Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a cold source through which a first flow of coolant flows, a heat source through which a second flow of coolant flows, and first and second parallel connected air-to-coolant heat exchangers. The first and second coolant flows are directed through one or both of the air-to-coolant heat exchangers dependent upon a mode of operation. A control module controls the first and second flows of coolant dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop having first and second heat exchangers, and a coolant loop. The coolant loop includes a plurality of valves directing a first flow of coolant through a first refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger, a second flow of coolant through a second refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger, and a third flow of coolant including a first portion of the first flow of coolant exiting the first refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger and a first portion of the second flow of coolant exiting the second refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger through an auxiliary coolant loop, and a control module for controlling the plurality of valves to direct the flows of coolant dependent upon a mode of operation. The auxiliary coolant loop is for heating/cooling one or more components, such as a battery, dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A method of heating and cooling at least one zone of a passenger compartment in a vehicle includes the steps of (a) pumping a coolant through an auxiliary coolant loop, (b) changing a temperature of the coolant utilizing a first heat exchanger associated with a refrigerant loop via an expansion device in the cooling mode, and a second heat exchanger associated with the refrigerant loop and (c) moving air through a third heat exchanger through which coolant moves, that third heat exchanger positioned in the passenger compartment, and at least one vent positioned within at least one zone of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicular air-handling system includes a blower assembly for a vehicle having a fan and a return-air baffle operable between a fresh-air position. The fan is in communication with a fresh-air duct and a recirculating position and the fan is at least partially in communication with a recirculating duct. A noise-attenuating end of the recirculating duct is positioned below an instrument panel of the vehicle and oriented substantially perpendicular to a portion of a floor below the instrument panel, wherein noise from the fan drawing air through the recirculating duct is directed into the floor below the instrument panel.

Abstract: A battery thermal management system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery pack, a coolant subsystem including a chiller configured to cool the battery pack, and a refrigerant subsystem including at least one evaporator. The coolant subsystem is arranged to exchange heat with the refrigerant subsystem within the chiller. A tap line extends from the at least one evaporator to the chiller.

Abstract: A multifunction reservoir for a secondary loop climate control system includes a coolant vessel, a capsule held in the coolant vessel and a phase change material in the capsule. A secondary loop air conditioning system and a secondary loop heat pump system incorporating one or more multifunction reservoirs of the type described are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for defogging a window of a vehicle includes steps of determining a risk of window fogging and automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode according to that determined risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from: an outside air mode, an air-conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging according to one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller may automatically select the climate control system operating mode.

Abstract: A vapor injection heat pump includes a coolant loop and a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a valve directing a refrigerant of the compressor to a first or second heat exchanger dependent upon a mode of operation, an expansion device receiving the refrigerant from at least one of the heat exchangers, a separator receiving an expanded liquid/vapor refrigerant mix from the expansion device and directing a vapor component to a first input port of the compressor and a liquid component to a second valve. The second valve directs the liquid component to the heat exchangers, dependent upon the mode, and an accumulator receives an output refrigerant of the heat exchangers dependent upon the mode and directs a vapor component to a second input port of the compressor. A control module controls a pump in the coolant loop and the first and second valves dependent upon the mode.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for heating and cooling a passenger compartment. The HVAC system includes a refrigerant loop operable in a cooling mode and a heating mode, and an auxiliary coolant loop for heating and cooling at least a portion of the passenger compartment. The auxiliary coolant loop includes a pump for moving a coolant, within the auxiliary coolant loop, through a first heat exchanger coupled to the refrigerant loop via an expansion device in the cooling mode, a second heat exchanger positioned within the passenger compartment, and a third heat exchanger coupled to the refrigerant loop, and a flow control valve. The temperature of the coolant within the auxiliary coolant loop is controlled utilizing the flow control valve and the pump. The first and third heat exchangers may be in parallel for controlling the movement of coolant therebetween to control temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for heating and cooling a passenger compartment is provided. The vehicle may be described as including a CO2 loop positioned within an engine compartment, a coolant loop positioned at least partially within the passenger compartment, a first heat exchanger positioned within the engine compartment for transferring heat from a coolant within the coolant loop to a CO2 within the CO2 loop, a pump for moving the coolant within the coolant loop, a second heat exchanger within the coolant loop for heating or cooling an air temperature within the passenger compartment, and first and second valves for controlling movement of the coolant through the second heat exchanger and a heated coolant loop.

Abstract: An integrated display and ventilation assembly includes a display screen and a first air register. The first air register is displaceable between a first stowed position concealed behind the display screen and a first deployed position projecting from behind the display screen. A related method of ventilating a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hush panel assembly includes an upper section, a lower section secured to the upper section and an airflow pathway. That airflow pathway is defined between the upper section and the lower section. In addition, the lower section is made from an air permeable material through which air is distributed to a footwell of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A radiant heating system includes a radiant heating element, a steering wheel position monitoring device and a controller configured to control the radiant heating element in response to steering wheel position data received from the steering wheel position monitoring device. A method of controlling operation of a radiant heating system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop having first and second heat exchangers, and a coolant loop. The coolant loop is connected to allow a first flow of coolant to be directed through at least one of a plurality of air-to-coolant heat exchangers and at least one component for regulating a temperature of the at least component, and to allow a second flow of coolant to be directed through at least one other of the plurality of air-to-coolant heat exchangers and the at least one component for regulating the temperature of the at least one component dependent upon a mode of operation. A control module, control unit, controller, or the like commonly used in vehicles controls the first and second flows of coolant dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A radiant heating assembly includes a position adjustable mount, a radiant heating element carried on the position adjustable mount and an actuator to displace the radiant heating element between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A method for determining a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) passenger cabin air filter filtration performance includes determining a vehicle-exterior atmospheric particulate contaminant concentration, a passenger cabin air filter efficiency, and an HVAC airflow rate. The passenger cabin particulate contaminant concentration is calculated from the determined atmospheric particulate contaminant concentration, passenger cabin air filter efficiency, and HVAC airflow rate.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop having first and second heat exchangers, a compressor, and an expansion device, and a coolant loop. The coolant loop is connected, in one embodiment, to allow a first flow of coolant to be directed through each of a plurality of heat exchangers and an auxiliary coolant loop and to allow a second flow of coolant to be directed through each of the plurality of heat exchangers and the auxiliary coolant loop dependent upon a mode of operation. A control module controls the first and second flows dependent upon the mode of operation. In one other embodiment, the coolant loop includes manifolds and reservoirs with regulating sending and receiving ports for directing the flows. The auxiliary coolant loop is for heating/cooling one or more components, such as a battery, dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A climate status indicator for a vehicle includes a light guide positioned around a vent perimeter. The climate status indicator additionally includes a light device coupled to at least one vent fin. The light guide and/or the light device are configured to provide a visual indicator of a climate status.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cooling arrangement that includes an air conditioning loop and a battery cooling loop connected together by a common chiller and arranged to cool each of cabin air and a battery. A coolant three-way proportional control valve is connected to the chiller and the battery. The control valve is configured to operatively control a capacity of the chiller for the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system includes a primary loop coupled to an air-conditioner that cools a refrigerant in the primary cooling loop for delivery to a primary heat exchanger, a secondary cooling loop in communication with the primary heat exchanger, wherein cooling from the refrigerant is transferred to a coolant in the secondary cooling loop and a secondary heat exchanger for transferring cooling from the coolant to air delivered to a rear of a vehicular passenger cabin.