Patent ID: 7291932

Claim:
A system for use in transport vehicles, comprising: an auxiliary power unit (APU) for a transport vehicle powered by a diesel engine and having a fuel system, an engine exhaust system and a battery powered electrical system, the APU comprising: an air-cooled diesel engine configured for operation using the fuel supply and the engine exhaust system of the transport vehicle, and having an integral, forced-air cooling system; an air-cooled, brushless generator directly coupled to an output shaft of the air-cooled diesel engine and providing simultaneous high voltage AC and low voltage DC outputs and having an integral, forced-air cooling system; an enclosure surrounding the air-cooled diesel engine and the air-cooled brushless generator, for protection and mechanical support; and a system of first and second air ducts within the enclosure to separately convey cooling air into and through the air cooled diesel engine and the air cooled brushless generator respectively, to exit through first and second respective air outlets from the enclosure, wherein cooling inlet air is drawn into the first and second air ducts by respective direct drive fan means integrated respectively in the air cooled diesel engine and in the air cooled brushless generator; and a locator unit, for use in a tracking and monitoring system for communicating over a communication network with the locator unit and with a remote location, wherein the locator unit receives, stores and transmits data about the APU and the engine of the transport vehicle in combination with location data of the transport vehicle, and wherein the locator unit is attached to or installed within the APU.