A transport refrigeration system (20) having: a multi-fuel capable engine (26); a refrigeration unit (22) powered by the engine (26); a first fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) operably connected to the engine (26), the first fuel (120, 130, 140, 150) system including at least one of a propane fuel system (120), compressed natural gas fuel system (130), liquefied natural gas fuel system (140), and gasoline fuel system (150); a second fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) operably connected to the engine (26), the second fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) including at least one of a propane fuel system (120), compressed natural gas fuel system (130), liquefied natural gas fuel system (140), and gasoline fuel system (150); and a controller (30) configured to command a fuel to the engine (26) from the first fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) or the second fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150), the controller (30) adjusts operation of the engine (26) in response to the fuel commanded. The first fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) operates on a fuel different than the second fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150). Both fuel systems (120, 130, 140, 150) are separate modules being removably connected to the engine (26).

A replacement compressor assembly connects to an existing air conditioning system which has an electric compressor and a refrigerant line which contains a refrigerant. The replacement compressor assembly includes a compressor which is connected to a gas-powered engine. The compressor is connected to the refrigerant line so that the refrigerant passes through the compressor. A refrigerant valve is connected to the refrigerant line of the air conditioning system. The refrigerant valve is positionable to allow the refrigerant to pass through either the compressor or the electric compressor. An engine speed selector is connected to the gas-powered engine, and causes the gas-powered engine to run at a desired operating speed.

In a case where a control device receives a stop signal instructing stopping of an engine and the control device determines that the engine temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature based on a signal from a timer or based on a signal from a cooling water temperature sensor, an operation control is maintained until the control device determines that the engine temperature is the predetermined temperature or higher. This way, an engine is provided which is capable of restraining generation of blowby condensate water without stopping a cooling water pump during the operation of the engine.

A method of operating a transport refrigeration system comprises: controlling, using a controller (30), a plurality of components of the refrigeration system and monitoring, using the controller, a plurality of operating parameters of the refrigeration system. The controlling comprises operating at least one of a prime mover (26), heater (48), and electric generation device (24). The operating parameters comprise at least one of a speed of the prime mover and a voltage of the electric generation device. The method comprises detecting, using the controller, when at least one of a heating mode and a defrost mode is required; activating, using the controller, the heater when at least one of the heating mode and the defrost mode is required; comparing, using the controller, the voltage of the electric generation device to a selected voltage; and controlling, using the controller, the speed of the prime mover in response to the voltage of the electric generation device.

A vehicular air conditioning system is described including: an electrically powered compressor; the electrically powered compressor is controllable to operate at a range of speeds; and a condenser fan which is controllable to operate at a range of speeds.

A gas compressor system includes a compression liquid holding tank in fluid communication with a combustion tank. A combustible fluid is directed to the combustion tank. An ignition system is provided for igniting the combustible fluid. A compression liquid flows between the liquid holding tank, the combustion tank, and a compression tank. A compressible gas is provided in the compression tank. The ignition of the combustible fluid drives the compression liquid from the combustion tank to the compression tank, compressing the compressible liquid. An HVAC&R system and a method of compressing gas are also disclosed.

Embodiments of the present invention reduce the amount of energy required to operate air-conditioners and refrigerators by providing a vapor-compression system that harnesses a low- or no-cost source of energy, namely, heat, and uses the harnessed heat to power a new kind of compressor, called a burst compressor and a new kind of pump, called a vapor pump. The heat-driven burst compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, while also providing push and pull vapor refrigerant to the vapor pump. The vapor pump, actuated by the high pressure refrigerant in gaseous form provided by the burst compressor, is configured to pump a combination of gaseous, vaporous and liquid refrigerant out of the receiver tank and inject that low pressure refrigerant mix into the burst compressor, where it is heated to change the state of the refrigerant to a heated, pressurized gas. Then the heated, pressurized gas is released in bursts into the other components of the vapor compression cycle. Thus, embodiments of the present invention use heat to provide cold. Because of this arrangement, vapor-compression systems constructed and arranged to operate according to embodiments of the present invention are able to provide air-conditioning and/or refrigeration much more efficiently and with much less expense than traditional vapor compression systems for air-conditioning and refrigeration.

A transport refrigeration unit (10) is provided and includes a refrigeration cycle having a refrigerant routed there through, the refrigeration cycle including a compressor (20), a condenser (22), an evaporator (26) and an expansion valve (40). Also included is an engine (32) operatively coupled to a generator (34) to power the compressor (20). Further included is an inlet structure receiving an inlet air stream (52) for routing to the engine (32). Yet further included is a cooling coil arrangement (54) disposed within the inlet structure, the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle selectively routed through the cooling coil arrangement (54) to cool the inlet air stream (52).

A method is disclosed for generating and distributing electric power for localized use. The method entails providing an enclosed building having an air conditioning and ventilation unit for supplying cooled air within the building, the unit including a closed loop circuit configured to operate a closed loop refrigeration cycle, including a compressor operable to compress a working fluid of the closed loop circuit. The method further includes engaging an internal combustion engine with the compressor and operating the internal combustion engine to drive the compressor, thereby transferring energy to the refrigeration cycle. The method may also involve engaging an electric motor with the compressor and operating the electric motor to drive the compressor, thereby transferring energy to the refrigeration cycle.

A refrigeration unit includes an evaporator circulating a flow of refrigerant therethrough to cool a flow of compartment air flowing over the evaporator, a compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator to compress the flow of refrigerant, an engine operably connected to the compressor to drive operation of the compressor, an expansion device in fluid communication with the flow of refrigerant, and a controller operably connected to at least the engine and the expansion device. The controller is configured to determine an available power to drive the compressor, determine a compressor discharge pressure upper limit based on the available power, compare the compressor discharge pressure upper limit to a requested compressor discharge pressure, and initiate adjustment of the expansion device such that an actual compressor discharge pressure is the lesser of the requested compressor discharge pressure or the compressor discharge pressure upper limit.