Thermo King introduced four new truck products, a communications tool for all Thermo King Smart Reefers, and a new entry in the SB-series of wide post trailer refrigeration units.
Two of the new straight truck units use cryogenic liquids for refrigerant. The ST-CR 300 and a CO2 hybrid unit both allow multi-stop delivery while maintaining consistent temperature control and addressing environmental concerns about exhaust emissions and noise. With fewer moving parts than conventional refrigeration systems, cryogenic units offer rapid temperature pull-down after a door opening along with reduced maintenance requirements.
The new ST-CR 300 is a totally cryogenic system that uses liquid carbon dioxide as refrigerant and as a power source for unit fans. Stored in a vacuum insulated tank, the cryogenic fluid provides instant cooling capacity.
As an alternative to the ST-CR 300, Thermo King has introduced cryogenic hybrids for its MD, KD, RD, TD, and TS diesel truck units. The hybrid system incorporates a second heat exchanger inside the evaporator section of the host refrigeration unit. When the truck doors are closed after a delivery stop and the unit begins to recover from the temperature gain during the stop, the unit runs in high speed cool. During that period of high-speed operation, low temperature CO2 is circulated through the second heat exchanger to accelerate the pull-down cycle. This results in fewer hours of high-speed operation along with lower fuel consumption and lower maintenance requirements.
For small trucks and compact vans, Thermo King's new C-290 truck engine driven refrigeration system offers simple installation and use. The C-290 has a fixed thermostat set point of 35°F — controls on the in-cab unit panel consist of an on/off switch and a digital thermometer. It has automatic defrost and constant air circulation. Unit capacity is 9,500 Btu/hr at 35°F.
In addition to the C-290, Thermo King offers its V-series units for small trucks and vans. The V-series has a variable thermostat that allows protection of fresh, frozen, or deep frozen commodities.
For larger trucks, Thermo King has expanded its line of EC- and ENC-series eutectic condensing systems with a choice of scroll compressors. Future eutectic systems will offer reciprocating compressors, the company says.
In addition to truck units, Thermo King featured its new SB-100 trailer refrigeration unit for single temperature applications. Capacity of the SB-100 is 18,000 Btu/hr at -20°F. It has a single switch TG-VI controller and an extended service interval of 3,000 hours. Long life coolant and silicone radiator hoses give the SB-100 a 12,000-hour cooling system service interval.
Thermo King's new iBox communication link delivers information such as trailer box temperature, refrigeration unit discharge air and return air temperature, and fuel level to the driver or to remote locations. The iBox can operate with either the J1708 or the J1587 SAE communication protocol and can be connected to any Thermo King smart reefer. The iBox acts as an electronic interpreter for information flowing back and forth between components on a tractor and trailer.