Tractor trailer refrigeration unit
First Claim
1. In a self-contained vehicle power system, an electrical controller device for powering a transport vehicle based load, comprising:
- a propulsion vehicle source driven by a native propulsion source of the vehicle, the propulsion vehicle source defined by an enhanced alternator for power generation in excess of that produced by a native vehicle charging system, the enhanced alternator having a pulley ratio of at least 4;
1 for generating converted voltage sufficient for operating a 3 phase, 240v refrigeration load, and further comprises a rotary drive interface configured for operation with belt tensioners on the native vehicle, the rotary drive interface sufficient for operating the refrigeration load at an idle engine speed of the native vehicle;
a passive vehicle source disposed on the vehicle and adapted for providing power independently of vehicle motion or engine state;
a vehicle based load responsive to power from the propulsion vehicle source or the passive vehicle source;
an interface to a native vehicle load, the interface for powering the native vehicle load concurrently with the vehicle based load; and
a storage element configured for accumulating excess power for subsequent dispersal to the vehicle based load, the passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on a roof of a cargo payload area of the vehicle, the storage element configured for receiving and storing excess power from the solar panels.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigeration trailer (reefer) truck power unit controller employs a plurality of power sources including a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator having a pulley ratio for increasing idle speed power generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The controller is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a self-contained vehicle power system, an electrical controller device for powering a transport vehicle based load, comprising:
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a propulsion vehicle source driven by a native propulsion source of the vehicle, the propulsion vehicle source defined by an enhanced alternator for power generation in excess of that produced by a native vehicle charging system, the enhanced alternator having a pulley ratio of at least 4;
1 for generating converted voltage sufficient for operating a 3 phase, 240v refrigeration load, and further comprises a rotary drive interface configured for operation with belt tensioners on the native vehicle, the rotary drive interface sufficient for operating the refrigeration load at an idle engine speed of the native vehicle;a passive vehicle source disposed on the vehicle and adapted for providing power independently of vehicle motion or engine state; a vehicle based load responsive to power from the propulsion vehicle source or the passive vehicle source; an interface to a native vehicle load, the interface for powering the native vehicle load concurrently with the vehicle based load; and a storage element configured for accumulating excess power for subsequent dispersal to the vehicle based load, the passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on a roof of a cargo payload area of the vehicle, the storage element configured for receiving and storing excess power from the solar panels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for powering a mobile refrigeration load, comprising:
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enhancing a voltage generation capability of a native vehicle charging and starting system by replacing a native alternator with an enhanced alternator for power generation in excess of that produced by a native vehicle charging system; modifying a pulley ratio for increasing power output of the voltage generation during propulsion vehicle idle such that the enhanced alternator has a pulley ratio of at least 4;
1 for generating converted voltage sufficient for operating a 3 phase, 240v refrigeration load, and further comprises a rotary drive interface configured for operation with belt tensioners on the native vehicle, the rotary drive interface sufficient for operating the refrigeration load at an idle engine speed of the native vehicle;converting at least a portion of power from the enhanced voltage generation for powering native propulsion vehicle loads storing power harvested from a passive power source disposed on the vehicle, the passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on a roof of a cargo payload area of the vehicle, and storing harvested power in a storage element configured for receiving and storing excess power from the solar panels; combining power from the generated voltage and the stored, harvested power; and inverting the combined power for driving a refrigeration unit on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. In a self-contained vehicle power system, a system for powering a transport based load, comprising:
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a plurality of power sources including; a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a native propulsion source of the vehicle including an enhanced alternator configured for generation in excess of needs of a charging/starting system of the vehicle, the enhanced alternator having a pulley ratio increasing idle speed generation, the enhanced alternator for power generation in excess of that produced by a native vehicle charging system, the enhanced alternator having a pulley ratio of at least 4;
1 for generating converted voltage sufficient for operating a 3 phase, 240v refrigeration load, and further comprising a rotary drive interface configured for operation with belt tensioners on the native vehicle, the rotary drive interface sufficient for operating the refrigeration load at an idle engine speed of the native vehicle; anda passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on a roof of a cargo payload area of the vehicle, the vehicle; a refrigeration system configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources; a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system; a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system; a storage element for storing power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the vehicle based load, the storage element configured for receiving and storing excess power from the solar panels; and control logic for directing the power from the sources to the storage element and the refrigeration system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification