Abstract: Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented, whereby a refrigerant loop is operated to heat a cabin of the vehicle via heat generated by a compressor and heat generated by a resistive heating element. The heat generated by the compressor and the heat generated by the resistive heating element are transferred to a refrigerant before it is transferred to the cabin. In one example, in a first mode, an evaporator bypass valve on an evaporator bypass conduit of the A/C system is opened to route the refrigerant around an evaporator of the A/C system to increase a temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant loop; and in a second mode, the evaporator bypass valve is closed to route the refrigerant through the evaporator, where heat is released to a flow of air across the evaporator that is directed to the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a refrigerant loop is operated to heat a passenger cabin via heat generated by a compressor and heat generated by a resistive heating element. The heat that is generated by the compressor and the heat that is generated by the resistive heating element is transferred to a refrigerant before it is transferred to the passenger cabin.

Abstract: Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a refrigerant loop is operated to heat a passenger cabin via heat generated by a compressor and heat generated by a resistive heating element. The heat that is generated by the compressor and the heat that is generated by the resistive heating element is transferred to a refrigerant before it is transferred to the passenger cabin.

Abstract: An externally-controlled variable displacement compressor (EVDC) cold-start method is described including, during an EVDC cold-start procedure, iteratively alternating an amount of a control current supplied to an electronic control valve (ECV) associated with the EVDC between no control current and a full control current. Systems for implementing the described method are provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle climate control system includes steps of determining that a first predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system airflow into a passenger cabin will exceed a predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold and, if so, automatically implementing a first climate control system operating condition at least reducing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. On determining that a second predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin will satisfy the predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold, the method includes a step of automatically implementing a second climate control system operating condition increasing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. Climate control systems for implementing the described methods are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system includes a compressor(s) for compressing a fluid in a cycle including at least two compressions, and a control module for controlling the compressor dependent upon an ambient condition. The module controls a power of the compressor by adjusting a motor speed driving the compressor and/or a pressure drop of the fluid moving through expansion devices. The pressure drop is controlled by changing a size of an opening in the expansion devices. A related method includes compressing a fluid in a first and a second compression cycle, determining an ambient temperature, sensing a temperature of the fluid outlet from a first heat exchanger, sensing a temperature and a pressure of the fluid outlet from a second heat exchanger, calculating a desired power of the compressor based thereon, and adjusting a parameter of the compressor dependent upon the calculated desired power of the compressor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle climate control system includes steps of determining that a first predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system airflow into a passenger cabin will exceed a predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold and, if so, automatically implementing a first climate control system operating condition at least reducing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. On determining that a second predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin will satisfy the predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold, the method includes a step of automatically implementing a second climate control system operating condition increasing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. Climate control systems for implementing the described methods are provided.

Abstract: An externally-controlled variable displacement compressor (EVDC) cold-start method is described including, during an EVDC cold-start procedure, iteratively alternating an amount of a control current supplied to an electronic control valve (ECV) associated with the EVDC between no control current and a full control current. Systems for implementing the described method are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system includes a compressor(s) for compressing a fluid in a cycle including at least two compressions, and a control module for controlling the compressor dependent upon an ambient condition. The module controls a power of the compressor by adjusting a motor speed driving the compressor and/or a pressure drop of the fluid moving through expansion devices. The pressure drop is controlled by changing a size of an opening in the expansion devices. A related method includes compressing a fluid in a first and a second compression cycle, determining an ambient temperature, sensing a temperature of the fluid outlet from a first heat exchanger, sensing a temperature and a pressure of the fluid outlet from a second heat exchanger, calculating a desired power of the compressor based thereon, and adjusting a parameter of the compressor dependent upon the calculated desired power of the compressor.

Abstract: A climate controller device may be configured to perform operations including comparing an outside air temperature to a threshold temperature; selecting, based on the comparison, one of a function to determine target compressor off setpoint values for relatively lower temperatures and a function to determine target compressor off setpoint values for relatively higher temperatures; retrieving a value according to the selection function to determine target compressor off setpoint values, the value specifying a compressor off setpoint value corresponding to airflow configuration settings; and determining a target compressor off setpoint value based at least in part on the retrieved value.

Abstract: An apparatus for preconditioning a cabin of a non-electric vehicle uses power supplied from a source that is external to the vehicle, such as an electrical utility power grid. The non-electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a battery, and an electric machine drive unit that supplies electrical energy to the battery when driven by the internal combustion engine. A mechanically operated preconditioning device is provided that can be driven by the engine when the internal combustion engine is operating and that can be driven by the electric machine drive unit when the internal combustion engine is not operating. An AC/DC converter is adapted to receive electrical energy from an external source and to supply such electrical energy through the battery to power the electric machine drive unit to drive the mechanically operated preconditioning device when the internal combustion engine is not operating.

Abstract: A climate controller device may be configured to perform operations including comparing an outside air temperature to a threshold temperature; selecting, based on the comparison, one of a function to determine target compressor off setpoint values for relatively lower temperatures and a function to determine target compressor off setpoint values for relatively higher temperatures; retrieving a value according to the selection function to determine target compressor off setpoint values, the value specifying a compressor off setpoint value corresponding to airflow configuration settings; and determining a target compressor off setpoint value based at least in part on the retrieved value.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a start-stop vehicle employs a compressor with a variable displacement. A controller determines a normal Climate Thermal Load (CTL) value for controlling a variable stroke of the variable displacement compressor. A stop event is detected in response to a speed of the vehicle and the occurrence of a predetermined deceleration. During the stop event, the variable stroke is increased by an amount determined in response to the normal CTL value, the speed of the vehicle, and a measure of the deceleration of the vehicle so that an evaporator temperature within the air conditioning system is allowed to decrease while the vehicle is stopping so that climate comfort can be maintained even while the engine is shut off during the subsequent time that the vehicle is stopped.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a start-stop vehicle employs a compressor with a variable displacement. A controller determines a normal Climate Thermal Load (CTL) value for controlling a variable stroke of the variable displacement compressor. A stop event is detected in response to a speed of the vehicle and the occurrence of a predetermined deceleration. During the stop event, the variable stroke is increased by an amount determined in response to the normal CTL value, the speed of the vehicle, and a measure of the deceleration of the vehicle so that an evaporator temperature within the air conditioning system is allowed to decrease while the vehicle is stopping so that climate comfort can be maintained even while the engine is shut off during the subsequent time that the vehicle is stopped.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a low charge condition in an air conditioner for a vehicle. The system first determines whether noise factors are present that would interfere with reliably measuring a pressure delta. If noise factors are not present, the system determines a pressure delta value for the compressor by comparing the high side pressure when the clutch is engaged to a high side pressure when the clutch is disengaged. If the pressure delta value is less than a threshold value, a low charge condition may be recorded. When the number of low charge conditions detected exceeds a predetermined number of events, the system may set a temperature diagnostic trouble code, disable the air conditioning system and alert the driver of a potential problem.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a low charge condition in an air conditioner for a vehicle. The system first determines whether noise factors are present that would interfere with reliably measuring a pressure delta. If noise factors are not present, the system determines a pressure delta value for the compressor by comparing the high side pressure when the clutch is engaged to a high side pressure when the clutch is disengaged. If the pressure delta value is less than a threshold value, a low charge condition may be recorded. When the number of low charge conditions detected exceeds a predetermined number of events, the system may set a temperature diagnostic trouble code, disable the air conditioning system and alert the driver of a potential problem.