle battery at a vehicle drive system voltage; and delivering the electrical power from the charging port to a refrigeration unit system, which stores the electrical power in a refrigeration unit battery at a refrigeration unit system voltage, and converting the electrical power from the vehicle battery into mechanical energy in a refrigeration power system.

[0022] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the vehicle powertrain further includes a vehicle power system that converts electrical power from a vehicle battery into mechanical energy.

[0023] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes transferring electrical power between the vehicle drive system and the refrigeration unit system.

[0024] According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the charging station is a direct current (DC) charging station.

[0025] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the vehicle powertrain converts electrical power from the charging station voltage to the vehicle powertrain voltage in a vehicle DC-DC converter, the electrical power converted by the vehicle DC-DC converter being stored by the vehicle battery.

[0026] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the refrigeration unit system converts electrical power from the charging station voltage to the refrigeration unit system voltage in a refrigeration DC-DC converter, and the electrical power converted by the refrigeration DC-DC converter is stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

[0027] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the charging station is an alternating current (AC) charging station.

[0028] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the charging port includes an AC-DC converter for converting electrical power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

[0029] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the vehicle powertrain converts the electrical power to a vehicle powertrain voltage in a vehicle DC-DC converter, and the electrical power converted by the vehicle DC-DC converter is stored by a vehicle battery.

[0030] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the refrigeration unit system converts the electrical power into a refrigeration unit system voltage in a refrigeration DC-DC converter, and the electrical power converted by the refrigeration DC-DC converter is stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

[0031] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the vehicle powertrain converts electrical power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) in a vehicle AC-DC converter, and the electrical power converted by the vehicle AC-DC converter is stored by a vehicle battery.

[0032] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the refrigeration unit system converts electrical power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) in a refrigeration AC-DC converter, and the electrical power converted by the refrigeration AC-DC converter is stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

[0033] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the electrical power converted by the AC-DC converter is stored by a vehicle battery.

[0034] According to additional or alternative embodiments, the electrical power converted by the AC-DC converter is stored by a refrigeration unit battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The subject matter regarded as the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the concluding portion of this specification. The following description of the drawings should not be construed as limiting in any way. With reference to the drawings, similar elements are similarly numbered:

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric refrigerated vehicle with a unified charging port according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a system for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a system for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a system for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a system for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a system for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Systems and methods for charging vehicle batteries and refrigeration unit batteries are provided. The systems and methods provide a more efficient way to charge separate batteries when compared to conventional charging systems. Rather than requiring multiple connections to a charging station, one unified charging port is used to charge both the vehicle battery and the refrigeration unit battery. By reducing the required number of connections for each electric refrigerated vehicle, each charging station can provide electrical power to an increased number of electric refrigerated vehicles.

[0044] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electric refrigerated vehicle with a unified charging port according to various aspects of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. Figure 1As shown in , in some examples, the electric refrigerated vehicle 100 includes a charging port 110, a vehicle battery 410, and a refrigeration unit battery 310. The charging port 110 is configured to receive electrical power from the charging station 200. The vehicle battery 410 is configured to store electrical power at a vehicle powertrain voltage. The refrigeration unit battery 310 is configured to store electrical power at a refrigeration unit system voltage. The electric refrigerated vehicle 100 may include a refrigeration power system 320, which is used to convert electrical power from the refrigeration unit battery 310 into mechanical energy (e.g., to circulate a refrigerant). The electric refrigerated vehicle 100 may include a vehicle power system 420, which is used to convert electrical power from the vehicle battery 410 into mechanical energy (e.g., to propel the vehicle).

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown in , in some examples, the vehicle battery 410 is a component of the vehicle transmission system 400, and the refrigeration unit battery 310 is a component of the refrigeration unit system 300. In some examples, the vehicle transmission system 400 can be connected to the charging port 110 to receive electrical power from the charging port 110. In some examples, the refrigeration unit system 300 can be connected to the charging port 110 to receive electrical power from the charging port 110. In some examples, electrical power is transferable between the vehicle transmission system 400 and the refrigeration unit system 300.

[0046] In some examples, the charging station 200 may be a direct current (DC) charging station 200. The charging station 200 may include a battery management system (not shown) that is used to (e.g., automatically) detect the vehicle battery 410 and / or the refrigeration unit battery 310. The battery management system of the charging station 200 may set the voltage of the electric power based on the detection of the vehicle battery 410 and / or the refrigeration unit battery 310. In some examples, the battery management system of the charging station 200 may select an appropriate voltage that will work for both the vehicle battery 410 and the refrigeration unit battery 310. In some examples, the battery management system of the charging station 200 may select an appropriate voltage that will work for the vehicle battery 410 or the refrigeration unit battery 310.

[0047] The voltage of the vehicle battery 410 may be between 400 volts and 800 volts depending at least in part on the size of the vehicle 100, the weight of the vehicle 100, and / or the current charge (e.g., full, partially charged, or empty) of the vehicle battery 410. In some examples, the voltage of the vehicle battery 410 is between 400 volts and 700 volts, between 400 volts and 600 volts, between 400 volts and 500 volts, between 500 volts and 800 volts, between 500 volts and 700 volts, between 500 volts and 600 volts, between 600 volts and 800 volts, between 600 volts and 700 volts, between 700 volts and 800 volts.

[0048] The voltage of the refrigeration unit battery 310 may be between 300 volts and 600 volts, depending at least in part on the size of the refrigeration unit system 300 and / or the current charge (e.g., full, partially charged, or empty) of the refrigeration unit battery 310. In some examples, the voltage of the refrigeration unit battery 310 is between 300 volts and 500 volts, between 300 volts and 400 volts, between 400 volts and 600 volts, between 400 volts and 500 volts, or between 500 volts and 600 volts.

[0049] Regardless of the respective voltages of the vehicle battery 410 and the refrigeration unit battery 310, in some instances, the charging station 200 selects an appropriate voltage through a battery management system. In order to convert electrical power from the voltage of the charging station 200 to the voltage of the vehicle transmission system 400, the vehicle transmission system 400 may include a vehicle converter 430. When the charging station 200 is a DC charging station 200, this vehicle converter 430 may be a DC-DC converter. In order to convert electrical power from the voltage of the charging station 200 to the voltage of the refrigeration unit system 300, the refrigeration unit system 300 may include a refrigeration converter 330. When the charging station 200 is a DC charging station, this refrigeration converter 330 may be a DC-DC converter.

[0050] In some instances, such as Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 4 , only vehicle drive system 400 includes converter 430. When only vehicle drive system 400 includes converter 430, the battery management system of charging station 200 can select a voltage suitable for refrigeration unit system 300. Vehicle converter 430 can be used to convert electrical power from the voltage of charging station 200 to the voltage of vehicle drive system 400.

[0051] In some instances, such as Figure 4As shown in FIG. 3 , only the refrigeration unit system 300 includes the converter 330. When only the refrigeration unit system 300 includes the converter 330, the battery management system of the charging station 200 can select a voltage suitable for the vehicle powertrain 300. The refrigeration converter 330 can be used to convert electrical power from the voltage of the charging station 200 to the voltage of the refrigeration unit system 300.

[0052] In some examples, the charging station 200 is an alternating current (AC) charging station 200. When the charging station 200 is an AC charging station 200, the vehicle converter 430 may be an AC-DC vehicle converter 430. The electric power converted by the AC-DC vehicle converter is stored by the vehicle battery 410. When the charging station 200 is an AC charging station 200, the refrigeration converter 330 may be an AC-DC refrigeration converter 330. The electric power converted by the AC-DC refrigeration converter 330 is stored by the refrigeration unit battery 310.

[0053] When the charging station 200 is an AC charging station 200, the charging port 110 may include an AC-DC charging port converter 111 for converting electric power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Figure 5 As shown in , when the charging port converter 111 is used, the vehicle transmission system 400 and the refrigeration unit system 300 may each include a converter 430, 330, respectively. These converters 430, 330 may be DC-DC converters. The DC-DC vehicle converter 430 may be used to convert electrical power into a voltage for the vehicle transmission system 400. The DC-DC refrigeration converter 330 may be used to convert electrical power into a voltage for the refrigeration unit system 300. When the vehicle transmission system 400 and the refrigeration unit system 300 each include a converter 430, 330, respectively, the battery management system of the charging station 200 may select appropriate voltages for the vehicle transmission system 400 and the refrigeration unit system 300.

[0054] In some instances, such as Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 3 , only the refrigeration unit system 300 includes the DC-DC converter 330. When only the DC-DC refrigeration converter 330 is used, the battery management system of the charging station 200 can select the appropriate voltage for the vehicle powertrain 400. The DC-DC refrigeration converter 330 can be used to convert electrical power from the voltage of the charging station 200 to the voltage of the refrigeration unit system 300.

[0055] In some instances, such as Figure 7As shown in FIG. 4 , only vehicle drive system 400 includes DC-DC converter 430. When only DC-DC vehicle converter 430 is used, the battery management system of charging station 200 can select an appropriate voltage for refrigeration unit system 400. DC-DC vehicle converter 430 can be used to convert electrical power from the voltage of charging station 200 to the voltage of vehicle drive system 300.

[0056] In some examples, the charging station 200 is an AC charging station 200, the charging port 110 does not include the AC-DC converter 111, and the vehicle drive system 400 and the refrigeration unit system 300 each include an AC-DC converter 430, 330. As described above, when describing Figure 2 When connected to a DC charging station 200, this configuration may visually appear the same, but the charging station 200 is an AC charging station 200, and the converters 330, 430 are AC-DC converters. The vehicle AC-DC converter 430 may be used to convert electrical power from the charging station alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for the vehicle drive system 400. The refrigeration AC-DC converter 330 may be used to convert electrical power from the charging station alternating current (AC) voltage to a refrigeration unit system 30 0 The direct current (DC) voltage.

[0057] Various configurations of the system enable a more efficient method of recharging the vehicle battery and the refrigeration unit battery using a charging station. Figure 1-7 The method is accomplished by the exemplary configuration shown in . Regardless of the configuration, the method provides for recharging the vehicle battery and the refrigeration unit battery using a charging station, the charging station supplying electrical power at the charging station voltage. The method provides for receiving electrical power from the charging station at the charging port. The method further provides for the transfer of electrical power from the charging port to the vehicle drive system. The vehicle drive system stores electrical power at the vehicle drive system voltage in the vehicle battery. The method also provides for the transfer of electrical power from the charging port to the refrigeration unit system. The refrigeration unit system stores electrical power at the refrigeration unit system voltage in the refrigeration unit battery. When used by the refrigeration unit system, the refrigeration power system can be used to convert electrical power from the vehicle battery into mechanical energy. When used by the vehicle drive system, the vehicle power system can be used to convert electrical power from the vehicle battery into mechanical energy. It is envisioned that this method can be used with an AC charging station or a DC charging station through various configurations.

[0058] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, various modifications may be made to adapt specific conditions or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its basic scope. Therefore, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure, but rather will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station, the charging station providing electrical power at a charging station voltage, the charging station comprising a battery management system for detecting the vehicle battery and / or the refrigeration unit battery, the battery management system being capable of setting the voltage of the electrical power based on the detection of the vehicle battery and / or the refrigeration unit battery, the system comprising: a charging port, the charging port being used to receive the electric power from the charging station; A vehicle transmission system, the vehicle transmission system is connected to the charging port, the vehicle transmission system receives the electric power from the charging port, and the vehicle transmission system includes: a vehicle battery for storing the electrical power at a vehicle driveline voltage; and A refrigeration unit system, the refrigeration unit system is connected to the charging port, the refrigeration unit system receives the electric power from the charging port, and the refrigeration unit system includes: a refrigeration unit battery for storing the electrical power at a refrigeration unit system voltage; and A refrigeration power system is provided for converting the electrical power from the refrigeration unit battery into mechanical energy.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The charging station is a direct current (DC) charging station.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein: The vehicle powertrain further includes a vehicle DC-DC converter for converting the electric power from the charging station voltage to the vehicle powertrain voltage, the electric power converted by the vehicle DC-DC converter being stored by the vehicle battery.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein: The refrigeration unit system further includes a refrigeration DC-DC converter for converting the electric power from the charging station voltage to the refrigeration unit system voltage, the electric power converted by the refrigeration DC-DC converter being stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein: The charging station is an alternating current (AC) charging station.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein: The charging port includes an AC-DC converter for converting the electrical power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

7. The system of claim 6, wherein: The vehicle powertrain further includes a vehicle DC-DC converter for converting the electric power into a vehicle powertrain voltage, the electric power converted by the vehicle DC-DC converter being stored by the vehicle battery.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein: The refrigeration unit system further includes a refrigeration DC-DC converter for converting the electric power into a refrigeration unit system voltage, the electric power converted by the refrigeration DC-DC converter being stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein: The vehicle powertrain further includes a vehicle AC-DC converter for converting the electric power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), the electric power converted by the vehicle AC-DC converter being stored by the vehicle battery.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein: The refrigeration unit system further includes a refrigeration AC-DC converter for converting the electric power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), the electric power converted by the refrigeration AC-DC converter being stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

11. A method for recharging a vehicle battery and a refrigeration unit battery using a charging station, the charging station providing electrical power at a charging station voltage, the charging station comprising a battery management system for detecting the vehicle battery and / or the refrigeration unit battery, the battery management system being capable of setting the voltage of the electrical power based on the detection of the vehicle battery and / or the refrigeration unit battery, the method comprising: receiving the electrical power from the charging station at a charging port; delivering the electrical power from the charging port to a vehicle drive train that stores the electrical power at a vehicle drive train voltage in a vehicle battery; as well as The electrical power from the charging port is delivered to a refrigeration unit system, which stores the electrical power at a refrigeration unit system voltage in a refrigeration unit battery and converts the electrical power from the vehicle battery into mechanical energy in a refrigeration power system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein: The charging station is a direct current (DC) charging station.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein: The vehicle powertrain converts the electric power from a charging station voltage to a vehicle powertrain voltage in a vehicle DC-DC converter, and the electric power converted by the vehicle DC-DC converter is stored by the vehicle battery.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein: The refrigeration unit system converts the electric power from a charging station voltage to a refrigeration unit system voltage in a refrigeration DC-DC converter, and the electric power converted by the refrigeration DC-DC converter is stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein: The charging station is an alternating current (AC) charging station.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein: The charging port includes an AC-DC converter for converting the electrical power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein: The vehicle powertrain converts the electric power to a vehicle powertrain voltage in a vehicle DC-DC converter, and the electric power converted by the vehicle DC-DC converter is stored by the vehicle battery.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein: The refrigeration unit system converts the electric power into a refrigeration unit system voltage in a refrigeration DC-DC converter, and the electric power converted by the refrigeration DC-DC converter is stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein: The vehicle powertrain converts the electric power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) in a vehicle AC-DC converter, and the electric power converted by the vehicle AC-DC converter is stored by the vehicle battery.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein: The refrigeration unit system converts the electric power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) in a refrigeration AC-DC converter, and the electric power converted by the refrigeration AC-DC converter is stored by the refrigeration unit battery.

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