Self-contained roof-mounted vehicle air-conditioning system

• US 4,271,677 A
• Filed: 03/27/1978
• Issued: 06/09/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Forrest Harr
• Original Assignee: Forrest Harr
• Inventors: Harr, Forrest
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry
• Application Number:
  US05/890,201
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 62/244, 62/127, 62/323 R, 62/323 C, 62/228 C, 62/239, 62/134, 62/320 C, 290/1 R, 290/1 A, 290/4 C, 290/4 R, 320/56
• US Class Current: 62/127
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00378 for tractor or load vehicle cabins
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3226 Self-contained devices, i.e. including own drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/04 with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/00 Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy F25B30/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 19/00 Arrangement or mounting of refrigeration units with respect to devices or objects to be refrigerated, e.g. infrared detectors

Abstract

A self-contained air-conditioning system for a vehicle, adapted to be mounted on the vehicle roof. The air-conditioning system includes an air refrigeration system comprising compressor, evaporator, condenser and fans operatively associated therewith, an auxiliary electrical generator, independent of the main vehicle electrical system, and an auxiliary gasoline engine for driving the refrigeration compressor and the auxiliary electrical generator. A circuit provides electrical power from the auxiliary generator to the refrigeration system fans and also provides supplemental electrical power from the auxiliary generator to the primary electrical system of the vehicle.

The self-contained air-conditioning system may also optionally include remote control means for controlling and monitoring the system. These controls and indicators are adapted for mounting within the driver'"'"'s compartment of the vehicle and include switches for starting the auxiliary engine, energizing the fans and means for indicating the running condition of the engine.

Claims

1. A roof-mounted, self-contained air-conditioning system for cooling air drawn from the interior of a vehicle and directing said cooled air back into said vehicle, said vehicle having

a prime mover for said vehicle,

a primary electrical system, driven by said prime mover, for generating and storing electrical energy, and

a plurality of electrical accessories, powered by the electrical energy generated and stored by said primary electrical system,

said self-contained air-conditioning system including:

(a) an air refrigeration system comprising compressor, evaporator and condenser means and fan and duct means operatively associated therewith, for removing air from the interior of said vehicle, cooling said removed air and returning the cooled air to the interior of said vehicle, said duct means having intake and return vents mounted in the ceiling of said vehicle;

(b) an electrical generator;

(c) a gasoline engine, provided with a self-starter, for driving

(i) said compressor means, and

(ii) said electrical generator;

(d) pulley means for transmitting motive power from said engine to said compressor means and said electrical generator;

(e) circuit means for

(i) providing electrical power from said electrical generator to said fan means; and

(ii) providing supplemental electrical power from said electrical generator to the primary electrical system of said vehicle;

(f) means for controlling and monitoring said self-contained air conditioning system, adapted for mounting within the operator'"'"'s compartment of said vehicle, said means including switch means for starting said auxiliary gasoline engine and for energizing said fan means and means for indicating the running condition of said engine; and

(g) means for warning the operator of said vehicle when preventive maintenance of said self-contained air conditioning system is required, said warning means including clock means for maintaining a cumulative record of the time said air conditioning system has been operated.