EP3458301A1

EP3458301A1 - Energy supply arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP3458301A1
Application number: EP17723429.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Josef Zettel; Philipp Wegmüller; Beat WEGMÜLLER
Original assignee: Railcare AG
Current assignee: Railcare AG
Priority date: 2016-05-20
Filing date: 2017-05-18
Publication date: 2019-03-27
Also published as: RU2018145052A; US20190222054A1; EP3246193A1; WO2017198769A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy supply (11) for supplying an energy consumer with electrical energy. The energy supply (11) comprises a mounting device (20) as well as a battery (29), a charger device (30) and a load connection (33). The energy supply (11) also comprises an energy connection for connecting an energy source, and an energy converter (31) for converting the energy received at the energy connection into a form of electrical energy which is suitable for charging the battery (29). The energy which is stored in the battery (29) can then be made available at the load connection (33) for supplying one or more energy consumers which are connected thereto. The mounting device (20) is provided here with connecting devices (23, 24) which are compatible with those attachment devices with which corresponding transportation containers can usually be connected to a transportation vehicle. It is therefore possible to arrange such an energy supply (11) for transporting a transportation container between the latter and the appropriate transportation vehicle, wherein for example the kinetic energy of the moved transportation vehicle can be utilised for the charging of the battery (29) in that e.g. the rotation of the wheel axle of the vehicle is converted into electrical energy with a hydraulic generator.

Description

Power supply arrangement

Technical area

The invention relates to a power supply arrangement for supplying an energy consumer with electrical energy, comprising a mounting device to which an energy connection for receiving energy, an energy storage device for storing electrical energy, a charging device for storing energy received at the energy connection in the energy store, and a load connection for connecting the energy consumer to supply the energy consumer with the stored energy in the energy storage are arranged. The invention further relates to a transport container connected to such a power supply arrangement as well as to a vehicle connected to such a power supply arrangement and to a method for supplying energy to an energy consumer with such an energy supply arrangement. State of the art

Not only the mobility of people, but also the transport of goods is increasing worldwide. Such goods may include all goods in which production or production place does not correspond to the place of use or consumption. The range of such goods or goods, hereinafter generally referred to as freight, ranging from, for example, simple pens over electronic devices to equipment or components for power plants. And it ranges, for example, from raw materials - for chemical, pharmaceutical or food technology, for example - to intermediate products that can be stored long-term or perishable foods.

Many of these goods are stored in transport containers for transport over more or less long distances - depending on the application, this may be several kilometers to several thousand kilometers - which are typically easier to transport than the goods in their original packaging or any other containers in which such goods are usually stored. Normally standardized containers, such as containers according to ISO standard 668, are used for the mass transport of cargo. Such standardized or otherwise uniform containers have the advantage that they are easily stackable on the one hand and with any other vehicle that is standardized for the transport of such Container is designed to be transportable. The transport of such transport containers from the start to the destination is often done with different vehicles such as ships, trains or trucks.

When transporting goods, certain conditions must often be observed so that the goods themselves are not destroyed or their quality is not adversely affected by the transport. Certain foods must be kept for a longer period of transportation under sometimes even changing environmental conditions. Bananas, for example, are transported over long distances under a sleeping atmosphere to prevent premature ripening. For other goods, in turn, their temperature plays a major role. For example, many foods such as dairy or frozen foods must be refrigerated or even frozen so they do not spoil during transport. Other products such as gases or liquids must also be tempered frequently, the transport has to take place partly under predetermined pressure conditions. Bitumen must be heated for transport, for example, so that it does not harden. Heaters, cooling or other devices for setting and regulating certain transport conditions usually require energy or other operating materials such as fuels or coolants or electrical energy for their operation.

From DE 1,940,999, for example, a refrigerated truck is known, which has two mounted on the outside of the car body air conditioning groups, which are operated either with electrical energy or liquid nitrogen, wherein the nitrogen is carried and the electrical energy is generated by generators, which are driven by the wheels of the vehicle. In addition, plugs are provided, via which the air conditioners can be powered from the outside with energy. On the one hand there is the problem here that at standstill of the refrigerator and when no external power source is available, no cooling of the refrigerator can be ensured. The entrained amount of nitrogen will eventually be used up. That either the refrigerated truck must be moved regularly, or it must be topped up with nitrogen or the refrigerator car has to be supplied with power elsewhere. All this means a big logistical effort.

From the German Utility Model G 93 03 046 U 1, for example, a joint carrier car for the transport of refrigerated containers and / or Kühlwechselbehältern is known, which has a diesel generator unit which is used to supply refrigerated containers or Kühlwechselbehältern with electrical energy, which does not own Have energy supply for their cooling and / or heating systems. The necessary fuel for the diesel generator must also be carried along during transport, whereby here too the amount of fuel is limited and thus only sufficient for a limited time. For longer transports, this also results in an increased logistical effort. From EP 2 647 540 A1 another energy supply for transporting by rail refrigerated containers is known in which the container carrying the refrigerated container includes a transformer to the electric locomotive supplied by the electric cable electrical energy in a suitable for the operation of the refrigerated container form of electrical To transform energy. The biggest problem with this solution arises in international transport traffic, because the railway infrastructures partly build on differently shaped energy supply networks, which are not compatible with each other. This means that the transformer would either have to be designed for different input voltages or it would have to be provided with several transformers - one for each possible power supply network. Both are complex and expensive.

From DE 41 1 5 964 turn it is known to use solar energy for the operation of mobile refrigeration systems with a cold steam chiller. In this case, the refrigerated vehicle is equipped with solar cells, wherein a solar generator charges an energy storage, with the charge finally the chiller is operated. Solar systems are known to provide sufficient power only when the sun is sufficiently high. In countries with low solar radiation, or when solar radiation is reduced for other reasons, such as day-long bad weather, this system does not provide enough energy to sustain the required transport conditions for a sufficient length of time.

In addition, all the above-mentioned, known solutions have the problem that for their use, the relevant transport containers and / or the corresponding transport vehicles must be specifically equipped. These solutions are therefore expensive and moreover can not be flexible, i. be used with different transport containers and / or different transport vehicles.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a power supply arrangement belonging to the technical field mentioned above, which avoids the disadvantages of the above-mentioned prior art and in particular allows a favorable and to provide a flexible solution for the energy supply of energy consumers in connection with the transport of goods. Further objects of the invention are to provide a corresponding transport container, a corresponding vehicle and a corresponding method for supplying energy to an energy consumer with electrical energy.

The solution of the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the mounting device comprises a first connecting device for detachable connection with a fastening device of a transport container for connecting the transport container with a similar transport container or with a vehicle. The vehicle here is either a rail vehicle, a motor vehicle such as a truck or a watercraft such as a ship.

Such a transport container can be a closed container as well as an at least partially open container, for example a container with bottom and end faces, but without cover and side walls. However, the transport container is preferably a standardized container for the transport of goods, as mentioned above. Under the term container are also other containers such. B. swap bodies or swap bodies to understand. This allows the use of the invention with a variety of transport containers used in goods traffic.

In this way, the mounting device and thus of course the power supply arrangement comprising such a mounting device, in a simple manner attachable to such a transport container or connectable to such a transport container. For the energy supply of the energy consumer this must only be connected to the load port and the energy consumer can be operated with the energy stored in the energy storage - regardless of energy sources that would have to be carried on or in the transport container. Since for connecting the power supply arrangement with the transport container that fastening device of the transport container is used, with which the transport container is otherwise connected to a vehicle or with a similar transport container, the transport container for use of the invention must be edited in any way, supplemented or modified. Accordingly, the invention can be used with any transport container, which has the appropriate fastening device. How this is concretely depends on which type of transport containers the invention is to be used with. A further advantage of the invention is that this configuration of the power supply arrangement with a mounting device and components attached thereto, the power supply arrangement after connection with a corresponding vehicle, such as a container wagon, at least in certain countries applies as a cargo and not as part of the carrier car. As a result, less stringent regulations apply to the specific design of the energy supply system. In addition, the power supply arrangement can be removed at any time without permanent changes to a vehicle.

The energy store preferably comprises a battery in which the supplied electrical energy is stored in the form of chemical energy. In principle, however, the energy storage may also include other storage variants for storing electrical energy, such as capacitors or flywheels, but the capacity of these stores is still too low to operate economically.

The energy consumer is, for example, a cooling unit for cooling the cargo to be transported in a transport container. It can also be a heating device with which the cargo can be heated. A system for gassing the freight can also be such an energy consumer. Of course, it is also possible to operate any, not necessarily directly related to the cargo energy consumers with the energy from the energy storage. Thus, the energy consumer could also be lighting for the transport container, an automatic feeding system for feeding animals transported in the transport container, or electronic devices such as a music or even multimedia system. So that the power supply arrangement not only with a suitable transport container but also attached to, in or on a vehicle for transporting such a transport container, that can be connected to such a vehicle, the mounting device comprises in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a second connection device for releasably connecting the Mounting device with a fastening device of the vehicle for connecting the vehicle to the transport container.

In this way, the mounting device and thus of course the power supply arrangement can be easily connected to such a vehicle, for example, be mounted on the vehicle. Since the connection of the power supply arrangement with the vehicle, that fastening device of the vehicle is used, with which otherwise a transport container is connected to the vehicle, and the vehicle itself must be processed for the use of the invention in any way, supplemented or modified. Accordingly, the invention can be used with any transport container, which has the appropriate fastening device. How this is concretely depends on which type of transport containers the invention is to be used with.

As already mentioned, such transport containers, for example containers according to the ISO standard mentioned above, are usually transported for transporting goods with one or more vehicles. A container with the goods to be transported, for example, picked up at the starting point with a truck (truck), brought to the truck to the nearest loading station for the loading of such containers on the rail, there moved to a rail vehicle, such as a container wagon on the rail transported to a loading station near the destination, where the container is in turn reloaded onto a truck and with this finally brought to the destination (combined transport).

Such ISO containers are used in particular because they are typically designed so that their load volume with smaller transport containers such as Euro pallets can be used as well as possible. As a rail vehicle for the transport of such containers all rail cars can be used, which have the appropriate fasteners or where such fasteners can be attached and where the amount of space for such a container remains. Typically, various types of flat cars are used for container transport.

The fastening device of the vehicle for connecting the vehicle to a transport container typically comprises a plurality of pins which have a certain mass such as height and diameter or height, length and width and are arranged in a rectangle which has a defined width and a defined length. The pins are arranged for example in a lateral distance of 2260 millimeters and at a longitudinal distance of 5853 millimeters, and depending on the length of the vehicle, several such sets of four pins can be arranged one behind the other on the vehicle. The aforementioned ISO containers are available, for example, with a width of 8 feet and in various defined lengths of, for example, 20 or 40 feet. The term foot refers to the English length measurement, in which a foot measures 30.48 cm. For example, a 20ft container will occupy such a set of four pegs, a 40ft container will occupy two sets of pegs, one behind the other, etc. It should be noted that not every container position of a vehicle is necessarily equipped with corresponding pegs must be because the pins can also be designed so that they are easily removable and re-attachable.

The fastening device of the transport container for connecting the transport container with a similar transport container or with a vehicle in such a case then comprises a plurality of openings, which are respectively arranged in a rectangle and serve to receive the pins. The pins are this outside usually conical and the openings have a matching inner cone. There are systems in which such a transport container is placed with its openings only on the pins. Further, there are systems in which a with its openings on the pins of a vehicle launched transport container can be additionally secured so that it does not dissolve during transport. Such a connection device can also be used to a transport container with a other, identical transport container to connect, for example, to stack them. Same construction is to be understood here in relation to the connecting device, since the transport containers may be quite different in their concrete design.

Of course, the pins and openings may also be reversed, i. the pins can also be provided on the transport container and the openings on the vehicle. It is of course also possible that transport container and vehicle with another type of connection or fastening device, such as other non-positive and or positive connections for the transport of the container to the vehicle can be detachably connected to each other, the compounds both secured and unsecured could be. This also applies to connecting devices for connecting two transport containers.

The energy received at the power connection can basically have different forms. It may be, for example, thermal, chemical, potential, kinetic or any other conceivable form of energy. It may also be electrical energy that is produced for example by means of photovoltaic or wind power from or on the vehicle itself. In most cases, the received energy form is therefore not directly suitable for storage in the energy storage. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the power supply arrangement therefore comprises an energy converter for converting the energy received at the power connection into electrical energy which can be stored by the charging device in the energy store. Depending on the type of energy source, the energy converter must be designed differently. For example, if energy is supplied in a chemical form at the power connection, for example in the form of fuel such as natural gas, diesel or gasoline, etc., the energy converter may include an electric generator operable with the fuel and converting the chemical energy stored in the fuel into electrical energy Convert energy to storage in energy storage.

However, if energy is supplied in thermal form at the energy connection, for example in the form of water vapor, the energy converter advantageously includes a turbine that can be operated with the steam and thus produces electrical energy. The energy received at the energy connection can, of course, also be electrical energy that can be stored directly in the energy store. In another example, electrical energy but delivered, for example in the form of an AC voltage to the power connection. If the energy store in this case is a battery, the received electrical energy would have to be converted into a DC voltage before being stored.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the energy is delivered in the form of kinetic energy. This kinetic energy comes, for example, from a vehicle with which the transport container is transported and to which transport container the energy supply arrangement is connected. By means of wind wheels or similar elements, for example, the kinetic energy of the vehicle, i. the speed difference between the vehicle and ambient air can be used. However, the amount of energy that can be produced depends strongly on the environmental conditions, specifically on the wind conditions, making it difficult to calculate. Preferably, therefore, the rotational energy of a rotating element of the vehicle, such as the rotational energy of an axle or a wheel of the vehicle, is utilized. Although this source energy is only available when the vehicle is moving, but is independent of other, usually uncontrollable conditions such as the weather. Accordingly, the energy converter advantageously comprises a generator for converting a rotational energy of a rotating element of the vehicle into electrical energy.

The energy converter may for this purpose include, for example, an arrangement of shafts, couplings and gears, etc., with which the rotational energy can be transmitted mechanically to the power connection. The energy converter then further comprises a generator with which this rotational energy is convertible into electrical energy. However, such a mechanical transmission is complicated to implement and therefore expensive. It also includes a variety of moving parts, so there is also an increased risk of injury or damage to people or objects that come in the vicinity of the vehicle. Another possibility is to use the generator on the vehicle on a wheel axle or on a wheel or in such To provide proximity, that the generator can directly use the rotation of the axle or the wheel to generate electrical energy, which can then be transmitted by means of power cables to the power connection or can be used directly to charge the energy storage. Depending on the length and arrangement of these power cables, however, there is a risk that other electrical or electronic devices or components may be disturbed or influenced by the fields generated by the currents flowing in the cables. This is usually undesirable. In particular, if such power cables are mounted on the axle of a container wagon, it could lead to undesirable disruptions of railway technology on the container wagon or along the tracks.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the energy converter therefore comprises a hydraulic generator for converting the rotational energy of a wheel axle of a vehicle into electrical energy. The hydraulic generator in turn comprises a hydraulic pump and an electric generator. While the electric generator is attached to the mounting device, the hydraulic pump can be fastened to the wheel axle and can be connected to the electric generator via hydraulic hoses. By means of the rotation of the wheel axle, the hydraulic pump pumps a hydraulic fluid through a hose to the generator and through another hose back to the hydraulic pump, where the hydraulic fluid circuit closes again. The liquid flow of the hydraulic fluid in the generator, for example, causes the rotor of the electric generator to rotate, so that power is generated in cooperation with the stator of the electric generator. This can be an alternating current or a direct current, which can then be stored in the energy store.

With such an energy converter, the rotational energy of a wheel axle can be converted into electrical energy for storage in the energy store in a simple and efficient manner.

As already mentioned above, electrical energy can be present in many forms. This means that it can be present as alternating current with different amplitudes and frequencies, but it can also be present as direct current with different voltage. To save in a specific energy storage, ie for example in Of a certain type of battery, the electrical energy typically has to be in a certain form. For batteries, this is usually a direct current, with which the battery can be charged faster or slower depending on the current.

In most cases, the shape of the electrical energy supplied to the energy connection or generated by the energy converter does not match the form of electrical energy required to charge the energy storage device. Advantageously, the power supply arrangement therefore comprises a converter for converting the electrical energy supplied to the power connection or generated by the energy converter into a form of electrical energy suitable for charging the energy store. The power converter is designed such that it serves to convert a direct current which is unsuitable for charging a battery into another direct current which is suitable for charging the battery as a DC-DC converter. However, since electrical energy is often generated in the form of an alternating current, in particular when it is generated by a rotational movement or rotation, the power converter is advantageously designed as a rectifier for converting an alternating current into a suitable direct current for charging the battery.

However, the power converter is not only used to convert the energy provided by the energy converter for storage in the energy storage, it is preferably also designed to convert the electrical energy provided by the energy converter in a form of electrical energy usable for operation of the energy consumer and at the load terminal. Since most energy consumers require power in the form of an alternating current, the power converter is preferably designed such that it converts an alternating current supplied by the energy converter into an alternating current that can be used to operate the energy consumer. Of course, depending on the type of electrical energy supplied by the energy converter or the form of electrical energy required for the operation of the energy consumer, the power converter can also be designed for conversion from DC to DC, DC to AC or DC to DC. The power converter can be designed as a unit that can perform all of the required conversions, this by a single, multi-functional circuit or by several individual, specifically designed circuits can be made, which are housed in a common device unit. However, the power converter can also comprise a plurality of units, each of which takes over one or more of the required conversions, and which are suitably controlled. Of course, it is also possible to provide a power conversion in the energy converter, be it an AC / DC, AC / AC, DC / DC or DC / AC conversion.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the power supply arrangement comprises a network connection for connecting an external electrical energy source. Such an external electrical energy source is, for example, a power supply network, as is often available in places where transport vehicles or transport containers are parked, for example, at short notice or for several hours or even over days or even longer periods. In such container or truck terminals, such external power grids are often available, as well as in railway stations or freight yards, where such transport rail cars are often turned off in the short or long term.

Such power grids usually provide a localized form of alternating current, in Switzerland and in some other parts of Europe, this is for example a three-phase AC network with three phase conductors, a neutral and usually a ground wire. If no three-phase current is required, only a single-phase alternating current network is sufficient. In the above-mentioned regions, the voltage of one phase with respect to the neutral is typically 240 volts AC and the voltage between two phase conductors is typically 400 volts AC. Each at a network frequency of e.g. 50 or 60 hertz.

The energy supply arrangement or its charging device is designed in particular for storing electrical energy received in the energy store in the network connection. Advantageously, the power supply arrangement is also designed for the direct supply of an energy consumer connected to the load connection with electrical energy received at the mains connection If such a network connection is present, the power supply arrangement or the transport container, with which it is connected to any such shorter or longer transport interruption to such an external power supply network and fill with its energy not only the energy storage, but during this time provide the energy consumer with the required energy from the grid.

It is of course also possible to use the power supply arrangement stationary, for example, at a place where such transport containers are stored, whether empty or loaded. For this purpose, for example, the energy supply arrangement can be fixedly mounted on the floor or on corresponding racks for receiving suitable transport containers or can also be fixedly mounted.

Of course, not only can energy be received via the mains connection, it is also possible to feed the energy received at the energy connection or the energy stored in the energy store via the network connection into the connected network. As already mentioned, the energy consumer can be any device, apparatus, lighting or other device that can be powered by electricity. The energy consumer also does not necessarily have to be a part of the transport container or to be arranged in or on the transport container. It may, for example, also be a device or another device which is approximately part of the vehicle or arranged on the vehicle. The energy consumer can z. But also an energy consumer such as e.g. an illumination of a terminal for temporary storage of transport containers or the corresponding transport vehicles.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the energy consumer is arranged on or in the transport container and in particular comprises a temperature control device, with which the loading volume of the transport container can be brought to a certain temperature. Often this is a cooling device, a heater or a combined cooling and heating device such as an air conditioner. Such a temperature control device generally comprises an electrically operable cooling and / or heating unit, which can then be operated with the energy provided by the power supply arrangement.

As already mentioned, there are any number of types and types of transport containers, which can be equipped with an inventive power supply arrangement. For this purpose, only the connection device of the mounting device must be matched to the fastening or connecting device of the transport container, so that it is compatible with this. With types of transport containers that are frequently used, it is worth the effort to produce corresponding assembly devices. For types of transport containers that are not frequently used, it may not be worthwhile to provide corresponding mounting devices.

The containers mentioned at the beginning, in particular those according to ISO standard 668, are among the most commonly used transport containers for the transport of cargo in both national and international transport traffic, and in particular in multimodal transport, i. when transporting such containers with at least two different transport vehicles. Especially in intermodal transport, in which goods are transported in one and the same loading unit with at least two modes of transport, the invention can be used particularly well. However, this is especially true in combined transport, in which the largest possible part of the transport route is completed by rail or by ship and the first and last run on the road is kept as short as possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport container is consequently such a container and, accordingly, the first connection device for releasably connecting the mounting device with such a container is adapted to the fastening or connecting devices of such containers for connection to a suitable vehicle or a building-like container. This allows a flexible use of the invention with a variety of different such containers, especially such containers according to the aforementioned ISO standard. Such containers can be transported with a variety of vehicles, which are also equipped accordingly, ie have the appropriate connection devices. As already mentioned, the energy store is preferably a battery. It may be a battery having a certain predetermined capacity and installed in the power supply assembly. If, in such a case, the requirements for the power supply arrangement change, for example, that another energy consumer is to be supplied with a higher energy consumption, the battery can be replaced by a battery of higher capacity.

However, it is simpler and therefore preferred that the energy storage is modular and correspondingly comprises a plurality of accumulator cells, so that the number of individual cells and thus the capacity of the energy storage can each be flexibly adapted to the electrical power just needed. However, typically not single accumulator cells are added or removed, but a certain number of accumulator cells are preferably grouped together, with each group of cells forming a block and modularly adding or removing these blocks. Or these blocks are grouped into even larger groups, hereinafter referred to as accumulator modules, which in turn can be modularly added or removed. In this way, the capacity of the battery can be easily and flexibly adapted to the electrical energy required for the transport of certain goods.

As already mentioned, the mounting device comprises a first connecting device for the detachable connection of the mounting device to a fastening device of a transport container for connecting the transport container to a similar transport container or to a vehicle. In addition, the mounting device may also include a second connection device for releasably connecting the mounting device with a fastening device of a vehicle for connecting the vehicle to the transport container.

In order that the energy supply arrangement according to the invention can be used as simply and flexibly as possible during the transport of energy-transporting transport containers, the mounting device is advantageously used as a frame, hereinafter referred to as Designated adapter frame, formed. This adapter frame is attachable between a vehicle and a transport container to be transported for transport with the vehicle, wherein the respective fastening or connecting devices are used. The adapter frame preferably has a rectangular basic shape, with a length and a width which substantially corresponds to a length and a width of the transport container or is adapted to the existing fastening or connecting devices. The adapter frame further has a low height compared to length and width. This height is preferably chosen so that the total height of adapter frame and transport container does not exceed the total permitted height of the load of the corresponding transport vehicle. For example, many of the 20 or 40 foot ISO containers mentioned above have a height of 8.6 feet, which corresponds to a height of just under 2.60 meters. In order not to override in such containers the total height allowed, for example during transport on the rail with container car, the height of the adapter frame is in particular not more than 25 cm, and preferably not more than 1 1 cm.

