Patent ID: 8491274

Claim:
A system for operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources, the system comprising: an air conditioning compressor having a compressor shaft; a primary source; a secondary source including a motor generator having a motor generator shaft; a double magnetic clutch mounted to the motor generator shaft, the double magnetic clutch being selectively operable between a driving condition such that the motor generator shaft imparts torque to the air conditioning compressor and a driven condition such that the primary source imparts torque to the motor generator; a first magnetic coil mounted to the compressor and encircling the compressor shaft; a means for energizing the first magnetic coil, thereby emitting a magnetic field from the first magnetic coil; a first sheave rotatably mounted to the compressor shaft to enable rotation of the first sheave relative the compressor shaft; a second sheave affixed to the compressor shaft to restrict rotation of the second sheave relative the compressor shaft, the second sheave having a first clutch plate coupled to its face; and, a first pulley belt configured to transmit rotation from the primary source to the first sheave; a second pulley belt configured to transmit rotation from the secondary source to the second sheave; a deformable gap separating the first sheave from the first clutch plate when the coil is in a de-energized state; wherein, when the first magnetic coil is energized, an induced magnetic field biases the first sheave into frictional engagement with the first clutch plate, thereby restricting rotation of the first sheave relative the compressor shaft.