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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport refrigeration systems in refrigerated vehicles and trailers face inefficiencies in energy management, particularly in reducing fuel usage and optimizing power distribution, which affects the performance and efficiency of the refrigeration process.
Innovation Solution
A transport refrigeration system that includes an energy storage device, an electric generation device connected to the wheels or wheel axle, a rotational velocity sensor, and a power management module to detect wheel slippage and adjust torque limits based on deceleration, allowing for efficient energy harvesting and usage optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an electric generation device is connected to the wheels to generate electrical power, then fuel consumption is reduced, but wheel slippage detection and torque control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric generation device serves multiple functions: it generates electrical power to charge the energy storage device, reduces fuel consumption, and enables wheel slippage detection through rotational velocity monitoring. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the added complexity worthwhile through multiple benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring rotational velocity of the electric generation device and using this information to detect wheel slippage. The power management module adjusts torque limits based on detected slippage conditions, creating a closed-loop control system that manages the complexity while improving energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If torque limit is decreased to prevent wheel slippage, then wheel slippage is reduced, but energy harvesting efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque limit is made dynamic rather than static. The power management module continuously adjusts the torque limit based on real-time rotational velocity data from the electric generation device. During normal operation, higher torque limits enable efficient energy harvesting, while during detected slippage events, the torque limit is temporarily reduced to regain traction, then restored when traction is regained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of wheel slippage into a beneficial detection opportunity. By monitoring rotational velocity deceleration of the electric generation device, the system detects slippage events and responds by adjusting torque limits. This transforms what would be pure energy loss into a controlled event that maintains both traction and energy harvesting efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If rotational velocity monitoring is implemented for slippage detection, then wheel slippage detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational velocity sensor serves dual purposes: it provides precise wheel slippage detection and simultaneously monitors the operational status of the electric generation device. This multi-functionality justifies the added sensor complexity by extracting multiple valuable data streams from a single measurement source.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric generation device itself provides the measurement capability needed for slippage detection through its rotational velocity sensor. The system uses its own operational parameters (rotational velocity) to detect anomalies (slippage), eliminating the need for separate, dedicated slippage detection sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
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 the detection of wheel slippage and efficient energy management, reducing fuel consumption and enhancing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration process by adjusting torque limits during deceleration, thereby improving the system's performance and reducing energy wastage.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generation device operably connected to at least one of a wheel of the transport refrigeration system and a wheel axle of the transport refrigeration system, the electric generation device being configured to generate electrical power from at least one of the wheel and the wheel axle
Implementation Method 2
a rotational velocity sensor configured to detect a rotational velocity of the electric generation device
Data Source
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AI summary
A transportation refrigeration system including: a transportation refrigeration unit; an energy storage device configured to provide electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit; an electric generation device operably connected to at least one of a wheel and a wheel axle of the transport refrigeration system, the electric generation device being configured to generate electrical power from at least one of the wheel and the wheel axle to charge the energy storage device when the electric generation device is activated; a rotational velocity sensor configured to detect a rotational velocity of the electric generation device; and a power management module in electrical communication with the energy storage device, the electric generation device, and the rotational velocity sensor, wherein the power management module is configured to decrease a torque limit of the electric generation device when the rotational velocity of the electric generation device decelerates greater than a selected deceleration.