Refrigerated container provided with ventilation system

Abstract

A ventilation system includes a leak sensor ( 52 ), a controller ( 56 ), and at least one of an injection port ( 70 ) and a vent door. The leak sensor ( 52 ) is disposed within an interior space of a refrigerated container ( 10 ) and is arranged to provide a signal indicative of a concentration of a refrigerant ( 18 ) within the interior space. The controller ( 56 ) is arranged to receive the signal. At least one of the injection port ( 70 ) and the vent door is disposed on at least one of a floor ( 30 ), a front wall ( 32 ), and a side wall ( 38 ) of the refrigerated container ( 10 ).

1 . A refrigerated container, comprising:
 an interior space defined by a floor, a top disposed opposite the floor, a front wall extending between the floor and the top, a rear wall disposed opposite the front wall and extending between the floor and the top, and a pair of side walls extending between the floor and the top and extending between the front wall and the rear wall; and   a ventilation system, comprising:   a vent door being movably disposed on at least one of the floor, the front wall, and a side wall of the pair of side walls, the vent door being movable between a closed position and an open position.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerated container of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation system, further comprising:
 a leak sensor disposed within the interior space and arranged to provide a signal indicative of a concentration of a refrigerant within the interior space, and   an actuator arranged to facilitate movement of the vent door between the closed position and the open position.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerated container of  claim 2 , wherein a flow equalization area is defined by at least one of the floor, the front wall, and the side wall of the pair of side walls. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerated container of  claim 2 , wherein the ventilation system, further comprising:
 a controller arranged to receive the signal.   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerated container of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is programmed to command the actuator to move the vent door from the closed position towards the open position, responsive to the signal being indicative of the concentration of the refrigerant within the interior space being greater than a threshold concentration. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerated container of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is programmed to output for display an indicator, responsive to the signal being indicative of the concentration of the refrigerant within the interior space being greater than a threshold concentration. 
     
     
         7 . A refrigerated container, comprising:
 a front wall extending between a floor and a top, a rear wall disposed opposite the front wall and extending between the floor and the top, and a pair of side walls extending between the floor and the top and extending between the front wall and the rear wall; and   a ventilation system, comprising:   an injection port extending through at least one of the front wall, the rear wall, and a side wall of the pair of side walls, and   a vent port spaced apart from the injection port, the vent port extending through at least one of the front wall, the rear wall, and a side wall of the pair of side walls.   
     
     
         8 . The refrigerated container of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a leak sensor arranged to provide a signal indicative of a concentration of a refrigerant within an interior space of the refrigerated container, and   a controller arranged to receive the signal.   
     
     
         9 . The refrigerated container of  claim 8 , wherein the vent port is disposed proximate the floor. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerated container of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is programmed to output for display an indicator, responsive to the signal being indicative of the concentration of the refrigerant within the interior space being greater than a threshold. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerated container of  claim 10 , wherein a compressor is arranged to apply an airflow through the injection port and into the interior space. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerated container of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the refrigerant within the interior space, vents through the vent port responsive to a pressure within the interior space being greater than a threshold pressure. 
     
     
         13 . A ventilation system, comprising:
 a leak sensor disposed within an interior space of a refrigerated container and arranged to provide a signal indicative of a concentration of a refrigerant within the interior space;   a controller arranged to receive the signal; and   at least one of an injection port and a vent door disposed on at least one of a floor, a front wall, and a side wall of the refrigerated container.   
     
     
         14 . The ventilation system of  claim 13 , wherein the injection port extends through at least one of the front wall and the side wall. 
     
     
         15 . The ventilation system of  claim 13 , wherein the vent door is movable between a closed position and an open position. 
     
     
         16 . The ventilation system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an actuator arranged to facilitate movement of the vent door between the closed position towards the open position.   
     
     
         17 . The ventilation system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is programmed to command the actuator to move the vent door from the closed position towards the open position, responsive to the signal being indicative of the concentration of the refrigerant within the interior space being greater than a threshold concentration. 
     
     
         18 . The ventilation system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a compressor fluidly connected to the injection port.   
     
     
         19 . The ventilation system of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is programmed to command the compressor to apply an airflow through the injection port and into the interior space, responsive to the signal being indicative of the concentration of the refrigerant within the interior space being greater than a threshold concentration.