SMALL COMPACT AUXILIARY POWER SYSTEM FOR HEAVY DUTY DIESEL ENGINE INSTALLATIONS

Abstract: An auxiliary diesel engine powering system (5) replaces conventional battery pack for starting a heavy duty diesel engine (8) with a pneumatic starter (21) utilizing compressed air (17) generated by an air compressor (10) operated by the auxiliary power system (5). The auxiliary power system (5) also has air-conditioning and coolant circulation capacity through the user of an air conditioner compressor (41) and a coolant circulation pump (41).

Description: SMALL COMPACT AUXILIARY POWER SYSTEM FOR HEAVY DUTY DIESEL ENGINE INSTALLATIONS Background of the Invention The present invention relates to improvements in diesel power systems, and is more particularly concerned with a small compact auxiliary power system for heavy duty diesel engine installations. Although there have been proposed auxiliary power apparatus for association with the main drive diesel engines of heavy duty vehicles, such as large commercial haulage trucks, such apparatus has been of "add-on" type, adding to the critical weight and space requirements of the vehicle. Payload weight and space savings are especially essential to the economics of the trucking industry, but also advantageous for other heavy duty diesel powered installations. Summary of the Present Invention An important object of the present invention is to provide a small, compact auxiliary system for heavy duty diesel engine installations, substantially without adding payload- reducing weight or space requirements to the associated installations. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved small compact auxiliary power system for heavy duty diesel engine installations, and which can be accommodated within space made available by the elimination of conventional apparatus from such installations. A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved small compact auxiliary power system for use with air starter-equipped heavy duty diesel engines installations. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved multi-utility small, compact auxiliary power system for heavy duty diesel engine installations. The present invention allows the main engine with which a small compact auxiliary diesel power system is associated, to be started with an air starter and permits the battery pack, usually consisting of four large batteries and related hardware in heavy duty diesel motivated apparatus to be eliminated from such apparatus and replaced by the auxiliary diesel engine power system. An economical means is provided for assuring air conditioned comfort to the cab and sleeper compartments of a road transportation truck and for maintaining operating temperatures for the main engine, and for maintaining electrical power when parked with the main engine shutdown. There is also provided a redundancy to the air, electrical and air conditioning systems integrated into the other systems in the assembly. If the air pressure in the main system reservoir drops to a minimum safe value while the vehicle is underway and the auxiliary system has been shut down, an emergency valve between a starting tank and an air reservoir is opened to immediately supply adequate air pressure; and the auxiliary engine starts automatically to supply additional air to the system. These events allow the operator of the associated heavy duty apparatus, e.g., truck, military tank, road building equipment, and the like, more than double the capability to bring a heavy and dangerous vehicle to a normal stop should a major air leak develop. Additional safety is provided for a vehicle, for example, stranded in blizzard conditions or by a mechanical breakdown. Because of the modest displacement of the small, fuel efficient, diesel engine powering the auxiliary system, fuel consumption and exhaust emission are held to a minimum. Since the large battery pack formerly required in such heavy duty equipment is eliminated, environmental improvement is effected. In addition, disposal of the large batteries, which are usually of the acid battery type, is avoided when their usual limited life is over. Start-up of the one large main engine which can be maintained warm during shutdown, significantly reduces pollutants versus a cold engine. The small auxiliary engine is also easier to muffle and insulate for noise elimination. The systems of the present invention are designed to use as many industry standard components as possible, thereby assuring reliability and compatibility. Pursuant to the principles of the present invention, there is provided in combination with a heavy duty diesel engine installation, means providing a conventional apparatus space associated with such installation, a small compact auxiliary power system occupying said space instead of said conventional apparatus, and means cooperatively connecting said auxiliary power system with said heavy duty diesel engine installation. Brief Description of the Drawings Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, although variations and modifications may be effected without department from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure, and in which: The figure is a schematic illustration of a best mode of the present invention. Detailed Description An auxiliary, small compact power system 5 is dimensioned to fit within the confines of a space provide by means 7 for accommodating conventional apparatus, such as a battery pack (not shown) customarily associated with large heavy duty main power source diesel engine 8 installations such as of the kind used for powering large vehicular units, e.g., over the road truck/tractors, military tanks, heavy road equipment such as tractors, loaders, graders, etc., especially where required to operate in frigid environments. Through this arrangement, instead of being an "add-on" system which increases the critical weight and space requirements in heavy duty equipment, the auxiliary power system of the present invention provides the distinct advantage of simply displacing and substituting for eliminated apparatus without adding any significant weight or requiring any new space. In the trucking industry, this has significant payload economies advantages. This will be especially appreciated when it is considered that the usual battery pack of four large batteries and related hardware are removed from within the space 7 in a truck in which the auxiliary system 5 of the present invention is installed. Such a battery pack may weigh as much as 250 pounds. A primary component of the auxiliary system 5 is an auxiliary small diesel engine 9 which drives an air compressor 10 connected by pneumatic conduit means 11 to a compressed air reserve or reservoir tank 12 through check valves 13 and 14. In addition, the compressed air from the compressor 10 is supplied through a check valve 15 to a compressed air reservoir start tank 17 which is adapted to supply compressed air through a start control valve 18 operated by a start switch 1=9 conveniently located, for example, in the cab of the associated vehicle. The compressed air is conducted by a duct 20 to an air starter 21 for starting the diesel engine 8. After the main power diesel engine 8 has been started, it operates an air compressor 22 connected by a pneumatic duct 23 and a check valve 24 with the air tanks 12 and 17. Safety and control means associated with the compressed air tank arrangement include a control valve 25 operated by a speed sensor 27 in an air line 28 connected with a pressure (i.e. 120 psi) sensor 29 connected by an air duct 30 with the reserve air tank 12. An emergency air supply valve 31 is located in a duct 32 connecting the air tanks 12 and 17. Air duct means 33 connect the emergency air supply valve 31 and the pressure sensor 29. An electrical connection 34 operatively connects the pressure sensor 29 with an auxiliary engine auto-start 35 located in an electrical connection 37 between a start solenoid 38 and a small auxiliary engine battery 39 on one hand and an auxiliary engine starter 40 on the other hand. A common diesel fuel source F supplies both the auxiliary engine 9 and the main power drive engine 8 through suitable fuel lines. By virtue of the compressed air start tank 17, and the air starter 21, the main power plant engine 8 can be shut down when the associated equipment, e.g., heavy duty truck, military tank, road building equipment, marine equipment, etc., is out of service, even for a short time, with an attendant savings in fuel, avoidance of air pollution, and the like. The engine 8 can be quickly started by the operator activating the start switch 19 so that the start valve 18 is opened to release compressed air from the start tank 17 to the air starter 21 to start the engine 8. With the auxiliary engine operated sir compressor 10 constantly available and integrated into the air system of the vehicle, it allows repeated start attempts for the main engine 8 and gives redundancy, for example, to the brake system of the vehicle as by means of an air connection 12a from the tank 12. The air pressure in the tanks 12 and 17 is maintained at a minimum safe value while the vehicle is under way. When the auxiliary system including the engine or motor 9 is shut down, the emergency valve 31 will immediately open between the start tank 17 and the air reservoir tank 12 for immediately supplying air pressure if there is a drop in pressure in the air reservoir 12. The auxiliary engine or motor will start automatically to supply additional air to the system. These events allow the operator of a so-equipped vehicle more than double the capacity to bring the heavy, and possibly dangerous, vehicle to a normal stop should a major leak develop. The auxiliary system also has the capability of maintaining a comfortable environment for the occupants of the associated vehicle for an extended period of time due to minimal fuel consumption by the auxiliary engine. Means for attaining these results may include an air conditioner compressor 41 through fluid/gas (previously freon CFC, now replaced in the industry by 134) lines through a reversing valve 42 to determine the direction of the 134 fluid/gas to a coil 45, a filter dryer 43, an expansion valve 44, a coil 45, and return to the compressor 41. The director of the 134 fluid/gas determines if heat or cooling is provided to the coil in the cab of the vehicle. If the main engine 8, and compressor 48, are in use, both compressors 41 and 48 may operate in parallel. The economy of this system provides additional environmental safety to the occupants of the vehicle if stranded in blizzard conditions or by a mechanical breakdown. With the auxiliary engine 9 operating and the main engine 8 shut down, coolant exchange means for preheating the main engine 8 include a water pump 51 of the auxiliary engine 9, supplying coolant through a shuttle valve 52, by-pass valves 53 or heater core 54, check valve 56, main engine 8, check valve 55, exhaust heat exchanger 50, air compressor 10, and back through auxiliary engine 9. With the main engine 8 operating and the auxiliary motor 9 shutdown, coolant exchange is by means of a water pump 57 of the main engine 8, through the shuttle valve 52, the bypass valves 53 or the heater core 54, the exhaust heat exchanger 50, the air compressor 10, the auxiliary engine 9 and back to the main engine 8 through a check valve 58 and a duct 59. A small operator's panel 60 may be conveniently located, for example, in a panel area PA in a vehicle cab to facilitate access to control means for the system. To this end, an on- off switch 60a controls the auxiliary engine 9, by way of a connection 64a leading to a shutdown solenoid 64 and including the battery 39. By way of a connection 38a, the start solenoid 38 and the starter 40 are controlled. The speed of the engine 8 is also controlled from this panel 60 by an idle run switch 60b controlling, through a connection 65a, throttle solenoid 65. Shutdown of the auxiliary motor 9 is also accomplished from this panel 60 by shutdown of the solenoid 64. Automatic shutdown is effected by means of sensors (not shown) for low oil pressure and high water temperature, indicated at display means 61, that activate the shutdown solenoid 64. Other than in the small operator's panel area PA, and the start switch 19, operations are either automatic or controlled by heat and air conditioning controls that are normal to the vehicle in which the system is installed. Alternators 62 and 63 are connected by line 67 to the battery 39. The integrated design of the compact power system 5 of the present invention permits the vehicle to complete its mission or reach a repair station if a failure of the main air or generating units occurs. It will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. In combination with a heavy duty diesel engine installation: a space equivalent to four diesel engine batteries; a small compact auxiliary power system occupying said space; and pneumatic means for creating and storing pneumatic energy in a compressed gas to start the diesel engine, said means receiving energy from said auxiliary power system. 2. A combination according to Claim 1, wherein said auxiliary power system comprises a small diesel engine and operating equipment therefor. 3. In combination with a heavy duty diesel engine installation: means providing a conventional apparatus-receiving space associated with such installation; a small compact auxiliary power system occupying said space instead of said conventional apparatus; and means cooperatively connecting said auxiliary power system with said heavy duty diesel engine installation; and wherein said auxiliary power system comprises a small diesel engine and operating equipment therefor, a compressor operated by said small diesel engine, and air storage means supplied by said compressor. 4. In combination with a heavy duty diesel engine installation: means providing a conventional apparatus-receiving space associated with such installation; a small compact auxiliary power system occupying said space instead of said conventional apparatus; and means cooperatively connecting said auxiliary power system with said heavy duty diesel engine installation; and -lo¬ an air reservoir and an air compressor means operated by said auxiliary power system for pneumatically loading said air reservoir. 5. A combination according to Claim 3, wherein said heavy duty diesel engine installation has an air starter, said reservoir comprising a tank for supplying air under pressure to said air starter, and air replenishing means connected with said supply air tank. 6. A combination according to Claim 5, including means for controlling said auxiliary power system for maintaining an about 120 pounds per square inch air pressure in said tank. 7. A combination according to Claim 4, including air compressor means operated by said heavy duty diesel engine installation for maintaining the air pressure in said storage means when the heavy duty diesel engine is operating. 8. In combination with a heavy duty diesel engine installation: means providing a conventional apparatus-receiving space associated with such installation; a small compact auxiliary power system occupying said space instead of said conventional apparatus; and means cooperatively connecting said auxiliary power system with said heavy duty diesel engine installation; and wherein said heavy duty diesel engine installation includes air compressor means operated by said heavy duty diesel engine installation, and auxiliary compressor means operated by said auxiliary power system, and means for integrating the operation of both of said air compressor means. 9. A combination according to Claim 1, including means operated by said auxiliary power system for air conditioning fluid and coolant fluid circulation purposes. 10. A combination according to Claim 1, including heat exchanger means of said auxiliary power system integrated with a coolant system of said heavy duty engine, and an air conditioning system having air conditioner compressors operated by respectively said heavy duty diesel engine and said auxiliary power system. 11. A method of operating a heavy duty diesel engine installation in a vehicle having a battery pack and means providing a battery pack space, comprising: removing said battery pack from said space; installing in said space an auxiliary power unit, and connecting said auxiliary power unit and said heavy duty diesel engine in an air supply system for a pneumatic starting means for said heavy duty diesel engine. 12. A method according to Claim 11, wherein said pneumatic starting means comprises an air reservoir tank and a starting supply tank and said air supply system comprises an air compressor and said method comprises the step of pneumatically loading said air reservoir tank and said starting supply tank with said air compressor. 13. A method according to Claim 11, which includes operating air conditioning and coolant circulation systems by running said auxiliary power unit. 14. In combination in heavy duty apparatus having a large main power diesel engine equipped with an air starter: an auxiliary power system including a small diesel motor; air compressor means operated by said small diesel motor; a starter air supply tank connected with said air starter; an air reservoir tank; said compressor being pneumatically connected with both of said tanks; means connecting said tanks for maintaining a predetermined air pressure therein; means for controlling said small diesel motor to operate said air compressor when the pressure in either of said tanks drops below said predetermined pressure. 15. A combination according to Claim 14, including air compressor means operated by said main power engine while it is running. 16. A power system comprising: a diesel engine equipped with an air starter; an auxiliary engine; an air compressor operated by said auxiliary engine; a starter air supply tank connected with said air starter and with said air compressor; and a valve means on an outlet of said air supply tank, between said air supply tank and said starter. 17. The power system according to Claim 16, further comprising an air reservoir tank, said air compressor connected pneumatically to both said starter air tank and said reservoir tank; and means connecting said tanks for maintaining a predetermined air pressure therein; and means for controlling said auxiliary engine to operate said air compressor when the pressure in either of said starter air tank or said reservoir tank drops below said predetermined pressure.

Inventors: WILLIS GUY E, WILLIS, GUY, E.
Applicants: AUXILIARY POWER DYNAMICS LLC, AUXILIARY POWER DYNAMICS, LLC
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F02B73
IPC codes: F02B3, F02N7