Occupant-type Vehicle Patents (Class 62/244)
  • Patent number: 9124208
    Abstract: In a vehicle, a control apparatus controls a power converter supplying a rotary machine which can operate as a drive motor of the vehicle, and controls a cooling apparatus for circulating a coolant fluid through the rotary machine and the power converter. When a temporary condition occurs immediately after commencement of the circulation, whereby the temperatures of the coolant fluid and of switching elements in the power converter are judged to concurrently exceed respective specified temperature thresholds, the control apparatus limits the maximum power that can be supplied from the power converter to a lower value than is normally available. When the temperature of the coolant fluid is judged to no longer exceed the corresponding temperature threshold, the limiting is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inamura, Hajime Uematsu, Takayuki Kakihara
  • Patent number: 9102215
    Abstract: A comfort system is provided for a motor vehicle. A seat occupancy sensor determines whether a third row zone is occupied. At least one flow controller is provided in the floor duct for controllably supplying the conditioned airflow to at least the third row outlet. If the third row zone is occupied, then a second row outlet and the third row outlet are turned on to supply a conditioned airflow to a front seat zone, a second row zone, and the third row zone. If the third row zone is not occupied, then the third row outlet is closed off. If the second row zone is not occupied, then the second and third row outlets are closed off. If occupied, then the second row outlet is turned on until a desired comfort level is achieved in the second row zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mukesh Kumar, Paul B. Hoke, Martha E. Nefcy, David Wong
  • Publication number: 20150143833
    Abstract: An absorption refrigerator installed in an outward facing kitchenette in a recreational vehicle. The food compartment of the refrigerator is accessible from outside the vehicle. An air passage directs air from outside the vehicle to the back of the refrigerator by drawing air up through an opening located below the refrigerator and out of an opening located above the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: NORTHWOOD INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Baker
  • Patent number: 9038400
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventor: Lakhi Nandlal Goenka
  • Publication number: 20150135742
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid cooling circuit for a storage battery with which a motor vehicle of the electric or hybrid type is equipped, comprising a main loop for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, said main loop being connected to elements for cooling the storage battery, and a first bypass connecting the main loop to an air cooling radiator, and a second bypass connecting the main loop to a heat exchanger intended to be connected to an air conditioning system with which the motor vehicle is equipped, so as to cool the heat transfer fluid by means of the radiator and/or the heat exchanger of the air conditioning system. The main loop is connected to the first bypass by way of a first progressive three-way valve, and the main loop is connected to the second bypass by way of a second progressive three-way valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Christophe Rousseau, Bastien Jovet, Frederic Ladrech
  • Publication number: 20150121909
    Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system including a process air line having a first end connected to a process air source to allow a flow of process air therethrough. A ram air channel of the air conditioning system allows ambient air flow therethrough. A heat exchanger unit is disposed in the process air line and arranged within the ram air channel to thermally couple process air flowing through the process air line to ambient air flowing through the ram air channel. A water extractor disposed in the process air line downstream of the heat exchanger unit extracts water from the process air. A water supply system supplies extracted water into the ram air channel. The water supply system has a control arrangement to control a fluid connection between the water extractor and the ram air channel in dependence on an operating state of the aircraft air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Markus Koenig, Paul Chen
  • Patent number: 9021820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control process for an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system comprises a thermal loop (1) used as a heat pump and an electrical heating device (2). The process calculates a global heating capacity (HCglo) in function of the temperature chosen by the passenger, the speed of the blower and the temperature of the exterior air. Then, the process calculates a heating capacity (HC1) of the thermal loop (1) and compares this heating capacity (HC1) of the thermal loop to the global heating capacity (HCglo). If the global heating capacity (HCglo) is superior to the heating capacity (HC1) of the thermal loop, the process determines a heating capacity (HC2) of the electrical heating device (2). This heating capacity (HC2) of the electrical heating device (2) added to the heating capacity (HC1) of the thermal loop (1) allows to obtain the global heating capacity (HCglo) required in function of the temperature selected by the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Mohamed Yahia, Bertrand Nicolas, Samy Hammi
  • Patent number: 9021824
    Abstract: An apparatus that efficiently supplies air to a fuel cell within a vehicle. In particular, a compressor compresses air and supplies a first portion of the compressed air to an evaporator and a second portion to a heat exchanger. A drain valve also discharges condensate water from a fuel cell to the evaporator so that the evaporator receives some of both the compressed air and the condensate water and supplies air humidified by evaporation of the condensate water directly to the fuel cell. A heat exchanger also receives some of the compressed air, transfers heat from the received compressed air to the evaporator, and discharges cooled air to a humidifier. The humidifier receives and humidifies the cooled air and supplies the humidified air to the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Woo Koo, Hyun Yoo Kim, Hyuck Roul Kwon
  • Publication number: 20150114020
    Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes a frame, ground wheels including drive wheels, an operator cab carried on the frame, an engine mounted in an engine compartment on the frame at a position longitudinally spaced from the cab, a cooling assembly within the engine compartment for cooling the engine with the fan on the cooling assembly being driven by a hydraulic motor. An air conditioning system for cooling the cab includes a compressor in the engine compartment driven directly or indirectly by the same hydraulic motor so that it is driven at the rate of the fan rather than the rate of the engine. The engine control system controls both the cooling fan and the compressor using a clutch to disconnect the compressor when not required or when the fan is driven in reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Leonard Bergman
  • Publication number: 20150089968
    Abstract: An improved aircraft air chiller unit particularly suited for an aircraft galley that requires refrigerated or cooled beverage/meal carts and/or chilled storage compartments. The chiller of the present invention takes the form of a line replaceable unit (“LRU”) and incorporates a liquid-cooled refrigerant vapor compression cycle, arranged in a housing with a vertical orientation. Because of the vertical orientation, ducting on the rear surface of the chiller is omitted, reducing the overall footprint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Qiao Lu, William J. Godecker, James R. Forbes
  • Patent number: 8978411
    Abstract: An outer surface of a cold-storage container (or a refrigerant tube) is provided with a plurality of protrusion portions or recess portions. A cooling air passage, in which air flows to cool a space to be cooled in a cold storage time and in a cold release time of the cold storage material, is provided to contact a surface of the refrigerant tube on a side opposite to the cold storage container bonded to the refrigerant tube. The refrigerant tubes and the cold storage container form therebetween a cold-storage side air passage by the protrusion portions or the recess portions, such that air flows in the cold-storage side air passage separated from the cooling air passage. For example, the cold-storage side air passage is provided with a slanting space that causes condensed water or ice generated in the cold storage time to be drained along the cold-storage side air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamada, Seiji Inoue, Yoshio Miyata, Naoki Yokoyama, Etsuo Hasegawa, Jun Abei, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Aun Ota, Kouta Hagihara
  • Patent number: 8973395
    Abstract: A cold storage heat exchanger includes multiple refrigerant tubes, a cold storage container that is bonded to the refrigerant tube and defines a compartment receiving a cold storage material, and an inner fin arranged inside of the cold storage container. The cold storage container has a portion that stops and fixes the inner fin, and the cold storage container has a space where air is sealed. The space of the cold storage container is located at an upper side of the member that stops and fixes the inner fin. Accordingly, a stress applied to the cold storage container in the expansion of the cold storage material can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamada, Seiji Inoue, Yoshio Miyata, Naoki Yokoyama, Etsuo Hasegawa, Jun Abei
  • Patent number: 8973396
    Abstract: A cold storage heat exchanger includes multiple refrigerant tubes having therein refrigerant passages. The refrigerant tubes are arranged to provide a clearance therebetween. The cold storage heat exchanger further includes a cold storage container that is brazed with the refrigerant tube and defines a compartment receiving a cold storage material. The cold storage container has an open-hole portion at a brazed part with the refrigerant tube. Accordingly, efficiency of heat exchange by the cold storage heat exchanger can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamada, Seiji Inoue, Yoshio Miyata, Naoki Yokoyama, Etsuo Hasegawa, Jun Abei
  • Patent number: 8973393
    Abstract: An aircraft system for improved cooling efficiency comprises at least one air conditioning pack, coupled to an aircraft, having at least one air compression device powered by at least one power source and having an air compression device inlet. The system further comprises at least one air flow path for redirecting a first portion of a first volume of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compression device inlet. The air flow path includes a shutoff valve to enable the air flow path during ground operation of the aircraft and to disable the air flow path for flight operation of the aircraft. The air compression inlet mixes the first volume of aircraft interior outflow air with a second volume of aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture. The air conditioning pack conditions and circulates the air mixture into the aircraft interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Warren A. Atkey, Steve G. Mackin, Rod Millar
  • Patent number: 8973387
    Abstract: A vehicular air conditioning system capable of suppressing the power consumption of a refrigerating cycle is disclosed. The vehicular air conditioning system comprises a refrigerating cycle circuit comprising a compressor, an outside heat exchanger and an inside air conditioning heat exchanger annularly connected in order, and a device cooling circuit comprising a heating unit, an inside cooling heat exchanger, an intermediate heat exchanger and a pump being annularly connected, the intermediate heat exchanger being constructed such that one end of a piping of the cooling medium for air conditioning is connected to a liquid piping, the liquid piping providing connection between the outside heat exchanger and the inside air conditioning heat exchanger, and an opposite end of the piping of the cooling medium for air conditioning is connected to a suction port of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Osaka, Hiroaki Matsushima, Sachio Sekiya, Yuto Imanishi
  • Patent number: 8973386
    Abstract: An electric traction vehicle having: at least one pair of driving wheels; at least one reversible electric machine which can be mechanically connected to the driving wheels; an electronic power converter which pilots the electric machine; a storage system, which is aimed at storing electric energy, is connected to the electronic power converter and comprises at least one storage device; a passenger compartment; an air conditioning system of the passenger compartment which fulfills the function of regulating the temperature inside the passenger compartment; and a cooling system, which is completely independent and separate from the air conditioning system of the passenger compartment and uses a compression refrigeration cycle to cool at least one of the electric components, i.e. the electric machine, the electronic power converter and the storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Publication number: 20150065025
    Abstract: A compressing device added to a cabin air conditioning system to increase a pressure of air in the cabin air conditioning system itself and, thus, allow for lower pressure air to be bled from the engine. For instance, the compressing device allows air to be bled from a low, rather than a high, pressure locations of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Louis J. Bruno, Harold W. Hipsky
  • Publication number: 20150059386
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling airflow in a duct of an aircraft galley chiller includes first and second legs having ends connected together to form a vane, and free ends configured to be attached within the duct. A free end of one first leg may have a beveled edge, and the free end of the other leg may have a flat edge, and each leg may have one or more score lines to aid cutting lengths of the first and second legs. The legs are connected together at a predetermined fixed angle, or at an adjustable angle, such as by an adjustable hinge. A pair of opposing vanes may be attached within opposing sides of the duct to form a venturi within the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Peter John Leslie Burd
  • Patent number: 8967239
    Abstract: A controller and method for operating an air mover for a cooling system of a work vehicle. In one embodiment, engine coolant, hydraulic oil and charge air temperature data is measured. The temperature data is reconciled by using the largest required fan speed as the set point speed for cooling the heat exchangers with airflow. An air mover is operated at the set point speed to generate airflow across each of the heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Rex Schertz, Gerald R. Johnson, Daniel Soldan
  • Patent number: 8960563
    Abstract: A mobile refrigerator unit is operated remotely via wireless technology using a system with a local maintenance switch. A local override switch turns the refrigerator unit on and off, but keeps it on in the event of failure of the maintenance switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Startrak Information Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Herbert Perten, Timothy Slifkin
  • Patent number: 8955345
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having at least one electric drive component which is cooled via at least one coolant circuit which is coupled thermally to a refrigerant circuit. In a first operating mode of the motor vehicle, an inlet temperature of a coolant of the at least one coolant circuit is set to a first value by active cooling by means of the refrigerant circuit. In a second operating mode, in particular a sports operating mode of the motor vehicle, the inlet temperature is lowered with respect to the first operating mode. As a result, more pronounced cooling of the components is made possible in the second operating mode, as a result of which the maximum driving power of the motor vehicle is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Stefan Ullmann, Florian Bauer
  • Patent number: 8950467
    Abstract: A seat air-conditioning system for automotive vehicles includes an air-conditioning unit for generating cold air or hot air, a driver seat including a seat portion provided with a plurality of air discharge holes through which to discharge the cold air or the hot air to the outside, a front passenger seat including a seat portion provided with a plurality of air discharge holes through which to discharge the cold air or the hot air to the outside, an outlet duct mounted to the air-conditioning unit for drawing the cold air or the hot air from the air-conditioning unit therethrough, a seat duct connected to the outlet duct for supplying the cold air or the hot air to the driver seat and the front passenger seat therethrough, and a seat blower attached to the outlet duct for blowing the cold air or the hot air at an increased flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Halla Visteon Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Dae Woong Lee, Jong Su Kim, Soo-Yong Jin
