Load Management for Climate Controlled Storage Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-contained climate-controlled storage units face challenges in maintaining power supply during transport, leading to potential cargo loss or spoilage due to battery discharge, as regulatory modifications are difficult and can result in certification refusal.
Innovation Solution
A mobile charging system that extends the runtime of onboard power sources by utilizing various charge sources such as shore power, solar panels, alternators, and generators to manage energy supply and load balancing across multiple units, ensuring continuous climate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is used to power the self-contained climate controlled storage unit during transport, then the unit can provide climate control without external power, but the battery charge is limited and the runtime is insufficient for extended transport
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the battery before transport using available external power sources (shore power, generators, alternators). The load management system pre-charges the battery to maximum capacity before departure, ensuring sufficient runtime is established in advance to bridge gaps between external power sources and maintain climate control reliability throughout extended transport periods.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the unit is delayed from reaching its destination, then the battery may fully discharge and climate control capacity is exhausted, but modifying the unit to extend runtime is difficult due to regulatory certification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The load management system is designed to work with multiple types of power sources (onboard battery, shore power, generators, alternators) and can adapt to different transport scenarios without requiring physical modifications to the climate controlled storage unit. The system universally manages power from any available source, extending runtime through software-based load balancing and power source coordination rather than hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The load management system acts as an intermediary between multiple power sources and the climate control loads. It coordinates power flow from various sources (battery, shore power, generators, alternators) and intelligently manages charging/discharging cycles, allowing the system to extend operational duration without modifying the physical unit structure or climate control components.
3Productivity
If multiple self-contained climate controlled storage units are transported in the same transport unit, then cargo capacity is optimized, but the limited energy supply source must be shared among multiple units
Solution Approach 1:
The load management system dynamically adjusts power allocation among multiple storage units based on real-time conditions. It continuously monitors battery charge levels, climate control requirements, and transport status of each unit, then dynamically redistributes power resources. When one unit reaches its destination and is disconnected, the system automatically redirects available power to remaining units, ensuring each unit receives sufficient energy while maximizing overall cargo capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power allocation ratios, charging rates, discharge rates) based on the number of active units and their individual needs. As units are loaded or unloaded from the transport container, the load management system adjusts power distribution parameters to optimize energy usage across the remaining units, maintaining climate control reliability while accommodating variable cargo capacity.
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
Prevents cargo loss by maintaining climate control during extended transport times and reduces downtime for charging, enhancing unit utilization and compliance with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
The charge sources can include one or more solar panels
Implementation Method 2
The charge sources can include an alternator (e.g., an alternator driven by a transport refrigeration unit (TRU), an alternator driven by a tractor engine,)
Implementation Method 3
an on-board generator, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing power from an energy supply source having a limited charge to one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units are disclosed. The power is provided from an energy supply source having a limited charge to one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units in a transport unit. The method includes determining whether to supply power from the enemy supply source to the one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units; supplying power in response to the determining indicating that power is to be supplied; determining whether to continue supplying power from the energy supply source to the one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units; and stopping supplying power in response to the determining whether to continue indicating that power is no longer to be supplied.