Cooling system and methods for cooling interior volumes of cargo trailers

• US 9,950,590 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2013
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RSC Industries Inc.
• Original Assignee: RSC Industries Inc.
• Inventors: Bryant, Eric William, Bratkowski, Edward John, Frost, Andrew D., Norvell, III, Fred Jackson, Reid, James Madison, Rabine, Robert C., Walling, Paul M., Zagotta, Thomas, Rau, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): NIEVES, NELSON J
• Application Number:
  US13/926,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20130340444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,764 Days
• Field of Search: 165256
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00014 for load cargos on load transporting vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00964 Control systems or circuits characterised by including features for automatic and non-automatic control, e.g. for changing from automatic to manual control
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/32 Cooling devices B60H1/00478, B60H1/005 take precedence; vehicles adapted to transport refrigerated goods B60P3/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3202 using evaporation, i.e. not including a compressor, e.g. involving fuel or water evaporation B60H1/3235 takes precedence; in general F25B19/00, F25D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/001 for cryogenic fluid systems

Abstract

A system for controlling a temperature a within an interior volume of a cargo trailer adapted to transport perishable goods is described herein. The system includes a fluid distribution assembly and a monitoring system operatively coupled to the fluid distribution assembly for selectively channeling a flow of cryogenic cooling fluid into the cargo trailer interior volume to facilitate adjusting a temperature within the interior volume. The monitoring system includes at least one sensor for sensing an environmental parameter of the cargo trailer, and a controller coupled to the sensor and to the fluid distribution assembly. The controller is configured to receive a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed environmental parameter, determine an environmental condition of the cargo trailer as a function of the environmental parameter, and provide a notification signal if the determined environmental condition is different than a predefined environmental condition.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a temperature within an interior volume of a cargo trailer adapted to transport perishable goods, comprising:

a fluid distribution assembly for channeling a flow of cryogenic cooling fluid into the interior volume to facilitate adjusting the temperature within the interior volume;

a ventilation assembly including a fan assembly coupled to an opening extending through the cargo trailer to couple the interior volume in fluid communication with ambient air;

a cargo access assembly coupled to the cargo trailer and positioned adjacent to an access door of the cargo trailer, the cargo access assembly configured to limit access into the interior volume of the cargo trailer, the cargo access assembly operable between an unlocked position allowing access into the interior volume and a locked position restricting access to the interior volume, the cargo access assembly including;

a latch assembly coupled to an interior surface of the cargo trailer and including an electromechanical safety lock solenoid configure to operate between the locked position and the unlocked position; and

a safety locking member removably coupled to the latch assembly, the safety locking member including a cable assembly extending between opposing sidewalls of the cargo trailer and configured to facilitate preventing an operator from entering the interior volume, wherein the safety locking member is coupled to the latch assembly in the locked position and decoupled from the latch assembly in the unlocked position;

a monitoring system operatively coupled to the fluid distribution assembly for controlling the flow of cryogenic fluid into the interior volume, the monitoring system comprising;

a plurality of sensors including a position sensor configured to sense a position of the access door, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature within the interior volume of the cargo trailer, and a first oxygen sensor and a second oxygen sensor mounted within the cargo trailer for sensing a level of oxygen within the interior volume of the cargo trailer;

a display device mounted to the interior surface of the cargo trailer and including a graphical user interface to allow the operator to transmit a request to access the interior volume of the cargo trailer; and

a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors, the display device, the fluid distribution assembly, the ventilation assembly, and the cargo access assembly, the controller including a processor programmed to;

detect the access door being moved to an open position and responsively operate the ventilation assembly to channel the ambient air into the cargo trailer interior volume;

receive signal from the display device indicating a request from the operator to access the interior volume of the cargo trailer;

receive a first sensed oxygen level from the first oxygen sensor and a second sensed oxygen level from the second oxygen sensor;

receive a sensed temperature from the temperature sensor;

operate the cargo access assembly in the unlocked position upon determining the first sensed oxygen level and the second sensed oxygen level are within a predefined range of oxygen levels and the sensed temperature is greater than a predefined temperature; and

operate the cargo access assembly in the locked position and providing a notification signal to the operator upon determining the first sensed oxygen level and the second sensed oxygen level are not within the predefined range of oxygen levels or the sensed temperature is less than the predefined temperature.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior volume includes a plurality of monitoring zones, the controller is programmed to determine environmental conditions associated with each one of the plurality of monitoring zones and providing a notification signal indicative of the determined environmental conditions associated with each one of the monitoring zones.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to display a visual warning via the display device upon determining the sensed oxygen levels are not within the predefined range of oxygen levels or the sensed temperature is less than the predefined temperature.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1, the controller is programmed to receive a request to adjust the temperature within the interior volume and operate the fluid distribution assembly to adjust the interior volume temperature.

5. The system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the monitoring system includes a motion sensor for sensing a movement within the interior volume, the controller is programmed to determine a presence of the operator within the interior volume as a function of the sensed movement and operate the fluid distribution assembly upon determining the operator is not within the interior volume.

6. The system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to display the sensed oxygen levels on the display device.

7. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitoring system further comprises:

a warning safety system for providing an audible or visible warning notification upon receiving the request to access the interior volume of the cargo trailer from the operator; and

a guard safety system for operating the cargo access assembly to allow access to the interior volume upon determining the first sensed oxygen level matches the second sensed oxygen level.

8. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine if the cargo access assembly is in the locked position prior to operating the fluid distribution assembly.

9. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ventilation assembly includes a evaporator assembly that is coupled to the fluid distribution assembly for cooling the ambient air being channeled into the interior volume.

10. The system in accordance with claim 9, the controller is programmed to receive the request to access the interior volume and operate the ventilation assembly upon receiving the request.

11. The system in accordance with claim 1, the monitoring system comprising:

at least one sensor coupled to the fluid distribution assembly for sensing an operating parameter of the fluid distribution assembly, the controller is programmed to receive a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed fluid distribution assembly operating parameter, determine an operating condition of the fluid distribution assembly as a function of the operating parameter, and provide a notification signal if the determined operating condition is different than a predefined operating condition.

12. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the fluid distribution assembly comprises:

a cryogenic fluid supply tank coupled to the cargo trailer for storing a volume of cryogenic fluid;

at least one spray nozzle positioned within the interior volume for discharging a flow of cryogenic fluid into the interior volume;

a fluid conduit coupled between the cryogenic fluid supply tank and the at least one spray nozzle for channeling cryogenic fluid from the cryogenic fluid supply tank to the at least one spray nozzle; and

at least one control valve for selectively channeling the flow of cryogenic fluid to the at least one spray nozzle.

13. The system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of a sensed temperature of cryogenic fluid discharged from the at least one spray nozzle, a sensed temperature of the fluid conduit, a sensed differential pressure across the at least one control valve, and a sensed fluid pressure within the fluid distribution assembly.

14. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to operate the fluid distribution assembly to selectively channel cryogenic fluid into the interior volume as a function of the sensed temperature upon determining the access door being in a closed position and the cargo access assembly being in the locked position.

15. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the interior volume includes a plurality of monitoring zones, the controller is programmed to sense a temperature within each one of the plurality of monitoring zones and selectively channel the flow of cryogenic fluid to each one of the monitoring zones to adjust a temperature of each monitoring zones independently.

16. The system in accordance with claim 14, the controller is programmed to determine a flow rate of cryogenic fluid being channeled into the interior volume as a function of a predefined rate of cooling and the sensed interior temperature, channel the flow of cryogenic fluid into the interior volume at the determined flow rate, determining an actual rate of cooling as a function of the sensed interior temperature monitored over a predefined period of time, and adjusting the flow rate of cryogenic fluid being channeled into the interior volume to reduce a difference between the actual rate of cooling and the predefined rate of cooling.

17. The system in accordance with claim 16, the controller is programmed to determine the flow rate of cryogenic fluid as a function of one of the sensed interior temperature, an exterior trailer temperature, and an insulation value of the cargo trailer.

18. A monitoring system for use in controlling a temperature within an interior volume of a cargo trailer adapted to transport perishable goods, the cargo trailer including a fluid distribution assembly for channeling a flow of cryogenic cooling fluid into the interior volume to facilitate adjusting the temperature within the interior volume, a ventilation assembly including a fan assembly coupled to an opening extending through the cargo trailer to couple the interior volume in fluid communication with ambient air, and a cargo access assembly coupled to a sidewall of the cargo trailer and positioned adjacent to an access door of the cargo trailer to limit access into the interior volume of the cargo trailer, the monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of sensors including a position sensor configured to sense a position of the access door, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature within the interior volume of the cargo trailer, and a first oxygen sensor and a second oxygen sensor mounted within the cargo trailer for sensing a level of oxygen within the interior volume of the cargo trailer;

a display device mounted to the interior surface of the cargo trailer and including a graphical user interface; and

a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors, the display device, the fluid distribution assembly, the ventilation assembly, and the cargo access assembly, the controller including a processor programmed to;

