Apparatus and methods for vehicle idle management

• US 9,216,628 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xantrex, LLC
• Original Assignee: ZeroRPM, Inc. (Mission Critical Electronics LLC)
• Inventors: Self, Lance D., Bennett, Tod M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, LUAT T
• Application Number:
  US13/869,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20140148975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701/36, 123/179.19, 123/179.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00364 for caravans or trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00778 the input being a stationary vehicle position, e.g. parking or stopping
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/323 characterised by comprising auxiliary or multiple systems, e.g. plurality of evaporators, or by involving auxiliary cooling devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 19/00 Machines, plants or systems, using evaporation of a refrigerant but without recovery of the vapour
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/075 with parallel compressors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

An idle management system for a vehicle is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the idle management system includes an auxiliary power storage unit for the storage of electrical power. The idle management system includes an environmental package adapted to interconnect with a vehicle environmental package to regulate the climate within a vehicle compartment of a vehicle. The environmental package may be in electrical communication with the power storage unit to receive electrical power therefrom. A controller may be in communication with the power storage unit to derive electrical power therefrom, and the controller may be in communication with the environmental package to regulate the operation thereof. The idle management system may draw electrical power from the power storage unit to be operable with an engine in an engine OFF condition.

Claims

1. A system for providing air conditioning to a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

a) a primary power source for providing power to said system;

b) a secondary power source for providing power to said system when said primary power source is not operating;

c) a controller;

d) a primary compressor, wherein said primary compressor is operably connected to said primary power source to obtain operating power therefrom;

e) a condenser;

f) an evaporator;

g) a secondary compressor, wherein said secondary compressor is operably connected to said secondary power source to obtain operating power therefrom;

h) a first fluid line connecting said primary compressor to said condenser;

i) a second fluid line connecting said condenser to said evaporator;

j) a third fluid line connecting said evaporator to said primary compressor;

k) a fourth fluid line connecting said third fluid line to said secondary compressor; and

l) a fifth fluid line connecting said secondary compressor to said first fluid line, wherein said fifth fluid line is connected to said first fluid line through a T-connector;

m) wherein said controller is operable to activate said primary compressor to urge a working fluid through said system to provide air conditioning to the passenger compartment while said primary power source is operating, wherein said secondary compressor is deactivated when said primary compressor is activated;

n) wherein said controller is further operable to activate said secondary compressor to urge said working fluid through said system to provide air conditioning to the passenger compartment while said primary power source is not operating, wherein said primary compressor is deactivated when said secondary compressor is activated;

o) wherein said T-connector comprises a first check valve for controlling flow of said working fluid between said primary compressor and said T-connector and a second check valve for controlling flow of said working fluid between said secondary compressor and said T-connector;

p) wherein said second check valve is closed when said primary compressor is activated such that said working fluid bypasses said secondary compressor as said working fluid flows through said system and said working fluid is prevented from back flowing from said T-connector to said secondary compressor;

q) wherein said first check valve is closed when said secondary compressor is activated such that said working fluid bypasses said primary compressor as said working fluid flows through said system and said working fluid is prevented from back flowing from said T-connector to said primary compressor.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said primary power source is an internal combustion engine.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said secondary power source comprises at least one battery, wherein said at least one battery is recharged by said internal combustion engine when said internal combustion engine is operating.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is further operable to activate said secondary compressor to increase pressure of said working fluid in said fifth fluid line until the pressure of said working fluid in said fifth fluid line exceeds the pressure of said working fluid in said first fluid line and thereby open said second check valve and close said first check valve.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said T-connector comprises a first inlet and a first inlet passageway having a first annular flange formed at an innermost end of said first inlet passageway, a second inlet and a second inlet passageway having an annular flange formed at an innermost end of said second inlet passageway, and an outlet and an outlet passageway, wherein said first inlet is in fluid communication with said outlet through said first inlet passageway and said outlet passageway, wherein said second inlet is in fluid communication with said outlet through said second inlet passageway and said outlet passageway.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said first check valve comprises a hollow first piston slidably mounted within said first inlet passageway, said first piston having a first end having an opening therein, a second end extending through said first annular flange and into said outlet passageway and having a first annular sealing member affixed thereto, and at least one opening through a sidewall of said first piston between said first end and said second end of said first piston, wherein said first annular sealing member is spring-biased against said first annular flange to close said first check valve and thereby block said working fluid from back flowing from said T-connector to said primary compressor.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said second check valve comprises a hollow second piston slidably mounted within said second inlet passageway, said second piston having a first end having an opening therein, a second end extending through said second annular flange and into said outlet passageway and having a second annular sealing member affixed thereto, and at least one opening through a sidewall of said second piston between said first end and said second end of said second piston, wherein said second annular sealing member is spring-biased against said second annular flange to close said second check valve and thereby block said working fluid from back flowing from said T-connector to said secondary compressor.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein said working fluid from said primary compressor is operable to open said first check valve such that said working fluid flows into said first inlet, through said first piston and out of said at least one opening through said sidewall of said first piston and into said outlet passageway, and out of said outlet of said T-connector.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein said working fluid from said secondary compressor is operable to open said second check valve such that said working fluid flows into said second inlet, through said second piston and out of said at least one opening through said sidewall of said second piston and into said outlet passageway, and out of said outlet of said T-connector.

10. A system for providing air conditioning to a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

a) a primary power source for providing power to said system, wherein said primary power source is an internal combustion engine;

b) a secondary power source for providing power to said system when said primary power source is not operating, wherein said secondary power source comprises at least one battery, wherein said at least one battery is recharged by said internal combustion engine when said internal combustion engine is operating;

c) a controller;

d) a primary compressor, wherein said primary compressor is operably connected to said primary power source to obtain operating power therefrom;

e) a condenser;

f) an evaporator;

g) a secondary compressor, wherein said secondary compressor is operably connected to said secondary power source to obtain operating power therefrom;

h) a first fluid line connecting said primary compressor to said condenser;

i) a second fluid line connecting said condenser to said evaporator;

j) a third fluid line connecting said evaporator to said primary compressor;

k) a fourth fluid line connecting said third fluid line to said secondary compressor, wherein said fourth fluid line is connected to said third fluid line through a first T-connector; and

l) a fifth fluid line connecting said secondary compressor to said first fluid line, wherein said fifth fluid line is connected to said first fluid line through a second T-connector;

m) wherein said second T-connector comprises a first check valve for controlling flow of a working fluid between said primary compressor and said second T-connector;

n) wherein said second T-connector comprises a second check valve for controlling flow of said working fluid between said secondary compressor and said second T-connector;

o) wherein said controller is operable to activate said primary compressor to urge said working fluid through said system to provide air conditioning to the passenger compartment while said primary power source is operating, wherein said secondary compressor is deactivated when said primary compressor is activated, wherein said second check valve is closed when said primary compressor is activated such that said working fluid bypasses said secondary compressor as said working fluid flows through said system and said working fluid is prevented from back flowing from said second T-connector to said secondary compressor;

p) wherein said controller is further operable to activate said secondary compressor to urge said working fluid through said system to provide air conditioning to the passenger compartment while said primary power source is not operating, wherein said primary compressor is deactivated when said secondary compressor is activated, wherein said first check valve is closed when said secondary compressor is activated such that said working fluid bypasses said primary compressor as said working fluid flows through said system and said working fluid is prevented from back flowing from said second T-connector to said primary compressor.

11. A method of providing air conditioning to a passenger compartment of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:

i) providing a system for providing air conditioning to said passenger compartment, wherein said system comprises;

(a) a primary compressor, wherein said primary compressor is operably connected to said internal combustion engine to obtain operating power therefrom;

(b) a condenser;

(c) an evaporator;

(d) a secondary compressor, wherein said secondary compressor is operably connected to at least one battery to obtain operating power therefrom, wherein said at least one battery is recharged by said internal combustion engine when said internal combustion engine is operating;

(e) a first fluid line connecting said primary compressor to said condenser;

(f) a second fluid line connecting said condenser to said evaporator;

(g) a third fluid line connecting said evaporator to said primary compressor;

(h) a fourth fluid line connecting said third fluid line to said secondary compressor; and

(i) a fifth fluid line connecting said secondary compressor to said first fluid line, wherein said fifth fluid line is connected to said first fluid line through a T-connector, wherein said T-connector comprises a first check valve for controlling flow of a working fluid between said primary compressor and said T-connector, wherein said T-connector further comprises a second check valve for controlling flow of the working fluid between said secondary compressor and said T-connector;

ii turning ON said internal combustion engine;

iii) activating said primary compressor to urge the working fluid through said system to provide air conditioning to said passenger compartment while said internal combustion engine is operating, wherein said secondary compressor is deactivated when said primary compressor is activated, wherein said second check valve is closed when said primary compressor is activated such that the working fluid bypasses said secondary compressor as the working fluid flows through said system and the working fluid is prevented from back flowing from said T-connector to said secondary compressor;

iv) turning OFF said internal combustion engine;

v) activating said secondary compressor to increase pressure of the working fluid in said fifth fluid line until the pressure in said fifth fluid line exceeds pressure of the working fluid in said first fluid line, wherein said primary compressor is deactivated when said secondary compressor is activated;

vi) closing said first check valve and opening said second check valve; and

vii) activating said secondary compressor to urge the working fluid through said system to provide air conditioning to said passenger compartment while said internal combustion engine is not operating, wherein the working fluid bypasses said primary compressor as the working fluid flows through said system and the working fluid is prevented from back flowing from said T-connector to said primary compressor.

