Bergstrom, Inc.

Brett Sean Connell

Terry A Zeigler

Aaron D Sullivan

Brett J Herrmann

Scott E Sloan

Christophe Barreau

John S Bracey

Terry Zeigler

The various embodiments described herein include methods, computer-readable storage media, and systems for managing a power source of a vehicle. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, from a communicatively coupled vehicle, one or more parameters associated with a power source that is used to power a climate control system of the vehicle. The method further includes in accordance with a determination that a performance inefficiency exists based at least in part on the one or more parameters associated with the power source, generating an operational setting instruction in relating to an efficient operational setting and transmitting the operational setting instruction to the vehicle to control the power source. The efficient operational setting is determined to reduce a drain of the power source such that the performance inefficiency no longer exists.

Systems and methods of managing a power source of a vehicle

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle HVAC system

The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for cooling a vehicular electronics system. In one aspect, a vehicular refrigerant system includes: (1) a refrigerant loop having a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant, an expansion device configured to enable expansion of the condensed refrigerant, and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from a liquid coolant to the expanded refrigerant; (2) a liquid coolant loop configured to transfer heat from an electronics system via the liquid coolant; and (3) a controller configured to: (a) obtain operating data regarding the refrigerant, the liquid coolant, and/or the electronics system; and (b) adjust operation of the refrigerant loop and/or the liquid coolant loop based on the obtained operating data.

Refrigerant system for cooling electronics

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for managing client control systems of a fleet of vehicles. In one aspect, a method includes (i) receiving, at a controller from a fleet server remote from at least one vehicle, at least one graphics instruction relating to a state of the at least one vehicle's auxiliary power source, and (ii) displaying on a graphical user interface (GUI), (a) a parameter associated with a climate control system of the at least one vehicle, and (b) a ring surrounding the parameter. The ring represents the state of the auxiliary power source that changes color, intensity, or size based on a degree of energy efficiency of the climate control system of the at least one vehicle.

Graphical user interfaces for remotely managing climate control systems of a fleet of vehicles

An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.

Refrigerant liquid-gas separator

Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.

Multi-compressor climate system

Refrigerant liquid-gas separator having an integrated check valve

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a user interface configured to receive a desired temperature from a user; (3) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (4) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (5) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

Disclosed is an integrated compressor system configured to be integrated with existing air conditioning systems. The integrated compressor system generally includes a mounting assembly, a first compressor and a valve. The mounting assembly can be mounted directly on a condenser of an existing air conditioning system. The first compressor and the valve are mounted directly on the mounting assembly. The valve has a first valve inlet, a second valve inlet and a valve outlet. When assembly and integrated with an existing AC system, the first valve inlet is fluidly coupled to a compressor outlet of the first compressor, the second valve inlet is fluidly coupled to a compressor outlet of the compressor of existing AC system, and a valve outlet is fluidly connected to a condenser inlet of the condenser.

Integrated condenser and compressor system

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining refrigerant charge level. In one aspect, a refrigeration system includes: (1) a compressor to compress a refrigerant; (2) a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor to condense the refrigerant; (3) an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser to vaporize the refrigerant; (4) refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator in series to form a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant; (5) at least one sensor configured to measure temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit; and (6) a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to: (a) determine a sub-cooling level or super-heating level based on the temperature and/or pressure measured by the at least one sensor; and (b) facilitate operation of the refrigeration system based on the sub-cooling level or the super-heating level.

Growing community of inventors

Winnebago, IL, United States of America

Brett Sean Connell