Control method for a hybrid refrigeration system

A method for controlling a transportation refrigeration system (TRS), wherein the TRS includes a TRS controller connected to the TRS for operating the TRS, a eutectic device including a eutectic medium, a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) having a refrigerant circuit for directing a refrigerant fluid through the TRU and capable of directing the refrigerant fluid to the eutectic device for cooling the eutectic medium, and a cooling fluid circuit in thermal contact with the eutectic medium, the cooling fluid circuit configured to direct a cooling fluid to be in thermal contact with the eutectic medium, the method comprising:

• the TRS controller receiving a selection of a cooling mode for the TRS;
• and
• cooling an inside of a transport unit according to the cooling mode selected, wherein the cooling includes one of:
• a first cooling type, the first cooling type including powering a compressor of the refrigeration circuit for directing the refrigerant fluid through a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit to provide cooling inside the transport unit without the eutectic device;
• a second cooling type, the second cooling type including directing the cooling fluid through the cooling fluid circuit of the TRS to cool the eutectic medium for the eutectic device to provide cooling inside the transport unit without the refrigeration circuit;
• and
• a third cooling type, the third cooling type including both:
• powering a compressor of the refrigeration circuit for directing the refrigerant fluid through a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit, and
• directing the cooling fluid through the cooling fluid circuit of the TRS to cool the eutectic medium for the eutectic device
• to provide cooling inside the transport unit;
• wherein instructions to carry out the first cooling type, the second cooling type, and the third cooling type are stored within a memory;
• wherein the cooling mode for the TRS includes:
• a manual cooling mode, wherein a user selects, via the TRS controller, one of the first cooling type, the second cooling type, and the third cooling type;
• an automatic cooling mode, wherein the TRS controller selects one of the first cooling type, the second cooling type, and the third cooling type based on a current status of the TRS, wherein the current status of the TRS is determined based on information sent to the TRS controller from one or more components of the TRS;
• a dynamic cooling mode, wherein the TRS controller selects one of the first cooling type, the second cooling type, and the third cooling type based on information received by the TRS controller from an external device via a network;
• and
• a preset cooling mode, wherein the TRS controller selects one of the first cooling type, the second cooling type, and the third cooling type based on predetermined TRS operation information stored in memory.