Processes for converting and adapting a vehicle into a hybrid-driven vehicle include coupling an electric motor generator unit to an engine of the vehicle, including to a through-bolt extending through a crankshaft pulley. Also included is a process for converting a vehicle's mechanically-driven air conditioning compressor to operate as an electro-mechanical air conditioning compressor by detaching the air conditioning compressor from the crankshaft and operating the air conditioning compressor using an electric motor. A temperature of rechargeable vehicle batteries of an alternate power unit of the vehicle is managed and maintained at a predetermined desired temperature.

Processes for converting and adapting a vehicle into a hybrid-driven vehicle include coupling an electric motor generator unit to an engine of the vehicle, including to a through-bolt extending through a crankshaft pulley. Also included is a process for converting a vehicle's mechanically-driven air conditioning compressor to operate as an electro-mechanical air conditioning compressor by detaching the air conditioning compressor from the crankshaft and operating the air conditioning compressor using an electric motor. A temperature of rechargeable vehicle batteries of an alternate power unit of the vehicle is managed and maintained at a predetermined desired temperature.

An air conditioning refrigerant circuit (6) includes an engine-driven compressor (7) and an electric compressor (11), which are arranged in parallel. When the engine is running, the engine-driven compressor (7) is used. When the engine stops, e.g., when idling stops, the electric compressor (11) is used. At the startup of the engine by a manual operation such as ignition by a key, the engine-driven compressor (7) is kept at rest and instead, the electric compressor (11) is operated for a predetermined time. After the predetermined time, the engine-driven compressor (7) is operated. In this way, the oil recovery to the electric compressor is promoted.

A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for use in an over-the-road or off road vehicle is provided. The HVAC system may be operated regardless of the operational state of the engine. That is, the HVAC system may be operated to condition the interior compartments of an over-the-road vehicle while the engine is running and while the engine is in a no-idle (off) condition. In general, the HVAC system efficiently shares one or more typical air conditionings components with those already found in the vehicle. In one instance, the HVAC system operates an electrically-driven compressor when a belt-driven compressor is idle. In another case, the HVAC system operates both an electrically-driven compressor and a no-idle condenser when a belt-driven compressor and condenser are idle. In yet another embodiment, the HVAC system shares an evaporator.

A transport refrigeration unit includes, a compressor, a coupling in operable communication with the compressor, and an engine in operable communication with the coupling, the engine is mountingly receptive to an electric motor such that when the electric motor is mounted to the engine the electric motor is in operable communication with the coupling, the coupling is configured to be driven by whichever of the engine and the electric motor is running.

A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for use in an over-the-road or off road vehicle is provided. The HVAC system may be operated regardless of the operational state of the engine. That is, the HVAC system may be operated to condition the interior compartments of an over-the-road vehicle while the engine is running and while the engine is in a no-idle (off) condition. In general, the HVAC system efficiently shares one or more typical air conditionings components with those already found in the vehicle. In one instance, the HVAC system operates an electrically-driven compressor when a belt-driven compressor is idle. In another case, the HVAC system operates both an electrically-driven compressor and a no-idle condenser when a belt-driven compressor and condenser are idle. In yet another embodiment, the HVAC system shares an evaporator.

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

A hybrid vehicle, an air conditioning system and a method for controlling the air conditioning system are provided. The air conditioning system includes: an electric compressor; a mechanical compressor, connected with the electric compressor in parallel; a power battery, connected with the electric compressor and configured to supply power to the electric compressor; an engine, connected with the mechanical compressor and configured to supply a power source to the mechanical compressor; an engine controller, connected with the engine and configured to start the engine when the mechanical compressor is to be started; a battery manager, connected with the power battery and configured to detect a state of charge of the power battery; and a controller, connected with the engine controller and the battery manager and configured to start the electric compressor and the mechanical compressor at different time according to the state of charge of the power battery.

An assembly, having a generator and electric motors, for a vehicle air-conditioning or cooling system, having: a compressor intended to be driven by a heat engine, a top-up electric motor for driving the compressor when the latter is not or cannot be driven by the heat engine, a generator with permanent magnets having a shaft which can be driven in rotation by the heat engine, the generator and the top-up electric motor being disposed on this shaft, one or more condenser and/or evaporator electric motors of a vehicle air-conditioning or cooling system, said electric motors being configured to be powered by a direct current, the generator powering the electric motor or motors through a converter configured to supply a direct current, notably a low-voltage controller.