초록 ▼

An air conditioning system for use in an over-the-road or off road vehicle is provided that allows operation during both engine on and engine off conditions. The system utilizes a variable speed, motor driven compressor controlled by an intelligent power generation management controller. This contro

An air conditioning system for use in an over-the-road or off road vehicle is provided that allows operation during both engine on and engine off conditions. The system utilizes a variable speed, motor driven compressor controlled by an intelligent power generation management controller. This controller selects from one of the available sources of power on the vehicle to drive the compressor, and modulates the compressor speed and capacity based on operational parameters and source availability and depletion. The controller may also operate a coolant or air heater to provide heating to the interior compartments.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An air conditioning system for use in an over-the-road vehicle, comprising:a variable-speed compressor for providing refrigerant to a heat exchanger positioned to provide temperature control to an interior compartment of a vehicle; a brushless DC motor operably coupled to the variable-speed compr

1. An air conditioning system for use in an over-the-road vehicle, comprising:a variable-speed compressor for providing refrigerant to a heat exchanger positioned to provide temperature control to an interior compartment of a vehicle; a brushless DC motor operably coupled to the variable-speed compressor; an intelligent power generation management controller operably coupled to the motor, the controller receiving electric power from at least one source of electric power operable when an engine of the vehicle is not operating; and wherein the controller modulates the speed of the compressor when the engine is not operating by varying an energization of the motor based on the power capacity of the source of electric power to enable operation of the compressor during an engine off condition. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of electric power is a battery, and wherein the controller operates the compressor at a minimum speed to extend a duration of operation of the air conditioning system.3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller monitors the voltage of the battery, and wherein the controller disables operation of the compressor when the voltage of the battery drops below a predetermined set point.4. The system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined set point is set at 11.5 volts.5. The system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined set point is determined by at least one of a starting power requirement of the vehicle's engine, and the life of the battery.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of electric power is shore power, and wherein the controller operates the compressor at maximum speed.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of electric power is an auxiliary power unit, and wherein the controller operates the compressor at a minimum speed to extend a duration of operation of the air conditioning system.8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller receives electric power from an engine driven electric power system, and wherein the controller operates the compressor at maximum speed to minimum speed dependant on performance requirements of the system.9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to receive electric power from a plurality of sources of electric power operable when the engine of the vehicle is not operating and from at least one source of electric power operable when the engine is operating, and wherein the controller dynamically utilizes electric power from one of the sources based on priority logic of available sources.10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of sources electric power operable when the engine of the vehicle is not operating includes a battery, shore power, and an auxiliary power unit, and the source of electric power operable when the engine is operating is the vehicle's electric power system, and wherein the priority logic selects the vehicle's electric power system, the shore power, the auxiliary power unit, and the battery, respectively, based on availability of the sources.11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heater, and wherein the controller disables the compressor and operates the heater to provide heating to the interior compartment of the vehicle.12. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle, comprising:a high pressure coolant loop including a motor-driven compressor and a refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger; a low pressure coolant loop in thermal communication with the high pressure coolant loop via the refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger, the low pressure coolant loop including a coolant pump and a liquid to air heat exchanger positioned in thermal communication with an interior compartment of the vehicle; and an intelligent power generation management controller operably coupled to the motor-driven compressor, the controller receiving electric power from at least one source of electric power operable when an engine of the vehicle is not operating; and wherein the controller modulates the speed of the motor-driven compressor and operates the coolant pump when the engine is not operating based on the power capacity of the source of electric power to prolong operation of the HVAC system during an engine off condition when interior cooling is required. 13. The HVAC system of claim 12, wherein the low pressure coolant loop includes a coolant heater, and wherein the controller disables operation of the compressor and operates the coolant heater and the coolant pump when the engine is not operating based on the power capacity of the source of electric power to prolong operation of the HVAC system during an engine off condition when interior heating is required.14. The HVAC system of claim 12, further comprising at least one of a resistance type air heater and a fuel fired type air heater positioned in thermal communication with the interior compartment of the vehicle, and wherein the controller disables operation of the compressor and the coolant pump and enables operation of the air heater when the engine is not operating based on the power capacity of the source of electric power to prolong operation of the HVAC system during an engine off condition when interior heating is required.15. The HVAC system of claim 12, wherein the controller receives electric power from a plurality of sources of electric power operable when an engine of the vehicle is not operating and at least one source of electric power operable when the engine of the vehicle is operating, and wherein the controller selectively utilizes electric power from one of the sources based on internal priority logic.16. The HVAC system of claim 12, wherein the source of electric power is a battery, and wherein the controller operates the compressor at a minimum speed to extend a duration of operation of the HVAC system.17. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller monitors the power utilization of the battery, and wherein the controller disables operation of the compressor to preserve an amount of power in the battery sufficient to start the vehicle's engine.18. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle, comprising:a high pressure coolant loop including a motor-driven compressor and a refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger; a low pressure coolant loop in thermal communication with the high pressure coolant loop via the refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger, the low pressure coolant loop including a coolant pump and a liquid to air heat exchanger positioned in thermal communication with an interior compartment of the vehicle; a heater; and an intelligent power generation management controller operably coupled to the motor-driven compressor, the coolant pump, and the heater, the controller receiving electric power from at least one source of electric power operable when an engine of the vehicle is not operating; and wherein the controller modulates the speed of the motor-driven compressor and operates the coolant pump when the engine is not operating based on the power capacity of the source of electric power to prolong operation of the HVAC system during an engine off condition when interior cooling is required; and wherein the controller disables operation of the compressor and operates the heater when the engine is not operating based on the power capacity of the source of electric power to prolong operation of the HVAC system during an engine off condition when interior heating is required. 19. The HVAC system of claim 18, wherein the heater is a coolant heater in thermal communication with the low pressure coolant loop, and wherein the controller operates the coolant heater and the coolant pump when interior heating is required.20. The HVAC system of claim 18, wherein the heater is one of a resistance type air heater and a fuel fired type air heater, and wherein the controller disables operation of the compressor and the coolant pump, and operates the air heater when interior heating is required.