Abstract: A method for controlling coolant flow and cooling of a heater core to be used as a cold storage device or “heater core cold storage” (HCCS) cooling of a vehicle to extend an engine auto-stop period includes determining if at least one predetermined condition is met for HCCS cooling, and charging a heater core for a predetermined charge period in preparation for HCCS cooling when the at least one predetermined condition is met. The charge is held in the heater core until a trigger event occurs and HCCS cooling is initiated. HCCS cooling is then performed until a predetermined use period expires.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a start-stop module, a bypass valve control module, and a flapper valve control module. The start-stop module is configured to stop an engine of a vehicle independent of an ignition system of the vehicle. The bypass valve control module is configured to adjust a bypass valve to a bypass position to prevent engine coolant from flowing from the engine to a heater core of the vehicle when the engine is stopped independent of the ignition system. The flapper valve control module is configured to control a flapper valve to adjust an amount of airflow from an evaporator of the vehicle to a cabin of the vehicle through the heater core.

Abstract: A method for controlling coolant flow and cooling of a heater core to be used as a cold storage device or “heater core cold storage” (HCCS) cooling of a vehicle to extend an engine auto-stop period includes determining if at least one predetermined condition is met for HCCS cooling, and charging a heater core for a predetermined charge period in preparation for HCCS cooling when the at least one predetermined condition is met. The charge is held in the heater core until a trigger event occurs and HCCS cooling is initiated. HCCS cooling is then performed until a predetermined use period expires.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a start-stop module, a bypass valve control module, and a flapper valve control module. The start-stop module is configured to stop an engine of a vehicle independent of an ignition system of the vehicle. The bypass valve control module is configured to adjust a bypass valve to a bypass position to prevent engine coolant from flowing from the engine to a heater core of the vehicle when the engine is stopped independent of the ignition system. The flapper valve control module is configured to control a flapper valve to adjust an amount of airflow from an evaporator of the vehicle to a cabin of the vehicle through the heater core.

Abstract: A manually controlled motor vehicle HVAC system is activated for automatically pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin following remote starting of the vehicle engine. When the engine has been remotely started, an HVAC controller estimates initial outside air and cabin air temperatures, and determines if pre-heating or pre-cooling is appropriate based on the estimated initial temperatures, the engine coolant temperature and a measure of the engine soak time. When pre-heating or pre-cooling is deemed to be appropriate, the HVAC parameters normally set by a driver interface panel are selectively overridden based on the estimated initial outside air and cabin air temperatures. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the initial outside air temperature is estimated based on an inlet air temperature sensor of the engine or on a refrigerant pressure sensor of the HVAC system prior to activation of the refrigerant compressor.

Abstract: A shroud for a vehicle engine cooling fan mounted to a generally rectangular radiator that has fixed air guide vanes in strategic areas of the shroud outside of the periphery of the fan blades to direct and channel streams of peripheral air flowing through the corners of the radiator into these areas inward and in a swirling pattern into the fan blades and more particularly in a generally smooth and circuitous path counter to the direction of rotation of the fan and directly onto the pumping surfaces of the fan blades. This effectively feeds additional air into the fan and preloads the blades so that air pumping efficiency is resultantly improved and more air is moved through the radiator for improved heat exchange.