Patent Application
20080006045
So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the present invention, which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only some embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Referring to
Truck 11 has a primary or main engine 27, normally diesel, that propels truck 11. Hoses connect a main radiator 29 to main engine 27 for receiving engine coolant. An engine fan 30 is directly driven by main engine 27 for causing air flow through main radiator 29. Truck 11 also has a main interior heater element or coil 31 and a main interior blower 33. Heater element 31 is connected by hoses to radiator 29 for receiving a portion of the flow of engine coolant. Blower 33 moves air through heater element 31 for heating the interior of cab 15. Valves (not shown) controlled by the driver will selectively provide or stop the flow of engine coolant through heater 31.
For cooling, main engine 27 drives a main compressor 35 by a belt (not shown). Compressor 35 delivers hot gaseous refrigerant to a main condenser 37 that is mounted parallel to radiator 29. Condenser 37 condenses the refrigerant to a liquid, which flows to a main evaporator 39. Typically, the same interior blower 33 moves air through evaporator 39 into the interior of cab 15.
In some cases, sleeper compartment 17 is provided with a rear evaporator, heater element, and blower (not shown) for heating and cooling sleeper compartment 17. If so, main compressor 35 and main condenser 37 supply refrigerant to the rear evaporator. Main engine 27 and radiator 29 may supply coolant to the rear heater element for heating. Main engine 27 also has a main alternator 41 driven by a belt. Alternator 41 supplies DC electrical power for blower 33 and other uses. Alternator 41 also charges a main battery 43 or set of batteries.
Auxiliary power source 19 includes an auxiliary engine 45 which, in one embodiment, may comprise a small water-cooled diesel engine. Auxiliary engine 45 has fluid lines connected to a radiator 47 that is also mounted in compartment 23. Auxiliary engine 45 drives an alternating current alternator 49 that supplies 115 volts of AC voltage. Auxiliary engine also provides DC voltage via a regulator 53. Regulator 53 may comprise a high amp, 14V regulator, and is directly connected to the main truck battery 43 for maintaining battery 43 at full charge while auxiliary power source 19 is operating. AC alternator 49 is also connected to one or more AC outlets in sleeper compartment 17 for providing AC electrical power, such as for powering AC appliances and the like.
An optional auxiliary compressor 57 is mounted to and driven by auxiliary engine 45. Auxiliary compressor 57 may comprise a conventional motor vehicle air conditioner compressor. Auxiliary compressor 57 is connected by a hose to an auxiliary condenser 59, which is also located in exterior compartment 23. Auxiliary condenser 59 may be located in parallel to and upstream from radiator 47. A single fan 61 moves air through condenser 59 and radiator 47. Fan 61 may be powered by, e.g., either power source described above.
Evaporator and heater unit 25 is also preferably located under the bunk or bed within compartment 17, but it could be mounted to the exterior back wall of sleeping compartment 17. Evaporator and heater unit 25 includes an evaporator 65 that receives condensed refrigerant from condenser 59. A heater element 67 is mounted next to evaporator 65. Heater element 67 could be of a type that utilizes electrical resistance, but preferably is one that is connected to auxiliary radiator 47 for circulating coolant. A single blower 69 moves air through evaporator 65 and heater element 67. Blower 69 may utilize a DC motor connected to the DC output of regulator 53 but, alternately, it may utilize an AC motor. In one embodiment, auxiliary engine 45 and alternator 49 are mounted next to each other on a common support frame. In another embodiment, a single drive shaft may be used to directly drive alternator 49 and indirectly drive compressor 57 via a belt.
The evaporator and heater unit 25 may include a housing that houses evaporator 65 and heater element 67, with the blower 69 mounting to the housing. The housing may include outlet ports for discharging air heated or cooled by evaporator 65 or heater element 67. The outlet ports may be connected to ducts that lead to registers placed at desired points within sleeping compartment 17.
Referring now to
In operation, there is no need to operate auxiliary power source 19 while main engine 27 is operating. Main engine 27 supplies sufficient power for heating and cooling while it is in operation. When truck 11 has stopped for an extended period, the operator may stop engine 27 and turn on auxiliary engine 45. Battery 43 provides voltage to a starter (not shown) of auxiliary engine 45.
Auxiliary engine 45 drives alternator 49 to generate 115 AC volt power. Alternator 49 also provides power to regulator 53, which regulates the DC voltage to battery 43, and provides power for other electrical devices or applications 109, such as, e.g., trailer lights, vehicle accessories, other electrical components, etc. Some of the AC voltage is also supplied through outlets in the interior of sleeping compartment 17 for electrical devices like AC appliances 107, such as, e.g., a television, microwave, stereo, computer, tools, etc.
If cooling is desired, a clutch (not shown) for auxiliary compressor 57 engages compressor 57, causing it to supply pressurized refrigerant to condenser 59. Condenser 59 delivers condensed refrigerant to evaporator 65. A pressure drop causes the refrigerant to expand, and blower 69 moves air across evaporator 65 into the interior of sleeping compartment 17. The refrigerant returns from evaporator 65 to compressor 57. If heat is desired in compartment 17, compressor 57 is disengaged and blower 69 causes air movement through heater element 67 into the interior of sleeper compartment 17.
Referring now to
The method may further comprise driving an air conditioner compressor with the auxiliary engine for compressing refrigerant; condensing the refrigerant with a condenser that is in fluid communication with the compressor; evaporating the refrigerant condensed by the condenser with an evaporator; and moving air through the evaporator and into an interior of the vehicle with an electrically driven blower mounted adjacent the evaporator. In addition, the method may further comprise providing power to additional electrical devices.
The present invention has several advantages including the ability to regulate at least a portion of the output of an auxiliary power source, rather than the regulating the input. The regulated output may be used to directly recharge the main battery of a vehicle when the main engine of the vehicle is not operating. Moreover, the invention does not require the use of an alternator or battery charger to accomplish this advantage. The additional winding used to perform this function adds additional density to the rotor to increase its mechanical operational capacity as a flywheel which, in turn, produces smoother, quieter power for the end user at lower auxiliary engine speeds. Consequently, this design has lower emissions to reduce its environmental impact during operation.
While the invention has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.
