Vehicle Contained Common Power And Heat Supply Patents (Class 165/43)
  • Patent number: 10286918
    Abstract: A system and method are provided and include at least one sensor and a controller. The at least one sensor generates data related to indoor air conditions of an autonomous vehicle. The at least one sensor includes at least one of a smoke sensor and an odor/air quality sensor. The controller is in communication with the at least one sensor and controls at least one vehicle system of the autonomous vehicle based on the data related to indoor air conditions of the autonomous vehicle received from the at least one sensor. The at least one vehicle system includes at least one of an HVAC system and a window actuator system. The controller controls the at least one vehicle system to purge and/or exhaust at least one of smoke and an odor detected within the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Reilly Patrick Mullett
  • Patent number: 10278237
    Abstract: A method for producing a heating system on a 3D plastic window, such as a car window. The heating system having an electric heat conductor structure with at least two bus bars and a grid line pattern with a plurality of grid lines. The method having: a step in which the two bus bars, made of a first electrically conductive paste are screen-printed onto the window by a displaceable squeegee; a step in which the grid line pattern is applied onto the window such that it respectively overlaps the two bus bars with at least one second electrically conductive paste which has a greater electrical resistance than the first electrically conductive paste, and a final step in which the two bus bars and the grid lines overlapping these bus bars are at the respective overlapping points electrically connected into the electric heat conductor structure by means of electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: INPRO INNOVATIONSGESELLSCHAFT FÜR FORTGESCHRITTENE PRODUKTIONSSYSTEME IN DER FAHRZEUGINDUSTRIE MBH
    Inventors: Thomas Krause, Olaf Hoyer, Henning Gleich
  • Patent number: 10259286
    Abstract: A device that controls a temperature of a battery onboard a motor vehicle includes an air-conditioning circuit of the motor vehicle in which circulates, as a first heat-transfer fluid, an air-conditioning fluid. The air-conditioning circuit includes at least one evaporator for direct transfer of heat emitted by the battery to the air-conditioning fluid and a compressor to increase a pressure and a temperature of the air-conditioning fluid. The device also includes a cooling circuit in which circulates, as a second heat-transfer fluid, a cooling fluid. The cooling circuit includes at least one first heat source to heat the cooling fluid and at least one main radiator to cool the cooling fluid that can be short-circuited. The cooling circuit also includes a battery radiator to directly transfer heat conveyed by the hot cooling fluid to the battery when the main radiator of the cooling circuit is short-circuited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Benoit Janier, Pascal David
  • Patent number: 10214074
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle HVAC system that provides for installation, serviceability, or replacement of at least one actuator servo without removal of the HVAC assembly from the vehicle. As due to the tight space limitations, the present invention provides for at least one fastener-less mounting element of the servo assembly to be attached to the HVAC assembly, without the need for additional fasteners which would require additional space to access with a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas Mazzocco, Daniel Okray, Christopher Wisniewski, Kurt Schulz
  • Patent number: 10174974
    Abstract: An expander generates cold by expanding a refrigerant gas in a cryogenic refrigerator. A compressor compresses the refrigerant gas returning from the expander. Pipes are connected to the expander and the compressor and circulate the refrigerant gas between the expander and the compressor. A determiner determines whether or not a change cycle of the pressure of the refrigerant gas flowing in the pipes is in a predetermined range. The determiner may determine whether or not the change cycle of the pressure of a low-pressure pipe in which a low-pressure refrigerant gas flows toward the compressor from the expander is in a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Nishiki Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10160509
    Abstract: An air cleaner is disposed at the front part of an intake space below a seat. A battery box containing a battery is disposed on the rear side relative to the air cleaner in the intake space. The battery box is disposed with a rearward tilt and on the intake upstream side of the air cleaner and a corner part of the battery box at the lower front end thereof is disposed close to the air cleaner with the intermediary of a slight gap. The battery in the battery box is located in a flow of intake air sucked into the air cleaner and is efficiently cooled. The battery box includes an opening wherein part of the outer surface of the battery and a degassing part face the opening. An anti-diffusion cover part, continuous with an edge of the opening, covers the degassing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusaburo Tani, Yusuke Inoue, Yuji Noguchi, Masashi Tada, Tomoya Matsuo
  • Patent number: 10155592
    Abstract: An environmental control system includes an air cycle machine. The air cycle machine includes a compressor section with a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, and a first turbine section with a first turbine inlet and a first turbine outlet. The environmental control system further includes a first turbine bypass shutoff valve positioned at the first turbine inlet. The first turbine bypass shutoff valve is configured to shut off the flow of air to the first turbine inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher McAuliffe, John M. Maljanian, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10071614
