US6038877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular low pressure delivery vehicle air conditioning system
Assignee: Bergstrom Inc
•
Filing: 1998-05-22
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Granted: 2000-03-21
•
Expires: 2018-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A modular air conditioning system comprises a self-contained refrigeration power cell, a heat exchanger remotely located from the refrigeration power cell, and a low pressure refrigerant communication circuit operably coupling the refrigeration power cell to the heat exchanger. The refrigeration power cell comprises a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator which are serially coupled to form a high pressure closed refrigeration circuit. A drive mechanism, such as an electric or hydraulic motor, or conventional belt, is coupled to the compressor. The low pressure refrigerant communication circuit thermally interfaces with the condenser to remove heat from the high pressure closed refrigeration circuit. Alternatively, this circuit thermally interfaces with the evaporator to remove heat from the low pressure refrigerant. This heat exchanger is adapted to mount in the cabin of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle. Preferably, a second heat exchanger and a second low pressure refrigerant communication circuit is included. This second circuit thermally interfaces with the condenser to remove heat from the refrigeration circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry Peiffer
- 👤 Terry Zeigler
- 👤 William G. Guo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:30
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/00007; B60H1/32; B60H1/3204; B60H1/3228; B60H1/32284; B60H1/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle, comprising: a high pressure refrigeration power cell located in the passenger compartment; at least one low pressure refrigeration circuit in thermal communication with said high pressure refrigeration power cell, said low pressure refrigeration circuit including a heat exchanger located externally of the passenger compartment for transmitting thermal energy communicated from said high pressure refrigeration power cell; and wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises: a compressor; an expansion device; an evaporator; and wherein said compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator are serially coupled by fixed tubing having permanent connections to form a high pressure closed refrigeration circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle, comprising: a high pressure refrigeration power cell located in the passenger compartment; at least one low pressure refrigeration circuit in thermal communication with said high pressure refrigeration power cell, said low pressure refrigeration circuit including a heat exchanger located externally of the passenger compartment for transmitting thermal energy communicated from said high pressure refrigeration power cell; and wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises: a compressor; an expansion device; an evaporator; and wherein said compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator are serially coupled by fixed tubing having permanent connections to form a high pressure closed refrigeration circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one low pressure refrigeration circuit comprises insulated low pressure tubing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises a drier interposed between said condenser and said expansion device, said drier removing water from said refrigeration circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises drive means coupled to said compressor for driving said compressor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises a hydraulic motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises an electric motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration power cell further comprises a sub-cooler thermally coupling an input to said compressor to an output of said compressor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes an engine in an engine compartment including an engine radiator, wherein said heat exchanger is located in the engine compartment in proximity to the radiator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
A modular air conditioning system, comprising: a self-contained refrigeration power cell; a first heat exchanger remotely located from said refrigeration power cell; first low pressure refrigerant communication means operably coupled to said refrigeration power cell and to said first heat exchanger for conveying first low pressure refrigerant therebetween; and wherein said refrigeration power cell comprises a compressor; a condenser; an expansion device; an evaporator; and wherein said compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator are serially coupled by fixed tubing having permanent connections to form a high pressure closed refrigeration circuit; and wherein said first low pressure refrigerant communication means thermally interfaces with said condenser to remove heat from said high pressure closed refrigeration circuit, and wherein said first heat exchanger is adapted to mount in proximity to a radiator in an engine compartment of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
A modular air conditioning system, comprising: a self-contained refrigeration power cell; a first heat exchanger remotely located from said refrigeration power cell; first low pressure refrigerant communication means operably coupled to said refrigeration power cell and to said first heat exchanger for conveying first low pressure refrigerant therebetween; and wherein said refrigeration power cell comprises a compressor; a condenser; an expansion device; an evaporator; and wherein said compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator are serially coupled by fixed tubing having permanent connections to form a high pressure closed refrigeration circuit; and wherein said first low pressure refrigerant communication means thermally interfaces with said condenser to remove heat from said high pressure closed refrigeration circuit, and wherein said first heat exchanger is adapted to mount in proximity to a radiator in an engine compartment of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |