Abstract: An integrated receiver/dryer-accumulator-internal heat exchanger for use in a vehicle HVAC system and a method of operation. The integrated receiver/dryer-accumulator-internal heat exchanger may include an accumulator portion having an accumulator inlet configured to be in fluid communication with an evaporator, and an accumulator outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a compressor; and a receiver/dryer portion mounted within the accumulator portion and having receiver/dryer inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a first portion of a condenser and a receiver/dryer outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a sub-cooler portion of the condenser. The integrated receiver/dryer-accumulator-internal heat exchanger allows for exchanging heat between the refrigerant in the accumulator portion and refrigerant in the receiver/dryer portion.

Abstract: An evaporator core drying system in which air that is blown by a blower is concentrated into a narrow cross-sectional air stream of high speed purge air which passes progressively across the area of the evaporator core, per an appropriate blow algorithm, so as to effectively and efficiently dry the evaporator core. Preferably, the configurable barrier is composed of at least one roller door located between the blower and the evaporator core.

Abstract: An integrated receiver/dryer-accumulator-internal heat exchanger for use in a vehicle HVAC system and a method of operation are disclosed. The integrated receiver/dryer-accumulator-internal heat exchanger may comprise an accumulator portion having an accumulator inlet configured to be in fluid communication with an evaporator, and an accumulator outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a compressor; and a receiver/dryer portion mounted within the accumulator portion and having receiver/dryer inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a first portion of a condenser and a receiver/dryer outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a sub-cooler portion of the condenser. The integrated receiver/dryer-accumulator-internal heat exchanger allows for exchanging heat between the refrigerant in the accumulator portion and refrigerant in the receiver/dryer portion.

Abstract: An evaporator core drying system in which air that is blown by a blower is concentrated into a narrow cross-sectional air stream of high speed purge air which passes progressively across the area of the evaporator core, per an appropriate blow algorithm, so as to effectively and efficiently dry the evaporator core. Preferably, the configurable barrier is composed of at least one roller door located between the blower and the evaporator core.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cooling a passenger compartment in a hybrid vehicle that operates an engine intermittently during vehicle operation, the hybrid vehicle having an HVAC system including an HVAC duct, a blower adapted to direct a flow of air through the HVAC duct, and an evaporator located within the HVAC duct. The method includes the steps of operating the blower; operating the compressor; allowing a predetermined amount of ice to form on the evaporator during operation of the compressor; turning off the vehicle engine; ceasing operation of the compressor; measuring an indicator corresponding to a remaining amount of the predetermined amount of ice formed on the evaporator; and re-starting the compressor when a predetermined air temp in air duct is reached.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cooling a passenger compartment in a hybrid vehicle that operates an engine intermittently during vehicle operation. The hybrid vehicle includes an HVAC system having an HVAC duct, a blower for directing a flow of air through the HVAC duct, an evaporator located within the HVAC duct, and a heater core. The heater core has a coolant inlet outlet and is located downstream of the evaporator in the HVAC duct. The method includes the steps of cooling a refrigerant; inducing a flow of the cooled refrigerant through the evaporator; blocking a flow of coolant through the coolant inlet and outlet to trap coolant in the heater core; activating the blower to move air through the evaporator and heater core; turning off the vehicle engine; measuring a duct outlet temperature; and starting the engine when the measured duct outlet temperature is above a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cooling a passenger compartment in a hybrid vehicle that operates an engine intermittently during vehicle operation, the hybrid vehicle having an HVAC system including an HVAC duct, a blower adapted to direct a flow of air through the HVAC duct, and an evaporator located within the HVAC duct. The method includes the steps of operating the blower; operating the compressor; allowing a predetermined amount of ice to form on the evaporator during operation of the compressor; turning off the vehicle engine; ceasing operation of the compressor; measuring an indicator corresponding to a remaining amount of the predetermined amount of ice formed on the evaporator; and re-starting the compressor when a predetermined air temp in air duct is reached.