    Abstract: This vehicle air conditioner includes: a component temperature-adjustment path in which a coolant flows for performing a heat exchange with a vehicle component which needs a temperature adjustment; an engine coolant path in which an engine coolant guided from an engine cooling portion flows; a heater core. The vehicle air conditioner further includes: a first water-refrigerant heat exchanger which performs a heat exchange between a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant of a heat pump, the coolant fed to the component temperature-adjustment path, and the engine coolant; a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger which performs a heat exchange between a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant of the heat pump, and the engine coolant; and a first switch which can switch between a state where the engine coolant flows to the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger and a state where the refrigerant bypasses the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Kuroda, Yoshitoshi Noda, Katsuji Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10065479
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) unit may include a casing, an evaporator, a heater core, and a first damper. The casing may define a front airflow passageway, a rear airflow passageway having an inlet, and first and second outlets in fluid communication with the rear airflow passageway. The evaporator and the heater core may be disposed within the casing. The first damper may be disposed within the casing between the evaporator and the heater core and movable between a first position in which airflow is directed to the heater core and a second position in which airflow is directed away from the heater core. Airflow across the evaporator from the front airflow passageway to the rear airflow passageway is directed to the first and second outlets when the first damper is moved from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Stander, Reilly Patrick Mullett
  • Patent number: 10052937
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle air conditioning apparatus that can prevent the amount of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor from reducing when an outside air temperature is low to achieve a heating performance required for a heating operation, and also can dehumidify the vehicle interior without deteriorating the heating performance during a heating and dehumidifying operation. The vehicle air conditioning apparatus includes: a heat released refrigerant expansion valve that decompresses the refrigerant discharged from the radiator during the heating operation and the first heating and dehumidifying operation; a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant decompressed by the heat released refrigerant expansion valve into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant; and a bypass circuit that allows part of at least the gaseous refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator to flow into a section of the compressor through which the refrigerant being decompressed passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Satou, Megumi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 10017027
    Abstract: A vehicular air conditioner includes a partitioning portion which separates an inside of an air-conditioning casing into an inside-air passage through which an inside air flows and an outside-air passage through which an outside air flows, a cooling heat exchanger extending across both the inside-air passage and the outside-air passage, a heating heat exchanger heating the inside air and the outside air on a downstream side of the cooling heat exchanger in an air flow, and a restriction portion provided downstream of the cooing heat exchanger in the air flow and limiting inflow of the inside air into the outside-air passage on the way to the heating heat exchanger. The restriction portion is located in the inside-air passage between the cooing heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger, and includes a first temperature regulation door that regulates a temperature of air supplied to the vehicle compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Haraguchi, Katsuji Kuwada
  • Patent number: 10017032
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes at least one vapor compression system (VCS) that is configured to cool portions of the vehicle. The VCS circulates a fluid therethrough to cool the portions of the vehicle through heat exchange. At least one reverse air cycle machine (RACM) couples to VCS through a first heat exchanger. The RACM is configured to receive ram air. The RACM expands the ram air. Heat from the fluid circulating through the VCS is transferred to the expanded ram air through the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Webster Behrens, Andrew Richard Tucker
  • Patent number: 9975394
    Abstract: Vehicle seats may be configured as part of an airflow management system capable of controlling the environment in the immediate vicinity of seated passengers. A vehicle seat may include any number of air intake and discharge ports arranged so that discharged air flows along the body of the seated passenger on its way to the air intake ports. The air may be heated and/or cooled along a system air flow path to have an immediate effect on the comfort of the seated passenger without the need to heat or cool the entire vehicle cabin. Less energy is consumed to achieve a vehicle seat-specific climate than to achieve an overall interior cabin climate. The airflow management system may include more than one such vehicle seat, and the airflow characteristics with respect to each vehicle seat may be separately controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Fitzpatrick, James T. Hotary
  • Patent number: 9975406
    Abstract: A smell generation time predicting device is used for a vehicle air conditioner which includes an evaporator installed in an internal path of an air conditioner case and configured to, when the air conditioner is turned on, cool air blown into a vehicle room. The device includes a first temperature detector, a second temperature detector, and a control unit. The first temperature detector and the second temperature detector are installed at a downstream side of the evaporator in a mutually spaced-apart relationship. The control unit is configured to, when the air conditioner is turned off, predict a smell generation time in the evaporator depending on a temperature difference between the air temperatures detected by the first temperature detector and the second temperature detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jae Ho Kim, Kwang Il Kim, Ki Hong Kim, Hwan Myeong Jung, Hong Young Lim, Ji Yong Park, Dong Suk Lee, Yong Jun Jee, Sung Je Lee
  • Patent number: 9963010
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air conditioning system for conditioning the air of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, including an outlet section for diverting at least a portion of an air-mass flow circulating in the air conditioning system into the environment of the motor vehicle, a housing for directing the air-mass flow, wherein at least one fan for conveying the air-mass flow is designed within the housing, as well as a coolant circuit for tempering components of the motor vehicle, in particular, components of a power train, having a coolant-air-heat exchanger for transferring heat from the coolant to an air-mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Joern Froehling, Karl Schlesinger, Gerald Richter, Balthasar Schillemeit, Marc Graaf, Frank Schmitz, Roberto Della Rovere
  • Patent number: 9925847
    Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system comprises an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an auxiliary heating system, primary working fluid, and at least one valve assembly. The primary working fluid is configured to flow between the interior heat exchanger and the compressor. The at least one valve assembly configured to operate in a cooling mode in which the primary working transfers heat from the interior system to the compressor system, a standard heating mode in which in which the primary working transfers heat from the compressor system to the interior system and the auxiliary heating system does not transfer heat to the primary working fluid, and an augmented heating mode in which the auxiliary heating system transfers heat to the primary working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tiger Tool International Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Andrews, Doddy Ervondy
  • Patent number: 9895956
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus including a heat released refrigerant expansion valve that decompresses the refrigerant discharged from the radiator during the heating operation and the first heating and dehumidifying operation; a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant decompressed by the heat released refrigerant expansion valve into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant; and a bypass circuit that allows part of at least the gaseous refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator to flow into a section of the compressor through which the refrigerant being decompressed passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Satou, Megumi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 9829868
    Abstract: A method and system for co-ordinating control of a plurality of sensorless devices. Each device includes a communication subsystem and configured to self-detect one or more device properties, the device properties resulting in output having one or more output properties. The method includes: detecting inputs including the one or more device properties of each device, correlating, for each device, the detected one or more device properties to the one or more output properties, and co-ordinating control of each of the devices to operate at least one of their respective device properties to co-ordinate one or more output properties for the combined output to achieve a setpoint. In some example embodiments, the setpoint can be fixed, calculated or externally determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: S.A. Armstrong Limited
    Inventor: Marcelo Javier Acosta Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9751377
    Abstract: A cooling system for a work vehicle includes first heat exchanger, a fan spaced apart from the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger extending between the fan and the first heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger spaced apart from the second heat exchanger and extending between the fan and the first heat exchanger, A baffle plate is pivotally to a first position reducing air flow through the first heat exchanger and to a second position reducing air flow through the second heat exchanger. The baffle plate is pivoted by a linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua J Kappelman, Adam J Shuttleworth
  • Patent number: 9676309
    Abstract: A vehicle heating apparatus (10a) to be mounted on or built in a vehicle seat (2) at a location below a sitting portion S of the vehicle seat (2) includes a housing (20), a fan (14), and a heater (15). The housing (20) has an intake port (11), a left nozzle (12l), a right nozzle (12r), an air curtain nozzle (12c), and an internal space (13) serving as air flow paths from the intake port (11) to the left nozzle (12l), to the right nozzle (12r), and to the air curtain nozzle (12c). The air curtain nozzle (12c) is located between the left nozzle (12l) and the right nozzle (12r), and is formed so as to, in the usage state, blow air delivered by the fan (14) in a direction inclined upward at an angle of not more than 90° to a direction in which warm wind is blown out of the left nozzle (12l) and the right nozzle (12r).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kurosawa, Takehiko Ise, Atsunori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9657684
