System for controlling the temperature of the air in a cabin for an engine-electric motor hybrid car

A vehicle having a cabin to be temperature controlled comprising:

• a battery for generating electric power;
• an electric motor connected to the battery which produces rotational movement for moving the vehicle;
• a water cooled internal combustion engine;
• the engine being provided with a water recirculation line for obtaining a heat exchange between engine cooling water and the outside air, for cooling the engine;
• a duct having one end for the introduction of air and a second end opened to the cabin of the vehicle for discharging the air thereinto,
• a heat exchanging means cooperating with the engine cooling water in the engine cooling water recirculation line for increasing the temperature of the air discharged into the cabin from said second end of the duct when the battery operates the electric motor for driving the vehicle,
• said heat exchanging means comprises a passageway connected to the engine water recirculation line, a means for obtaining a forced flow of the engine cooling water in said passageway, and a heat exchanger arranged in the duct for obtaining a heat exchange between the engine water and the air passing through the duct for increasing the temperature of the air discharged into the cabin from the second end of the duct,
• said heat exchanging means comprises an independent closed passageway in which a heat exchanging medium passes, means for co-operating with the engine cooling water for absorbing heat from the engine cooling water to said heat exchanging medium, a means for generating a forced flow of the heat exchanging medium in the closed passageway, and a first heat exchanger arranged in the duct for obtaining a heat exchange of the heat exchange medium with the air passing through the duct for increasing the temperature of the air discharged into the cabin from the second end of the duct,
• said heat absorbing means comprises an additional passageway having one end connected to the engine cooling water recirculating line for coupling an amount of water into the additional passageway and a second end connected to the engine cooling water recirculating line for returning the water into the engine cooling water recirculating line, and a second heat exchanger for obtaining a heat exchange between the water and the heat exchange medium in said additional passageway, and;
• an additional heat exchanger arranged in the additional passageway;
• the additional heat exchanger being arranged in the duct for obtaining a heat exchange of the engine cooling water with the air passing through the duct.

A vehicle having a cabin to be temperature controlled comprising:

• a battery for generating electric power;
• an electric motor connected to the battery;
• a water cooled internal combustion engine;
• the engine being provided with a water recirculation line for obtaining a heat exchange between engine cooling water and the outside air for cooling the engine;
• the rotational movement being produced at least from the electric motor, and being used for moving the vehicle;
• a duct having one end for the introduction of air and a second end opened to the cabin of the vehicle for discharging the air thereinto;
• a heat exchanging means cooperating with the engine cooling water in the engine cooling water recirculation line for increasing the temperature of the air discharged into the cabin from said second end of the duct when the battery operates the electric motor for driving the vehicle, and an electric heater arranged in the water recirculation line of the engine, and means for operating the electric heater for a predetermined period when the vehicle is at rest.

A vehicle having a cabin to be temperature controlled comprising:

• a battery for generating electric power;
• an electric motor connected to the battery for receiving electric power therefrom for obtaining a rotational movement for driving the vehicle when it is required;
• a water cooled internal combustion engine for obtaining a rotational movement for driving vehicle when it is required;
• the engine being provided with a water recirculation line for obtaining a heat exchange between engine cooling water and the outside air for cooling the engine;
• a duct having one end for introduction of the air and a second end opened to the cabin of the vehicle for discharging the air thereinto;
• a first heat exchanger in which the engine cooling water passes and which is arranged in the duct for heating the air passing through the duct;
• a second heat exchanger arranged upstream from the first heat exchanger, through which a refrigerant passes;
• a sensor means for detection of the temperature of the cooling water, and;
• means, responsive to the temperature of the engine cooling water when the battery operates the vehicle, for co-operating with the second heat exchanger which is, in accordance with the operating conditions of the vehicle, switched between a first state where a refrigerating cycle is created for decreasing the temperature of the air directed to the second heat exchanger, and a second state where a heat pump is created for increasing the temperature of the air in the duct directed to the cabin.

