Patent · US Expired

Self powered motor vehicle air conditioner

US6272873A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
6References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 13, 2000
Grant dateAug 14, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 13, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/88
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A motor vehicle with a self-powered air conditioner system. An absorption type air conditioning unit is configured to air condition at least a portion of cab space of the motor vehicle. The unit has at least one electric powered component. There is a generator located outside the cab space for vaporizing a refrigerant. There is a condenser for condensing the refrigerant to produce a condensate, and an evaporator configured to remove heat from the cab space by a process of evaporation of the condensate. There is a combustion unit configured to burn fuel from the fuel tank. The combustion unit provides heat to a hot surface. A plurality of thermoelectric modules is mounted in thermal contact with the hot surface. A heat sink is cooled by the cooling water system. The heat sink is positioned so that it is in thermal contact with said plurality of thermoelectric modules. A temperature difference is produce across the modules to permit them to generate electrical power, and an electric control circuit is configured to utilize electric power generated by the modules to power the at least one electric powered component. In a preferred embodiment, excess electric power is used to keep batt…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.