    Abstract: A short waste-heat reuse container disposed adjacent to a 40-f container that contains a radiator 23, an engine 21, and a power generator 22 disposed in a longitudinal direction of the container, the waste-heat reuse container collecting waste heat of the engine and generating steam or hot water, the waste-heat reuse container containing a muffler 2 that muffles exhaust gas of the engine, a boiler 4 that transfers heat of the exhaust gas to water and generates steam, and a heat exchanger 3 that transfers heat of cooling water heated by the engine to water and generates hot water, wherein the muffler is disposed upright opposite to the boiler in the longitudinal direction of the waste-heat reuse container, an exhaust gas inlet 2a of the muffler being disposed on an upper wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yamanaka, Takuya Hirai, Shuichi Shimodaira, Hirokazu Narita, Takeshi Abe
  • Patent number: 9656532
    Abstract: A vehicle cabin venting method includes cooling a vehicle battery charger by drawing outside air through a vehicle outside air vent door; and operating a hybrid vehicle battery system to establish and maintain flow of fresh air in a cabin of the vehicle by ensuring an open position of a blend door in the vehicle if the outside air vent door will not close. A vehicle cabin venting system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Blackburn, Jesus Cardoso, Michael Schamber, James Lawrence Swoish
  • Patent number: 9650940
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a heat medium-heat medium heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a first heat medium drawn into and discharged from a first pump and a second pump, and a second heat medium circulating through an engine cooling circuit. A first switching valve switches between a state in which the first heat medium discharged from the first pump flows, and another state in which the first heat medium discharged from the second pump flows, with respect to the plurality of devices and the heat medium-heat medium heat exchanger. The second switching valve switches between a state in which the first heat medium flows into the first pump, and another state in which the first heat medium flows into the second pump, with respect to the plurality of devices and the heat medium-heat medium heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuharu Kakehashi, Yoshiki Katoh, Norihiko Enomoto, Michio Nishikawa, Kengo Sugimura
  • Patent number: 9643469
    Abstract: A heat medium discharge side of a first pump and a heat medium discharge side of a second pump are connected to a first switching valve in parallel with each other. Respective heat medium inlet sides of a plurality of temperature adjustment devices are connected to the first switching valve in parallel with each other. Respective heat medium outlet sides of the temperature adjustment devices are connected to a second switching valve in parallel with each other. A heat medium suction side of the first pump and a heat medium suction side of the second pump are connected to the second switching valve in parallel with each other. Each of the temperature adjustment devices is switched between a state in which the heat medium circulates between the device and the first pump, and another state in which the heat medium circulates between the device and the second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuharu Kakehashi, Takashi Yamanaka, Masayuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9636969
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an air conditioning apparatus comprising an air conditioning case defining an airflow passage, an evaporator accommodated in the air conditioning case, a first blower located at an upstream side of the evaporator creating a first airflow in the airflow passage, a second blower located at an upstream side of the evaporator creating a second airflow in the airflow passage, and a controller electrically connected to the first blower and the second blower. The controller controls the first blower and the second blower based on a target total airflow amount. The first airflow and the second airflow are mixed at the upstream side of the evaporator. The air conditioning apparatus further comprises means for preventing the first airflow from being directed into the second blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Maehata
  • Patent number: 9612041
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a cooling apparatus cool a charger for charging a storage battery upon reception of a supply of power from a power supply. Exemplary embodiments include a compressor that circulates a refrigerant, a cooling unit provided on a path along which the refrigerant flows between the heat exchanger and the expansion valve to cool the charger using the refrigerant, a refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant flows between the compressor and the heat exchanger, a refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant flows between the cooling unit and the expansion valve, and a connecting passage connecting the refrigerant passage and the refrigerant passage. When heating occurs, frost formation can be suppressed without increasing configuration complexity and power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kawakami, Yuki Jojima, Eizo Takahashi, Kousuke Sato, Kazuhide Uchida, Yuichi Ohno
  • Patent number: 9562712
