US 12,123,636 B2
Systems and methods for transport climate control circuit management and isolation
David J. Renken, Prior Lake, MN (US); and Tony Spetz, Afton, MN (US)
Assigned to THERMO KING LLC, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by THERMO KING LLC, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Jun. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/330,076.
Application 18/330,076 is a continuation of application No. 16/917,365, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,674,726.
Prior Publication US 2023/0314055 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25B 49/02 (2006.01); F24F 11/36 (2018.01); F25B 45/00 (2006.01); F25B 49/00 (2006.01); F25D 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC F25B 49/005 (2013.01) [F24F 11/36 (2018.01); F25B 45/00 (2013.01); F25D 11/003 (2013.01); F25B 2500/222 (2013.01); F25B 2600/2513 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling a transport climate control system (TCCS) for a transport unit, the TCCS including a climate control circuit with a compressor and an electronic expansion and isolation valve (EEIV), the method comprising:
operating the climate control circuit to condition a climate controlled space of the transport unit, wherein operating the climate control circuit to condition the climate controlled space includes compressing a working fluid with the compressor and expanding the working fluid with the EEIV, wherein expanding the working fluid in the EEIV includes a stepper motor adjusting the EEIV based on a superheat of the working fluid;
detecting for leaking of the working fluid from the climate control circuit, which includes:
detecting, with a step position sensor, one or more step positions of the stepper motor of the EEIV, and
comparing operation of the EEIV to an expected operation of the EEIV, one of the operation of the EEIV and the expected operation of the EEIV being based on the detected one or more step positions of the stepper motor; and
closing the EEIV and shutting down the compressor to isolate a high-pressure side of the climate control circuit when it is detected that the working fluid is leaking from the climate control circuit, wherein the compressor is configured to block flow of the working fluid through the compressor when shutdown.