×

Method and apparatus for reducing the temperature of air in the cabin of a stationary vehicle

  • US 5,361,593 A
  • Filed: 04/28/1993
  • Issued: 11/08/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of reducing cabin air temperature in a vehicle comprising a cabin, and associated with the cabin an air conditioning means comprising a compressor for a refrigerant fluid, a fan for delivering a stream of air into the cabin and an evaporator for transferring heat from said stream of air to said refrigerant fluid, wherein said method includes the steps of:

  • detecting the temperature of the internal air in the cabin;

    detecting the temperature of the external air outside the cabin; and

    controlling the apparatus, in response to said detected temperatures, in three successive stages as follows;

    in the first stage, driving the fan so as to deliver external air into the cabin when the internal temperature exceeds the external temperature by at least a predetermined limiting amount;

    in the second stage, driving the compressor in a first compressor regime when the condition for the first operating stage is absent but the internal temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold value; and

    in the third stage, driving the compressor in a second compressor regime such that energy consumption and the heat exchange capacity of the evaporator are reduced as compared with the second stage, when the conditions for the first and second stages are absent, further comprising the step of interrupting the operation of the apparatus when the vehicle remains stationary after a predetermined period of time.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×