Patents

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VAPOUR COMPRESSION CYCLE AND RELATED METHODS

Publication number: 20250354737

Abstract: Computerised methods of controlling a vapour compression cycle system. In a first aspect, the method comprises determining a cooling or heating power demand value based on the prevailing temperature and comparing (730) it with a required set point temperature. The power demand value is converted to a speed demand value according to a model or map (720) and according to evaporating and condensing pressure/temperature, which is sent to the compressor motor speed controller (70). In another aspect, the power demand value for hysteresis control to maintain the temperature is dynamically chosen (710) from a plurality of possible power demand values according to evaporating and condensing pressure/temperature and according to a measure of efficiency calculated for each candidate power demand value. In another aspect, a compressor capacity value is selected (930) by looking up a compressor capacity in a look up table according to evaporating and condensing pressure/temperature.

• Type: Application
• Filed: May 18, 2023
• Publication date: November 20, 2025
• Inventors: Adam Payne, Nikolai Tauber

Determining battery or solar panel capacity for an electric refrigeration unit

Patent number: 12367447

Abstract: A computerized method for determining battery and/or solar panel capacity for configuring an electric refrigeration unit. The electrical refrigeration unit is configured to draw power from rechargeable batteries and solar panels in cooling a mobile enclosure interior. Input data is received relating to the location in which the refrigeration unit is to be deployed, historical weather data for the location, and a desired delivery cycle for the refrigeration unit. Thermal performance of the enclosure is simulated based on its thermal properties to output energy requirements for cooling the enclosure to the set point temperature of the delivery cycle for a particular historical day. Energy requirements for delivery cycles are iteratively simulated on plural historical days and energy to be supplied by batteries to meet the energy requirements is determined. Battery and/or solar panel capacity for storing sufficient energy to meet energy requirements for each delivery cycles is calculated.

• Type: Grant
• Filed: June 30, 2022
• Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
• Inventor: Nikolai Tauber

DETERMINING BATTERY OR SOLAR PANEL CAPACITY FOR AN ELECTRIC REFRIGERATION UNIT

Publication number: 20250086570

Abstract: A computerised method (300) for determining the optimum battery capacity (50) and/or solar panel capacity (16) for configuring an electric refrigeration unit (10) is provided together with related methods and apparatus. The electrical refrigeration unit is of a type configured to draw power from rechargeable batteries and solar panels in cooling 0 the interior of a mobile enclosure. Input data is received relating to the location in which the refrigeration unit is to be deployed (302), historical weather data for the location (306) and a desired delivery cycle (308) for the refrigeration unit. The thermal performance of the enclosure (320) is simulated in a model based on its thermal properties (312) wherein the model outputs the energy requirements for cooling the enclosure to the set point temperature of the delivery cycle for a particular historical day.

• Type: Application
• Filed: June 30, 2022
• Publication date: March 13, 2025
• Inventor: Nikolai Tauber

ELECTRICAL TRANSPORT REFRIGERATION UNIT

Publication number: 20240369282

Abstract: An electric refrigeration unit includes a framework for attaching to a mobile enclosure such as a vehicle or trailer that is served by the electrical refrigeration unit, a refrigeration system for cooling and/or heating the interior of the mobile enclosure, and one or more rechargeable battery modules for powering the refrigeration system, wherein the framework supports the refrigeration system and battery modules. The framework may define a first compartment in which the refrigeration system is located and a second compartment in which the battery modules are located, where the second compartment is arranged to be dry. The framework may provide a battery racking space the front face of which is open or configurable open allowing access to the battery modules.

• Type: Application
• Filed: August 15, 2022
• Publication date: November 7, 2024
• Inventors: Nikolai Tauber, Robin Bernard-Grahame, Adam Payne, Noah Tucker

ELECTRIC MOBILE REFRIGERATION UNIT

Publication number: 20230174008

Abstract: Refrigeration units for cooling the interior of a trailer or vehicle, related software, systems and methods for deploying and managing such units. The refrigeration unit comprises a refrigeration system configured to mount to the trailer or vehicle. The refrigeration unit further comprises a battery rack configured to receive at least one of a plurality of rechargeable batteries so as to allow it to be swapped into and out of the rack to provide adaptive battery capacity. A power management system is configured to receive DC power from the plural batteries and deliver power to a compressor of the refrigeration system. A controller is configured to control the refrigeration system to cool the interior to a predetermined temperature.

• Type: Application
• Filed: May 14, 2021
• Publication date: June 8, 2023
• Inventors: Michael Lowe, Andrew Sucis, Nikolai Tauber