Patent Grant
10365027
The embodiments described herein are directed to a multi-zone transport refrigeration system (MTRS) for a refrigerated transport unit. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems for an energy efficient MTRS.
A transport refrigeration system (TRS) is generally used to control an environmental condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality, and the like) within a transport unit (e.g., a trailer, a container on a flat car, an intermodal container, etc.), a truck, a box car, or other similar transport unit. In some embodiments, the transport unit can include a plurality of zones and the TRS can be a multi-zone TRS (MTRS) that is configured to provide independent climate control to each of the plurality of zones within the transport unit.
The embodiments described herein are directed to a multi-zone transport refrigeration system (MTRS) for a refrigerated transport unit. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems for an energy efficient MTRS.
In particular, the embodiments described herein can increase the energy efficiency of a MTRS. The embodiments described herein can also simplify the MTRS by reducing the number of refrigeration system components and thereby increase the reliability of the MTRS. Also, the embodiments described herein can reduce a heat exchanger fluid pressure drop within the MTRS, reduce the amount of heat exchanger charge required by the MTRS, and increase the efficiency of the MTRS. Further, the embodiments described herein can reduce the number of remote evaporators used in the MTRS. Moreover, the embodiments described herein can reduce complexity in the controls of the MTRS. Also, the embodiments described herein can increase the flexibility in selecting the size of each of the zones of the MTRS.
In one embodiment, the MTRS includes a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) with a host evaporator for a host zone of the transport unit and one or more fan coil units for each of the remaining zones of the transport unit. The fan coil unit can be provided between two zones (e.g., a first zone and a second zone) of the transport unit. Also, the fan coil unit can include a pump to circulate coolant from a first zone to a second zone to exchange heat between the first zone and the second zones. The fan coil unit can also include a fan that can be a variable speed fan to provide precise temperature control of a zone of the transport unit.
The MTRS can be configured such that the zone temperature controlled by the host unit is set to have the lowest temperature set point when compared to the other zones. The pump of the fan coil unit can circulate coolant from, for example, the first zone to the second zone in order to provide a heat exchange between the first zone and the second zone that enables temperature control of the second zone. Similarly, a second fan coil unit can be provided between a second zone and a third zone. Accordingly, the pump in the second fan coil unit can circulate coolant from, for example, the second zone to the third zone in order to provide a heat exchange between the second zone and the third zone that enables temperature control of the third zone. In this embodiment, an electrical heater and/or an engine coolant can be used for heating one or more zones of the transport unit. In this embodiment, the fan coil unit can include multiple fans.
An advantage of this embodiment is that installation is simplified, cost of the MTRS is reduced, and the reliability of the MTRS can be increased as no remote evaporator units are required and the MTRS requires less refrigeration system components. Also, the MTRS can increase in efficiency as there is a low suction pressure loss. The heat exchanger fluid charge can be reduced. Further, the engine size and/or load can be optimized as the MTRS can generally operate at a low set point and/or a low load. Also, control of the MTRS can be simplified. Moreover, the number of defrost operations of the MTRS can be reduced as the MTRS includes only a single evaporator with no remote evaporator units. Another advantage is that the placement of zone separators for separating the zones of the transport unit can be adjusted, thereby increasing the flexibility in size of each of the zones of the MTRS. The fan coil unit(s) can be mounted on a zone separator and/or a ceiling of the transport unit. The fan coil unit(s) can also be mounted on a railing on a ceiling of the transport unit and can be moved to accommodate different zone size configurations.
In another embodiment, the MTRS includes a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) with a host evaporator for a host zone of the transport unit and one or more filter and fan units for each of the remaining zones of the transport unit. The filter and fan unit can include a filter, a fan and a damper. The filter can be a high efficient and/or odor control carbon air filter configured to exchange filtered air between zones of the transport unit. The fan can be a variable speed fan to provide precise temperature control of a zone of the transport unit. The damper can be adjusted using a stepper motor in order to control air volume entering the filter and fan unit. In this embodiment, an electrical heater and/or an engine coolant can be used for heating one or more zones of the transport unit. In this embodiment, the filter and fan unit can include multiple fans and/or multiple dampers.
