Modular low pressure delivery vehicle air conditioning system

• US 6,038,877 A
• Filed: 05/22/1998
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bergstrom Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bergstrom Incorporated
• Inventors: Zeigler, Terry, Peiffer, Larry, Guo, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US09/083,303
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 62/244, 62/298, 62/434, 62/435, 62/323.1
• US Class Current: 62/244
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00007 Combined heating, ventilating, or cooling devices control systems or mechanisms B60H1/00642
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3204 using compression B60H1/3233 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/32284 comprising two or more secondary circuits, e.g. at evaporator and condenser side
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/323 characterised by comprising auxiliary or multiple systems, e.g. plurality of evaporators, or by involving auxiliary cooling devices

Abstract

A modular air conditioning system comprises a self-contained refrigeration power cell, a heat exchanger remotely located from the refrigeration power cell, and a low pressure refrigerant communication circuit operably coupling the refrigeration power cell to the heat exchanger. The refrigeration power cell comprises a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator which are serially coupled to form a high pressure closed refrigeration circuit. A drive mechanism, such as an electric or hydraulic motor, or conventional belt, is coupled to the compressor. The low pressure refrigerant communication circuit thermally interfaces with the condenser to remove heat from the high pressure closed refrigeration circuit. Alternatively, this circuit thermally interfaces with the evaporator to remove heat from the low pressure refrigerant. This heat exchanger is adapted to mount in the cabin of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle. Preferably, a second heat exchanger and a second low pressure refrigerant communication circuit is included. This second circuit thermally interfaces with the condenser to remove heat from the refrigeration circuit.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle, comprising:

a high pressure refrigeration power cell located in the passenger compartment;

at least one low pressure refrigeration circuit in thermal communication with said high pressure refrigeration power cell, said low pressure refrigeration circuit including a heat exchanger located externally of the passenger compartment for transmitting thermal energy communicated from said high pressure refrigeration power cell; and

wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises;

a compressor;

an expansion device;

an evaporator; and

wherein said compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator are serially coupled by fixed tubing having permanent connections to form a high pressure closed refrigeration circuit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one low pressure refrigeration circuit comprises insulated low pressure tubing.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises a drier interposed between said condenser and said expansion device, said drier removing water from said refrigeration circuit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises drive means coupled to said compressor for driving said compressor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises a hydraulic motor.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises an electric motor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises a sub-cooler thermally coupling an input to said compressor to an output of said compressor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes an engine in an engine compartment including an engine radiator, wherein said heat exchanger is located in the engine compartment in proximity to the radiator.

9. A modular air conditioning system, comprising:

a self-contained refrigeration power cell;

a first heat exchanger remotely located from said refrigeration power cell;

first low pressure refrigerant communication means operably coupled to said refrigeration power cell and to said first heat exchanger for conveying first low pressure refrigerant therebetween; and

wherein said refrigeration power cell comprises

a compressor;

a condenser;

an expansion device;

an evaporator; and

wherein said compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator are serially coupled by fixed tubing having permanent connections to form a high pressure closed refrigeration circuit; and

wherein said first low pressure refrigerant communication means thermally interfaces with said condenser to remove heat from said high pressure closed refrigeration circuit, and wherein said first heat exchanger is adapted to mount in proximity to a radiator in an engine compartment of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle.