Patent Description:
Refrigeration systems are known. Generally, a compressor compresses a refrigerant and delivers it into a condenser. The refrigerant is cooled and passes through an expansion valve. The refrigerant is expanded and passes through an evaporator. The evaporator cools air to be delivered into an environment to be conditioned.

One application for such refrigeration systems is in a transportation refrigeration system. As an example, a truck may have a refrigerated trailer. It is known to provide distinct temperatures at distinct compartments within a common trailer. Individual refrigeration circuits are often utilized to provide the distinct temperatures.

<CIT> discloses a compartmentalized transport refrigeration system wherein a partition defines a first and second cargo space and wherein first and second evaporator units are in air flow communication the first and second cargo spaces.

<CIT> and <CIT> each discloses refrigeration units for use in refrigerating partitioned cargo containers.

<CIT> discloses a transport refrigeration system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>; wherein a refrigerator unit configured for a container. The refrigerator unit has an interior storage space and an exterior storage space, and the container has an interior. A rear panel with air vents faces the interior of the container and the interior storage space of the refrigerator unit is arranged between the rear panel and a front face.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a transportation refrigeration system is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

In a further embodiment of the above, the first cooling air outlet is spaced at least <NUM> inches (<NUM>) from the second cooling air outlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first cooling air outlet is spaced no more than <NUM> inches (<NUM>) from the second cooling air outlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one cooling passageway comprises a first cooling passageway and the at least one heat absorption heat exchanger includes a first heat absorption heat exchanger located in the first cooling passageway.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first cooling passageway includes a first cooling air inlet that is in fluid communication with the first heat absorption heat exchanger and the first cooling air outlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first cooling passageway includes a first fan and a first nozzle that is in fluid communication with the first fan and the first cooling air outlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one cooling passageway comprises a second cooling passageway and the at least one heat absorption heat exchanger includes a second heat absorption heat exchanger that is located in the second cooling passageway.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the second cooling passageway includes a second cooling air inlet that is in fluid communication with the second heat absorption heat exchanger and the second cooling air outlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the second cooling passageway includes a second fan and a second nozzle that is in fluid communication with the second fan and the second cooling air outlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, a fan and a nozzle is in fluid communication with the fan, the first cooling air outlet and the second cooling air outlet.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of operating a refrigeration cycle is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first cooling air outlet is spaced at least <NUM> inches (<NUM>) from the second cooling air outlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the method includes adjusting a dividing wall in the cargo space along a dividing wall contact surface located between the first cooling air outlet and the second cooling air outlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first portion of the cooling air passes through a first cooling air passageway that has a first cooling air inlet that is in fluid communication with a first heat absorption heat exchanger. The first cooling air outlet and the second portion of the cooling fluid passes through a second cooling fluid passageway that has a second cooling fluid inlet that is in fluid communication with a second heat absorption heat exchanger and the second cooling air outlet.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating a prior art refrigeration system <NUM> associated with a cargo space <NUM>. The refrigeration system <NUM> is located in a forward wall <NUM> of the cargo space <NUM>. The refrigeration system includes an inlet <NUM> that directs air from the cargo space <NUM> past a heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM> to remove heat from the cargo space <NUM>. The air from the cargo space <NUM> is drawn into the inlet <NUM> by a fan <NUM>. The fan <NUM> then directs the air from the cargo space <NUM> into a nozzle <NUM> that feeds the air through an outlet <NUM> and back into the cargo space <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the prior art refrigeration system <NUM> is at least partially coved by a bulkhead <NUM> when used in the cargo space <NUM>. The bulkhead <NUM> includes an inlet opening <NUM> that corresponds to the inlet <NUM> and an outlet opening <NUM> that corresponds to the outlet <NUM>. When a dividing wall <NUM> is used to separate the cargo space <NUM> into a first compartment 22A and a second compartment 22B, the dividing wall <NUM> partially covers the outlet <NUM>. During use of the cargo space <NUM> to transport goods, it may be necessary to make adjustments to the location of the dividing wall <NUM> to create more floor space in either first or second compartments 22A, 22B. The dividing wall <NUM> can be moved laterally anywhere in a dividing wall area <NUM>. The dividing wall area <NUM> is generally <NUM>-<NUM> times the width of the dividing wall <NUM> and is at least partially defined by the dashed line in <FIG>. The dividing wall area <NUM> defines the area where the dividing wall <NUM> contacts at least the bulkhead <NUM> or the forward wall <NUM>.

When the dividing wall <NUM> is moved laterally in the dividing wall area <NUM>, one of the first and second compartments 22A, 22B will receive a greater amount of cooling because the portion of the outlet <NUM> corresponding to that compartment will be larger. Conversely, when the dividing wall <NUM> is moved, the other of the first and second compartments 22A, 22B will receive a smaller amount of cooling because a portion of the outlet <NUM> corresponding to the other of the first and second compartments 22A, 22B will be smaller. The variation in cooling can become problematic when trying to maintain a specific temperature for each of the first and second compartments 22A, 22B.

<FIG> illustrates a transport refrigeration system <NUM> associated with a cargo space <NUM>, such as a refrigerated cargo space, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo space <NUM> is divided into a first compartment 122A and a second compartment 122B by a dividing wall <NUM>.

A controller <NUM> manages operation of the refrigeration system <NUM> to establish and regulate a desired product storage temperature within the first compartment 122A and the second compartment 122B of the cargo space <NUM>. The cargo space <NUM> may be the cargo box of a trailer, a truck, a seaboard shipping container or an intermodal container wherein perishable cargo, such as, for example, produce, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, cut flowers, and other fresh or frozen perishable products, is stowed for transport.

The refrigeration system <NUM> includes a refrigerant compression device <NUM>, a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger <NUM>, a first expansion device <NUM>, a first refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM>, and an outlet valve <NUM> connected in a closed loop refrigerant circuit and arranged in a conventional refrigeration cycle. The first expansion device <NUM> can be an electrically controlled expansion valve controlled by the controller <NUM> to regulate refrigerant flow through the first heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM>. The refrigeration system <NUM> also includes one or more fans <NUM> associated with the heat rejection heat exchanger <NUM> and a first fan <NUM> associated with the first heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM>. In one example, the first heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM> is an evaporator.

It is to be understood that other components (not shown) may be incorporated into the refrigerant circuit as desired, including for example, but not limited to, a suction modulation valve, a receiver, a filter/dryer, an economizer circuit.

The heat rejection heat exchanger <NUM> may, for example, comprise one or more refrigerant conveying coiled tubes or one or more tube banks formed of a plurality of refrigerant conveying tubes extending between respective inlet and outlet manifolds. The fan(s) <NUM> are operative to pass air, typically ambient air, across the tubes of the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger <NUM> to cool refrigerant vapor passing through the tubes.

The first heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM> may, for example, also comprise one or more refrigerant conveying coiled tubes or one or more tube banks formed of a plurality of refrigerant conveying tubes extending between respective inlet and outlet manifolds. The first fan <NUM> is operative to pass air drawn from the temperature controlled cargo space <NUM> across the tubes of the heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM> to heat the refrigerant passing through the tubes and cool the air. The air cooled in traversing the heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM> is supplied back to the first and second compartments 122A, 122B in the cargo space <NUM>.

Prior to entering the refrigerant compression device <NUM>, the refrigerant passes through the outlet valve <NUM>. The outlet valve <NUM> controls a pressure and state of the refrigerant entering the refrigerant compression device <NUM>. The refrigerant compression device <NUM> may comprise a single-stage or multiple-stage compressor such as, for example, a reciprocating compressor or a scroll compressor.

In the refrigeration system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured for controlling operation of the refrigeration system <NUM> including, but not limited to, operation of the various components of the refrigeration system <NUM> to provide and maintain a desired operating temperature within the cargo space <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be an electronic controller including a microprocessor and an associated memory bank. The controller <NUM> controls operation of various components of the refrigeration system <NUM>, such as the refrigerant compression device <NUM>, the first expansion device <NUM>, the fans <NUM>, <NUM>, and the outlet valve <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates the refrigeration system <NUM> located adjacent a forward wall <NUM> of the cargo space <NUM>. Although the refrigeration system <NUM> is located in the forward wall <NUM> in the illustrated example, the refrigeration system <NUM> could be located in another wall of the cargo space <NUM>, such as the ceiling. Air from one of the first or second compartments 122A, 122B enters a cooling passageway <NUM> through an inlet <NUM> and past a first heat absorption heat exchanger <NUM>. The air from the cargo space <NUM> is drawn into the inlet <NUM> by the first fan <NUM>. The first fan <NUM> then directs the air from the cargo space <NUM> into a nozzle <NUM> that feeds the air through a first cooling air outlet 158A and a second cooling air outlet 158B into a respective first and second compartments 122A, 122B of the cargo space <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a bulkhead <NUM> enclosing the refrigeration system <NUM> in the forward wall <NUM> of the cargo space <NUM>. The bulk head <NUM> includes an inlet opening <NUM> corresponding to the inlet <NUM> to the cooling passageway <NUM> and a pair of outlet openings 164A, 164B corresponding to the first and second cooling air outlets 158A, 158B.

The first and second cooling air outlets 158A, 158B are separated by a dividing wall contact surface <NUM>. According to the invention, the dividing wall contact surface <NUM> is located on the bulkhead <NUM> and the forward wall <NUM>. However, in an embodiment not according to the invention, the dividing wall contact surface <NUM> could be located on another structure located between the first and second cooling air outlets 158A, 158B. The dividing wall <NUM> moves laterally along the dividing wall contact surface <NUM> to accommodate for more or less floor space in the first compartment 122A or the second compartment 122B. According to the invention, the dividing wall contact surface <NUM> is between two and four times the width of the dividing wall <NUM>. Because the first and second cooling air outlets 158A, 158B are spaced from each other, the dividing wall <NUM> can move laterally along the dividing wall contact surface <NUM> without interfering with or partially covering either of the first and second cooling air outlets 158A, 158B.

<FIG> illustrates a transport refrigeration system <NUM> associated with a cargo space <NUM>, such as a refrigerated cargo space, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo space <NUM> is divided into a first compartment 222A and a second compartment 222B by a dividing wall <NUM>.

A controller <NUM> manages operation of the refrigeration system <NUM> to establish and regulate a desired product storage temperature within the first compartment 222A and the second compartment 222B of the cargo space <NUM>. The cargo space <NUM> may be the cargo box of a trailer, a truck, a seaboard shipping container or an intermodal container wherein perishable cargo, such as, for example, produce, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, cut flowers, and other fresh or frozen perishable products, is stowed for transport.

The refrigeration system <NUM> includes a refrigerant compression device <NUM>, a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger <NUM>, a first expansion device 230A, a second expansion device 230B, a first refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger 232A, and a second refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger 232B connected in a closed loop refrigerant circuit and arranged in a conventional refrigeration cycle. The first and second expansion devices 230A, 230B can be electrically controlled expansion valves controlled by the controller <NUM> to regulate refrigerant flow through each of the first and second heat absorption heat exchangers 232A, 232B, respectively. The refrigeration system <NUM> also includes one or more fans <NUM> associated with the heat rejection exchanger <NUM> and a first and second fan 236A, 236B associated with each of the first and second heat absorption heat exchangers 232A, 232B. In one example, the first and second heat absorption heat exchangers 232A, 232B are evaporators.

The first and second heat absorption heat exchangers 232A, 232B may, for example, also comprise one or more refrigerant conveying coiled tubes or one or more tube banks formed of a plurality of refrigerant conveying tubes extending between respective inlet and outlet manifolds. The first and second fans 236A, 236B are operative to pass air drawn from the temperature controlled cargo space <NUM> across the tubes of the heat absorption heat exchangers 232A, 232B to heat the refrigerant passing through the tubes and cool the air. The air cooled in traversing the heat absorption heat exchangers 232A, 232B is supplied back to a respective first and second compartments 222A, 222B in the cargo space <NUM>.

Prior to entering the refrigerant compression device <NUM>, the refrigerant passes through an outlet valve <NUM>. The outlet valve <NUM> controls a pressure and state of the refrigerant entering the refrigerant compression device <NUM>. The refrigerant compression device <NUM> may comprise a single-stage or multiple-stage compressor such as, for example, a reciprocating compressor or a scroll compressor.

