Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes an engine, a coolant pump, a first heat exchanger, a first valve in communication with the first heat exchanger, a second valve having a plurality of outlets, a second heat exchanger in communication with a first of the plurality of outlets, a third heat exchanger in communication with a second of the plurality of outlets, a bypass fluid conduit in communication with a third of the plurality of outlets, and a controller that determines a first potential benefit based upon a loss function of the second heat exchanger, determines a second potential benefit based upon a loss function of the third heat exchanger, compares the first potential to the second potential, and proportionally distributes flow between the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger, and the bypass fluid conduit based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A system including startup, load, flow, and peak estimation modules. The startup module, during a startup period or in response to a startup of the engine, receives a temperature signal and generates a first condition signal. The load module determines a load on the engine and generates a second condition signal. The flow module, if the first condition signal indicates a temperature of the engine is less than a first predetermined temperature and if the second condition signal indicates the load is less than a predetermined threshold, operates a pump to circulate coolant during the startup period. The peak estimation module estimates a temperature of a hottest metal location on the engine. The flow module increases a speed of the pump if the temperature of the hottest metal location is greater than a second predetermined temperature or the load is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed are two-valve, split-layout engine cooling systems, methods for making and method for operating such cooling systems, engine coolant valve assembly configurations, and vehicles equipped with an active thermal management system for cooling select powertrain components. A disclosed thermal management system includes a radiator for cooling coolant fluid, and a coolant pump for circulating coolant fluid received from the radiator. A set of conduits fluidly connect the coolant pump to an engine block, a cylinder head, and an exhaust manifold. Another set of conduits fluidly connect the engine block, cylinder head, and exhaust manifold to the radiator, coolant pump, and one or more oil heaters. A first valve assembly is operable to regulate coolant flow between the coolant pump and the radiator. A second valve assembly is operable to regulate coolant fluid flow, individually and jointly, between the engine block, cylinder head, exhaust manifold, radiator, coolant pump, and oil heater(s).

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a transmission fluid temperature sensor and a coolant valve control module. The transmission fluid temperature sensor measures a temperature of transmission fluid that is circulated through a transmission. The coolant valve control module controls at least one coolant valve to adjust coolant flow from an engine to a transmission fluid heat exchanger and at least one of a radiator, an engine oil heat exchanger, and a heater core. When the transmission fluid temperature is less than a first temperature, the coolant valve control module controls the at least one coolant valve to allow coolant flow from the engine to the transmission fluid heat exchanger and prevent coolant flow from the engine to the at least one of the radiator, the engine oil heat exchanger, and the heater core.

Abstract: Thermal management systems for a vehicle powered by internal combustion engines (ICEs) are provided. Systems include a coolant circuit configured to circulate a coolant and transfer heat between the coolant and a heat consumer appurtenant to the vehicle, and a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant such that the refrigerant is capable of extracting heat from exhaust gas generated by the ICE and subsequently transferring heat to the coolant. The refrigerant circuit can include one or more of an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a compressor, a coolant heat exchanger, a condenser, and an evaporator. Heat transferred to the coolant via the coolant heat exchanger can be transferred to one or more heat consumers, including the ICE, a turbocharger, an oil heater, a heater core, an exhaust gas recirculation cooler, an axle, a differential, an exhaust gas treatment device, and a reductant reservoir for an SCR or SCRF device.

Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes an adjusting module that: (i) receives an engine output coolant temperature measured at a coolant output of an internal combustion engine; (ii) adjusts the engine output coolant temperature based on a reference temperature to produce a first adjusted coolant temperature; (iii) receives an engine input coolant temperature measured at a coolant input of the internal combustion engine; and (iv) adjusts the engine input coolant temperature based on the reference temperature to produce a second adjusted coolant temperature. The coolant control system also includes a difference module that determines a difference between the first and second adjusted coolant temperatures. The coolant control system also includes a pump control module that controls a coolant output of a coolant pump based on the difference between the first and second adjusted coolant temperatures.

Abstract: A system includes a coolant management module that, determines whether an engine of a vehicle is off, determines, in response to a determination that the engine is off, whether a heater associated with the engine is on, receives one of a plurality of engine coolant temperature (ECT) measurements and a respective location associated with the received ECT measurement, and communicates the respective location and an instruction to direct engine coolant flow from the respective location to one of the heater and engine. The system also includes a coolant control module that selectively actuates one or more coolant control valves based on the respective location and the instruction.

Abstract: A method of heating a cabin of a motor vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine operatively connected to an exhaust system having a catalyst, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The method includes detecting a request to increase temperature inside the cabin, supplying fuel and air to the engine, and motoring the engine to pump the fuel and air into the exhaust system. The method also includes heating the catalyst to combust the fuel and air inside the catalyst such that a stream of post-combustion exhaust gas is generated. The method additionally includes channeling the generated stream of post-combustion exhaust gas to the HVAC system such that a temperature of a coolant circulated through the HVAC system is increased to heat the cabin. A system configured to perform the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A target speed module determines a target speed of an engine coolant pump of the vehicle. A speed adjustment module determines a speed adjustment based on a position of a valve, wherein a backpressure of the engine coolant pump changes when the position of the valve changes. An adjusted target speed module determines an adjusted target speed for the engine coolant pump based on the target speed and the speed adjustment. A speed control module controls a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the adjusted target speed.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a transmission fluid temperature sensor and a coolant valve control module. The transmission fluid temperature sensor measures a temperature of transmission fluid that is circulated through a transmission. The coolant valve control module controls at least one coolant valve to adjust coolant flow from an engine to a transmission fluid heat exchanger and at least one of a radiator, an engine oil heat exchanger, and a heater core. When the transmission fluid temperature is less than a first temperature, the coolant valve control module controls the at least one coolant valve to allow coolant flow from the engine to the transmission fluid heat exchanger and prevent coolant flow from the engine to the at least one of the radiator, the engine oil heat exchanger, and the heater core.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing fuel economy during an engine warm up phase of operation of an internal combustion engine. An exhaust manifold may have a coolant jacket through which a coolant may flow. A temperature of the coolant in the exhaust manifold may be determined to detect when it is at a predetermined maximum threshold, which represents a temperature threshold just below a temperature at which the coolant will begin to boil. When this threshold is reached, then a determination may be made as to a minimum rate of flow of the coolant through the exhaust manifold which maintains the coolant at about the predetermined maximum threshold, and the coolant may be flowed through the exhaust manifold at the determined minimum rate of flow.

