Fuel Management System for Public Service Vehicles

Abstract

The present invention includes a novel fuel management and auxiliary power system and apparatus having a control module in control of auxiliary equipment and accessories and climate control functions of a vehicle, while the vehicle's engine is not running. The system of this invention is capable of detecting warning states and providing status indicators to an operator on a graphical user interface. At the graphical user interface, the operator is capable of initiating start up of the system and accessing status and historical technical data of the system.

1 . A system for providing electrical power to auxiliary equipment in a vehicle comprising:
 a dc battery;   a system control module;   a brushless motor;   auxiliary equipment;   an A/C compressor;   a v-belt pulley system, wherein the v-belt pulley system comprises:
 a first gear; and 
 a second gear, wherein the first gear and second gear are connected with a v-belt; 
   a one way clutch, mechanically connecting the second gear and the A/C compressor; and   a bearing idle tensioner, wherein upon detection of an engine shut off of the vehicle, the system control module provides power to the auxiliary equipment and detects the ambient temperature in the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein upon detection of the ambient temperature, the system control module selects between either providing power to a heating module or a brushless motor that is connected to a clutch on a vehicle air conditioning compressor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein upon providing power to the brushless motor, the system control module also causes the clutch to engage and rotationally spin with the brushless motor through a mechanical connection. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the mechanical connection is a v-belt and tensioner, wherein the tensioner is positioned to provide variable pressure on the v-belt to overcome frictional forces associated with the connections between the brushless motor, the mechanical connection and the clutch. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the clutch is a magnetic clutch and wherein the system control module causes the clutch to engage by sending a command signal to an A/C clutch control which in turn engages the magnetic clutch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the clutch is a one-way clutch tooth clutch that is engaged by the spin of the brushless motor in a direction that is opposite to the rotation of a vehicle engine. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein prior to selecting to power the brushless motor, the system control module detects the pressure within the air conditioning compressor to determine if the pressure is within a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein if the pressure is within the predetermined threshold, the system control module with proceed with providing power to the brushless motor and issuing a command to engage the clutch. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first input is provided from a user through a graphical user interface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first input is provided from the system control module upon detection that the vehicle engine has been shut off. 
     
     
         11 . A method for providing electrical power to auxiliary equipment in a vehicle comprising:
 detecting at a system control module a first input and the ambient temperature of the vehicle, wherein upon the detection of the first input, the system control module electrically connecting a dc battery to the auxiliary equipment.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein upon detecting the ambient temperature, the system control module selecting between either providing power to a heating module or a brushless motor that is connected to a clutch on a vehicle air conditioning compressor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein upon providing power to the brushless motor, the system control module also causes the clutch to engage and rotationally spin with the brushless motor through a mechanical connection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical connection is a v-belt and tensioner, and wherein the tensioner is positioned to provide variable pressure on the v-belt to overcome frictional forces associated with the connections between the brushless motor, the mechanical connection and the clutch. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the clutch is a magnetic clutch and wherein the system control module causes the clutch to engage by sending a command signal to an A/C clutch control which in turn engages the magnetic clutch. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the clutch is a one-way clutch tooth clutch that is engaged by the spin of the brushless motor in a direction that is opposite to the rotation of a vehicle engine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein prior to selecting to power the brushless motor, the system control module detects the pressure within the air conditioning compressor to determine if the pressure is within a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein if the pressure is within the predetermined threshold, the system control module with proceed with providing power to the brushless motor and issuing a command to engage the clutch. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first input is provided from a user through a graphical user interface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first input is provided from the system control module upon detection that the vehicle engine has been shut off.