IP Library Granted Patent US 11,648,821
Granted Patent B2
US 11,648,821 · App. 16/678,654 · Granted May 16, 2023

Methods and systems of minimizing c-rate fluctuation by adjusting operation of a transport climate control system

Inventors: Michael James Vanous (Minneapolis, MN); Carolyn Lewelling (Minneapolis, MN); Christos Alkiviadis Polyzois (Bloomington, MN)
Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
B60H1/3205B60H1/00428G01R31/382B60H2001/3272B60H2001/3282H02J2310/58
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,648,821
App. No.
16/678,654
Granted
May 16, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of minimizing C-Rate fluctuations with an electrically powered accessory (EPA) is disclosed. The EPA is configured to be used with at least one of a vehicle, a trailer, and a transport container that has a first controller. The EPA has a second controller. The method includes determining, by the first controller, a first C-Rate of a Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS). Also, the method includes comparing the first C-Rate to a first predetermined threshold. The method also includes when the first C-Rate exceeds the first predetermined threshold, the first controller sending a first request to the second controller to adjust a load of the EPA. The method further includes the second controller determining a first operational mode of the EPA based on the first request. Also the method includes when the first operational mode of the EPA allows a load change, the second controller adjusting the load of the EPA.

Claims (59)

1. A method of minimizing C-Rate fluctuations with a climate controlled transport unit (CCTU), the method comprising:

determining a first C-Rate of a Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS);

comparing the first C-Rate to a first predetermined threshold;

when the first C-Rate exceeds the first predetermined threshold, a controller of the CCTU determining a first operational mode of the CCTU;

the controller adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the first operational mode,

wherein the first C-Rate of the RESS is a C-Rate for current into the RESS, and

wherein adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the first operational mode includes increasing the load of the CCTU to reduce the C-Rate for current into the RESS.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

changing an operational mode of the RESS between a charging mode and a discharging mode;

determining a second C-Rate of the RESS;

comparing the second C-Rate to a second predetermined threshold;

when the second C-Rate exceeds the second predetermined threshold, the controller determining a second operational mode of the CCTU;

the controller adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the second operational mode.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein increasing the load of the CCTU includes increasing a speed of a compressor of the CCTU.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein increasing the load of the CCTU includes increasing a speed of a fan of the CCTU.

5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the second C-Rate of the RESS is a C-Rate for current out of the RESS, and

wherein adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the second operational mode includes decreasing the load of the CCTU.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein decreasing the load of the CCTU includes decreasing a speed of a compressor of the CCTU.

7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein decreasing the load of the CCTU includes decreasing a speed of a fan of the CCTU.

8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining whether the first operational mode of the CCTU allows for a load change; and

the controller generating an alarm message when the first operational mode does not allow for the load change.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first C-Rate is impacted by a regenerative braking event.

10. A method of minimizing C-Rate fluctuations with a climate controlled transport unit (CCTU), the method comprising:

determining a first C-Rate of a Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS);

comparing the first C-Rate to a first predetermined threshold;

when the first C-Rate exceeds the first predetermined threshold, a controller of the CCTU determining a first operational mode of the CCTU;

the controller adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the first operational mode,

wherein the first C-Rate of the RESS is a C-Rate for current out of the RESS, and

wherein adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the first operational mode includes decreasing the load of the CCTU to reduce the C-Rate for current out of the RESS.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein decreasing the load of the CCTU includes decreasing a speed of a compressor of the CCTU.

12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein decreasing the load of the CCTU includes decreasing a speed of a fan of the CCTU.

13. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:

determining whether the first operational mode of the CCTU allows for a load change; and

the controller generating an alarm message when the first operational mode does not allow for the load change.

14. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:

changing an operational mode of the RESS;

determining a second C-Rate of the RESS;

comparing the second C-Rate to a second predetermined threshold;

when the second C-Rate exceeds the second predetermined threshold, the controller determining a second operational mode of the CCTU;

the controller adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the second operational mode.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the second C-Rate of the RESS is a C-Rate for current into the RESS, and

wherein adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the second operational mode includes increasing the load of the CCTU to reduce the C-Rate for current into the RESS.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein increasing the load of the CCTU includes increasing a speed of a compressor of the CCTU.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein increasing the load of the CCTU includes increasing a speed of a fan of the CCTU.

18. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the second C-Rate is impacted by a regenerative braking event.

19. A method of minimizing C-Rate fluctuations with a climate controlled transport unit (CCTU), the method comprising:

determining a first C-Rate of a Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS);

comparing the first C-Rate to a first predetermined threshold;

when the first C-Rate exceeds the first predetermined threshold, a controller of the CCTU determining a first operational mode of the CCTU;

the controller adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the first operational mode;

changing an operational mode of the RESS between a charging mode and a discharging mode;

determining a second C-Rate of the RESS;

comparing the second C-Rate to a second predetermined threshold;

when the second C-Rate exceeds the second predetermined threshold, the controller determining a second operational mode of the CCTU;

the controller adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the second operational mode;

wherein the second C-Rate of the RESS is a C-Rate for current out of the RESS, and

wherein adjusting the load of the CCTU based on the second operational mode includes decreasing the load of the CCTU.

20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein decreasing the load of the CCTU includes decreasing a speed of a compressor of the CCTU or decreasing a speed of a fan of the CCTU.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 17, 2022
From: THERMO KING CORPORATION
To: THERMO KING LLC
Reel/Frame 061956/0252 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2019
From: VANOUS, MICHAEL JAMES; LEWELLING, CAROLYN; POLYZOIS, CHRISTOS ALKIVIADIS
To: THERMO KING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051001/0004 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210138876A1 · May 13, 2021