Dual compressor transportation refrigeration unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all-electric transport refrigeration systems rely on diesel engines, which cause noise disruption, pollution, and increase in cost and complexity due to stringent regulations and rising fuel prices, especially as power and energy requirements grow.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerated cargo container system featuring two separate refrigerant circuits, one powered by a diesel engine and the other by a battery, with the battery also powering electric components like evaporator and condenser fans, and rechargeable via the engine, solar panels, regenerative braking, or electrical generators, allowing for flexible operation and reduced fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a diesel engine is used to power the compressor in an all-electric transport refrigeration system, then the system can meet increasing power and energy requirements, but noise disruption and pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single engine-driven system into two separate compressors: a first compressor powered by the diesel engine and a second compressor powered by a battery. This segmentation allows the system to meet high power requirements when both compressors operate together while reducing noise and pollution when only the battery-powered second compressor operates, thus resolving the contradiction between power requirements and harmful emissions.
2Reliability
If a diesel engine is used to power the compressor, then the refrigeration system can operate reliably, but cost and complexity increase due to stringent regulations and rising fuel prices
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the power sources into an engine-driven first compressor and a battery-driven second compressor, the system maintains reliability through multiple independent power paths while reducing the management complexity of the single engine system. The battery can operate independently or in conjunction with the engine, providing operational flexibility that simplifies overall system management.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery acts as an intermediary power source between the diesel engine and the second compressor. This intermediary allows the system to operate the compressor without direct engine involvement during certain conditions, reducing the need for complex engine management systems while maintaining reliable refrigeration operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the battery is used to power the second compressor, then noise and pollution are reduced, but the system requires additional energy storage infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the engine-driven first compressor and battery-driven second compressor into a single integrated refrigeration system with shared refrigerant circuits and control systems. This merging allows the battery infrastructure to be utilized efficiently in conjunction with the existing engine system, reducing the relative complexity burden of adding battery infrastructure while achieving noise and pollution reduction benefits.
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
This solution reduces noise and pollution, lowers operational costs, and enhances operational flexibility by utilizing battery power to supplement engine-driven cooling, thereby optimizing energy use and maintaining controlled temperatures efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a battery (44) operably connected to the second compressor (38)
Implementation Method 2
passed through the airside of the evaporator in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant whereby the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air, thereby cooling the air
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A transportation refrigeration unit includes an evaporator circulating a flow of refrigerant therethrough to cool a flow of supply air flowing over the evaporator, a first compressor operably connected to an engine and driven by the engine, a second compressor operably connected to a battery and driven by the battery. The first compressor and/or the second compressor are in fluid communication with the evaporator to compress the flow of refrigerant and configured and connected in parallel with one another. A condenser is in fluid communication with the evaporator and the first compressor and/or the second compressor.