CONTROLLING FROZEN STATE OF A CARGO
First Claim
1. A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating frozen cargo, the method comprising:
- providing a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series;
providing an evaporator fan;
alternating operation of the compressor and the evaporator fan, in combination, between an active mode where the compressor compresses a refrigerant and directs the refrigerant through the condenser and the evaporator, and where the evaporator fan rotates to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, and a sleep mode in which the compressor and the evaporator fan are deactivated;
operating the compressor and the evaporator fan in the sleep mode for a duration that is based on a measured duration of a prior sleep mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating frozen cargo, and a system employing the method. The method includes providing a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series, and providing an evaporator fan. The method also includes alternating operation of the compressor and the evaporator fan, in combination, between an active mode where the compressor compresses a refrigerant and directs the refrigerant through the condenser and the evaporator, and where the evaporator fan rotates to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, and a sleep mode in which the compressor and the evaporator fan are deactivated, and operating the compressor and the evaporator fan in the sleep mode for a duration that is based on a measured duration of a prior sleep mode.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating frozen cargo, the method comprising:
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providing a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series; providing an evaporator fan; alternating operation of the compressor and the evaporator fan, in combination, between an active mode where the compressor compresses a refrigerant and directs the refrigerant through the condenser and the evaporator, and where the evaporator fan rotates to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, and a sleep mode in which the compressor and the evaporator fan are deactivated; operating the compressor and the evaporator fan in the sleep mode for a duration that is based on a measured duration of a prior sleep mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating frozen cargo, the system comprising:
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a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series; an evaporator fan; and a controller programmed to alternate operation of the compressor and the evaporator fan, in combination, between an active mode where the compressor compresses a refrigerant and directs the refrigerant through the condenser and the evaporator, and where the evaporator fan rotates to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, and a sleep mode in which the compressor and the evaporator fan are deactivated, and wherein the controller is programmed to operate the compressor and the evaporator fan in the sleep mode for a duration that is based on a measured duration of a prior sleep mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating frozen cargo, the method comprising:
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providing a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series; providing an evaporator fan; alternating operation of the compressor and the evaporator fan, in combination, between an active mode where the compressor compresses a refrigerant and directs the refrigerant through the condenser and the evaporator, and where the evaporator fan rotates to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, and a sleep mode in which the compressor and the evaporator fan are deactivated; operating the compressor and the evaporator fan in the sleep mode for a duration that is based on a measured duration of a prior sleep mode; operating the compressor and evaporator fan in the active mode until the return air temperature reaches a first predetermined low temperature which is lower than the predetermined set-point temperature; operating the compressor and evaporator fan in the sleep mode after the return air temperature reaches the first predetermined low temperature and until expiration of a duration based on a preceding sleep mode; operating the evaporator fan upon expiration of the duration based on the preceding sleep mode and measuring a return air temperature; operating the compressor and the evaporator fan in the active mode if the measured return air temperature is at or higher than the predetermined set-point temperature; and
operating the compressor and the evaporator fan in a new sleep period for an estimated duration calculated by extrapolation of observed temperatures and durations if the measured return air is lower than the predetermined set-point temperature;shortening the duration of the next sleep mode when the measured return air temperature at which the last sleep mode was terminated was higher than the predetermined set-point temperature; and extending the duration of the next sleep mode when the measured return air temperature at which the last sleep mode was terminated was lower than the predetermined set-point temperature.
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Specification