With Alternately Usable Energy Sources Patents (Class 62/236)
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Patent number: 6932148Abstract: A heating and air-conditioning system has an auxiliary engine for heating and cooling of a vehicle while the primary engine of the vehicle is not operating. The vehicle has a sleeper compartment with a sleeper compartment air conditioning unit powered by the main engine. An auxiliary air conditioning system located exterior of the sleeper compartment is powered by the auxiliary engine. An auxiliary supply duct extends into the sleeper compartment and joins the duct of the sleeper compartment air conditioning unit. A valve operated by air pressure blocks air flow from the sleeper compartment air conditioning unit into the auxiliary duct while in the main position. In the auxiliary position, the valve blocks air flow from the auxiliary duct into the sleeper compartment air conditioning unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: SCS FrigetteInventors: Keiv Brummett, Bobby L. Pannell, Neal G. Shields, Robert H. Tigner
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Patent number: 6925824Abstract: An apparatus for driving a compressor comprises a compressor having a compression mechanism part for sucking a fluid to compress the same, and an electric motor for driving the compression mechanism part, and an inverter device for driving the electric motor at variable speeds. The electric motor comprises a self-starting type electric motor having a rotor, which comprises a cage conductor and a polarized permanent magnet, and the inverter device comprises a plurality of semiconductor switches for controlling drive frequencies of the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Inventors: Mutsunori Matsunaga, Kenji Tojo, Yoshikatsu Tomita, Susumu Nakayama, Syunsuke Yasunori
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Patent number: 6892549Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a compressor is driven by a vehicle engine, and a displacement of the compressor is controlled based on a cooling load. When a post-evaporator air temperature (TE) is higher than a predetermined value (TEO+?), it is determined that the cooling load is large, and the compressor is forcibly controlled at maximum displacement that is larger than a control value controlled based on the cooling load. Accordingly, the post-evaporator air temperature (TE) can be rapidly reduced to be lower than the predetermined value (TEO+?), so that a driving time of the vehicle engine can be made shorter. As a result, fuel consumption efficiency of the vehicle engine can be effectively improved.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masato Komura, Kimihiko Sato, Yasutane Hijikata
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Patent number: 6886356Abstract: There is provided an automotive air conditioning system, which is free from troubles in traveling itself caused by power consumption in air conditioning means in an automobile having storage means, power generation means for charging the storage means, and air conditioning means having an electric compressor driven by feeding from the storage means.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd., Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mamoru Kubo, Shigeharu Sasaki, Kazuhisa Otagaki, Susumu Takagi, Kenzo Watanabe
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Patent number: 6874328Abstract: In a hybrid compressor for a vehicle where a vehicle engine is stopped when the vehicle is temporally stopped, a pulley, a motor and a compressor can be driven in independent from each other, and are connected to a sun gear, planetary carriers and a ring gear of a planetary gear. A rotational speed of the motor is adjusted by a controller, so that a rotational speed of the compressor is changed with respect to a rotational speed of the pulley. Accordingly, production cost of the hybrid compressor and the size thereof can be reduced, while a cooling function can be ensured even when the vehicle engine is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignees: Nippon Soken Inc., Denso CorporationInventors: Yasushi Suzuki, Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Keiichi Uno
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Patent number: 6874330Abstract: In an air conditioner for a hybrid vehicle, an air conditioning unit performs air-conditioning operation by electrical power supplied from a battery. When a residual charging degree of the battery becomes equal to or lower than a target degree, an electrical motor generator is driven by a vehicle engine so that the battery is charged through the electrical motor generator. Further, when a rotation speed of the engine is lower than a predetermined speed or when a power generation efficiency due to the engine is lower than a predetermined efficiency, air-conditioning capacity of the air conditioning unit is set lower, so that a consumption power of the air conditioner is restricted. Accordingly, the frequency for starting the engine only for charging the battery can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Kunio Iritani
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Patent number: 6840055Abstract: In an air conditioner for a hybrid vehicle, an air conditioning unit performs air-conditioning operation by electrical power supplied from a battery. When a residual charging degree of the battery becomes equal to or lower than a charging-starting target value, an electrical generator is driven by a vehicle engine so that the battery is charged through the electrical generator. Further, when the battery is in a discharging mode, the control unit decreases an air-conditioning capacity of the air conditioning unit, as compared with that in a charging mode of the battery. Accordingly, a frequency for consuming the engine for charging the battery can be reduced. Therefore, a fuel consumption efficiency can be effectively improved and a total discharge amount of environmental destruction substance contained in exhaust gas of the engine can be effectively reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Kunio Iritani