    Abstract: The heating capacity particularly at low outside air temperatures in a vehicular air-conditioning unit that heats the vehicle interior by heat pump operation of a refrigerant circuit using a compressor is improved. During heating, a refrigerant discharged from a compressor 2 releases heat in a radiator 4 into the vehicle interior, and the refrigerant decompressed after the heat release in the radiator evaporates in at least one of an external heat exchanger 7 and a ventilation heat exchanger 24. During cooling, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor releases heat in the external heat exchanger, and the refrigerant decompressed after the heat release in the external heat exchanger evaporates in an internal heat exchanger 9 to absorb heat from the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro Kasuya
  • Patent number: 9562715
    Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit comprising a chassis, a compartment supported by the chassis, and an environmental-control system in environmental communication with the compartment. The environmental-control system is configured to control an environmental parameter of the compartment. The environmental-control system includes an AC Alternator and a controller. The AC alternator is powered by an internal combustion engine and supplies electrical power for the environmental-control system. The controller is configured to monitor the environmental parameter of the compartment, monitor one or more electrical parameters of the AC alternator, control the environmental-control system based on the monitored environmental parameter, and control the AC alternator based on the monitored parameters of the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vaitheeswaran Kandasamy
  • Patent number: 9564670
    Abstract: A battery module including a plurality of battery cells aligned in a first direction; a heat exchange member supporting a bottom surface of each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells, the heat exchange member exchanging heat with the plurality of battery cells, wherein the heat exchange member includes a first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path, the first refrigerant flow path is adjacent to the bottom surface of each battery cell, and the second refrigerant flow path is spaced apart from the first refrigerant flow path and below the first refrigerant flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ju-Yong Park, Seung-Woo Yang, Jae-Lim Ryu
  • Patent number: 9533543
    Abstract: A climate control system of a vehicle includes an evaporator, a first blower, and a first blower passageway that receives air blown from the first blower. The system also includes a second blower and a second blower passageway that receives air blown from the second blower and that is fluidly independent of the first blower passageway. The system further includes a ducting assembly defining a common passageway that receives air from both the first and second blower passageways. The first and second blowers are configured to operate in parallel to deliver air to the common passage and across the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Maehata, David Korenchuk, Delomer Gosioco, William Morris
  • Patent number: 9440512
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a cooler including a first radiator, a cooling fan sending air flow to the first radiator, a reservoir tank connected with the first radiator to store a cooling fluid, and a water pump circulating the cooling fluid. A water-cooled condenser is connected with the cooling line to condense superheated steam and a two-phase refrigerant, which includes gas and liquid, by heat exchange with the cooling fluid. An air-cooled condenser is connected with the water-cooled condenser through a refrigerant line in series to condense the refrigerant by heat exchanging with external air as the vehicle travels and to discharge the condensed refrigerant to a receiver drier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jae Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 9428035
    Abstract: A vehicle HVAC noise control system includes a controller. An air handler provides airflow to a passenger compartment. An inputting device sets a target temperature for the passenger compartment. A temperature sensor measures a current temperature within the passenger compartment. A sensor detects an ambient condition outside of the passenger compartment. A blower motor moves the air flowing through the air handler into the passenger compartment at an adjustable operating airflow rate. The controller is connected to the air handler, the inputting device, the temperature sensor, the exterior sensor, and the blower motor. The controller determines and implements adjustments to the operating airflow rate in order to reduce airflow noise level based on at least the ambient condition, a comparison between the target temperature and the current temperature within the passenger compartment and a noise level of the airflow in the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Eisenhour
  • Patent number: 9375994
    Abstract: A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a vehicle engine, a heating system, a coolant temperature sensor, a coolant heater and a controller. The vehicle engine has a coolant passage defined therein. The heating system provides heat to a passenger compartment of a vehicle using heat transferred from the vehicle engine to coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant heater is configured to heat the coolant flowing through the coolant passage of the vehicle engine. The controller is configured to operate the coolant heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the coolant temperature is below a first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald S. Eisenhour, Richard Madden
  • Patent number: 9321325
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an electric vehicle includes a device for cooling one or more heat generating components, an in-cabin heat exchanger, and a heat pump device. The heat pump device includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling element, and a second heat exchanger which are connected through pipelines and form a first loop. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are both dual channel exchangers. The device for cooling one or more heat generating components forms a second loop with the second channel of the first heat exchanger, and forms a third loop with the second channel of the second heat exchanger. The in-cabin heat exchanger forms a fourth loop with the second channel of the second heat exchanger. Only one of the second, third, and fourth loops is not shut off at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HANGZHOU SANHUA RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rongrong Zhang, Yu He, Hui Wang, Jianmin Zhang, Chuliang Shi
  • Patent number: 9308799
    Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle having a plurality of modes includes an evaporator having a downstream face. The system also includes at least one blower that blows air across the evaporator. The air downstream of the blower has a pressure distribution defined generally along the downstream face. The pressure distribution along the downstream face is variable depending on which of the plurality of modes the climate control system is currently set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: William Morris, Delomer Gosioco, Hiromitsu Maehata, David Korenchuk
  • Patent number: 9272600
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Melbostad, Christopher J. Kroeker, Lawrence P. Hong, Martin Duffy
  • Patent number: 9227481
    Abstract: A cabin for a work vehicle comprises: a driver's seat positioned within the cabin; cabin frames including at least a transverse frame located in a rear region of the cabin; a roof supported by at least some of the cabin frames; at least one air-conditioning duct located within the roof; an air-conditioning unit located rearwardly with respect to a rearward end of a seat portion of the driver's seat and adjacent the transverse frame for conditioning air and for feeding air-conditioned air into the at least one air-conditioning duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Nobushige Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9211790
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that provide for cooling of a vehicle rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A cooling system is coupled to the RESS, and is configured to cool the RESS. A control system is coupled to the cooling system, and is configured to determine whether the RESS is charging, determine whether the vehicle is in a propulsion ready state, and initiate cooling of the RESS if the RESS is not charging and the vehicle is not in the propulsion ready state, provided further that one or more conditions are present that would promote faster than desired capacity loss for the RESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Buford, Matthew Simonini, Roland Matthe
  • Patent number: 9145057
    Abstract: A control method for shortening a start time of an electric vehicle quickly removes electricity remaining in a system without adding a separate component. The control method includes comparing a DC-link voltage in an inverter for driving a driving motor with a first reference value in a state in which the connection between a main battery and a vehicle system is released; checking a remaining voltage in the vehicle system and comparing the checked remaining voltage with a second reference value, when the DC-link voltage in the inverter is no less than the first reference value; removing the remaining voltage by operating an electric load in the vehicle so as to consume remaining electricity in the vehicle system, when the remaining voltage is no less than the second reference value; and connecting the main battery to the vehicle system by turning on a pre-charge relay and a main relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Tae Young Jung
  • Patent number: 9108674
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering device (I) comprising a steering member (10) for mutually steering a first vehicle unit (2) and a second vehicle unit (3) of an articulated vehicle (1) comprising means (30, 32) for mutually pivoting said vehicle units, wherein the steering device comprises a housing configuration (50) arranged to form a supply space between said vehicle units (2, 3), comprising means (5, 6, 8, S; 60, 62, A, O) arranged for removal of stuff in the supply space (S) incoming from the surrounding. The invention also relates to an articulated vehicle with a steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Max Thorén, Martin Carlsson
  • Patent number: 9102212
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to a system for supplying fresh air to the aft compartment of a vehicle, such as a heavy-duty vehicle. The fresh air is not conditioned by heating or cooling prior to providing the fresh air to the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hall, Richard Lo
  • Patent number: 9103250
    Abstract: An exhaust gas heat exchanger includes a tube through which exhaust gas flows, a fin disposed in the tube, and protruded tabs protruded from the tube or the fin. Each of the protruded tabs is inclined to an upstream side, and has a polygonal shape more than a quadrilateral shape having at least a bottom side, one lateral side and another lateral side. An angle of the one lateral side to the bottom side is set smaller than 90 degrees and than an angle of the other lateral side to the bottom side. The bottom side is placed to intersect with a perpendicular direction to the exhaust gas flow direction, and the other lateral side is located upstream from the one lateral side. According to the exhaust gas heat exchanger, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency by generating a swirl flow for facilitating heat transfer effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuru Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9045018
