DIESEL ELECTRIC technology holds the potential to boost the efficiency and performance of trailer refrigeration, according to Carrier Transicold officials. They add that Carrier's new Vector 1800MT is the first trailer refrigeration unit in North America to use diesel electric power.
The unit was showcased at the 2006 Transportation Technology Exhibition during Technology and Maintenance Council's annual meeting February 14-17 in Tampa, Florida.
Designed for multi-temperature trailer applications, the Vector 1800MT uses Carrier's patented Deltek technology for reliability, performance, and an estimated 30% reduction in maintenance cost. Additionally, the Vector 1800MT is the first multi-temperature system to use Carrier's Advance microprocessor control, which delivers precise refrigeration control, driver set-up ease, and exclusive fuel optimization options.
“Combining the muscle of diesel and dependability of electricity, the powerful Deltek technology on which the Vector 1800MT is based delivers unprecedented system reliability, performance, and value,” said Ignacio Aguerrevere, director of marketing and product development, Carrier Transicold Truck/Trailer/Rail Americas.
The Vector's streamlined design eliminates two-thirds of the serviceable mechanical components found in conventional trailer refrigeration systems, such as idler pulleys, vibrasorbers, most belts, fan shafts, the compressor shaft seal, and clutch, while using half the typical refrigerant charge.
The Vector 1800MT relies primarily on three major components to deliver refrigeration and heating: A Kubota direct-injection diesel engine; an aircraft quality, high-performance Hamilton Sundstrand electric generator; and an electrically driven, sealed compressor.
The proven 2.2-liter direct-injection Kubota engine drives the compact generator, which powers the condenser and evaporator fans, electric heating, and the 06D compressor. The 06D has the same basic design as the compressor used to provide reliable, unattended operation in Carrier's ThinLINE container refrigeration units for overseas shipping applications. An electric motor sealed inside the 06D housing eliminates the need for a shaft seal, assuring an extra-tight refrigeration system.
For heating and defrost, electric-resistance strips inside the evaporators provide constant heat capacity and tight temperature control, independently of outdoor temperature. Even the host unit evaporator provides electric-resistance heating. A side-benefit of electric heating is increased compressor life, since the compressor is only used during cooling.
In addition to high reliability, the Vector 1800MT delivers a truckload of valuable features, including:
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Built-in electric standby capability for fuel savings, emissions and noise reduction, and regulatory compliance at the loading dock;
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100% electric heat, instead of hot-gas, for constant heating capacity independent of ambient temperature;
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The Advance microprocessor control, featuring easy-to-use IntelliSet commodity programming and an integrated DataLink data recorder;
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Improved sound quality thanks to the elimination of many mechanical components and optional stealth components
The system lends itself well to electric standby, which is why every Vector 1800MT comes with built-in 460-volt plug-in capability. Especially important in urban distribution and in California where emissions regulations are strictest, facilities can tap into standby power for emissions and noise abatement as well as fuel savings.
Matched with Carrier single- and dual-discharge evaporators, the Vector 1800MT offers 11 different trailer configurations. With “priority logic” algorithms controlling the independent heating and cooling circuits and two airflow speeds, the Vector 1800MT unit puts cooling and heating where needed most, when needed most. This means it handles deep-frozen (-20°F or -29°C) situations in multi-temp configurations with greater agility than conventional systems.
