Thermo King

About: Thermo King is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Refrigeration & Gas compressor. The organization has 515 authors who have published 559 publications receiving 8471 citations.

Method of operating a transport refrigeration unit

Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration system having a refrigerant compressor driven by an internal combustion engine. Microprocessor based electrical control maintains the temperature of a conditioned space at a desired set point via heating, cooling and null cycles, with the engine being started and stopped, as required. During the engine starting process, a suction line modulation valve, if used, is closed, engine pre-heat time is selected, including using engine temperature to access a look-up table, and current draw is checked during pre-heat. Excessive current terminates pre-heat. Control diagnostics checks the voltage level on both sides of a refrigerant high pressure switch, before initiating engine cranking. Prior to stopping the engine, a control option initiates a heating cycle for a short time when null is being entered from a cooling cycle, to warm the evaporator and prevent premature starting of the engine.

Methods and apparatus for operating a refrigeration system

Abstract: A refrigeration system of the type having an economizer cycle is provided with a null cycle, in addition to heating and cooling cycles, without shutting a compressor prime mover down, to preserve air flow in a conditioned space. First, second and third controllable valves respectively: (1) select main and auxiliary condensers, (2) open and close a liquid line, and (3) open and close a line which provides a warm liquid to an economizer heat exchanger. The valves are controlled in at least one predetermined open/close pattern during a null cycle, and preferably in a plurality of selectable predetermined open/close patterns, to provide a null cycle at any instant which substantially matches the net heat gain or loss taking place in the conditioned space. Thus, the temperature of the served space will be more apt to remain in a null temperature range close to set point, providing smoother and more accurate control over the temperature of the conditioned space for longer shelf life of perishables stored therein. The system achieves the latter by controlling a bypass value according to the load of the compressor.

Bi-directional battery voltage converter

Abstract: A battery module for use with a vehicle electrical system. The battery module includes a bi-directional battery voltage converter, a first battery, and a second battery. A first relay selectively connects the first battery to the bi-directional battery voltage converter. A second relay selectively connecting the second battery to the bi-directional battery voltage converter. A controller selectively energizes the first relay, selectively energizes the second relay, and controls a direction of current through the bi-directional battery voltage converter.

Transport refrigeration system

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (10) suitable for mounting on the front wall (14) of a narrow post highway trailer (15) in which the refrigeration system (10) intrudes into the trailer cargo space (17) only to the extent necessary to direct trailer air (89) into an evaporator coil (72). The evaporator coil (72) is completely serviceable external to the trailer (15), with its inlet surface (76) being substantially co-planar with the inside surface (80) of the front wall (14) of the trailer (15). An air delivery assembly (98) is manufactured as an integral unit and mounted in a main support frame (12) of the transport refrigeration system (10) without requiring further adjustment. Mounting of the air delivery assembly (98) on an intermediate wall (50) of support frame (12) completes a plenum chamber (119) for the evaporator coil (72), placing an axially narrow blower (106) into an air flow path in which the blower (106) draws trailer air (89) through the evaporator coil (72) and forces conditioned air (91) back into the trailer (15). Mounting of the air delivery assembly (98) also creates a condenser plenum (123) and places a fan (110) into an air flow path in which outside air (93) is directed upwardly through a condenser coil (90), and laterally through an engine radiator (94).