The MTRS can be configured such that the zone temperature controlled by the host unit (e.g., host zone) is set to have the lowest temperature set point when compared to the other zones (e.g., a second zone, a third zone, etc.). The host zone can exchange air with a zone immediately adjacent to the host zone (e.g., the second zone) via the filter and fan unit to provide a heat exchange that enables temperature control for the second zone. Similarly, the second zone can exchange air with a zone other than the host zone that is immediately adjacent to the second zone (e.g., the third zone) via a second filter and fan unit to provide a heat exchange that enables temperature control for the third zone.
An advantage of this embodiment is that installation is simplified, cost of the MTRS is reduced, and the reliability of the MTRS can be increased as no remote evaporator units are required and the MTRS requires less refrigeration system components. Also, the MTRS can increase in efficiency as there is a low suction pressure loss. The heat exchanger fluid charge can be reduced. Further, the engine size and/or load can be optimized as the MTRS can generally operate at a low set point and/or a low load. Also, control of the MTRS can be simplified. Moreover, the number of defrost operations of the MTRS can be reduced as the MTRS includes only a single evaporator with no remote evaporator units. Another advantage is that the placement of zone separators for separating the zones of the transport unit can be adjusted, thereby increasing the flexibility in size of each of the zones of the MTRS. The filter and fan unit(s) can be mounted on a zone separator and/or a ceiling of the transport unit.
In one embodiment, a refrigerated transport unit is provided that includes a multi-zone transport unit and an energy efficient MTRS. The multi-zone transport unit includes an internal space separated into a first zone and a second zone. The internal space includes a zone separator separating and thermally isolating the first zone and the second zone. The energy efficient MTRS is configured to control and maintain a separate environmental condition requirement of each of the first zone and the second zone. The energy efficient MTRS includes a remote fan unit provided between the first zone and the second zone. The remote fan unit is configured to provide a heat exchange between the first zone and the second zone for providing climate control within the second zone.
In another embodiment, an energy efficient MTRS configured to control and maintain a separate environmental condition requirement of each of a first zone and a second zone within an interior space of a transport unit is provided. The energy efficient MTRS includes a host unit and a remote fan unit. The host unit is configured to provide climate control within the first zone. The host unit includes a host heat exchanger circuit for directing a host heat exchange fluid. The remote fan unit is provided between the first zone and the second zone. The remote fan unit is separate from, independent of, and isolated from the host unit. The remote fan unit is configured to provide a heat exchange between the first zone and the second zone for providing climate control within the second zone.
Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
The embodiments described herein are directed to a multi-zone transport refrigeration system (MTRS) for a refrigerated transport unit. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems for an energy efficient MTRS.
In particular, the embodiments described herein can increase the energy efficiency of a MTRS. The embodiments described herein can also simplify the MTRS by reducing the number of refrigeration system components and thereby increase the reliability of the MTRS. Also, the embodiments described herein can reduce a heat exchanger fluid pressure drop within the MTRS, reduce the amount of heat exchanger charge required by the MTRS, and increase the efficiency of the MTRS. Further, the embodiments described herein can reduce the number of remote evaporators used in the MTRS. Moreover, the embodiments described herein can reduce complexity in the controls of the MTRS. Also, the embodiments described herein can increase the flexibility in selecting the size of each of the zones of the MTRS.
References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration of the embodiments in which the methods and systems described herein may be practiced.
The TRS is generally used to control an environmental condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality, and the like) within a transport unit (e.g., a trailer, a container on a flat car, an intermodal container, etc.), a truck, a box car, or other similar transport unit. The transport unit can include a plurality of zones and the TRS can be a multi-zone TRS (MTRS). Each zone may require a climate condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality, etc.) that is different from other zone(s). The MTRS can be configured to provide independent climate control to each of the plurality of zones within the transport unit.
The MTRS may have one host unit and one or more remote fan units (together referred to herein as heat exchanger units) that are each configured to provide climate control to each of the one or more zones within the multi-zone transport unit. A TRU of the MTRS may include a compressor, an expansion valve, a first heat exchanger (e.g., condenser), and a host unit. The host unit can include a second heat exchanger (e.g., a host evaporator), one or more fan(s) for providing climate control within the particular zone the host unit is located, one or more flow regulating devices (e.g., solenoid valve(s), etc.) for controlling the amount of heat exchanger fluid flow into the host unit, and one or more throttling devices (e.g., electronic throttling valve(s), etc.) for controlling the amount of heat exchanger fluid flow available to a suction end of the compressor of the MTRS.
Each remote fan unit is provided between two adjacent zones of the transport unit. In one embodiment, the remote fan unit can be a fan coil unit that includes a pump configured to circulate a coolant between two zones of the transport unit and a fan configured to provide temperature control for a zone of the transport unit. In another embodiment, the remote fan unit can be a filter and fan unit that includes a filter configured to exchange filtered air between two zones of the transport unit, a fan configured to provide temperature control for a zone of the transport unit, and a damper configured to control a volume of air entering into the filter and fan unit. It is to be appreciated that the fan coil unit can include two or more fans. It is also to be appreciated that the filter and fan unit can include two or more fans and two or more dampers.
The MTRS can be used to, for example, cool, heat, and defrost the two or more zones of the transport unit. Note that in some instances, the remote unit may have two or more remote heat exchangers (e.g., a first remote evaporator and a second remote evaporator connected in parallel or in series).
The MTRS includes a refrigeration circuit and a controller (e.g., a MTRS controller) that is configured to manage, command, direct, and regulate the behavior of one or more components of the refrigeration circuit (e.g., an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, an expansion device, etc.). The MTRS controller can also be configured to manage, command, direct, and regulate the behavior of the host unit and the one or more remote fan units.
The term “ambient temperature” as used herein refers to an air temperature outside of the transport unit.
The energy efficient MTRS 100 includes a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) 110 that provides environmental control (e.g. temperature, humidity, air quality, etc.) within the internal space 150. The energy efficient MTRS 100 also includes a MTRS controller 170 and one or more sensors (not shown) that are configured to measure one or more parameters of the energy efficient MTRS 100 and communicate parameter data to the MTRS controller 170. The energy efficient MTRS 100 is powered by a power source 112. The TRU 110 is disposed on a front wall 130 of the TU 125. In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the TRU 110 can be disposed, for example, on a rooftop 126 or another wall of the TU 125.
The programmable MTRS Controller 170 may comprise a single integrated control unit or may comprise a distributed network of TRS control elements. The number of distributed control elements in a given network can depend upon the particular application of the principles described herein. The MTRS controller 170 is configured to control operation of the energy efficient MTRS 100. The MTRS controller 170 may also regulate the operation of the energy efficient MTRS 100 to prevent overloading a power source, for example a combustion engine (e.g., a diesel engine, a natural gas engine, a petrol engine, etc.), during an operational mode change of the TRS as described in more detail below.
As shown in
The internal space 150 is divided into a plurality of zones 152. The term “zone” means a part of an area of the internal space 150 separated by walls 175. In some examples, each of the zones 152 can maintain a set of environmental condition parameters (e.g. temperature, humidity, air quality, etc.) that is independent from other zones 152.
Note that in
The energy efficient MTRS 100 is configured to control and maintain separate environmental condition requirements in each of the zones 152. The energy efficient MTRS 100 includes a host unit 111 provided within the TRU 110 for providing climate control within the first zone 152a and a plurality of remote fan units 180 disposed in the TU 125. Namely a first remote fan unit 180a is disposed between the first zone 152a and the second zone 152b and a second remote fan unit 180b is disposed between the second zone 152b and the third zone 152c. The host unit 111 and the remote fan units 180 are collectively referred to herein as heat exchange units. In one embodiment, the first zone 152a can be a frozen temperature zone operating to maintain a temperature set point within a frozen temperature range and the second and third zones 152b, 152c can be fresh temperature zones operating to maintain a temperature set point within a fresh temperature range. In one embodiment, for example, the frozen temperature range can be between about −25° F. to about 15° F. and the fresh temperature range can be between about 16° F. to about 90° F. In another embodiment, for example, the frozen temperature range can be between about −25° F. to about 24° F. and the fresh temperature zone can be between about 26° F. to about 90° F. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, any of the first, second and third zones 152a-c can be a fresh temperature zone operating to maintain a temperature set point within a fresh temperature range or a frozen temperature zone operating to maintain a temperature set point within a frozen temperature range. In this embodiment, when the energy efficient MTRS 100 is in a cooling mode, the first zone 152a with the host unit 111 is set to have the lowest set point temperature among the zones 152. That is, the second and/or third zone 152b, 152c can have a set point temperature that is equal to or greater than the set point temperature of the first zone 152a but cannot have a set point temperature that is lower than the set point temperature of the first zone 152a.