The power supply arrangement may be designed for autonomous operation. It may for example be designed such that it manages without a control or control of an existing cooling device and supplies them with a certain amount of power, as long as it is available. However, it may happen that the cargo is cooled too much or too little, depending on the environmental conditions. The power supply arrangement therefore preferably comprises a control device for controlling an energy flow between the power supply, energy converter, energy storage and an energy consumer connected to the load connection. In this way, the energy consumer can be supplied depending on his energy needs with more or less energy.

In this context, it should be mentioned that the load connection is designed in particular for connecting a plurality of energy consumers and the control device accordingly also for controlling an energy flow between the network connection, energy converter, energy storage and several or all at the load connection connected energy consumers is formed. It should be noted that the load connection can also be designed independently of the presence of a control device for connecting a plurality of energy consumers.

Since it may happen that energy is no longer stored in the energy store, the energy supply arrangement preferably comprises an auxiliary energy source, for example an auxiliary battery which is present in addition to the energy store. This serves to maintain the system of the power supply arrangement when the energy storage is empty or for other reasons. It also serves, for example, to start the power supply arrangement from a sleep mode, which can be provided when the power supply arrangement is not used for a certain time or which can also be initiated manually when it is not needed.

When transporting goods that require certain transport conditions, it is usually important to ensure that these conditions are met throughout the journey. This, for example, to prevent food from spoiling or ripening too early as mentioned above.

The energy supply arrangement therefore advantageously comprises a monitoring device for monitoring a transport container connected to the energy supply arrangement. This monitoring relates, for example, the temperature at one or more locations within the transport container or compliance with a specific gas atmosphere in the transport container. For example, it can also be used to monitor the position of the transport container so that it can be located as needed. This is not only helpful when monitoring the progress of transportation, but also when the transport container is not where it should be for whatever reason, be it loss or theft. The monitoring device is preferably designed for receiving and processing signals which originate from sensors arranged on or in the transport container, which serve for monitoring freight transported with the transport container. Of course, the monitoring device can also assume other functions, such as the monitoring of the container or of the power supply arrangement itself.

So that the power supply arrangement can also communicate with other units, for example other power supply arrangements or a central office, i. Signals such. B. transmit or receive control or monitoring signals, it comprises in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a communication device for transmitting and / or receiving such signals. Basically, this is any communication device in question, which is suitable for the exchange of such signals, including wired communication devices, which, for. B. is connected by cable to a corresponding station on a terminal, etc. and then can exchange data via this cable. An example of this would be about a LAN to which the communication device can be connected. However, since a transport container is often not stationary, but in motion, the communication device is preferably designed for wireless and in particular bidirectional communication. For this purpose it has, for example, a mobile radio module as used in modern mobile telephones - for example a GSM module - or via other devices for wireless communication such as WLAN or Bluetooth or, e.g. in areas with no or poor mobile coverage, via a satellite communication module. Of course, it is also possible to use any other technology for wireless data transmission, and a combination of different techniques is also possible. For example, a power supply assembly mounted on a wagon could include a GSM module, which power supply assembly communicates with other power supply assemblies mounted on the same wagon or other wagon of the particular train by means of WLAN.

The solution of the problem with respect to a transport container is defined by the features of claim 1 5. The transport container comprises a fastening device for the detachable connection of the transport container with a similar transport container or with a vehicle. According to the invention, a power supply arrangement as described previously is detachably connected to the transport container, by means of the first connection device of the power supply arrangement, which cooperates with the fastening device of the transport container. The solution of the object with respect to a vehicle is defined by the features of claim 16. The vehicle includes a fastening device for releasably connecting the vehicle to a transport container. According to the invention, a power supply arrangement as described above is detachably connected to the vehicle by means of a second connecting device, which cooperates with the fastening device of the vehicle.

The vehicle here is either a rail vehicle, a motor vehicle such as a truck or a watercraft such as a ship. However, in principle it is also possible to use another vehicle, such as an aircraft which has a corresponding fastening device. The solution of the object with respect to the method for supplying energy to an energy consumer with a power supply arrangement as described above is defined by the features of claim 17. According to the invention, the mounting device of the power supply arrangement is connected by means of its first connecting device with the fastening device of a transport container, the energy consumer, which is preferably arranged on or in the transport container energy consumers, is connected to the load terminal of the power supply arrangement and supplied with energy stored in the energy storage of the power supply arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a power source is further connected to the power connection, electrical energy is received at the power connection and stored in the energy store with the charging device. From the following detailed description and the totality of the claims, further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a power supply arrangement according to the invention; FIG.

2 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of a power supply arrangement according to the invention; 3 is a schematic representation of an adapter frame of a power supply arrangement according to the invention for mounting the individual components of the power supply arrangement;

4 shows the adapter frame from FIG. 3 with assembled components;

5 shows the adapter frame from FIG. 3 with a larger energy store; Fig. 6 is a more detailed, schematic representation of a battery module of

Energy storage;

7 shows a battery block of the energy store;

8 is a schematic representation of a wheel axle of a container wagon with a hydraulic pump mounted thereon; 9 is a schematic representation of the connecting device of a

container;

10 is a schematic representation of a connecting element of a

container; Figure 1 1 a pin-shaped fastening device for fastening a container on a vehicle.

Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of a transport container;

Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of a container wagon; Fig. 14 of the container wagon of Figure 9 with mounted adapter frame

Containers as well

Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of a truck with mounted

Adapter frame and container.

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. Ways to carry out the invention

1 shows a block diagram of a power supply 1 according to the invention. This comprises a power connection 2, a battery 3, a charging device 4, with which the energy received at the power connection 2 can be stored in the battery in the form of electrical energy, and a load connection 5 the energy stored in the battery 3 can be output. An energy consumer only has to be connected to the load terminal of the power supply 1 so that it can be operated with the energy stored in the battery 3.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a second, more detailed embodiment of a power supply 1 according to the invention. However, the energy delivered at the power connection 2 is no longer stored directly by the charging device 4 in the battery 3, but is first supplied to a generator 7 which converts it into electrical power Energy converts. A power converter 8, in turn, converts the output energy of the generator 7 into a form of electrical energy suitable for charging the battery 3 with the charging device 4. The energy stored in the battery, in turn, is fed via power converter 8 to the load terminal 5, which comprises a plurality of outputs 5.1, to which a plurality of energy consumers can be connected. Furthermore, the power supply 1 1 comprises a controller 12 with associated auxiliary battery for system startup and system maintenance of the controller 1 2. The controller 1 2 serves to control the various energy flows which are conducted via the power converter 8. In other words, the controller controls both the energy flow from the energy connection 2 to the charging device 4 and further to the battery 3 as well as the energy flow from the battery 2 via the power converter 8 to the one or more energy consumers connected to the load connection 5. The controller 1 2 takes over in particular the battery or battery management.

The power supply 1 1 further comprises a monitoring module 14 which is connected to an antenna 1 5 or includes such and via which it can exchange data wirelessly with other communication partners. The controller 1 2 together with the monitoring module also forms its own unit. In this case, other components such. the power converter together with its functional units or the charging device be integrated into this unit. The power supply 1 1 finally includes a network connection 17, via which the power supply 1 1 can be connected to an external power supply network. The energy from such a network can then be used either directly to power the power consumers connected to the load port 5, or it is, under the control of the controller 1 2, used for storage in the battery 3.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a mounting device, here in the form of an adapter frame 20. This comprises two parallel and spaced from one another longitudinal member 21 which are interconnected at their ends by a respective cross member 22, wherein the cross member 22 are significantly longer as the distance between the two longitudinal members 21, ie laterally project significantly beyond the longitudinal members 21. This results in a kind of double T-frame, wherein the space between the two cross members 22, is divided by the two side members 21 in three sub-areas. In two side regions 25 from the longitudinal members 21 forth to the outside and in a central region 26 between the two side rails 21. The two side portions 25 and the central region 26 can thus be used for attachment of various components of the power supply 1 1. Other components can also be found in the selected representation are attached to the bottom of the adapter frame 20, provided that they are placed so that they do not oppose mounting of the adapter frame on a vehicle such as a railway car or a truck. Such an adapter frame 20 may also comprise other elements, such as longitudinal or transverse struts, which for example increase the stability of the frame. Such an adapter frame can in principle be constructed differently, for example, consist of a simple rectangle.

At the outer ends of the two cross beams 22, i. in the corners of the spanned by the adapter frame 20 rectangle, a pin 23 is arranged in each case, wherein the arrangement of the pins 23, which corresponds to those on a container wagon or a truck for storing a container for its transport. On the underside of the adapter frame 20 openings 24 are provided directly below each pin 23, with which the adapter frame 20 can be placed on such a container wagon or a truck. These pins or openings correspond to the above-introduced connecting devices for connecting the mounting device with a vehicle or a container.

The adapter frame 20 is constructed so that when mounted on a cart, a container mounted thereon is at most 1 1 cm higher than if the container were mounted directly on the cart. This is most easily achieved by the fact that the height of the adapter frame 20, 1 1 cm or less, without the upward on the longitudinal beams 21 and cross member 22 protruding pin 23. In this way, it is ensured that the container is not too is high.

FIG. 4 shows a power supply 11 whose components are fastened to an adapter frame 20 as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows the adapter frame 20 obliquely from below. The two side areas 25 identified in FIG. 3 are used here for accommodating the battery. For this purpose, a respective holding frame 27 is fixed in the two side regions 25, for example screwed, wherein each holding frame comprises four equally sized assembly places 28 for one battery module 29 each. Altogether, eight accumulator modules 29 could be accommodated in the adapter frame 20 in this way, wherein in the example shown in FIG Holding frame 27 each a battery module 29 is mounted; a total of four battery modules 29. The individual battery modules 29 are each housed in a separate, watertight housing and connected to each other or to the controller.

On the adapter frame 20 further modules of the power supply 1 1 are housed. On the underside of the adapter frame 20, for example, a waterproof housing 30 made of steel is fixed, in which a plurality of components of the power supply 1 1 are housed. In the example shown, these are, for example, the control together with auxiliary battery, the charging device as well as the power converter. The power converter has in this case, for example, a power of 10 to 30 kW. Next, a generator 31 is fixed with hydraulic drive on the underside of the adapter frame 20. The generator 31 or its upstream hydraulic drive (hydraulic motor) is connected or connectable to a hydraulic pump mounted on the wheel axle of a vehicle (not shown here), which supplies the flow of hydraulic fluid for driving the generator 31. On the adapter frame 20, a tank 36 and a cooler 37 is further attached to the hydraulic fluid, which is also involved in the circulation of the hydraulic fluid, d. H. typically associated with corresponding hydraulic hoses or tubes. The current produced by the generator 31 is then transferred to the power converter in the housing 30, where it is processed by means of the control located in the housing 30, i. the flow of energy to the battery or to the one or more consumers is controlled. The generator 31 has, for example, a power in the range of 20 to 30 kW. Instead of a hydraulic system for the conversion or the transmission of energy from the wheel axle rotation to the generator or in combination with it, in principle, of course, a pneumatic system can be used.

The power supply 1 1 may also include other components, not shown, which may also be attached to the adapter frame 20. In addition, other components can be attached to the adapter frame 20 or not, which do not belong to the power supply 1 1.

The cables, ie the power and / or signal cables, which are needed to connect the individual components and parts of the power supply, are guided in the middle of the example in the example shown here. This area between the two Longitudinal beams thus forms a kind of cable channel. A cover 32, which is mounted in the middle Ibereich 26 on both sides of the adapter frame 20, protects these cables from damage, etc. In this cable channel of course also other components can be accommodated, such as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic pump. This hydraulic fluid is usually a hydraulic oil.

Figure 4 also shows two sockets 33, which are each arranged at the end of arms 34, which are centrally outwardly and rotatably mounted on the two cross members 22. The sockets 33 in turn are electrically connected to the load terminal of the power supply, which is not visible here, since it is also located within the housing 30. In each of these sockets 33 energy consumers, such as refrigeration units, can be inserted from connected to the adapter frame 20 containers. The energy provided at the load terminal or at the sockets 33 is provided, for example, in the form of a 3-phase 400 V AC polyphase power supply having a local frequency, for example 50 or 60 hertz. Of course, this can also be done in the form of a single- or multi-phase connection with arbitrary amplitudes and / or frequencies or as a direct current with any voltage.

FIG. 5 shows the adapter frame from FIG. 3, but this time from above and in contrast to FIG. 4, with a maximum battery. In this example, all mounting locations 28, the two holding frame 27 are equipped with a battery module 29. One of the battery modules 29 is shown open, so that the view of the interior of the housing of this battery module 29 is free.

This opened battery module 29 is shown slightly larger in FIG. Here it can be seen that the battery module 29 comprises a total of eight battery blocks 39, which are arranged in the housing to two rows of four battery blocks 39.

Each of these battery blocks 39 each in turn comprises a certain number of battery cells connected together. In the example shown, there are 16 battery cells. For example, LiFeP04 round cells are used as battery cells, each of which has a voltage of around 3.25 volts and is cycle-proof and intrinsically safe. Such lithium iron phosphate round cells have a high energy and power density. A battery pack 39 provides a voltage of about 52 volts at 16 such cells. With 8 accumulator blocks 39 per accumulator module 29, each accumulator module 29 thus supplies a voltage of more than 400 volts. In this way, per battery block 39 a capacity of about 6.1 kWh and thus per battery module 29 a capacity of about 48.8 kWh can be achieved. With a maximum of eight battery modules 29 this results in a total capacity of about 390 kWh.

Of course, other battery cells can be used, which in turn can be combined to other blocks and modules.

Figure 7 shows a single battery pack 39, wherein on the front side wall in the selected representation of the battery pack 39, the terminals 40 are shown, with which the battery blocks 39 can be electrically connected to each other.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the attachment of the hydraulic pump 42 of a hydraulic generator to the wheel axle 43 of a container wagon. At the wheel axle 43 two wheels 44 are fixed, which roll on indicated rails 45. The wheel axle 43 is longer than the distance between the two wheels 44, so that it protrudes at both wheels 44. On such a stub axle now the hydraulic pump 42 is axially fixed, being connected by means of two hydraulic hoses 47 to the hydraulic generator. The rotary element of the hydraulic pump 42 is thereby fastened directly axially to the wheel axle 43, whereas the housing of the hydraulic pump 42 is connected to the car chassis. The carriage chassis, not shown in Figure 8, has on both sides in each case an axle bearing in which the areas 46 of the wheel axle 43 are mounted. In this way, the hydraulic pump 42 uses the rotational movement of the wheel axle 43 to pump the hydraulic fluid by means of the two hydraulic hoses 47 to the hydraulic generator and back again, and thus to drive the hydraulic generator.

Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of a connecting element 50 of the connecting device of a container. The connecting element 50 is cuboidal and has three through openings 51, 52, which each connect two opposite side surfaces of the cuboid connecting element 50. The opening 51, which connects the top and bottom surfaces of the connecting element 50, is significantly longer than it is wide. The two other openings 52 are typically only slightly longer than they are wide.

Figure 10 shows a pin 54, which is arranged for example on a vehicle 55 and has a length which is longer than a width of the pin 54. The cross section of the pin is chosen so that it is arranged in the opening 51 one on a container Connecting element 50 can be inserted. In order to facilitate the insertion of the pin 54 in the opening 51 of a connecting element 50, the end portion of the pin 54 is conical. Typically, at least four such pins 54 are disposed on the vehicle so that the pins 54 on the vehicle when inserting a container into the openings 51 of the arranged in the corners of the container fasteners 50 are inserted and received therein. The pins 54 and the connecting elements 50 may also be designed so that an attached container can be secured. For example, there are connecting elements 50 in which the conical end region is rotatable, so that it can be secured by rotation after insertion into an opening 51.

As shown in Figure 1 1, such a connecting element 50 is disposed in the corners of a transport container 53 and fixed there. Such connecting elements 50 may also be designed as part of the container. They may also be provided only in a part of the corners, for example only in the bottom corners of a container.

In Figure 1 2, a refrigerated container 60 is shown schematically, as it is often used for the transport of food. The refrigerated container 60 has a cuboidal basic structure with a length of 20 ft, wherein on one end side a cooling unit 61 is arranged so that it lies within the standard mass of the corresponding container standard.

The refrigerated container 60 can, as shown in Figure 13, be mounted on a conventional container car 65. Such a container car 65 comprises in This example four sets 54.1, 54.2, 54.3, 54.4 ä each 4 pins - ie two pins per set 54.1, 54.2, 54.3, 54.4 on both sides of the container wagon 65 at a longitudinal distance to accommodate 20 foot - containers. In this way, a reefer container, depending on which length it has and which other containers are still to be transported on the container car, are placed at different positions on the container car 65. In the illustrated example, the container 60 is placed at the first position (seen from the left in the illustration). The second position is free and the third and the fourth position are occupied by a second, but longer refrigerated container 60 '. Instead of the refrigerated containers 60, 60 'now put directly on the pins on the container car 65, one or more inventive energy supplies 66 can be arranged with their adapter frame between the refrigerated containers 60, 60' and the container car 65, as shown in Figure 14. In this case, not all sets 54.1, 54.2, 54.3, 54.4 of cones with an inventive power supplies 66 must be occupied. On the pins of the four sets 54.1, 54.2, 54.3, 54.4 sets of container wagon 65 first adapter frame 20, as shown in Figure 3, placed, so that the adapter frame come to rest on the respective container positions, the pins of the cart in the Openings 24 are introduced at the bottom of the adapter frames 20 of each power supply 66. There, the adapter frame 20 can be secured if necessary, for example by means of bolts. The refrigerated containers 60, 60 'are then placed with their arranged in the bottom corners openings on the pins 23 of the adapter frame 20 of the power supplies 66 and optionally secured there again. Then only need the hydraulic pumps of the power supplies 66 attached to the respective axes and connected by hydraulic hoses to the generator of the corresponding power supplies 66 and the cooling units of the refrigerated containers 60, 60 'are connected to the load connection of the respective power supplies 66. In this way, the cooling units 61 of the refrigerated containers 60, 60 'can be supplied with power from the power supply. It is of course also possible that only one power supply 66 is mounted on the container wagon 65 and both reefer containers 60, 60 'are supplied with power from this one power supply 66. Conversely, it is also possible use multiple power supplies 66 to power a high energy consuming power consumer.

