With Vehicle Feature Patents (Class 62/239)
  • Patent number: 7461516
    Abstract: A modular aircraft support system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the modular system includes a mobile cart and an air conditioning system configured to provide conditioned air to an aircraft. The embodiment also includes a modular power converter for converting input power to a desired output power, which can be input to a supported aircraft. The cart is configured to receive a plurality of different interchangeable power converters, such as a 115 VAC, 400 Hz power converter or a 270 VDC power converter. In some embodiments, a variety of other components are also coupled to the mobile cart, including a local generator and engine. The generator may supply power to the air conditioning system and to the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Leadingham, Steve Bivens, Richard L. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080289348
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. A compression unit 11 for compressing the refrigerant by the drive force of a vehicle engine 4 is arranged in a housing 10 of a compressor 1. The flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11 is detected by a flow rate sensor 15 including a throttle portion 15b and a pressure difference detection mechanism 15a. The throttle portion 15b reduces the flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11. The pressure difference detection mechanism 15a detects the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the throttle portion 15b in the refrigerant flow thereby to detect the flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11. An oil separator 12 for separating the lubricating oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11 is interposed between the compression unit 11 and the flow rate sensor 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Sawada, Yasutane Hijikata
  • Publication number: 20080282712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus facilitate lowering the temperature of a cooling module positioned in heat exchange relation to a loaded container to be maintained at a low temperature. The module establishes convective air flow in heat exchange relation to the load without the use of forced air circulation. The module is self-contained and externally accessible to supply water and liquid CO2 to the module interior. Expansion and change in state of the liquid CO2 lowers the temperature of a water ice and CO2 snow mixture in the module. By continuing inflow of CO2 after terminating inflow of water, the mixture can be cooled from about ?76° F. to about ?117° F. Convective air flow in heat exchange relation to the module walls circulates cooling air, thereby eliminating any direct contact of products with the liquid CO2 or CO2 snow formed by the expanding refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Paul R. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20080256965
    Abstract: The invention relates in a heating and/or air conditioning with comprising a temperature mixing flap (8) that can be driven via at least two pixel means (9) which are disposed in such a way that at least one partial area especially the wait area (10), of the mixing flap (8) performs a combined rotational and translational movement when the mixing flap (8) is moved. The aim of the invention is to improve air conditioning units such that said advantageous embodiment and pivoting of the temperature mixing flap (8) allows differently tempered air flows to be mixed more thoroughly while making the same adjustable in an optimal manner to the available assembly space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: BEHR GmbH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Bopp, Carsten Burkhardt, Gebhard Schweizer
  • Publication number: 20080256966
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a blower for generating a flow of air, a center defroster air-blowing outlet disposed adjacent to a windshield of the vehicle for blowing the air toward the windshield, a side defroster air-blowing outlet disposed adjacent to a side window glass of the vehicle for blowing the air toward the side window glass, and a defroster air volume adjusting unit disposed to adjust the volume of air blown from a center defroster air-blowing outlet and the volume of air blown from a side defroster air-blowing outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Kawashima, Tatsumi Kumada, Takuya Kataoka
  • Patent number: 7434611
    Abstract: A roof module (10) for a motor vehicle, with an integrated climate control system (12, 14, 16, 18). Furthermore, the roof module (10) includes a fuel cell system (32, 34, 38). The roof module (10) is preferably a pre-mounted complete motor vehicle roof with bordering modules, preferably with extra integrated functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Christian Wunderlich, Michael Stelter
  • Publication number: 20080236181
    Abstract: Air is cooled by a heat exchanger of a vehicle. The cooled air is directed to a cabin and/or battery of the vehicle. Ports in the cooling path direct the cooled air to the cabin and/or battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Zhu, Shailesh Kozarekar, David Patel, Michael Wallis, Eugene Cox, Stephen Lepper, Daniel Huang
  • Publication number: 20080229771
    Abstract: A heat exchanger 1 comprises a heat exchange core 4 composed of heat exchange tubes 12 in groups 13 in the form of two rows arranged in parallel in the direction of flow of air through the exchanger, a refrigerant inlet header 5 disposed on the upper-end side of the tubes 12 and having one row of heat exchange tubes 12 joined thereto and a refrigerant outlet header 6 disposed in the rear of the inlet header 5 on the upper-end side of the tubes 12 and having the other row of heat exchange tubes 12 joined thereto. A cap 19 for closing an opening of the inlet header 5 at one end thereof is provided with a refrigerant inlet 37. The cap 19 has a lower edge defining the inlet 37 and provided with a guide 40 upwardly slanting inwardly of the inlet header 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventor: Naohisa Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 7421849
    Abstract: The liquid galley refrigeration system for cooling food carts for aircraft employs an intermediate working fluid to transfer heat from one or more food carts to one or more remote chillers, allowing the carts and chillers to be advantageously distributed in the aircraft. A plurality of heat exchanges effect a cooling of the carts wherein heat from the food cart is first transferred to a first airflow; heat from the first airflow is then transferred to an intermediate working fluid that is circulated between a location immediately adjacent the food carts and a remote chiller; heat from the intermediate working fluid is subsequently transferred to the chiller working fluid; and finally, heat from the chiller working fluid is expelled. While the chiller working fluid undergoes a phase change in order to transfer heat from the intermediate working fluid to the cooling air, the intermediate working fluid remains in its liquid phase throughout its circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: BE Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: George Simadiris, Ian Douglas Oswald
  • Publication number: 20080202134
    Abstract: A method of venting a refrigerant from an air conditioning system of a vehicle during a crash to mitigate leakage of the refrigerant into a cabin of the vehicle by crashing a test vehicle under a first set of predetermined conditions a number of crash events and measuring deceleration and determining the existence of leakage. The number of crash events in which leakage existed is divided by the number of crash events to establish a probability of leakage ratio. The test vehicle is crashed under a second set of predetermined conditions to determine a second probability of leakage ratio. A probability of leakage relationship is established correlating the probability of leakage ratios and the predetermined conditions. A deceleration relationship is established correlating the deceleration measurements and the predetermined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Mark James Zima, Prasad Shripad Kadle
  • Patent number: 7416587
    Abstract: A thermally regenerative deodorizing filter, which comprises a deodorizing filter comprising a deodorant which is adaptable to a thermal regeneration and a honeycomb base material having a heat conductivity which carries the deodorant, and a heating element for regenerating the deodorizing filter which is integrated in the deodorizing filter, wherein the heating element is controlled to a predetermined temperature during the regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
    Inventor: Yasuyoshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7406836
    Abstract: A misting system for a vehicle having a water pump uses a connector for splicing into a water line of the vehicle. A valve is coupled to the connector for activating and deactivating the misting system. Opening the valve causes pressure in the water line to be lessened thereby causing the water pump to activate and supply more water to the water line. A filter is coupled to the valve for removing particulates from the water in the water line. Piping is coupled to the filter. The piping will have watertight quick connect/disconnect connectors for quickly assembling the piping. Misting nozzles are coupled to the piping for spaying a fine mist of water in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Harry A. Sylvia
  • Patent number: 7406834
    Abstract: A self-contained mobile walk-in cooler is disclosed. The self-contained mobile walk-in cooler is comprised of a refrigeration unit, a gasoline generator to provide power to the refrigeration unit when a permanent power source is unavailable, and a mobile carriage for quick and easy transport. The self-contained mobile walk-in cooler provides mobile and walk-in refrigeration and cooling with an easily transportable mobile carriage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Dwight Williams
  • Publication number: 20080156012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a condenser for an air-conditioning system, particularly for a motor vehicle, with vertically arranged tubes, through which a coolant can flow and which are connected to an upper and a lower horizontally arranged manifold whereby permitting the flow of coolant. The inventive condenser also comprises a collector parallelly arranged underneath the lower manifold and, via an inflow opening and an outflow opening, between which a separating device is placed, is connected to the manifold in a manner that permits the flow of coolant. The collector accommodates a filtering and/or drying device. The separating device has a suction device for, in essence, liquid coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Feldhaus, Uwe Forster, Martin Kaspar, Kurt Molt
  • Publication number: 20080148747