Each remote fan unit 180a, 180b is separate from, independent of and isolated from the host unit 111. That is, a heat exchanger fluid passing through a refrigeration circuit of the host unit 111 does not travel to the remote fan units 180a, 180b. The host unit 111 may include one or more heat exchangers (e.g., evaporator(s)), one or more fan(s) for providing climate control within the particular zone the heat exchanger unit is located, one or more flow regulating devices (e.g., solenoid valve(s), etc.) for controlling the amount of heat exchanger fluid flow into the heat exchanger unit, and one or more throttling devices (e.g., electronic throttling valve(s), etc.) for controlling the amount of heat exchanger fluid flow available to a suction end of the compressor of the energy efficient MTRS 100. The host unit 111 and each of the remote fan units 180) can operate in a plurality of operational modes (e.g., a NULL mode, a running NULL mode, a COOL mode, a HEAT mode, a DEFROST mode.
An advantage of using one or more remote fan units as opposed to conventional remote evaporator units is that a lower horsepower engine (e.g., a 20-25 HP engine) can be used. Also, the size of each zone in the transport unit can be easily modified for each trip based on the type and quantity of cargo being transported as the partitions used for separating the zones are not relegated to certain locations based on where the conventional remote evaporator unit(s) are mounted. Also, using one or more remote fan units as opposed to conventional remote evaporator units can improve temperature control by preventing temperature fluctuations that occur when, for example, a conventional remote evaporator unit in the warmest zone comes out of the NULL mode as all the remote fan units can be controlled and operated at the same time.
The fan coil unit 200 includes a heat exchange circuit 202 that connects a pump 205, a first zone heat exchanger 210 and a second zone heat exchanger 220 in series so that a fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid can pass therethrough. In one embodiment, the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid can follow a path from the pump 205, then through the first zone heat exchanger 210, then through the second zone heat exchanger 220 and then back to the pump 205. The fan coil unit 200 also includes a first zone heat exchange fan 215, a second zone heat exchange fan 225 and an optional electric heater 230. As shown in
The pump 205 is configured to circulate the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid from the first zone 252a to the second zone 252b through the heat exchange circuit 202. In some embodiments, the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid can be a coolant and the pump 205 is a coolant pump. In other embodiments, the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid can be a radiator fluid, an antifreeze fluid, a eutectic, a refrigerant, etc. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid is not in fluid communication with other remote fan units or a host unit. For example, if the fan coil unit 200 is the remote fan unit 180a shown in
The first zone heat exchanger 210 is configured to exchange heat between air in the first zone 252a and the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid passing through the first zone heat exchanger 210. In some embodiments, the first zone heat exchanger 210 is a first zone heat exchange coil. The first zone heat exchange fan 215 is configured to pull in air from the first zone 252a over the first zone heat exchanger 210 in order to facilitate the heat exchange between the air in the first zone 252a and the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid passing through the first zone heat exchanger 210. In other words, the first zone heat exchange fan 215 can control the amount of heat transfer occurring to the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid passing through the first zone heat exchanger 210. As shown by the arrows in
The fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid undergoing a heat transfer when passing through the first zone heat exchanger 210 is then directed to the second zone heat exchanger 220 in order to facilitate heat transfer from the first zone 252a to the second zone 252b. That is, the second zone heat exchanger 220 is configured to exchange heat between air in the second zone 252b and the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid passing through the second zone heat exchanger 220. In some embodiments, the second zone heat exchanger 220 is a second zone heat exchange coil. The second zone heat exchange fan 225 is configured to blow air from the second zone 252b over the second zone heat exchanger 220 in order to facilitate the heat exchange between the air in the second zone 252b and the fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid passing through the second zone heat exchanger 220. In other words, the second zone heat exchange fan 225 can provide temperature control within the second zone 252b. As shown by the arrows in
In some embodiments, the first zone heat exchange fan 215 and the second zone heat exchange fan 225 can be run by a single motor. In other embodiments, the first zone heat exchange fan 215 and the second zone heat exchange fan 225 can each be run by a separate motor. In this embodiment, operation of the first zone heat exchange fan 215 and the second zone heat exchange fan 225 can be controlled separately. For example, the first zone heat exchange fan 215 can be controlled to run at a first speed while the second zone heat exchange fan 225 is controlled to run at a second speed. In another example, the first zone heat exchange fan 215 can be turned off and the second zone heat exchange fan 225 can be controlled to operate or vice versa.
In some embodiments, the fan coil unit 200 can include an optional electric heater 230 that is configured to provide heating to one or more of the first zone 252a and the second zone 252b. For example, in the embodiment shown in
A MTRS using the fan coil unit 200 can be configured such that the zone temperature controlled by a host unit is set to have the lowest temperature set point when compared to the other zones. The pump 205 can circulate fan coil unit heat exchanger fluid from, for example, the first zone 252a to the second zone 252b in order to provide a heat exchange between the first zone 252a and the second zone 252b that enables temperature control of the second zone 252b.
An advantage of using a fan coil unit, such as the fan coil unit 200, rather than a conventional remote evaporator unit is that installation can be simplified, cost of a MTRS can be reduced, and the reliability of the MTRS can be increased as less refrigeration system components are required. Also, the MTRS can increase in efficiency as there is a low suction pressure loss using the fan coil unit in contrast to the use of a conventional remote evaporator unit. The heat exchanger fluid charge can be reduced using the fan coil unit in contrast to the use of a conventional remote evaporator unit. Further, the engine size and/or load of the MTRS can be optimized as the MTRS can generally operate at a low set point and/or a low load using a fan coil unit in contrast to the use of a conventional remote evaporator unit. Also, control of the MTRS can be simplified using a fan coil unit in comparison to a conventional remote evaporator unit. Moreover, the number of defrost operations of the MTRS can be reduced as the MTRS includes only a single evaporator with no remote evaporator units. Another advantage of using a fan coil unit rather than a conventional remote evaporator unit can be that the placement of zone separators (e.g., the partition 275) for separating the zones of the transport unit can be adjusted, thereby increasing the flexibility in size of each of the zones of the MTRS.
Thus, the fan coil unit 200 can operate in the NULL mode by turning off the pump 205 and the heat exchange fans 215, 225. The fan coil unit 200 can operate in the Running NULL mode by turning off the pump 205, while letting the heat exchange fans 215, 225 continue to operate. The fan coil unit 200 can operate in the COOL mode by operating the pump 205 and the heat exchange fans 215, 225. The fan coil unit 200 can operate in the HEAT mode by operating the pump 205, the heat exchange fans 215, 225 and the optional electric heater 230. The fan coil unit 200 can operate in the DEFROST mode by operating the heat exchange fans 215, 225 and the optional electric heater 230, and turning off the pump 205.
The filter and fan unit 300 includes a supply housing 301 defining an interior portion 302 housing a supply filter 315, a fan 340 and optionally an electric heater 345. The supply housing 301 includes a first zone opening 305, a second zone opening 335 and a vacuum prevention opening 325. A first zone damper 310 is provided at the first zone opening 305 and a vacuum prevention damper 330 is provided at the second zone opening 335.
The first zone opening 305 is configured to provide airflow communication between the first zone 352a and the interior portion 302 of the filter and fan unit 300. The amount of air allowed to pass through the first zone opening 305 can be controlled by adjusting the position of the first zone damper 310. That is, the position of the first zone damper 310 can be adjusted to completely open the first zone opening 305, can be adjusted to completely close the first zone opening 305, and anything in between. The position of the first zone damper 310 can be adjusted, for example, using a stepper motor to adjust the amount of air that can pass through the first zone opening 305.
The supply filter 315 is configured to purify air from the first zone 352a entering the interior portion 302 via the first zone opening 305. In some embodiments, the supply filter 315 can be a high efficient and/or odor control carbon air filter. As shown in
The second zone opening 335 is configured to provide airflow communication between the interior portion 302 and second zone 352b. The fan 340 is configured to control an air volume within the interior portion 302 being pulled from the first zone 352a via the first zone opening 305 into the second zone 352b via the second zone opening 335. As shown in
The vacuum prevention opening 325 is configured to allow air from the second zone 352b to enter the interior portion 302 in order to prevent a vacuum condition within the filter and fan unit 300. The amount of air allowed to pass through the vacuum prevention opening 325 can be controlled by adjusting the position of the vacuum prevention damper 330. That is, the position of the vacuum prevention damper 330 can be adjusted to completely open the vacuum prevention opening 325, can be adjusted to completely close the vacuum prevention opening 325, and anything in between. The position of the vacuum prevention damper 330 can be adjusted, for example, using a stepper motor to adjust the amount of air that can pass through the vacuum prevention opening 325.