In the refrigeration system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured for controlling operation of the refrigeration system <NUM> including, but not limited to, operation of the various components of the refrigeration system <NUM> to provide and maintain a desired operating temperature within the cargo space <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be an electronic controller including a microprocessor and an associated memory bank. The controller <NUM> controls operation of various components of the refrigeration system <NUM>, such as the refrigerant compression device <NUM>, the first and second expansion devices 230A, 230B, the fans <NUM>, 236A, 236B, and the outlet valve <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates the refrigeration system <NUM> located adjacent a forward wall <NUM> of the cargo space <NUM>. Although the refrigeration system <NUM> is located in the forward wall <NUM> in the illustrated example, the refrigeration system <NUM> could be located in another wall of the cargo space <NUM>, such as the ceiling. Air from the first and second compartments 222A, 222B enters a first and second cooling passageway 252A, 252B through a first and second inlet 254A, 254B and past the first and second heat absorption heat exchangers 232A, 232B, respectively. The air from the first and second compartments 222A, 222B is drawn into the first and second inlets 254A, 254B by the first and second fans 236A, 236B. The first and second fans 236A, 236B then directs the air from the first and second compartments 222A, 222B into a first and second nozzle 256A, 256B that feeds the air through a first and second cooling air outlet 258A, 258B into the first and second compartments 222A, 222B of the cargo space <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> illustrates a bulkhead <NUM> enclosing the refrigeration system <NUM> in the forward wall <NUM> of the cargo space <NUM>. The bulk head <NUM> includes first and second inlet openings 262A, 262B corresponding to the first and second inlets 254A, 254B to the first and second cooling passageways 252A, 252B, respectively, and first and second of outlet openings 264A, 264B corresponding to the first and second cooling air outlets 258A, 258B.

Claim 1:
A transportation refrigeration system (<NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a refrigeration circuit including a compressor (<NUM>; <NUM>), a heat rejection heat exchanger (<NUM>; <NUM>), at least one expansion device (<NUM>; 230A, 230B), at least one heat absorption heat exchanger (<NUM>; 232A, 232B);
a cargo space (<NUM>; <NUM>);
a bulkhead (<NUM>; <NUM>) adjacent the refrigeration circuit, wherein the bulkhead (<NUM>; <NUM>) encloses the refrigeration circuit in a wall of the cargo space (<NUM>; <NUM>);
a first cooling air outlet (158A; 258A) downstream of the at least one heat absorption heat exchanger (<NUM>; 232A), wherein the bulkhead (<NUM>; <NUM>) includes a first outlet opening (164A; 264A) corresponding to the first cooling air outlet (158A; 258A);
at least one cooling passageway (<NUM>; 252A; 252B); and
an inlet (<NUM>; 254A, 254B) of the at least one cooling passageway (<NUM>; 252A, 252B), wherein the bulkhead (<NUM>; <NUM>) includes an inlet opening (<NUM>; 262A, 262B) corresponding to the inlet (<NUM>; 254A, 254B) of the cooling passageway (<NUM>; 252A, 252B);
characterized by:
a second cooling air outlet (158B; 258B) downstream of the at least one heat absorption heat exchanger (<NUM>; 232B), wherein the first cooling air outlet is spaced from the second cooling air outlet, and wherein the bulkhead (<NUM>; <NUM>) includes a second outlet opening (164B; 264B) corresponding to the second cooling air outlet (158B; 258B); and
a dividing wall contact surface (<NUM>; <NUM>) separating the first cooling air outlet (158A; 258A) from the second cooling air outlet (158B 258B), wherein the dividing wall contact surface (<NUM>; <NUM>) is located on the bulkhead; and
a dividing wall (<NUM>; <NUM>) laterally movable along the dividing wall contact surface (<NUM>; <NUM>), wherein the dividing wall contact surface (<NUM>; <NUM>) is between two and four times the width of the dividing wall (<NUM>; <NUM>),
wherein the first cooling air outlet (158A; 258A) is located in a first lateral half of the bulkhead (<NUM>; <NUM>) and the second cooling air outlet (158B; 258B) is located in a second lateral half of the bulkhead (<NUM>; <NUM>).