Power distribution in transport refrigeration system
A transport refrigeration system includes a refrigeration unit including a controller configured to control the refrigeration unit; an electric power device configured to provide power to a refrigeration component of the refrigeration unit; an export power module (EPM) including: an EPM controller in communication with the controller; a power control device configured to receive power from the electric power device; an auxiliary device coupled to the power control device; wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the EPM controller to control power supplied from the electric power device to the auxiliary device.
1. A method for distributing power in a transport refrigeration system, the method comprising:
generating power at a refrigeration unit;
determining a power requested by an auxiliary device;
determining a power available from the refrigeration unit;
comparing the power requested to the power available;
distributing power from the refrigeration unit to the auxiliary device in response to the comparing the power requested to the power available;
enabling full export of power from the refrigeration unit to the auxiliary device when the power available exceeds the power requested; and
enabling limited export of power from the refrigeration unit to the auxiliary device when the power available does not exceed the power requested.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein:
determining the power available comprises sensing an output of the refrigeration unit.
3. The transport refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein:
determining the power available comprises determining an operating mode of the refrigeration unit.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
Imposing a current limit on the power provided to the auxiliary device.