  • Publication number: 20150033782
    Abstract: A vehicle heat pump air-conditioning system is provided, which is capable of securing a temperature linearity characteristic during dehumidifying heating, slowing progression of a frost formation on an exterior evaporator during heating, and stably continuing a heating operation while suppressing variations in a blowout temperature. In a cooling refrigeration cycle (14) becoming a base, an interior condenser (8) disposed in a HVAC unit (2) is connected to an exterior condenser (10) in parallel via switching means (15), an exterior evaporator (17) is connected to first decompression means (12) and an interior evaporator (7) in parallel via second decompression means (16), a heating heat pump cycle (18) is configured, the first decompression means (12) and the second decompression means (16) are on-off valve function attached decompression means (12, 16), and the exterior evaporator (17) and the interior evaporator (7) can be simultaneously used during dehumidifying heating and heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AUTOMATIVE THERMAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Kondo, Nobuya Nakagawa, Akira Katayama, Futoru Furata, Masatoshi Morishita, Shinji Deguchi, Yasuo Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20150033781
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner to be installed in a passenger compartment S includes a casing, a piping component, and a seal 60. The casing accommodates a heat exchanger. The piping component supplies a heating medium to the heat exchanger or exhausts the heating medium from the heat exchanger. The seal 60 seals a portion between the casing and a periphery of an opening P of a dash panel P of a vehicle. The dash panel P separates the passenger compartment S from an outside of the passenger compartment S. The piping component is inserted into the opening. The seal 60 has a surface facing the dash panel P and including a notch 60d. The notch 60d is positioned outside the periphery of opening P1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: JAPAN CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Hyakuda, Yosuke Harada, Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Koji Aso
  • Patent number: 8944144
    Abstract: The heating-ventilation and/or air-conditioning device for a motor vehicle passenger compartment comprises modules grouped substantially at the same horizontal level, namely at least one ventilation module (14) arranged to produce a pulsed air flow, a heating module (12) to be located in a central region of the passenger compartment and having heat exchangers (32, 34, 36) through which the air flow from the ventilation module can pass, and at least one distribution module (16) having an air inlet connected to a side air outlet (46d, 46g) of the heating module. The device of this invention may be installed in a vehicle passenger compartment having no central console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Gilles Elliot, Philippe Pierres, Serge Pouysegur
  • Patent number: 8944145
    Abstract: A vehicle seat air-conditioner includes a seat on which an occupant sits, a heat exchanger that adjusts the temperature of a conditioned gas, a blower that supplies the conditioned gas to the seat, a seat covering layer provided on a surface of the seat and facing the seated occupant, and a flow channel provided on an underside of the seat covering layer that pass the conditioned gas that is introduced by the blower. The vehicle seat air-conditioner is adapted to convey heat of the conditioned gas to an occupant side of the seat covering layer by directly blowing out a portion of the introduced conditioned gas to the occupant side of the seat covering layer, and to perform heat exchange with the occupant side of the seat covering layer by circulating a portion of a remainder of the conditioned gas through the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidenori Esaki
  • Publication number: 20150027143
    Abstract: A number of variations of the invention may include a product including a cabin exhaust air heat recovery system including a heat pump system having a non-freezing evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Nemesh, Mukund S. Wankhede, Bryan M. Styles
  • Patent number: 8936071
    Abstract: An aircraft cooling system includes a refrigerant cycle including a first heat exchanger. A liquid cycle passes a liquid through the first heat exchanger, at which it is cooled by a refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle. An air cycle compresses air and delivers the compressed air into a second heat exchanger. The liquid passes through the second heat exchanger at a location downstream of the first heat exchanger. The liquid cools the air in the second heat exchanger. Air downstream of the second heat exchanger passes to be utilized by a use on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Bruno, Douglas L. Christians
  • Publication number: 20150013355
    Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system comprising an ambient air supply line allowing a flow of ambient air therethrough, an ambient air cooling device to cool the air flowing through the ambient air supply line, and a discharge line connected to the ambient air cooling device and an aircraft cabin. A compressed air supply line allows a flow of compressed air therethrough, a compressed air cooling device is connected to the compressed air supply line to cool the air flowing through the compressed air supply line, and a discharge line is connected to the compressed air cooling device and to the aircraft cabin. A refrigerant circuit allows the flow of a two-phase refrigerant therethrough and converts the two-phase refrigerant from the liquid state into the gaseous state of aggregation and thereafter back again. The refrigerant circuit supplies cooling energy to the ambient air cooling device and the compressed air cooling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Klimpel, Enrico Klausner, Uwe Gampe, Steffen Golle, Mario Raddatz, Ullrich Hesse
  • Patent number: 8931299
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle and a method of operation is disclosed. The air conditioning system includes a primary refrigerant loop and a secondary liquid loop. The primary refrigerant loop includes a compressor configured to be selectively driven by the engine, a condenser, an expansion device and a refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger. The secondary liquid loop includes the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a thermal storage reservoir within which the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger is mounted, a pump configured to pump a liquid through the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a liquid-to-air heat exchanger configured to mount in a HVAC module and receive the liquid from the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a liquid flow valve configured to selectively direct the liquid directly to the pump or through the thermal storage reservoir to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, William R. Hill
  • Patent number: 8931290
    Abstract: An auxiliary cooling device is configured to be operated outside of an aircraft. The auxiliary cooling device is configured to be connected to an aircraft liquid cooling system which includes a refrigerating device, a coolant supply connection, a coolant discharge connection, and a control device. The auxiliary cooling device includes a cold source that is adapted to cool a coolant down to a desired low temperature, an auxiliary cooling device outlet which is connected to the cold source and connectable to the coolant supply connection. The auxiliary cooling device also includes an auxiliary cooling device inlet which is connected to the cold source and connectable to the coolant discharge connection of the aircraft liquid cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH, Airbus S.A.S.
    Inventors: Kenan Soenmez, Luc Leroy
  • Patent number: 8931712
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fragrance device for a vehicle capable of supplying plural fragrant ingredients to the inside of the vehicle as being contained in air flow of a vehicle-use air-conditioning device with a simple structure. The fragrance device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a main body 10 having a fragrance retention container 5, an inlet passage 6, an outlet passage 7, an inlet passage opening/closing door 8 and an outlet passage opening/closing door 9, an actuator 11 fixed to the main body 10, and a cam 14 which rotationally drives a rotary shaft 12 of the inlet passage opening/closing door and a rotary shaft 12 of the outlet passage opening/closing door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Nagano, Hisayoshi Yoshizaki, Toshio Tsubakida, Shinichi Hara, Yoshie Mizuno, Naoto Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8919140
    Abstract: A cooling system for a machine having an engine and an operator cabin includes a primary air conditioning unit, an auxiliary air conditioning unit, an electrical powering unit configured to electrically power the auxiliary air conditioning unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature within the operator cabin, and a controller in communication with the primary air conditioning unit, the auxiliary air conditioning unit, and the sensor. The controller selectively activates the primary air conditioning unit and the auxiliary air conditioning unit. When the primary air conditioning unit is activated, a timer is started to determine the elapsed time during which the temperature within the operator's cabin exceeds the acceptable range of desired temperature, and the auxiliary unit is activated when the elapsed time exceeds a threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lonny E. Johnson, Bailey J. Ferkel
  • Publication number: 20140373565
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a roof and an air conditioning system. The roof may have an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an aperture extending through the roof between the exterior surface and the interior surface. The air conditioning system may include an exterior housing that is mounted to the exterior surface of the roof. The air conditioning system may also include an evaporator and an evaporator blower. The air conditioning system may further include an interior housing that is removably mounted to the interior surface of the roof and defines a mounted position and a removed position. When the interior housing is in the removed position, the evaporator and evaporator blower may be accessible for servicing from the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Steven Melbostad, Christopher J. Kroeker, Lawrence P. Hong, Martin Duffy
  • Patent number: 8899059
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an external condenser and light assembly and, more particularly, to an improved external air conditioning condenser and housing that is designed to additionally serve as a light assembly for an emergency vehicle. The condenser housing is mounted to the exterior of the emergency vehicle, which improves the performance of the emergency vehicle's air-conditioning system. The design of the condenser housing also allows it to serve as a light assembly on which emergency vehicle lights are mounted. The condenser housing and light assembly structure thereby provides for proper air conditioning functionality without occupying space on the exterior of the vehicle that would more preferably be occupied by emergency lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Wheeled Coach Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott L. Barnes, Herschel W. Davis, Jr., Matthew W. Grafton, Robert L. Collins
