Maersk Line A/s

A.p. Moller-maersk A/s

Leijn Johannes Sjerp Lukasse

Lars Mou Jessen

Poul Kim Madsen

Janneke Emmy De Kramer-Cuppen

The present invention relates to a method, device and computer program for terminating a defrosting cycle within a refrigerated transport container. The container may include: a transport volume, a cooling unit comprising an evaporator arranged in a cooling space, a return air grid arranged to separate said cooling space from said transport volume, means for sensing temperature indicative of the return air temperature of air returning to said cooling space from said transport volume or the temperature of the return air grid, means for actively heating said evaporator during defrosting cycles, and a processor configured for controlling the duration of said defrosting cycles. The method includes: establishing an indicator(s) indicative of frost and/or ice build-up on said return air grid, and terminating a defrosting cycle when an indicator(s) of frost and/or ice build-up on said return air grid indicates that said return air grid is free of frost and/or ice.

Method of deciding when to terminate a defrosting cycle within a refrigerated container

Disclosed is a system for and a method of reducing and/or avoiding ice formation inside a cooling space () of a refrigerated transport container () comprising at least a cooling unit () and an evaporator () located in the cooling space (), where the cooling unit () comprises at least an intermittently operated compressor () operated between a first active state and a second less active state, and wherein the method comprises: reducing and/or avoiding ice formation inside the cooling space (), when the system is operated at a temperature setpoint where a potential risk of ice build-up on the external surface of the evaporator exists, by altering a cycling of the compressor () between the first active state and the second less active state such that the number of melting-refreezing cycles at an external surface of the evaporator is reduced. In this way, ice formation in the cooling space is reduced and/or avoided, which helps to maintain a clean external evaporator surface area and open condensate collection guide(s) (). This in turn helps to ensure the proper drain off of melting water to outside the container and the persistent proper functioning of the cooling unit.

Reducing or avoiding ice formation in an intermittently operated cooling unit

Temperature is controlled in a refrigerated transport container comprising a transport volume, a control unit, a cooling space, one or more fans providing air flow through the cooling space, where air passing through the cooling space passes a return air temperature sensor, a cooling unit, and a supply air temperature sensor. Supply air temperature (Tsup) is controlled to bring temperatures in the transport volume within a desired temperature range around a first temperature set point (Tset). The supply air temperature (Tsup) or a time-averaged function thereof is controlled to reach a temperature below the set point (Tset) during a first limited time period; and the supply air temperature (Tsup) is increased during a second limited time period following said first time period, so that the supply air temperature (Tsup) or a time-averaged function thereof at the end of said second time period is within said desired temperature range.

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Ede, Netherlands

Leijn Johannes Sjerp Lukasse