Cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerated transport systems face inefficiencies due to partial load operations, leading to increased fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and interruptions in the cold chain caused by ice formation and defrosting processes, which complicate temperature control and increase energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling system with multiple interchangeable refrigeration circuit modules, each containing an evaporator, condenser, and compressor, allowing for adaptive cooling capacity and efficient power management by switching modules on and off, and enabling separate defrosting without disrupting cooling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single refrigeration circuit is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system efficiency decreases during partial load operation leading to increased fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The single refrigeration circuit is divided into multiple independent refrigeration modules (first, second, and optionally third modules). Each module can be independently controlled to operate or shut down based on the cooling load requirements. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high efficiency during partial load operation by activating only the necessary number of modules, thereby reducing fuel consumption while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through standardized modular design.
2Power
If the evaporator operates at freezing temperatures, then the cooling capacity is improved, but ice formation occurs leading to interruptions in the cold chain
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is divided into multiple independent evaporator units corresponding to each refrigeration module. This segmentation enables selective defrosting of individual evaporators without shutting down the entire cooling system. When one evaporator requires defrosting, only its associated module is temporarily deactivated while other modules continue to provide cooling, thus maintaining cold chain continuity and reliability while preserving the necessary freezing temperatures for adequate cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary defrosting actions on individual evaporators before ice accumulation disrupts the cold chain. By monitoring and defrosting evaporators proactively rather than reactively, the system prevents interruptions in the cold chain while maintaining optimal cooling capacity through the operation of other modules.
3Ease of operation
If defrosting is performed by interrupting cooling operations, then the evaporator is cleared of ice, but the temperature control is disrupted causing unacceptable interruptions in the cold chain
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is segmented into multiple independent modules, each with its own evaporator and control system. This segmentation enables isolated defrosting operations where only the specific module requiring defrosting is temporarily deactivated. The other modules continue to operate and maintain temperature control in their respective zones, ensuring that the overall cold chain remains uninterrupted and reliable while still allowing easy defrosting operation when needed.
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 approach reduces energy and space requirements, minimizes fuel consumption, maintains temperature control, and simplifies maintenance by allowing for flexible configuration and replacement of modules, enhancing system efficiency and availability.
Implementation Method 1
The core element of the corresponding cooling units is a single, central refrigeration circuit that cools and dehumidifies the circulating air drawn in from the transport unit to be cooled
Implementation Method 2
The cooling unit and the cargo space are connected via air interfaces, through which the cooled or heated air is exchanged
Implementation Method 3
each having an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor
Implementation Method 4
each having an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor
Implementation Method 5
The cooling unit and the cargo space are connected via air interfaces, through which the cooled or heated air is exchanged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling system (10) for a transport unit, in particular a refrigerator semi-trailer, a refrigeration trailer or a refrigerated transport container, comprising at least two identically constructed exchangeable refrigeration circuit modules (14, 16, 18) which each contain the refrigerant circuit with the evaporator unit, the condenser unit and the compressor unit. The components are arranged in a frame (12) and comprise a generator with an internal combustion engine (30), a battery (32) and a power electronics (34) as well as a condenser fan (38) and a supply air fan (35) which blow cooled air into the interior of the transport unit.