Battery Pack Hot Gas Bypass for Cold-Start Refrigeration Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport refrigeration systems require a prime mover, typically a diesel engine, to operate, which is not suitable for cold weather environments without a power source, limiting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
An all-electric transport refrigeration system powered by a battery system, which includes a refrigerant compression device, heat rejection and absorption heat exchangers, and a heat transfer system to efficiently power the refrigeration unit using vaporized refrigerant, allowing operation without a prime mover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a prime mover (diesel engine) is used to power the refrigeration unit, then the system can operate in cold weather environments, but the system requires a complex mechanical power source and cannot operate without a prime mover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical prime mover system with an all-electric refrigeration unit powered by a battery system. The electric compressor motor, electric fan motors, and electric heaters eliminate the need for a diesel engine while maintaining cold weather operational capability through the battery's stored energy and the heat transfer system's ability to manage thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power source parameter from mechanical (diesel engine) to electrical (battery system). This parameter change enables operation in cold weather by using the battery's electrical energy and implements heat transfer to the battery to maintain optimal operating temperature, thereby eliminating the prime mover requirement while preserving adaptability.
2Device complexity
If a battery system is used to power the refrigeration unit, then the system can operate without a prime mover, but the battery system requires heating in cold weather to maintain efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service heating system where the refrigeration unit's own vaporized refrigerant heats the battery system. The heat transfer system captures waste heat from the refrigerant vapor and transfers it to the battery, allowing the battery to maintain optimal operating temperature without requiring external heating sources or additional energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful cold weather environment into a beneficial heating source. The vaporized refrigerant, which would otherwise be waste heat, is redirected through the heat transfer system to warm the battery. This transforms the cold ambient temperature challenge into a solution that maintains battery efficiency while eliminating the need for a prime mover.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the battery system is heated using vaporized refrigerant, then power generation efficiency is improved, but additional heat transfer components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function with the existing refrigeration cycle by integrating the heat transfer system into the refrigerant flow path. The vaporized refrigerant that naturally exists in the refrigeration cycle is redirected through heat exchange components that transfer its thermal energy to the battery, combining two functions (refrigeration and battery heating) into a unified system that improves power generation efficiency while managing component complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient operation of the refrigeration unit in cold weather environments by heating the battery system using vaporized refrigerant, promoting more efficient power generation and reducing reliance on diesel engines.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer system thermally connected to the battery system, the heat transfer system being configured to transfer heat from the flash tank to the battery system through the vaporized refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
transfer heat from the flash tank to the battery system through the vaporized refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a flash tank fluidly connected to the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger, the flash tank being configured to separate the refrigerant into a liquefied refrigerant and a vaporized refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A transport refrigeration system (200) having: a refrigeration unit (22) configured to circulate refrigerant through a refrigeration circuit; a battery system (190) configured to power the refrigeration unit; and a heat transfer system (195) thermally connected to the battery system, the heat transfer system being configured to transfer heat from the flash tank to the battery system through the vaporized refrigerant. The refrigeration unit includes: a refrigerant compression device (32) having an inlet and an outlet; a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger (34) fluidly connected to the outlet; a flash tank (36) fluidly connected to the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger, the flash tank being configured to separate the refrigerant into a liquefied refrigerant and a vaporized refrigerant; and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger (38) fluidly connected to the flash tank and configured to receive the liquefied refrigerant from the flash tank, the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger being fluidly connected to the inlet.