Abstract: A strategy for controlling an electric pump and control valve in an internal combustion engine cooling system compensates for backpressure variations and maintains system operation within design parameters. The method comprises the steps of measuring the coolant temperature, measuring the electrical current and voltage to the pump motor, determining the pump speed and coolant flow, determining the desired coolant flow, determining a negative correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is less than present coolant flow and determining a positive correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is more than present coolant flow and undertaking this correction to coolant flow. Thus, based upon inferred back pressure in the engine coolant system from the data relating to the pump energy input, proper coolant flow, heat rejection and engine operating temperature can be maintained in spite of variations in system flow restrictions and backpressure.

Abstract: A system including a target module determining a target temperature of coolant at an input of an engine for a maximum amount of fuel efficiency. A mode module disables closed loop control based on temperatures of coolant entering the engine and at an output of a radiator. An open loop module determines first and second temperatures of coolant at inputs of a coolant control valve that receive coolant from the radiator and a channel that bypasses the radiator. A ratio module determines a ratio based on the first and second temperatures and the temperatures of the coolant entering the engine and at the radiator output. A closed loop module generates a correction value based on the target temperature and the temperature of the coolant entering the engine. A position module adjusts the coolant control valve based on the ratio, the correction value and whether closed loop control is disabled.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a start-stop module, a pre-ignition risk module, and a cooling control module. The start-stop module stops and restarts an engine independent from an input received from an ignition system. The pre-ignition risk module monitors a risk of pre-ignition when the engine is restarted and generates a signal based on the risk of pre-ignition. The cooling control module controls a cooling system to circulate coolant through the engine when the engine is stopped in response to the risk of pre-ignition.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain thermal management system for distributing thermal energy to vehicle powertrain components, including an engine and a transmission. The system for managing heat energy includes a coolant pump, a first control valve, a second control valve, a radiator, a heater core, and a transmission oil heat exchanger. The first control valve has an inlet that is in fluid communication with the engine coolant outlet. The first control valve also has a first control valve outlet. The second control valve has a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet and a third outlet. Heat energy produced by the engine is transferred to the radiator through control of the first control valve and to at least one of the heater core, and the transmission oil heat exchanger through the control of the second control valve.

Abstract: A regeneration system includes a first module, a mode selection module and an adsorber regeneration control (ARC) module. The first module monitors at least one of (i) a temperature of a first catalyst of a catalyst assembly in an exhaust system of an engine and (ii) an active catalyst volume of the first catalyst. The mode selection module is configured to select an adsorber regeneration mode and generates a mode signal based on the at least one of the temperature and the active catalyst volume. The ARC module at least one of activates an air pump and cranks the engine to regenerate an adsorber of the catalyst assembly while the engine is deactivated based on the mode signal.

Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes a pump control module and a coolant valve control module. The pump control module selectively activates a coolant pump. The coolant pump pumps coolant into coolant channels formed in an integrated exhaust manifold (IEM) of an engine. The coolant valve control module selectively actuates a coolant valve that controls coolant flow from the coolant channels formed in the IEM to a transmission heat exchanger based on a first temperature of a transmission and a second temperature of coolant within the integrated exhaust manifold of the engine.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving fuel economy in an internal combustion engine. The method may involve sensing a temperature of an engine block and determining a block thermal energy representing an ability of the block to reject heat. An open loop control scheme may be used together with the block thermal energy to predict if a coolant in the block is about to enter a boiling condition and, when this is about to occur, to open a block valve to permit a flow of coolant through the block. A closed loop control scheme may be used together with the sensed temperature of the block to determine if a coolant boiling condition is about to occur, and to control the block valve to permit a flow of coolant through the block which is just sufficient to prevent the onset of coolant boiling in the block.

Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes a coolant valve control module and a pump control module. The coolant valve control module determines a position of a coolant valve. The pump control module determines a speed of a coolant pump based on the position of the coolant valve and a desired coolant output temperature, measures a coolant output temperature, determines a difference between the desired coolant output temperature and the measured coolant output temperature, generates a correction factor based on the difference between the desired coolant output temperature and the measured coolant output temperature, and applies the correction factor to the speed of the coolant pump.

Abstract: A system including startup, load, flow, and peak estimation modules. The startup module, during a startup period or in response to a startup of the engine, receives a temperature signal and generates a first condition signal. The load module determines a load on the engine and generates a second condition signal. The flow module, if the first condition signal indicates a temperature of the engine is less than a first predetermined temperature and if the second condition signal indicates the load is less than a predetermined threshold, operates a pump to circulate coolant during the startup period. The peak estimation module estimates a temperature of a hottest metal location on the engine. The flow module increases a speed of the pump if the temperature of the hottest metal location is greater than a second predetermined temperature or the load is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold.