Vehicle HVAC system

Abstract

An auxiliary climate control system may include a plurality of evaporators arranged in series. The auxiliary climate control system may comprise a first evaporator coupled to a first compressor and a first condenser, a second evaporator coupled to a second compressor and a second condenser, and a blower configured to move air past the first evaporator and the second evaporator. The first compressor may be configured to operate when a vehicle engine is running and the second compressor is configured to operate on power from a source independent of the running engine such that the second compressor may operate when the engine is not running.

1 . An auxiliary climate control system for a vehicle comprising:
 a first evaporator coupled to a first compressor and a first condenser;   a second evaporator coupled to a second compressor and a second condenser;   a blower configured to move air past the first evaporator and the second evaporator;   wherein the first compressor is configured to operate when a vehicle engine is running; and   the second compressor is configured to operate on power from a source such that the second compressor may operate when the engine is not running.   
   
   
       2 . The auxiliary climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the second compressor is configured to operate on power supplied by shore power. 
   
   
       3 . The auxiliary climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator is upstream of the blower and the other of the first evaporator and the second evaporator is downstream of the blower. 
   
   
       4 . The auxiliary climate control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heater core coupled to a coolant heater. 
   
   
       5 . The auxiliary climate control system of  claim 4 , wherein the coolant heater is coupled to the engine coolant system. 
   
   
       6 . An auxiliary climate control system for a vehicle comprising:
 a first evaporator in fluid communication with a first compressor and a first condenser;   a second evaporator in fluid communication with a second compressor and a second condenser;   a blower configured to move air past both the first evaporator and the second evaporator; and   wherein the first evaporator is not in fluid communication with the second evaporator.   
   
   
       7 . An auxiliary climate control system for a vehicle comprising:
 a first evaporator in fluid communication with a first compressor and a first condenser;   a second evaporator in fluid communication with a second compressor and a second condenser;   a blower configured to move air past both the first evaporator and the second evaporator;   a heater core in fluid communication with a coolant heater;   an actuator configured to direct air flow past one or more of the first evaporator, the second evaporator, and the heater core.   
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling the temperature of a vehicle cabin comprising:
 passing inlet air past a first evaporator, the first evaporator coupled to a first compressor;   passing the inlet air past a second evaporator, the second evaporator coupled to a second compressor;   wherein the first compressor is configured to operate when a vehicle engine is running; and   the second compressor is configured to operate on power from a source independent such that the second compressor may operate when the engine is not running.   
   
   
       9 . A method for controlling the temperature of a vehicle cabin comprising:
 passing air through an HVAC unit comprising a first evaporator and a second evaporator;
 controlling the temperature of the air exiting the HVAC unit both when the vehicle engine is running and when the engine is off using a single controller interface; 
   wherein the first evaporator is coupled to a first compressor configured to operate when a vehicle engine is running; and   the second evaporator is coupled to a second compressor configured to operate on power from a source such that the second compressor may operate when the engine is not running.