CHICAGO — Thermo King Corp. has manufactured a new patent-pending climate control system for school and shuttle buses. According to the company, the modular unit is designed to address the industry’s need for integrated design, easier accessibility for regular maintenance and uniform air flow.

The Slim Line Rooftop (SLR) air conditioning unit combines an ultralow, lightweight design that is environmentally friendly while providing a lower refrigerant charge than conventional systems.

The SLR unit measures less than 6 inches above the roof and 3.5 inches inside the vehicle, resulting in space and energy savings. Moreover, at 130 pounds, the SLR is easy to install and maintain. It can be installed in the middle of the bus for more uniform air flow and its modular design reduces installation time. The system configuration allows for 90 percent of maintenance to be performed from inside the bus.

“As more public and private bus manufacturers and operators seek to find efficient solutions for eco-friendly fleets, the Thermo King team is proud to offer customers one of the most innovative designs on the market to effectively meet these needs,” said Martin Duffy, vice president, global bus and rail HVAC. “The sleek, aerodynamic design takes our engineering to new levels for the transportation industry.”

“The uniform air flow in the new Thermo King rooftop unit covers the entire bus and is easily able to keep up with Florida’s 95-plus degree days,” added Greg Hill, project manager for Advance Rural Low Floor Vehicle Project. “The unit’s low profile sets it apart from other rooftop air conditioning units and helps to eliminate damage caused by low-hanging tree limbs.”

Thermo King will unveil its new rooftop system at the annual BusCon trade show, which will run through this Thursday at the Navy Pier Conference and Expo Center in Chicago.