Abstract: A system for controlling fluid temperature in a thermal system includes a heat source, a heat sink coupled to the heat source, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, a first expansion valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source and the first heat exchanger, a second expansion valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source and the second heat exchanger, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an operating condition of the thermal system and generate a first control signal to control the first and second expansion valves to direct the flow of coolant to the first and second heat exchangers. The first and second expansion valves are arranged in parallel to recover heat rejected from the coolant and distribute the recovered heat to the first and second heat exchangers.

Abstract: An engine control system for an engine includes: a pump control module configured to control a coolant pump; a block control module configured to control opening of a block valve; a fuel control module configured to control fueling of the engine; a coolant control module configured to control a position of a coolant valve; and an adjustment module configured to, when the coolant pump is pumping, the block valve is open, and the coolant valve is positioned such that an input is connected to an output, adjust the fueling of the engine such that fueling of the engine is fuel rich.

Abstract: A system includes a coolant pump and a first rotary valve. The coolant pump is configured to be mechanically driven by an engine and to send coolant to an inlet of the engine. The first rotary valve is configured to receive coolant from an outlet of the engine and to send coolant to a first radiator and a heater core. The first rotary valve is adjustable to a zero flow position to prevent coolant flow to the first radiator and the heater core and thereby increase a rate at which the engine warms coolant flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A method for thermal management of a motor vehicle engine includes one or more of the following: determining a current lube oil temperature; determining a lube oil temperature for optimal friction; turning on piston cooling jets based on the current lube oil temperature and the lube oil temperature for optimal friction; and turning off the piston cooling jets.

Abstract: A method for thermal management of a motor vehicle engine includes one or more of the following: determining a current lube oil temperature; determining a lube oil temperature for optimal friction; turning on piston cooling jets based on the current lube oil temperature and the lube oil temperature for optimal friction; and turning off the piston cooling jets.

Abstract: A system includes a coolant pump and a first rotary valve. The coolant pump is configured to be mechanically driven by an engine and to send coolant to an inlet of the engine. The first rotary valve is configured to receive coolant from an outlet of the engine and to send coolant to a first radiator and a heater core. The first rotary valve is adjustable to a zero flow position to prevent coolant flow to the first radiator and the heater core and thereby increase a rate at which the engine warms coolant flowing therethrough.

Abstract: An engine control system for an engine includes: a pump control module configured to control a coolant pump; a block control module configured to control opening of a block valve; a fuel control module configured to control fueling of the engine; a coolant control module configured to control a position of a coolant valve; and an adjustment module configured to, when the coolant pump is pumping, the block valve is open, and the coolant valve is positioned such that an input is connected to an output, adjust the fueling of the engine such that fueling of the engine is fuel rich.

Abstract: A system and method for managing thermal energy of a vehicle having a battery and an electric propulsion system are provided. The system monitors a current battery temperature, calculates an actual average battery temperature, and compares the calculated actual average battery temperature to a target lifetime battery temperature. If the actual average battery temperature is greater than the target lifetime battery temperature, and the current battery temperature is greater than the target lifetime battery temperature, the system cools the battery to below the current battery temperature. However, if the actual average battery temperature is less than the target lifetime battery temperature, and the current battery temperature is greater than the target lifetime battery temperature, the system delays cooling the battery. Therefore, the system may avoid expending energy to cool the battery in certain conditions.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid temperature in a thermal system includes a heat source, a heat sink coupled to the heat source, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, a first expansion valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source and the first heat exchanger, a second expansion valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source and the second heat exchanger, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an operating condition of the thermal system and generate a first control signal to control the first and second expansion valves to direct the flow of coolant to the first and second heat exchangers. The first and second expansion valves are arranged in parallel to recover heat rejected from the coolant and distribute the recovered heat to the first and second heat exchangers.

Abstract: A method includes: (a) determining an engine speed of an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has an engine wall, and the engine wall has a wall temperature; (b) determining an engine load of the internal combustion engine; (c) determining a wall-reference temperature as a function of the engine load and the engine speed of the internal combustion engine; and (d) adjusting, using a cooling system, a volumetric flow rate of a coolant flowing through the internal combustion engine to maintain the wall temperature at the wall-reference temperature.

Abstract: A method for continuously managing thermal energy in a motor vehicle includes initializing a continuous thermal energy management control loop within a controller disposed in the motor vehicle, calculating a quantity of stored energy in a thermal management system equipped to the motor vehicle, calculating a quantity of thermal energy waste in the thermal management system, determining if thermal energy is needed within a component of the thermal management system, selectively generating thermal energy, selectively transporting thermal energy to the component of the thermal management system, determining a thermal storage capacity of the thermal management system, determining if a thermal energy deficit exists within the thermal management system, and directing a flow of a thermal energy carrying liquid to a thermal energy reservoir.

Abstract: A thermal energy management system for a vehicle supplies thermal energy to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The thermal energy management system includes three thermal fluid loops. The first thermal fluid loop includes a coolant pump for circulating a coolant through at least a vehicle battery, a transmission oil cooler of the vehicle, and a chiller such that the coolant selectively transfers thermal energy from the vehicle battery, the transmission oil cooler, and the chiller. The second thermal fluid loop circulates oil through the transmission oil cooler. The third thermal fluid loop circulates a refrigerant through at least the chiller and at least one condenser such that the third thermal fluid loop transfers thermal energy to the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid temperature includes a heat source, a heat sink coupled to the heat source such that a flow of coolant passes between the heat source and the heat sink, a first heat exchanger coupled to the heat source, a second heat exchanger coupled to the heat source, a valve coupled to the heat source, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the heat sink, the valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the heat sink, and a controller in electronic communication with the heat source and the valve. The controller is configured to determine an operating condition and generate a control signal to control the valve to direct the flow of coolant to one or more of the first and second heat exchangers and the heat source.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a mechanical coolant pump in an automobile equipped with cooling system having a mechanical coolant pump and an electric coolant pump comprises detecting when an engine of the automobile has been started, dis-engaging the electric coolant pump, engaging the mechanical coolant pump, and verifying the mechanical coolant pump is operating properly.

Abstract: A method includes: (a) determining an engine speed of an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has an engine wall, and the engine wall has a wall temperature; (b) determining an engine load of the internal combustion engine; (c) determining a wall-reference temperature as a function of the engine load and the engine speed of the internal combustion engine; and (d) adjusting, using a cooling system, a volumetric flow rate of a coolant flowing through the internal combustion engine to maintain the wall temperature at the wall-reference temperature.

Abstract: A method for managing thermal energy of a vehicle having a battery and an electric propulsion system is provided. The system monitors a current battery temperature, after the vehicle is connected to an outside power source at a plug time, and determines an outside air temperature. The system predicts a cabin heating temperature for a subsequent drive cycle. The subsequent drive cycle occurs when the vehicle is no longer connected to the outside power source. If the predicted cabin heating temperature is greater than the outside air temperature, the system heats the battery to a thermal storage temperature that is greater than a target operating temperature of the battery. Therefore, thermal energy is stored within the battery, and may be transferred to heat the cabin.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a mechanical coolant pump in an automobile equipped with cooling system having a mechanical coolant pump and an electric coolant pump comprises detecting when an engine of the automobile has been started, dis-engaging the electric coolant pump, engaging the mechanical coolant pump, and verifying the mechanical coolant pump is operating properly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an engine cooling system for controlling the temperature of an engine of a motor vehicle. The system includes an engine cooling circuit for circulating a coolant to transfer heat from the engine to an airflow. An electric water pump is configured to circulate the coolant through the circuit at a maximum electric pump flow rate, and a mechanical water pump is configured to circulate the coolant through the circuit at a maximum mechanical pump flow rate that is higher than the maximum electric pump flow rate. The circuit further includes a selector valve configured to fluidly connect one of the electric water pump and the mechanical water pump to the engine. An engine control module generates a valve signal for actuating the selector valve to fluidly connect one of the electric water pump and the mechanical water pump to the engine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an engine cooling system for controlling the temperature of an engine of a motor vehicle. The system includes an engine cooling circuit for circulating a coolant to transfer heat from the engine to an airflow. An electric water pump is configured to circulate the coolant through the circuit at a maximum electric pump flow rate, and a mechanical water pump is configured to circulate the coolant through the circuit at a maximum mechanical pump flow rate that is higher than the maximum electric pump flow rate. The circuit further includes a selector valve configured to fluidly connect one of the electric water pump and the mechanical water pump to the engine. An engine control module generates a valve signal for actuating the selector valve to fluidly connect one of the electric water pump and the mechanical water pump to the engine.

Abstract: A coolant valve for a powertrain cooling system includes a housing and a valve member. The housing has a chamber, a first inlet port, a second inlet port, and an outlet port. The chamber has a first flat surface, a second flat surface, and a curved surface. The valve member has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a flat middle portion, and a hinge portion disposed on the first end. The valve member is disposed in one of a first and a second position. When the valve member is disposed in the first position the outlet port is in communication with the first inlet port. When the valve member is disposed in the second position the outlet port is in communication with the second inlet port.