Thermo King Corporation

Randall Scott Burnham

David Jon Renken

Erich Albert Lucht

Cullen Evan Hall

Alec Jeffery

Cesar Armengod Villalba

John G Simpson

Kyle J Gleason

Michael Stark

Arlo G Eslinger

Mike P Gaynor

Dermott C Crombie

Mike Stark

J J Foo

Arthur H Ambaruch

A method for monitoring fuel quality of a power system used in transport is provided. The method includes a controller of the power system determining that the prime mover is actively running. The method also includes the controller monitoring an output of a water-in-fuel (WIF) sensor configured to measure an amount of water accumulated in a water collection reservoir of a fuel/water separator that separates water from fuel passing there through. Also, the method includes the controller determining an amount of fuel passing through the fuel/water separator. Further, the method includes the controller calculating a fuel quality score of the fuel based on the output of the WIF sensor and the amount of fuel having passed through the fuel/water separator. The method further includes the controller triggering different alerts based on the calculated fuel quality score.

Methods and systems for monitoring fuel quality and service issues for a power system used in transport

Embodiments to help detect operation conditions of a compressor of a TRU in real time by a genset are disclosed. The operation conditions of the compressor can be determined by monitoring a parameter pattern of the genset, such as value changes of a horsepower, a torque, an exhaust temperature, fuel consumption and/or a RPM of a prime mover of the genset, or a current drawn from a generator of the genset, over a period of time. In one embodiment, when a scroll compressor is used in the TRU, the scroll compressor may start a periodical load/unload duty cycle when the TRU reaches its setpoint. The periodical load/unload duty cycle of the scroll compressor can be detected based on a corresponding fluctuation pattern in genset parameters. When this periodically fluctuating pattern of ECU parameters and/or current drawn is detected, the prime mover can be switched to a low operation speed.

Methods and systems to detect an operation condition of a compressor

A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover. The generator set is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to a controller. The ECU is configured to monitor the engine operation condition to obtain an engine operation condition value; whereas the controller is configured to receive the engine operation condition value and compare the value with an engine operation condition threshold. When the engine operation condition value, for example, exceeds the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a first speed; and when the engine operation condition value, for example, is below the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.

Control system for a generator

A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a controller, a generator and a prime mover coupled to the generator. The prime mover selectively drives the generator in least at a first non-zero speed and a second non-zero speed. The controller can determine whether a transport refrigeration unit has sufficient capacity to maintain a desired temperature within a transport unit by detecting a generator load, a generator load slope condition, and a speed of the prime mover.

Low load capacity protection

A generator set system for use with a refrigerated shipping container, the generator set system including a prime mover, a generator coupled to the prime mover, a generator set controller, and a generator set telematics unit. The generator set telematics unit determines a geographical location of the generator set, and the generator set controller performs pre-trip inspections on the generator set prior to the generator set leaving a pre-defined geographical area.

System for tracking and testing generator sets used in conjunction with temperature controlled containers

A transport refrigeration system includes an engine, a generator set, and a refrigeration system. An electronic control unit and/or a reefer controller are configured to obtain an engine operation condition value and a transport refrigeration system operation value respectively. A genset controller is configured to determine a fuel efficient engine operation speed that is associated with the engine and/or transport refrigeration system operation condition value. The genset controller instructs the electronic control unit to operate the engine at the fuel efficient operation speed.

Growing community of inventors

Maple Grove, MN, United States of America

Randall Scott Burnham