Integrated thermal energy module within an air-cooled evaporator design

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016334154-A1
Application number	US-201615141448-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 28, 2016
Priority date	May 1, 2015
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A transport refrigeration unit (TRU) includes a compressor. The TRU further includes a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor. The TRU further includes an expansion device disposed downstream of the condenser. The TRU further includes a first flow control device disposed downstream of the condenser. The TRU further includes a first evaporator disposed downstream of the expansion device and the first flow control device. The first evaporator is disposed upstream of a second flow control device. The second evaporator is disposed downstream of the first How control device., the expansion device, and the second flow control device. The second evaporator includes a thermal accumulator. The second flow control device disposed upstream of the compressor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A transport refrigeration unit comprising:
a compressor configured to compress a heat transfer fluid; a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor, the condenser configured to condense the heat transfer fluid from a gaseous state to a liquid state; an expansion de ice disposed downstream of the condenser, the expansion device configured to release pressure of the heat transfer fluid; a first flow control device disposed downstream of the condenser, the first flow-control device configured to direct the heat transfer fluid downstream of the expansion device; a first evaporator disposed downstream of the expansion device and the first flow control device;
a second evaporator disposed downstream of the expansion device and the first flow control device, wherein the second evaporator includes a thermal accumulator.

2 . The transport refrigeration unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second flow control device disposed downstream of the first evaporator and upstream of the compressor.

3 . The transport refrigeration unit of claim 2 , wherein the second flow control device includes a three-way valve.

4 . The transport refrigeration unit of claim 2 , wherein the second flow control device includes two two-way valves.

5 . The transport refrigeration unit of claim 2 , wherein the first flow control device and the second flow control device can be set in a first mode, such that a heat transfer fluid does not flow through the second evaporator.

6 . The transport refrigeration unit of claim 2 , wherein the first flow control device and the second flow control device can be set in a second mode, such that a heat transfer fluid does not flow through the first evaporator.

7 . The transport refrigeration unit of claim 2 , wherein the first flow control device and the second flow control device can be set in a third mode, such that a heat transfer fluid flows through the first evaporator and the second evaporator in parallel.

8 . The transport refrigeration unit of claim 2 , wherein the first flow control device and the second flow control device can be set in a fourth mode, such that a heat transfer fluid flows through the first evaporator and the second evaporator in series.

9 . The transport refrigeration unit of claim 1 , wherein the thermal accumulator includes a spine fin tubing.

10 . A transport refrigeration unit comprising:
a compressor configured to compress a heat transfer fluid; a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor, the condenser configured to condense the heat transfer fluid from a gaseous state to a liquid state; an expansion device disposed downstream of the condenser, the expansion device configured to release pressure of the heat transfer fluid; a first flow control device disposed downstream of the condenser; a second flow control device disposed upstream of the compressor; and an air discharge unit defined by a housing, the air discharge unit including:
an air intake port,
a first air discharge port,
an air blower creating a first air flow from the air intake port to the first air discharge port,
a first evaporator disposed in the housing, the first evaporator being disposed downstream of the expansion device and the first flow control device, the first evaporator being disposed upstream of the second flow control device, and
a second evaporator disposed in the housing, the second evaporator being disposed downstream of the first flow control device the expansion device, and the second flow control device, the second evaporator including a thermal accumulator.

11 . The transport refrigeration unit according to claim 10 , wherein the housing further includes a damper, wherein the damper changes its position to direct the first air flow through the first evaporator and/or the second evaporator.

12 . The transport refrigeration unit according to claim 10 , wherein the first evaporator and the second evaporator are arranged in a heightwise direction within the housing.

13 . The transport refrigeration unit according to claim 10 , wherein the first evaporator and the second evaporator are arranged in a heightwise direction within the housing.

14 . The transport refrigeration unit according to claim 10 , wherein the first evaporator and the second evaporator are arranged in a lengthwise direction within the housing.

15 . The transport refrigeration unit according to claim 10 , wherein the air discharge unit includes:
a second air discharge port, wherein the air blower creates a second air flow from the air intake port to the second air discharge port; a first damper controlling the first air flow to flow through the first evaporator; and a second damper controlling the second air flow to flow through the second evaporator.

16 . A transport refrigeration unit according to claim 10 , wherein the air discharge unit includes:
a second air discharge port, wherein the air blower creates a second air flow from the air intake port to the second air discharge port; a third evaporator disposed in the housing, the third evaporator being disposed downstream of the expansion device and the first flow control device, the third evaporator being disposed upstream of the second flow control device. a fourth evaporator disposed in the housing, the fourth evaporator being disposed downstream of the first flow control device, the expansion device, and the second flow control device, the fourth evaporator including a second thermal accumulator, a first damper directing the first air flow through the first evaporator and/or the second evaporator, and a second damper directing the second air flow through the third evaporator and/or the fourth evaporator.

17 . A method of operating a transport refrigeration unit:
determining a target temperature for an internal space; monitoring a temperature within the internal space; comparing the monitored temperature to the target temperature; determining whether cooling is required within the internal space based on the comparison between the monitored temperature and the target temperature; determining whether power for the transport refrigeration unit is available; directing air flow through a first evaporator when power is available and cooling is required; directing air flow through a second evaporator that includes a thermal accumulator when power is not available and cooling is required.

18 . The method of operating a transport refrigeration unit according to claim 17 , further comprising directing heat transfer fluid to the first evaporator when power is available and when cooling is required.

19 . The method of operating, a transport refrigeration unit according to claim 17 , further comprising directing heat transfer fluid to the second evaporator when power is available to charge the thermal accumulator.

20 . The method of operating a transport refrigeration unit according to claim 17 , further comprising:
stopping the air flow that is flowing through the second evaporator when the monitored temperature reaches the target temperature.

Assignees

• Thermo King Corp

Inventors

• Srichai Panayu Robert
• Sulc Vladimir
• Mcginley Gary O
• Kirby Eric
• Ganshert Christopher L
• Kroeker Christopher J
• Briscoe Casey

Classifications

• F28D2020/0013

  the heat storage material being enclosed in elements attached to or integral with heat exchange conduits · CPC title

• F25D17/045

  Air flow control arrangements · CPC title

• F28D20/02

  using latent heat · CPC title

• F25B2600/2511

  Evaporator distribution valves · CPC title

• F25D19/003

  with respect to movable containers · CPC title