Transportation Refrigeration Unit Powered by Axle-Coupled DC Generator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional transportation refrigeration units face challenges in efficiency, noise reduction, environmental impact, reliability, cost, and weight reduction, particularly in the context of environmentally friendly refrigeration systems.
Innovation Solution
A transportation refrigeration unit (TRU) and power system that incorporates a compressor, evaporator heat exchanger, evaporator fan, return air temperature sensor, TRU controller, generator power converter, and energy storage system, which work together to determine and meet the AC power requirements of the TRU, optimizing power usage and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional combustion engine drives the compressor, then the refrigeration unit can operate reliably, but the system produces noise and negative environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the combustion engine (mechanical system producing emissions and noise) with an electric motor driven by a DC generator coupled to the vehicle's axle. This substitution eliminates exhaust emissions and reduces noise while maintaining compression functionality through electromagnetic conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC generator serves multiple functions: it generates electrical power to drive the compressor motor, charges the energy storage device, and can operate across varying vehicle speeds. This multi-functionality ensures reliable refrigeration operation without requiring a dedicated combustion engine.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a DC generator coupled to the axle is used to power the compressor, then efficiency and environmental friendliness improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DC generator is integrated into the vehicle's existing wheel hub or axle assembly, serving both as a propulsion component and a power generation source for the refrigeration unit. This multi-functional integration reduces overall system complexity despite the addition of refrigeration components.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system acts as an intermediary controller that coordinates between the DC generator, energy storage device, compressor motor, and evaporator fan. This centralized control simplifies the management of multiple components and their interactions.
3Reliability
If an energy storage system is added to manage power dynamically, then reliability and efficiency improve, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is sized to provide partial power support during high-demand periods rather than attempting to meet all power requirements independently. This partial action approach reduces the weight of the energy storage system while maintaining reliability through coordinated operation with the DC generator.
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 system achieves improved efficiency, reduced noise and environmental impact, enhanced reliability, cost-effectiveness, and weight reduction by dynamically managing power based on the TRU's AC power requirements, utilizing a generator and energy storage system in a coordinated manner.
Implementation Method 1
a generator configured to generate electrical energy based on motion of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a generator power converter configured to receive a first DC power provided by the DC generator, and configured to provide a second three phase AC power to the power management system
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator heat exchanger operatively coupled to the compressor, an evaporator fan configured to provide return airflow from a return air intake and flow the return airflow over the evaporator heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation refrigeration unit TRU and power system. The TRU and power system including a compressor, an evaporator heat exchanger operatively coupled to the compressor, and an evaporator fan configured to provide return airflow over the evaporator heat exchanger. The system also includes a return air temperature RAT sensor disposed in the return airflow and configured measure the temperature of the return airflow, a TRU controller operably connected to the RAT sensor and configured to execute a process to determine an AC power requirement for the TRU based on at least the RAT; a generator power converter, configured to receive a first DC power from a generator and transmit a second three phase AC power to a power management system, the power management system configured to direct AC power to the TRU based on the AC power requirement.