CA2398131A1 - Battery charging and air condition operating unit - Google Patents
Battery charging and air condition operating unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2398131A1 CA2398131A1 CA 2398131 CA2398131A CA2398131A1 CA 2398131 A1 CA2398131 A1 CA 2398131A1 CA 2398131 CA2398131 CA 2398131 CA 2398131 A CA2398131 A CA 2398131A CA 2398131 A1 CA2398131 A1 CA 2398131A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- air condition
- power source
- electric motor
- pump
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system having a power source, an electric current generator connected to the power source for charging the vehicle battery and an electric motor powered by the vehicle battery and releasably connected to a vehicle air condition pump for selective operation of the pump.
The electric motor is releasably connected to the vehicle air condition pump via a clutch mechanism, for selectively providing a coupling between the electric motor and the vehicle air condition pump when the vehicle air condition pump should be operated. The system further has an electrically operated cooling fan for selectively cooling air condition fluid from the vehicle air conditioning unit. The power source is preferably either an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or a steam engine.
Advantageously, an electric motor used as the power source will be powered by solar cells or via a household electrical power outlet.
The electric motor is releasably connected to the vehicle air condition pump via a clutch mechanism, for selectively providing a coupling between the electric motor and the vehicle air condition pump when the vehicle air condition pump should be operated. The system further has an electrically operated cooling fan for selectively cooling air condition fluid from the vehicle air conditioning unit. The power source is preferably either an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or a steam engine.
Advantageously, an electric motor used as the power source will be powered by solar cells or via a household electrical power outlet.
Description
BATTERY CHARGING AND AIR CONDITION OPERATING UNIT
This invention relates mainly to secondary systems for vehicle air conditioning units and on-board vehicle power supplies. More specifically, the invention relates to secondary systems for enhancing the vehicle occupant or occupants living accommodations in a vehicle, whilst cutting down on the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of the primary engine of the vehicle.
Traditionally, a vehicle such as a tractor pulling a trailer, or any other larger vehicle, is left with its primary engine running also during longer stops, because there is a need for continuously charging the vehicle battery or batteries and to provide power to the vehicle air condition pump. The primary engine is often a larger diesel engine, to provide sufficient pulling power to the vehicle when fully loaded. This type of engine produces an unnecessarily large amount of exhaust even during lower running speeds.
Thus, the running of the engine during longer stops contributes to environmentally hazardous exhaust gas released into the atmosphere and burns an unnecessarily large amount of non-renewable fossil fuels (diesel or gasoline, for instance).
To provide air conditioning facilities for a still-standing vehicle with its primary engine shut off, a device has been used which has an auxiliary power plant (engine, electric alternator, water pump, air condition compressor and a heat exchanger) mounted on a tractor of a truck or other large vehicle (see US 4,682,649, US 4,765,359 and US RE
33,687 to Greer). Thus, when the main engine of the truck is not in operation, the auxiliary power plant is operated to provide heating and air conditioning for the truck as desirable. The heat exchanger uses the exhaust heat from the auxiliary engine for heating. The electric alternator supplies the truck with electricity. An apparent drawback of this construction is the relatively large volume of extra equipment that will have to be located on the truck, and the relatively large cost of the system.
It is an object of the invention to improve on the existing add-on systems for providing vehicle air conditioning, to provide a system that is less costly and less bulky.
In the invention, a vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system, comprises:
a power source;
an electric current generator connected to the power source for charging the vehicle battery;
an electric motor powered by the vehicle battery and releasably connected to a vehicle air condition pump for selective operation of the pump.
Advantageously, the electric motor is releasably connected to the vehicle air condition pump via a clutch mechanism, for selectively providing a coupling between the electric motor and the vehicle air condition pump when the vehicle air condition pump should be operated.
Preferably, the system further comprises an electrically operated cooling fan for selectively cooling air condition fluid from the vehicle air conditioning unit.
The power source is preferably either an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or a steam engine.
Advantageously, an electric motor used as the power source will be powered by solar cells or via a household electrical power outlet.
Further features will be described or will become apparent in the course of the detailed description which follows.
The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a secondary system according to the invention.
A vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system 1 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1 and comprises a power source 2, an electric current _2_ generator 3 connected to the power source for charging the vehicle battery 4, an electric motor 5 powered by the vehicle battery and releasably connected to a vehicle air condition pump 6 for operation of the pump.
The electric motor 5 is releasably connected to the vehicle air condition pump 6 via a, preferably, mechanical clutch mechanism 7, for selectively providing a mechanical connection between the electric motor and the vehicle air condition pump when the vehicle air condition pump should be operated. Alternatively, the clutch mechanism may be an electric/magnetic clutch mechanism.
The system 1 further preferably comprises an electrically operated cooling fan 8 for selectively cooling air condition fluid circulating in the vehicle air conditioning unit.
The power source 2 is preferably chosen from an internal combustion engine, an electric motor (not shown) or a steam engine (not shown). The internal combustion engine is either a gas or diesel engine. A water-cooled power source is advantageously also connected to the existing vehicle heater system, to provide heat if required when the power source is running.
When an electric motor is used as the power source it is advantageously powered by solar cells (not shown), or via a household electrical power outlet.
The power source 2 drives the electric current generator 3, for instance an alternator, via a coupler mechanism. The alternator charges the vehicle battery/batteries 4. Any electric devices, such as electric heaters, radios, video players, TVs etc., can thus be connected to the vehicle battery and used normally, without risking emptying the battery. The electric motor 5 is connected to the vehicle battery via a solenoid switch 9. The electric motor is mechanically connected to the vehicle air condition pump 6 via the mechanical clutch mechanism 7, for example a centrifugal clutch, and a drive belt 11 and pulley 12. The clutch mechanism is used to prevent the electric motor from turning when the vehicle primary engine is running, when the air condition unit is being used, the clutch mechanism will free-wheel. The clutch mechanism will only engage when the electric motor is running. The pulley is mounted onto the existing vehicle air condition pump drive shaft 13.
As is a standard practice regarding air condition pumps, an electric clutch 14 is mounted on the drive shaft so that the pulley 12 is selectively engageable with the drive shaft for driving the pump or disengageable from the drive shaft when the pump is not in operation. The electric clutch is disengaged when the secondary system according to the invention is in operation, to disengage the drive between the primary engine and the air condition pump. The cooling fan 8 is preferably used to provide the necessary cooling for the vehicle air condition unit cooling fluid, since the vehicle primary engine cooling fan will not be in operation when the system 1 is used.
The system is electrically connected so that, when the vehicle ignition key is in its "on"
position and a system charging switch 15 is switched on, the power source will start running and provide electric charge to the battery via the electric current generator.
Subsequently, a system air condition switch 16 can be switched on to enable the electric motor to spin the vehicle air condition pump as needed (governed by the vehicle air condition regulation means in the same way as when the vehicle air condition unit would operate driven by the vehicle primary engine). The air condition unit switches the pump on or off as needed via the electric clutch and switching the electric motor on or off, correspondingly. The cooling fan is also switched on or off as needed via the vehicle air condition unit.
The power source 2 is preferably connected to the generator 3 via a coupling C, alternatively the power source and generator can be one unit (not shown). In Fig. 1, ground is designated G, vehicle ground is for instance a truck frame or similar construction. Battery cables are designated B and fusible links arranged in the battery cables as required are designated F. Relay switches used by the system are designated R. A safety shut-off relay 17 is preferably used and connected between the system 1 and the vehicle primary engine ignition.
The system according to the invention is primarily intended for use on trucks, but any vehicle having a large primary engine can benefit from the system, for example boats, large cars or buses. The system only adds the power source, the electric motor and its drive/clutch for the existing AC pump of the vehicle. The system thus uses the existing AC installation and does not have to be connected to the existing air or AC
fluid ducts, facilitating the mounting and connection of the system. In the prior art, when adding a self-contained unit with an AC compressor among other devices, there is a need for balancing the existing compressor and the added compressor. This procedure is relatively complicated and takes time, thus adding to the cost of the solution of the prior art.
Several advantages are perceived with the invention compared to previously used art:
- Electric devices can be powered from the vehicle battery when the vehicle primary engine and charging system is not in operation, without emptying the battery electric charge.
- The vehicle air condition unit can be used when the vehicle primary engine is not in operation. This will dramatically lower the pollution generated during operation of the air condition unit during vehicle stand-still periods.
- The system is simple in construction and compact, making it cheap to produce and easy to install. The compact design also keeps the total system weight down to a minimum. Furthermore, the simplicity in construction keeps system maintenance costs down.
The vehicle external lighting and warning systems as well as the internal lighting systems can be operated for prolonged periods of time, without risking emptying the vehicle battery electric charge.
- The system can be used as a backup charging system, should the primary charging system fail.
