Patent ID: 8905123
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: B60H,F25B,H01M,Y02B,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing energy consumption in a HVAC system in an automobile having a front portion and a rear portion, and a central axis extending from the front portion to the rear portion, and the automobile having a frame defining an engine bay and a passenger area, the frame having a front end proximal to a front end of the automobile, the method comprising the steps of: providing a liquid-gas converter located on the central axis in front of the engine bay and behind the front end of the frame; providing a radiator located on the central axis behind and adjacent the liquid-gas converter; circulating a first fluid in a first fluid loop positioned in the engine bay and connected to a compressor, the liquid-gas converter and a heater core located between the engine bay and the passenger area; converting, using the liquid-gas converter, the first fluid in the first fluid loop from liquid to gas or from gas to liquid; compressing, using the compressor, the first fluid in the first fluid loop; circulating a second fluid in a second fluid loop positioned in and solely confined to the engine bay separate from the first fluid loop and connected to a coolant pump, the radiator, a motor with an inverter and a fuel cell configured to supply electricity to the motor with the inverter; cooling, using the radiator, the second fluid in the second fluid loop in order to cool the motor with the inverter or the fuel cell; determining, using a temperature sensor located outside the engine bay and coupled with the frame, an ambient temperature of an ambient air to an exterior of the automobile; determining, using a moisture sensor located outside the engine bay and coupled with the frame, an ambient moisture content of the ambient air to the exterior of the automobile; providing a first fan located on the central axis adjacent and behind the radiator, the first fan capable of rotating at a maximum speed; rotating the first fan in a first direction at a first speed below the maximum speed for transmitting a first airflow heated by the radiator and the fuel cell and the motor with the inverter towards the liquid-gas converter when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature that is set below a desired passenger area temperature for reducing an amount of ice that fauns on the liquid-gas converter, the predetermined temperature having a first predetermined temperature value when the ambient moisture content is below a predetermined moisture content value, and having a second predetermined temperature value greater than the first predetermined temperature value when the ambient moisture content is greater than the predetermined moisture content value; rotating the first fan in a second direction at a second speed below the maximum speed for transmitting a second airflow from an area outside the engine bay towards the liquid-gas converter when the ambient temperature is not below the predetermined temperature; receiving, using the heater core, the circulated first fluid via the first fluid loop; transferring, using the heater core, a third airflow into the passenger area using accumulated energy from the circulated first fluid in the first fluid loop; and transmitting, using a second fan located adjacent the heater core, the third airflow towards the passenger area, wherein the first speed remains substantially constant as the ambient temperature increases from a first temperature less than 0° C. to a second temperature greater than the first temperature and less than the predetermined temperature, and the second speed remains substantially constant as the ambient temperature increases from a third temperature greater than the predetermined temperature to a fourth temperature greater than the third temperature.