Responsive To Vehicle Body Motion Or Traction Patents (Class 62/133)
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Patent number: 7275378Abstract: A method and system for controlling a cooling fan that cooperates with an air conditioning condenser in a vehicle. The present embodiments include steps and corresponding implementations for determining a speed of the vehicle, determining a discharge pressure of the air conditioning condenser, determining an ambient temperature of air surrounding the vehicle and determining an outlet temperature of a vehicle air conditioning system. The cooling fan is operated in one or more desired fan speed modes corresponding to one or more respective discharge pressure ranges. The fan speed modes are a function of vehicle speed and one or more of ambient temperature, outlet temperature, and discharge pressure.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bradley C. Errington, Daniel Yelles
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Publication number: 20070220908Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioner which controls an output refrigerant pressure of a radiator by adjusting a decompression amount in an expansion valve, an air conditioning ECU calculates a target refrigerant pressure using a refrigerant temperature detected by a temperature sensor, a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed detector, and a control equation defined for calculating the target refrigerant pressure, and adjusts an opening of an expansion valve by a decompression amount corresponding to the target refrigerant pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventor: Torahide Takahashi
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Patent number: 7269963Abstract: Parameters are set in accordance with a running condition of a vehicle and an environmental condition based on a wiper operation signal of the vehicle. The parameters are used to calculate a stable vehicle interior surface temperature Tna of a window glass. The stable vehicle interior surface temperature Tna and a vehicle interior surface temperature Tn1 calculated at previous sampling are used to calculate a vehicle interior surface temperature Tn in a transient state considering response delay time ? of temperature change. A control temperature, at which no dew is formed on the window glass, is determined in accordance with the obtained vehicle interior surface temperature Tn to perform air conditioning control.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Keihin CorporationInventors: Mitsuru Yonekura, Junya Washiashi
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Patent number: 7234516Abstract: When it is assumed that a vehicle is stopped or parked after its engine was stopped and a predetermined period of time has passed, a cold wind side air mixing door, hot wind side air mixing door, cold wind door and rear cold wind side air mixing door are totally closed and a blower is operated for a predetermined period of time. Accordingly, while a cooler is being dried, drying air containing much offensive smell components, which has passed through the cooler, is discharged outside the vehicle. Therefore, it is unnecessary to provide an exclusively used air passage and an opening and closing door for opening and closing the air passage used for composing an air blowing passage to dry the cooler. By utilizing the existing equipment, air used for drying, which has passed through the cooler, containing much offensive smell components can be discharged outside the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Makoto Umebayashi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi, Tomohiro Inada
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Patent number: 7216495Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Inventor: Thomas D. Harrison
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Patent number: 7210523Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner has an air conditioning unit and an air conditioning control unit. The air conditioning unit has a FACE blowout port, a DEF blowout port, an upper blowout port. The air conditioning control unit estimates an outside windshield temperature and determines an outside dew point temperature. The control unit also controls the upper blowout port to stop blowing or not based on the estimated outside windshield temperature and the outside dew point temperature in a face mode to prevent the windshield from fogging.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Makoto Umebayashi, Tomohiro Inada, Yoshinori Yanagimachi
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Patent number: 7207379Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system comprising a main heating unit 4 for heating air passing through an air conditioning duct 2 with cooling water of an engine E and a refrigeration cycle device 20 having a first refrigerant circulating circuit 21 which is a cooler mode and a second refrigerant circulating circuit 22 which is a heater mode and whose operation is controlled by an ECU 10, wherein while the automotive air conditioning system is operated in a heater mode functioning as auxiliary heating, in the event that a heating load is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a refrigerant compressor 7 is kept switched off until a predetermined time T1 has elapsed after the engine E has started. In addition, a heating device is provided on the refrigerant compressor or an accumulator so that the refrigerant compressor or the accumulator is heated by the heating devices while the automotive air conditioning system is operated in the heater mode functioning as auxiliary heating.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Takano, Shun Kurata
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Patent number: 7177742Abstract: A vehicular air-conditioner includes a compressor to be driven by an engine. The vehicular air-conditioner includes a controller configured to reduce a load on the compressor in response to a braking condition of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Makishima, Hiroyasu Nadamoto
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Patent number: 7127903Abstract: In an air conditioner for use in vehicles comprising a compressor that is connected to an engine driving a vehicle and operated by a driving force provided by the engine during operation of the engine, connection between the engine and the compressor is released in response to stopping of the engine, as well as an electric motor driving the compressor is connected to the compressor in response to stopping of the engine; and the compressor is operated by the electric motor during stopping of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masaru Kuribayashi
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Patent number: 7100383Abstract: During the period of deceleration of a vehicle, an air conditioning control unit modifies a target cooling temperature (TEO) of an evaporator to a temperature lower than that before the deceleration by ? ° C. in order to store cold in the evaporator (step S130). When the vehicle comes to rest, the air conditioning control unit sets an upwardly-modified target temperature TEOK, which is a temperature modified toward more or less higher temperatures from the target cooling temperature TEO, and brings a compressor to rest and keeps the resting state of the compressor until a detected temperature TE of an evaporator discharge temperature sensor exceeds TEOK (step S180). Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize the cold heat stored in the evaporator 6 during the period of deceleration of the vehicle with a good feeling of passengers being maintained while the vehicle is at rest.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Naoshi Sugesawa, Takeshi Wakisaka, Kenji Miura, Tadashi Nakagawa, Noboru Takagi
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Patent number: 7098549Abstract: A power control device for a construction machine of the present invention is characterized by including an engine, an actuator adapted to be driven with power of the engine, an engine controller for stopping the engine automatically when it is not necessary to drive the actuator, and an air conditioner for conditioning the air in an interior of a cab of the construction machine, and in which when an air conditioner operation detecting unit detects that the air conditioner is in operation and even when an engine power necessity determining unit determines that the power of the engine is not necessary, automatic stop of the engine by the engine controller is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiko Asakage, Hideki Kinugawa
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Patent number: 7096680Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner having a variable displacement compressor, a control unit calculates a target cooling temperature of air to be cooled by an evaporator, and controls a discharge capacity of the compressor such that a detected air temperature of the evaporator approaches the target cooling temperature. When a deceleration running state of the vehicle is detected, the control unit sets a corrected target cooling temperature lower than the target cooling temperature by a predetermined temperature, and controls the discharge capacity of the compressor such that the detected air temperature approaches the corrected target cooling temperature when the detected air temperature is lower than the corrected target cooling temperature, or controls the discharge capacity of the compressor approximately at the maximum capacity regardless of the corrected target cooling temperature when the detected air temperature is not lower than the corrected target cooling temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Naoshi Sugesawa, Takeshi Wakisaka, Tadashi Nakagawa, Noboru Takagi
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Patent number: 7040102Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch for a compressor includes a rotor, an armature, an electromagnetic coil for bringing the rotor into contact with the armature and for separating the rotor from the armature, and a temperature detection device, such as a temperature fuse or a temperature switch, or both, for detecting an excessive increase in temperature ascribed to slippage between the rotor and the armature or a temperature increase of refrigerant discharged from the compressor. An electric circuit of the temperature detection device is separated from the electric circuit of the electromagnetic coil. An abnormal condition may be accurately detected by the separate circuit structure, and a proper response to the abnormal condition may be taken quickly.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignees: Sanden Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akiyoshi Higashiyama, Hiromitsu Adachi, Hideki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakou
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Patent number: 7036329Abstract: In order to reduce refrigerant leakage from an automotive air conditioning system, the leakage paths are kept sealed by automatically reducing the output of a variable displacement compressor (12) after initial operation of the engine for a predetermined number of five minutes, and then only for a predetermined number of ten seconds, that is, so long as there has been an air conditioning on signal by the operator. After the reduction in output for ten seconds, the output of the compressor (12) is returned to full output for a predetermined number of two air-conditioning minutes, which is then followed by another ten seconds of reduced output.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: S. Umair Ahmed, Edward I. Wolfe, IV, Prasad S. Kadle, William J. Kumpf
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Patent number: 7024871Abstract: The present invention provides a method for masking noise in a motor vehicle that has a component that produces noise when operated. The method of the invention comprises monitoring the speed of the vehicle, and increasing the movement of the moveable part when the vehicle is at a predetermined speed. It is well known that vehicles naturally produce more noise as the speed of the vehicle is increased. The invention also provides a noise masking system that exploits the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Zhu, Jacob Mathews, Jeffrey Boismier, James Castellano
