Abstract: A cooling system differential oil contained in the housing of a differential for a vehicle. The differential includes a housing containing a first portion of differential oil. A tank contains a second portion of differential oil. An inlet passage is provided through which differential oil flows from the housing to the tank. An outlet passage is provided through which differential oil flows from the tank to the housing. A valve is disposed in the outlet passage that has a closed position preventing differential oil from flowing through the outlet passage. The valve has an open position in which differential oil is permitted to flow from the tank to the housing in response to the temperature of the differential oil in the housing exceeding a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine having an exhaust gas system comprising a muffler body containing a valve controlling exhaust gas flow through a tuning tube. The vehicle has an expander, a condenser, a pump, and an evaporator in sequential fluid communication in a closed loop containing a working fluid. The evaporator is positioned within the body and supports the valve and tuning tube therein, with the evaporator in thermal contact with exhaust gas and the working fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heating an engine and generating energy from a common waste heat recovery system. In one example, a method comprises, responsive to a first condition, expanding a working fluid of a waste heat recovery system via an expander to generate electricity, and responsive to a second condition, compressing the working fluid of the waste heat recovery system via the expander to transfer heat to an engine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having an exhaust system, and a heat pipe containing a phase change material. The heat pipe has a condenser region and an evaporative region in thermal contact with the exhaust system, and defines a vapor space and a liquid space separated by a wicking layer. The vehicle has an expander, a condenser, a pump, a first heater, and a second heater in sequential fluid communication in a thermodynamic cycle containing a working fluid. The first heater is in thermal contact with exhaust gases in the exhaust system. The second heater is in thermal contact with the condenser region of the heat pipe.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heating an engine and generating energy from a common waste heat recovery system. In one example, a method comprises, responsive to a first condition, expanding a working fluid of a waste heat recovery system via an expander to generate electricity, and responsive to a second condition, compressing the working fluid of the waste heat recovery system via the expander to transfer heat to an engine.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an expander, a condenser, a pump, and a heater in sequential fluid communication in a thermodynamic cycle containing a working fluid. The thermodynamic cycle is provided for waste heat recovery in the vehicle. A heat pipe contains a phase change material and has a condenser region and an evaporative region. The evaporative region is in thermal contact with a recirculating fluid of a vehicle system. The heater provides thermal contact between the working fluid and the condenser region of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a Rankine cycle containing a working fluid for waste heat recovery and has an evaporator. The evaporator has a heat exchanger tube positioned for generally horizontal flow of the working fluid therethrough. An inlet header is connected to a lower surface of an end region of the tube. An outlet header with a plurality of risers is positioned for generally vertical flow of the working fluid. The riser headers are connected to and spaced apart along an upper surface of the tube.

Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle system with a waste heat fluid. An expander, a condenser, a pump, and an evaporator are provided in sequential fluid communication in a thermodynamic cycle containing a working fluid. The evaporator is configured to transfer heat from the waste heat fluid to the working fluid. At least one valve adjacent to the pump is controlled to control fluid flow through at least one chamber to maintain a pressure of the fluid at a pump inlet at a threshold pressure above a saturated vapor pressure associated with a temperature at a condenser outlet when ambient temperature varies.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine having an exhaust gas system comprising a muffler body containing a valve controlling exhaust gas flow through a tuning tube. The vehicle has an expander, a condenser, a pump, and an evaporator in sequential fluid communication in a closed loop containing a working fluid. The evaporator is positioned within the body and supports the valve and tuning tube therein, with the evaporator in thermal contact with exhaust gas and the working fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pump, an evaporator, and an expander in sequential fluid communication in a closed loop containing a condenser configured to transfer heat between a working fluid and ambient air. The vehicle has a generator driven by the expander. The evaporator is configured to transfer heat from at least one of an engine coolant, a battery coolant, an engine lubricant, a transmission lubricant, an exhaust gas in an exhaust system, and an exhaust gas in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to the working fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an expander, a condenser, a pump, and a heater in sequential fluid communication in a thermodynamic cycle containing a working fluid. The thermodynamic cycle is provided for waste heat recovery in the vehicle. A heat pipe contains a phase change material and has a condenser region and an evaporative region. The evaporative region is in thermal contact with a recirculating fluid of a vehicle system. The heater provides thermal contact between the working fluid and the condenser region of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having an exhaust system, and a heat pipe containing a phase change material. The heat pipe has a condenser region and an evaporative region in thermal contact with the exhaust system, and defines a vapor space and a liquid space separated by a wicking layer. The vehicle has an expander, a condenser, a pump, a first heater, and a second heater in sequential fluid communication in a thermodynamic cycle containing a working fluid. The first heater is in thermal contact with exhaust gases in the exhaust system. The second heater is in thermal contact with the condenser region of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle system with a waste heat fluid. An expander, a condenser, a pump, and an evaporator are provided in sequential fluid communication in a thermodynamic cycle containing a working fluid. The evaporator is configured to transfer heat from the waste heat fluid to the working fluid. At least one valve adjacent to the pump is controlled to control fluid flow through at least one chamber to maintain a pressure of the fluid at a pump inlet at a threshold pressure above a saturated vapor pressure associated with a temperature at a condenser outlet when ambient temperature varies.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a Rankine cycle containing a working fluid for waste heat recovery and has an evaporator. The evaporator has a heat exchanger tube positioned for generally horizontal flow of the working fluid therethrough. An inlet header is connected to a lower surface of an end region of the tube. An outlet header with a plurality of risers is positioned for generally vertical flow of the working fluid. The riser headers are connected to and spaced apart along an upper surface of the tube.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pump, an evaporator, and an expander in sequential fluid communication in a closed loop containing a condenser configured to transfer heat between a working fluid and ambient air. The vehicle has a generator driven by the expander. The evaporator is configured to transfer heat from at least one of an engine coolant, a battery coolant, an engine lubricant, a transmission lubricant, an exhaust gas in an exhaust system, and an exhaust gas in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to the working fluid.

Abstract: A battery is assembled from cells arranged along an axis. The cells have end faces parallel to the line and first and second sides perpendicular to the faces. The first side of a first cell contacts the second side of a second cell. A sealed piping circuit includes a first heat exchanger in contact with, and spanning, the end faces and a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger for heat transfer between the heat exchangers.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an engine is disclosed herein. The exhaust system includes a catalytic converter, an exhaust manifold upstream from the catalytic converter, and a heat pipe in thermal contact with the exhaust manifold and atmosphere. The system further includes a phase changing material that passively absorbs heat after catalytic light-off.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system is provided herein. The fuel delivery system may include a fuel tank storing a liquid fuel, a return fuel line including an outlet opening into the fuel tank, and a heat pipe assembly including a first end positioned in a surrounding atmosphere, and a second end positioned at and coupled to the return fuel line.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter (DPF) configured to separate a particulate from an engine exhaust is provided. The DPF comprises a downstream filtration stage including a plurality of downstream channels, an upstream filtration stage disposed upstream of and in fluidic communication with the downstream filtration stage, and including a plurality of upstream channels, and a shell at least partly enclosing the downstream filtration stage and the upstream filtration stage, the shell including an inlet configured to conduct the engine exhaust to the upstream filtration stage and an outlet configured to release the engine exhaust from the downstream filtration stage. The plurality of upstream channels may include a plurality of open upstream channels, the arrangement of which disperses the particulate more evenly over the plurality of downstream channels, as more flow is directed away from the major axis of the filter.

Abstract: A system in an engine is provided. The system includes a piston spraying conduit including an inlet in fluidic communication with an oil reservoir, a nozzle in fluidic communication with the piston spraying conduit, the nozzle directing an oil spray toward an exterior surface of a piston positioned within a combustion chamber, and a heat pipe transferring heat from an evaporator section to the condenser section, the evaporator section coupled to the piston spraying conduit. In this way, more effective piston cooling is provided while maintaining lubrication effectiveness.