eTRU Power Demand Management Using Peer-to-Peer Start Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically powered Transport Refrigeration Units (eTRUs) experience significant voltage drops and potential electrical system faults when multiple units start simultaneously, leading to brown-out events that can disrupt continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication system that allows eTRUs to communicate via a network, determining priority for start events based on pending requests, and using short-range wireless communication or BLE advertising to manage staggered start events and monitor each other's states, thereby preventing simultaneous start-ups and ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple eTRUs start simultaneously, then the refrigeration units can begin operation quickly, but voltage drops and brown-out events occur disrupting continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having eTRUs communicate pending start requests and determine priority before actually starting. The communication system allows units to announce their intent to start and negotiate timing, preventing simultaneous start-ups that cause voltage drops while ensuring critical units start promptly.
Solution Approach 2:
The start-up timing is made dynamic rather than static. Each eTRU can adjust its start time based on real-time communication with other units, creating a flexible staggered start schedule that adapts to system conditions and prioritizes critical refrigeration needs while avoiding electrical system overload.
2Reliability
If eTRUs use a communication network to manage start events, then simultaneous start-ups are prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is designed to be universal, allowing eTRUs to exchange multiple types of information (pending start requests, priority levels, operational status) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate communication channels for different purposes, thereby limiting complexity while achieving reliable start event management.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods for power demand management are described herein. One or more embodiments comprise peer to peer short range wireless communications. One or more embodiments comprise BLE advertising channel features. Other embodiments are also described herein.