Combined generator set and air conditioning compressor drive system

Claim 2

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.

Claim 3

A mobile vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a second clutch means disposed between the motor-generator unit and the air conditioner for selectably engaging the motor-generator and the air conditioner when air conditioning is desired.

Claim 4

A mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner includes an unloading compressor.

Claim 5

A mobile vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a first fan means for cooling the motor-generator unit.

Claim 6

A mobile vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising a second fan means for cooling the engine.

Claim 7

A mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the engine, the motor-generator, and the air conditioner are aligned substantially linearly, with the motor-generator being located between the engine and the air conditioner.

Claim 8

A mobile vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a first fan means for cooling the engine.

Claim 9

A mobile vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the first fan means is located so as to push cool air toward the engine.

Claim 10

A mobile vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the first fan means is located so as to pull hot air away from the engine.

Claim 11

A mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is shaft driven by the motor-generator unit.

Claim 12

A mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is belt driven by the motor-generator unit.

Claim 13

The motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an enclosure defining a substantially enclosed interior, the air conditioner including a compressor mechanically driven during operation of the motor-generator unit as a generator or as a motor, and the engine, the motor-generator unit, the first connection means, the compressor and the second connection means located substantially within the interior of the enclosure.

Claim 14

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.

Claim 15

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.

Claim 16

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.

Claim 17

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.