With Electrical Motor Drive Patents (Class 62/323.3)
  • Patent number: 6845630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical power and cooling system for use in an aircraft having at least one engine. The electrical power and cooling system comprises a single shaft, a power turbine mounted on the shaft for receiving fresh pressurized air from the at least one engine, a cooling turbine mounted on the shaft and receiving the fresh pressurized air from the at least one engine, a generator mounted on the shaft, and a fan mounted on the shaft for creating a flow of cooling air. The system further has a condenser for removing moisture from the air exiting the cooling turbine and a mixing chamber for mixing the cooled dry air with recirculated cabin air. The electrical power and cooling system delivers conditioned air to a cabin and/or a flight deck onboard the aircraft and electrical power to the aircraft's electrical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Bruno, Charles E. Lents, Michael K. Sahm, Wayne A. Thresher
  • Patent number: 6823690
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Runk, John F. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6820438
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Komura, Koji Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040187506
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 6786055
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignees: Sanden Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Inoue, Masato Tsuboi, Hiromitsu Adachi, Masamichi Kubota, Hiroshi Ikura, Hideki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040168455
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6782704
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Hiromitsu Adachi, Hideki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakou, Hiroshi Ikura, Kohei Hanada
  • Patent number: 6745585
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Kelm, Danny Lee Berg, Robert Joseph Mohan, Richard Eric Luken
  • Patent number: 6729998
    Abstract: A shaft of a planetary gear mechanism is connected via a lock mechanism to an air-conditioner compressor. A shaft is connected to an engine, and a shaft is connected to a motor-generator. The shaft or the shaft of the motor-generator is linked to the shaft through a clutch mechanism. A control unit reduces shock by changing the rotation speed of the motor-generator on the basis of the engine speed and reducing a speed difference between the input shafts of the clutch mechanism and a speed difference between the input shafts of the lock mechanism before engaging of the clutch mechanism and releasing of the lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuneyuki Egami
  • Publication number: 20040079098
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Keiichi Uno, Yasushi Suzuki, Shig Ki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Kazuhide Uchida
  • Publication number: 20040069000
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Kunio Iritani
  • Publication number: 20040025525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Mamoru Kubo, Shigeharu Sasaki, Kazuhisa Otagaki, Susumu Takagi, Kenzo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040000156
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Atsuo Inoue, Masato Tsuboi, Hiromitsu Adachi, Masamichi Kubota, Hiroshi Ikura, Hideki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6662586
    Abstract: A method and a vehicle for the transport by road of a container fitted with an electrically driven plant, in particular a refrigerating or freezing plant. The container is placed on the vehicle and the driving motor of the vehicle drives a hydraulic pump, which hydraulic pump drives a hydraulic motor, which motor drives a generator for generating electric current to be supplied to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: TRS Transportkoeling B.V.
    Inventor: Eeuw Durk Kooi
  • Patent number: 6651450
    Abstract: If a motor breaks down, an appropriate measure is taken according to the type pf the breakdown. If the breakdown is judged to be due to abnormal energization of the motor by electrical abnormality judgment means, a drive source for a hybrid compressor is secured while preventing an engine for traveling from stopping by compressor operation continuation means. If it is judged that the driven state of the motor is abnormal, the hybrid compressor is disconnected from the engine to protect the engine from mechanical abnormality of the hybrid compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Tamegai, Kazuhiro Irie
  • Publication number: 20030213252
    Abstract: In an air conditioner for use in vehicles comprising a compressor that is connected to an engine driving a vehicle and operated by a driving force provided by the engine during operation of the engine, connection between the engine and the compressor is released in response to stopping of the engine, as well as an electric motor driving the compressor is connected to the compressor in response to stopping of the engine; and the compressor is operated by the electric motor during stopping of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaru Kuribayashi
  • Publication number: 20030209022
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system limits electric power used by an electric motor for a compressor in a prescribed fashion that quickly removes fog from the windows when a defroster mode is selected. When the defroster mode is selected, the limit on the electric power used by the electric motor is lifted, and the number of revolutions of the compressor is set to a high level to raise the dehumidifying and cooling capability to quickly remove moisture from the windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Hisashi Ieda, Toshinobu Homan, Ken Matsunaga, Yuji Takeo, Mitsuyo Oomura
  • Patent number: 6640562
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a vehicle including a refrigerant circuit and an engine, has a compressor in the refrigerant circuit, a battery, an electric motor and a mechanism operative to controllably connect and disconnect a power transmitting path between the engine and the motor. The motor is connected to drive the compressor when energized by the battery. A first controller is operative to control the electric power supplied to the motor from the battery. A capacity control mechanism is responsive to the controller to maintain the discharge capacity of the compressor below a predetermined value upon starting the engine by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Yasuharu Odachi, Ken Suitou
  • Patent number: 6637229
    Abstract: An improved control method for a vehicle air conditioning system including a refrigerant compressor and a condenser cooling fan adjusts the power consumption of the condenser cooling fan in a manner to minimize the combined power consumption of compressor and the condenser cooling fan while maintaining adequate cooling of the condensed refrigerant. When the air conditioning system is operating at less than full capacity, the combined power consumption of the compressor and the condenser cooling fan is determined for each of a series of operating intervals. The change in the combined power consumption from one operating interval to the next is computed to determine the effect of a prior cooling fan power adjustment, and the power level of the cooling fan is incrementally adjusted in the same direction as the prior adjustment so long as the prior adjustment resulted in at least a specified reduction of the combined power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Oliver Forrest, Lawrence Scherer, Nicholas Joseph Alonge, Jr., Frank A. Krueger, Lindsey Lee Leitzel, Paul J. Bruski
  • Patent number: 6622505
    Abstract: A method of powering a refrigeration system. The method includes providing a mover and an alternator, the alternator being coupled to the mover and generating a power signal. The method also includes monitoring at a control a plurality of system parameters and sending a control signal based on the system parameters from the control. The method further includes receiving the power signal and the control signal at an inverter-based device which has a plurality of inverters, converting the power signal into a controlled power signal based on the control signal, and driving a plurality of components of the refrigeration system with the controlled power signal, which are also controlled by the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Thomas Anderson, Arnost Hurych, Vladimir Sulc, Greg Truckenbrod, Donald J. Bongaards, Zdenek Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20030110787
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a climate control system for a motor vehicle (58) which comprises a compressor (14) and a corresponding compressor drive (16), an interior heat exchanger (18), an exterior heat exchanger (36), an expansion element (32) and, if so required, an internal heat exchanger (30). The device is realized in the form of a self-sufficient flat module (12) that is designed for cooling in a cooling mode and for heating in a heat pump mode. The compressor (16) consists of a high-output carbon dioxide compressor that has a small structural volume and is integrated into the module (12) together with the compressor drive (16). The carbon dioxide compressor (14) preferably has an external power control. The module (12) contains an energy connection (54) for only one form of energy in order to supply the drive of the module (12) with energy. The energy connection (54) preferably consists of an electric energy connection with only one voltage level or with several different voltage levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Juergen Koehler, Nicholas Carsten Lemke
  • Publication number: 20030097848
    Abstract: A shaft of a planetary gear mechanism is connected via a lock mechanism to an air-conditioner compressor. A shaft is connected to an engine, and a shaft is connected to a motor-generator. The shaft or the shaft of the motor-generator is linked to the shaft through a clutch mechanism. A control unit reduces shock by changing the rotation speed of the motor-generator on the basis of the engine speed and reducing a speed difference between the input shafts of the clutch mechanism and a speed difference between the input shafts of the lock mechanism before engaging of the clutch mechanism and releasing of the lock mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Tsuneyuki Egami
  • Publication number: 20030033825
    Abstract: A vehicle adapted to hold and transport groceries for home delivery comprises a chassis and a storage unit. The storage unit includes multiple compartments maintained at different temperatures to keep items placed therein refrigerated, frozen or at ambient temperature. Each of the compartments is easily accessible from the ground and has at least one rack mounted therein. The racks support totes filled with grocery orders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: The Kroger Co.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Goosman
  • Publication number: 20030005715
    Abstract: A method and a vehicle for the transport by road of a container fitted with an electrically driven plant, in particular a refrigerating or freezing plant. The container is placed on the vehicle and the driving motor of the vehicle drives a hydraulic pump, which hydraulic pump drives a hydraulic motor, which motor drives a generator for generating electric current to be supplied to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Eeuw Durk Kooi
  • Publication number: 20030000236
    Abstract: A method of powering a refrigeration system. The method includes providing a mover and an alternator, the alternator being coupled to the mover and generating a power signal. The method also includes monitoring at a control a plurality of system parameters and sending a control signal based on the system parameters from the control. The method further includes receiving the power signal and the control signal at an inverter-based device which has a plurality of inverters, converting the power signal into a controlled power signal based on the control signal, and driving a plurality of components of the refrigeration system with the controlled power signal, which are also controlled by the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Thomas Anderson, Arnost Hurych, Vladimir Sulc, Greg Truckenbrod, Donald J. Bongaards, Zdenek Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20020124580
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, including a refrigerant circuit and an engine, has a battery, a compressor, an electric motor and a load torque control mechanism. The battery supplies electric power. The compressor is operative to compress refrigerant gas for the air-conditioning system. The electric motor is electrically connected to the battery. The motor is driven due to the electric power, and is operatively coupled to drive the compressor when the motor is energized. The load torque control mechanism responsive to the operating condition of the engine to control the load torque of the compressor below a predetermined value during times when the motor is driving the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Ken Suitou, Kazuya Kimura, Ryo Matsubara, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Yasuharu Odachi, Taku Adaniya, Shoichi Ieoka, Shigeo Fukushima, Akinobu Kanai
