Hydraulic Transport Refrigeration System

Abstract

A transport refrigeration system includes an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a supply line coupled to an output of the pump, a supply control valve coupled to the supply line and a refrigerant compressor coupled to the supply control valve through a compressor supply line. The refrigerant compressor speed is responsive to fluid flow in the compressor supply line.

1 . A transport refrigeration system comprising:
 an engine;   a hydraulic pump driven by the engine;   a supply line coupled to an output of the pump;   a supply control valve coupled to the supply line; and   a refrigerant compressor coupled to the supply control valve through a compressor supply line, the refrigerant compressor speed being responsive to fluid flow in the compressor supply line.   
     
     
         2 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a high pressure accumulator coupled to the supply control valve. 
 
     
     
         3 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the high pressure accumulator is coupled to the compressor through the supply control valve when the engine is at low speed. 
 
     
     
         4 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the high pressure accumulator is coupled to the compressor through the supply control valve upon start of the compressor. 
 
     
     
         5 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a return line coupled to an input of the pump; 
 a return control valve coupled to the return line; and 
 a reservoir coupled to the return control valve. 
 
     
     
         6 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a hydraulic motor coupled to the supply control valve. 
 
     
     
         7 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 6  wherein:
 the hydraulic motor drives a fan. 
 
     
     
         8 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a controller for controlling the supply control valve in response to input signals indicative of the operational status of the transport refrigeration system. 
 
     
     
         9 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the compressor is a hermetic compressor. 
 
     
     
         10 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the compressor is a semi-hermetic compressor. 
 
     
     
         11 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 10  wherein:
 the compressor includes a hydraulic motor coupled to the compressor supply line. 
 
     
     
         12 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 11  wherein:
 the compressor includes a casing, the casing having a chamber containing the hydraulic motor, the casing housing a compressor mechanism. 
 
     
     
         13 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 an oil check valve providing a passage for oil from the chamber to the compressor mechanism. 
 
     
     
         14 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a compressor control valve coupled to the compressor supply line. 
 
     
     
         15 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 14  wherein:
 the compressor control valve is coupled to a compressor return line via a bypass line. 
 
     
     
         16 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the fluid in the compressor supply line is oil suitable for lubricating the compressor. 
 
     
     
         17 . The transport refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the engine is a vehicle engine.