Supply air discharge for a refrigerated container

Abstract

A transportation cargo refrigeration system includes a refrigeration unit to provide a flow of supply air for a refrigerated cargo container. A refrigeration system outlet allows the flow of supply air into the cargo container. A mixing chamber is located between the refrigeration unit and the refrigeration system outlet for mixing of the flow of supply air thereby reducing supply air temperature fluctuation at the refrigeration system outlet. A method of operating a refrigeration system for a refrigerated cargo container includes flowing supply air through a refrigeration unit thereby reducing a temperature of the supply air. The supply air is directed into a mixing chamber and mixed in the mixing chamber until a selected supply air temperature is achieved. The supply air is directed through a refrigeration system outlet and into an interior of a cargo container.

1 . A transportation cargo refrigeration system comprising:
 a refrigeration unit to provide a flow of supply air for a refrigerated cargo container;   a refrigeration system outlet to allow the flow of the supply air into the cargo container; and   a mixing chamber disposed between the refrigeration unit and the refrigeration system outlet for mixing the flow of supply air and thereby reducing supply air temperature fluctuation at the refrigeration system outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration system outlet includes a movable closure to retain the flow of supply air in the mixing chamber to enhance mixing. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable closure remains closed for at least one one/off cycle of a compressor of the refrigeration system. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor disposed in the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan disposed in the mixing chamber to improve mixing of the supply air. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein a flow of return air from the cargo container is directed into the mixing chamber to mix with the supply air. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 6 , wherein the flow of return air bypasses the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 7 , wherein the flow of return air is directed into the mixing chamber when a compressor of the refrigeration unit is operating. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration system of  claim 7 , wherein the flow of return air is not directed into the mixing chamber when a compressor of the refrigeration unit is not operating. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating a refrigeration system for a refrigerated cargo container comprising:
 flowing supply air through a refrigeration unit thereby reducing a temperature of the supply airflow;   directing the supply air into a mixing chamber;   mixing the supply air in the mixing chamber until a selected supply air temperature is achieved; and   directing the supply air through a refrigeration system outlet and into an interior of a cargo container.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising retaining the supply air in the mixing chamber via a movable closure to facilitate mixing of the supply air. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the moveable closure remains closed for at least one one/off cycle of a compressor of the refrigeration system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising detecting a supply air temperature in the mixing chamber via a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , enhancing mixing of the supply air in the mixing chamber via a fan. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 directing a flow of return air from the cargo container into the mixing chamber; and   mixing the return air and the supply air in the mixing chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the flow of return air bypasses the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising directing the flow of return air into the mixing chamber when a compressor of the refrigeration unit is operating. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claims 17 , further comprising stopping the flow of return air into the mixing chamber when a compressor of the refrigeration unit is not operating. 
     
     
         19 . A refrigerated transportation cargo container comprising:
 a transportation cargo container;   a refrigeration unit to provide a flow of supply air for the transportation cargo container;   a refrigeration system outlet to allow the flow of supply air into the transportation cargo container; and   a mixing chamber disposed between the refrigeration unit and the refrigeration system outlet for mixing of the flow of supply air thereby reducing supply air temperature fluctuation at the refrigeration system outlet.   
     
     
         20 . The transportation cargo container of  claim 19 , wherein the refrigeration system outlet includes a movable closure to retain the flow of supply air in the mixing chamber to enhance mixing. 
     
     
         21 . The transportation cargo container of  claim 20 , wherein the moveable closure remains closed for at least one one/off cycle of a compressor of the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         22 . The transportation cargo container of  claim 19 , wherein a flow of return air from the cargo container is directed into the mixing chamber to mix with the supply air. 
     
     
         23 . The transportation cargo container of  claim 22 , wherein the flow of return air into the mixing chamber is stopped when a compressor of the refrigeration unit is not operating.