Integrated automated idle reduction system and method
First Claim
1. An integrated and automated idle reduction system for automatically controlling equipment powered by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
- an electrical circuit system that, in response to a predefined set of operating criteria being met, relays instructions to a shutdown controller, an OEM/AUX air conditioner (A/C) selection unit, and an auxiliary power unit (APU) auto start controller, the electrical circuit system comprising an idle timer in electrical communication with the shutdown controller and the APU auto start controller;
a manual override switch in electrical communication with the shutdown controller;
an engine kill switch connected to the OEM internal combustion engine and controllable in response to the shutdown controller of the electrical circuit system;
an APU connected to and controllable in response to the APU auto start controller of the electrical circuit system, and the APU comprising at least one of a diesel engine and a gasoline engine;
an OEM A/C compressor and an APU A/C compressor, wherein both the OEM A/C compressor and the APU A/C compressor are coupled to an auxiliary A/C interconnect system, and wherein the OEM/AUX A/C selection unit selectively couples one of the OEM A/C compressor and the APU A/C compressor, via the auxiliary A/C interconnect system, to an OEM A/C evaporator; and
an auxiliary coolant interconnect system in fluid communication with the APU and the OEM internal combustion engine, wherein the auxiliary coolant interconnect system, via a thermostat, directs coolant to an OEM heater core and the OEM internal combustion engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated automated idle reduction system is disclosed. The system may include an APU and various controllers providing automation. The system may enable automating features, such as automatically controlling various power sources, engine start, engine stop, the APU, and accessory systems. The APU may be an engine, battery and/or other power source that is selectably connectable to vehicle systems to provide electrical power while the OEM engine of the vehicle is not running. The APU may also provide electrical power while the OEM engine is not running. Additionally, the APU may drive an air conditioning compressor while the OEM engine is not running, such as to keep the cab of a vehicle cool. Prior cold starting the OEM engine, the APU may warm engine coolant, and the integrated automated idle reduction system may circulate the warmed coolant through the OEM engine in preparation for starting.
26 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An integrated and automated idle reduction system for automatically controlling equipment powered by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
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an electrical circuit system that, in response to a predefined set of operating criteria being met, relays instructions to a shutdown controller, an OEM/AUX air conditioner (A/C) selection unit, and an auxiliary power unit (APU) auto start controller, the electrical circuit system comprising an idle timer in electrical communication with the shutdown controller and the APU auto start controller; a manual override switch in electrical communication with the shutdown controller; an engine kill switch connected to the OEM internal combustion engine and controllable in response to the shutdown controller of the electrical circuit system; an APU connected to and controllable in response to the APU auto start controller of the electrical circuit system, and the APU comprising at least one of a diesel engine and a gasoline engine; an OEM A/C compressor and an APU A/C compressor, wherein both the OEM A/C compressor and the APU A/C compressor are coupled to an auxiliary A/C interconnect system, and wherein the OEM/AUX A/C selection unit selectively couples one of the OEM A/C compressor and the APU A/C compressor, via the auxiliary A/C interconnect system, to an OEM A/C evaporator; and an auxiliary coolant interconnect system in fluid communication with the APU and the OEM internal combustion engine, wherein the auxiliary coolant interconnect system, via a thermostat, directs coolant to an OEM heater core and the OEM internal combustion engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of automatically shutting down an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) engine and starting an auxiliary power unit (APU), the method comprising:
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determining, by an idle alternative system (IAS) control circuit, that at least one user/situational criterion is present in the OEM engine; starting, by the shutdown controller of the IAS control circuit, a shutdown timer in response to the user/situational criterion being present; delivering, by the shutdown controller of the IAS control circuit, a warning in response to the shutdown timer indicating the passage of a first short time period; shutting down, by the shutdown controller of the IAS control circuit, the OEM engine in response to the shutdown timer indicating the passage of a first long time period; and engaging, by at least one of the shutdown controller and an APU auto start controller of the IAS control circuit, a Supplemental Power Mode, wherein the Supplemental Power Mode comprises turning on the APU and selectively coupling either of an OEM air conditioner (A/C) compressor or an auxiliary A/C compressor, via an auxiliary A/C interconnect system, to an OEM A/C evaporator, wherein the APU comprises at least one of a diesel engine and a gasoline engine. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An integrated automated idle reduction system comprising:
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an idle alternative system (IAS) control circuit comprising; an idle shutdown timer; an auxiliary power unit (APU) control circuit whereby an APU is started by an APU auto start controller in response to an Idle Shutdown Mode, wherein the APU comprises one of a diesel engine and a gasoline engine; an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery and an OEM engine in electrical communication with the IAS control circuit, wherein the OEM engine is controllable in response to the shutdown controller and the OEM engine is stopped in response to the Idle Shutdown Mode and an OEM air conditioner (A/C) compressor and an APU A/C compressor, wherein both the OEM A/C compressor and the APU A/C compressor are coupled to an auxiliary A/C interconnect system, and wherein, in response to the Idle Shutdown Mode, an OEM/AUX air conditioner selection unit selectively couples either of the OEM A/C compressor or the APU A/C compressor, via the auxiliary A/C interconnect system, to an OEM A/C evaporator. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification