Bi-directional battery charging system for one or more transport refrigeration units

Abstract

The invention relates to a bidirectional battery charging system for one or more transport refrigeration units. A bi-directional battery charging system for a first transport refrigeration unit (TRU) is disclosed. A bi-directional battery charging system includes a bi-directional charger operably connected to a battery associated with a first TRU and a controller, where the bi-directional charger is configured to be electrically connected to an external electrical component selected from a group of a power grid, a battery associated with a second TRU, and a battery associated with a vehicle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 508,689, filed on June 16, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to transport refrigeration units and battery management systems. Background Art

[0003] Transport refrigeration units (TRUs) can be used to preserve perishable cargo and maintain its temperature during transportation. Battery-powered TRUs can generally be used to store and transport perishable cargo while limiting emissions and reducing environmental impact. However, batteries associated with battery-powered TRUs may run low on charge, which may affect the stored cargo. Furthermore, existing battery-powered TRU charging systems may only allow the battery to be recharged via an external power source, which may not be available in all locations. Summary of the invention

[0004] A first transport refrigeration unit (TRU) including a bidirectional battery charging system is disclosed herein. The bidirectional battery charging system includes a bidirectional charger operably connected to a battery associated with the first TRU and a controller, wherein the bidirectional charger is configured to be electrically connected to an external electrical component selected from the group consisting of an electrical grid, a battery associated with a second TRU, a battery associated with a vehicle, and combinations thereof.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, in a first mode, the bidirectional charger enables power to be supplied from an external electrical component to a battery associated with a first TRU.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, in the second mode, the bidirectional charger enables power to be supplied from a battery associated with the first TRU to external electrical components.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the bidirectional charger includes: an AC to DC (ADC) converter configured to convert AC power received from an external electrical component into DC power for a battery associated with the first TRU; and a DC to AC (DAC) converter configured to convert DC power supplied by the battery associated with the first TRU into AC power for the external electrical component.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the bidirectional charger includes one or more AC to AC converters configured to: convert AC power having first electrical properties received from an external electrical component into AC power having second electrical properties for use with a battery associated with the first TRU; and convert AC power having second electrical properties supplied by the battery associated with the first TRU into AC power having first electrical properties for use with the external electrical component.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the bidirectional charger includes one or more DC-to-DC converters configured to: convert DC power having first electrical properties received from an external electrical component into DC power having second electrical properties for use with a battery associated with the first TRU; and convert DC power having second electrical properties supplied by the battery associated with the first TRU into DC power having first electrical properties for use with the external electrical component.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the bidirectional battery charging system includes a battery management system (BMS) associated with the TRU, wherein the BMS includes a DAC converter configured to convert DC power supplied by the bidirectional charger into AC power for one or more components of a first TRU and a battery associated with the first TRU.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the BMS includes an ADC converter to convert AC power supplied by the bidirectional charger into DC power for one or more components of the TRU and a battery associated with the first TRU.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the BMS includes one or more sensors for: monitoring the battery charge of a battery associated with a first TRU; monitoring the battery charge of a battery associated with an external electrical component when the external electrical component is electrically connected to a bidirectional charger of the TRU; or monitoring both battery charges.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the BMS of the TRU is communicatively coupled to a first human-machine interface (HMI) device associated with a user of the first TRU, wherein the first HMI device enables the user of the first TRU to: monitor a battery charge of a battery associated with the first TRU; monitor a battery charge of a battery associated with an external electrical component when the external electrical component is electrically connected to a bidirectional charger of the TRU; and switch the bidirectional charger between a first mode and a second mode.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, a first HMI device enables a user of a first TRU (first user) to: transmit a first set of signals to a second HMI device associated with a user of an external electrical component (second user), the first set of signals relating to a request for power to be supplied from the external electrical component to a battery associated with the first TRU; and / or receive a second set of signals from the second HMI device, the second set of signals relating to a request for power to be supplied from the battery associated with the first TRU to the external electrical component.