  • Patent number: 6443712
    Abstract: A hybrid type compressor is provided that is drivable by an electric motor and an external driving source. The hybrid type compressor includes a housing and a compression mechanism. A shaft is rotatably supported by the housing for transmitting rotational driving force to the compression mechanism. The electric motor unit generates rotational driving force for rotating the shaft and includes a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator. The hybrid type compressor also includes a pulley for receiving rotational driving force generated by the external driving source and for transmitting the rotational driving force to the shaft. Additionally, a one-way clutch is provided between the pulley and the shaft for allowing the rotational driving force generated by the external driving source to be transmitted only from the pulley to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakai, Masafumi Nakashima, Mikio Matsuda, Hiroshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6435293
    Abstract: A cart sealed for cooling having a battery powered electrical drive including an electrically powered mechanical air conditioner, a generator for powering the air conditioner, an outside power outlet powered by the generator, and a battery charger powered by the generator. The generator is wired to the charger to recharge the batteries for the cart when power requirements of the other units allow. There is an insulated case for the generator and a muffler-baffle system for quieting the exhaust from the generator through a series of baffles. A separate fuel supply for the generator is provided so the generator does not drain the motive drive fuel. A misting unit may be used to control the moisture level in the interior of the cart. A control panel in the interior of the compartment is used for controlling the generator, the air conditioner or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Williams
  • Publication number: 20020108388
    Abstract: An all electric transport refrigeration system receives its compressor drive motor power and all other electrical power from a single on-board engine driven non-synchronous power system consisting of an engine driven synchronous generator. The generator is able to power refrigeration system electrical components at varying predetermined controlled output frequencies that are regulated by an electronic control system and independent of engine speed and generator output frequencies. The incorporation of the non-synchronous power system in the transport refrigeration system results in a system that meets space limitations while at the same time flexibly achieves the desired system performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Wilson, Kenneth B. Barrett, Robert A. Chopko
  • Publication number: 20020108389
    Abstract: An all electric transport refrigeration system that receives its compressor drive motor power and all other electrical power from a single on-board engine driven generator that is of the axial air gap design type. The incorporation of the axial air gap type generator in the transport refrigeration system results in a system that meets space limitations while at the same time achieves the desired level of power output. This is due to the inherently slim profile of the axial air gap type generator which also promotes greater accessibility and ease of service to generator elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Chopko, Kenneth B. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20020108387
    Abstract: An all electric transport refrigeration system receives its compressor electric drive motor power and all other electrical power from a single on-board engine driven permanent magnet generator. A dual winding three phase electric motor powers the compressor. The incorporation of the dual winding three phase electric motor energizing system in the transport refrigeration system results in a system that can use a smaller generator while at the same time achieves the start up torque necessary to operate the compressor. This is due to the activation of each one of the dual windings with respect to one another, which utilizes start up motor torque to an advantage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Barrett, James C. Wilson, Robert A. Chopko
  • Publication number: 20020078700
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Brian Robert Kelm, Danny Lee Berg, Robert Joseph Mohan, Richard Eric Luken
  • Patent number: 6405550
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling an electrically driven transport refrigeration unit under varying operating conditions while maintain the system generator within its electric current and temperature limitations is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention the management of generator power through the combined use of controls for a suction modulation valve (an “SMV”), for diesel engine speed control, and for electronic expansion valve (“EXV”) superheat settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John Robert Reason, Joao Eduardo Navarro de Andrade
  • Patent number: 6357248
    Abstract: A compact transport temperature control unit includes an electrically-powered condenser assembly, an electrically-powered evaporator assembly and an electrically-powered compressor. The electrical power is supplied from a source external to the transport temperature control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Bongaards, Michal Kolda, Petr Prochazka, Jiri Ota, Vladamir Sulc
  • Patent number: 6351957
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for use in a motor vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine is described. The system comprises an electric motor powered by a battery; a compressor arranged to be powered by at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor; and a control unit that controls the driving of the compressor. The control unit is configured to execute driving the compressor by only the electric motor when the combustion engine is under an idling stop; restarting the combustion engine upon expiration of a first given time from the time when the idling stop has occurred, so that thereafter the compressor is driven by both the combustion engine and the electric motor; and stopping the driving of the compressor by the electric motor upon expiration of a second given time from the restarting of the combustion engine, so that thereafter the compressor is driven by only the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro Hara
  • Patent number: 6321550
