HVAC system and method for over the road motor coaches
View Patent ↗A method of using an externally powered HVAC system for an over-the-road motor coach includes coupling the HVAC system to an external shore power source at a temporary stop location for the over-the-road motor coach while the over-the-road motor coach is parked and vehicle engine is turned off; receiving electrical power from the electrical outlet to power the HVAC system; and using the HVAC system to circulate refrigerant for heating or cooling an interior cabin of the over-the-road motor coach and power HVAC fans to ventilate the interior cabin of the over-the-road motor coach.
1. A system for powering an HVAC system in an over-the-road motor coach with external power, the HVAC system having one or more HVAC fans and a HVAC compressor, the system comprising:
a connector configured to electrically couple to an external shore power source;
a controller coupled to the connector, and configured to control power flow from the external shore power source to the HVAC system;
a DC power supply configured to power the one or more HVAC fans from energy provided from the external shore power source;
an electric motor powered through the controller and by the external shore power source, the electric motor having an output power drive shaft; and,
a compressor mechanical couple configured to mechanically couple the HVAC compressor to the output power drive shaft of the electric motor.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external shore power source supplies AC power; and,
wherein the DC power supply is further configured to convert at least part of the external shore power to DC power.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the external shore power source supplies 230 volt AC three phase power; and,
wherein the DC power supply is further configured to convert at least part of the external shore power to 24 Volt DC power.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the DC power supply comprises an AC to DC converter.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the DC power supply comprises a power-take-off 24 Volt DC alternator mechanically coupled to the output power drive shaft of the electric motor, the DC power supply configured to generate DC power from mechanical power delivered by the output power drive shaft of the electric motor.
6. The system of claim 3 , further comprising separate 24 Volt DC switching and controls configured to limit the DC power supply to power only the one or more HVAC fans.
7. The system of claim 3 , wherein the over-the-road motor coach has a 24 Volt DC power distribution system; and,
wherein the DC power supply is further configured to power all 24 Volt DC loads of the over-the-road motor coach through the 24 Volt DC power distribution system while electrically coupled with the external shore power source.
8. The system of claim 3 , wherein the DC power supply is further configured to provide 160 Amps of 24 Volt DC current.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compressor mechanical couple comprises a drive belt.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the HVAC compressor includes a modified belt-driven clutch configured such that the HVAC compressor can be powered alternately by the over-the-road motor coach engine and the electric motor.
11. A method for powering an HVAC system in an over-the-road motor coach with external power, the HVAC system having one or more HVAC fans and a HVAC compressor, the method comprising:
coupling the HVAC system to an external shore power source;
providing a DC power supply from energy provided from the external shore power source;
powering the one or more HVAC fans with the DC power supply;
providing an electric motor, the electric motor having an output power drive shaft;
mechanically coupling the electric motor to the HVAC compressor;
powering the electric motor from the external shore power source; and,
driving the HVAC compressor with the electric motor.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the external shore power source supplies AC power; and,
wherein the DC power supply is further configured to convert at least part of the external shore power to DC power.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the external shore power source supplies 230 volt AC three phase power; and,
wherein the DC power supply is further configured to convert at least part of the external shore power to 24 Volt DC power.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the DC power supply comprises an AC to DC converter.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the DC power supply comprises a power-take-off 24 Volt DC alternator, the method further comprising mechanically coupling the power-take-off 24 Volt DC alternator to the output power drive shaft of the electric motor; and,
wherein the power-take-off 24 Volt DC alternator is configured to generate DC power from mechanical power delivered by the output power drive shaft of the electric motor.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the DC power supply includes separate 24 Volt DC switching and controls configured to limit the DC power supply to power only the one or more HVAC fans.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the over-the-road motor coach has a 24 Volt DC power distribution system, the method further comprising powering all 24 Volt DC loads of the over-the-road motor coach with the DC power supply via the 24 Volt DC power distribution system while electrically coupled with the external shore power source.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the DC power supply is further configured to provide 160 Amps of 24 Volt DC current.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mechanically coupling the electric motor to the HVAC compressor comprises coupling the output drive shaft of the electric motor to the HVAC compressor with a drive belt.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the HVAC compressor has an input power drive shaft and a modified belt-driven clutch, the method further comprising engaging the modified belt-driven clutch such that the HVAC compressor can be powered the electric motor while mechanically decoupled from the over-the-road motor coach engine.