Bracket for a power module of a transport refrigeration unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11845317-B2
Application number	US-202017005760-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 28, 2020
Priority date	Sep 4, 2019
Publication date	Dec 19, 2023
Grant date	Dec 19, 2023

Abstract

A bracket for a power module of a transport refrigeration unit is provided. The bracket includes a body portion including: an opening for receiving a shaft of an electric machine of the power module; a plurality of first mounting holes extending through the body portion and spaced around the opening for connecting the bracket to the electric machine; and a plurality of second mounting holes for connecting the bracket to an engine of the power module.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bracket for a power module of a transport refrigeration unit, the bracket comprising:
a body portion including:
an opening for receiving a shaft of an electric machine of the power module;
a plurality of first mounting holes extending through the body portion and spaced around the opening for connecting the bracket to the electric machine; and
a plurality of second mounting holes for connecting the bracket to an engine of the power module.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a mounting arm which extends from the body portion and configured to connect the power module to a support frame.

3. A bracket as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the mounting arm comprises a mounting hole which is configured to be received over an engine mount provided on the frame.

4. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the body portion further comprises a tensioner slot for receiving a tensioner pulley, the tensioner pulley being mounted on a carriage which is translatably mounted along the tensioner slot so as to tension a belt provided between the engine and the electric machine.

5. A bracket as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the body portion further comprises a leadscrew barrel which intersects the tensioner slot, wherein the leadscrew barrel receives a leadscrew which is configured to translate the carriage along the tensioner slot.

6. A bracket as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the tensioner slot is provided at a position which is between the plurality of first mounting holes and the plurality of second mounting holes and extends laterally in a widthwise direction across the body portion.

7. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an end surface of the body portion is curved to correspond to a flywheel housing of the engine.

8. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises a pair of shoulders, the plurality of second mounting holes being provided on the shoulders.

9. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a slot is formed in an end surface of the body portion for receiving a flange of a flywheel housing of the engine.

10. A power module for a transport refrigeration unit comprising:
a bracket including a body portion, the body portion including:
an opening for receiving a shaft of an electric machine of the power module,
a plurality of first mounting holes extending through the body portion and spaced around the opening for connecting the bracket to the electric machine, and
a plurality of second mounting holes for connecting the bracket to an engine of the power module;

an engine; and
an electric machine connected to the engine via the bracket;
wherein the electric machine is connected to the bracket via the plurality of first mounting holes and the engine is connected to the bracket via the plurality of second mounting holes.

11. A power module as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the electric machine is supported from the engine by the bracket in a cantilevered fashion.

12. A power module as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the electric machine is supported from the engine by the bracket so that a shaft of the engine and a shaft of the electric machine are held parallel to one another.

13. A power module as claimed in claim 10 , wherein a shaft of the engine and a shaft of the electric machine are connected by a belt.

14. A power module as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the electric machine is connected to the bracket via an end bell of the electric machine and/or the engine is connected to the bracket via a flywheel housing of the engine.

15. A power module as claimed in claim 10 , wherein a slot is formed in an end surface of the body portion for receiving a flange of a flywheel housing of the engine.

16. A transport refrigeration unit comprising a power module, the power module including a bracket, the bracket including a body portion, the body portion including:
an opening for receiving a shaft of an electric machine of the power module,
a plurality of first mounting holes extending through the body portion and spaced around the opening for connecting the bracket to the electric machine, and
a plurality of second mounting holes for connecting the bracket to an engine of the power module;

the power module further including:
an engine; and
an electric machine connected to the engine via the bracket;
wherein the electric machine is connected to the bracket via the plurality of first mounting holes and the engine is connected to the bracket via the plurality of second mounting holes.

Assignees

• Thermo King Llc

Inventors

• Chellan Senthil Kumar

Classifications

• B60H1/3229 Primary

  characterised by constructional features, e.g. housings, mountings, conversion systems (B60H1/3227, B60H1/3233 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60P3/20

  Refrigerated goods vehicles (air treatment of goods space B60H; {air-conditioning means for freight cars, isothermic wagons B61D27/0027; superstructures for refrigerated goods vehicles B62D33/048}) · CPC title

• B60R16/0307

  using generators driven by a machine different from the vehicle motor · CPC title

• B60H1/3202 Primary

  using evaporation, i.e. not including a compressor, e.g. involving fuel or water evaporation · CPC title

• B60H1/00014 Primary

  for load cargos on load transporting vehicles · CPC title