Operation of transport refrigeration systems to prevent engine stall and overload

• US 9,499,027 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2011
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Steele, John T., Reason, John R., Stockbridge, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Crenshaw, Henry
• Application Number:
  US13/876,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20140144164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,890 Days
• Field of Search: 621/15
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00364 for caravans or trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3208 Vehicle drive related control of the compressor drive means, e.g. for fuel saving purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3222 characterised by the compressor driving arrangements, e.g. clutches, transmissions or multiple drives B60H1/3208, B60H1/3226 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3232 particularly adapted for load transporting vehicles B60H1/3226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/3266 related to the operation of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/3273 related to the operation of the vehicle, e.g. the compressor driving torque

Abstract

The performance of a transport refrigeration system (12) having a transport refrigeration unit powered by a diesel engine is optimized by matching a capacity output of the transport refrigeration unit to an available shaft power of the diesel engine. The power consumption of the transport refrigeration may be controlled by selectively limiting refrigerant mass flow through the refrigerant circuit of the transport refrigeration unit in response to an operating engine load and an operating speed of the diesel engine.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing the performance of a transport refrigeration system having a transport refrigeration unit powered by a diesel engine, comprising matching a capacity output of the transport refrigeration unit to an available shaft power of the diesel engine;

the method further comprising;

monitoring an operating engine load of the diesel engine;

monitoring an operating engine speed of the diesel engine;

operating the transport refrigeration system at the capacity output necessary to meet a current refrigeration demand load so as long as both the operating engine load of the diesel engine is not at 100% and the operating speed of the diesel engine is at least 98% of a target engine operating speed; and

reducing the cooling capacity output of the refrigeration unit when the operating engine load of the diesel engine is greater than 90% and an operating speed of the diesel engine is less than 98% of a target engine operating speed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the transport refrigeration unit includes a compressor having a compression mechanism drive shaft driven by a shaft of the diesel engine.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the engine shaft directly drives the compression mechanism drive shaft.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the engine shaft drives an electric generator for generating electrical power to power a compressor drive motor for driving the compressor.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the operating engine load of the diesel engine is indicated by a fuel rack position.