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle that includes a cabin and a primary engine. The control system includes an auxiliary power unit and a microprocessor in communication with the primary engine, the cabin, and the auxiliary power unit. The control system selectively activates the auxiliary power unit to control an engine parameter and a cabin parameter when the primary engine is shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventor: David A. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20150136380
    Abstract: A method of controlling a variable divide cooling system for a vehicle based on a mode may include classifying the mode for circulation control of a coolant of the variable divide cooling system into a heating mode, a warming-up mode, and a cooling mode, and performing the heating mode after an open-air temperature and a coolant temperature are checked when an engine is in a running state, and when a heater blower is turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20150129161
    Abstract: A heat medium discharge side of a first pump and a heat medium discharge side of a second pump are connected to a first switching valve in parallel. Heat medium inlet sides of the respective target devices for heat exchange included in a first target device group for heat exchange are connected to a first switching valve in parallel. The heat medium inlet side of the first pump and the heat medium inlet side of the second pump are connected to a second switching valve in parallel. The heat medium outlet sides of the respective target devices for heat exchange included in the first target device group for heat exchange are connected to the second switching valve in parallel. Furthermore, switching is performed between a state of circulation of the heat medium between the first pump and the target device, and a state of circulation of the heat medium between the second pump and the target device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michio Nishikawa, Nobuharu Kakehashi, Norihiko Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20150129192
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system. An air conditioner and heater are operatively connected to a controller and control the temperature of the cabin area of a vehicle. A processor, operatively connected to the controller, determines the amount of time for an operator of the vehicle to travel between their location and the location of the vehicle. The processor determines an amount of time required to adjust the temperature of the cabin area of the vehicle to a selected temperature by using one of the air conditioner and the heater. The processor automatically operates one of the air conditioner and the heater to begin adjusting the temperature of the cabin area to the selected temperature when the amount of time required for the operator to travel between their location and the location of the vehicle is less than or equal to the amount of time required to adjust the temperature of the cabin area vehicle to the selected temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Andrew R. Jones, Charles S. Lingafelt, Kevin C. McConnell, John E. Moore, Jr.
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150101789
    Abstract: First circulation portions switch a flow of a heat medium such that one of the heat media for two systems selectively circulates through a radiator flow path or a first bypass flow path. Second circulation portions switch the flow of the heat medium such that the heat media for the two systems selectively circulate with respect to a second flow path group. The first circulation portions and the second circulation portions are adapted to switch the flow of the heat medium so as to form a first circulation circuit for allowing the heat medium to circulate among a first flow path group, the second flow path group, and a first pump, as well as a second circulation circuit for allowing the heat medium to circulate among the first flow path group, the second flow path group, and a second pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Norihiko Enomoto, Nobuharu Kakehashi, Michio Nishikawa, Yasumitsu Omi, Takashi Yamanaka, Masayuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8997838
    Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a pair of covers are provided on the respective sides of the casing that is constituted by respective air passages. The covers rotatably support a pivot shaft for a defroster damper and a pivot shaft for a sub-defroster damper. The sub-defroster damper is disposed in a passage directly connecting the heater core with the defroster blow-out port, and is disposed on an upstream side of the defroster damper. First and second blower units supply air into the casing. The sub-defroster damper is disposed so as to face a passage which is disposed even inside the casing. Thus, the flowing direction and the amount of air is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Keihin Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Seto, Junichi Kanemaru, Shinji Kakizaki
  • Patent number: 8973538
    Abstract: An engine is disclosed. The engine may have an engine block with a front end, a back end opposite the front end in a length direction, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a top, and a bottom opposite the top. The engine may also have at least one cylinder head connected to the top of the engine block, and a first heat exchanger mounted at the first side of the engine block and configured to receive a flow of raw coolant and a flow of fresh coolant. The engine may further have a second heat exchanger mounted at the first side of the engine block, between the first heat exchanger and the top. The second heat exchanger may be configured to receive a flow of fresh coolant from the first heat exchanger and a flow of combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua W. Dorothy