It will be appreciated that the above description relates to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly described.
This invention relates mainly to secondary systems for vehicle air conditioning units and on-board vehicle power supplies. More specifically, the invention relates to secondary systems for enhancing the vehicle occupant or occupants living accommodations in a vehicle, whilst cutting down on the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of the primary engine of the vehicle.
Traditionally, a vehicle such as a tractor pulling a trailer, or any other larger vehicle, is left with its primary engine running also during longer stops, because there is a need for continuously charging the vehicle battery or batteries and to provide power to the vehicle air condition pump. The primary engine is often a larger diesel engine, to provide sufficient pulling power to the vehicle when fully loaded. This type of engine produces an unnecessarily large amount of exhaust even during lower running speeds.
Thus, the running of the engine during longer stops contributes to environmentally hazardous exhaust gas released into the atmosphere and burns an unnecessarily large amount of non-renewable fossil fuels (diesel or gasoline, for instance).
To provide air conditioning facilities for a still-standing vehicle with its primary engine shut off, a device has been used which has an auxiliary power plant (engine, electric alternator, water pump, air condition compressor and a heat exchanger) mounted on a tractor of a truck or other large vehicle (see US 4,682,649, US 4,765,359 and US RE
33,687 to Greer). Thus, when the main engine of the truck is not in operation, the auxiliary power plant is operated to provide heating and air conditioning for the truck as desirable. The heat exchanger uses the exhaust heat from the auxiliary engine for heating. The electric alternator supplies the truck with electricity. An apparent drawback of this construction is the relatively large volume of extra equipment that will have to be located on the truck, and the relatively large cost of the system.
It is an object of the invention to improve on the existing add-on systems for providing vehicle air conditioning, to provide a system that is less costly and less bulky.
In the invention, a vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system, comprises:
a power source;
an electric current generator connected to the power source for charging the vehicle battery;
an electric motor powered by the vehicle battery and releasably connected to a vehicle air condition pump for selective operation of the pump.
Advantageously, the electric motor is releasably connected to the vehicle air condition pump via a clutch mechanism, for selectively providing a coupling between the electric motor and the vehicle air condition pump when the vehicle air condition pump should be operated.
Preferably, the system further comprises an electrically operated cooling fan for selectively cooling air condition fluid from the vehicle air conditioning unit.
The power source is preferably either an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or a steam engine.
Advantageously, an electric motor used as the power source will be powered by solar cells or via a household electrical power outlet.
Further features will be described or will become apparent in the course of the detailed description which follows.
The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a secondary system according to the invention.
A vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system 1 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1 and comprises a power source 2, an electric current _2_ generator 3 connected to the power source for charging the vehicle battery 4, an electric motor 5 powered by the vehicle battery and releasably connected to a vehicle air condition pump 6 for operation of the pump.
The electric motor 5 is releasably connected to the vehicle air condition pump 6 via a, preferably, mechanical clutch mechanism 7, for selectively providing a mechanical connection between the electric motor and the vehicle air condition pump when the vehicle air condition pump should be operated. Alternatively, the clutch mechanism may be an electric/magnetic clutch mechanism.
The system 1 further preferably comprises an electrically operated cooling fan 8 for selectively cooling air condition fluid circulating in the vehicle air conditioning unit.
The power source 2 is preferably chosen from an internal combustion engine, an electric motor (not shown) or a steam engine (not shown). The internal combustion engine is either a gas or diesel engine. A water-cooled power source is advantageously also connected to the existing vehicle heater system, to provide heat if required when the power source is running.
When an electric motor is used as the power source it is advantageously powered by solar cells (not shown), or via a household electrical power outlet.
The power source 2 drives the electric current generator 3, for instance an alternator, via a coupler mechanism. The alternator charges the vehicle battery/batteries 4. Any electric devices, such as electric heaters, radios, video players, TVs etc., can thus be connected to the vehicle battery and used normally, without risking emptying the battery. The electric motor 5 is connected to the vehicle battery via a solenoid switch 9. The electric motor is mechanically connected to the vehicle air condition pump 6 via the mechanical clutch mechanism 7, for example a centrifugal clutch, and a drive belt 11 and pulley 12. The clutch mechanism is used to prevent the electric motor from turning when the vehicle primary engine is running, when the air condition unit is being used, the clutch mechanism will free-wheel. The clutch mechanism will only engage when the electric motor is running. The pulley is mounted onto the existing vehicle air condition pump drive shaft 13.
As is a standard practice regarding air condition pumps, an electric clutch 14 is mounted on the drive shaft so that the pulley 12 is selectively engageable with the drive shaft for driving the pump or disengageable from the drive shaft when the pump is not in operation. The electric clutch is disengaged when the secondary system according to the invention is in operation, to disengage the drive between the primary engine and the air condition pump. The cooling fan 8 is preferably used to provide the necessary cooling for the vehicle air condition unit cooling fluid, since the vehicle primary engine cooling fan will not be in operation when the system 1 is used.
The system is electrically connected so that, when the vehicle ignition key is in its "on"
position and a system charging switch 15 is switched on, the power source will start running and provide electric charge to the battery via the electric current generator.
Subsequently, a system air condition switch 16 can be switched on to enable the electric motor to spin the vehicle air condition pump as needed (governed by the vehicle air condition regulation means in the same way as when the vehicle air condition unit would operate driven by the vehicle primary engine). The air condition unit switches the pump on or off as needed via the electric clutch and switching the electric motor on or off, correspondingly. The cooling fan is also switched on or off as needed via the vehicle air condition unit.
The power source 2 is preferably connected to the generator 3 via a coupling C, alternatively the power source and generator can be one unit (not shown). In Fig. 1, ground is designated G, vehicle ground is for instance a truck frame or similar construction. Battery cables are designated B and fusible links arranged in the battery cables as required are designated F. Relay switches used by the system are designated R. A safety shut-off relay 17 is preferably used and connected between the system 1 and the vehicle primary engine ignition.
The system according to the invention is primarily intended for use on trucks, but any vehicle having a large primary engine can benefit from the system, for example boats, large cars or buses. The system only adds the power source, the electric motor and its drive/clutch for the existing AC pump of the vehicle. The system thus uses the existing AC installation and does not have to be connected to the existing air or AC
fluid ducts, facilitating the mounting and connection of the system. In the prior art, when adding a self-contained unit with an AC compressor among other devices, there is a need for balancing the existing compressor and the added compressor. This procedure is relatively complicated and takes time, thus adding to the cost of the solution of the prior art.
Several advantages are perceived with the invention compared to previously used art:
- Electric devices can be powered from the vehicle battery when the vehicle primary engine and charging system is not in operation, without emptying the battery electric charge.
- The vehicle air condition unit can be used when the vehicle primary engine is not in operation. This will dramatically lower the pollution generated during operation of the air condition unit during vehicle stand-still periods.
- The system is simple in construction and compact, making it cheap to produce and easy to install. The compact design also keeps the total system weight down to a minimum. Furthermore, the simplicity in construction keeps system maintenance costs down.
The vehicle external lighting and warning systems as well as the internal lighting systems can be operated for prolonged periods of time, without risking emptying the vehicle battery electric charge.
- The system can be used as a backup charging system, should the primary charging system fail.
It will be appreciated that the above description relates to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly described.
Claims (7)
1. A vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system, comprising:
a power source;
an electric current generator connected to said power source for charging the vehicle battery;
an electric motor powered by the vehicle battery and releasably connected to a vehicle air condition pump for selective operation of said pump.
a power source;
an electric current generator connected to said power source for charging the vehicle battery;
an electric motor powered by the vehicle battery and releasably connected to a vehicle air condition pump for selective operation of said pump.
2. The vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said electric motor is releasably connected to said vehicle air condition pump via a clutch mechanism, for selectively providing a coupling between said electric motor and the vehicle air condition pump when the vehicle air condition pump should be operated.
3. The vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system as recited in claim 2, wherein said system further comprises an electrically operated cooling fan for selectively cooling air condition fluid from the vehicle air conditioning unit.
4. The vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said power source is an internal combustion engine.
5. The vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said power source is an electric motor.
6. The vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system as recited in claim 5, wherein said power source is powered by solar cells.
7. The vehicle battery charging and air conditioning unit propulsion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said power source is a steam engine.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US31137001P | 2001-08-13 | 2001-08-13 | |
| US60/311,370 | 2001-08-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2398131A1 true CA2398131A1 (en) | 2003-02-13 |
Family
ID=23206588
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2398131 Abandoned CA2398131A1 (en) | 2001-08-13 | 2002-08-13 | Battery charging and air condition operating unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2398131A1 (en) |
-
2002
- 2002-08-13 CA CA 2398131 patent/CA2398131A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |