Generator for truck refrigeration unit

• US 9,707,844 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2011
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crown Burdett Acquisitions, Inc., Emerald Technology Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Emerald Technology Partners LLC
• Inventors: Arnold, Brian R., Quill, Michael A., Hartnett, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amaya, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US13/581,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20120319472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,117 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0045 mechanical power take-offs from the vehicle propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/08 from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/147 Road trains
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/116 with gears
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1846 structurally associated with wheels or associated parts dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/90 Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof

Abstract

A refrigeration system can include an electrical generator coupled to a mechanical interface, the mechanical interface configured to transfer mechanical energy from a vehicle to the electrical generator, and a control module connected to the electrical generator via electrical wiring. The refrigeration system can also include an electrically-driven refrigeration unit coupled to the control module, and a battery coupled to the control module via electrical wiring. The control module can be adapted to provide electrical power to the refrigeration unit from the electrical generator or the battery and is further adapted to charge the battery with electrical energy not needed for operating the refrigeration unit.

Claims

1. An electrical generating system for a trailer configured to be towed, comprising:

a generator;

a first drive shaft having a first end located opposite a second end, said first end of said first drive shaft is configured to drive said generator, said second end of said first drive shaft is connected to a first gear;

a second drive shaft having a first end located opposite a second end, said first end of said second drive shaft is connected to a second gear;

said first gear is configured to engage said second gear, whereby, said first gear and said second gear are contained within a gearbox, whereby, said gearbox positions said first drive shaft at a perpendicular orientation to said second drive shaft; and

,

said second end of said second drive shaft is connected to a third gear, said third gear is configured to engage a ring gear, said ring gear is connected to a rim, whereby, a rotational force of said rim causes said generator to rotate, said rotation of said generator causing said generator to generate an electrical current.

2. The electrical generating system for a trailer configured to be towed of claim 1, wherein said generator is in electrical communication with a refrigeration unit.