COOLING SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR COOLING INTERIOR VOLUMES OF CARGO TRAILERS

• US 20130340444A1
• Filed: 06/25/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RSC Industries Inc.
• Original Assignee: RSC Industries Inc.
• Inventors: Frost, Andrew D., Rabine, Robert C., Bryant, Eric William, Bratkowski, Edward John, Norvell, Fred Jackson III, Reid, James Madison, Walling, Paul M., Zagotta, Thomas, Rau, Robert S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,950,590 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/62
• 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 a 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 cargo trailer interior volume to facilitate adjusting a temperature within the interior volume;

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

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 for receiving, from the at least one sensor, a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed environmental parameter, determining an environmental condition of the cargo trailer as a function of the environmental parameter, and providing a notification signal if the determined environmental condition is different than a predefined environmental condition.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior volume includes a plurality of monitoring zones, the controller for determining an environmental condition associated with each one of the plurality of monitoring zones and providing a notification signal indicative of the determined environmental condition of each one of the monitoring zones.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitoring system further comprises at least one oxygen sensor for sensing a level of oxygen within the interior volume, the controller for determining the environmental condition as a function of the sensed oxygen level.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, the controller for receiving a request to adjust a temperature within the cargo interior volume and operating the fluid distribution assembly to adjust the interior volume temperature if the determined environmental condition is equal to the predefined environmental condition.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitoring system includes a motion sensor for sensing a movement within the interior volume, the controller for determining a presence of an 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.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a cargo access assembly for facilitating access into the interior volume, the monitoring system coupled to the cargo access assembly, the controller for receiving a request to adjust a temperature within the interior volume, determining an operating condition of the cargo access assembly, and operating the fluid distribution assembly if the determined operating function is equal to a predefined operating function.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6, the controller for receiving a request to access the interior volume and operating the cargo access assembly to enable an operator to enter the interior volume if the determined environmental condition is equal to the predefined environmental condition.

8. A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the cargo trailer includes a plurality of sidewalls that define the interior volume, the cargo access assembly comprising:

a latch assembly coupled to one of the plurality of sidewalls and operable between a locked position and an unlocked position; and

a safety locking member removably coupled to the latch assembly, the safety locking member 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, the controller for operating the latch assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position as a function of the determined environmental condition.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a ventilation assembly for discharging a cryogenic gas from the cargo trailer interior volume, the monitoring system coupled to the ventilation assembly for operating the ventilation assembly as a function of the determined environmental condition.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9, the controller for receiving a request to access the interior volume and responsively operating the ventilation assembly upon receiving the request.

11. A 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 for receiving a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed fluid distribution assembly operating parameter, 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.

12. A 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 a flow of cryogenic fluid to the at least one spray nozzle.

13. A 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. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense an ambient temperate within the interior volume, the controller for receiving a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed interior temperature, and operating the fluid distribution assembly to selectively channel cryogenic fluid into the interior volume as a function of the sensed temperature.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the interior volume includes a plurality of monitoring zones, the controller for sensing a temperature within each one of the plurality of monitoring zones and selectively channeling a flow of cryogenic fluid to each one of the monitoring zones to adjust a temperature of each monitoring zones independently.

16. A system in accordance with claim 14, the controller for determining 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, 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.

17. A system in accordance with claim 16, the controller for 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.

18. A monitoring system for use in controlling a temperature a 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 cargo trailer interior volume to facilitate adjusting a temperature within the interior volume, the monitoring system comprising:

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 for receiving, from the at least one sensor, a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed environmental parameter, determining an environmental condition of the cargo trailer as a function of the environmental parameter, and providing a notification signal if the determined environmental condition is different than a predefined environmental condition.

19. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the interior volume includes a plurality of monitoring zones, the controller for determining an environmental condition associated with each one of the plurality of monitoring zones and providing a notification signal indicative of the determined environmental condition of each one of the monitoring zones.

20. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the monitoring system further comprises at least one oxygen sensor for sensing a level of oxygen within the interior volume, the controller for determining the environmental condition as a function of the sensed oxygen level.

21. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, the controller for receiving a request to adjust a temperature within the cargo interior volume and operating the fluid distribution assembly to adjust the interior volume temperature if the determined environmental condition is equal to the predefined environmental condition.

22. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, further comprising a motion sensor for sensing a movement within the interior volume, the controller for determining a presence of an 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.

23. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the cargo trailer includes a cargo access assembly for facilitating access into the interior volume, the monitoring system operatively coupled to the cargo access assembly, the controller for receiving a request to adjust a temperature within the interior volume, determining an operating condition of the cargo access assembly, and operating the fluid distribution assembly if the determined operating function is equal to a predefined operating function.

24. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 23, the controller for receiving a request to access the interior volume and operating the cargo access assembly to enable an operator to enter the interior volume if the determined environmental condition is equal to the predefined environmental condition.

25. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the cargo trailer includes a ventilation assembly for discharging a cryogenic gas from the cargo trailer interior volume, the monitoring system operatively coupled to the ventilation assembly the controller for operating the ventilation assembly as a function of the determined environmental condition.

26. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 25, the controller for receiving a request to access the interior volume and responsively operating the ventilation assembly upon receiving the request.

27. A 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 for receiving a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed fluid distribution assembly operating parameter, 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.

28. A 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. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense an ambient temperate within the interior volume, the controller for receiving a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed interior temperature, and operating the fluid distribution assembly to selectively channel cryogenic fluid into the interior volume as a function of the sensed temperature.

30. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 29, wherein the interior volume includes a plurality of monitoring zones, the controller for sensing a temperature within each one of the plurality of monitoring zones and selectively channeling a flow of cryogenic fluid to each one of the monitoring zones to adjust a temperature of each monitoring zones independently.

31. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 29, the controller for determining 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, 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.

32. A monitoring system in accordance with claim 31, the controller for 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.

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 the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, from a sensor, a monitoring signal indicative of a sensed environmental parameter;

determining an environmental condition of the cargo trailer as a function of the sensed environmental parameter; and

providing a notification signal to an operator if the determined environmental condition is different than a predefined environmental condition.

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

determining an environmental condition 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 condition of each one of the monitoring zones.

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

receiving a signal indicative of a sensed level of oxygen within the interior volume; and

determining the environmental condition as a function of the sensed oxygen level.

36. A 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 if the determined environmental condition is equal to the predefined environmental condition.

37. A 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 an 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. A method in accordance with claim 33, wherein the cargo trailer includes a cargo access assembly for facilitating access into the interior volume, the method further comprises the steps of:

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

determining an operating condition of the cargo access assembly; and

operating the fluid distribution assembly if the determined operating function is equal to a predefined operating function.

39. A method in accordance with claim 38, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to access the interior volume; and

operating the cargo access assembly to enable an operator to enter the interior volume if the determined environmental condition is equal to the predefined environmental condition.

40. A method in accordance with claim 33, wherein the cargo trailer includes a ventilation assembly for discharging a cryogenic gas from the cargo trailer interior volume, the method further comprises the steps of:

receiving a request to access the interior volume; and

responsively operating the ventilation assembly upon receiving the request.

41. A 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. A 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. A 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.

44. A 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. A 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.