Abstract: A superconductor device includes a high superconductivity transition temperature enhanced from the raw material transition temperature. The superconductor device includes a matrix material and a core material. The enhancing matrix material and the core material together create a system of strongly coupled carriers. A plurality of low-dimensional conductive features can be embedded in the matrix. The low-dimensional conductive features (e.g., nanowires or nanoparticles) can be conductors or superconductors. An interaction between electrons of the low-dimensional conductive features and the enhancing matrix material can promote excitations that increase a superconductivity transition temperature of the superconductor device.

Abstract: Thermal management in a vehicle involves a compressor to output a refrigerant in vapor form for circulation in a refrigerant loop. A thermal management system includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in the refrigerant loop including an evaporator and an HVAC condenser, and an exterior condenser in the refrigerant loop configured to vent heat to an exterior of the vehicle. A first variable refrigerant flow valve controls a flow rate of the refrigerant output by the compressor into the HVAC condenser, and a second refrigerant flow valve controls a flow rate of the refrigerant output by the compressor into the exterior condenser. A controller controls the first refrigerant flow valve and the second refrigerant flow valve based on a target output temperature for the HVAC condenser.

Abstract: Presented are joint active thermal management (JATM) systems with heat exchanger storage of surplus refrigerant, methods for making/operating such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A JATM system includes a coolant loop that fluidly connects to a vehicle battery system for pumping thereto coolant, an oil loop thermally coupled to the coolant loop and fluidly connected to a vehicle powertrain system for pumping thereto oil, and a refrigerant loop thermally coupled to the coolant loop and operable to circulate refrigerant for heating/cooling a passenger compartment. An electronic controller determines if a current amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant loop exceeds a calibrated threshold for the current operating mode of the JATM system. If so, the controller determines if one of the refrigerant loop's heat exchangers is available to store excess refrigerant. If the heat exchanger is available, the refrigerant loop stores excess refrigerant in the available refrigerant heat exchanger.

Abstract: Presented are joint active thermal management (JATM) systems with heat exchanger storage of surplus refrigerant, methods for making/operating such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A JATM system includes a coolant loop that fluidly connects to a vehicle battery system for pumping thereto coolant, an oil loop thermally coupled to the coolant loop and fluidly connected to a vehicle powertrain system for pumping thereto oil, and a refrigerant loop thermally coupled to the coolant loop and operable to circulate refrigerant for heating/cooling a passenger compartment. An electronic controller determines if a current amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant loop exceeds a calibrated threshold for the current operating mode of the JATM system. If so, the controller determines if one of the refrigerant loop's heat exchangers is available to store excess refrigerant. If the heat exchanger is available, the refrigerant loop stores excess refrigerant in the available refrigerant heat exchanger.

Abstract: A thermal management method and system in a vehicle include a chiller to cause heat transfer between a coolant loop that defines a path in which a coolant circulates and a refrigerant loop that defines a path in which a refrigerant circulates. The system includes an electronic expansion valve (EXV) in the refrigerant loop to control a flow of the refrigerant into a first part of the chiller, and a coolant pump in the coolant loop to control a flow of the coolant into a second part of the chiller. A controller controls the EXV and the coolant pump based on a target amount for the heat transfer.

Abstract: A thermal control system includes first and second components. A plurality of coolant conduits fluidly couple the components to define a coolant circuit. A pump is operable to circulate coolant among the conduits. Within the coolant circuit, the first component is upstream of the second component and the pump is upstream of the first component. A controller is configured to selectively operate according to a circuit heating mode, wherein the controller controls the pump at a first speed and controls the first respective component as a thermal source, and a local heating mode, wherein the local heating mode the control controls the pump at a second speed and controls the first respective component as a thermal source. The second speed is less than the first speed. The controller operates in the local heating mode in response to a heating request associated with the second respective component.

Abstract: Thermal management in a vehicle involves a compressor to output a refrigerant in vapor form for circulation in a refrigerant loop. A thermal management system includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the refrigerant loop including an evaporator and an HVAC condenser, and an exterior condenser in the refrigerant loop configured to vent heat to an exterior of the vehicle. A first variable refrigerant flow valve (RFV) controls a flow rate of the refrigerant output by the compressor into the HVAC condenser, and a second RFV controls a flow rate of the refrigerant output by the compressor into the exterior condenser. A controller controls the first RFV and the second RFV based on a target output temperature for the HVAC condenser.

Abstract: A thermal control system includes first and second components. A plurality of coolant conduits fluidly couple the components to define a coolant circuit. A pump is operable to circulate coolant among the conduits. Within the coolant circuit, the first component is upstream of the second component and the pump is upstream of the first component. A controller is configured to selectively operate according to a circuit heating mode, wherein the controller controls the pump at a first speed and controls the first respective component as a thermal source, and a local heating mode, wherein the local heating mode the control controls the pump at a second speed and controls the first respective component as a thermal source. The second speed is less than the first speed. The controller operates in the local heating mode in response to a heating request associated with the second respective component.

Abstract: A thermal management method and system in a vehicle include a chiller to cause heat transfer between a coolant loop that defines a path in which a coolant circulates and a refrigerant loop that defines a path in which a refrigerant circulates. The system includes an electronic expansion valve (EXV) in the refrigerant loop to control a flow of the refrigerant into a first part of the chiller, and a coolant pump in the coolant loop to control a flow of the coolant into a second part of the chiller. A controller controls the EXV and the coolant pump based on a target amount for the heat transfer.