Auxiliary power device for refrigerated trucks

• US 20070052241A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Pacy
• Original Assignee: David Pacy
• Inventors: Pacy, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,673,466 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00014 for load cargos on load transporting vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/20 Refrigerated goods vehicles air treatment of goods space B60H; air-conditioning means for freight cars, isothermic wagons B61D27/0027; superstructures for refrigerated goods vehicles B62D33/048
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

An auxiliary power device for attachment to an existing refrigeration unit of a refrigerated trailer to serve as a power source to a truck cab, thereby allow operation of electrical devices in said cab without idling of the truck'"'"'s engine. The auxiliary power device comprises a housing attached beneath the existing refrigeration unit, an electric generator enclosed within the housing, and a pulley assembly mounted in the housing and connected by drive shaft to the generator. The pulley assembly is connected via drive belt to the diesel motor in the existing refrigeration unit. When the generator is activated a first relay governs the speed of the diesel motor in the refrigeration unit, which turns the generator to generate power, and a second relay prevents drainage of the refrigeration unit battery. The power from the generator is routed through a breaker panel mounted in the cab of the truck for distributing and regulating power from the battery and/or generator into the truck cab. Thus, the driver can power electric devices in the cab from the auxiliary power generation device without idling the truck'"'"'s main engine, thereby reducing fuel consumption, harmful emissions, and prolonging engine life.

Claims

1. An auxiliary power device for trucks having a cab and a towed refrigerated trailer having an on-board motor-powered refrigeration unit, the auxiliary power device supplying electrical power to the truck cab when parked for supplying auxiliary 120V AC electrical power to said truck cab without idling the truck'"'"'s engine, comprising:

a housing attached beneath the existing refrigeration unit of said refrigerated trailer, said housing having a pass-through aperture;

an electric generator enclosed within said housing;

a pulley assembly mounted in said housing proximate the generator and connected thereto for turning the generator and generating electrical power;

a drive belt connected at one end via pulley to the motor of said existing refrigeration unit, and connected at another end to said pulley assembly;

control means connected between said generator and a throttle/fuel solenoid of the refrigeration unit motor for controlling the speed of said motor in said existing refrigeration unit;

a relay connected between said generator and the refrigeration unit battery for preventing drainage from said battery; and

a junction box mounted on the cab of said truck, at least one electrical output from said generator being connected to said junction box for distributing power from said electric generator to said truck cab.

2. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 1, further comprising a second relay connected between said generator and an existing battery of said refrigeration unit for preventing drainage from said battery when said generator outputs power.

3. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 1, wherein said generator is a conventional generator having brushes.

4. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 3, wherein said generator comprises an on-board regulator.

5. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 1, wherein said generator is an alternator-style brushless generator.

6. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 5, wherein said generator comprises an on-board regulator.

7. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 1, wherein said first relay overrides a control panel setting of the refrigeration unit to maintain a low speed setting to ensure at least a 1400 rpm output from said diesel motor.

8. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 1, further comprising an electric clutch connected between said generator and pulley assembly, and a switch for activating said electric clutch, thereby allowing manual starting and stopping of said generator despite turning of the diesel motor in said refrigeration unit.

9. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 1, further comprising a receptacle mounted proximate said generator, and an electrical cord having opposing plugs connected on one end to the generator receptacle and at another end to said fused breaker panel.

10. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 1, wherein said drive belt is toothed.

11. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 1, wherein said junction box is a fused breaker panel mounted external to said truck cab.

12. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 11, wherein said breaker panel is mounted inside an existing storage portal of said truck cab.

13. An auxiliary power device for trucks having a cab and a towed refrigerated trailer having with on-board diesel-motor-powered refrigeration unit, the auxiliary power device supplying electrical power to the truck cab when parked for powering any one from among a group of heaters, air conditioning, outlets, engine block heaters, and battery chargers without idling the truck'"'"'s engine, comprising:

an electric generator mounted proximate said diesel-motor-powered refrigeration unit;

a pulley assembly connecting the diesel-motor of said refrigeration unit to said electric generator for turning the generator and generating electrical power, said pulley assembly further comprising a drive belt connected at one end via pulley to said diesel motor in said refrigeration unit and connected at another end to said electric generator;

a means connected between said generator and a throttle/fuel solenoid of the refrigeration unit diesel motor for controlling the speed of said motor;

a breaker panel mounted on the cab of said truck, said breaker panel including at least one fuse and at least one receptacle, said generator being electrically connected to aid receptacle via said fuse for preventing over-current when distributing power from said electric generator to said truck cab;

whereby a driver turns the existing refrigeration unit on, controls the motor speed of said refrigeration unit, turning said generator at said controlled motor speed, and thereby producing electric current at said at least one receptacle for powering electric devices in the cab without idling the truck'"'"'s main engine.

14. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 13, further comprising a second relay connected between said generator and an existing battery of said refrigeration unit for preventing drainage from said battery when said generator is rotating.

15. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 13, wherein said generator is a conventional generator having brushes.

16. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 15, wherein said generator comprises an on-board regulator.

17. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 13, wherein said generator is an alternator-style brushless generator.

18. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 13, wherein said first relay overrides a control panel setting of the refrigeration unit to maintain a low speed setting to ensure a constant rpm output.

19. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 13, further comprising an electric clutch connected between said generator and pulley assembly, and a switch for activating said electric clutch, thereby allowing manual starting and stopping of said generator despite turning of the diesel motor in said refrigeration unit.

20. An auxiliary power device for trucks having a cab and a towed refrigerated trailer having with on-board diesel-motor-powered refrigeration unit, the auxiliary power device supplying electrical power for use in the cab of said truck, comprising:

an electric generator mounted on said a towed refrigerated trailer;

a pulley assembly connecting the diesel-motor of said refrigeration unit to said electric generator for turning the generator and generating electrical power, said pulley assembly further comprising a drive belt connected at one end via pulley to said diesel motor in said refrigeration unit and connected at another end to said electric generator;

an electrical outlet mounted on the cab of said truck, said electrical outlet being electrically connected to said generator for distributing power from said electric generator to said truck cab;

whereby a driver turns the existing refrigeration unit on, thereby controlling the diesel motor speed of said refrigeration unit, and turning said generator at said controlled motor speed to producing electric current at said electrical outlet for powering electric devices in the cab without idling the truck'"'"'s main engine.

21. The auxiliary power device for trucks according to claim 21, further comprising a second relay connected between said generator and an existing battery of said refrigeration unit for preventing drainage from said battery when said generator is rotating.

22. A method for supplying auxiliary power to the cab of a truck towing a refrigerated trailer having with on-board diesel-motor-powered refrigeration unit, for powering any one from among a group of heaters, air conditioning, outlets, engine block heaters, and battery chargers without idling the truck'"'"'s engine, comprising:

mounting an electric generator proximate said diesel-motor-powered refrigeration unit and connecting said generator to a diesel-motor in said refrigeration by a pulley assembly;

overriding a temperature control of said diesel-motor-powered refrigeration unit to turn said diesel motor at a controlled speed;

said pulley assembly concurrently turning said generator at a controlled speed;

conducting power from said generator to a breaker panel mounted on the cab of said truck for powering electric devices in the cab without idling the truck'"'"'s main engine.