Abstract:
The disclosure depicts both a system for operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources as well as a method of operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources. Both the system and method require a primary source, an air conditioning compressor, and a motor generator. A respective shaft extends from each of these required components, and a respective pulley is mounted to each of the respective shafts, and a single belt engages each respective pulley.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is both a system for operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources as well as a method of operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources. 
         [0002]    The Inventive System 
         [0003]    The inventive system includes a primary source having a primary drive pulley coupled to a primary drive shaft. It also includes a sprag bearing having an inner race engaging the primary drive shaft and an outer race engaging the primary drive pulley. The sprag bearing enables rotation of the inner race relative the outer race in a single chosen direction of rotation. 
         [0004]    The inventive system will also include a motor generator having a motor generator pulley coupled to a motor generator shaft. Further, it will also include an air conditioning compressor having and an air conditioning compressor pulley coupled to an air conditioning compressor shaft. 
         [0005]    A belt engages each of the drive shaft pulley, the motor generator pulley, and the air conditioning compressor pulley. The sprag bearing prevents rotation of the primary drive shaft relative the primary drive shaft pulley when torque is imparted through the primary drive shaft. Conversely, the sprag bearing enables rotation of the primary drive shaft relative the primary drive shaft pulley when the primary drive pulley is rotated by torque transmitted to the primary drive pulley by the belt. 
         [0006]    Optionally, the inventive system may include a drive housing adapted to allow the drive shaft to pass therethrough. The invention may include a reduced-diameter portion of the drive shaft positioned adjacent a terminal end of the primary drive shaft. When a shaft having a reduced-diameter portion is employed, the sprag bearing is coupled to the reduced diameter portion of the primary drive shaft. Preferably, the reduced diameter portion extends outwardly from the housing, where the sprag bearings are positioned and engage the primary source shaft. 
         [0007]    The inventive system may also have a support bearing positioned on the primary drive shaft. Optionally, an inner portion of the support bearing engages the primary drive shaft and an outer portion of the support bearing engages within the drive housing. 
         [0008]    In a preferred embodiment of the system, the a drive housing has an entrance opening and an exit opening. In this version of the system, the drive housing allows the primary drive shaft to pass therethrough. Additionally, drive gear may be positioned adjacent the entrance opening so that it could mesh with a bull gear of a motor. 
         [0009]    In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the primary drive shaft that extends outwardly from the exit opening of the drive housing. In this embodiment, the inner race of the sprag bearing engages the portion of the primary drive shaft that extends outwardly from the exit opening of the drive housing. The system may also be configured so that the primary drive pulley has a belt-engaging portion and an elongate portion. In this preferred embodiment, the outer race of the sprag bearing engages an interior of the elongate portion. Additionally, drive housing may have a narrowed portion cooperatively formed to fit within and engage at least a portion of an interior of the primary drive pulley. The system may also include a switch to selectively activate the motor generator, as well as a clutch to selectively enable relative rotation of the air conditioning compressor shaft relative the air conditioning compressor pulley. 
         [0010]    The Inventive Method 
         [0011]    The invention is also a method of operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources. The inventive method includes the steps of providing a primary source, an air conditioning compressor, and a motor generator. The method also requires the steps of equipping the primary source with a primary drive pulley coupled to a primary drive shaft and equipping the motor generator with a motor generator pulley coupled to a motor generator shaft. Moreover, one must also equip the air conditioning compressor with an air conditioning compressor pulley coupled to an air conditioning compressor shaft. 
         [0012]    The invention also requires the step of providing a sprag bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the sprag bearing enabling rotation of the inner race relative the outer race in a single chosen direction of rotation. Also, one must engag the inner race to the primary drive shaft, and engage the outer race to the primary drive pulley. 
         [0013]    The inventive method also requires the step of engaging a belt with each of the drive shaft pulley, the motor generator pulley, and the air conditioning compressor pulley. Also, one must configure the sprag bearing to prevent rotation of the primary drive shaft relative the primary drive shaft pulley when torque is imparted through the primary drive shaft. Also, the method requires the step of configuring the sprag bearing to allow rotation of the primary drive shaft relative the primary drive shaft pulley when the primary drive pulley is rotated by torque transmitted to the primary drive pulley by the belt. 
         [0014]    In an alternate preferred embodiment, the method may include the step of providing a drive housing adapted to allow the drive shaft to pass therethrough, and forming a reduced-diameter portion adjacent a terminus of the primary drive shaft. In this embodiment of the method, one couples the sprag bearing to the reduced diameter portion of the primary drive shaft. Optionally, one may couple the sprag bearings to a reduced diameter portion that extends outside the drive housing. 
         [0015]    The inventive method may optionally include the step of mounting a support bearing to the primary drive shaft. Specifically, one may engage an inner portion of the support bearing with the primary drive shaft, and an outer portion of the support bearing with the drive housing. 
         [0016]    Optionally, the method includes the additional steps of passing the primary drive shaft into an entrance opening of the drive housing and out from an exit opening of the drive housing, positioning a drive gear is adjacent the entrance opening, and, meshing the drive gear with a bull gear of a motor. In another embodiment, the method may include the additional steps of extending a portion of the primary drive shaft outwardly from the exit opening of the drive housing and engaging the inner race of the sprag bearing with the portion of the primary drive shaft that extends outwardly from the exit opening of the drive housing. 
         [0017]    The primary drive pulley may be configured to include a belt-engaging portion and an elongate portion; wherein, the outer race of the sprag bearing engages an interior of the elongate portion. The drive housing may bear a narrowed portion cooperatively formed to fit within and engage at least a portion of an interior of the primary drive pulley. 
         [0018]    The method enables one to deactivating the primary source, activate the motor generator to impart a rotating torque to the motor generator shaft; and thereby transmit the rotating torque to the air conditioning compressor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THF DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing the basic components of the system and method, according to the principles of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective schematic showing the components of the system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded and perspective view that details the component parts of an auxiliary drive mechanism. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional and view of the auxiliary drive portion of the inventive system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows an isolated perspective view of the auxiliary drive mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of the basic components of the invention. 
         [0025]    The inventive system  10  includes a primary source  12 , an air conditioning compressor  20 , and a motor generator  30 . Each of these components  12 ,  20 , and  30  has a respective shaft and a pulley. Specifically, the air conditioning compressor pulley  22  is coupled to the air conditioning compressor shaft  24  extending from the air conditioning compressor  20 . Further, a motor generator pulley  66  is coupled to a motor generator shaft  36  extending from the motor generator  30 . In like manner, a primary source shaft  114  extends from the primary source  12 , and terminates in a drive housing  16  that includes a pulley portion (shown in greater detail aft). 
         [0026]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , activation of the primary source  12  imparts torque through the primary source shaft  114  to a belt  18  that engages the respective pulleys  22 ,  66 , thereby transmitting a rotating torque from the primary source shaft  114  to each of the air conditioning compressor pulley  22  and the motor generator pulley  66 . Thus, when the primary source  12  is activated, torque originates with the primary source shaft  114 , which then serves to drive the other elements of the system  10 . 
         [0027]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a clutch (not shown) may couple the air conditioner compressor pulley  22  to the air conditioning compressor shaft  24 , thereby enabling the pulley  22  to rotate relative the shaft  24  when an operator does not wish to activate the air conditioning compressor  20 . 
         [0028]    The air conditioning compressor  20  is in electrical communication with the motor generator  30 . Indeed, when the primary source  12  is not running, one may choose to run the air conditioning compressor  20  by imparting torque to its shaft  24  that originates from the motor generator  30 . In contrast, when the primary source  12  is running, torque originates with the primary source  12 , and this torque is transmitted to the air conditioning compressor  20  as well as the motor generator  30 . While running, the motor generator  30  receives energy and transmits electrical charge to the battery pack  23 . 