  • Patent number: 8899311
    Abstract: When there is no occupant in seats other than a driver seat during a foot mode, an air-conditioning controller executes a single seat concentration mode to prevent blowing of warm air to a passenger seat and a backseat by closing foot outlets on a passenger seat side and a backseat side. In this case, in order to maintain an air volume blown from the foot outlet on a driver seat side when the controller changes the mode from the normal foot mode to the single seat concentration mode, the controller sets a blower level to be lower than in the case of the normal foot mode with respect to the same target blown air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Haruki Misumi, Takuya Kataoka, Koji Ota, Michio Nishikawa, Shinichirou Hirai, Yoshiaki Suzuki, Akihiro Haraguchi, Katsuji Kuwada, Yasuhiro Sagou
  • Patent number: 8893517
    Abstract: A vehicle air handling system includes an air conditioner having an inlet selectively opening to a source of fresh air or recirculated air from within the passenger compartment. A controller switches the source of inlet air to recirculated air under certain conditions in order to optimize system efficiency and component life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ranganathan Madhavan, Curtis M. Jones, Manfred Koberstein, Kenneth G. Brown, Eric G. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8887521
    Abstract: Provided is an air conditioner for an automobile capable of having uniform perfume performance in a width direction of the automobile by discharging air mixed with a perfume component supplied from a perfume generating unit through a discharging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Jae Jo Kim, Jin Hyuck Kim, Sung Je Lee, Yong Jun Jee, Sang Chul Byon, Nam Jun Lee, Yong Sung Kwon
  • Patent number: 8869547
    Abstract: An air conditioner of a track system vehicle includes two air conditioning units disposed in parallel in a horizontal direction and mounted on the roof of a vehicle, a plurality of outlets of two air conditioning units facing a vehicle center side, a first duct connecting two air conditioning units, and a second duct which bypasses to the vehicle ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaya Nishino, Toru Kanemori, Osamu Kawaguchi, Ayako Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8863540
    Abstract: An HVAC system to be installed in a vehicle comprises a battery management controller. The battery management controller comprises at least one connection for electrically coupling a first power source with a first voltage; at least one connection for electrically coupling a second power source with a second voltage; and a first memory storage device configured to record data collected by the battery management controller. The battery management controller is configured to run a temperature control system and to supply power to the temperature control system from a combination of the first and second power sources with a combined voltage, and wherein the second power source is disconnected when the combined voltage drops below a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Crosspoint Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Allen Alston, Ethan Petersen
  • Patent number: 8850834
    Abstract: An air conditioning method is provided. The method comprises when a refrigerant circuit is in operation and a temperature of an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is lower than a temperature of a heat exchanger of a heating circuit, transferring heat from the heat exchanger to air passing through the heat exchanger, and when the refrigerant circuit is not in operation and the temperature of the evaporator is higher than the temperature of the heat exchanger, transferring heat from the air passing through the heat exchanger to the heat exchanger. In this way, the heat exchanger functions to augment the cooling capabilities of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Markowitz, Dietmar Fischer
  • Publication number: 20140290287
    Abstract: A method and architecture for recovery of energy in an aircraft, both at altitude and on the ground, and recovering thermal energy from an exhaust. An architecture for recovery of energy includes an auxiliary power unit APU including an exhaust nozzle and a gas generator including a shaft transmitting power to a load compressor. The compressor supplies compressed air via a supply duct to an ECS air conditioning system of a passenger cabin. A recovery turbocharger is connected, directly or via a transmission case, to the shaft of the APU. The turbocharger includes a recovery turbine powered by a downstream branch of a conduit mounted on a heat exchanger fitted to the nozzle. The conduit includes an upstream branch connected to channels connecting air outlets of the cabin and the compressor. A second exchanger can be mounted between the supply duct and the cabin outlet channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: TURBOMECA
    Inventor: Laurent Houssaye
  • Patent number: 8839632