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system includes a compressor having discharge and suction ports and at least one electric compressor drive motor disposed within the compressor. The system includes a condenser heat exchanger unit and an evaporator heat exchanger unit operatively coupled, respectively, to the compressor discharge port and the compressor suction port. At least one fan assembly having an electric fan motor is configured to provide air flow over at least one of the heat exchanger units. The system includes an integrally mounted unitary engine driven synchronous generator assembly, which is configured to selectively produce at least one A.C. voltage at one or more frequencies. The compressor drive motor and the at least one fan motor are configured to be directly coupled to the synchronous generator and to operate at a voltage and frequency produced thereby. The compressor is provided with means for unloading at least a portion of the compressor's compressing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Chopko, James C. Wilson, Kenneth B. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20010042382
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioning system arrangement intended for motor vehicles, especially passenger cars. The air conditioning system has a compressor, condenser and evaporator that are connected by way of transfer elements in a closed circuit for the transfer of refrigerant. The condenser and evaporator may be arranged on the chassis of the vehicle. The invention compressor may be mounted on the chassis of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Bjorn Mardberg
  • Patent number: 6301909
    Abstract: An automotive dual air-conditioning system having No. 1 air conditioner and No. 2 air conditioner arranged separately in an automobile, for controlling air-conditioning operation, and a bus line connected between No. 1 air conditioner and No. 2 air conditioner. No. 1 air conditioner transfers air-conditioner control information to No. 2 air conditioner through the bus line during operation of No. 1 air conditioner and No. 2 air conditioner, to thereby control the operating condition of No. 2 air conditioner in accordance with the information thus supplied. Furthermore, No. 2 air conditioner changes the control of its operating condition to manual control in case a communication error of air-conditioner control information to be transferred through the bus line continues over a specific period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 6234769
    Abstract: In a hybrid type compressor, a one-way clutch is provided between a magnet rotor and a rotor shaft for allowing rotational driving force generated by an electric motor unit to be transmitted only from a rotor to a shaft. Thus, the rotational driving force generated by a vehicle engine is not transmitted from the rotor shaft to the magnet rotor. That is, an inertia moment of a rotational system with respect to a vehicle engine is made small, thereby reducing the impact vibration when the clutch mechanism engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakai, Masafumi Nakashima, Takeshi Wakisaka, Hiroshi Kishita, Mikio Matsuda, Hiroshi Ogawa, Hiroyasu Kato
  • Patent number: 6230507
    Abstract: A hybrid compressor selectively driven by an engine and an electric motor. The hybrid compressor includes a variable displacement compression mechanism. When the compression mechanism is driven by the motor, the cooling capacity of a refrigeration circuit that includes the hybrid compressor is adjusted by controlling the inclination of the swash plate and the motor speed. In the control procedure, the inclination angle of the swash plate and the motor speed are controlled so that the compression mechanism and the motor are most efficiently operated to achieve the required cooling capacity. Therefore, the hybrid compressor is constantly operated with maximum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takashi Ban, Toshiro Fujii, Yoshiyuki Nakane
  • Patent number: 6226998
    Abstract: An process and method for monitoring and limiting high voltage conditions in a transport refrigeration unit is disclosed. The system provides a microprocessor control which monitors the load, generator temperature and engine speed and compares it to an algorithm or map programmed into a controller for the unit. The map or algorithm preferably predicts voltage based upon load (amperage), generator temperature and engine speed. If the result of the monitored features predicts a voltage above preselected acceptable levels which are programmed into the controller, then the controller will drop the engine into low speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John Robert Reason, Joao Eduardo Navarro de Andrade
  • Patent number: 6223546
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a transport refrigeration unit of the type configured to be mounted on the front wall of a transport trailer. The transport trailer is adapted to be connected to and towed by a motorized tractor. The connected trailer and tractor define between them a predetermined envelope bounded by the tractor swing radius and the trailer front wall. The refrigeration unit includes a structural support framework configured to be attached to the front wall of the trailer. An outer cover is configured to be supported by the framework and to be within the predetermined envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventors: Robert A. Chopko, Kenneth B. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6217297
    Abstract: An electric motor-driven compressor is positioned closer to the center of gravity of an engine than a compression mechanism, and is mounted in such a manner that an axial direction of an electric motor is parallel to a crank shaft of the engine. Therefore, a vibration force produced by the engine and applied to the electric motor is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Tsumagari, Masami Sanuki, Toshihiko Muraki, Tetsuya Takechi
  • Patent number: 6196009
    Abstract: A freezer/refrigerator vehicle equipped with a refrigerating apparatus driven by a drive source which is an engine, mounted on a vehicle, for running the vehicle, comprising an idle-up means for operating a fuel feeding device of the engine under a first idle-up condition or under a second idle-up condition between the first idle-up condition and the no-load condition, and a control means. After the defrosting cycle is conducted for a predetermined period of time while the idle-up means is in operation under the second idle-up condition, the control means operates the idle-up means under the first idle-up condition and thereafter, brings the refrigerating apparatus back to the refrigerating cycle after the passage of a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nishi, Minori Higuchi, Masato Doi