Finally, FIG. 15 shows the refrigerated container 60, which is also fastened on a truck 67 by means of an energy supply 66 according to the invention. When transporting such a container with a truck 67, the power supply 66 may in principle also be supplied with kinetic energy from the truck 67. However, this is typically more complex than in container wagons, since in trucks, the arrangement and specific design of the axles or wheels is not uniform. It may be that the truck 67 comprises a diesel generator or similar power generation aggregate or other source of electrical energy which may then be provided to the energy supply to the power supply 66. Of course, during transport with a truck 67, other sources of energy, such as solar or wind energy, may also be used to provide power at the power terminal of the power supply 66. Often, but especially in combined transport with the smallest possible proportion of road sections, the existing in the battery capacity is sufficient to provide the container during the road transport sufficient energy.

In general, it should be noted that the previously made information on the capacities, services, etc. of individual units are chosen to match the example given, but in principle can be chosen arbitrarily. Ie. they can and should be tailored to the specific application. Of course, it should also be noted that the individual devices or modules are also coordinated with each other.

In summary, it can be stated that the invention makes it possible to provide an autonomous power supply which can be used extremely flexibly in the transport of goods, in particular with widely used transport containers such as an ISO container. It can not only be used to supply energy to energy consumers located on or in the transport container, such as e.g. of cooling devices, but also for power supply not belonging to the transport container, for example, be used on a transport vehicle or at any other location arranged energy consumers.

Claims

claims

An energy supply arrangement for supplying an energy consumer with electrical energy, comprising a mounting device to which a power connection for receiving energy, an energy storage device for storing electrical energy, a charging device for storing energy received at the energy connection in the energy storage, and a load connection for connection the energy consumer for supplying the energy consumer with the stored electrical energy in the energy storage are arranged, characterized in that the mounting device comprises a first connection device for releasable connection with a fastening device of a

Transport container for connecting the transport container with a similar transport container or with a vehicle such as a rail vehicle, a motor vehicle or a watercraft.

2. Power supply arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mounting device comprises a second connecting device for releasable connection with a

Fastening device of a vehicle for connecting the vehicle to the transport container.

3. Energy supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 2, comprising an energy converter for converting the energy received at the power connection into electrical energy, which is storable by the charging device in the energy storage, wherein the energy converter preferably a generator for converting a kinetic energy of the vehicle into electrical energy includes, in particular a generator for converting a rotational energy of a rotating element of the vehicle into electrical energy.

4. The power supply arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the energy converter comprises a hydraulic generator for converting the rotational energy of a wheel axle of a vehicle into electrical energy, and the hydraulic generator attachable to the wheel axle hydraulic pump and one on the mounting device includes fixed electric generator, and the hydraulic pump is connected via hydraulic hoses to the electric generator.

5. Power supply arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 4, comprising a power converter for converting the electrical energy provided by the energy converter into a form suitable for charging the energy storage form of electrical energy.

6. Energy supply arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the power converter is designed to convert the electrical energy provided by the energy converter into a usable for operation of the energy consumer and the load terminal outputable form of electrical energy.

7. Energy supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a network connection for connecting an external electrical energy source, in particular a power supply network, wherein the charging device is configured to store electrical energy received in the power supply in the energy storage, and the power supply arrangement preferably for direct supply of a The energy consumer connected to the load connection is designed with electrical energy received at the mains connection.

8. Energy supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the energy consumer is arranged on or in the transport container and in particular comprises a cooling device for cooling a loading volume of the transport container and the cooling device in particular operable with an electric motor

Includes refrigeration unit.

9. Energy supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transport container is a container, in particular a container with standardized connecting devices for connecting the container with a transport vehicle or similar containers, preferably a freight container according to ISO

Standard 668.

10. Energy supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the energy storage is modular and a plurality of accumulator cells includes, which are preferably interconnected to a plurality of groups.

1 1. Power supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mounting device is designed as an adapter frame, which between a vehicle and to be transported for transport to the vehicle

Transport container is attachable, wherein the adapter frame preferably has a rectangular basic shape with a length and a width substantially corresponding to a length and a width of the transport container and having a height which is less than or equal to 25 cm, preferably less than or equal to 1 1 cm is.

1 2. Energy supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, comprising a control device for controlling an energy flow between the energy converter, energy storage and an energy consumer connected to the load connection, wherein the power supply arrangement for system maintenance and system start an auxiliary power source, in particular one in addition to the energy storage existing auxiliary battery includes. wherein the load connection is designed in particular for connecting a plurality of energy consumers.

13. Energy supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 1 2, comprising a monitoring device for monitoring a power supply arrangement connected to the transport container, wherein the monitoring device is designed in particular for receiving and processing signals from arranged on or in the transport container sensors for monitoring transported with the transport container cargo is.

14. Energy supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a communication device for transmitting and / or receiving signals, in particular of control and / or monitoring signals, wherein the communication device is preferably designed for wireless communication.

1 5. Transport container with a fastening device for connecting the transport container with a similar transport container or with a vehicle, wherein a power supply arrangement according to one of the preceding claims by means of the first, cooperating with the fastening device connection device with the transport container is detachably connected.

16. Vehicle with a fastening device for connecting the vehicle to a transport container, wherein a power supply arrangement according to one of the preceding claims by means of a second, cooperating with the fastening device connection device for releasably connecting the power supply assembly with the transport container on the vehicle is releasably attached.

17. A method for supplying energy to an energy consumer with electrical energy with a power supply arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the mounting device of the power supply arrangement connected by means of the first connection device with the fastening device of the transport container and the energy consumer connected to the load terminal and supplied with energy stored in the energy storage becomes.