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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
First Claim
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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.

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