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Patent number: 7025572Abstract: A compressor for a vehicle air conditioner includes a pressure sensor and a torque computing unit for computing the compressor torque. The compressor also has a communication unit that allows data communication with other devices based on vehicle data communication protocols. The torque computing unit and the communication unit are integral with the compressor. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the driving torque quickly, and an engine electronic control unit can control an engine such that the torque required for the compressor can be quickly generated.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kazuhito Miyagawa, Yasutane Hijikata
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Patent number: 7021071Abstract: A driving load of a cooling fan unit is selectively determined from a plurality of predetermined loads corresponding to vehicle parameters including a coolant temperature and a vehicle speed. Also, on the basis of a plurality of coolant temperature ranges and a plurality of vehicle speed ranges. The cooling fan unit is driven with the determined driving load. The vehicle parameters preferably further include a refrigerant pressure and a state of an air/con switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Chang Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 7017360Abstract: A method for controlling cycling of an air conditioning compressor coupled to an internal combustion engine interrupts normal cycling based on operation conditions. In addition, normal engaged and disengaged cycling durations are adaptively estimated in real-time. The method of the present invention achieves improved fuel economy and improved drive feel. As an example, improved fuel economy is achieved by engaging the compressor during braking or when the engine is being driven by the vehicle. As another example, improved drive feel is achieved by engaging the compressor during transient conditions when drive feel is unaffected.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, George Blaha, Gerhard A. Dage, John David Russell, Michael John Cullen
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Patent number: 6990823Abstract: An air conditioner accurately performs detection of a refrigerant circulation amount and improves a basic function including an accuracy and a response characteristic of a control for achieving stable maintenance of a room temperature. An electronic control system includes a controller performing an air-conditioning control so that flow detected information from a hot-wire flow sensor, refrigerant operation state information from a refrigerant operation state sensor, and temperature information from a resistance value sensor are added in external information detection means.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Ochiai
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Patent number: 6955060Abstract: In an air conditioner, a target compressor rotation speed is determined based on a target air temperature, which represents an air conditioning load, when an electric compressor is started from a stop state. Thus, an evaporator air temperature can be approximated to a target evaporator air temperature, more quickly as compared with a control method where an incremental rotation speed is added to a present rotation speed of the electric compressor, that is, 0 rpm. Accordingly, a large cooling capacity can be obtained for a short time period. Thus, an air temperature in a compartment can be quickly reduced to a comfortable temperature, when the air conditioner is started, for example.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Toshinobu Homan, Mitsuyo Oomura, Makoto Yoshida
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Patent number: 6952929Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a compressor. The vehicle includes a first drive source and the compressor includes a second drive source. The compressor is driven by the first drive source or the second drive source, or a combination thereof, and the second drive source includes an electrical power supply. The air conditioning system also includes a controller for selecting between the first drive source and the second drive source, such that when the compressor is active, the first drive source drives the compressor except when the vehicle is operating in a predetermined mode, a voltage of the electrical power supply is greater than or equal to a minimum electrical power supply voltage, and an amount of electric power consumed by the second drive source is less than a maximum electric power. For example, the predetermined mode may be an idle-stop mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventors: Atsuo Inoue, Masato Tsuboi, Hiromitsu Adachi, Masamichi Kubota, Hiroshi Ikura, Hideki Watanabe
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Patent number: 6895917Abstract: An automatic stop/start controller for an engine, having an air conditioner which employs a coolant or driving force of the engine to control the air in a driver's compartment. The engine can be stopped and started without operation of an ignition key. After a predetermined automatic stop condition is satisfied and the engine is automatically stopped, a control unit maintains the engine in a stopped state as long as the duration of an automatic stop of the engine is shorter than an automatic stop maximum time set based on air temperature at an inlet of the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Yoshiki Itoh, Tatsuji Mori, Norihiro Noda
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Patent number: 6889762Abstract: An air conditioning system for use in an over-the-road or off road vehicle is provided that allows operation during both engine on and engine off conditions. The system utilizes a variable speed, motor driven compressor controlled by an intelligent power generation management controller. This controller selects from one of the available sources of power on the vehicle to drive the compressor, and modulates the compressor speed and capacity based on operational parameters and source availability and depletion. The controller may also operate a coolant or air heater to provide heating to the interior compartments.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Bergstrom, Inc.Inventors: Terry Zeigler, Eric Elias