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Patent number: 6832488Abstract: A refrigerating machine includes a plurality of compressors driven by motors each having an armature core incorporating a squirrel cage conductor and a permanent magnet which is magnetized so as to allow the motor to serve as a synchronous motor, and a compressor drive circuit for selectively driving the motor at a power source frequency by a commercial power source or at a variable frequency by an inverter. Thus, the overall efficiency of the refrigerating machine can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Atsuhiko Yokozeki, Susumu Nakayama, Kenji Tojo, Akira Saruta, Mutsunori Matsunaga, Satoshi Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20040250560Abstract: An air conditioning system 1 includes a primary compressor (an engine-driven compressor 6) driven by a primary driving source (an engine 2) and a secondary compressor (a motor-driven compressor 7) driven by a secondary driving source (a motor 3). When a required cooling capability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the air conditioning system 1 causes the primary compressor (the engine-driven compressor 6) to be driven by the primary driving source (the engine 2) and adjusts the rotational speed of the secondary compressor (the motor-driven compressor 7), whereas when the required cooling capability is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the air conditioning system 1 causes the secondary compressor (the motor-driven compressor 7) to be driven by the secondary driving source (the motor 3) so as to control the rotational speed of the primary compressor (the engine-driven compressor 6).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Ikura, Hiromitsu Adachi, Masamichi Kubota, Hideki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakou
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Patent number: 6828499Abstract: A condensation panel to be used for harvesting water from atmospheric moisture during those times of the diurnal cycle when relative humidity is at or near 100% utilizes very localized cooling to optimize condensation on a surface whose materials promote the condensation and collection of the water. The panel is passive in the sense that it can be deployed and left in an unmaintained condition for considerable periods of time. At least one time each day, almost certainly in the morning, water harvested by the process of assisted condensation can be collected for use.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.Inventor: Michael David Max
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Publication number: 20040237556Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid compressor system in which its configuration is simplified, its cost and size are reduced, and its reliability is enhanced. In the hybrid compressor system which selectively transmits a driving force of an engine and a driving force of a motor being mounted on a vehicle to a compressor of a vehicle air conditioning device to drive the compressor, the motor is provided with a one-way clutch which selectively transmits the driving force of the motor to the compressor 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Toshikatsu Miyaji, Yasuhiro Sakurai, Hideyuki Takasaki
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Patent number: 6823690Abstract: An integrated electrical generator/starter and air conditioning compressor device driven by a common drive shaft, or other direct linkage. The device includes an electrical generator/starter and a compressor. The electrical generator/starter is coupled to the drive shaft. The compressor is coupled to the electrical generator/starter and to the drive shaft and acts to pressurize a flow of refrigerant in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The electrical generator/starter is operable in first and second states. In the first state, the electrical generator/starter generates electricity in response to rotation of the drive shaft. In the second state, the electrical generator/starter utilizes electrical power from a battery to rotate the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Michael Runk, John F. O'Brien
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Patent number: 6823681Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioning control apparatus having a compressor and an electric cooling fan of an externally controlled type, a fan motor control for increasing fan motor load is carried out in a compressor discharge capacity region lower than in normal control in below-listed cases. (1) When a requested cooling performance is predicted to increase. (2) When a vehicle is brought into an idling state. (3) In cool down in which a requested cooling performance is predicted to increase to be equal to or larger than a set value, or when a vehicle is brought into an idling state.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignees: Calsonic Kansei Corporation, Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Ryuichi Hirose, Hiroyasu Nadamoto, Kazuo Masuko, Hajime Uchiyama
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Publication number: 20040231831Abstract: An apparatus which eliminates idling for the over-the-road large trucks. It also gives conveniences, such as, access to 120 volts of ac power in a mobile application and also an alternate 12 volt dc supply which will maintain battery banks that in turn will operate 12 volt (dc) accessories.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Glenn M. Houck, Danny K. Houck
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Publication number: 20040231349Abstract: An air conditioning system 1 includes a primary compressor (an engine-driven compressor 6) that is driven by a primary driving source (an engine 2), and a secondary compressor (a motor-driven compressor 7) that is driven by a secondary driving source (a motor 3). The air conditioning system 1 increases in advance an output of the secondary compressor (a motor-driven compressor 7) before the primary compressor (the engine-driven compressor 6) is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Ikura, Hiromitsu Adachi, Masamichi Kubota, Hideki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakou
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Patent number: 6820438Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a compressor is driven by a vehicle engine when an actual temperature of an evaporator is higher than a basis temperature that is higher than a target temperature by a predetermined temperature, and is driven by an electrical motor when the actual temperature of the evaporator is lower than the basis temperature. The predetermined temperature is set to be higher as the target temperature of the evaporator decreases such that the basis temperature is not higher than a comfortable limit temperature. Accordingly, the compressor can be driven by the electrical motor in a range where the actual temperature can be controlled to be not higher than the comfortable limit temperature. Therefore, fuel consumption efficiency of the engine can be improved, while a minimum of cooling capacity can be ensured.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Masato Komura, Koji Yamashita
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Patent number: 6820437Abstract: An air conditioner includes a direct-current (DC) power supply, a compressor, and a compressor driving device that converts a current supplied from the DC power supply into an alternate-current (AC) for driving the compressor. The DC power supply energizes the driving device through a center conductor and an outer conductor of a shield cable. This structure allows the driving device not to include a capacitor for smoothing a power current, and to suppress surge voltages and electromagnetic-wave radiation, thus providing an air-conditioner including a compact size and light-weighted compressor driving device.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naomi Goto, Nobuyuki Nishii
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Publication number: 20040226309Abstract: A portable, temperature-controlled container for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive materials. The portable, temperature-controlled container includes a container having a bottom wall, four sides walls, and a top wall defining a cargo space. The container includes a temperature regulating unit connected to the container. The temperature regulating unit comprising a refrigeration unit. The temperature regulating unit being in communication with the cargo space of the container. The container includes a temperature controller connected to the container. The temperature controller comprising a temperature control unit and a temperature sensor positioned in the cargo space of the container. The container also includes a power supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventor: Kenneth W. Broussard
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Publication number: 20040221594Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a hybrid compressor having a first compression mechanism driven by a drive source for driving the vehicle and a second compression mechanism driven by an electric motor, means for selecting a drive source, a means for detecting a refrigeration cycle condition, and means for estimating a power consumption of the compressor due to a selected drive source and a power consumption of the compressor due to a non-selected drive source in response to a value detected by the means for detecting a refrigeration cycle condition, when one drive source has been selected. Through this estimation, an preferred drive source may be selected in response to the condition of the refrigeration cycle or a thermal load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Atsuo Inoue, Tomonori Imai, Hiromitsu Adachi, Hideki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakou
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Patent number: 6813897Abstract: A primary power system and a secondary power system are operable to supply power to at least one cooling system component in a cooling system. The amount of power supplied by the primary power system and the secondary power system to the at least one cooling system component is controlled based on an operating level threshold for the at least one cooling system component.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant D. Patel, Gopalakrishnan Janakiraman, Keith Istvan Farkas
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Patent number: 6813898Abstract: An electrically powered air freight container (1) includes an insulated housing (2) and a refrigeration unit (3). The refrigeration unit (3) is powered by a voltage and frequency converter which receives electrical power either aircraft generated from either an airport ground source of power or an aircraft source of power which is appropriate to power the refrigeration unit (3) The refrigeration unit (3) is powered by a voltage and frequency converter which receives either airport power at 240 volt or 115 volt or aircraft power at 115 volt (400 Hz) and converts the supply to a voltage and frequency appropriate to power the refrigeration unit (3). The air contained in the housing is free to expand in the event of rapid depressurisation by the provision of blow out covers (19) which close ducts (15).Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Inventors: Leslie John Lindsay, Christopher Robin Hill
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Patent number: 6804969Abstract: A composite auxiliary machine for a vehicle has proper startup performance in starting an engine. The composite auxiliary machine has a compressor for compressing a refrigerant inside a refrigeration cycle device, a rotary machine connected to the compressor and rotated together therewith, a drive pulley for operating the rotary machine in response to a driving force from the vehicle engine, and a clutch device for transmitting and terminating the driving force of the drive pulley. The rotary machine functions as a generator and an electric motor. A variable displacement mechanism is provided in the compressor to vary an amount of discharge per revolution. A control unit controls to engage the clutch device in starting the vehicle engine, and actuates the rotary machine as an electric motor to actuate the vehicle engine. Then, an amount of discharge of a refrigerant is controlled to become smaller than that necessary in the refrigeration cycle device.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., DENSO CorporationInventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa
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Patent number: 6802187Abstract: A method for driving a hybrid compressor of an air conditioning system of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a first drive source, and the air conditioning system includes an evaporator. Moreover, the hybrid compressor includes a second drive source, and the hybrid compressor is driven by the first drive source via an electromagnetic clutch or the second drive source, or combination thereof. The method includes the steps of engaging the electromagnetic clutch, detecting a temperature of air dispensed from the evaporator, and disengaging the electromagnetic clutch when the temperature of the air is equal to a predetermined temperature. The method also includes the step of activating the second drive source. Specifically the step of disengaging the electromagnetic clutch when the temperature of the air is equal to the predetermined temperature and the step of activating the second drive source is performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventor: Takayuki Kawahara
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Publication number: 20040194479Abstract: A control device is provided in a vehicle to control an air conditioning apparatus and thereby to control ventilation and air conditioning of a passenger room of the vehicle. A mobile device communicates with the control device in a parked state of the vehicle to selectively control a first device, which performs ventilation of the passenger room, and a second device, which performs air conditioning of the passenger room, of the air conditioning apparatus in such a manner that at least one of the first device and the second device is selectively operated upon reception of a corresponding operational instruction from the operating device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Makoto Umebayashi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi, Tomohiro Inada
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Publication number: 20040187506Abstract: A waste heat collecting system for an internal combustion engine has an object to collect waste heat from the engine and make most use of the collected waste heat to achieve the maximum effect of improving fuel consumption ratio. The waste heat utilizing system has a waste heat collecting cycle for collecting waste heat from an internal combustion engine and having an expansion device for generating rotational driving force from the collected waste heat, a refrigerating cycle having a compressor device for compressing a refrigerant and a power transmitting means rotationally driven by a driving force generating means and operatively connected to the compressor device to rotationally drive the same. In this system, the expansion device is operatively connected to the compressor device to rotationally drive the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION/NIPPON SOKEN, INC.Inventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Keiichi Uno, Yasushi Suzuki, Shigeru Hisanaga, Atsushi Inaba, Koichi Ban, Takashi Yamanaka, Yasushi Yamanaka, Kazuhide Uchida, Tadashi Hotta
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Publication number: 20040187505Abstract: A power system includes an engine having a first coolant circuit and a torque converter operatively connected to the engine and in fluid communication with the first coolant circuit. The power system also includes at least one auxiliary power unit having a second coolant circuit. The first coolant circuit is in fluid communication with the second coolant circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam
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Patent number: 6796138Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle including a first drive source, includes a compressor. The compressor includes a second drive source, and the compressor is driven by the first drive source or the second drive source, or a combination thereof. Moreover, the second drive source includes an electrical power supply. The air conditioning system also includes a controller for selecting the first drive source or the second drive source, or both, for driving the compressor. The controller also controls a rotational speed of the second drive source. Moreover, the air conditioning system also includes a voltmeter or an amp meter for detecting an amount of electrical power consumed by the second drive source. Specifically, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and an amount of electrical power consumed by the second drive source is greater than a first limit for the amount of electrical power which the second drive source may consume, the first limit increases to a second limit.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventors: Tomonori Imai, Atsuo Inoue
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Patent number: 6796367Abstract: An auxiliary engine generates electricity through an alternator, to charge the vehicle battery and selectively run an electric motor for air conditioning when the vehicle's primary engine is not operating. Operation of the electric motor produces rotation of the drive shaft of the vehicle's air conditioning compressor, the output shaft of the electric motor being connected via a centrifugal clutch, and a drive belt on a pulley integral to the clutch, to a pulley bolted directly to the drive shaft of the compressor. There is no use made of the vehicle's existing electromagnetic clutch at the compressor location, i.e. it remains disengaged when the auxiliary system is operating, and is engaged only when air conditioning is called for in normal vehicle operation, i.e. when the primary engine is running. The electricity generated by the auxiliary engine can also be used to operate other accessories, if desired, such as lighting, televisions, VCRs, refrigerators and other like accessories.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Inventive Technologies FoundationInventors: Shane Blacquiere, Janet Petrunia-Blacquiere
