TRU Battery and Grid Control for Low-Noise Refrigeration Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transport refrigeration units (TRUs) face challenges in reducing noise and emissions, as traditional diesel engines contribute to noise pollution and environmental concerns, necessitating a cleaner and quieter operation.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a non-diesel energy storage device, such as a battery pack, with a control unit that manages power supply and demand between the TRU battery pack and the electrical grid, allowing for communication and energy management to optimize TRU operation and grid integration, including the use of solar panels for energy generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a diesel engine is used to power the TRU, then sufficient power is available for operation, but noise levels and emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise and emissionsVSAvoidpower availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical diesel engine system with an electrical energy storage system (battery pack). The battery pack provides electrical power to the TRU components, eliminating the need for a diesel engine and thereby reducing noise and emissions while maintaining sufficient power availability for TRU operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the energy storage device and the TRU components. It manages power distribution, ensuring that the battery pack provides adequate power to the refrigeration components while optimizing energy usage and enabling grid interaction for additional power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a battery pack is used instead of a diesel engine, then noise and emissions are reduced, but energy storage capacity and duration are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise and emissionsVSAvoidenergy storage duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage device serves multiple functions: it provides power to the TRU during operation, stores excess energy from the electrical grid when available, and can discharge energy back to the grid during peak demand periods. This multi-functionality extends the effective energy management duration beyond what a single-direction battery system could achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit charges the battery pack from the electrical grid in advance during off-peak hours or when energy is abundant. This preliminary charging action ensures that sufficient energy is stored before the TRU needs to operate independently, extending the duration of clean, quiet operation without requiring a larger battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If TRUs are integrated with the smart grid, then energy management is optimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the state of charge of the battery pack, the power needs of the TRU components, and the availability of grid power. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts charging and discharging operations to optimize energy management. This feedback mechanism enables efficient energy optimization without requiring overly complex manual control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enables quieter and cleaner TRU operation by shifting from diesel engines to battery power, allowing for smart grid integration and energy management, which reduces noise and emissions while enabling the TRU to communicate and manage energy effectively with the electrical grid.

Implementation Method 1

a TRU battery pack configured to store energy for powering at least the components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

The TRU further includes a solar panel operably coupled to at least the TRU battery pack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar Energy: Solar Energy

Data Source

PatentUS11827074B2Transport refrigeration unit architecture and controls for smart grid optimization and integration

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 CARRIER CORP

AI summary

A transport refrigeration unit (TRU) system (IO) is provided. The TRU system includes a TRU (30), an electrical grid and a control unit. The TRU (30) is configured to be operably coupled a container (20) and includes components configured to control an environment within an interior of the container (20) and a TRU battery pack (40) configured to store energy for powering at least the components. The control unit is communicative with the TRU (30) and the electrical grid and is configured to manage power supplies and demands between the TRU battery pack (40) of each TRU (30) and the electrical grid.