12. A system for providing air conditioning to a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

a) a primary power source for providing power to said system;

b) a secondary power source for providing power to said system when said primary power source is not operating;

c) a controller;

d) a primary compressor, wherein said primary compressor is operably connected to said primary power source to obtain operating power therefrom;

e) a condenser;

f) an evaporator;

g) a secondary compressor, wherein said secondary compressor is operably connected to said secondary power source to obtain operating power therefrom;

h) a first fluid line connecting said primary compressor to said condenser;

i) a second fluid line connecting said condenser to said evaporator;

j) a third fluid line connecting said evaporator to said primary compressor;

k) a fourth fluid line connecting said third fluid line to said secondary compressor;

l) a fifth fluid line connecting said secondary compressor to said first fluid line;

m) a 3-way connector forming a connection point between said fifth fluid line and said first fluid line, wherein said 3-way connector comprises a first inlet and a first inlet passageway having a first annular flange formed at an innermost end of said first inlet passageway, a second inlet and a second inlet passageway having an annular flange formed at an innermost end of said second inlet passageway, and an outlet and an outlet passageway, wherein said first inlet is in fluid communication with said outlet through said first inlet passageway and said outlet passageway, wherein said second inlet is in fluid communication with said outlet through said second inlet passageway and said outlet passageway;

n) a first check valve slidably mounted within said 3-way connector for controlling flow of said working fluid between said primary compressor and said 3-way connector, wherein said first check valve comprises a hollow first piston slidably mounted within said first inlet passageway, said first piston having a first end having an opening therein, a second end extending through said first annular flange and into said outlet passageway and having a first annular sealing member affixed thereto, and at least one opening through a sidewall of said first piston between said first end and said second end of said first piston, wherein said first annular sealing member is biased against said first annular flange to close said first check valve and thereby block said working fluid from back flowing from said 3-way connector to said primary compressor; and

o) a second check valve slidably mounted within said 3-way connector for controlling flow of said working fluid between said secondary compressor and said 3-way connector, wherein said second check valve comprises a hollow second piston slidably mounted within said second inlet passageway, said second piston having a first end having an opening therein, a second end extending through said second annular flange and into said outlet passageway and having a second annular sealing member affixed thereto, and at least one opening through a sidewall of said second piston between said first end and said second end of said second piston, wherein said second annular sealing member is biased against said second annular flange to close said second check valve and thereby block said working fluid from back flowing from said 3-way connector to said secondary compressor;

p) wherein said controller is operable to activate said primary compressor to urge a working fluid through said system to provide air conditioning to the passenger compartment while said primary power source is operating, wherein said working fluid from said primary compressor is operable to open said first check valve such that said working fluid flows into said first inlet, through said first piston and out of said at least one opening through said sidewall of said first piston and into said outlet passageway, and out of said outlet of said 3-way connector;

q) wherein said secondary compressor is deactivated when said primary compressor is activated, wherein said second check valve is closed when said primary compressor is activated such that said working fluid bypasses said secondary compressor as said working fluid flows through said system;

r) wherein said controller is further operable to activate said secondary compressor to urge said working fluid through said system to provide air conditioning to the passenger compartment while said primary power source is not operating, wherein said working fluid from said secondary compressor is operable to open said second check valve such that said working fluid flows into said second inlet, through said second piston and out of said at least one opening through said sidewall of said second piston and into said outlet passageway, and out of said outlet of said 3-way connector;

t) wherein said primary compressor is deactivated when said secondary compressor is activated, wherein said first check valve is closed when said secondary compressor is activated such that said working fluid bypasses said primary compressor as said working fluid flows through said system.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said controller is further operable to activate said secondary compressor to increase pressure of said working fluid in said fifth fluid line until the pressure of said working fluid in said fifth fluid line exceeds the pressure of said working fluid in said first fluid line and thereby open said second check valve and close said first check valve.