DETERMINING HOT CARGO LOAD CONDITION IN A REFRIGERATED CONTAINER

A method and system to determine a hot cargo load condition of a cargo load in a refrigerated container includes providing a plurality of sensors disposed within the refrigerated container, operating the refrigeration unit with a set of desired operational parameters corresponding to the cargo load, analyzing a plurality of sensor readings corresponding to the plurality of sensors via a processor, creating a temperature distribution profile of the refrigerated container corresponding to the plurality of sensor readings via the processor, retrieving a historical temperature distribution profile corresponding to the cargo load via a historical database, comparing the temperature distribution profile to the historical temperature distribution profile via the processor, and identifying the hot cargo load condition in response to the temperature distribution profile exceeding the historical temperature distribution profile via the processor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to determining cargo conditions within a refrigerated container, and to a system and a method for determining a hot cargo load condition in a refrigerated container.

Typically, cold chain distribution systems are used to transport and distribute temperature sensitive and perishable goods. For example, products such as food and pharmaceuticals may be susceptible to temperature, humidity, contaminants, and other environmental factors. Advantageously, cold chain systems allow perishable and environmentally sensitive goods to be effectively transported and distributed without damage or other undesirable effects.

Cargo transported by cold chain distribution systems is received from many sources. Suppliers of cargo may fail to pre-cool the cargo before shipment, resulting in a hot cargo load. A system and method that can determine a hot cargo load condition in a refrigerated container is desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a method to determine a hot cargo load condition of a cargo load in a refrigerated container includes providing a plurality of sensors disposed within the refrigerated container, operating the refrigeration unit with a set of desired operational parameters corresponding to the cargo load, analyzing a plurality of sensor readings corresponding to the plurality of sensors via a processor, creating a temperature distribution profile of the refrigerated container corresponding to the plurality of sensor readings via the processor, retrieving a historical temperature distribution profile corresponding to the cargo load via a historical database, comparing the temperature distribution profile to the historical temperature distribution profile via the processor, and identifying the hot cargo load condition in response to the temperature distribution profile exceeding the historical temperature distribution profile via the processor.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include retrieving at least one historical operational parameter corresponding to the cargo load.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is an infrared temperature sensor.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is a surface temperature sensor.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the temperature distribution profile is a three dimensional temperature distribution profile.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include sending an alert via a remote monitoring interface in response to the hot cargo load condition.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include sending an alert via a local monitoring interface in response to the hot cargo load condition.

According to an embodiment, a system to determine a hot cargo load condition of a cargo load in a refrigerated container includes a plurality of sensors disposed within the refrigerated container to provide a plurality of sensor readings, a refrigeration unit associated with the refrigerated container, the refrigeration unit to operate with a set of desired operational parameters corresponding to the cargo load, a historical database including a historical temperature distribution profile corresponding to the cargo load, and

a processor to analyze the plurality of sensor readings and create a temperature distribution profile of the refrigerated container corresponding to the plurality of sensor readings, to compare the temperature distribution profile to the historical temperature distribution profile to identify the hot cargo load condition in response to the temperature distribution profile exceeding the historical temperature distribution profile.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the historical database further includes at least one historical operational parameter corresponding to the cargo load.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is an infrared temperature sensor.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is a surface temperature sensor.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the temperature distribution profile is a three dimensional temperature distribution profile.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a remote monitoring interface to send an alert in response to the hot cargo load condition.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a local monitoring interface to send an alert in response to the hot cargo load condition.

Technical function of the embodiments described above includes comparing the temperature distribution profile to the historical temperature distribution profile via the processor, and identifying the hot cargo load condition in response to the temperature distribution profile exceeding the historical temperature distribution profile via the processor.

Other aspects, features, and techniques of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates a schematic view of a hot load condition monitoring system100. In the illustrated embodiment, the hot load condition monitoring system100includes a refrigerated container102, a refrigeration unit104, sensors106, cargo load108, a processor110and a historical database112. In the illustrated embodiment, the hot load condition monitoring system100can provide an alert or alarm if a cargo load108is introduced into the refrigerated container102without being pre-cooled. Advantageously, the use of the hot load condition monitoring system100can reduce damage caused by a hot cargo load108to the hot cargo load108, surrounding cargo loads108, and assist in identifying liability for cargo damage if perishable goods or food are affected by the hot cargo load108.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo load108is transported or stored within the refrigerated container102, wherein the refrigeration unit104can control the temperature of the cargo load108. In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo load108includes any suitable product. In certain embodiments, the cargo load108includes perishable products such as meat, fruit, vegetables, drugs, blood, etc. that may be transported via a cold chain system. In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo load108is a temperature sensitive cargo, including, but not limited to food, drugs, blood, and other temperature sensitive materials.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo load108and elements within the cargo load108have a thermal mass that can act as a thermal accumulator. In certain embodiments, the thermal accumulation properties of the cargo load108allow the cargo load108to maintain a cargo temperature as well as affect a surrounding air temperature. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the cargo load108can affect the temperature of the surrounding cargo load108.

In certain applications cargo suppliers are often required to pre-cool the cargo load108before shipment via the refrigerated container102. In certain embodiments, if the cargo load108is loaded hot or not pre-cooled, the hot cargo load108may retain heat which may prevent the cargo load108from reaching a desired temperature range while being transported within refrigerated container102. In certain embodiments, if the products within the cargo load108are perishable, they may be damaged or destroyed by such temperature excursions. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the hot cargo load108can affect other cargo loads108within the refrigerated container102. Accordingly, hot cargo loads108can damage their own cargo loads108and other cargo loads108within the same refrigerated container104. In the illustrated embodiment, hot cargo loads108affect the temperature distribution within the refrigerated container102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo load108is transported and stored in the refrigerated container102. In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerated container102is an insulated container to provide thermal isolation and to maintain a desired climate within the volume of the refrigerated container102. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, etc. are generally controlled within the volume of the refrigerated container102. In certain embodiments the refrigerated container102can be pulled by a tractor. It is understood that embodiments described herein may be applied to shipping containers that are shipped by rail, sea, or any other suitable container, without use of a tractor. In the illustrated embodiment the refrigerated container102can include at least one door to allow access to volume within.

In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigeration unit104provides refrigerated, dehumidified, or otherwise climate controlled air to the volume of the refrigerated container102. In the illustrated embodiment, climate controlled airflow105is utilized to control the temperature profile of the refrigerated container102and consequently the cargo load108. In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigeration unit104includes an evaporator disposed within volume of refrigerated container102. In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature response and distribution profile can be accurately predicted and modeled utilizing the processor110and the sensors106.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors106can be distributed throughout the volume of the refrigerated container102. Further, in certain embodiments, the sensors106can be affixed to the cargo load108or any other suitable location. In certain embodiments, the sensors106can provide air temperature values. In certain embodiments, the sensors106are evenly distributed throughout the refrigerated container102to provide a representative temperature distribution profile within the refrigerated container102. In certain embodiments, the sensors106include surface temperature sensors. In other embodiments, the sensors106are infrared temperature sensors.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110can analyze values provided by the sensors106to determine if a hot load condition exists for the cargo load108within the refrigerated container102. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110is associated with a historical database112, a short range wireless radio116, a local monitoring interface118, a long range wireless radio114and a remote monitoring interface120. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110can utilize historical data provided by the historical database112and compare the data to the temperature distribution within the refrigerated container102to determine if a hot load condition exists with respect to the specific cargo load108within the refrigerated container102. Advantageously, the processor110allows for an operator to identify and avoid hot load conditions, mitigating shipping claims for damage due to hot cargo loads108.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110can either identify or be provided with identifying information regarding the cargo load108within the refrigerated container102. In the illustrated embodiment, a historical database112can store historical records corresponding to cargo loads108. In the illustrated embodiment, the records contain information about historical operating parameters utilized for a specific cargo load108. In the illustrated embodiment, the historical database112can further store the historical temperature profiles that describe the historical performance of the refrigeration system with respect to the historical operating parameters. In the illustrated embodiment, operating parameters can include refrigeration unit104set points, desired temperature range, humidity range, etc. In other embodiments, an operator can input desired operating parameters to the processor110via the local monitoring interface118or the remote monitoring interface120.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110can receive sensor106readings from the refrigerated container102via a short range wireless radio116. In the illustrated embodiment, the short range wireless radio116allows for communication between the sensors106and the processor110by utilizing local radio signals, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near field communication, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor106readings are analyzed by the processor110. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors106are disposed throughout the refrigerated container102, allowing the processor110to utilize interpolation or other approximation techniques to determine a temperature distribution within the refrigerated container102. For example, the processor110may utilize known locations of the sensors106and approximate temperatures between sensor106locations. In certain embodiments, the processor110may utilize the sensor106values and locations to approximate a two dimensional profile of the temperature distribution within the refrigerated container102. In other embodiments, three-dimensional approximation may be utilized to approximate a three dimensional profile of the temperature distribution within the refrigerated container102. In certain embodiments, the temperature distribution profile can be created after a predetermined period of time to reach steady state conditions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110can retrieve a historical temperature distribution from the historical database112. In the illustrated embodiment, the historical temperature distribution is a temperature distribution corresponding to a similar cargo load108that was transported in a similar refrigerated container102under similar conditions. In certain embodiments, the cargo loads108may be characterized by thermal properties such as thermal mass, thermal sensitivity, or by properties of the cargo such as type of cargo, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the historical temperature distribution record can provide an ideal or reference temperature distribution wherein the cargo load108was known not to be a hot cargo load. In certain embodiments, corrections and adjustments can be made to the historical temperature distribution data to adjust for differences in operating conditions, such as environmental factors, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the historical temperature distribution profile is compared to the current temperature distribution profile via the processor110. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110may use any suitable characterization method to compare the temperature distribution profiles. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110can compare the area of acceptable temperature ranges (identified inFIGS. 2 and 3) to the historical acceptable temperature range area. In other embodiments, other methods of comparison may be used, such as comparing sample areas, overlaying the temperature profiles, etc.

