Heat and Dust Shield for Transport Refrigeration Condenser
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency and reliability of transport refrigeration systems are compromised due to the intake of hot exhaust air and dust from the tractor cabin engine cooling system, which reduces the performance of the condenser and overall refrigeration unit.
Innovation Solution
A shield, comprising two brushes mounted to the tractor cabin and trailer, blocks the air flow path between the engine cooling system's discharge air and the condenser air inlet, preventing hot air and debris from entering the refrigeration unit, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the refrigeration system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the condenser draws in ambient air and air from the tractor cabin engine cooling system, then the condenser can cool the refrigerant, but the increased temperature of the condenser air intake reduces the efficiency of the condenser and transport refrigeration unit
Solution Approach 1:
The shield divides the air intake function into two separate pathways: one for ambient air and one for engine cooling air. By segmenting the air sources and using a brush seal to control mixing, the condenser can selectively draw cooler ambient air while allowing engine cooling air to be discharged separately, thereby reducing the temperature of the condenser air intake and improving condenser efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The brush seal acts as an intermediary element between the engine cooling air discharge area and the condenser air intake. This intermediary component controls the interaction between the two air streams, preventing direct mixing and allowing the system to manage temperature differentials effectively while maintaining both engine cooling and condenser cooling functions
2Reliability
If the condenser draws in ambient air and air from the tractor cabin engine cooling system, then the condenser can cool the refrigerant, but dust and dirt drawn through the condenser air intake causes deterioration of the efficiency and reliability of the transport refrigeration unit
Solution Approach 1:
The shield segments the air intake sources to separate clean ambient air from contaminated engine cooling air. By creating distinct pathways and using the brush seal to prevent mixing, the system allows the condenser to draw from cleaner ambient air sources while engine cooling air (which contains dust and dirt) is discharged through a separate path, reducing contamination and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The brush seal serves as an intermediary barrier that prevents dust and dirt from engine cooling air from being drawn into the condenser air intake. This intermediary component selectively allows air flow while blocking particulate contamination, thereby protecting the condenser and improving the reliability of the transport refrigeration unit
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 shield enhances the operational efficiency of the refrigeration unit by drawing in more ambient air, reducing fuel consumption and improving system reliability by preventing hot exhaust air and dust from entering the condenser.
Implementation Method 1
The shield is configured to block an air flow path between an area of discharge air from the engine cooling system and a condenser air inlet of the transport refrigeration unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A transportation refrigeration system is provided including a tractor cabin having an engine and an engine cooling system. A trailer is operably coupled to the tractor cabin. A transport refrigeration unit is configured to maintain a controller temperature environment of a portion of the trailer. The transport refrigeration unit is mounted to a front surface of the trailer adjacent the truck. A shield (50) is mounted to at least one of the tractor cabin, trailer, and transport refrigeration unit. The shield is configured to block an air flow path between an area (42) of discharge air from the engine cooling system and a condenser air inlet (32) of the transport refrigeration unit.