# US 10,309,711 B2 · Aerodynamic cover for transport refrigeration unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,711 B2 - Document ID: US10309711B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/638,028 - Filed: 2015-03-04 - Published: 2015-09-10 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-05 - Assignees: Carrier Corporation - Applicants: Carrier Corporation - Inventors: James Casasanta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309711B2 ## CPC - F25D 11/003: {Transport containers} - B60H 1/3232: {particularly adapted for load transporting vehicles (B60H1/3226 takes precedence)} - B62D 35/001: {For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans} - F25D 17/08: using ducts - F25B 27/00: Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy (F25B30/06 takes precedence) - F25B 2327/12: using internal combustion engines - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ## Abstract A refrigerated truck transportation system includes a transportation cargo container and a refrigeration unit secured to a front wall of the transportation cargo container to provide a flow of supply air for the transportation cargo container. The refrigeration unit includes a compressor and a refrigeration engine operably connected to the compressor to drive the compressor. The compressor and the engine are located in a refrigeration unit housing. A housing cover is located at an upper portion of the refrigeration unit housing. The housing cover has a lower extent located at the refrigeration unit housing and an upper extent located at a top wall of the transportation cargo container and configured to direct an airflow over the top wall thereby reducing turbulence in the airflow. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A refrigerated truck transportation system comprising: a transportation cargo container; and a refrigeration unit secured to a front wall of the transportation cargo container to provide a flow of supply air for the transportation cargo container, the refrigeration unit including: a compressor; and a refrigeration engine powered operably connected to the compressor to drive the compressor, the compressor and the refrigeration engine disposed in a refrigeration unit housing; and a housing cover disposed at an upper portion of the refrigeration unit housing, the housing cover having a lower extent disposed at the refrigeration unit housing and an upper extent disposed at a top wall of the transportation cargo container and configured to direct an airflow over the top wall thereby reducing turbulence in the airflow; wherein the housing cover comprises a single continuous convex radius between the lower extent and the upper extent. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The refrigerated truck transportation system of claim 1, further comprising a vortex generator disposed at an outer cover surface of the housing cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The refrigerated truck transportation system of claim 1, further comprising a vent disposed at an outer cover surface of the housing cover to dissipate heat from the refrigeration unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The refrigerated truck transportation system of claim 1, further comprising an inlet in an outer cover surface of the housing cover to supply airflow to the refrigeration engine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The refrigerated truck transportation system of claim 4, further comprising an inlet cover to prevent ingress of foreign matter into the inlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The refrigerated truck transportation system of claim 1, wherein the housing cover is formed from a fire retardant material and/or includes a fire retardant coating. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The refrigerated truck transportation system of claim 1, wherein the housing cover is secured to the refrigeration unit housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The refrigerated truck transportation system of claim 7, wherein the housing cover is secured to the refrigeration unit housing by one of a snap fit or friction fit. ### Claim 9 A tractor trailer system comprising: a tractor including a drivetrain for the tractor trailer system; a trailer coupled to the tractor including: a cargo compartment; and a refrigeration unit disposed between the cargo compartment and the tractor to provide a flow of supply air for the cargo compartment, the refrigeration unit including: a compressor; and a refrigeration engine operably connected to the compressor to drive the compressor, the compressor and the refrigeration engine disposed in a refrigeration unit housing; and a housing cover disposed at an upper portion of the refrigeration unit housing, the housing cover having a lower extent disposed at the refrigeration unit housing and an upper extent disposed at a top wall of the trailer and configured to direct an airflow over the top wall thereby reducing turbulence in the airflow and improving fuel efficiency of the tractor trailer system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tractor trailer system of claim 9, wherein the refrigeration unit is secured to an exterior of the cargo compartment. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The tractor trailer system of claim 9, wherein the housing cover comprises a single continuous convex radius between the lower extent and the upper extent. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The tractor trailer system of claim 9, further comprising a vortex generator disposed at an outer cover surface of the housing cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The tractor trailer system of claim 9, further comprising a vent disposed at an outer cover surface of the housing cover to dissipate heat from the refrigeration unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The tractor trailer system of claim 9, further comprising an inlet in an outer cover surface of the housing cover to supply airflow to the refrigeration engine. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The tractor trailer system of claim 14, further comprising an inlet cover to prevent ingress of foreign matter into the inlet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The tractor trailer system of claim 9, wherein the housing cover is formed from a fire retardant material and/or includes a fire retardant coating. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The tractor trailer system of claim 9, wherein the housing cover is secured to the refrigeration unit housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The tractor trailer system of claim 17, wherein the housing cover is secured to the refrigeration unit housing by one of a snap fit or friction fit.