    Abstract: A system (10) for cooling a thermally loaded device on board an aircraft comprises a distribution line (12) which is in communication with an installation space (14) of the thermally loaded device, a coolant supply line (20) which is in communication with a coolant source, and a heat removal line (28) which is in communication with a source of pressure below atmospheric pressure. A shut-off control device (34) is adapted so as, in a first position, to separate the distribution line (12) from the coolant supply line (20) and connect the distribution line (12) to the heat removal line (28) and, in a second position, to connect the distribution line (12) to the coolant supply line (20) and separate the distribution line (12) from the heat removal line (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Solntsev, Holger Bammann
  • Publication number: 20080148748
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a vehicle that defines a load space for supporting cargo. The temperature control system includes a refrigeration unit that has a refrigeration circuit, and a heating system that has a heating circuit. The refrigeration circuit includes a prime mover and a cooling coil that selectively cools an airflow entering the load space. The heating circuit includes a pump that circulates a coolant fluid through the heating circuit, a dedicated heater that heats the coolant fluid, and a heating coil that selectively heats the airflow entering the load space. The temperature control system also includes a controller that detects conditions of the load space, and that engages one of the refrigeration unit and the heating system to condition the load space in response to the detected conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Herman H. Viegas, David W. Augustine
  • Publication number: 20080134696
    Abstract: A method and system for relief of heat exhaustion symptoms through evaporative and conductive cooling is provided, and, more particularly, involves a rapidly deployable mobile fogging system suitably designed for relief of heat exhaustion symptoms, including a mobile platform for transporting the rapidly deployable mobile fogging system to locations where relief of heat exhaustion symptoms is needed, one or more fogging nozzles disposed on the mobile platform and oriented for dispensing a cooling pocket area of fog adjacent to the mobile platform, a coolant delivery system fluidly connected to the one or more fogging nozzles, and one or more controls for regulating the dispensing of the cooling pocket area of fog. In one embodiment, the rapidly deployable mobile fogging system comprises an emergency response vehicle. In one embodiment, the emergency response vehicle comprises a fire truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Tim L. Edwards, Jeffrey B. Weber
  • Patent number: 7380405
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7377554
    Abstract: A seal structure is provided for an air conditioning unit mounted inside a passenger compartment of a vehicle and connected with pipes, which extends to the passenger compartment from an engine cabin through a pipe penetration opening of an isolation member. The seal structure includes an annular-shape pipe coupling wall formed at a case of the air conditioning unit and arranged at an outer side of a connection unit of the pipes, a first packing unit sandwiched between the pipe coupling wall and the connection unit, and a second packing unit between the isolation member and a front end of the pipe coupling wall. The second packing unit is bonded to both the first packing unit and the pipe coupling wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirohisa Motomura, Kazuyuki Niimi, Kouji Matsunaga, Masahiro Tominaga
  • Publication number: 20080111100
    Abstract: The invention pertains to heat transfer compositions, particularly to automobile refrigerants comprising a hydrofluoroalkene, an iodocarbon, and at least one lubricant having hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms, wherein no more than 17% of the total number of hydrogen atoms which are attached to a carbon atom are tertiary hydrogen atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: RAYMOND H. THOMAS, Rajiv R. Singh, George J. Samuels, Ian Shankland, David P. Wilson, Roy P. Robinson, Michael Van Der Puy, John L. Welch, Gregory J. Shafer, Mark W. Spatz, Ryan Hulse
  • Patent number: 7370486
    Abstract: An air-treatment system includes a cooling circuit, a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cooling circuit, and a secondary circuit in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger. The air-treatment system also includes a controller in communication with at least one of the cooling circuit, the first heat exchanger, and the secondary circuit. The controller is operable to receive at least one input indicative of a desired ambient condition, operable to receive at least one input indicative of current ambient conditions, operable to receive at least one input indicative of at least one of the cooling circuit operation and secondary circuit operation, and operable to change the operation of at least one of the cooling circuit and the secondary circuit when the current ambient condition is outside of a desired operation condition range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Grimm, Dan Alan Spurgeon, Sean Ronald Motszko, Norval P. Thomson, Ryan Patrick McEnaney
  • Publication number: 20080078196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile air conditioner which comprises an insulated housing having a cooled air outlet and a heated air outlet, an evaporator located in the said housing, a condenser, an electrical fan having an air chamber, and a reservoir for collecting condensed water formed on the evaporator. The evaporator is located between the air chamber and cooled air outlet; while the condenser is located between the air chamber and heated air outlet. The cavity of the said reservoir is in fluid connection with a drain channel which has a drain meatus located in the air-discharge passage extended from the air outlet of the air chamber to the condenser. The condensed water from the reservoir to the drain channel can be atomized into tiny drops by rapid air flow from the air chamber. The tiny drops are blown through the drain channel onto the condenser for being heated and onto the evaporator for being cooled, then flowing into the reservoir at last.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: JIANG SU YO-AU ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Chen, Xiaohui Zou, Jianbin Tian
