Dual compressor HVAC system
First Claim
1. An automotive HVAC system for use in a vehicle having a vehicle body, the vehicle body including an engine and a battery, the HVAC system having a predetermined design cooling capacity, comprising:
- a condenser;
one of an orifice tube and an expansion valve in fluid communication with said condenser;
an evaporator in fluid communication with the one of an orifice tube and an expansion valve and being disposed in the vehicle body;
a first compressor adapted to be mechanically driven by said engine and in fluid communication from said evaporator and in fluid communication to said condenser; and
a second compressor electrically connected to and driven by said battery, and in fluid communication from said evaporator and in fluid communication to said condenser, whereby each of said compressors is selectively operable to compress refrigerant in said HVAC system during operation of said HVAC system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention concerns an automotive HVAC system for use in a vehicle having a vehicle body that includes an engine and a battery. The HVAC system has a predetermined design cooling capacity and includes a condenser and one of an orifice tube and an expansion valve in fluid communication with the condenser. A first compressor is adapted to be mechanically driven by the engine and is in fluid communication from the evaporator and in fluid communication to the condenser. A second compressor is electrically connected to and driven by the battery bank and is in fluid communication from the evaporator and in fluid communication to the condenser. Each of the compressors is selectively operable to compress refrigerant in the HVAC system during operation of the HVAC system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automotive HVAC system for use in a vehicle having a vehicle body, the vehicle body including an engine and a battery, the HVAC system having a predetermined design cooling capacity, comprising:
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a condenser;
one of an orifice tube and an expansion valve in fluid communication with said condenser;
an evaporator in fluid communication with the one of an orifice tube and an expansion valve and being disposed in the vehicle body;
a first compressor adapted to be mechanically driven by said engine and in fluid communication from said evaporator and in fluid communication to said condenser; and
a second compressor electrically connected to and driven by said battery, and in fluid communication from said evaporator and in fluid communication to said condenser, whereby each of said compressors is selectively operable to compress refrigerant in said HVAC system during operation of said HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An automotive HVAC system, the HVAC system including at least an accumulator, a condenser, a refrigerant expander, and an evaporator disposed in a vehicle body, the vehicle body include an engine and a battery bank, the HVAC system having a predetermined design cooling capacity, comprising:
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a first compressor coupled to and selectively driven by said engine;
a second compressor electrically connected to and selectively driven by said battery bank, each of said compressors connected to a refrigerant supply between said accumulator and said condenser; and
a controller in communication with said first and second compressors, said engine, and said battery bank, whereby said controller is operable to control the operation of each of said compressors to provide compressed refrigerant to said HVAC system during operation of said HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification