Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for cooling a vehicular electronics system. In one aspect, a vehicular refrigerant system includes: (1) a refrigerant loop having a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant, an expansion device configured to enable expansion of the condensed refrigerant, and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from a liquid coolant to the expanded refrigerant; (2) a liquid coolant loop configured to transfer heat from an electronics system via the liquid coolant; and (3) a controller configured to: (a) obtain operating data regarding the refrigerant, the liquid coolant, and/or the electronics system; and (b) adjust operation of the refrigerant loop and/or the liquid coolant loop based on the obtained operating data.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for conditioning air and heating water in a vehicle. In one aspect, a method includes: (1) obtaining a desired temperature for an interior of the vehicle; (2) obtaining a desired temperature for water in a water storage tank of the vehicle; (3) determining a current interior temperature; (4) and a current water temperature; (5) if the current water temperature is below the desired water temperature, and if the current interior temperature is below the desired interior temperature, operating a system in a first mode to concurrently heat the water and heat the interior; and (6) if the current water temperature is below the desired water temperature, and if the current interior temperature is above the desired interior temperature, operating the system in a second mode to concurrently heat the water and cool the interior.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for managing client control systems of a fleet of vehicles. In one aspect, a method includes (i) receiving, at a controller from a fleet server remote from at least one vehicle, at least one graphics instruction relating to a state of the at least one vehicle's auxiliary power source, and (ii) displaying on a graphical user interface (GUI), (a) a parameter associated with a climate control system of the at least one vehicle, and (b) a ring surrounding the parameter. The ring represents the state of the auxiliary power source that changes color, intensity, or size based on a degree of energy efficiency of the climate control system of the at least one vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for cooling a vehicular electronics system. In one aspect, a vehicular refrigerant system includes: (1) a refrigerant loop having a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant, an expansion device configured to enable expansion of the condensed refrigerant, and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from a liquid coolant to the expanded refrigerant; (2) a liquid coolant loop configured to transfer heat from an electronics system via the liquid coolant; and (3) a controller configured to: (a) obtain operating data regarding the refrigerant, the liquid coolant, and/or the electronics system; and (b) adjust operation of the refrigerant loop and/or the liquid coolant loop based on the obtained operating data.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for conditioning air and heating water in a vehicle. In one aspect, a method includes: (1) obtaining a desired temperature for an interior of the vehicle; (2) obtaining a desired temperature for water in a water storage tank of the vehicle; (3) determining a current interior temperature; (4) and a current water temperature; (5) if the current water temperature is below the desired water temperature, and if the current interior temperature is below the desired interior temperature, operating a system in a first mode to concurrently heat the water and heat the interior; and (6) if the current water temperature is below the desired water temperature, and if the current interior temperature is above the desired interior temperature, operating the system in a second mode to concurrently heat the water and cool the interior.

Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for managing client control systems of a fleet of vehicles. In one aspect, a method includes (i) receiving, at a controller from a fleet server remote from at least one vehicle, at least one graphics instruction relating to a state of the at least one vehicle's auxiliary power source, and (ii) displaying on a graphical user interface (GUI), (a) a parameter associated with a climate control system of the at least one vehicle, and (b) a ring surrounding the parameter. The ring represents the state of the auxiliary power source that changes color, intensity, or size based on a degree of energy efficiency of the climate control system of the at least one vehicle.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.

Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a user interface configured to receive a desired temperature from a user; (3) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (4) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (5) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated compressor system configured to be integrated with existing air conditioning systems. The integrated compressor system generally includes a mounting assembly, a first compressor and a valve. The mounting assembly can be mounted directly on a condenser of an existing air conditioning system. The first compressor and the valve are mounted directly on the mounting assembly. The valve has a first valve inlet, a second valve inlet and a valve outlet. When assembly and integrated with an existing AC system, the first valve inlet is fluidly coupled to a compressor outlet of the first compressor, the second valve inlet is fluidly coupled to a compressor outlet of the compressor of existing AC system, and a valve outlet is fluidly connected to a condenser inlet of the condenser.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for starting-up a vehicle air-conditioning system. In one aspect, a method is performed at a vehicle air-conditioning system including a blower fan, a condenser fan, and a compressor electrically coupled to a battery system. The method includes: (1) starting the blower fan; (2) after starting the blower fan, measuring a first current drawn from the battery system, the first current indicative of current drawn by the blower fan; (3) in accordance with a determination that the first current meets predefined criteria, starting the condenser fan; (4) after starting the condenser fan, measuring a second current drawn from the battery system, where the difference between the second current and the first current is indicative of current drawn by the condenser fan; and (5) in accordance with a determination that the second current meets predefined second criteria, starting the compressor.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining refrigerant charge level. In one aspect, a refrigeration system includes: (1) a compressor to compress a refrigerant; (2) a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor to condense the refrigerant; (3) an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser to vaporize the refrigerant; (4) refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator in series to form a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant; (5) at least one sensor configured to measure temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit; and (6) a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to: (a) determine a sub-cooling level or super-heating level based on the temperature and/or pressure measured by the at least one sensor; and (b) facilitate operation of the refrigeration system based on the sub-cooling level or the super-heating level.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for managing client control systems of a fleet of vehicles. In one aspect, a method is performed at a fleet server. The method includes: (1) receiving, from each vehicle of a plurality of vehicles in the fleet of road vehicles, at least one parameter relaying information about a performance of a climate control system of the respective vehicle, each climate control system having a distinct electrically-driven heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; (2) determining based on the at least one parameter from each vehicle an efficient operational setting for at least one vehicle of the fleet of vehicles; and (3) transmitting an operational setting instruction to the at least one vehicle to control the climate control system of the at least one vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a vehicular ventilation module having control circuitry, a return air duct, a fresh air duct, a heat exchanger, and a door joining an upstream portion of the return air duct upstream of the heat exchanger and an upstream portion of the fresh air duct upstream of the heat exchanger. The fresh air duct has an air inlet and an air outlet downstream of the air inlet. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the return air duct upstream of the return air outlet and to the fresh air duct downstream of the return air inlet. The door selectively opens to enable air to pass between the fresh air duct and the return air duct. The control circuitry is configured to operate in a first mode of operation, including having the door open. The return air outlet is configured to provide air to the HVAC system.

Abstract: The refrigerant liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing the liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and an electronics board thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. In use, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant.