Refrigerated container control system
AssigneeSynchro Data Limited
InventorsJohn Gerard Anthony Storey, Daniel Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A temperature responsive refrigerated transport container having a self contained refrigeration plant in which a short range radio transmits a sensed temperature to a remote operator panel using an identity code with the panel controlling the plant via a radio transmitter using an operating signal generated at the panel.
Claims10
A control system for a refrigerated transport container of the type comprising a self contained refrigeration plant connected to an associated enclosed refrigeration compartment within the container and operable to regulate the temperature within the compartment, the control system comprising:
- sensing means for mounting on the refrigerated transport container for sensing at least one critical operating parameter of the refrigerated transport container,
- said sensing means being connected to a radio signal generating means for generating a radio frequency signal corresponding to said sensed parameter condition,
- said radio signal generating means being connected to a short range radio transmitter for transmitting said measured parameter radio signal together with an associated refrigerated transport container identity code radio signal,
- a remote operator panel having a radio receiver with means for reception of a radio signal incorporating the refrigerated transport container identity code,
- the remote operators panel having a display means for indicating a fault condition of said measured parameter, said remote operator panel radio receiver being connected to the display means for fault indication,
- the remote operator panel having means for generating an operating signal to control operation of the refrigeration plant with a view to correcting any abnormal operating condition sensed by said sensing means, said operating signal generating means being connected to a radio signal generating means for generating a radio frequency signal corresponding to said operating signal,
- said radio signal generating means being connected to a short range radio transmitter for transmitting said radio signal together with the associated refrigerated transport container identity code radio signal,
- a radio receiver for mounting on the refrigerated transport container having means for reception of a radio signal incorporating said refrigerated transport container identity code, and
- said radio receiver being connected to a refrigeration plant controller which is operable in response to reception of an operating signal to control operation of the refrigeration plant.
A method for controlling operating conditions in a refrigerated transport container, comprising the steps:
- sensing at least one critical operating parameter of the refrigerated transport container;
- generating a radio frequency signal corresponding to said sensed parameter condition;
- coupling said measured parameter radio signal, together with a refrigerated transport container identity code radio frequency signal both forming a composite radio frequency signal;
- transmitting said composite radio frequency signal on a short-range radio transmitter;
- on a remote operator panel receiving said composite signal incorporating the said refrigerated transport container identity code on a radio receiver of the remote operator panel;
- display any measured parameter abnormal operating condition on the remote operator panel;
- generating an operating signal to control operation of the refrigeration plant with a view to correcting any abnormal condition;
- generating a radio frequency signal corresponding to said operating signal and coupling said radio frequency operating signal with the refrigerated transport container identity code radio frequency signal thus forming a composite radio frequency signal;
- transmitting said composite signal on a short-range radio transmitter;
- and
- receiving said composite signal on a radio receiver associated with a refrigeration plant controller for the refrigerated transport container, said operating signal directing the refrigeration plant controller in operating the refrigerating plant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.