Trailer Refrigeration Inverter Heating Using Engine Waste Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems face high costs due to the need for preheating inverter circuits when operating at temperatures lower than their operational range, requiring additional heating systems which increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes waste heat from the engine to heat the inverter circuit, either directly or through a heat radiator, with a temperature sensor controlling the heating mechanism to maintain operational temperatures without additional heating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an inverter circuit is selected for operational temperature of -30°C or lower to enable operation at low temperatures, then the refrigeration system can operate at lower temperatures, but the cost of the inverter circuit increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful waste heat from the engine into a beneficial heating source for the inverter circuit. By utilizing the engine's waste heat through a heat exchange mechanism, the system can operate the inverter circuit at acceptable temperatures without requiring an expensive low-temperature rated inverter circuit, thus resolving the cost issue while maintaining low-temperature operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a heat exchange mechanism as an intermediary between the engine and the inverter circuit. This intermediary transfers thermal energy from the engine's waste heat to the inverter circuit, enabling temperature control without direct thermal contact and without requiring a separate heating system or expensive low-temperature components
2Reliability
If a separate preheating system is added to heat the inverter circuit when operating at low temperatures, then the inverter circuit can operate at acceptable temperatures, but the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the engine serve multiple functions: it not only drives the refrigeration system but also provides waste heat that can be utilized for heating the inverter circuit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate preheating system, reducing manufacturing costs while ensuring reliable inverter circuit operation at low temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers waste heat from the engine that would otherwise be discarded. By capturing and utilizing this waste heat for heating the inverter circuit, the system eliminates the need for a separate preheating system, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable operation
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 approach allows the inverter circuit to operate at lower temperatures without a separate heating system, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The heating mechanism (60) heats the inverter circuit (71) with waste heat of the engine (41)
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensor (74) senses a temperature of the inverter circuit (71)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A refrigeration system for trailer includes an engine (41), a generator (40) driven by the engine (41) to generate electric power, an inverter substrate, a temperature sensor (74) that senses a temperature of the inverter circuit, and a heat carrying mechanism (60) that heats the inverter substrate with waste heat of the engine (41) when a sensed temperature by the temperature sensor (74) is an operational temperature or lower.