    Abstract: A climate control system of a vehicle and a method of controlling the climate control system to minimize vehicle energy consumption and maximize occupant comfort. The climate control system includes a main HVAC system for conditioning a fluid discharged into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, an auxiliary HVAC system for conditioning a localized fluid of at least one HVAC zones of the passenger compartment, a seat system, and an HVAC controller. The HVAC controller controls the main HVAC system, the auxiliary HVAC system, and the seat system based upon at least one parameter and condition which pertains to at least one of electrical energy consumption of the vehicle and occupant comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lakhi Nandlal Goenka, Clay Maranville
  • Publication number: 20140260393
    Abstract: A modular air grill is taught having a removable return register and a removable supply register. The supply register may be replaced with a blank when adequate cooling or rapid cooling has occurred and the cooling through the ducts is desired rather than immediately adjacent to an air conditioning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Dometic Corporation
    Inventor: Dometic Corporation
  • Patent number: 8826681
    Abstract: An air conditioner for vehicles in which the probability of executing pre-air conditioning is increased so that it may be prevented that the inside of the vehicle cannot be often in a comfortable state before the driver gets into the vehicle. The air conditioner performs air conditioning of a vehicle having a traveling motor and an engine as drive sources and comprises a pre-air conditioning main switch. The crew permits operation of pre-air conditioning by turning the switch on. When the pre-air conditioning main switch is set on, an engine control section performs charge preference control where battery charge takes precedence of engine fuel consumption and performs normal control where engine fuel consumption takes precedence when the pre-air conditioning main switch is set off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiko Kojima
  • Publication number: 20140238064
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit for an aircraft galley comprises a frame establishing a main compartment, and a side window that receives a side access compartment, where a the dividing wall separates the side compartment interior space from a main chilled compartment. A side door mounted to the side access compartment allows access to the side compartment but not the main compartment, allowing segregation of snacks and items accessible to passengers via self-serve from those that are only distributed by flight attendants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron B. Hawkins, Jesse R. Peck, William J. Godecker, Victor A. Zankich
  • Patent number: 8806882
    Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein are directed to managing the heat content of two vehicle subsystems through a single coolant loop having parallel branches for each subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Alliance for Substainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Bennion, Matthew Thornton
  • Patent number: 8806881
    Abstract: A high-temperature circuit through which a high-temperature heat carrier fluid runs and which integrates a cooling radiator in which a cooling fluid flows, and a low-temperature circuit through which a low-temperature heat carrier fluid runs and which integrates a cooling radiator in which the cooling fluid flows, is disclosed. The pumps of the high- and low-temperature circuit form first actuators for running the heat carrier fluid though the circuits and second actuators for flowing the cooling fluids in the high- and low-temperature radiators, and sensors for detecting representative parameters of the cooling requirements of the high- and low-temperature circuits and for transmitting said parameters to a control unit. The transmitted parameters include at least one parameter related to the first actuators and at least one parameter related to the second actuators. The control unit adjusts the first and second actuators according to these parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Pascal Guerrero, Philippe Jouanny, Ngy Srun Ap
  • Publication number: 20140216089
    Abstract: A Motor Cycle personal cooling system is disclosed that utilizes waste heat employing solid adsorption. The system includes an air distribution module and one or more desiccant chambers encircling the exhaust pipes of the Motor Cycle. Air blowers blow ambient air across the heat exchanger, cooling the air, transferring heat to the heat exchanger, transferring heat to the water, causing it to boil, and turning the water into vapor which is then adsorbed by the desiccant. A heat source is then applied to the desiccant which releases the vapor that travels to one of the heat exchangers and condenses the vapor back into water. A cooling garment worn by the rider of the Motor Cycle has a cool air input and an exhaust output. The cool air input of the cooling garment receives cooled air from the air blowers, and body heat exits out the exhaust output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: OxiCool, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravikant T. Barot
  • Patent number: 8776541
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system has an engine driving an electric generator. A compressor is powered by the generator. At least one first electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat rejection heat exchanger. At least one second electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat absorption heat exchanger. A controller is coupled to the compressor and first and second fans. The controller is configured to: start the engine; engage the generator and at least one of the first fans before the engine has reached running speed; after the engine has reached running speed, start the compressor; and after starting the compressor, start at least one of the second fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Scott D. Fulmer, Peter P. Guzman, Donald B. Hotaling, John R. Reason