Thermo King Corporation

Cynthia J Satterness

Leland L Howland

David H Taylor

Donald J Bongaards

Kevin W Kiefer

A refrigerated truck having a chassis supported by wheels, and a truck body. The truck body is mounted for movement relative to the chassis, between a first position adjacent to the chassis and a second position above the first position. A refrigeration system is mounted on the chassis having discharge and return air ducts in air flow communication with air supply and return air ducts, respectively, associated with the truck body, in the first position of the truck body. Movement of the truck body to the second position automatically and completely separates the air ducts of the truck body from the air ducts of the refrigeration system, while deenergizing the refrigeration system.

Refrigerated truck having a body movable relative to a chassis

A transport refrigeration system, and method of operating same, in which a maximum operating pressure expansion valve and a secondary condenser are used to enhance hot gas heating cycles initiated to hold a predetermined temperature set point, and hot gas defrost cycles. The secondary condenser is disposed in an evaporator section of the refrigeration system, with hot discharge gas from a compressor being directed to the secondary condenser during heating and defrost cycles. A sufficient supply of refrigerant for heating and defrost cycles is ensured by injecting refrigerant from a receiver and condenser into an active heat cycle refrigerant circuit, when the active refrigerant is insufficient to build the pressure on the low pressure side of the refrigeration system to a value sufficient to close the maximum operating pressure expansion valve and the compressor suction pressure is less than the receiver/condenser pressure.

Transport refrigeration system with secondary condenser and maximum

A transport refrigeration system 10, and method of operating same, which includes a compressor 14, a receiver 26, an evaporator 42, an accumulator 44, and valve means 18 which initiates heating and cooling modes or cycles which utilize hot compressor gas. Instead of pressurizing receiver 26 at the start of a heating cycle, which traps refrigerant in condenser 24, the heating capacity of a heating cycle is enhanced by connecting the outlet of receiver 26 and the inlet of accumulator 44 in direct fluid flow communication during a heating cycle. Lower pressure in accumulator 44 allows liquid refrigerant in receiver 26 to be directed into accumulator 44, while permitting refrigerant in condenser 24 to drain into receiver 26, to make additional liquid refrigerant available during the heating cycle.

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Bloomington, MN, United States of America

Cynthia J Satterness