A vehicle having a cabin to be temperature, controlled comprising:

• a battery for generating electric power;
• an electric motor connected to the battery for receiving electric power therefrom for obtaining a rotational movement for driving the vehicle when it is required;
• a water cooled internal combustion engine for obtaining a rotational movement for driving vehicle when it is required;
• the engine being provided with a water recirculation line for obtaining a heat exchange between an engine cooling water and the outside air for cooling the engine;
• a duct having one end for introduction of the air and a second end opened to the cabin of the vehicle for discharging the air thereinto;
• a first heat exchanger arranged in the duct for a heat exchange between a refrigerant and the air passing through the duct;
• a second heat exchanger arranged in the duct for a heat exchange between a refrigerant and the air passing through the duct;
• a third heat exchanger for heat exchange between a refrigerant with a refrigerant medium and the engine cooling water;
• a pressure reduction device;
• a compressor operated by the battery;
• a first switching valve switched between a position where the refrigerant from the compressor is introduced into the third heat exchanger and a position where the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger is received by the compressor, and;
• a second switching valve switched between a position where the refrigerant from the third heat exchanger is introduced into the first heat exchanger and a position where the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger is received by the third heat exchanger;
• the selection of the positions of the first and the second switching valve when the battery operates the vehicle being such that a refrigerating cycle is created by a flow of refrigerant in such a manner that heat from the refrigerant is radiated at the third heat exchanger to the engine cooling water and heat is absorbed by the refrigerant from the air passing the duct at the second heat exchanger, when an air cooling operation is required, and a heat pump cycle is created by a flow of the refrigerant in such a manner that heat from the engine cooling water is absorbed at the third heat exchanger and heat from the refrigerant is radiated to the air passing the duct at the first heat exchanger when heating the air is required.

A vehicle having a cabin to be temperature controlled comprising:

• a battery for generating electric power;
• an electric motor connected to the battery;
• a water cooled internal combustion engine;
• the engine being provided with a water recirculation line for obtaining a heat exchange between engine cooling water and the outside air for cooling the engine;
• rotational movement being produced at least from the electric motor, and being used for moving the vehicle;
• a duct having one end for the introduction of air and a second end opened to the cabin of the vehicle for discharging the air thereinto;
• a heat exchanging means cooperating with the engine cooling water in the engine cooling water recirculation line for increasing the temperature of the air discharged into the cabin from said second end of the duct when the battery operates the electric motor for driving the vehicle, said heat exchanging means comprises a passageway connected to the engine water recirculation line, an electric-operated water pump, operated by a battery to force the engine cooling water in said passageway, and a heat exchanger element arranged in the duct for heat exchanging between the engine water and the air passing through the duct for increasing the temperature of the air discharged into the cabin from the second end of the duct;
• and
• a water pump that is arranged parallel to said electric operated water pump and is operated mechanically by the internal combustion engine.

A hybrid vehicle selectively powered by either electric power or engine power, and having a cabin to be temperature controlled, comprising:

• a water cooled engine being provided with a water recirculation line for heat exchanging between the engine cooling water and outside air for cooling said engine;
• a battery for generating electric power;
• an electric motor connected to said battery and generating a rotational movement for moving the vehicle during a time when said engine is turned off;
• a duct having a first end for introduction of air and a second end opened to the cabin for discharging the air thereinto;
• a heat exchanging means arranged in said duct and connected to said engine cooling water recirculation line to guide the engine cooling water into the heat exchanging means for increasing a temperature of the air discharged into the cabin from said second end of the duct, when said electric motor is activated by said battery for driving the vehicle;
• temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the engine cooling water, and;
• recirculating means for recirculating the engine cooling water through said water recirculation line, said engine and said heat exchanging means, said recirculating means being activated by said battery when said engine is turned off and said electric motor is turned on to move the vehicle and the detected temperature of the engine cooling water is higher than a predetermined value, so that the heated engine cooling water from the engine cooling water recirculation line is recirculated to the heat exchanging means when the hybrid vehicle is driven by the electric motor.

A vehicle having a cabin to be temperature controlled comprising:

• a battery for generating electric power;
• an electric motor connected to the battery receiving electric power therefrom for obtaining a rotational movement for driving the vehicle when it is required;
• a water cooled engine being provided with a water recirculation line for obtaining a heat exchange between engine cooling water and the outside air for cooling the engine;
• a duct having one end for introduction of the air and a second end opened to the cabin of the vehicle for discharging the air thereinto;
• a first heat exchanger in which the engine cooling water passes and which is arranged in the duct for heating the air passing through the duct;
• a second heat exchanger arranged in the duct, through which a refrigerant passes;
• a sensor means for detection of the temperature of the cooling water, and;
• means, responsive to the temperature of the engine cooling water when the battery operates the vehicle, for cooperating with the second heat exchanger which is, in accordance with the operating conditions of the vehicle, switched between a first state where a refrigerating cycle is created for decreasing the temperature of the air directed to the second heat exchanger, and a second state where a heat pump is created for increasing the temperature of the air in the duct directed to the cabin.