System, method, and apparatus for providing auxiliary power, heating, and air conditioning for a vehicle

Abstract

An auxiliary system provide auxiliary power and air conditioning for a vehicle while a main engine of the vehicle is not operating. An auxiliary alternator is mounted to and driven directly by the drive shaft of an auxiliary engine. The auxiliary alternator has permanent magnets and three sets of windings, including two sets of windings for generating AC voltage via inverters, and a second set of windings for generating DC voltage for directly recharging a battery of the vehicle via a regulator. An air conditioner compressor also is driven by the auxiliary engine for compressing refrigerant. A condenser is in fluid communication with the compressor for condensing the refrigerant, an evaporator is in fluid communication with the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, and an electric blower moves air through the evaporator into the interior of the vehicle.

1 . A system for providing auxiliary power to a vehicle while a main engine of the vehicle is not operating, comprising:
 an auxiliary engine having a drive shaft;   an auxiliary alternator mounted to and driven directly by the drive shaft of the auxiliary engine, the auxiliary alternator having permanent magnets and at least two sets of windings, including a first set of windings for generating AC voltage via an inverter to provide auxiliary power, and a second set of windings for generating DC voltage to recharge a battery of the vehicle; and   a regulator for regulating an output of the DC voltage from the second set of windings to directly recharge the battery while the main engine of the vehicle is not operating.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set of windings comprises two sets of windings and the inverter comprises two inverters, with each of the inverters producing about 2.5 to 3 kW at approximately 115 to 120 volts AC, and the regulator produces approximately 12 to 14 volts DC at about 60 amps. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an air conditioner compressor mounted to and driven by the auxiliary engine for compressing refrigerant;   a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor for condensing the refrigerant;   an evaporator in fluid communication with the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; and   an electrically driven blower mounted adjacent the evaporator for moving air through the evaporator and into an interior of the vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a main engine and a main battery;   an external auxiliary compartment connected to an exterior of the vehicle;   an auxiliary system positioned in the external auxiliary compartment, the auxiliary system comprising:
 an auxiliary engine having a drive shaft; 
 an auxiliary alternator mounted to and driven directly by the drive shaft of the auxiliary engine, the auxiliary alternator having permanent magnets and at least two sets of windings, including a first set of windings for generating AC voltage via an inverter to provide auxiliary power, and a second set of windings for generating DC voltage to recharge a battery of the vehicle; and 
 a regulator for regulating an output of the DC voltage from the second set of windings to directly recharge the battery while the main engine of the vehicle is not operating. 
   
     
     
         5 . A vehicle according to  claim 4 , wherein the first set of windings comprises two sets of windings and the inverter comprises two inverters, with each of the inverters producing about 2.5 to 3 kW at approximately 115 to 120 volts AC, and the regulator produces approximately 12 to 14 volts DC at about 60 amps. 
     
     
         6 . A vehicle according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 an air conditioner compressor mounted to and driven by the auxiliary engine for compressing refrigerant;   a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor for condensing the refrigerant;   an evaporator in fluid communication with the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; and   an electrically driven blower mounted adjacent the evaporator for moving air through the evaporator and into an interior of the vehicle.   
     
     
         7 . A method of providing auxiliary power to a vehicle while a main engine of the vehicle is not operating, the method comprising:
 (a) providing an auxiliary engine having a drive shaft, and an auxiliary alternator having permanent magnets and at least two sets of windings;   (b) driving the auxiliary alternator directly with the drive shaft of the auxiliary engine;   (c) generating AC voltage with a first set of windings of the auxiliary alternator via an inverter to provide auxiliary power;   (d) generating DC voltage with a second set of windings of the auxiliary alternator; and   (e) regulating an output of the DC voltage from the second set of windings to directly recharge the battery while the main engine of the vehicle is not operating.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the first set of windings comprises two sets of windings and the inverter comprises two inverters, with each of the inverters producing about 2.5 to 3 kW at approximately 115 to 120 volts AC, and the regulator producing approximately 12 to 14 volts DC at about 60 amps. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 driving an air conditioner compressor with the auxiliary engine for compressing refrigerant;   condensing the refrigerant with a condenser that is in fluid communication with the compressor;   evaporating the refrigerant condensed by the condenser with an evaporator; and   moving air through the evaporator and into an interior of the vehicle with an electrically driven blower mounted adjacent the evaporator.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein step (e) further comprises providing power to additional electrical devices.