         [0029]    A battery pack  23  includes a switch that is configured to selectively activate the motor generator  30 , which can then create torque that could be transmitted through its motor generator shaft  36 , into the motor generator pulley  66 , passed along via belt  18 , which can drive the air conditioning compressor pulley  22  coupled to the air conditioning compressor shaft  24 . In turn, rotating the air conditioning compressor shaft  24  activates the air conditioning compressor  20 , which provides cool air to the cabin of an automobile. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective and schematic drawing of the basic components of the system  10 , according to the principles of the invention. The system  10  includes a primary source  12 , an air conditioning compressor  20 , and a motor generator  30 . The air conditioning compressor pulley  22  is coupled to the air conditioning compressor shaft  24  extending from the air conditioning compressor  20 ; a motor generator pulley  66  is coupled to a motor generator shaft  36  extending from the motor generator  30 . In like manner, a primary source shaft  114  extends from the primary source  12 , and terminates in a drive housing  16  that includes a pulley portion (shown in greater detail aft). 
         [0031]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , activation of the primary source  12  imparts torque through the primary source shaft  114  to a belt  18  that engages the respective pulleys  22 ,  66 , thereby transmitting a rotating torque from the primary source shaft  114  to each of the air conditioning compressor pulley  22  and the motor generator pulley  66 . Thus, when the primary source  12  is activated, torque originates with the primary source shaft  114 , which then drives the motor generator  30 . When one desires to activate the air conditioning compressor  20  while operating the primary source  12  (i.e., while the engine is running), then the air conditioning compressor pulley  24  receives torque originated by the primary source  12  and imparted to the air conditioning compressor  20  through its shaft  24  that is turned by its pulley  22 , which was rotated by torque transmitted through the belt  18 . In contrast, when one does not desire air conditioning, a clutch mechanism is released, thereby allowing rotation of the air conditioning compressor shaft  24  relative its pulley  22 . 
         [0032]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the system  10  enables the air conditioning compressor pulley  24  (and therefore the air conditioning compressor shaft  22 ) to be turned by rotating torque originated by the motor generator  30 . When the primary source  12  is deactivated (i.e., when the motor is shut off), the air conditioning compressor  20  can nonetheless be activated. In this mode, the air conditioning compressor may be driven by the motor generator  30 . In this mode of operation, one activates the switch on the battery pack  23 , which activates the motor generator  30  and imparts rotating torque to the motor generator pulley  66  via the motor generator shaft  36 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the terminal end of the air conditioning compressor shaft  24  may extend from its respective air conditioning compressor pulley  22 , and the terminal end of the motor generator shaft  36  may extend outwardly from its respective motor generator pulley  66 . However, an auxiliary drive  16  encloses the terminus of the primary drive shaft  12 . The component parts of the auxiliary drive  16  has a belt engaging portion and an elongate portion; the component parts within the auxiliary drive  16  enable rotation of the auxiliary drive  16  relative the primary source shaft  114 , as discussed hereinafter. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded and perspective view detailing the component parts of the invention. At a first end proximate the primary source shaft  114  (not viewable in  FIG. 3  but see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ), the system includes a drive gear  116  cooperatively formed to mesh with a bull gear of the primary source  12  (not viewable in  FIG. 3  but see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ). The drive gear  116  is coupled to an extension of the primary source shaft  114  and passes through a support bearing  118  that will be positioned around the shaft  114  and proximate the drive gear  116 . The shaft  114  will also pass through a needle bearing  120 , which will be positioned on the shaft  114  adjacent the support bearing  118 . 
         [0035]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the shaft  114 , support bearing  118 , and the needle bearing  120  will be at least partly covered by a housing  108 , which in turn will be coupled or bolted to the primary source, the engine bracket, or another stable structure. Of course, the drive gear  116  is coupled to the shaft  114  so that rotation of the drive gear  116  is restricted relative the shaft  114 . However, the shaft  114  rotates relative each of the support bearing  118  and the needle bearing  120  that will be positioned within the housing  108 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the system will also include a sprag clutch mechanism  110 ,  112  coupled to a terminal end of the shaft  114 . The shaft depicted in  FIG. 3  shows a two-tiered configuration for the shaft  114 , wherein the shaft has a reduced-diameter terminal portion that is distal the drive gear  116 . Generally, this reduced-diameter terminal portion of the shaft  114  will extend beyond the housing  108  when fully assembled. However, the reduction of diameter portion is for illustration only, as the portion of the shaft  114  that extends outwardly from the housing  108  will receive the sprag clutch bearings  110 ,  112 . To be clear, the shaft  114  may have a uniform diameter throughout its length. However, a reduced diameter portion is preferred in order to fit the inner race of standard sprag clutch bearings. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sprag clutch bearings  110 ,  112  have an inner race formed to engage the shaft  114 , and the sprag clutch bearings  110 ,  112  bear an outer race formed to engage an interior wall of the primary source pulley  106 . The inner race of each sprag clutch bearing  110 ,  112  bears a slot formed to receive an inner bearing key  126  that engages both the respective sprag clutch bearings  110 ,  112 , but also engages a longitudinal slot formed on a terminal portion of the shaft  114 . In like manner, the outer race of each sprag clutch bearing  110 ,  112  bears a slot formed to receive an outer bearing key  124  that will engage within a longitudinal slot formed on an interior surface of the primary source pulley  106 . When fully assembled, the outer sprag bearing key  124  engages both the outer race of the sprag clutch bearings  110 ,  112  as well as a slot formed on the inner surface of the primary source pulley  106 , thereby preventing rotation of the primary source pulley  106  relative the outer race of the sprag clutch bearings  110 ,  112 . Conversely, when fully assembled the inner sprag bearing key  126  engages both the shaft  114  as well as the inner race of the sprag clutch bearings  110 ,  112 , thereby preventing rotation of the shaft  114  relative the inner race of the sprag clutch bearings  110 ,  112 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the component parts of the auxiliary drive assembly  16  that was generally depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The drive assembly  16  includes the primary source shaft  114  engaging a drive gear  116 , passing through a housing  108 , and also passing through a sprag clutch pulley  106 . A support bearing  118  is positioned within the housing  108  and engages the primary source shaft  114 , and of course allows rotation of the primary source shaft  114  relative the housing  108 . The primary source shaft  114  passes from an entrance opening at one end of the housing  108  and out an exit opening at another end of the housing  108 , and a portion extends beyond the housing  108 . Sprag bearings  110 ,  112  are mounted on this portion of the primary source shaft  114  and engages within an interior of the elongate portion of the primary drive pulley  106 . A typical sprag bearing has an inner race and an outer race, with relative rotation of the races being restricted to a single direction of rotation. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the inner races of the sprag bearings  110 ,  112  are coupled to the primary source shaft  114  adjacent its terminal end, and the interior of the primary drive pulley  106  engages the outer race of the sprag bearings  110 ,  112 . In this embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the primary source shaft  114  is configured with a reduced diameter portion adjacent its terminal end, and the sprag clutch  110 ,  112  engages on this reduced diameter portion. 
         [0040]    When the primary source shaft  114  imparts driving torque (i.e., when the engine is running), the sprag bearings  110 ,  112  engage and prevent rotation of the primary source pulley  106  relative the primary source shaft  114 . In contrast, when the engine is not running, the sprag bearings  110 ,  112  enable rotation of the primary source pulley  106  relative the shaft  114 . Thus, with the engine off and the air conditioning compressor (shown hereinabove) driven by the motor generator  30 , the sprag clutch  110 ,  112  allows the primary pulley  106  to freewheel relative the shaft  114 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  shows an isolated and perspective view of the auxiliary drive  16  (See  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ), shown in a fully-assembled condition. The auxiliary drive  16  bears a drive gear  116  positioned at an initial end. Preferably, this drive gear  116  is famed to mesh with a bull gear of a standard automobile or truck engine. A shaft  114  passes from the drive gear  116  through the housing  108 , and terminates exterior the primary source pulley  106 . As shown, the primary source pulley  106  bears a belt-engaging portion  103  and an elongate portion  105 . The housing  108  is typically bolted to a frame portion of the automobile, and the primary source pulley  106  is formed to rotate about at least a portion of the housing  106 . 
         [0042]    Having described in detail the invention, it is to be understood that this description is for illustrative purposes only. The scope of the invention shall be limited only by claims which precisely set forth and metes and bounds of the invention.