Patent ID: 8850836

Claim:
A temperature regulation system for a vehicle having an ignition system, an engine, and an air moving system that circulates air inside of the vehicle across a heat exchanger to maintain a desired temperature range within the vehicle with a thermostat, the air moving system including a compressor for compressing a gas for cooling a portion of the heat exchanger, the system comprising: a motor-generator for converting between rotational kinetic and electrical energy and having a motor mode wherein electrical energy is converted into rotational kinetic energy and coupled to the compressor, and a generator mode wherein rotational kinetic energy from the engine is converted into electrical energy; a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the motor-generator for supplying power to the motor-generator when the motor-generator is in the motor mode, and for receiving electrical energy from the motor-generator when the motor-generator is in the generator mode; and a control circuit electrically connected with the motor-generator and adapted to activate the motor mode when the engine of the vehicle is off and the air temperature inside the vehicle exceeds the desired temperature range, the motor-generator otherwise being in the generator mode.