Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for changing operational modes of a transport refrigeration system

US6027031A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
7References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 18, 1998
Grant dateFeb 22, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 18, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25D2700/14
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for changing operational modes of a transport refrigeration unit, where the unit is capable of operating in a continuous heating/cooling mode or an automatic start/stop heating/cooling mode. A supply air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the air exiting the unit, a return air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the air returning to the unit, and an ambient air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the ambient air outside the unit. A controller electrically connected to the sensors determines if the ambient air temperature is above or below a pre-determined setpoint temperature, determines if the temperature differential across the return and supply air sensors is above or below a pre-determined upper threshold or a pre-determined lower threshold, and then changes the operational mode of the unit based upon such determinations and the prior operational mode of the unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.