detect the access door being moved to an open position and operate the ventilation assembly to channel ambient air into the cargo trailer interior volume;

receive a signal from the display device indicating a request from an operator to access the interior volume of the cargo trailer;

receive a first sensed oxygen level from the first oxygen sensor and a second sensed oxygen level from the second oxygen sensor;

receive a sensed temperature from the temperature sensor;

operate the cargo access assembly in an unlocked position to allow access into the interior volume upon determining the first sensed oxygen level and the second sensed oxygen level are within a predefined range of oxygen levels and the sensed temperature is greater than a predefined temperature; and

operate the cargo access assembly in a locked position to restrict access to the interior volume and providing a notification signal to the operator upon determining the first sensed oxygen level and the second sensed oxygen level are not within the predefined range of oxygen levels or the sensed temperature is less than the predefined temperature;

wherein, the cargo access assembly includes;

a latch assembly coupled to an interior surface of the cargo trailer and including an electromechanical safety lock solenoid configure to operate between the locked position and the unlocked position; and

a safety locking member removably coupled to the latch assembly, the safety locking member including a cable assembly extending between opposing sidewalls of the cargo trailer and configured to facilitate preventing the operator from entering the interior volume, wherein the safety locking member is coupled to the latch assembly in the locked position and decoupled from the latch assembly in the unlocked position.

19. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the interior volume includes a plurality of monitoring zones, the controller is programmed to determine environmental conditions associated with each one of the plurality of monitoring zones and providing a notification signal indicative of the determined environmental conditions associated with each one of the monitoring zones.

20. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the controller is programmed to display a visual warning via the display device upon determining the sensed oxygen levels are not within the predefined range of oxygen levels or the sensed temperature is less than the predefined temperature.

21. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, the controller is programmed to receive a request to adjust the temperature within the interior volume and operate the fluid distribution assembly to adjust the interior volume temperature.

22. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 21, further comprising a motion sensor for sensing a movement within the interior volume, the controller is programmed to determine a presence of the operator within the interior volume as a function of the sensed movement and operate the fluid distribution assembly upon determining the operator is not within the interior volume.

23. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 20, wherein the controller is configured to display the sensed oxygen levels on the display device.

24. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, further comprising:

a warning safety system for providing an audible or visible warning notification; and

a guard safety system for operating the cargo access assembly to allow access to the interior volume upon determining the first sensed oxygen level matches the second sensed oxygen level.

25. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the ventilation assembly includes a evaporator assembly that is coupled to the fluid distribution assembly for cooling the ambient air being channeled into the interior volume.

26. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 25, the controller is programmed to receive the request to access the interior volume and operate the ventilation assembly upon receiving the request.

27. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, comprising:

at least one sensor coupled to the fluid distribution assembly for sensing an operating parameter of the fluid distribution assembly, the controller is programmed to receive a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed fluid distribution assembly operating parameter, determine an operating condition of the fluid distribution assembly as a function of the operating parameter, and provide a notification signal if the determined operating condition is different than a predefined operating condition.

28. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 27, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of a sensed temperature of cryogenic fluid discharged from the at least one spray nozzle, a sensed temperature of the fluid conduit, a sensed differential pressure across the at least one control valve, and a sensed fluid pressure within the fluid distribution assembly.

29. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to sense an ambient temperate within the interior volume, the controller is programmed to operate the fluid distribution assembly to selectively channel cryogenic fluid into the interior volume as a function of the sensed temperature upon determining the access door being in a closed position and the cargo access assembly being in the locked position.

30. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 29, wherein the interior volume includes a plurality of monitoring zones, the controller is programmed to sense a temperature within each one of the plurality of monitoring zones and selectively channel the flow of cryogenic fluid to each one of the monitoring zones to adjust a temperature of each monitoring zones independently.

31. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 29, the controller is programmed to determine a flow rate of cryogenic fluid being channeled into the interior volume as a function of a predefined rate of cooling and the sensed interior temperature, channel the flow of cryogenic fluid into the interior volume at the determined flow rate, determining an actual rate of cooling as a function of the sensed interior temperature monitored over a predefined period of time, and adjusting the flow rate of cryogenic fluid being channeled into the interior volume to reduce a difference between the actual rate of cooling and the predefined rate of cooling.

32. The monitoring system in accordance with claim 31, the controller is programmed to determine the flow rate of cryogenic fluid as a function of one of the sensed interior temperature, an exterior trailer temperature, and an insulation value of the cargo trailer.

33. A method of controlling a temperature within an interior volume of a cargo trailer, the cargo trailer including a fluid distribution assembly for channeling a flow of cryogenic cooling fluid into the cargo trailer interior volume, a ventilation assembly including a fan assembly coupled to an opening extending through the cargo trailer to couple the interior volume in fluid communication with ambient air, a cargo access assembly coupled to a sidewall of the cargo trailer and positioned adjacent to an access door of the cargo trailer to limit access into the interior volume of the cargo trailer, and a monitoring system including a plurality of sensors, a display device mounted to an interior surface of the cargo trailer and including a graphical user interface, and a controller, the method comprising the controller performing the steps of:

receiving a signal from a position sensor indicating the access door being moved to an open position and responsively operate the ventilation assembly to channel ambient air into the interior volume;

receiving a signal from the display device indicating a request from an operator to access the interior volume of the cargo trailer;

receiving a first monitoring signal from a first oxygen sensor indicative of a first sensed oxygen level within the cargo trailer;

receiving a second monitoring signal from a second oxygen sensor indicative of a second sensed oxygen level within the cargo trailer;

receiving a third monitoring signal from a temperature sensor indicative a sensed temperature within the interior volume of the cargo trailer;

operating the cargo access assembly in an unlocked position to allow access into the interior volume upon determining the first sensed oxygen level and the second sensed oxygen level are within a predefined range of oxygen levels and the sensed temperature is greater than a predefined temperature; and

operating the cargo access assembly in a locked position to restrict access to the interior volume and providing a notification signal to the operator upon determining the first sensed oxygen level does not match the second sensed oxygen level are not within the predefined range of oxygen levels or the sensed temperature is less than the predefined temperature;

wherein, the cargo access assembly includes;

a latch assembly coupled to an interior surface of the cargo trailer and including an electromechanical safety lock solenoid configure to operate between the locked position and the unlocked position; and

a safety locking member removably coupled to the latch assembly, the safety locking member including a cable assembly extending between opposing sidewalls of the cargo trailer and configured to facilitate preventing the operator from entering the interior volume, wherein the safety locking member is coupled to the latch assembly in the locked position and decoupled from the latch assembly in the unlocked position.

34. The method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

determining environmental conditions associated with each one of a plurality of monitoring zones defined within the interior volume; and

providing a notification signal to the operator indicative of the determined environmental conditions associated with each one of the monitoring zones.

35. The method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a visual warning via the display device upon determining the sensed oxygen levels are not within the predefined range of oxygen levels or the sensed temperature is less than the predefined temperature.

36. The method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to adjust a temperature within the cargo interior volume; and

operating the fluid distribution assembly to adjust the interior volume temperature.

37. The method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal indicative of a sensed movement within the interior volume;

determining a presence of the operator within the interior volume as a function of the sensed movement; and

operating the fluid distribution assembly upon determining the operator is not within the interior volume.

38. The method in accordance with claim 35, the method further comprises the steps of:

displaying the sensed oxygen levels on the display device.

39. The method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising the steps of determining if the cargo access assembly is in the locked position prior to operating the fluid distribution assembly.

40. The method in accordance with claim 33, wherein the ventilation assembly includes a evaporator assembly that is coupled to the fluid distribution assembly for cooling the ambient air being channeled into the interior volume.

41. The method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising the steps of

receiving a signal indicative of an operating parameter of the fluid distribution assembly;

determining an operating condition of the fluid distribution assembly as a function of the operating parameter; and

providing a notification signal if the determined operating condition is different than a predefined operating condition.

42. The method in accordance with claim 41, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of a sensed temperature of cryogenic fluid discharged from the at least one spray nozzle, a sensed temperature of the fluid conduit, a sensed differential pressure across the at least one control valve, and a sensed fluid pressure within the fluid distribution assembly.

43. The method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal indicative of an ambient temperate within the interior volume; and

operating the fluid distribution assembly to selectively channel cryogenic fluid into the interior volume as a function of the sensed temperature upon determining the access door being in a closed position and the cargo access assembly being in the locked position.

44. The method in accordance with claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

determining a flow rate of cryogenic fluid being channeled into the interior volume as a function of a predefined rate of cooling and a sensed interior temperature;

channeling a flow of cryogenic fluid into the interior volume at the determined flow rate;

determining an actual rate of cooling as a function of the sensed interior temperature monitored over a predefined period of time; and

adjusting the flow rate of cryogenic fluid being channeled into the interior volume to reduce a difference between the actual rate of cooling and the predefined rate of cooling.

45. The method in accordance with claim 44, further comprising the step of determining a flow rate of cryogenic fluid as a function of one of the sensed interior temperature, an exterior trailer temperature, an insulation value of the cargo trailer.