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US 5,125,236 AGranted
Combined generator set and air conditioning compressor drive system
AssigneeOnan Corporation
InventorsStephen M. Clancey, David A. Overland, Deborah A. Klinkert, Mark S. Lent, Paul H. Plahn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combined generator set and air conditioning compressor drive system is disclosed for use in a mobile vehicle. The disclosed device includes an auxiliary engine, a compressor, and a motor-generator. When an external source of electricity is unavailable, the motor-generator is shaft driven by the auxiliary engine and operated as a generator to provide electricity to the vehicle. The compressor is also shaft driven. When an external source of electricity is available, the motor-generator operates as a motor so as to drive the compressor.
Claims15
A mobile vehicle comprising:
- (a) a vehicle body;
- (b) an electrical generating system disposed on the vehicle body comprising:
- (i) an engine;
- (ii) a motor-generator unit capable of functioning as a generator for generating alternating current for the mobile vehicle when mechanically driven, the motor-generating unit further capable of functioning as a motor when connected to a source of alternating current external to the mobile vehicle;
- (iii) first connection means for connecting the motor-generator unit to the engine so as to permit the motor-generator unit to be mechanically driven by the engine;
- the first connection means including first clutch means for engaging the engine and the motor-generator unit when the engine is operating and alternating current produced by the motor-generator unit is desired, the first clutch means disengaging the engine and the motor-generator unit when operation of the motor-generator unit as a motor is desired;
- and
- (c) an air cooling system disposed on the vehicle body comprising:
- (i) a mechanically driven air conditioner;
- (ii) second connection means for connecting the air conditioner to the motor-generator unit so as to be mechanically driven by the motor during operation of the motor-generator unit as a motor, the second connection means further connecting the air conditioner to the engine so as to be mechanically driven by the engine during operation of the motor-generator unit as a generator.
7 more elements
A mobile vehicle having an integral air cooling and electrical generating unit, the integral air cooling and electrical generating unit comprising:
- (a) an engine;
- (b) a motor-generator capable of functioning as a motor when connected to an electrical supply external of the mobile vehicle and as a generator to produce current when mechanically driven, the motor-generator being connectable to the engine so as to be mechanically driven by the engine;
- (c) clutch means for engaging the engine with the motor-generator when the engine is operated and current produced by the motor-generator unit is desired, the clutch means disengaging the engine and the motor-generator when operation of the motor-generator unit as a motor is desired;
- (d) means for connecting the motor-generator to an electrical supply external to the mobile vehicle so as to operate the motor-generator as a motor;
- (e) an air conditioner compressor mechanically driven by the motor-generator when the motor-generator is functioning as a motor, the air conditioner compressor mechanically driven by the engine when the motor-generator is functioning as a generator;
- and
- (f) an enclosure arrangement having a base portion, the engine, the motor-generator, and the air conditioner compressor being supported by the base portion, the enclosure arrangement defining a substantially enclosed interior wherein the engine, the motor-generator, and the air conditioner compressor are located substantially within the interior of the arrangement, whereby an enclosed integral air cooling and electrical generating unit is provided which produces cool air for the mobile vehicle when the engine is operated or when the electrical supply external to the mobile vehicle is provided.
4 more elements
A mobile vehicle having an air cooling and electrical generating system the air cooling and electrical generating system comprising:
- (a) an engine;
- (b) a motor-generator capable of functioning as a motor when connected to a shore power source of alternating current external to the mobile vehicle and as a generator for generating alternating current when mechanically driven, the motor-generator being connectable to the engine so as to be mechanically driven by the engine;
- (c) clutch means disposed between the engine and the motor-generator for engaging the engine and the motor-generator when the engine is operated and current produced by the motor-generator is desired, and the clutch means disengaging the engine and the motor-generator when a shore power source of alternating current external to the mobile vehicle is provided;
- (d) means for connecting the motor-generator to a shore power source of alternating current external to the mobile vehicle so as to operate the motor-generator as a motor;
- and
- (e) an air conditioner connected to the motor-generator when the motor-generator is functioning as a motor, the air conditioner connected to the engine when the motor-generator is functioning as generator.
3 more elements
A method of cooling air and generating current in a mobile vehicle comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a mechanically driven air conditioner, an engine, and a motor-generator unit on a mobile vehicle;
- (b) providing clutch means to connect the motor-generator unit to the engine such that the engine mechanically drives the motor-generator unit to produce alternating current, and connecting the engine to the air conditioner such that the engine further mechanically drives the air conditioner;
- (c) operating the engine to mechanically drive the air conditioner to produce cool air for use in the mobile vehicle and to mechanically drive the motor-generator unit to produce alternating current for use in the mobile vehicle;
- (d) disconnecting the engine from the motor-generator unit when a source of alternating current external of the mobile vehicle is provided;
- (e) connecting the motor-generator unit to the air conditioner such that the motor-generator unit mechanically drives the air conditioner when the motor-generator unit is supplied with alternating current and functions as a motor;
- (f) supplying the motor-generator unit with the source of alternating current external of the mobile vehicle to mechanically drive the air conditioner;
- and
- (g) operating the motor-generator unit as a motor to mechanically drive the air conditioner to produce cool air for use in the mobile vehicle.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.