[0015] Also described herein is a system for enabling bidirectional charging in two or more transport refrigeration units (TRUs). The system includes a server and two or more TRUs, each TRU including a battery, a controller, and a bidirectional charger, the bidirectional charger being operably connected to the battery and the controller, wherein the controller associated with each of the two or more TRUs communicates with the server, wherein the bidirectional charger associated with each of the two or more TRUs is configured to be electrically connected to the bidirectional charger associated with the remaining TRUs.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the bidirectional charger of each TRU of the two or more TRUs is configured to be electrically connected to an external electrical component selected from the group consisting of an electrical grid, a battery associated with a vehicle, and combinations thereof.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the server is configured to operate a bidirectional charger for two or more TRUs in a first mode, wherein the bidirectional charger enables a battery of a corresponding TRU to receive power from an external electrical component, a battery associated with any of the remaining TRUs, or both.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the server is configured to operate a bidirectional charger for two or more TRUs in a second mode, wherein the bidirectional charger enables a battery of a corresponding TRU to supply power to an external electrical component, a battery associated with any of the remaining TRUs, or both.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, a server communicates with a battery management system of the TRU and is configured to monitor a battery charge associated with each of two or more TRUs, wherein the server enables power to be transferred between the two or more TRUs at a charging station based on the battery charge associated with each of the two or more TRUs.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, a server enables a first HMI device associated with a user of a first set of TRUs having battery charges higher than a first level among two or more TRUs to transmit a first set of signals to a second HMI device of a user associated with a second set of TRUs having battery charges lower than the first level among the two or more TRUs, the first set of signals relating to a location of the corresponding first TRU and a request to supply power from a battery of the corresponding first TRU to a battery of the corresponding second TRU.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the server enables a second HMI device associated with a second set of TRUs to transmit a second set of signals relating to a location of the corresponding second TRU and confirmation to supply power in response to the request.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the server enables a first HMI device associated with a first set of TRUs to: transmit a third set of signals to one or more third HMI devices associated with external electrical components, the third set of signals relating to a request for supplying power from the external electrical component to a battery associated with the first set of TRUs; and / or receive a fourth set of signals from one or more third HMI devices, the fourth set of signals relating to the location of the external electrical component and confirmation of the supply of power in response to the request.

[0023] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, features, and techniques of the subject disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the subject disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the subject disclosure.

[0025] In the drawings, similar components and / or features may have the same reference label. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference label (regardless of the second reference label).

[0026] Figures 1A to 1C An exemplary representation of a bidirectional charging system implemented in a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) associated with a freight truck or vehicle is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0027] Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B An exemplary network architecture of a system for enabling bidirectional charging between one or more TRUs and a grid is shown according to one or more embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C An exemplary block diagram illustrating one or more embodiments of a bidirectional charger associated with a bidirectional charging system according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are so detailed in order to clearly convey the present disclosure. However, the many details provided are not intended to limit the intended changes of the embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the scope and spirit of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0030] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0031] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationship between various components and the spatial orientation of various aspects of the components, as these devices are depicted in the accompanying drawings. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the subject disclosure, the components described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Therefore, the use of terms such as "above", "below", "above", "below", "first", "second" or other similar terms to describe the spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of various aspects of such components should be understood to describe the relative relationship between components or the spatial orientation of various aspects of such components.

[0032] A trailer refrigeration unit (TRU) may be used with a container or trailer to supply conditioned air within a corresponding container for maintaining a conditioned environment within the storage space of the container. Various cargoes may be stored and transported in a container equipped with a TRU, including but not limited to pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, as well as perishable items such as food and beverages. Battery-powered TRUs may be used to preserve and transport cargo, reduce emissions and environmental impacts (which may be caused by diesel-powered TRUs), and the like. However, the batteries associated with the battery-powered TRUs may be low on charge, which may affect the stored cargo. In addition, the charging systems of existing battery-powered TRUs may only allow the batteries to be recharged via an external power source, which may not be available in all locations. Therefore, there is a need to provide a system for more diverse charging options for the batteries of the TRUs.

[0033] The present invention addresses the above-mentioned needs of a battery-powered TRU by providing an improved, cost-effective and efficient battery charging system for a battery-powered TRU, which enables the TRU to receive power from the grid and from batteries associated with other TRUs and non-TRU equipped vehicles. In addition, the battery charging system further allows the TRU to resell or supply power (stored in the battery) to the grid and / or to batteries associated with other TRUs and non-TRU equipped vehicles.

[0034] refer to Figures 1A to 2 , a bidirectional battery charging system 100 for a battery-powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU) 102 (also referred to herein as a first TRU) is disclosed. The TRU 102 may be mounted on a container or trailer 104-1 associated with a vehicle 104. The TRU 102 may include a battery 106 to operate / run the TRU 102 for maintaining a conditioned environment in an enclosed (storage or holding) space within the container / trailer 104-1. Various products may be stored and transported in the container / trailer 104-1, including, but not limited to, pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, as well as perishable items such as food and beverages, etc. The TRU 102 may maintain the environment of the storage space at a specific or user-defined temperature and / or humidity based on the stored products, thereby keeping the stored products in desired conditions during transportation and complying with product compliance regulations.

[0035] The TRU 102 may be mounted on a container / trailer 104-1 associated with one or more vehicles 104 (including but not limited to electric trucks, semi-electric trucks, and non-electric trucks) such that the TRU 102 remains fluidly connected to the surroundings and further remains fluidly connected to the storage space of the container / trailer 104-1. However, the TRU 102 of the vehicle 104 may be battery powered, which may receive power from the battery 106. Thus, based on the environment to be maintained in the storage space or based on the product to be transported, the TRU 102 may be operated to adjust its refrigeration capacity and supply conditioned air within the storage space.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the container / trailer 104-1 may be coupled to a cab associated with the freight truck / vehicle 104 or the rear end of the truck 104-2 such that a gap is left therebetween. The TRU 102 may be coupled to the front end (F) of the container / trailer 104-1 (e.g., Figure 1A and Figure 1C), having an outlet port for fluid communication with the storage space of the container / trailer, and an inlet port for fluid communication with the surrounding or storage space. In some embodiments, the TRU 102 can be configured on top of a container 104-1 or cab 104-2 associated with the vehicle 104 (e.g., Figure 1B 104-1) such that the outlet port of the TRU 102 maintains fluid communication with the storage space of the container / trailer 104-1 and the inlet port maintains fluid communication with the surrounding or storage space. Alternatively, (not shown) the TRU 102 can be coupled to a specified location on one side or more than one side of the container / trailer 104-1. In addition, (not shown) multiple TRUs can be coupled to a single container / trailer. Alternatively, a single TRU can be coupled to multiple containers / trailers.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the bidirectional battery charging system 100 may include an existing battery management system 108 associated with the vehicle 104 or the TRU 102. The battery 106 of the TRU 102 may be electrically coupled to one or more components of the TRU 102 via the BMS 108. The BMS 108 may be configured to monitor the battery charge of the TRU 102 and further control the charging of the battery 106 and the supply of power from the battery 106 to one or more components of the vehicle 104 or the TRU 102. The TRU 102 may further include a controller 110 that communicates with the vapor compression system / refrigeration circuit of the TRU 102, the BMS 108, and the battery 106.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the controller 110 may be a control unit of the TRU 102. Additionally, in some embodiments, the controller 110 may communicate with the BMS 108 or a control unit associated with the TRU 102. The controller 110 may be configured to control a vapor compression system or refrigeration circuit and / or fans associated with the TRU 102 to adjust the refrigeration capacity of the TRU 102 based on the product being transported and the real-time environment of the storage space, thereby maintaining a conditioned environment throughout the storage space.

[0039] The bidirectional battery charging system 100 of the first TRU 102 may include a bidirectional charger 112 operably connected to a battery 106 and a controller 110 associated with the first TRU 102. The bidirectional charger 112 may be adapted to be electrically connected to an external electrical component selected from the group consisting of: a power grid 114 associated with one or more electrical entities, a battery 120 associated with a second TRU 118 associated with a second vehicle 116, and a battery associated with a TRU-less vehicle (not shown).

[0040] In one or more embodiments, in a first (charging) mode, the bidirectional charger 112 may enable power to be supplied from an external electrical component such as a power grid 114 associated with an electric entity, a battery 120 associated with a second TRU 118 (associated with a second vehicle 116), a battery associated with a vehicle without a TRU, or a combination thereof to a battery 106 associated with the TRU 102, thereby enabling charging of the battery 106 associated with the TRU 102. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, in a second (energy resale) mode, the bidirectional charger 112 may enable power to be supplied from the battery 106 associated with the TRU 102 to the power grid 114, the battery 120 associated with the second TRU 118, a battery associated with a vehicle without a TRU, or a combination thereof.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, reference Figure 4A , the bidirectional charger 112 may include an AC to DC (ADC) converter, which, when the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 is operating in the first mode, may be configured to convert AC power received from external electrical components (grid 114, battery 120 of second TRU 118, and battery of the vehicle) into DC power for use with the battery 106 associated with the first TRU. The bidirectional charger 112 may further include a DC to AC (DAC) converter, which, when the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 is operating in the second mode, may be configured to convert DC power supplied by the battery 106 associated with the first TRU into AC power for use with the external electrical components (grid 114, battery 120 of second TRU 118, and battery of the vehicle).

[0042] In one or more embodiments, reference Figure 4B , the bidirectional charger 112 may include one or more AC to AC converters, which, when the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 operates in the first mode, are configured to: convert AC power having a first electrical property received from an external electrical component into AC power having a second electrical property for use with the battery 106 associated with the first TRU. When the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 operates in the second mode, the AC to AC converter may further convert AC power having the second electrical property supplied by the battery 106 associated with the first TRU into AC power having the first electrical property for use with the external electrical component.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, reference Figure 4C, the bidirectional charger 112 may include one or more DC to DC converters, and when the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 operates in the first mode, the DC to DC converter is configured to: convert DC power with a first electrical property received from an external electrical component into DC power with a second electrical property for use with the battery 106 associated with the first TRU. When the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 operates in the second mode, the DC to DC converter may further convert DC power with the second electrical property supplied by the battery 106 associated with the first TRU into DC power with the first electrical property for use with the external electrical component.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the bidirectional charger 112 may be a power electronic device including power electronic semiconductor devices that form one or more of an inverter, a rectifier, a power converter, etc. to create one or more of an ADC converter, a DAC converter, an AC to AC converter, and a DC to DC converter for the bidirectional charger 112. The bidirectional charger 112 may further include a connection interface, such as but not limited to a connector and a cable, which may physically and electrically connect the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 to the grid 114, the second battery 120 of the second TRU 118, and the battery of other vehicles without TRUs. The bidirectional charger 112 may further include fuses, circuit breakers, and other protection devices. In one or more embodiments, the protection devices may include but are not limited to an overcharge protection module, an overheat protection module, a surge protection module, an overcurrent protection module, and an overvoltage protection module.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the BMS 108 may include a DAC converter configured to convert DC power supplied by the bidirectional charger 112 into AC power for one or more components of the TRU 102 and the battery 106 associated with the first TRU. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the BMS 108 may include an ADC converter to convert AC power supplied by the bidirectional charger 112 into DC power for one or more components of the TRU 102 and the battery 106 associated with the first TRU.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the BMS 108 and / or the bidirectional charger 112 may include one or more electrical sensors (including current sensors, voltage sensors, power sensors, etc.) to monitor the battery charge of the battery 106 associated with the first TRU, and also monitor the battery charge of the second TRU 118 and / or the second battery 120 and / or the third battery of the vehicle (when electrically connected to the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102), respectively.

[0047] The BMS 108 or the bidirectional charger 112 may be adapted to be communicatively coupled to a human-machine interface (HMI) device 122 (first HMI device) associated with a user (first user) of the TRU 102. The first HMI device 122 may enable the first user to monitor the battery charge of the battery 106 associated with the first TRU, and to monitor the battery charge of the second battery 120 and / or the third battery (when electrically connected to the bidirectional charger 112 of the first TRU 102). In addition, the first HMI device 122 may allow the first user to switch the bidirectional charger 112 between the first mode and the second mode.

[0048] refer to Figures 2 to 3B , a system 200 for enabling bidirectional charging in two or more transport refrigeration units is disclosed. The system 200 may include a central server 202 and two or more TRUs 102-1 to 102-N (collectively referred to herein as TRUs 102), wherein each TRU 102 includes a battery 106, a BMS 108, a controller 110, and a bidirectional charger 112, as explained in the above paragraphs, and the bidirectional charger 112 is operably connected to the BMS 108 and the controller 110. The TRUs 102-1 to 102-N may be installed in a container / trailer 104-1 to 104-N (collectively referred to herein as a container or trailer 104). The controller 110 associated with each of the TRUs 102 may communicate with the server 202 via a network. In addition, the bidirectional charger 112 associated with each of the TRUs 102 may be adapted to be electrically connected to the BMS 108 or the bidirectional charger 112 associated with the remaining TRUs. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 may be adapted to electrically connect to an external electrical component selected from the group consisting of a power grid 114 associated with one or more electrical entities and an external battery associated with other non-TRU equipped vehicles.

[0049] The server 202 may be configured to operate the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 may enable the battery 106 of the corresponding TRU 102 to receive power from one or more of the grid 114, the battery 106 associated with any of the remaining TRUs 102, and an external battery. Additionally, in the second mode, the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 may enable the battery 106 of the corresponding TRU 102 to supply power to one or more of the grid 114, the battery 106 associated with any of the remaining TRUs 102, and an external battery. For example, Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown in FIG, a bidirectional charger 112 associated with any one of the TRUs 102-2, 102-5, 102-6 may be electrically connected to the bidirectional charger 112 of any one of the TRUs 102-1, 102-9 or the battery 106. Thus, the TRUs 102-2, 102-5, 102-6 may be operated in a first mode, and the TRUs 102-1, 102-9 may be operated in a second mode to enable power to be transferred from the TRUs 102-2, 102-5, 102-6 to the TRUs 102-1, 102-9.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the bidirectional charger 112 associated with the TRU 102 of the system 100 may be adapted to be operably connected to one or more conventional TRUs, which may only include a BMS and / or a unidirectional charger (without any bidirectional charger 112). In such embodiments, the TRU 102 with the bidirectional charger 112 may be configured to transfer power from the battery 106 of the corresponding TRU 102 to the battery of the conventional TRU, however, the TRU 102 with the bidirectional charger 112 may not receive power from the battery of the conventional TRU.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, a vehicle without a TRU (with an external / third battery) may include a unidirectional charger. In such embodiments, the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 may be able to supply power to the external / third battery or the unidirectional charger of the vehicle without the TRU, however, the unidirectional charger of the vehicle without the TRU may not be able to supply power to the battery 106 of the TRU 102. However, in one or more embodiments, a vehicle without a TRU (with an external / third battery) may also include a bidirectional charger. In such embodiments, the bidirectional charger 112 of the TRU 102 may be configured to supply power to the external / third battery of the vehicle without the TRU, and the bidirectional charger of the vehicle without the TRU may also be configured to supply power to the battery 106 of the TRU 102.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, the BMS 108 of the TRU 102 may be configured to monitor the battery charge of the corresponding TRU 102 and transmit the monitored data in real time to the server 202. In addition, in one or more embodiments, when the TRU 102 or the cargo container 104 equipped with the TRU 102 is in a docking station (where their batteries 106 or bidirectional chargers 112 are connected to the public charging station 204), the server 202 and the charging station 204 may enable power to be transferred between the batteries of the TRU 102 based on the battery charge associated with each of the TRUs 102, thereby creating a balance between the battery charges of the TRUs 102, such as Figure 3BAdditionally, in one or more embodiments, the public charging station 204 may be further electrically connected to the grid 114, which may allow the server 202 to enable power to be transferred between each of the batteries of the TRU 102 and between the grid 114 and the batteries of the TRU 102.

[0053] The system 100 may further include one or more human-machine interface (HMI) devices 122 associated with the power entity, the vehicle without the TRU, and the user of the TRU 102. In one or more embodiments, the HMI device 122 may be a mobile phone, a handheld device including an input device and a display device, a computing device including an input device and a display device, and a touch screen-enabled computing device, but is not limited to such devices. The HMI device 122, the controller 110 of the TRU 102, the vehicle without the TRU, and the server 202 may include a communication module to communicatively couple the HMI device 122 to the BMS 108 and the controller 110 of the TRU 102, and further communicatively couple the HMI device 122 to the server 202 via a network.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, a first HMI device 122 associated with a first user of a TRU 102 may enable the first user to monitor the battery charge of a battery 106 associated with their TRU 102 (first TRU 102), and further monitor the battery charge of a second battery 120 associated with another TRU 118 (second TRU 118) and / or a third battery of the vehicle (when the second battery 120 or the third battery is electrically connected to the bidirectional charger 112 of the first TRU 102). Additionally, the first HMI device 122 may allow the first user to switch the bidirectional charger 112 of their first TRU 102 between a first mode and a second mode. In the subject disclosure, TRUs 102 having a battery charge below a first level or operating in a first mode may be designated as a first set of TRUs 102. Additionally, TRUs 102 having a battery charge above a first level operating in a second mode may be designated as a second set of TRUs 102 herein. Figure 3A As shown in FIG. 1 , TRUs 102-2 through 102-8 may be TRUs of the second set, and TRUs 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N may be TRUs of the first set.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the server 202 may enable a first user associated with a first set of TRUs 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N to transmit a first set of signals to a second HMI device of a second user associated with a second set of TRUs 102-2 to 102-8 using a first HMI device 122. The first set of signals may indicate a location of the corresponding first TRUs 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N, and a request to supply power from the batteries 106-1, 106-9, 106-N of the corresponding first TRUs 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N to the batteries 106-2 to 106-8 of the corresponding second TRUs 102-2 to 102-8. The server 202 may further enable the second user to transmit a second set of signals to the first HMI device 122 using a second HMI device. The second set of signals may indicate the location of the corresponding second TRU 102-2 to 102-8, and a confirmation of supplying power in response to the request. Thus, either the first user may bring the first TRU 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N to the location of any of the second user / second TRU 102-2 to 102-8 to have the battery 106 associated with the first TRU charged, or the first user may request the second user to arrive at the location of the first user / first TRU 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N to charge the batteries 106-1, 106-9, and 106-N associated with the first TRU.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the server 202 may enable a first user associated with the first set of TRUs 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N to transmit a third set of signals using the first HMI device 122 to one or more third HMI devices associated with one or more power entities and third users (associated with one or more TRU-free vehicles). The third set of signals may indicate a request to supply power from the power grid 114 and / or an external battery of the TRU-free vehicle to the batteries 106-1, 106-9, and 106-N associated with the first TRU of the TRUs 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N. The server 202 may further enable the power entity and / or the third user associated with the vehicle to transmit a fourth set of signals using the third HMI device to the first HMI device 122 of the first TRUs 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N. The fourth set of signals may indicate the location of the power grid 114 and / or the vehicle, and a confirmation to supply power in response to the request. Thus, either the first user may bring the first TRU 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N to the location of either the grid 114 or a third user / TRU-free vehicle to have the batteries 106-1, 106-9, and 106-N associated with the first TRU charged, or the first user may request a third user to arrive at the location of the first user / first TRU 102-1, 102-9, and 102-N to charge the batteries 106-1, 106-9, and 106-N associated with the first TRU.

[0057] Thus, the present invention overcomes the limitations and disadvantages associated with existing battery-powered TRUs by providing an improved, cost-effective and efficient battery charging system for a battery-powered TRU, which enables the TRU to receive power from the grid and from batteries associated with other TRUs and vehicles without the TRU. The present invention further allows the TRU to resell or supply power (stored in the battery) to the grid and / or batteries associated with other TRUs and vehicles without the TRU.

[0058] Although the subject disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The teachings of the subject disclosure may be modified to accommodate specific circumstances or materials without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the subject disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather that the subject disclosure encompasses all embodiments that fall within the scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0059] In interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "includes" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the elements, components, or steps mentioned may exist, be utilized, or be combined with other elements, components, or steps not explicitly mentioned. In the case where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, ..., and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, rather than A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1. A bidirectional battery charging system for a first transport refrigerated unit (TRU), the bidirectional battery charging system comprising: a bidirectional charger operably connected to a battery and a controller associated with the first TRU, Wherein the bidirectional charger is configured to be electrically connected to an external electrical component selected from the group consisting of a power grid, a battery associated with a second TRU, a battery associated with a vehicle, and combinations thereof.

2. The bidirectional battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein: In a first mode, the bidirectional charger enables power to be supplied from the external electrical component to the battery associated with the first TRU.

3. The bidirectional battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein: In a second mode, the bidirectional charger enables power to be supplied from the battery associated with the first TRU to the external electrical component.

4. The bidirectional battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The bidirectional charger comprises: an AD to DC (ADC) converter configured to convert AC power received from the external electrical component into DC power for the battery associated with the first TRU; and A DC to AC (DAC) converter is configured to convert DC power supplied by the battery associated with the first TRU into AC power for the external electrical component.

5. The bidirectional battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The bidirectional charger includes one or more AC to AC converters configured to: converting AC power having a first electrical property received from the external electrical component into AC power having a second electrical property for use with the battery associated with the first TRU; as well as AC power having the second electrical properties supplied by the battery associated with the first TRU is converted into AC power having first electrical properties for use by the external electrical component.

6. The bidirectional battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The bidirectional charger includes one or more DC to DC converters configured to: converting DC power having a first electrical property received from the external electrical component into DC power having a second electrical property for use with the battery associated with the first TRU; as well as Converting DC power having the second electrical properties supplied by the battery associated with the first TRU into DC power having first electrical properties for use by the external electrical component.

7. The bidirectional battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The bidirectional battery charging system includes a battery management system (BMS) associated with the TRU, wherein the BMS includes a DAC converter configured to convert DC power supplied by the bidirectional charger into AC power for one or more components of the first TRU and the battery associated with the first TRU.

8. The bidirectional battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The BMS includes an ADC converter to convert AC power supplied by the bidirectional charger into DC power for one or more components of the TRU and the battery associated with the first TRU.

9. The bidirectional battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The BMS includes one or more sensors for: monitoring a battery charge of the battery associated with the first TRU; and When the external electrical component is electrically connected to the bidirectional charger of the TRU, a battery charge of a battery associated with the external electrical component is monitored.

10. The bidirectional battery charging system of claim 1, wherein: The BMS of the TRU is communicatively coupled to a first human machine interface (HMI) device associated with a user of the first TRU, wherein the first HMI device enables the user of the first TRU to: monitoring a battery charge of the battery associated with the first TRU; monitoring a battery charge of the external electrical component; and The bidirectional charger is switched between the first mode and the second mode.

11. The bidirectional battery charging system of claim 1, wherein: The first HMI device enables the user of the first TRU to: transmitting a first set of signals to a second HMI device associated with a user of the external electrical component, the first set of signals relating to a request to supply power from the external electrical component to the battery associated with the first TRU; and / or A second set of signals is received from the second HMI device, the second set of signals relating to a request to supply power to the external electrical component from the battery associated with the first TRU.

12. A system for enabling bidirectional charging in two or more transport refrigeration units (TRUs), the system comprising: server; as well as two or more TRUs, each TRU comprising a battery, a controller, and a bidirectional charger operably connected to the battery and the controller, wherein the controller associated with each of the two or more TRUs is in communication with the server, Wherein, the bidirectional charger associated with each TRU of the two or more TRUs is configured to be electrically connected to the bidirectional charger associated with the remaining TRUs.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein: The bidirectional charger of each of the two or more TRUs is configured to be electrically connected to an external electrical component selected from the group consisting of an electrical grid, a battery associated with a vehicle, and combinations thereof.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein: The server is configured to operate the bidirectional chargers of the two or more TRUs in a first mode, wherein the bidirectional chargers enable batteries of corresponding TRUs to receive power from the external electrical component, a battery associated with any of the remaining TRUs, or both.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein: The server is configured to operate the bidirectional chargers of the two or more TRUs in a second mode, wherein the bidirectional chargers enable batteries of corresponding TRUs to supply power to the external electrical components, batteries associated with any of the remaining TRUs, or both.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein: The server is in communication with a battery management system of the TRU and is configured to monitor a battery charge associated with each of the two or more TRUs, wherein the server enables power to be transferred between the two or more TRUs based on the battery charge associated with each of the two or more TRUs at the charging station.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein: The server enables a first HMI device associated with a user of a TRU having a first set of battery charges above a first level among the two or more TRUs to: A first set of signals is transmitted to a second HMI device of a user associated with a second set of TRUs among the two or more TRUs having a battery charge below the first level, the first set of signals relating to a location of the corresponding first TRU and a request to supply power from the battery of the corresponding first TRU to the battery of the corresponding second TRU.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein: The server enables the second HMI device associated with the second set of TRUs to transmit a second set of signals relating to a location of the corresponding second TRU and a confirmation to supply power in response to the request.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein: The server enables the first HMI device associated with the first set of TRUs to: transmitting a third set of signals to one or more third HMI devices associated with the external electrical component, the third set of signals relating to a request to supply power from the external electrical component to a battery associated with the first TRU; and / or A fourth set of signals is received from the one or more third HMI devices, the fourth set of signals relating to a location of the external electrical component and confirmation to supply power in response to the request.

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