Transport Refrigeration Battery Heating for Cold-Climate Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transportation refrigeration units face challenges in efficiency, reliability, environmental impact, cost, and weight reduction, particularly in managing power sources and environmental conditions for refrigeration systems in trucks and trailers.
Innovation Solution
A transportation refrigeration unit powered by an energy storage device, with a controller adjusting the temperature control system based on ambient air temperature, utilizing a DC/DC converter to provide power and an electric heater for thermodynamic adjustments, allowing for efficient and environmentally friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If an energy storage device is used to power the compressor motor, then weight reduction and environmental impact are improved, but the energy storage device requires temperature management in cold climates to maintain reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the energy storage device before it is needed for power delivery. The controller activates the heating element when ambient temperature falls below a threshold, pre-warming the battery pack to optimal operating temperature before the compressor motor requires full power output.
Solution Approach 2:
A heating element serves as an intermediary component between the power source and the environmental conditions. This mediator actively compensates for the harmful cold climate effects by introducing thermal energy to maintain the battery pack within its optimal operating temperature range.
2Reliability
If the temperature control system is activated to heat the energy storage device, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time temperature conditions. The controller continuously monitors ambient temperature and activates or deactivates the heating element accordingly, optimizing energy usage by only heating when necessary rather than maintaining constant heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensing and feedback control mechanisms. The controller receives temperature data from sensors and adjusts the heating element operation based on whether the energy storage device remains above or below the threshold temperature, creating a closed-loop control system that minimizes unnecessary energy consumption.
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
The solution enhances the efficiency and reliability of refrigeration units by thermodynamically adjusting the energy storage device in response to ambient temperatures, reducing environmental impact and improving cost and weight considerations.
Implementation Method 1
the electric heater utilizes at least one of convection heating and conduction heating
Implementation Method 2
the electric heater utilizes at least one of convection heating and conduction heating
Implementation Method 3
a DC/DC converter configured to provide power to the temperature control system by converting a small portion of the high voltage direct current of the energy storage device to a low voltage direct current
Implementation Method 4
a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a compressor motor configured to drive the compressor
Implementation Method 5
an evaporator heat exchanger operatively coupled to the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation refrigeration unit (26) comprising: a compressor (58) configured to compress a refrigerant; a compressor motor (60) configured to drive the compressor (58), the compressor motor (60) being powered by an energy storage device (152); an evaporator heat exchanger (76) operatively coupled to the compressor (58); a controller (82) to control operation of the transportation refrigeration unit (26); an ambient air temperature sensor (83) in electronic communication with the controller (82), the ambient air temperature sensor (83) detects ambient air temperature outside of the transportation refrigeration unit (26), wherein the controller (82) adjusts operation of a temperature control system (153) for the energy storage device (152) in response to the ambient air temperature, the temperature control system (153) adjusts a temperature of the energy storage device (26).