  • Publication number: 20080078542
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein, a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electrochemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger, and a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger. The first and second coolant loops are configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media. The thermal management system also includes an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electrochemical storage device. Thermal management methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin L. Gering, Daryl R. Haefner
  • Publication number: 20080078195
    Abstract: An automobile switchable solar air-conditioning auxiliary system includes a solar energy supply device, a control device, a power device and an automobile air-conditioning system. During the running of a vehicle, the control device is actuated to switch to the solar energy supply device to supply the necessary electricity, whereby a motor drives a mechanical compressor of the automobile air-conditioning system to operate and thus the automobile air-conditioning system generates and introduces cold air into the vehicle. When the electricity in the solar energy supply device is insufficient, the control device automatically switches to the engine to drive the compressor. In this way, the solar energy is used as an auxiliary power supply for the automobile air-conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kuo-Len Lin, Tien-Chih Tseng, Wen-Jung Liu, Hai-Rui Ye
  • Publication number: 20080060370
    Abstract: A method of controlling a cooling system is provided for a hybrid power system that includes an engine that employs an engine cooling circuit to deliver coolant to the engine, the engine cooling circuit including a radiator and a main fan to draw air through the radiator. When the hybrid power system further includes an inverter, then the inverter is cooled via an inverter cooling circuit that is formulated as one portion of the cooling system to deliver coolant to the inverter, the inverter cooling circuit including a heat exchanger located such that the main fan draws air through the heat exchanger when the main fan is active. The cooling system also includes a secondary fan to selectively draw air though the heat exchanger during operation of an inverter cooling circuit coolant pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Keene, Mitchell E. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20080060785
    Abstract: A unit comprising of inlet heating hose 1, shutoff valve 2, pressure sensitive switch 3, vessel heating apparatus 4, shutoff valve 5, vacuum switch 6, solenoid 7, outlet heating hose 8, with or without a cigarette adapter 9, on/off heating and cooling converter switch 10, inlet cooling hose 11, E valve 12, outlet cooling hose 13 and a vessel cooling apparatus 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Mark D. Friend
  • Publication number: 20080041557
    Abstract: An air control device suitable for use in a heating and/or air-conditioning system comprises an air control member having a portion capable of selectively blocking the flow of air in an air passageway, a shaft member connected to the selective air blocking portion and having an axis about which the selective air blocking portion rotates, and a portion located on at least one end of the shaft that comprises a mechanism for inter-engaging with an actuating device for rotation of the shaft member; wherein the shaft end has at least first and second different mechanical configurations, wherein each configuration is capable of selectively interacting with a different type of actuation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Willi Braun
  • Publication number: 20080034773
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a selected temperature in a refrigeration unit of a food service vehicle includes a control box which manages operation of refrigeration compressors in one of multiple operating states such that they are constantly supplied with power which enables the refrigeration unit to maintain the selected temperature. The default or first operating state exists when a battery supplies electrical power to the compressors. The second operating state exists when an engine supplies mechanical power to the compressor. The third operating state exists when external power source supplies electrical power to the compressor. The control box automatically switches the system from one state to another in order to maintain the constant supply of power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Vahe Karapetian
  • Publication number: 20080029241
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes an engine compartment with an engine disposed therein and a cooling assembly which includes a source of liquid and a cooling location disposed external to the engine compartment for cooling the liquid. One or more heat exchangers is disposed at the cooling location for cooling the liquid, which may include engine coolant, hydraulic fluid or air conditioning coolant. Preferably, the cooling assembly includes a fan which is elevated to minimize the intake of dust and other debris created during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: RAYCO MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: John M. Bowling
