Method and apparatus for providing two way control and data communications to and from transportation refrigeration units (TRUs)

• US 20140052888A1
• Filed: 09/16/2010
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Wagner, Ronald E., Logan, Rex T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,978,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/313
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/003 for movable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

An RS-485 bus is directly connected to transportation refrigeration unit sensors for transmitting information from the sensors to a remote location and for controlling sensor parameters from the remote location. The GENSET associated with the transportation refrigeration unit also utilizes the RS-485 bus, in which the bus is directly connected to the GENSET sensors for bi-directional communication therewith.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the sensors utilized in a transportation refrigeration unit including a container and having a refrigeration unit controller and a GENSET to power said refrigeration unit, comprising:

providing the same RS-485 control bus to couple refrigeration unit sensors, GENSET sensors and container sensors to a refrigerator controller,

the RS-485 bus being directly connected to the sensors, the RS-485 bus providing bi-directional communication with the sensors to be able to set sensor parameters and to be able to monitor sensor outputs; and

,

monitoring the GENSET utilizing the RS-485 bus directly coupled to the GENSET sensors.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the RS-485 bus supports at least one of GENSET location, status, fuel usage, engine health, realtime data, environmental history, actionable information history, user custom reports and a web portal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration unit controller includes at least one of a processor, a memory, bus control architecture, device management protocols, de-bug protocols, BIST, data logging applications, and applets.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a temperature sensor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor includes an air temperature sensor.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include an evaporator coil sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a condenser coil sensor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a compressor top cap sensor.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include an ambient air temperature sensor.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a humidity sensor.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a fresh air management sensor.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a CO₂ sensor.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a compressor discharge line temperature sensor.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a high pressure cut out switch sensor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the high pressure cut out switch controls discharge and wherein high pressure cut out switch the sensor senses discharge pressure.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a low pressure cut out switch sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the low pressure cut out switch controls discharge pressure and wherein the low pressure cut out switch sensor senses discharge pressure.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include an electric phase measuring sensor.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a current measuring sensor.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)