Abstract: A shutter system is provided for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine that receives forced intake air and is cooled by an engine coolant. The vehicle includes a charge air cooler system having an intercooler for cooling the intake air and an engine cooling system. The shutter system includes a shutter positioned downstream of the intercooler and an actuator for moving the shutter between first and second positions. The shutter system further includes a sensor for generating a signal associated with a temperature of the intake air and a processor for comparing the temperature to a threshold. The actuator moves the shutter to the first position in response to receiving the first signal when the temperature is below the threshold. The actuator moves the shutter to the second position in response to receiving the second signal when the temperature is above the threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vehicle cabin cooling for automobile applications. Specifically, an apparatus and method for generating a cold temperature coolant using a split flow chiller having a first low flow portion surrounding a first portion of a refrigerant loop for coupling to a cabin cooler. The split flow chiller has a second high flow portion surrounding a second portion of the refrigeration loop for generating a cool temperature coolant for coupling to a battery cooler.

Abstract: A method of removing entrained air from a coolant in a coolant system that may not include a fluid reservoir, includes connecting a de-aeration tank to the coolant system. The de-aeration tank is connected in fluid communication to the coolant system in parallel with a heat exchanger, such that a first connection device connects the de-aeration tank to the coolant system upstream of the heat exchanger, and a second connection device connects the de-aeration tank to the coolant system downstream of the heat exchanger. The coolant is circulated from the coolant system, through the de-aeration tank, and back to the coolant system, with a pump, until substantially all entrained air is removed from the coolant. The de-aeration tank may then be disconnected from the coolant system.

Abstract: A shield and clip assembly is provided for use with a joint that connects the ends of pipes conveying a fluid under pressure. The joint includes a primary retention feature for retaining the connected pipe ends. The shield and clip assembly includes a cover configured to encapsulate the joint and the ends of the pipes sufficiently to ensure that the connected ends will not fully disengage from the joint and to ensure that leakage or spray, if any, of the fluid being conveyed from a leaking joint will be attenuated or shielded. The joint may be an in-line quick connector joint.

Abstract: A thermostat for use in the coolant passage of an internal combustion engine includes a valve seat and a valve plate with an elastomeric seal engaged with the valve seat in a closed condition and movable away from the valve seat in an open condition. The valve plate has a wavy surface disposed below the elastomeric seal that engages the valve seat, wherein the wavy surface is nonplanar with surface variations of at least 300 microns. The wavy valve plate creates a situation where the thermostat operates with two effective modes, a low flow regime for low load conditions where the valve is only traveling between 0 and approximately 1 mm while the wavy plate allows a low coolant flow and a high flow regime (valve fully open) for high engine load situations that require maximum cooling.

Abstract: A method of removing entrained air from a coolant in a coolant system that may not include a fluid reservoir, includes connecting a de-aeration tank to the coolant system. The de-aeration tank is connected in fluid communication to the coolant system in parallel with a heat exchanger, such that a first connection device connects the de-aeration tank to the coolant system upstream of the heat exchanger, and a second connection device connects the de-aeration tank to the coolant system downstream of the heat exchanger. The coolant is circulated from the coolant system, through the de-aeration tank, and back to the coolant system, with a pump, until substantially all entrained air is removed from the coolant. The de-aeration tank may then be disconnected from the coolant system.

Abstract: A shield and clip assembly is provided for use with a joint that connects the ends of pipes conveying a fluid under pressure. The joint includes a primary retention feature for retaining the connected pipe ends. The shield and clip assembly includes a cover configured to encapsulate the joint and the ends of the pipes sufficiently to ensure that the connected ends will not fully disengage from the joint and to ensure that leakage or spray, if any, of the fluid being conveyed from a leaking joint will be attenuated or shielded. The joint may be an in-line quick connector joint.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an air inlet passage, a cargo compartment, a passenger compartment, a battery, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The battery is disposed in the cargo compartment. The HVAC unit is disposed between the engine and passenger compartments. The HVAC unit includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, and an outlet all in fluid communication with one another. A recirculation door moves between a pass-through position and a recirculation position. A return air duct extends between the cargo compartment and the second inlet. The return air duct directs the flow of the heated air from the cargo compartment directly to the second inlet of the HVAC unit when the recirculation door is in the recirculation position.

Abstract: A method for conditioning an energy storage system for a vehicle located in a geographic area includes the steps of obtaining data pertaining to an external temperature of the geographic area, measuring a temperature of the energy storage system, heating the energy storage system if the temperature is less than a first predetermined threshold, and cooling the energy storage system if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is dependent upon the external temperature. The second predetermined threshold is also dependent upon the external temperature.

Abstract: A method for conditioning an energy storage system for a vehicle located in a geographic area includes the steps of obtaining data pertaining to an external temperature of the geographic area, measuring a temperature of the energy storage system, heating the energy storage system if the temperature is less than a first predetermined threshold, and cooling the energy storage system if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is dependent upon the external temperature. The second predetermined threshold is also dependent upon the external temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle having an oil temperature prediction algorithm that allows for protection of the vehicle is disclosed. The algorithm may predict an oil sump temperature for a manual transmission and, upon reaching a first transmission heat threshold, enter a transmission protection mode.

Abstract: A vehicle having an oil temperature prediction algorithm that allows for protection of the vehicle is disclosed. The algorithm may predict an oil sump temperature for a manual transmission and, upon reaching a first transmission heat threshold, enter a transmission protection mode.