Thermo King Corporation

Donald J Bongaards

Michal Kolda

David Jon Renken

Vladimir Sulc

Arnost Hurych

Greg R Truckenbrod

Cynthia J Satterness

Petr Prochazka

Jiri Ota

Zdenek Kaiser

Vladamir Sulc

Robert D Pfankuch

Eugene Thomas Anderson

A method of powering a refrigeration system. The method includes providing a mover and an alternator, the alternator being coupled to the mover and generating a power signal. The method also includes monitoring at a control a plurality of system parameters and sending a control signal based on the system parameters from the control. The method further includes receiving the power signal and the control signal at an inverter-based device which has a plurality of inverters, converting the power signal into a controlled power signal based on the control signal, and driving a plurality of components of the refrigeration system with the controlled power signal, which are also controlled by the control.

Alternator/invertor refrigeration unit

A compact transport temperature control unit includes an electrically-powered condenser assembly, an electrically-powered evaporator assembly and an electrically-powered compressor. The electrical power is supplied from a source external to the transport temperature control unit.

Compact transport temperature control unit

A vehicle (14) having first and second cargo spaces (32,34) to be conditioned by a transport refrigeration unit (12), with the vehicle having a front wall (24) and a rear wall (26). A partition (30) in the vehicle defines the first and second cargo spaces, which extend side-by-side from the front wall to the rear wall. The rear wall is provided with separate doors (36,38) for gaining access to the first and second cargo spaces. The transport refrigeration unit includes a frame (44) supporting first and second evaporator units (50,52). The frame and evaporator units are mounted on the outside front wall of the vehicle, with the first and second evaporator units being in air flow communication with the first and second cargo spaces, respectively, via suitable openings (40,42) in the front wall. Electrical control independently controls the first and second evaporator units to condition the air in the first and second cargo spaces.

Compartmentalized transport refrigeration system

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.

Transport refrigeration system having means for enhancing the capacity

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Shorewood, MN, United States of America

Donald J Bongaards