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Patent number: 6840051Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying condensate from the heat exchanger of a vehicle's air conditioning system after operation in order to thwart odor buildup is provided. The apparatus and method operate regardless of whether the system's blower control circuit is positively or negatively switched. The apparatus includes relays that bypass the normal operating electrical routing to the air conditioning system's blower motor to operate the blower directly. The method comprises determining that the engine of the vehicle has been switched off and that the air conditioning system of the vehicle was in operation prior to the engine being switched off. If the conditions are met, the air conditioning system's blower is operated on a predetermined time schedule to circulate air in the air conditioning system to dry condensate therefrom. In this way, growth of odor-causing fungus and bacteria is inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: AirSept, Inc.Inventor: Myron Stein
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Patent number: 6826917Abstract: A control system is provided to determine when to use additional compressors in a multiple compressor refrigeration system during a pull down operation. The control system determines the rate of change of the difference between the leaving chilled water temperature and a setpoint temperature during the pull down operation of the refrigeration system. If the determined rate of change of the leaving chilled water temperature difference provided by the current configuration of the refrigeration system is not adequate, then an additional compressor of the refrigeration system can be started to obtain a better rate of change. The control system can repeat this evaluation of the determined rate of change of the leaving chilled water temperature difference until all compressors in the multiple compressor refrigeration system are used.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: York International CorporationInventors: Mark Robinson Bodell, II, Wanda Jean Miller
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Patent number: 6823690Abstract: An integrated electrical generator/starter and air conditioning compressor device driven by a common drive shaft, or other direct linkage. The device includes an electrical generator/starter and a compressor. The electrical generator/starter is coupled to the drive shaft. The compressor is coupled to the electrical generator/starter and to the drive shaft and acts to pressurize a flow of refrigerant in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The electrical generator/starter is operable in first and second states. In the first state, the electrical generator/starter generates electricity in response to rotation of the drive shaft. In the second state, the electrical generator/starter utilizes electrical power from a battery to rotate the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Michael Runk, John F. O'Brien
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Patent number: 6823681Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioning control apparatus having a compressor and an electric cooling fan of an externally controlled type, a fan motor control for increasing fan motor load is carried out in a compressor discharge capacity region lower than in normal control in below-listed cases. (1) When a requested cooling performance is predicted to increase. (2) When a vehicle is brought into an idling state. (3) In cool down in which a requested cooling performance is predicted to increase to be equal to or larger than a set value, or when a vehicle is brought into an idling state.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignees: Calsonic Kansei Corporation, Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Ryuichi Hirose, Hiroyasu Nadamoto, Kazuo Masuko, Hajime Uchiyama
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Patent number: 6820438Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a compressor is driven by a vehicle engine when an actual temperature of an evaporator is higher than a basis temperature that is higher than a target temperature by a predetermined temperature, and is driven by an electrical motor when the actual temperature of the evaporator is lower than the basis temperature. The predetermined temperature is set to be higher as the target temperature of the evaporator decreases such that the basis temperature is not higher than a comfortable limit temperature. Accordingly, the compressor can be driven by the electrical motor in a range where the actual temperature can be controlled to be not higher than the comfortable limit temperature. Therefore, fuel consumption efficiency of the engine can be improved, while a minimum of cooling capacity can be ensured.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Masato Komura, Koji Yamashita
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Patent number: 6820436Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system calculates and indicates the remaining time of effective cooling by cold air discharge from its cold storage unit during a vehicular eco-run halt. In cold discharge cooling mode, a first cold discharge cooling remaining time tx1 is calculated from the remaining cold heat of a cold storage medium. A second cold discharge cooling remaining time tx2 is calculated from temperature changes of the cold storage unit. The second remaining time tx2 is set to zero when the cold storage unit temperature rises to a cooling upper target temperature. The first remaining time tx1 is selected in the cold discharge cooling mode as long as the temperature of the cold storage unit is below a temperature near the solidifying point of the cold storage medium. The second remaining time tx2 is selected when the cold storage unit temperature exceeds the temperature near the solidifying point.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Tomita, Yuichi Shirota
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Patent number: 6817193Abstract: A refrigerant circuit for a motor vehicle air-conditioning system has a refrigerant compressor, a cooler connected downstream of the refrigerant compressor, a restrictor for expanding the refrigerant, and an evaporator for transferring heat to the refrigerant. Pressure in the refrigerant circuit is measured firstly on the high-pressure side and secondly on the low-pressure side. An air-conditioning system can be driven directly or indirectly by the motor vehicle driving engine. The refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is almost completely liquefied upstream of the restrictor, so that it is easy to determine the refrigerant mass flow. As a result, it becomes possible to determine the compressor torque which is consumed by the refrigerant circuit and to control the motor vehicle driving engine accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Roland Caesar, Thomas Finkenberger, Jan Gaertner, Wolfgang Straub, Juergen Wertenbach
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Publication number: 20040216473Abstract: A method for controlling cycling of an air conditioning compressor coupled to an internal combustion engine interrupts normal cycling based on operation conditions. In addition, normal engaged and disengaged cycling durations are adaptively estimated in real-time. The method of the present invention achieves improved fuel economy and improved drive feel. As an example, improved fuel economy is achieved by engaging the compressor during braking or when the engine is being driven by the vehicle. As another example, improved drive feel is achieved by engaging the compressor during transient conditions when drive feel is unaffected.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, George Blaha, Gerhard A. Dage, John David Russell, Michael John Cullen
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Publication number: 20040211197Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch for a compressor includes a rotor, an armature, an electromagnetic coil for bringing the rotor into contact with the armature and for separating the rotor from the armature, and a temperature detection device, such as a temperature fuse or a temperature switch, or both, for detecting an excessive increase in temperature ascribed to slippage between the rotor and the armature or a temperature increase of refrigerant discharged from the compressor. An electric circuit of the temperature detection device is separated from the electric circuit of the electromagnetic coil. An abnormal condition may be accurately detected by the separate circuit structure, and a proper response to the abnormal condition may be taken quickly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Akiyoshi Higashiyama, Hiromitsu Adachi, Hideki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakou
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Patent number: 6804970Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a refrigeration cycle such that maximum refrigerating capacity can be educed when the refrigeration cycle is started, the driving torque of a variable displacement compressor can be reduced when an automotive vehicle performs standing start or acceleration, and the refrigeration cycle can be operated with the maximum efficiency in a steady operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: TGK Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Saeki, Hisatoshi Hirota
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Patent number: 6804969Abstract: A composite auxiliary machine for a vehicle has proper startup performance in starting an engine. The composite auxiliary machine has a compressor for compressing a refrigerant inside a refrigeration cycle device, a rotary machine connected to the compressor and rotated together therewith, a drive pulley for operating the rotary machine in response to a driving force from the vehicle engine, and a clutch device for transmitting and terminating the driving force of the drive pulley. The rotary machine functions as a generator and an electric motor. A variable displacement mechanism is provided in the compressor to vary an amount of discharge per revolution. A control unit controls to engage the clutch device in starting the vehicle engine, and actuates the rotary machine as an electric motor to actuate the vehicle engine. Then, an amount of discharge of a refrigerant is controlled to become smaller than that necessary in the refrigeration cycle device.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., DENSO CorporationInventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa
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Patent number: 6802283Abstract: An engine cooling system and method that will allow an engine cooling fan to be driven independently of the engine speed. The engine cooling fan is driven by the engine crankshaft, but includes an electronically controllable fan clutch between the fan and the crankshaft. A control module electronically controls the engagement of the fan clutch based upon engine and vehicle operating conditions. A water pump for pumping coolant through the engine cooling system may also be driven by the crankshaft of the engine, but with an electronically controlled pump clutch between the engine crankshaft and the water pump.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Keith E. Liederman, Davide F. Piccirilli, Matti K. Vint, Joseph V. Bejster
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Patent number: 6796134Abstract: An intercooler for a vehicle engine incorporating an exhaust gas turbocharger and an air conditioning system, the intercooler comprising: a charge air cooler loop operatively connected to cool heated, pressurized air from the turbocharger before it flows into the vehicle engine; and an air conditioning system bypass loop operatively connecting the air conditioning system to the charge air cooler loop.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: John R. Bucknell, Marc Musial
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Publication number: 20040172955Abstract: An integrated electrical generator/starter and air conditioning compressor device driven by a common drive shaft, or other direct linkage. The device includes an electrical generator/starter and a compressor. The electrical generator/starter is coupled to the drive shaft. The compressor is coupled to the electrical generator/starter and to the drive shaft and acts to pressurize a flow of refrigerant in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The electrical generator/starter is operable in first and second states. In the first state, the electrical generator/starter generates electricity in response to rotation of the drive shaft. In the second state, the electrical generator/starter utilizes electrical power from a battery to rotate the drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Robert Michael Runk, John F. O'Brien
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Patent number: 6786055Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a compressor. The vehicle includes a first drive source and the compressor includes a second drive source. The compressor is driven by the first drive source or the second drive source, or a combination thereof, and the second drive source includes an electrical power supply. The air conditioning system also includes a controller for selecting between the first drive source and the second drive source, such that when the compressor is active, the first drive source drives the compressor except when the vehicle is operating in a predetermined mode, a voltage of the electrical power supply is greater than or equal to a minimum electrical power supply voltage, and an amount of electric power consumed by the second drive source is less than a maximum electric power. For example, the predetermined mode may be an idle-stop mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignees: Sanden Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsuo Inoue, Masato Tsuboi, Hiromitsu Adachi, Masamichi Kubota, Hiroshi Ikura, Hideki Watanabe
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Patent number: 6782704Abstract: A control apparatus for automatically stopping and restarting an engine of a vehicle is provided, which is equipped with an engine, a motor, a compressor and an air conditioner. The apparatus has a first section for making a judgment on stopping the engine and a second section for making a judgment on restarting the engine. The apparatus has features that the apparatus provides the air conditioner with a plurality of operational modes selected by a user, and when the vehicle is not in motion with selection of a first mode, the first section permits the engine to stop if a first power that the motor can supply is greater than a second power of the compressor required by the air conditioner, and the second section permits the engine to restart if the second power exceeds the first power.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Hiromitsu Adachi, Hideki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakou, Hiroshi Ikura, Kohei Hanada
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Publication number: 20040163400Abstract: In a hybrid compressor for a vehicle where a vehicle engine is stopped when the vehicle is temporally stopped, a pulley, a motor and a compressor can be driven in independent from each other, and are connected to a sun gear, planetary carriers and a ring gear of a planetary gear. A rotational speed of the motor is adjusted by a controller, so that a rotational speed of the compressor is changed with respect to a rotational speed of the pulley. Accordingly, production cost of the hybrid compressor and the size thereof can be reduced, while a cooling function can be ensured even when the vehicle engine is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Yasushi Suzuki, Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Keiichi Uno
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Publication number: 20040144107Abstract: A system and method for determining engine operation for a start-stop vehicle is provided. The start-stop vehicle includes an HVAC system. The engine operation control system includes an HVAC control head for indicating demand, a sensor for indicating fan speed, at least one sensor for indicating ambient air temperature, and a powertrain control module in communication with the HVAC control head and the sensors. The powertrain control module determines engine operation. The method for controlling engine operation includes the steps of determining HVAC demand, fan speed, and ambient temperature to a control module. The control module determines engine operation based on the signals from the signal generators of the HVAC demand, the fan speed, and the ambient temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Matthew Breton, Peter Rex Gawthrop, Kanwal Bhatia
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Publication number: 20040134209Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a compressor is driven by a vehicle engine when an actual temperature of an evaporator is higher than a basis temperature that is higher than a target temperature by a predetermined temperature, and is driven by an electrical motor when the actual temperature of the evaporator is lower than the basis temperature. The predetermined temperature is set to be higher as the target temperature of the evaporator decreases such that the basis temperature is not higher than a comfortable limit temperature. Accordingly, the compressor can be driven by the electrical motor in a range where the actual temperature can be controlled to be not higher than the comfortable limit temperature. Therefore, fuel consumption efficiency of the engine can be improved, while a minimum of cooling capacity can be ensured.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Masato Komura, Koji Yamashita
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Patent number: 6755032Abstract: A method for controlling cycling of an air conditioning compressor coupled to an internal combustion engine interrupts normal cycling based on operation conditions. In addition, normal engaged and disengaged cycling durations are adaptively estimated in real-time. The method of the present invention achieves improved fuel economy and improved drive feel. As an example, improved fuel economy is achieved by engaging the compressor during braking or when the engine is being driven by the vehicle. As another example, improved drive feel is achieved by engaging the compressor during transient conditions when drive feel is unaffected.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, George Blaha, Gerhard A. Dage, John David Russell, Michael John Cullen
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Patent number: 6755033Abstract: A hybrid compressor apparatus for a refrigerant cycle is mounted on a vehicle having an engine that stops in accordance with driving conditions of the vehicle. The apparatus includes an electrical motor, a compressor driven by at least one of the engine and the motor for compressing refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle, a controller for controlling operation of the motor and the compressor and for selecting a driving source between the engine and the motor so as to drive the compressor, and a switch for manually setting a normal mode and an economy mode in the refrigerant cycle. The motor drives the compressor when the economy mode is selected while the engine stops. Therefore, an operation load of the compressor can be reduced in the economy mode, and fuel consumption can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Keiichi Uno
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Patent number: 6745585Abstract: An electric air conditioner sustain system is disclosed. The electric air conditioner sustain system includes a compressor, an engine and an electric motor. The engine and the electric motor selectively rotate the compressor. When the engine is rotating the compressor and the engine stops, the electric motor is synchronously activated to maintain continuous rotation of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian Robert Kelm, Danny Lee Berg, Robert Joseph Mohan, Richard Eric Luken
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Patent number: 6745582Abstract: A manually controlled motor vehicle HVAC system is activated for automatically pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin following remote starting of the vehicle engine. When the engine has been remotely started, an HVAC controller estimates initial outside air and cabin air temperatures, and determines if pre-heating or pre-cooling is appropriate based on the estimated initial temperatures, the engine coolant temperature and a measure of the engine soak time. When pre-heating or pre-cooling is deemed to be appropriate, the HVAC parameters normally set by a driver interface panel are selectively overridden based on the estimated initial outside air and cabin air temperatures. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the initial outside air temperature is estimated based on an inlet air temperature sensor of the engine or on a refrigerant pressure sensor of the HVAC system prior to activation of the refrigerant compressor.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Martin Urbank, Aaron P. Running, Karma Vir Sangwan
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Patent number: 6735962Abstract: A composite auxiliary machine for a vehicle and an accompanying control unit to control a compressor. The composite auxiliary machine for a vehicle includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a rotary machine that acts as an electric motor and a generator, and a torque and power distributing mechanism for distributing engine torque and power from a drive shaft to a compressor shaft and a rotary machine shaft, and from the rotary machine shaft to the drive shaft and compressor shaft. An intermittent mechanism is provided to the torque and power distributing mechanism so as to connect and disconnect any two of the drive shaft, the compressor shaft, and the rotary machine shaft. A locking mechanism is provided for restricting rotation of the compressor shaft. The compressor includes variable displacement mechanism for varying the amount of discharge per turn of the compressor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso CorporationInventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Tsuneyuki Egami, Takuo Sakai, Hironori Asa
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Patent number: 6729148Abstract: A vehicle refrigerating cycle device capable of preventing the air-conditioning from becoming inadequate and capable of improving vehicle fuel economy is installed in a vehicle having both, a vehicle engine capable of carrying out stratified combustion and a brake booster. Negative pressure generated in an intake system of the engine is accumulated as brake negative pressure, which drives the brake booster. The refrigerating cycle device has a variable displacement type compressor driven by the vehicle engine and a negative pressure detection means for detecting the brake negative pressure. In the stratified combustion operation and at the time of the brake operation to cause the vehicle to stop, the volume in the compressor is controlled to reduce the load on the compressor by a prescribed amount when the detected brake negative pressure is below a prescribed value. Then, the volume in the compressor is gradually increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Takeshi Wakisaka, Kazuhito Miyagawa
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Patent number: 6729998Abstract: A shaft of a planetary gear mechanism is connected via a lock mechanism to an air-conditioner compressor. A shaft is connected to an engine, and a shaft is connected to a motor-generator. The shaft or the shaft of the motor-generator is linked to the shaft through a clutch mechanism. A control unit reduces shock by changing the rotation speed of the motor-generator on the basis of the engine speed and reducing a speed difference between the input shafts of the clutch mechanism and a speed difference between the input shafts of the lock mechanism before engaging of the clutch mechanism and releasing of the lock mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Tsuneyuki Egami
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Patent number: 6725681Abstract: An air conditioner for air conditioning the interior of a compartment includes a compressor and an electric motor. The compressor compresses refrigerant gas and changes the displacement. The electric motor drives the compressor. A motor controller rotates the motor at a constant reference speed. A detection device detects information related to the thermal load on the air conditioner. A current sensor detects the value of current supplied to the electric motor. A controller controls the compressor based on the detected thermal load information and the detected current value. The controller computes a target torque of the compressor based on the thermal load information. In accordance with the computed target torque, the controller computes a target current value to be supplied to the electric motor. The controller further controls the displacement of the compressor such that the detected current value matches the target current value.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventors: Taku Adaniya, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Shoichi Ieoka, Yasuharu Odachi, Kazuhiko Minami, Tomoharu Arai