For example,FIG. 2illustrates a temperature distribution profile of a refrigerated container102that may have hot cargo loads108. In the illustrated embodiment, the area that is outlined may be considered outside the acceptable range for a given cargo load and may cause damage or destroy the cargo load108. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110may compare the temperature profile ofFIG. 2to a known pre-cooled cargo load108historical temperature distribution profile shown inFIG. 3.FIG. 3illustrates a historical temperature distribution profile of a refrigerated container102that has a cargo load108that has been pre-cooled or that is otherwise optimal. In the illustrated embodiment, the area that is outlined that is considered outside of the acceptable range for the cargo load108is much smaller than the temperature distribution profile ofFIG. 2and localized to a location away from the cargo load108.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110may compare temperature profiles from the refrigerated container102and the historical database112to provide a determination of a hot cargo load condition within the refrigerated container102. If a hot cargo load condition is not indicated, the processor110can continue to monitor the refrigerated container102.

In the illustrated embodiment, in response to the hot cargo load condition indication, the processor110can provide an alert to either a remote monitoring interface120or to a local monitoring interface118. In the illustrated embodiment, a remote operator or manager can monitor the condition of the cargo loads108and the general status of the refrigerated container102via the remote monitoring interface120. In the illustrated embodiment, the remote monitoring interface120can be a dedicated computer, application, website, device, etc. to provide information regarding the refrigerated container102and the cargo loads108. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor110can utilize a long range wireless radio114to transfer information about the hot load condition to the remote monitoring interface.

In other embodiments, the processor110can locally communicate with a local monitoring interface118to provide an alarm. In the illustrated embodiment, an operator can make decisions or record incidents for future reference with respect to cargo claims utilizing either the local monitoring interface118or the remote monitoring interface120.

Referring toFIG. 4, a method400to monitor for a hot load condition is described. In operation402, a plurality of sensors disposed within the refrigerated container are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors can be distributed throughout the volume of the refrigerated container. Further, in certain embodiments, the sensors can be affixed to the cargo load or any other suitable location. In certain embodiments, the sensors can provide air temperature values.

In operation404, at least one historical operational parameter corresponding to the cargo load is retrieved. In the illustrated embodiment, the records contain information about historical operating parameters utilized for a specific cargo load. In the illustrated embodiment, operating parameters can include refrigeration unit set points, desired temperature range, humidity range, etc. In operation406, the refrigeration unit is operated with a set of desired operational parameters corresponding to the cargo load.

In operation408, a plurality of sensor readings corresponding to the plurality of sensors are analyzed via a processor. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors are disposed throughout the refrigerated container, allowing the processor to utilize interpolation or other approximation techniques to determine a temperature distribution within the refrigerated container. For example, the processor may utilize known locations of the sensors and approximate temperatures between sensor locations.

In operation410, a temperature distribution profile of the refrigerated container corresponding to the plurality of sensor readings is created via the processor. In certain embodiments, the processor may utilize the sensor values and locations to approximate a two dimensional profile of the temperature distribution within the refrigerated container.

In operation412, a historical temperature distribution profile corresponding to the cargo load is retrieved from a historical database. In the illustrated embodiment, the historical temperature distribution is a temperature distribution corresponding to a similar cargo load that was transported in a similar refrigerated container under similar conditions.

In operation414, the temperature distribution profile to the historical temperature distribution profile is compared by the processor. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor may use any suitable characterization method to compare the temperature distribution profiles. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor can compare the area of acceptable temperature ranges to the historical acceptable temperature range area. In other embodiments, other methods of comparison may be used, such as comparing sample areas, overlaying the temperature profiles, etc.

In operation416, the hot cargo load condition in response to the temperature distribution profile exceeding the historical temperature distribution profile is identified by the processor. In operation418, an alert via a local monitoring interface is sent in response to the hot cargo load condition. In operation420, an alert via a remote monitoring interface is sent in response to the hot cargo load condition.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments. While the description of the present embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangement not hereto described will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Additionally, while various embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that aspects may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but are only limited by the scope of the appended claims.