A method for detecting and managing an electrical phase loss condition in a climate controlled transport unit (CCTU) is provided. The method includes monitoring a generator phase signal outputted from a generator of the CCTU. The method also includes calculating, via a CCTU controller, a phase shift amount based on the generator phase signal. Also, the method includes detecting an electrical phase loss condition based on the phase shift amount.

A new and improved air return bulkhead for a refrigeration cargo trailer is disclosed. The air return bulkhead comprises two primary components, a first upper panel component and a second lower panel component. The first upper panel component effectively defines a fluid conduit through which relatively warm return air is fluidically conducted into the refrigeration unit, while the second lower panel component comprises a structure upon which only a plurality of pallet stops are integrally formed. The second lower panel component is entirely separate from the upper panel component, and in this manner, whenever the pallet stops become damaged, only the used lower component needs to be simply detached and replaced. An upper edge portion of the first upper panel component is also provided with a blade member which will engage the rear face of the refrigeration unit along a linear locus extending across the entire horizontal extent or width of the refrigeration unit so that cooled or refrigerated air cannot effectively be sucked back into the inlet or intake portion of the refrigeration unit, thereby preventing the occurrence of “short cycling” of the refrigeration unit.

Examples of an electrically powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU) are disclosed. In one example, the TRU may include a refrigeration circuit that includes an electrically powered compressor, an evaporator equipped with an electrically powered blower, and a gas cooler equipped with an electrically powered blower. The TRU may also include a control circuit and a power regulator unit. The power regulator unit may be configured to supply variable DC and/or AC outputs to power components of the refrigeration circuit, and the control circuit may be configured to regulate the variable DC and AC outputs of the power regulator unit so as to control the operation of the TRU. The electrically powered TRU may be configured to use R774 as refrigerant.

A method of evaluating operating capability of a prime mover includes: starting the prime mover with a minimum load requirement threshold; obtaining a reference prime mover operation parameter for the prime mover; comparing the reference prime mover operation parameter with a standard prime mover operation parameter to determine a reference matrix; and adjusting via a TRS controller a standard operation threshold based on the reference matrix to obtain an optimal operation threshold.

A mobile environmental sensor system includes a first mobile environmental sensor, a controller, and a network transmitter disposed on a transport unit. The controller is in electronic communication with the first mobile environmental sensor and the network transmitter. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to trigger a measurement from the first mobile environmental sensor. A sensed value is received from the first mobile environmental sensor. The processor compares the sensed value as received from the first mobile environmental sensor to a reference sensed value received by the controller via the network transmitter. The processor calibrates the first mobile environmental sensor based on the comparison of the sensed value as received and the reference sensed value as received. The calibration includes a normalization between the sensed value as received and the reference sensed value as received. The normalization includes a time dependent component.

A system is disclosed for conducting energy from a refrigeration trailer to a truck for controlling temperature in the truck. The system comprises a refrigeration unit coupled to the trailer for cooling a first chamber of the trailer. The refrigeration unit has a first heat exchanger configured to cool a fluid. A second heat exchanger is disposed in a second chamber and is in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger in a coolant loop. An air moving device in the second chamber is operable to convey cold air from about the second heat exchanger to cool the second chamber (e.g., a truck cabin). A heater can provide heat for conveying into the second chamber. A power source in the refrigeration unit can power the air moving device and the heater, and other electronic devices associated with the truck. Associated methods are provided.

A multi-unit transport refrigeration system including: a first transportation refrigeration unit configured to refrigerate a first transport container; a second transportation refrigeration unit configured to refrigerate a second transport container; and an energy management system including: an energy storage device configured to store electricity to power the first second transportation refrigeration unit; and a power conversion system electrically connecting the energy storage device to the first transportation refrigeration unit and the second transportation refrigeration unit, the power conversion system including: a first DC/DC converter configured to increase a voltage of the electricity received from the energy storage device from a first voltage to a second voltage; and a first DC/AC inverter configured to convert the electricity received from the first DC/DC converter from DC to AC and then convey the electricity to at least one of the first transportation refrigeration unit or the second transportation refrigeration unit.

A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending along a central axis, an array of a plurality of heat transfer members mounted to the inner tube, and a plurality of outer tubes disposed radially outward of and in parallel relationship to the inner tube, the inner and outer tubes extending longitudinally to pass through the array of heat transfer members. The heat exchanger is particularly suited for use as an engine exhaust cooler in connection with a transport refrigeration unit, wherein the inner tube defines an internal flow passage through which engine exhaust gas passes, each outer tube defines an internal flow passage through which refrigerant passes, and the plurality of flow passages between adjacent heat transfer members defines an air flow passage. In an embodiment, the heat transfer members may be annular disks having an internal chamber filled with air or other heat transfer working fluid.

A power management method used for power distribution in a transportation refrigeration unit. The power management method includes calculating engine power according to engine operating parameters; calculating power generator real-time input power according to power generator excitation current; calculating available power based on the power generator real-time input power and the engine power; and managing power distributed to a compressor based on the available power. The present invention further relates to a power management system. The power management method and system have the advantages of simplicity, reliability, stable operation and the like, the power generator real-time input power can be calculated according to the power generator excitation current, thus more power can be provided to the compressor on the premise that the power supply to power generator loads is guaranteed, and the operating efficiency of the transportation refrigeration unit is improved.

A fluid circuit for a trucking vehicle having a transport refrigeration unit is provided. The fluid circuit includes a first regulator assembly defining a first fuel inlet that is arranged to receive fuel from a first fuel tank and a first fuel outlet that is arranged to provide fuel to a first engine. The first regulator assembly having a first heat exchanger assembly defining a first coolant inlet that is arranged to receive coolant from a cooling system associated with the first engine and a first coolant outlet that is arranged to provide coolant to the cooling system.