Method and system for charging a transport refrigeration system

Abstract

A method for charging a phase change material (PCM) of a thermal accumulator provided in a refrigerated transport unit is provided. The refrigerated transport unit includes a prime mover to move the refrigerated transport unit, a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a heat transfer fluid circuit. The heat transfer fluid circuit has a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device and a PCM heat exchanger. The method requires monitoring for, via a controller, a braking signal from a braking sensor of the refrigerated transport unit. Also, the method includes directing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to the TRS when the controller receives a braking signal from the braking sensor. Further, the method includes the TRS charging the PCM of the thermal accumulator via the heat transfer fluid circuit when the energy generated by the prime mover is directed to the TRS.

1 . A method for charging a phase change material (PCM) of a thermal accumulator provided in a refrigerated transport unit that includes a prime mover to move the refrigerated transport unit, a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a heat transfer fluid circuit having a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device and a PCM heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 monitoring for, via a controller, a braking signal from a braking sensor of the refrigerated transport unit;   directing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to the TRS when the controller receives a braking signal from the braking sensor; and   the TRS charging the PCM of the thermal accumulator via the heat transfer fluid circuit when the energy generated by the prime mover is directed to the TRS.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 preventing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit from being directed to the TRS when the controller does not receive a braking signal from the braking sensor.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the TRS charging the PCM of the thermal accumulator via the heat transfer fluid circuit includes directing a heat transfer fluid through the PCM heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the TRS charging the PCM of the thermal accumulator includes operating one or more heat exchanger fans of the TRS. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising directing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to an energy storage source when the controller does not receive a braking signal from the braking sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising directing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to a secondary energy storage device when the controller does not receive a braking signal from the braking sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising when the controller receives a braking signal from the braking sensor, concurrently directing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to the TRS to charge the PCM and to an energy storage source to charge the energy storage source. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigerated transport unit comprising:
 a prime mover configured to provide energy for moving the refrigerated transport unit;   a braking sensor configured to monitor a braking condition of the refrigerated transport unit;   the controller configured to monitor for the braking signal;   a transport unit including an interior space, the interior space including a thermal accumulator module having a phase change material (PCM) and a PCM heat exchanger provided therein; and   a transport refrigeration system including a compressor;   wherein the PCM heat exchanger and the compressor form a heat transfer fluid circuit;   wherein when the controller receives a braking signal from the braking sensor, the prime mover is configured to direct energy to the TRS to charge the PCM.   
     
     
         9 . The refrigerated transport unit of  claim 8 , wherein when the controller does not receive a braking signal from the braking sensor, the controller is configured to prevent the prime mover from directing energy to the TRS. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 8 , wherein when the controller receives the braking signal from the braking sensor, the prime mover is configured to direct energy to the TRS to operate the compressor and direct a heat transfer fluid through the PCM heat exchanger to charge the PCM. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the TRS charging the PCM of the thermal accumulator includes operating one or more heat exchanger fans of the TRS. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an energy storage source connected to the prime mover, wherein the prime mover is configured to direct energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to the energy storage source when the controller does not receive a braking signal from the braking sensor.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a secondary energy storage device configured to store energy when the primary mover is disengaged, wherein the prime mover is configured to direct energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to the secondary energy storage device when the controller does not receive a braking signal from the braking sensor.   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 12 , wherein when the controller receives a braking signal from the braking sensor, the prime mover is configured to concurrently direct energy to the TRS to charge the PCM and to an energy storage source to charge the energy storage source. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the prime mover is a combustion engine. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the compressor is a belt driven compressor. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the prime mover is an electric drive and the compressor is an electrically powered compressor. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerated transport unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the prime mover includes a combustion engine and an electric drive.