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Patent number: 6786055Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a compressor. The vehicle includes a first drive source and the compressor includes a second drive source. The compressor is driven by the first drive source or the second drive source, or a combination thereof, and the second drive source includes an electrical power supply. The air conditioning system also includes a controller for selecting between the first drive source and the second drive source, such that when the compressor is active, the first drive source drives the compressor except when the vehicle is operating in a predetermined mode, a voltage of the electrical power supply is greater than or equal to a minimum electrical power supply voltage, and an amount of electric power consumed by the second drive source is less than a maximum electric power. For example, the predetermined mode may be an idle-stop mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignees: Sanden Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsuo Inoue, Masato Tsuboi, Hiromitsu Adachi, Masamichi Kubota, Hiroshi Ikura, Hideki Watanabe
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Patent number: 6786059Abstract: Water is used as a refrigerant, and a humidification cooler (41) which evaporates the water to generate cold heat and a dehumidifier (42) are provided. A compressor (50) which compresses water vapor separated by the dehumidifier (42) is provided. A moisture discharging device (60) which discharges water vapor compressed in the compressor (50) is provided. The compressor (50) is driven by a steam turbine (80) capable of generating rotational power from thermal energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Chun-cheng Piao, Manabu Yoshimi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yuji Watanabe, Kazuo Yonemoto
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Publication number: 20040168455Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, it is determined whether a regenerative electric power generation is performed in an electric motor or not. When it is determined that the electric motor is in an electric power generating state, the electric supply to the electric heater is allowed. Accordingly, the allowed maximum electric-power value of a power consumption amount in the air conditioner becomes greater than the allowed maximum electric-power value set when it is determined that no electric motor is in the electric power generating state. Accordingly, it is possible to restrict an air conditioning feeling from becoming worse while preventing the electric power supplied to the electric motor from being insufficient due to consumption of the electric power of the battery by the air conditioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventor: Hiroki Nakamura
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Publication number: 20040168449Abstract: In a compressor control system for a vehicle air conditioner, a hybrid ECU of the vehicle controls a rotation speed of a compressor electric motor. In this case, an output circuit, which outputs a driving signal for driving the compressor electric motor, only needs to be newly provided in the hybrid ECU when a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle is manufactured based on an engine vehicle. Therefore, a high cost is not caused even when the output circuit is provided in the hybrid ECU which should be newly designed and manufactured. In addition, because the output circuit does not need to be provided in an air-conditioning ECU which is an existing component of the engine vehicle, the air-conditioning ECU in the engine vehicle can be directly applied to that in the hybrid vehicle without a substantial hardware change. Therefore, design cost can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Toshinobu Homan, Yuji Takeo, Mitsuyo Oomura
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Patent number: 6782704Abstract: A control apparatus for automatically stopping and restarting an engine of a vehicle is provided, which is equipped with an engine, a motor, a compressor and an air conditioner. The apparatus has a first section for making a judgment on stopping the engine and a second section for making a judgment on restarting the engine. The apparatus has features that the apparatus provides the air conditioner with a plurality of operational modes selected by a user, and when the vehicle is not in motion with selection of a first mode, the first section permits the engine to stop if a first power that the motor can supply is greater than a second power of the compressor required by the air conditioner, and the second section permits the engine to restart if the second power exceeds the first power.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Hiromitsu Adachi, Hideki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakou, Hiroshi Ikura, Kohei Hanada
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Publication number: 20040159115Abstract: An apparatus for driving a compressor comprises a compressor having a compression mechanism part for sucking a fluid to compress the same, and an electric motor for driving the compression mechanism part, and an inverter device for driving the electric motor at variable speeds. The electric motor comprises a self-starting type electric motor having a rotor, which comprises a cage conductor and a polarized permanent magnet, and the inverter device comprises a plurality of semiconductor switches for controlling drive frequencies of the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Mutsunori Matsunaga, Kenji Tojo, Yoshikatsu Tomita, Susumu Nakayama, Syunsuke Yasunori
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Publication number: 20040148952Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a self-serving power producing apparatus capable of being recharged by a charging mechanism is described. The power producing apparatus comprises a rechargeable power source, a motor powered by the rechargeable power source, and a pulley including a first armature rotated by the motor and a second armature. In addition, the power producing apparatus comprises a power unit coupled to the second armature of the pulley. The power unit comprises an alternator to produce direct current (DC) power for recharging the rechargeable power source and a generator to produce a level of alternating current (AC) power.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventor: Guadalupe Ramirez
