Automobile Hybrid Air Conditioning System

A hybrid air conditioning controller for a combustion engine vehicle, the combustion engine vehicle having a combustion engine, a rechargeable battery unit, a battery charger, an electric machine, and a compressor for air conditioning,

• wherein when the combustion engine is running and the rechargeable battery unit is partially discharged, the hybrid air conditioning controller configures the electric machine as mechanically coupled to the combustion engine and the hybrid air conditioning controller configures the battery charger as electrically connected to the rechargeable battery unit such that the electric machine generates electric power to recharge the rechargeable battery unit, and
• wherein when the combustion engine stops and air conditioning is required, the hybrid air conditioning controller configures the rechargeable battery unit as electrically connected to the motor drive and the hybrid air conditioning controller configures the electric machine as mechanically coupled to the compressor to provide mechanical power to drive the compressor.

A method of hybrid air conditioning for a combustion engine vehicle, the combustion engine vehicle having a combustion engine, a rechargeable battery unit, a battery charger, an electric machine, and a compressor for air conditioning comprising:

• when the combustion engine is running and the rechargeable battery unit is partially discharged, configuring the electric machine as mechanically coupled to the combustion engine and configuring the battery charger as electrically connected to the rechargeable battery unit such that the electric machine generates electric power to recharge the rechargeable battery unit;
• and
• when the combustion engine stops and air conditioning is required, configuring the rechargeable battery unit as electrically connected to the motor drive and configuring the electric machine as mechanically coupled to the compressor to provide mechanical power to drive the compressor.