Abstract: A vehicle includes a component coated with a pollutant reduction catalyst configured to remove pollutants from a flow of air over the component, a catalyst temperature sensor coupled to the component, a general temperature sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and an active grille shutter (AGS) system having a plurality of movable grille shutters. A controller is configured to determine an efficiency of the pollutant reduction catalyst based on signals from the catalyst temperature sensor, the general temperature sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, and the AGS system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simultaneously performing engine coolant stagnation and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler cooling in an engine include providing a coolant circuit configured to flow coolant through both a block of the engine and an EGR cooler of a cooled EGR (CEGR) system of the engine, a main pump on the coolant circuit that is driven by an electric motor or a crankshaft of the engine to pump coolant through a block of the engine, and a secondary pump on the coolant circuit that, when energized, is configured to pump coolant through the coolant circuit, and, during a cold start of the engine, de-energizing the electric motor or disconnecting the main pump from the engine crankshaft to stagnate coolant in the engine block and energizing the secondary pump to flow coolant through the EGR cooler of the CEGR system.

Abstract: A method of minimizing overall power consumption of a vehicle cooling system includes performing a hardware selection phase, performing an actuator position selection phase, and configuring operation of selected hardware components of the vehicle cooling system at a selected actuator position combination when the vehicle is operating in a predefined driving condition.

Abstract: A method of minimizing overall power consumption of a vehicle cooling system includes performing a hardware selection phase, performing an actuator position selection phase, and configuring operation of selected hardware components of the vehicle cooling system at a selected actuator position combination when the vehicle is operating in a predefined driving condition.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions (EVAP) system for a vehicle includes a waste heat control valve configured to direct an exhaust gas from an exhaust treatment system, the waste heat control valve being positioned at a point downstream from a catalyst of the exhaust treatment system, a vapor canister configured to store a fuel vapor evaporated from a liquid fuel housed in a fuel tank of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger connected to (i) the fuel tank, (ii) the waste heat control valve, and (iii) the vapor canister, the heat exchanger being configured to (a) utilize the exhaust waste heat to evaporate the fuel vapor from the liquid fuel and (b) provide the evaporated fuel vapor to the vapor canister. A method of operating the EVAP system includes controlling the waste heat control valve and a fuel pump to provide the vapor canister with a desired amount of fuel vapor.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions (EVAP) system for a vehicle includes a waste heat control valve configured to direct an exhaust gas from an exhaust treatment system, the waste heat control valve being positioned at a point downstream from a catalyst of the exhaust treatment system, a vapor canister configured to store a fuel vapor evaporated from a liquid fuel housed in a fuel tank of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger connected to (i) the fuel tank, (ii) the waste heat control valve, and (iii) the vapor canister, the heat exchanger being configured to (a) utilize the exhaust waste heat to evaporate the fuel vapor from the liquid fuel and (b) provide the evaporated fuel vapor to the vapor canister. A method of operating the EVAP system includes controlling the waste heat control valve and a fuel pump to provide the vapor canister with a desired amount of fuel vapor.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle for recovering waste heat from an engine includes a Rankine cycle circuit having a pump, a heat exchanger, an expansion device, a cooling device and a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit selectively provides a flow path for working fluid to bypass the expansion device, and includes a flow control valve actuated by a working fluid pressure differential to selectively open or close the bypass flow path. The expansion device includes a drive member directly coupled to a front end accessory drive (FEAD) of the engine such that a rotational speed of the expansion device is dictated by engine speed and the expansion device is free from separate speed control. The expansion device provides torque to the FEAD via the drive member when the system is in a waste heat recovery mode thereby reducing engine load and improving fuel economy.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat exchanger that includes a stack at least partially surrounded by a housing. The stack includes a first tube, a second tube, and a coolant duct between the first tube and the second tube. A fin is located within the coolant duct. The fin includes a first portion and a second portion and the first tube includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the fin is fixed to the first portion of the first tube such that the first portion of the fin is coupled to the first portion of the first tube for movement with respect to the housing, and the second portion of the fin is supported in the housing for movement relative to the second portion of the first tube to permit movement of the second portion of the first tube with respect to the second portion of the fin.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes an inlet configured to receive exhaust gas from an engine, an outlet configured to direct the exhaust gas back toward the engine, and an exhaust gas flow conduit. The flow conduit includes a first end adjacent the inlet, a second end adjacent the outlet, a first narrow side, a second narrow side, substantially flat broad sides extending between the narrow sides, a first channel adjacent the first narrow side and extending between the ends, a second channel adjacent the second narrow side and extending between the ends, and a plurality of third channels located between the first and second channels and extending between the ends. A plate is located at one end of the flow conduit to inhibit the exhaust gas from flowing through at least one of the first channel and the second channel while allowing exhaust gas flow through the third channels.

Abstract: Engine coolant heating systems and methods that improve waste heat recovery. The systems and methods include a piped connection between the outlet of an exhaust gas recirculation cooler and the main exhaust pipe leading to the vehicle's tailpipe. The systems and methods also include at least one additional valve in the exhaust stream for directing the flow of exhaust appropriately given specific driving conditions.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat exchanger that includes a stack at least partially surrounded by a housing. The stack includes a first tube, a second tube, and a coolant duct between the first tube and the second tube. A fin is located within the coolant duct. The fin includes a first portion and a second portion and the first tube includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the fin is fixed to the first portion of the first tube such that the first portion of the fin is coupled to the first portion of the first tube for movement with respect to the housing, and the second portion of the fin is supported in the housing for movement relative to the second portion of the first tube to permit movement of the second portion of the first tube with respect to the second portion of the fin.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes an inlet configured to receive exhaust gas from an engine, an outlet configured to direct the exhaust gas back toward the engine, and an exhaust gas flow conduit. The flow conduit includes a first end adjacent the inlet, a second end adjacent the outlet, a first narrow side, a second narrow side, substantially flat broad sides extending between the narrow sides, a first channel adjacent the first narrow side and extending between the ends, a second channel adjacent the second narrow side and extending between the ends, and a plurality of third channels located between the first and second channels and extending between the ends. A plate is located at one end of the flow conduit to inhibit the exhaust gas from flowing through at least one of the first channel and the second channel while allowing exhaust gas flow through the third channels.