  • Publication number: 20080028768
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a hybrid vehicle is disclosed, the HVAC system including at least one thermoelectric device for providing supplemental heating and cooling for air supplied to a passenger compartment of the vehicle to maximize an efficiency of operation of the hybrid vehicle during operation of the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Lakhi Nandlal Goenka
  • Publication number: 20080006047
    Abstract: A waste energy-based vehicle air conditioning system includes efficient compression driving means coupled to refrigeration means, which greatly reduces the extra fuel otherwise required to operate conventional vehicle air conditioning systems. In one implementation, the compression driving means includes a controller (e.g., magnetic clutch) that couples mechanical waste energy from an engine fan axle, a vehicle drive shaft, or a transmission shaft directly to an axle of a refrigerant compressor. Alternatively, the controller can also include a battery that is charged from the mechanical waste energy. Upon detecting the presence of vehicle waste energy, such as the driver's foot releasing from a gas pedal, the controller powers the refrigerant compressor with a rotating axle (e.g., during deceleration) or with the vehicle's battery power, as appropriate. One or more kits can be used to retrofit existing vehicles to operate the respective air conditioning systems principally on waste energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20070295017
    Abstract: A vehicle has a main and an auxiliary air conditioning system. The main system includes a main compressor driven by the main vehicle engine, a main condenser, a main evaporator, and a main fan for discharging air through the main evaporator into a driver area of the vehicle. A secondary evaporator is located in a cabinet in an additional area of the vehicle and is connected with the main compressor for receiving first refrigerant simultaneously with the main evaporator. An auxiliary air conditioning system is in the cabinet and includes an AC powered auxiliary compressor, an auxiliary condenser and an auxiliary evaporator. An on board auxiliary power provider is driven by an auxiliary engine to supply AC power to the auxiliary compressor. An additional area fan moves air through the auxiliary and secondary evaporators into the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Bobby L. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20070295019
    Abstract: A refrigerated container with an anti-collision plate and a reinforcing rib being vertically disposed on a surface of an inner side plate facing an outer side plate. The anti-collision plate is disposed on a lower portion of the surface of the inner side plate and formed with an opening matching with a lower portion of the reinforcing rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicants: China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd., Shanghai CIMC Reefer Containes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: John Peng, Jianqi Sun, Gary Sun
  • Patent number: 7310963
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for an HVAC case includes a drain tube extending from the HVAC case and defining an outlet. A receiving portion extends from a docking station and is adapted to accept the drain tube in an assembled position. A first compressible material is disposed between the receiving portion and the docking station. The receiving portion is operable to deflect into the first compressible material upon slidable communication of the drain tube along a surface of the neck. A second compressible material is disposed between the drain tube and the receiving portion. The second compressible material is adapted to compress between the drain tube and the receiving portion in the assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Crocker
  • Patent number: 7305834
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for moving thermal energy with respect to at least one of a beverage and a food product positioned in a vehicle or a stationary beverage machine. The apparatus includes a vortex tube positionable in a vehicle or a stationary beverage machine. The vortex tube includes an inlet and a cold outlet and a hot outlet. The vortex tube divides a primary air stream received in the inlet into a cold air sub-stream exiting the cold outlet and an a hot air sub-stream exiting the hot outlet. The apparatus also includes a containing member having a first wall with an inner surface for receiving a product. The containing member also includes a second wall surrounding the first wall to define a first cavity. The apparatus also includes a first fluid line extending between the first cavity and one of the cold and hot outlets for communicating one of the cold and hot air sub-streams to the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc
    Inventor: Mohinder Singh Bhatti
  • Patent number: 7290400
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a stationary vehicle air conditioning system with a refrigerant circuit, in which a compressor circulates refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit including at least one condenser. The one compressor may be powered by the vehicle's mechanical power, by an electrical source, or by a combination of these driving forces. Depending on desired operating characteristics, a plurality of condensers may be arranged in a series or parallel configuration within the circuit, and a second compressor also may be added, which second compressor may be powered by a source other than the mechanical energy of the vehicle's engine. A plurality of fans may be positioned and selectively operable to provide cooling air streams to one or more of the condensers, with the vehicle engine mechanically driving one fan and an electrical power source driving another fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Arthur Heberle, Marcus Weinbrenner
  • Publication number: 20070251685
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled vehicle includes a driving portion including an engine powering the vehicle for movement. The temperature-controlled vehicle further includes a cargo portion including a load space, a heat exchanger in communication with the load space, a cryogen refrigeration circuit in communication with the heat exchanger, a fossil fuel heater selectively providing heat to the load space, a control system interactively coupled with the cryogen refrigeration circuit and the fossil fuel heater to control the temperature within the load space, and an electrical power supply disposed on the cargo portion and coupled to the fossil fuel heater and the control system to selectively provide electrical power thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Herman H. Viegas
  • Publication number: 20070245756
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily refrigerating perishable items contained in a refrigerated truck or trailer whose refrigeration unit is not functioning properly or at all. The apparatus comprises a portable, auxiliary refrigeration unit adapted to be transported to the refrigerated truck or trailer and includes a sealing element configured and adapted for placement in or adjacent a door opening of the refrigerated truck or trailer to provide at least a partial seal thereat. A chilled air duct is provided for delivering chilled air through/across the sealing element to the perishable items inside the refrigerated truck or trailer and the portable, auxiliary refrigeration unit is operable to deliver chilled air through the chilled air duct and into the interior of the refrigerated truck or trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: David A. Gill
  • Publication number: 20070214818
    Abstract: A work vehicle comprises a plurality of wheels; a vehicle body supported by the plurality of wheels and having a cabin, a front half region and a rear half region; an engine located in the rear half region of the vehicle body; and an air conditioning unit located in a lower forward region of the cabin and having an evaporator and a fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Norimi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20070204637
    Abstract: A brine-type cooling apparatus applied to a vehicle equipped with a vehicle air conditioning case 11, a blower 13, and an air conditioner control ECU 23 as air conditioner controlling means, said brine type cooling apparatus comprising a heat absorbing member 8 for absorbing heat from an electronic equipment 7, a heat radiating member 2 for discharging the absorbed heat, a brine pipeline 6 and a circulation pump 9, and a cooling apparatus control ECU 30 as cooling apparatus controlling means. Even when the air conditioner control ECU 23 stops the blower 13 as air conditioner control, an air flow rate is controlled to set an airflow rate of the blower 13 to a predetermined flow rate based on the brine temperature detected by an inlet water temperature sensor 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Takahisa Fujii, Yuji Ito, Yasuhiko Niimi, Takashi Yamamoto, Eiichi Kamei, Takahiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7260947
    Abstract: A waste energy-based vehicle air conditioning system includes efficient compression driving means coupled to refrigeration means. In one implementation, the compression driving means includes a controller (e.g., magnetic clutch) that couples mechanical waste energy from an engine fan axle, a vehicle drive shaft, or a transmission shaft to an axle of a refrigerant compressor. Alternatively, the controller can also include a battery that is charged from the mechanical waste energy. Upon detecting certain pressure values, the controller powers the refrigerant compressor with a rotating axle (e.g., during deceleration) or with battery power, as appropriate. In one implementation, the controller is configured to engage compression immediately upon detecting that the vehicle is decelerating. One or more kits can be used to retrofit existing vehicles to operate the respective air conditioning systems principally on waste energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas D. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20070197155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle that is capable of easily and simply assembling a thermistor-holding device insertedly with a coupling hole formed at one side surface of a lower case of an air conditioning case, while inserting first and second protrusions formed through upper and lower molds around the coupling hole thereto, such that the total number of parts and the working period are all reduced to improve the productivity of the product and the repairing or exchanging work of the thermistor is carried out easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Yuncheol Park, Yongeun Seo, Sangchul Byon, Sungho Kang, Yongsang Kim
  • Patent number: 7254956
    Abstract: A removable self-contained refrigeration unit is mounted within a vehicle, and is removable from a vehicle as a unit. The casing mounts both the evaporator and the condenser, and in one embodiment also mounts the compressor. With the embodiment that mounts the compressor, no refrigerant lines need be found anywhere except on the casing. The casing is removable from the vehicle as a one piece unit merely by connecting or disconnecting electrical connections. In a second embodiment the compressor is mounted remotely from the casing but the evaporator and condenser are still changeable as a one piece unit. In this embodiment a refrigerant connection need also be connected or disconnected to change the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Matonog, Xavier Petit
  • Patent number: 7249467
    Abstract: A gas-liquid separator (accumulator) is arranged at a refrigerant suction side of a compressor of a refrigerant cycle system mounted in a vehicle. The gas-liquid separator includes a gas-liquid separation portion for separating refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and a liquid refrigerant storage portion for storing therein the separated liquid refrigerant. In the gas-liquid separator, the gas-liquid separation portion is arranged approximately vertically, and the liquid refrigerant storage portion is arranged approximately horizontally with respect to the approximately vertically arranged gas-liquid separation portion. Therefore, mounting performance of the gas-liquid separator in the vehicle can be effectively improved while gas-liquid separation can be accurately performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Nishida, Syuichi Mizuno, Hiroki Naganawa
  • Publication number: 20070144183
    Abstract: A liquid fuel storage system to be mounted on an electric motorcar has a first storage container for storing liquid fuel such as liquid hydrogen, one or more heat exchangers performing heat exchange between air and the liquid fuel or fuel gas vaporized from the liquid fuel, a second storage container, and a low temperature air supply line. The second storage container surrounds the outer periphery of the first storage container and stores the liquid air obtained by the heat exchange. An air conditioning system and/or a cold container that are mounted on the electric motorcar use the air supplied through the low temperature air supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Sakajo
  • Patent number: 7234315
    Abstract: Vehicles are provided with a first air conditioning system adapted to condition at least air in the driver compartment and a second air conditioning system distinct from the first air conditioning system and adapted to operate independently of the first air conditioning system. The second air conditioning system is adapted to condition at least air in the sleeper compartment and includes an exterior assembly mounted to a location outside the interior area and an interior assembly operably connected with the exterior assembly and mounted within the interior area. The exterior assembly includes an auxiliary condenser coil and an auxiliary condenser fan and the interior assembly includes an auxiliary evaporator coil, an auxiliary evaporator fan and an auxiliary compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Dometic Environmental Corporation
    Inventors: Kendall E. Allen, Ralph G. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7228689
    Abstract: A heating and cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) module housing wherein the defrost outlet and the vent outlet and the seat outlet are disposed next adjacent to one another and a first plate overlies the defrost outlet and the seat outlet and a second plate overlies the seat outlet and the vent outlet for opening and closing various combinations of the outlets. Accordingly, the defrost valve and the vent valve are used to also control air flow through the seat outlet of a HVAC module to a thermo-electric device to heat and cool the seat assembly in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Prasad Shripad Kadle, Edward Wolfe, IV
  • Patent number: 7216495
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas D. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7174736
    Abstract: A method of enhancing a freezing capacity of a low-temperature delivery vehicle is that cool cold devices by a freezing machine, each of which has an eutectic material therein, to a temperature lower than eutectic temperatures of the cold devices, and then put the cold devices in a chamber of a vehicle, which the vehicle has a refrigerator to provide a cold airflow to the chamber via an outlet on a wall of the chamber. The cold devices have to be taken out after a predetermined period and cooled again to recycle. The low-temperature delivery vehicle of the present invention has a van body having a chamber therein, a refrigerator having an outlet on a wall of the chamber to provide a cold airflow to the chamber, and a plurality of cold devices in the chamber of the van body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: T.Join Transporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: I-Hsiung Chen, Ying-Chien Jang, Ming Chang Hu
  • Patent number: 7160641
    Abstract: A technique for rejecting heat from a fuel cell stack. Heated stack coolant from the fuel cell stack is directed to a heat pump module where it is compressed to raise its temperature. The heated and compressed coolant is then directed through a radiator that cools the coolant through interaction with ambient air. The coolant is then sent through an expansion aperture to reduce its pressure, and thus, further reduce its temperature before it is sent back to the fuel cell stack to collect waste heat therefrom. The heated and compressed coolant can be sent to hydride bed to release hydrogen therefrom before it is sent to the radiator. In one embodiment, the coolant is hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Willis Jorgensen, Brian Garfield Wicke