Auxiliary power system for trucks and other heavy duty vehicles

摘要

An auxiliary power system for a truck or other heavy duty vehicle. A secondary engine which is smaller than the vehicle's main engine is used to generate heat and electrical power, and to drive an auxiliary air conditioning system. The coolant systems of the two engines are interconnected so that when the main engine is off and the secondary engine is on, waste heat from the secondary engine is transferred by coolant flowing through the water jacket of the secondary engine to the main engine and also to heater cores in the truck's cab and sleeper. An electrical generator driven by the secondary engine provides electrical energy. The auxiliary air conditioning system includes an auxiliary compressor and an auxiliary condenser, and connections for efficiently interconnecting the auxiliary air conditioning system with the truck's primary air conditioning system. The auxiliary power system permits the use of a small and efficient engine to keep the truck's main engine and cab warm and to run a variety of other accessories without having to run the truck's main engine.