Transport refrigeration system
A transport refrigeration system ( 1 ) includes a transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 ); a generator ( 11 ) connected to a wheel axle ( 7 A) of the transport refrigeration system ( 1 ), the wheel axle ( 7 A) being coupled to a wheel ( 5 ), wherein the generator ( 11 ) is configured to be driven to generate electricity by rotation of the wheel axle ( 7 A) and to supply that electricity to the transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 ); and a damper ( 23 ) connected to the wheel axle ( 7 A) between the wheel ( 5 ) and the generator ( 11 ). Short spikes or pulsations in torque along the wheel axle ( 7 A) resulting from, e.g., harsh braking or wheel blocking can be, dampened, either wholly or partly, by the damper ( 23 ) such that damage to the transport refrigeration system ( 1 ) can be avoided.
1 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) comprising:
a transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 );
a generator ( 11 ) connected to a wheel axle ( 7 A) of the transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ), the wheel axle ( 7 A) being coupled to a wheel ( 5 ), wherein the generator ( 11 ) is configured to be driven to generate electricity by rotation of the wheel axle ( 7 A) and to supply that electricity to the transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 ); and
a damper ( 23 ) connected to the wheel axle ( 7 A) between the wheel ( 5 ) and the generator ( 11 );
wherein the damper is configured to dampen torque supplied along the wheel axle.
2 . A transportation refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 1 , comprising a gearbox ( 9 ) connected between the wheel axle ( 7 A) and the generator ( 11 ).
3 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the damper comprises an elastomeric material.
4 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the damper is configured to only dampen torque exceeding a threshold torque.
5 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 4 , wherein the threshold torque may be of the order of magnitude of 103 Nm-105 Nm.
6 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 4 , wherein the threshold torque of the damper is set below a torque that would result in damage to the wheel axle ( 7 A), generator ( 9 ) and/or wheel ( 5 ).
7 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the damper is provided at a coupling point of the wheel ( 5 ) and the wheel axle ( 7 A).
8 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the damper ( 23 ) is a unitary, modular component.
9 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the transport refrigeration system is or is comprised as part of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or a light goods vehicle (LGV).
10 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 1 , comprising:
a second wheel axle ( 7 A) coupled to a second wheel ( 5 ), wherein the second wheel axle ( 7 A) is connected to the generator ( 11 ) such that the generator ( 11 ) is configured to be driven to generate electricity by rotation of the second wheel axle ( 7 A) and to supply that electricity to the transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 ): and
a second damper ( 23 ) connected to the second wheel axle ( 7 A) between the second wheel ( 5 ) and the generator ( 11 ).
11 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the damper ( 23 ) is in-line with the wheel axle ( 7 A).
12 . A cold chain distribution system comprising at least one transport refrigeration system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 .
13 . A method of assembling a transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) comprising:
providing a transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 );
connecting a damper ( 23 ) to a wheel axle ( 7 A) of the transport refrigeration system ( 1 ), wherein the wheel axle ( 7 A) is coupled to a wheel ( 5 );
connecting a generator ( 11 ) to the wheel axle ( 7 A) such that the generator ( 11 ) is configured to be driven to generate electricity by rotation of the wheel axle ( 7 A); and
connecting the generator ( 11 ) to the transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 ) such that the generator ( 11 ) is configured to supply electricity to the transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 );
wherein the damper ( 23 ) is connected to the wheel axle ( 7 A) between the wheel ( 5 ) and the generator ( 9 );
wherein the damper is configured to dampen torque supplied along the wheel axle.
14 . A method of retrofitting a transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) comprising: a transportation refrigeration unit ( 37 ); a generator ( 11 ) connected to a wheel axle ( 7 A) of the transport refrigeration system, the wheel axle being coupled to a wheel ( 5 ), wherein the generator is configured to be driven to generate electricity by rotation of the wheel axle and to supply that electricity to the transportation refrigeration unit; the method comprising connecting a damper ( 23 ) to the wheel axle between the wheel and the generator;
wherein the damper is configured to dampen torque supplied along the wheel axle.
15 . A transport refrigeration system ( 1 , 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the wheel is a primary load bearing wheel of the transport refrigeration system.