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Patent number: 6761037Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle uses a hybrid compressor (4) including a first compression mechanism driven by a first drive source (2) and a second compression mechanism driven by a second drive source (5), and a single discharge port connected to the first and the second compression mechanisms. The operation of the hybrid compressor is controlled by a controller (15) in accordance with a control mode. The controller has a first operation mode in which the first compression mechanism alone is driven, a second operation mode in which the second compression mechanism alone is driven, a third operation mode in which the first and the second compression mechanisms are simultaneously driven, and a fourth operation mode in which the first and the second compression mechanisms are simultaneously stopped. Depending upon various conditions, the controller selects, as the control mode, one of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth operation modes.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventors: Masato Tsuboi, Atsuo Inoue, Kenichi Suzuki, Tomonori Imai
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Patent number: 6758049Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a compressor driven by a first drive source or a second drive source, or a combination thereof, and an evaporator operationally connected to the compressor via a refrigerant circuit. The system also includes a blower for dispensing air into an interior of the vehicle via the evaporator. The blower is driven by the first drive source or the second drive source, or a combination thereof. Moreover, the system includes a controller for controlling the first drive source and the second drive source. Specifically, when a temperature of air dispensed from the evaporator is greater than a predetermined temperature and a speed of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed, the first drive source drives the compressor and the blower.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignees: Sanden Corporation, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromitsu Adachi, Masamichi Kubota, Hiroshi Ikura, Atsuo Inoue, Masato Tsuboi, Hideki Watanabe
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Patent number: 6755041Abstract: An all-electric transport refrigeration system receives its compressor drive motor power and all other electrical power from at least one on-board fuel cell. The fuel cell is able to power all of the refrigeration system electrical components. In one example a single fuel cell is used. Another example includes multiple fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Kyle D. Wessells, Peter F. Kaido
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Patent number: 6755030Abstract: A hybrid compressor system has a hybrid compressor for compressing refrigerant. The compressor is selectively driven by one of a first drive source and a second drive source. The hybrid compressor system also includes a first one-way clutch, a driver for driving the second drive source, a sensor for detecting a rotational state of the first drive source and a controller. The first one-way clutch is arranged on a first power transmission path between the compressor and the first drive source for permitting power transmission from the first drive source to the compressor. The controller is electrically connected to the driver and the sensor. When a drive source of the compressor is switched from the second drive source to the first drive source, the controller orders the driver to stop the second drive source after the rotation of the first drive source is detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventors: Taku Adaniya, Akinobu Kanai, Takahiro Suzuki, Shoichi Ieoka, Naoki Usui, Akihito Yamanouchi
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Patent number: 6755033Abstract: A hybrid compressor apparatus for a refrigerant cycle is mounted on a vehicle having an engine that stops in accordance with driving conditions of the vehicle. The apparatus includes an electrical motor, a compressor driven by at least one of the engine and the motor for compressing refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle, a controller for controlling operation of the motor and the compressor and for selecting a driving source between the engine and the motor so as to drive the compressor, and a switch for manually setting a normal mode and an economy mode in the refrigerant cycle. The motor drives the compressor when the economy mode is selected while the engine stops. Therefore, an operation load of the compressor can be reduced in the economy mode, and fuel consumption can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Keiichi Uno
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Publication number: 20040112074Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a compressor is driven by a vehicle engine, and a displacement of the compressor is controlled based on a cooling load. When a post-evaporator air temperature (TE) is higher than a predetermined value (TEO+&bgr;), it is determined that the cooling load is large, and the compressor is forcibly controlled at maximum displacement that is larger than a control value controlled based on the cooling load. Accordingly, the post-evaporator air temperature (TE) can be rapidly reduced to be lower than the predetermined value (TEO+&bgr;), so that a driving time of the vehicle engine can be made shorter. As a result, fuel consumption efficiency of the vehicle engine can be effectively improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Masato Komura, Kimihiko Sato, Yasutane Hijikata
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Patent number: 6748750Abstract: The method for controlling a hybrid air conditioning system of a direct coupled motor-driven hybrid electric vehicle includes detecting operating conditions of the air conditioning system; and controlling the hybrid air conditioning system. The hybrid air conditioning system includes a mechanical air conditioner driven by an engine and an electric air conditioner driven by electric power of a battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Kwang-Yong Choi
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Patent number: 6745585Abstract: An electric air conditioner sustain system is disclosed. The electric air conditioner sustain system includes a compressor, an engine and an electric motor. The engine and the electric motor selectively rotate the compressor. When the engine is rotating the compressor and the engine stops, the electric motor is synchronously activated to maintain continuous rotation of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian Robert Kelm, Danny Lee Berg, Robert Joseph Mohan, Richard Eric Luken
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Patent number: 6742350Abstract: In a hybrid compressor for a vehicle where a vehicle engine is stopped when the vehicle is temporally stopped, a pulley, a motor and a compressor can be driven in independent from each other, and are connected to a sun gear, planetary carriers and a ring gear of a planetary gear. A rotational speed of the motor is adjusted by a controller, so that a rotational speed of the compressor is changed with respect to a rotational speed of the pulley. Accordingly, production cost of the hybrid compressor and the size thereof can be reduced, while a cooling function can be ensured even when the vehicle engine is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso CorporationInventors: Yasushi Suzuki, Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Keiichi Uno
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Patent number: 6739148Abstract: A temperature control system for a vehicle includes an air-conditioning device (12) with a compressor device (14, 40) for compressing a working medium of the air-conditioning device (12). The compressor device (14, 40) can be driven by a first drive unit (18), preferably the driving motor (18) of a vehicle, and/or a second drive unit (42), whereby the second drive unit (42) comprises a Stirling motor (42).Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Michael Humburg
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Patent number: 6735966Abstract: A method for automatically controlling an air conditioning device includes determining vehicle interior and exterior temperatures, and supplying a mixture of fresh air and circulating air to the air conditioning device in a hot start when the interior temperature exceeds the exterior temperature. An air conditioning device for a motor vehicle includes a hot start mode and a normal mode. In the hot start mode when the vehicle interior temperature exceeds the vehicle exterior temperature, a mixture of fresh air and circulating air is supplied to the air conditioning device. The air conditioning device operates in the normal mode when the vehicle exterior temperature exceeds the vehicle interior temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Andreas Lissner, Markus Schoellhorn, Wolfgang Straub
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Patent number: 6733251Abstract: A compressor with a built-in electric motor has a compression mechanism and the built-in electric motor which are housed in a container. A suction port, a discharge port, inner and outer electric connection parts, and mounting legs of the container are provided on the same side of a body of the container. A bearing part for supporting an end of a driving shaft for driving the compression mechanism is formed on an end wall integral to -the body of the container, where the end of the driving shaft to be supported by the bearing part is located in the direction opposite to the compression mechanism and the driving shaft is connected to the built-in electric motor. In addition, a pumping mechanism is provided in a pumping chamber opened to an external surface of the end wall and is connected to the end of the driving shaft in the direction opposite to the compression mechanism. The opening of the pumping chamber is closed by a closing member.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Sakurabayashi, Masahiko Makino, Yoshifumi Abe
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Publication number: 20040079098Abstract: A compressor device compresses refrigerant of a refrigeration cycle system and is connected to an engine and a motor to selectively receive drive force from one or both of the engine and the motor. When the engine is operated in an idling mode, a control apparatus energizes the motor to drive the compressor device alone or in cooperation with the engine and controls the energization of the motor to adjust load on the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Keiichi Uno, Yasushi Suzuki, Shig Ki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Kazuhide Uchida
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Patent number: 6718782Abstract: A power distributing mechanism distributes a power at a first axis from the engine to a second axis coupled to a motor generator, and a third axis coupled to a compressor for air conditioning. A clutch mechanism provides the connection/disconnection of the second axis to/from the third axis, and a lock mechanism provides the locking and unlocking of rotation of the third axis. The control unit inhibits switching operations of the clutch mechanism and lock mechanism for a startup transition period of the engine and a to-stop transition period of the engine and controls the inverter to suppress the operation of the motor generator in the generator mode for a startup transition period of the compressor and a to-stop transition period of the compressor, while the engine is running.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Tsuneyuki Egami
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Publication number: 20040055319Abstract: A method for driving a hybrid compressor of an air conditioning system of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a first drive source, and the air conditioning system includes an evaporator. Moreover, the hybrid compressor includes a second drive source, and the hybrid compressor is driven by the first drive source via an electromagnetic clutch or the second drive source, or combination thereof. The method includes the steps of engaging the electromagnetic clutch, detecting a temperature of air dispensed from the evaporator, and disengaging the electromagnetic clutch when the temperature of the air is equal to a predetermined temperature. The method also includes the step of activating the second drive source. Specifically the step of disengaging the electromagnetic clutch when the temperature of the air is equal to the predetermined temperature and the step of activating the second drive source is performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventor: Takayuki Kawahara