Outside Airflow Circulation to Cool Condenser for Integrated Transport Refrigeration Unit

Abstract

A refrigeration unit includes an external housing and an internal housing supported by a vehicle roof. The external housing is located primarily outside of a vehicle compartment, and the internal housing is located primarily inside of the vehicle compartment. External air enters the refrigeration unit through a first opening located between the vehicle roof and the external housing and exits through a second opening in the external housing. The external air is heated by a condenser and a compressor and exits the refrigeration unit through the second opening. A fan is located within the second opening to control the airflow through the refrigeration unit.

1 . A refrigeration unit for a vehicle comprising:
 an external housing located primarily outside a vehicle compartment;   an internal housing that houses a plurality of components located primarily inside the vehicle compartment;   a first opening to allow air to enter the internal housing and accept heat from the plurality of components; and   a second opening to allow the air to exit the internal housing.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 1 , wherein the external housing and a roof of the vehicle compartment define the first opening. 
   
   
       3 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening is defined by the external housing. 
   
   
       4 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 1 , further including a fan located proximate to the second opening to control the air from the internal housing. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of components include a compressor and a condenser of a vapor compression system, and the air accepts heat from the plurality of components. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 5 , wherein the condenser is located proximate the first opening. 
   
   
       7 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 1 , wherein a cover is located proximate to the second opening. 
   
   
       8 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 5 , wherein the vapor compression system includes an evaporator and an expansion device. 
   
   
       9 . A refrigeration unit comprising:
 an external housing located primarily outside a structure;   an internal housing that houses a plurality of components located primarily inside the structure;
 a first opening to allow air outside the structure to flow into the internal housing and accept heat from said plurality of components; and 
 a second opening to allow the air to exit the internal housing. 
   
   
   
       10 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 9 , wherein the first opening is between the external housing and the structure. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 9 , wherein the second opening is defined by the external housing. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 9 , wherein the structure is a vehicle compartment. 
   
   
       13 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 9 , further including a fan located proximate to the second opening to control the air from the internal housing. 
   
   
       14 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of components include a compressor and a condenser of a vapor compression system, and the air accepts heat from the plurality of components. 
   
   
       15 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 14 , wherein the condenser is located proximate the first opening. 
   
   
       16 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 14 , wherein the vapor compression system includes an evaporator and an expansion device. 
   
   
       17 . The refrigeration unit of  claim 9 , wherein a cover is located proximate to the second opening. 
   
   
       18 . A method of cooling a compartment comprising the steps of:
 flowing air through a first opening located between an external housing and a vehicle roof;   directing the air over at least one component located within an internal housing located within a the compartment;   heating the air with the at least one component; and   flowing the air through a second opening in the external housing to exit the compartment.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of controlling the air with a fan located adjacent the second opening. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of directing the air includes accepting heat from a condenser and a compressor.