Efficient electric trailer refrigeration system

• US 10,240,847 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2018
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert P. Thomas Jr
• Original Assignee: Robert P. Thomas Jr
• Inventors: Thomas, Jr., Robert P
• Primary Examiner(s): Norman, Marc E
• Application Number:
  US15/983,030
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3232 particularly adapted for load transporting vehicles B60H1/3226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/3292 Compressor drive is electric only
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 13/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle defrosting cycles F25B47/02
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/00 Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy F25B30/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/005 in compression type systems
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/022 Compressor control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/003 Transport containers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/06 by forced circulation
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/003 for movable devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

A trailer refrigeration system incorporates a trailer refrigeration unit that is powered by multiple sources including a generator coupled to the truck, photovoltaic cells and a battery pack. The trailer refrigeration unit may be a conventional refrigerator having a compressor, an evaporator and a compressible refrigerant. The refrigeration unit may be powered by one or more electric motors, such as an axial flux or transverse flux motor that has high efficiency, high torque at low revolutions per minute (RPM). The refrigeration unit is powered at least in part by the generator when the truck is running below a threshold power level and may be powered by the battery pack and/or photovoltaic cells when the truck engine is not running or running above a threshold power level. A power management system including the battery management system is used to control the flow of power to the refrigeration unit and to and from the battery pack.

Claims

1. An energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer comprising:

a) a trailer refrigeration unit comprising;

i) an evaporator;

ii) a condenser;

iii) a compressor and a compressor motor to power said compressor;

wherein the compressor motor is an axial flux permanent magnet traction motor;

iv) an air moving device to circulate air across the evaporator and within trailer and having an air moving motor to power said air moving device;

wherein the air moving motor is an axial flux permanent magnet traction motor;

b) a trailer power source configured on the trailer to provide power to the trailer refrigeration unit including the compressor motor and the air moving motor;

wherein the trailer power source comprises;

i) a battery pack; and

c) an auxiliary power source electrically coupled with the battery pack to provide a charging power to the battery pack;

d) a power management system electrically coupled between the power source and the trailer refrigeration unit, wherein the power management system comprises;

i) a controller comprising a microprocessor;

wherein the controller controls the speed of the compressor motor and air moving motor to efficiently refrigerate the refrigeration unit;

ii) a battery management system that comprises a charge controller coupled with the battery pack to control the state of charge of the battery pack to avoid overcharging or undercharging of the batteries;

wherein the battery management system is coupled between said auxiliary power source and said battery pack and controls a charge level of the battery pack from said charging power from said auxiliary power source;

iii) a CAN bus comprising;

a plurality of inputs and outputs,

a central processing unit configured to run a control program;

wherein the CAN bus is coupled to the controller and the battery management system by said plurality of inputs and outputs and regulates power delivery to the refrigeration unit via said control program run by the central processing unit; and

iv) a traction motor controller that inverts electrical power from the battery pack and provides it to the compressor motor and air moving device motor and also controls a voltage of said electrical power provided to each of the compressor motor and air moving device motor;

wherein the CAN bus is programmable; and

wherein the CAN bus receives input from the power source and from the refrigeration trailer refrigeration unit including from a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the refrigeration unit.

2. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power source comprises a photovoltaic cell.

3. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell is configured on the trailer.

4. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power source comprises a fuel cell.

5. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 4, further comprising a tractor coupled to the trailer to transport the trailer and wherein the fuel cell is configured on said tractor.

6. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 5, wherein the tractor is a fuel cell propelled tractor propelled by said fuel cell.

7. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power source comprises a battery pack.

8. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 7, further comprising a tractor coupled to the trailer to transport the trailer and wherein the battery pack is configured on said tractor.

9. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 8, wherein the tractor is an electric tractor propelled by said battery pack.

10. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power source is an electrical generator and wherein the battery pack receives power from said electrical generator.

11. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system of claim 10, wherein the electrical generator is an axial-flux PM permanent magnet generator.

12. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system of claim 11, further comprising a tractor having a tractor engine, wherein the tractor is coupled to the trailer to transport the trailer;

wherein the electrical generator is coupled to the tractor engine to generate electricity and wherein the power management system automatically disengages the electrical generator from the tractor engine when the tractor engine operates above an upper threshold power level.

13. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system of claim 12, wherein the power management system automatically reengages the electrical generator with the tractor engine when the tractor engine drops below a re-engaging threshold power level.

14. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system of claim 12, wherein the power management system disengages the electrical generator from the tractor engine when the battery pack is above an upper threshold charge level.

15. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system of claim 14, further comprising a tractor battery pack that receives power from the electrical generator.

16. An energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system for a trailer comprising:

a) a trailer refrigeration unit comprising;

i) an evaporator;

ii) a condenser;

iii) a compressor and a compressor motor to power said compressor;

wherein the compressor motor is an axial flux permanent magnet traction motor;

iv) an air moving device to circulate air across the evaporator and within trailer and having an air moving motor to power said air moving device;

wherein the air moving motor is an axial flux permanent magnet traction motor;

b) a tractor having a tractor engine, wherein the tractor is coupled to the trailer to transport the trailer;

wherein the tractor comprises an engine, and

c) a trailer power source configured on the trailer to provide power to the trailer refrigeration unit including the compressor motor and the air moving motor;

wherein the trailer power source comprises

i) a battery pack; and

d) an auxiliary power source electrically coupled with the battery pack to provide a charging power to the battery pack;

wherein the auxiliary power source comprises an electrical generator;

wherein the electrical generator is an axial-flux permanent magnet generator; and

wherein the electrical generator is configured on the tractor;

e) a power management system electrically coupled between the power source and the trailer refrigeration unit wherein the power management system comprises;

i) a controller comprising a microprocessor;

wherein the controller controls the speed of the compressor motor and air moving motor to efficiently refrigerate the refrigeration unit;

ii) a battery management system that comprises a charge controller coupled with the battery pack to control the state of charge of the battery pack to avoid overcharging or undercharging of the batteries;

wherein the battery management system is coupled between said auxiliary power source and said battery pack and controls a charge level of the battery pack from said charging power from said auxiliary power source;

iii) a Can bus that is coupled to the controller and the battery management system, said CAN bus comprising;

a plurality of inputs and outputs,

a central processing unit configured to run a control program;

wherein the CAN bus is coupled to the controller and the battery management system by said plurality of inputs and outputs and regulates power delivery to the refrigeration unit via said control program run by the central processing unit; and

iv) a traction motor controller that inverts electrical power from the battery pack and provides it to the compressor motor and air moving device motor and also controls a voltage of said electrical power provided to each of the compressor motor and air moving device motor;

wherein the CAN bus is programmable;

wherein the CAN bus receives input from the power source and from the trailer refrigeration unit including from a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the refrigeration unit.

17. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system of claim 16, wherein the electrical generator is coupled to the tractor engine to generate electricity;

and wherein the power management system automatically disengages the electrical generator from the tractor engine when the tractor engine operates above an upper threshold power level.

18. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system of claim 17, wherein the power management system automatically reengages the electrical generator with the tractor engine when the tractor engine drops below a re-engaging threshold power level.

19. The energy efficient intelligent trailer refrigeration system of claim 16, wherein the power management system disengages the electrical generator when the battery pack is above an upper threshold charge level.

20. The energy efficient trailer refrigeration unit system of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary power source comprises a photovoltaic cell is configured on the trailer.