Refrigeration apparatus for automotive vehicles

Claim 2

A refrigeration system for a motor vehicle adapted to be operated by the prime mover of said vehicle where the system includes a condenser and evaporator connected in operative relation with a compressor, comprising a hydraulic motor for driving the compressor, a constant displacement hydraulic pump driven by the prime mover, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a conduit connecting said pump and said conduit in a serial loop, a valve disposed in said conduit loop, inlet and outlet lines connecting said hydraulic motor to said conduit on either side of said valve with the inlet line connected on the higher pressure side of said valve, said valve being normally closed to fluid flow during operation of said system to direct fluid to said hydraulic motor, and pressure responsive means in said conduit on the high pressure side of said pump adapted to open said valve and pass fluid from said pump to said reservoir bypassing said hydraulic motor.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein said valve is solenoid operated, a source of electric energy and switch means controlled by said pressure-responsive means arranged to connect and disconnect the solenoid to the source of electric energy.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 further including a second pressure-responsive means connected between the compressor and condenser, said second pressure-responsive means being constructed and arranged to open said valve if the pressure on the output side of said compressor reaches a predetermined level.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3, further including a source of electric energy, a solenoid for operating said valve, and first and second switch contacts operated by said first and second pressure responsive means, respectively, said source of electric energy and said solenoid being operatively arranged in electrical circuit with said first and second contacts.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1 wherein the evaporator, compressor, condenser and hydraulic motor are mounted on a housing member adapted to be mounted on the roof of the vehicle, a blower for said evaporator and at least one fan for said condenser, an opening defined in said housing member for drawing warm air past the evaporator, a second opening in said housing member for passing cool air therefrom, said first opening being a substantial distance above said second opening.

Claim 7

A refrigeration system for a motor vehicle adapted to be operated by the prime mover of said vehicle where the vehicle includes accessory devices driven by a pulley and belt from the priMe mover and the refrigeration system includes a condenser and evaporator connected in operative relation with a compressor and a hydraulic motor for driving the compressor, a constant displacement hydraulic pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir a conduit connecting said pump and said conduit in a serial loop, a valve disposed in said conduit loop, inlet and outlet lines connecting said hydraulic motor to said conduit loop on either side of said valve with the inlet line connected on the higher pressure side of said valve, said valve being arranged to direct fluid to said motor from said pump and bypass fluid about said motor to said reservoir, a pulley system including a first pulley engaging the belt, a second timing pulley nonrotatably joined to said first pulley, a third timing pulley on the shaft of said pump, and a timing pulley belt about said second and third pulleys to drive said pump.

Claim 8

A refrigeration system for a motor vehicle adapted to be operated by the prime mover of said vehicle where the vehicle includes accessory devices driven by a pulley and belt from the priMe mover and the refrigeration system includes a condenser and evaporator connected in operative relation with a compressor and a hydraulic motor for driving the compressor, a constant displacement hydraulic pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir a conduit connecting said pump and said conduit in a serial loop, a valve disposed in said conduit loop, inlet and outlet lines connecting said hydraulic motor to said conduit loop on either side of said valve with the inlet line connected on the higher pressure side of said valve, said valve being arranged to direct fluid to said motor from said pump and bypass fluid about said motor to said reservoir, a pulley system including a first pulley engaging the belt, a second timing pulley nonrotatably joined to said first pulley, a third timing pulley on the shaft of said pump, and a timing pulley belt about said second and third pulleys to drive said pump.

Claim 9

The system of claim 6 wherein said valve is solenoid operated and is normally set to direct fluid to said hydraulic motor when said system is in operation.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7 wherein said pressure-response means operates switch contacts in circuit with the solenoid.

Claim 11

In a refrigeration system for a motor vehicle adapted to be operated by the prime mover of said vehicle where the vehicle includes accessory devices driven by a pulley and belt from the prime mover and the refrigeration system includes a condenser and evaporator connected in operative relation with a compressor and a hydraulic motor for driving the compressor, a constant displacement hydraulic pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a conduit connecting said pump and said conduit in a serial loop, a pulley system for driving the pump including a first pulley engaging the belt, a second timing pulley nonrotatably joined to said first pulley, a third timing pulley on the shaft of said pump, and a timing pulley belt about said second and third pulleys to drive said pump.

Claim 12

In a refrigeration system for a motor vehicle adapted to be operated by the prime mover of said vehicle where the vehicle includes accessory devices driven by a pulley and belt from the prime mover and the refrigeration system includes a condenser and evaporator connected in operative relation with a compressor and a hydraulic motor for driving the compressor, a constant displacement hydraulic pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a conduit connecting said pump and said conduit in a serial loop, a pulley system for driving the pump including a first pulley engaging the belt, a second timing pulley nonrotatably joined to said first pulley, a third timing pulley on the shaft of said pump, and a timing pulley belt about said second and third pulleys to drive said pump.