Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that has multiple coolant paths selected by control of a three-way valve in which the position of the valve is detectable. A method for detecting the valve position during fault conditions is disclosed. The vehicle has a heating system that includes a first coolant loop with a heating source, a water pump, and a heater core. The heating system also has a second coolant loop that includes an engine and a second water pump, in addition to the elements of the first coolant loop. Temperature sensors are located in each coolant loop. A three-way valve fault is detected by monitoring the behavior of the temperature sensors in response to the position of the three-way valve and the status of the heating sources.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system for an electrified vehicle including a thermal circuit and a controller is provided. The thermal circuit includes a heat pump and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater. The controller is programmed to direct operation of the heat pump and the PTC heater responsive to receipt of a request for simultaneous cooling and heating based on a heat source mode table and detection of a system configuration in which flow is permitted through one of a fixed orifice expansion device (FOT), a thermal expansion valve (TXV), and an electronic expansion valve (EXV). The heat source mode table may call for the heat pump to operate in a cool mode and the PTC heater to operate in a heat mode when heater core coolant is identified as warm and ambient temperature is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller pre-heats a coolant in a power electronics loop via heat transfer between the coolant and an electronic component in response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold and a coolant temperature being less than a battery temperature. The controller also pumps the coolant through a battery loop in response to the coolant temperature exceeding the battery temperature.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, conditioning a battery of an electrified vehicle while off charge in response to an operator request for improved performance as a tradeoff for decreased range. An electrified vehicle system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery, an electric machine configured to receive electric power from the battery to drive vehicle wheels, and a system control that generates a control signal to condition the battery while off charge in response to an operator request for improved performance as a tradeoff for decreased range.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a passenger cabin, an electrically powered heating device configured to heat airflow for conditioning the passenger cabin, and a controller configured to selectively command actuation of the electrically powered heating device based on a target discharge air temperature, an actual discharge air temperature, and an amount of power available.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle climate control system includes steps of determining that a first predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system airflow into a passenger cabin will exceed a predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold and, if so, automatically implementing a first climate control system operating condition at least reducing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. On determining that a second predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin will satisfy the predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold, the method includes a step of automatically implementing a second climate control system operating condition increasing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. Climate control systems for implementing the described methods are provided.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and method of operation, which include an engine and an electric machine and storage battery coupled to power electronics, and a compressor and a chiller each having cooling capacities and coupled to refrigerant and coolant distribution and thermal management systems. The HEV also includes one or more controllers configured to charge the battery, and to adjust and control a charge-rate and cabin, battery, and coupled power electronics temperatures. The temperatures and charge-rate are controlled according to cooling needs established from a predetermined cabin temperature and charge-time, and actual temperatures of the cabin, battery, and power electronics. The charge-rate is increased, reducing the charge-time, as the predetermined cabin temperature is increased to reduce cabin cooling need.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and method of operation, which include an engine and an electric machine and storage battery coupled to power electronics, and a compressor and a chiller each having cooling capacities and coupled to refrigerant and coolant distribution and thermal management systems. The HEV also includes one or more controllers configured to charge the battery, and to adjust and control a charge-rate and cabin, battery, and coupled power electronics temperatures. The temperatures and charge-rate are controlled according to cooling needs established from a predetermined cabin temperature and charge-time, and actual temperatures of the cabin, battery, and power electronics. The charge-rate is increased, reducing the charge-time, as the predetermined cabin temperature is increased to reduce cabin cooling need.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a traction battery, an engine, and a controller configured to inhibit requests to start the engine in response to both the vehicle being within a first radius about a previously-identified frequent destination and an available battery energy being greater than twice a total battery energy expended during a prior trip to the destination from a second radius about the destination, the second radius being smaller than the first radius.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that prompts a user to confirm a willingness to accept a reduced maximum acceleration or speed responsive to user confirmation of a desire to increase an electric drive range by a user selected amount. The controller further operates a propulsion system with the reduced maximum acceleration or speed to increase the electric drive range responsive to user confirmation of the willingness.

Abstract: A thermal management system of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a battery-coolant system including a chiller defining a thermal capacity and an electronic expansion valve arranged to selectively route fluid to the cooler. The system includes a heater-core system including an outside heat exchanger and a heating expansion valve arranged to selectively route fluid to the outside heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller that is configured to, in response to a battery charge rate exceeding a threshold, open the battery expansion valve, and in response to the battery chiller having an insufficient capacity to achieve a temperature threshold as defined by a heater core thermometer, open the heating expansion valve.

Abstract: A climate-control system for a vehicle, comprising a controller in communication with a chiller configured to cool a vehicle battery and an evaporator configured to cool a vehicle cabin. The controller is configured to output a target chiller-pump speed based upon a difference between a battery coolant temperature and a target-battery coolant temperature to mitigate a temperature swing of air entering the cabin, and limiting the target chiller-pump speed in response to an available capacity of the chiller.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a passenger cabin, an electrically powered heating device configured to heat airflow for conditioning the passenger cabin, and a controller configured to selectively command actuation of the electrically powered heating device based on a target discharge air temperature, an actual discharge air temperature, and an amount of power available.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle in an electric idle mode are presented. The vehicle electrical idle mode may be characterized as a mode where the vehicle's engine is off; the vehicle increases torque to vehicle wheels responsive to an application of an accelerator pedal, release of a brake pedal, or a vehicle occupant shifting a transmission; and the vehicle's battery supplies electrical energy to devices of the vehicle being operated by a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine arranged to exchange power with a traction battery. The vehicle also includes a thermal conditioning system for influencing a battery temperature and a controller programmed to schedule battery charging. In response to a temperature of the traction battery exceeding a threshold, the controller issues a command to operate the thermal conditioning system prior to a scheduled battery charge to achieve a predetermined battery temperature at a start of battery charging.

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 arranged to be cooled by a chiller of a refrigerant system, and a radiator of a coolant system. The coolant system includes a proportioning valve having a pair of first and second outlets that each selectively receives a proportion of coolant flowing into the valve depending upon a position of the valve. The coolant system further includes a chiller loop connected to the first outlet and arranged to convey coolant to the chiller, and a radiator loop connected to the second outlet and arranged to convey coolant to the radiator. A controller is configured to, in response to the refrigerant system being ON, actuate the proportioning valve to proportion the coolant between the first and second outlets such that heat transfer through the chiller is limited to a chiller capacity.

Abstract: A method for preconditioning various subsystems of an electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, scheduling preconditioning of a battery pack, an interior cabin, a transmission and an engine of the electrified vehicle prior to a next expected usage time based at least on a weather forecast.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically operate a vehicle in an electric mode when an actual speed of the vehicle is at or below a set threshold, and to automatically operate the vehicle in a hybrid mode when the actual speed is above the set threshold. The method further including adjusting the set threshold using a selector device such that the set threshold is changed without influencing the actual speed. Another exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically initiate a transition of a vehicle from an electric mode to a hybrid mode, or from the hybrid mode to the electric mode. The controller initiates the transition in response to a comparison of a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle to a threshold state of charge that is configured to be adjusted by an operator.

Abstract: A method for heating a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises heating coolant with an electric heater and selectively heating the coolant with an engine. The method further comprises selectively supplying the coolant to each of a plurality of heating zones, and calculating a heat load of heat exchangers corresponding to the heating zones. The heating of the coolant is based the heat load in the heating zones.