In some embodiments, the filter and fan unit 300 can include an optional electric heater 345 that is configured to provide heating to one or more of the first zone 352a and the second zone 352b. For example, in the embodiment shown in
The filter and fan unit 300 also includes a return air filter unit 350 is provided. The return air filter unit 350 includes a return air housing 351 having a return air opening 355, a return air damper 360 and a return air filter 365. The return air opening 355 is configured to allow return airflow from the second zone 352b to the first zone 352a. The amount of air allowed to pass through the return air opening 355 can be controlled by adjusting the position of the return air damper 360. That is, the position of the return air damper 360 can be adjusted to completely open the return air opening 355, can be adjusted to completely close the return air opening 355, and anything in between. The position of the return air damper 360 can be adjusted, for example, using a stepper motor to adjust the amount of air that can pass through the return air opening 355.
The return air filter 365 is configured to purify air passing from the second zone 352b to the first zone 352a via the return air opening 355. In some embodiments, the return air filter 365 can be a high efficient and/or odor control carbon air filter. As shown in
A MTRS using the filter and fan unit 300 can be configured such that a zone temperature controlled by a host unit (e.g., host zone) is set to have the lowest temperature set point when compared to the other zones (e.g., a second zone, a third zone, etc.). The host zone (e.g., the first zone 352a) can exchange air with a zone immediately adjacent to the host zone (e.g., the second zone 352b) via the filter and fan unit 300 to provide a heat exchange that enables temperature control for the second zone.
An advantage of using a filter and fan unit, such as the filter and fan unit 300, rather than a conventional remote evaporator unit is that installation can be simplified, cost of a MTRS can be reduced, and the reliability of the MTRS can be increased as less refrigeration system components are required. Also, the MTRS can increase in efficiency as there is a low suction pressure loss using the filter and fan unit in contrast to the use of a conventional remote evaporator unit. The heat exchanger fluid charge can be reduced using the filter and fan unit rather than a conventional remote evaporator unit. Further, the engine size and/or load can be optimized as the MTRS can generally operate at a low set point and/or a low load using the filter and fan unit rather than a conventional remote evaporator unit. Also, control of the MTRS can be simplified using the filter and fan unit rather than a conventional remote evaporator unit. Moreover, the number of defrost operations of the MTRS can be reduced as the MTRS includes only a single evaporator in the host unit with no remote evaporator units. Another advantage of using the filter and fan unit rather than a conventional remote evaporator unit can be that the placement of zone separators (e.g., the partition 375) for separating the zones of the transport unit can be adjusted, thereby increasing the flexibility in size of each of the zones of the MTRS. The filter and fan unit(s) can be mounted on a zone separator and/or a ceiling of the transport unit.
Aspects:
It is appreciated that any of aspects 1-12 and 13-22 can be combined.
With regard to the foregoing description, it is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is intended that the specification and depicted embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the broad meaning of the claims.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4505126 | Jones | Mar 1985 | A |
| 4553584 | Bloomquist | Nov 1985 | A |
| 4621335 | Bluish et al. | Nov 1986 | A |
| 4829774 | Wassibauer et al. | May 1989 | A |
| 4899554 | Kato | Feb 1990 | A |
| 5123251 | Hanson | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5140434 | Blessinger et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5140436 | Blessinger | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5916253 | Amr | Jun 1999 | A |
| 6072645 | Sprague | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6543242 | Reason et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 7451614 | Luehrs | Nov 2008 | B2 |
| 8046183 | Dobyns et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
| 8521475 | Lin et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8768141 | Chan | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8800309 | Buda et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 20050241323 | Miller et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
| 20080092564 | Sulc | Apr 2008 | A1 |
| 20130090853 | Anderson | Apr 2013 | A1 |
| 20130247605 | Laudet | Sep 2013 | A1 |
| Entry |
|---|
| “http://www.insulatedtransportproducts.com/Products/Bulkhead-Accessories”; Insulated Transport Products, Bulkhead Accessories, Copyright 2016. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170248359 A1 | Aug 2017 | US |
