Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a traction battery configured to receive wall power from a charging station, a coolant circuit, a heat pump and a controller. The coolant circuit includes the battery, a heater core, a heat exchanger, and valving. The heat pump is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to heat the battery and the cabin, and a time to next planned usage of the vehicle being less than a first threshold time, actuate the valving to circulate coolant to the heater core and not the battery when wall power is available, and energize the heat pump to supply heat to the coolant circuit via the heat exchanger when an ambient air temperature exceeds a threshold temperature. The disclosure also includes a method for preconditioning a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a cooling system. The cooling system has a chiller, a radiator, and conduit and valving arranged to form a thermal circuit configured to selectively transport heat via coolant from the traction battery to the radiator. The vehicle also includes a grille shutter assembly having an opening and shutters movable to alter an effective cross-sectional area of the opening. A controller is programed to operate the shutters to change the effective cross-sectional area of the opening to increase or decrease air flow over the radiator based on a temperature of the coolant and an ambient air temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a cooling system including a chiller, a coolant circuit, a refrigerant circuit, a pump, and a compressor. The coolant circuit bypasses the chiller. The refrigerant circuit incorporates the chiller. The pump is configured to move coolant through the coolant circuit. The compressor is configured to move refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. The vehicle climate control system also includes a controller configured to, in response to a temperature of a battery exceeding a threshold while the pump is moving fluid through the coolant circuit, activate the chiller and the compressor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery arrangement, a chiller, a coolant circuit configured to direct coolant through the chiller and battery arrangement, a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, valve, and evaporator, and a controller. The controller is programmed to alter a speed of the compressor and a position of the valve based on a pressure and temperature of refrigerant output from the chiller to alter a temperature of the coolant.

Abstract: A system for providing efficient climate control in a vehicle. The system has an HVAC system configured to receive a user-defined temperature. The HVAC system has a cabin temperature sensor. The system has a controller coupled to the HVAC system and coupleable to a mobile device. The controller is programmed to (i) receive an estimated travel time of the vehicle from the mobile device and (ii) modify output of the HVAC system based on the travel time being below a time threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a condenser, a compressor, and a loop fluidly connecting the condenser and compressor. The system also includes a valve arrangement disposed within the loop. The valve arrangement includes a thermal expansion valve integrated with a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve has a powered closed state to prevent fluid flow into an evaporator and a non-powered open state to allow fluid flow through the thermal expansion valve into the evaporator. The evaporator is for cooling a cabin. The system further includes a controller programmed to, in response to a request for cooling of the cabin, command the solenoid valve from the powered state to the non-powered state.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, an auxiliary unit, a cooling arrangement that includes a condenser and a plurality of cooling loops, and a controller. The cooling loops are arranged to transport heat from cabin air and the auxiliary unit to the condenser. In response to an auxiliary unit cooling request while the cooling arrangement is cooling the cabin air, the controller is programmed to ramp-up the fluid flow at a specified rate through portions of the cooling loops that are arranged to cool the auxiliary unit in order to dampen a rate of increase in the cabin air temperature.

Abstract: A climate control system having a coolant subsystem, a heat pump subsystem, and an intermediate heat exchanger. The intermediate heat exchanger may transfer thermal energy from the heat pump subsystem to the coolant to increase the temperature of the coolant when the climate control system is in a heating mode.

Abstract: A compressor control method for prolonging operating time of a vehicle air conditioning compressor. The method includes monitoring an operating temperature of an insulated gate bipolar transistor in the compressor, comparing the operating temperature to at least one predetermined threshold temperature, and continuing operation of the compressor if the operating temperature is below the at least one predetermined threshold temperature. At least one mitigating step is implemented to prevent premature shutdown of the compressor if the operating temperature is above the at least one predetermined threshold temperature.

Abstract: A low air conditioning refrigerant detection method for a vehicle air conditioning system includes measuring an evaporator core outlet refrigerant temperature, measuring an evaporator core outlet air thermistor temperature, calculating a refrigerant to air temperature delta value based on difference between the evaporator core outlet refrigerant temperature and the evaporator core outlet air thermistor temperature and determining system refrigerant charge level based on the refrigerant to air temperature delta value.

Abstract: A traction battery thermal management system is provided. The thermal management system includes a battery loop for regulating the traction battery temperature. A motor loop is provided for regulating a motor temperature. The thermal management system also includes a radiator. A radiator valve selectively controls fluid flow through the radiator. A battery valve selectively couples the battery loop and the motor loops. The battery loop, the motor loop are in fluid communication and arranged in parallel to be cooled by the radiator.

Abstract: A thermal system for an electric vehicle includes an electric heat source, a heat exchanger, a traction battery, a first thermal loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger and the heat source, and a second thermal loop thermally coupled to the battery and configured to be selectively thermally coupled to the heat source. A vehicle includes an electric heat source, a heat exchanger system selectively thermally coupled with the heat source, and a traction battery system selectively thermally coupled to the heat source. A method of controlling a battery electric vehicle includes detecting a vehicle state input and operating an electric heater to heat a fluid. A valve arrangement is actuated to provide the fluid to one of a traction battery through a first fluid conduit, a heat exchanger through a second fluid conduit, and a battery and a heat exchanger through the first and second fluid conduits.

Abstract: A control system for minimizing the flow rate and energy consumption of a water pump in a vehicle. The control system and method correlate a climate thermal load value with the temperature of the coolant in a climate control cooling circuit. A correlation is performed by mapping the inputs to a desired pump flow rate that is determined to be necessary at a minimum to provide adequate cooling for the engine and for air conditioning or heating the vehicle.

Abstract: A low air conditioning refrigerant detection method for a vehicle air conditioning system includes measuring an evaporator core outlet refrigerant temperature, measuring an evaporator core outlet air thermistor temperature, calculating a refrigerant to air temperature delta value based on difference between the evaporator core outlet refrigerant temperature and the evaporator core outlet air thermistor temperature and determining system refrigerant charge level based on the refrigerant to air temperature delta value.

Abstract: A compressor control method for prolonging operating time of a vehicle air conditioning compressor includes monitoring an operating temperature of an insulated gate bipolar transistor in the compressor, comparing the operating temperature to at least one predetermined threshold temperature, continuing operation of the compressor if the operating temperature is below the at least one predetermined threshold temperature and implementing at least one mitigating step to prevent premature shutdown of the compressor if the operating temperature is above the at least one predetermined threshold temperature.

Abstract: In one embodiment, method and apparatus are disclosed which provide that a plurality of physicians each enter operative event data into an operative event database, wherein the operative event data documents planned or completed operative events and the physicians enter the operative event data use a wide area network through a user interface assisting the physicians in coding operative events in a consistent manner. The physicians access the operative event database to obtain information concerning upcoming or previously performed operative events, with a service provider maintaining an on-line system including one or more servers to support the entering of operative event data into the database through the Internet and the user interface. Further, the physicians subscribe to the on-line system wherein the physicians are allowed access and use the on-line system, and wherein the physicians retain control over the use and disposition of the operative event data entered by the physician.

Abstract: A vehicle a/c compressor assembly for a hybrid or electric vehicle includes an electric motor housing, an AC electric motor in the electric motor housing, a compressor housing and a compressor in the compressor housing. The AC electric motor is drivingly coupled to the compressor exterior to the motor housing and the compressor housing.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling the operation of a climate control system, such as a HVAC, in a vehicle. The system disclosed here includes a monitoring module coupled to a blower motor and a controller coupled to the monitoring module and a compressor. The monitoring module monitors the status of the blower motor, and provides the status condition to the controller. Subsequently, the controller transmits an operational command to the compressor based on the inputs received from the monitoring module.

Abstract: In one embodiment, method and apparatus are disclosed which provide that a plurality of physicians each enter operative event data into an operative event database, wherein the operative event data documents planned or completed operative events and the physicians enter the operative event data use a wide area network through a user interface assisting the physicians in coding operative events in a consistent manner. The physicians access the operative event database to obtain information concerning upcoming or previously performed operative events, with a service provider maintaining an on-line system including one or more servers to support the entering of operative event data into the database through the Internet and the user interface. Further, the physicians subscribe to the on-line system wherein the physicians are allowed access and use the on-line system, and wherein the physicians retain control over the use and disposition of the operative event data entered by the physician.

Abstract: For cooling electric equipment in an electric automotive vehicle, an exhaust duct carrying exhaust air flowing from an electric compartment located behind and/or beneath a seat extends beneath the seat and exhausts into the passenger cabin. The exhaust duct has at least one air induction opening therein downstream from the electric compartment to draw auxiliary cooling air from the passenger cabin into the duct to join with the exhaust air. As exhaust air from the electric compartment passes through the exhaust duct, auxiliary cooling air is drawn into the exhaust duct through the air induction openings and mixes with the warmer air from the compartment to reduce the temperature of the air mixture exiting the exhaust duct. Air mixing features may be located inside the exhaust duct to improve mixing of the air flow from the electric compartment with the auxiliary cooling air.