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US 11,667,174 B2Granted
Smart electric refrigeration system for vehicles
OwnerSaeed Zaeri, Peter Timothy Johnstoninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A smart electric temperature-controlled system connected to a vehicle, such as a vehicle-transported refrigeration system, includes a power management system and an energy storage module. The power management system and energy storage module can manage power delivered to the temperature-controlled system components by monitoring temperatures and voltages (and possibly other factors) and by delivering power as a function of the things monitored. In a typical implementation the power management system and an energy storage module can supply power to a vehicle-transported refrigeration system when the vehicle is stopped and/or power from the vehicle electrical system is electrically isolated or otherwise unavailable.
Claims18
An apparatus comprising:
- a power management system, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a controller operably connected to the processor;
- an energy storage module operably connected to the power management system;
- a first temperature sensor operably connected to the power management system, the first temperature sensor configured to generate a first temperature signal as a function of a temperature inside a compartment of a temperature-controlled system;
- a second temperature sensor operably connected to the power management system, the second temperature sensor configured to generate a second temperature signal as a function of an ambient temperature outside of the compartment;
- a first voltage sensor operably connected to the power management system and to the energy storage module, the first voltage sensor configured to generate a first voltage signal as a function of a voltage of the energy storage module;
- and
- a second voltage sensor operably connected to the power management system and a vehicle electrical system, the vehicle electrical system supplying electrical power to a vehicle that is physically coupled to the compartment, the second voltage sensor configured to generate a second voltage signal as a function of a voltage of the vehicle electrical system,
- wherein the power management system is configured to receive the first temperature signal, the second temperature signal, the first voltage signal, the second voltage signal, and external signals related to a trip factor and a heat transfer factor, wherein the trip factor is determined based on parameters including a scheduled trip route, live and historical weather conditions of the scheduled trip route, live and historical traffic conditions of the scheduled trip route, and historical data related to previous trips, and wherein the heat transfer factor is determined based on parameters including size of the compartment, insulation rating of the compartment, and amount of cargo in the compartment,
- and to control power supplied to the temperature-controlled system as a function of the first temperature signal, the second temperature signal, the first voltage signal, the second voltage signal, and the external signals.
9 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a temperature-controlled compartment, the temperature-controlled compartment configured to be transported by a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a vehicle electrical system;
- a power management system, comprising a processor and a controller, operably connected to the processor, the power management system operably connected to the vehicle electrical system;
- an energy storage module operably connected to the power management system;
- a compressor operably connected to the power management system, the compressor configured to compress a working fluid, and the compressor further configured to be supplied with power by at least one of the energy storage module and the vehicle electrical system;
- a first heat exchange element configured to transfer heat from the compartment to the working fluid;
- a second heat exchange element configured to transfer heat from the working fluid to an ambient environment;
- a first temperature sensor operably connected to the power management system, the first temperature sensor configured to generate a first temperature signal as a function of a temperature inside a compartment of a temperature-controlled system;
- a second temperature sensor operably connected to the power management system, the second temperature sensor configured to generate a second temperature signal as a function of an ambient temperature outside of the compartment;
- a first voltage sensor operably connected to the power management system and to the energy storage module, the first voltage sensor configured to generate a first voltage signal as a function of a voltage of the energy storage module;
- and
- a second voltage sensor operably connected to the power management system and a vehicle electrical system, the vehicle electrical system supplying electrical power to a vehicle that is physically coupled to the compartment, the second voltage sensor configured to generate a second voltage signal as a function of a voltage of the vehicle electrical system;
- wherein the power management system is configured to receive the first temperature signal, the second temperature signal, the first voltage signal, the second voltage signal, and external signals related to a trip factor and a heat transfer factor, wherein the trip factor is determined based on parameters including a scheduled trip route, live and historical weather conditions of the scheduled trip route, live and historical traffic conditions of the scheduled trip route, and historical data related to previous trips, and wherein the heat transfer factor is determined based on parameters including size of the compartment, insulation rating of the compartment, and amount of cargo in the compartment, and to control power supplied to the temperature-controlled system as a function of the first temperature signal, the second temperature signal, the first voltage signal, the second voltage signal, and the external signals.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.