Battery Life Prediction And Monitoring

Abstract

A refrigeration system for a vehicle includes a compressor in fluid communication with a condenser and an evaporator. The compressor includes a variable speed motor and employs capacity modulation using refrigerant injection. The condenser and the evaporator include variable speed fans. The refrigeration system includes a battery to supply power to the refrigeration system. The battery is charged by one or more sources of power including the vehicle. The refrigeration system includes a control module configured to monitor one or more characteristics of the battery and to control one or more operating parameters of one or more of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator based on the one or more characteristics of the battery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigeration system for a vehicle including a compressor in fluid communication with a condenser and an evaporator, the compressor including a variable speed motor and employing capacity modulation using refrigerant injection, and the condenser and the evaporator including variable speed fans, the refrigeration system comprising:
 a battery to supply power to the refrigeration system, the battery being charged by one or more sources of power including the vehicle; and   a control module to monitor one or more characteristics of the battery, compare the one or more characteristics to respective values measured when the compressor is turned off and to respective values measured when the compressor is operating at full capacity, and to control one or more operating parameters of one or more of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator based on the comparison.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the one or more characteristics of the battery include a voltage of the battery, a current supplied by the battery, an internal resistance of the battery, and a state of charge of the battery; and 
 the one or more operating parameters include a speed of the motor of the compressor, use of refrigerant injection by the compressor, a speed of a condenser fan, and a speed of an evaporator fan. 
 
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the control module controls the one or more operating parameters in a predetermined order. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the control module reduces a speed of the motor of the compressor based on the comparison. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the control module reduces a speed of a condenser fan based on the comparison. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the control module stops use of refrigerant injection by the compressor based on the comparison. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the control module sequentially turns off the compressor and a condenser fan and then reduces a speed of an evaporator fan based on the comparison. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the one or more sources of power include power from a utility received via a receptacle; and 
 the receptacle is configured to receive power from the utility via a power cord connected between the receptacle and a wall outlet or charger of a building. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method for operating a refrigeration system for a vehicle including a compressor in fluid communication with a condenser and an evaporator, the compressor including a variable speed motor and employing capacity modulation using refrigerant injection, and the condenser and the evaporator including variable speed fans, the method comprising:
 supplying power from a battery to the refrigeration system;   charging the battery by one or more sources of power including the vehicle;   monitoring one or more characteristics of the battery;   comparing the one or more characteristics to respective values measured when the compressor is turned off and to respective values measured when the compressor is operating at full capacity; and   controlling one or more operating parameters of one or more of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator based on the comparison.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein:
 the one or more characteristics of the battery include a voltage of the battery, a current supplied by the battery, an internal resistance of the battery, and a state of charge of the battery; and 
 the one or more operating parameters include a speed of the motor of the compressor, use of refrigerant injection by the compressor, a speed of a condenser fan, and a speed of an evaporator fan. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising controlling the one or more operating parameters in a predetermined order. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising reducing a speed of the motor of the compressor based on the comparison. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising reducing a speed of a condenser fan based on the comparison. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising stopping use of refrigerant injection by the compressor based on the comparison. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising sequentially turning off the compressor and a condenser fan and then reducing a speed of an evaporator fan based on the comparison. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the one or more sources of power include power from a utility received via a receptacle, the method further comprising:
 receiving power from the utility via a power cord connected between the receptacle and a wall outlet or charger of a building.