Air conditioning condenser system for a vehicle

Abstract

Condenser systems for vehicle air conditioning systems and vehicles having condenser systems are disclosed. The condenser systems include a condenser housing that is configured for attachment to the roof of a vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air conditioning condenser system for a vehicle, said system comprising:
 a condenser housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidewall;   one or more condenser coils positioned between said top and bottom surfaces of said condenser housing; and   at least two condenser fans,   wherein said condenser housing is configured for attachment to at least a portion of a roof of said vehicle so that said top surface of said condenser housing is substantially flush with the outer surface of said roof adjacent to said condenser housing.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said system has a capacity of at least 85,000 btu/hr. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , where said system comprises at least three fans. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said condenser housing has a maximum thickness, measured between said top and bottom surfaces, of less than 8 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said system has a capacity of at least 85,000 btu/hr, wherein said system comprises at least four fans, wherein said condenser housing has a maximum thickness t 1 , measured between said top and bottom surfaces, of less than 6 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least two condenser fans are positioned above at least a portion of said one or more condenser coils and opposite the bottom surface of said condenser housing. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of said at least two condenser fans is positioned beneath said top surface of said condenser housing. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said system comprises at least one drain coupled to said bottom surface of said condenser housing and configured to permit removal of a liquid from inside said condenser housing. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a solar panel coupled to said top surface of said condenser housing. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein no portion of said condenser system extends more than 4 inches above the exterior surface of said roof adjacent to said condenser housing. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said vehicle is an emergency vehicle comprising a patient compartment and a driver compartment, wherein said condenser housing is configured for attachment to the roof of said patient compartment. 
     
     
         12 . An air conditioning condenser system for a vehicle, said system comprising:
 a condenser housing;   one or more condenser coils at least partly received inside said condenser housing; and   at least two condenser fans,   wherein said condenser housing is configured for attachment to at least a portion of a roof of said vehicle, wherein said condenser system has a capacity of at least 85,000 btu/hr.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said system comprises at least three fans. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a solar panel coupled to said top surface of said condenser housing. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said vehicle is an emergency vehicle comprising a patient compartment and a driver compartment, wherein said condenser housing is configured for attachment to the roof of said patient compartment. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein said condenser housing comprises a bottom surface, a top surface, and at least one sidewall, wherein said system comprises at least one drain coupled to said bottom surface of said condenser housing and configured to permit removal of a liquid from inside said condenser housing. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein no portion of said condenser system extends more than 4 inches above the exterior surface of said roof adjacent to said condenser housing. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said condenser housing comprises a bottom surface, a top surface, and at least one sidewall, wherein said one or more condenser coils are positioned between said top and bottom surfaces of said condenser housing, wherein said bottom surface and said at least one sidewall are positioned below the outer surface of said roof of said vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . An emergency vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle body comprising a patient compartment and a driver compartment; and   an air conditioning condenser system comprising: a condenser housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidewall; one or more condenser coils positioned between said top and bottom surfaces of said condenser housing; and at least two condenser fans,   wherein said condenser housing is attached to at least a portion of a roof of said patient compartment, wherein said top surface of said condenser housing is substantially flush with the exterior surface of said roof of said patient compartment adjacent to said condenser housing, wherein said condenser system has a capacity of at least 85,000 btu/hr.   
     
     
         20 . The vehicle according to  claim 19 , wherein said condenser system comprises at least three fans. 
     
     
         21 . The vehicle according to  claim 19 , wherein said condenser housing has a maximum thickness, measured between said top and bottom surfaces, of less than 8 inches. 
     
     
         22 . The vehicle according to  claim 19 , wherein no portion of said condenser system extends more than 4 inches above the exterior surface of said roof adjacent to said condenser housing. 
     
     
         23 . The vehicle according to  claim 19 , wherein said condenser system further comprises a solar panel coupled to said top surface of said condenser housing. 
     
     
         24 . The vehicle according to  claim 19 , wherein said condenser system comprises at least one drain coupled to said bottom surface of said condenser housing and configured to permit removal of a liquid from inside said condenser housing.