Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop for conveying refrigerant, a coolant loop for conveying coolant, a chiller configured to convey the refrigerant and the coolant, and a vessel coupled to the chiller and having a phase change material disposed in the vessel. The phase change material is configured to freeze via heat transfer from the phase change material to the refrigerant and melt via heat transfer from the coolant to the phase change material.

Abstract: A method of operating a stop-start vehicle with an HVAC system that does not include an electric auxiliary coolant pump for circulating warm coolant to a heater core of the HVAC system in an engine-off condition of the vehicle comprises the steps of driving the vehicle via compulsion by an engine in an environment having an ambient outside temperature of about or less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, entering an auto stop event, such that the engine enters the engine-off condition, and circulating heated air into a cabin of the vehicle in the engine-off condition for at least one minute. The heated air is circulated by decreasing the speed of a blower motor, adjusting a recirculation door position to increase air recirculation, and adjusting a temperature blend door position toward a full-heat position based on a sensed engine coolant temperature and a sensed evaporator core temperature.

Abstract: Secondary loop air conditioning and heat pump systems include a reservoir with a capsule holding a phase change material.

Abstract: Secondary loop air conditioning and heat pump systems include a reservoir with a capsule holding a phase change material.

Abstract: Secondary loop air conditioning and heat pump systems include a reservoir with a capsule holding a phase change material.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop for conveying refrigerant, a coolant loop for conveying coolant, a chiller configured to convey the refrigerant and the coolant, and a vessel coupled to the chiller and having a phase change material disposed therein. The phase change material is configured to freeze via heat transfer from the phase change material to the refrigerant and melt via heat transfer from the coolant to the phase change material.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vapor-injection heat pump having a refrigerant loop with an evaporator configured to cool cabin air, the evaporator coupled to an electronically controllable pressure regulating valve having a fully-open position with near-zero pressure drop, and a cabin conditioning coolant loop having a heater core configured to selectively heat the cabin air. A controller is configured to control the valve to maintain temperature and pressure of the refrigerant loop above a freezing threshold to inhibit or prevent evaporator icing. The valve may be controlled to throttle flow during a parallel dehumidification mode and to fully open to minimize pressure drop during other operational modes, such as a cooling mode, heating mode, de-icing mode, and series dehumidification mode.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vapor-injection heat pump having a refrigerant loop with an evaporator configured to cool cabin air, the evaporator coupled to an electronically controllable pressure regulating valve having a fully-open position with near-zero pressure drop, and a cabin conditioning coolant loop having a heater core configured to selectively heat the cabin air. A controller is configured to control the valve to maintain temperature and pressure of the refrigerant loop above a freezing threshold to inhibit or prevent evaporator icing. The valve may be controlled to throttle flow during a parallel dehumidification mode and to fully open to minimize pressure drop during other operational modes, such as a cooling mode, heating mode, de-icing mode, and series dehumidification mode.

Abstract: A vapor injection heat pump includes a compressor, a first valve directing a refrigerant of the compressor to a first or second heat exchanger dependent upon a mode of operation, an expansion device receiving the refrigerant from at least one of the heat exchangers, a vapor generator receiving an expanded liquid/vapor refrigerant mix from the first expansion device and directing a vapor component to a first input port of the compressor and a liquid component to at least one of the second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger, via controlling a second valve, a second expansion device, a third expansion device, and a third valve. A second input of the compressor receives an output refrigerant from at least one of the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A vehicle heat pump system including a thermal loop, an eight-way valve, and a controller is provided. The thermal loop includes a compressor, a first portion, and a second portion. The first portion includes an outside heat exchanger. The second portion includes a cabin heat exchanger. The eight-way valve is downstream of the compressor and has a first position in which refrigerant flows within the portions in a cooling mode and a second position in which refrigerant flows within the portions in a heating mode. The controller switches the eight-way valve between the first and second positions. The outside heat exchanger operates as a condenser in the cooling mode and the eight-way valve directs refrigerant flow from the outside heat exchanger to the cabin heat exchanger.

Abstract: Secondary loop air conditioning and heat pump systems include a reservoir with a capsule holding a phase change material.

Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system includes a refrigerated loop, a coolant loop and a control module. The refrigerant loop includes a condenser, an evaporator, a compressor and an expansion valve through which refrigerant flows. The coolant loop includes a plurality of heat exchangers, a plurality of coolant flow control valves, a first component circuit, an isolatable second component circuit and an external circuit.

Abstract: A vapor injection heat pump includes a compressor, a first valve directing a refrigerant of the compressor to a first or second heat exchanger dependent upon a mode of operation, an expansion device receiving the refrigerant from at least one of the heat exchangers, a vapor generator receiving an expanded liquid/vapor refrigerant mix from the first expansion device and directing a vapor component to a first input port of the compressor and a liquid component to at least one of the second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger, via controlling a second valve, a second expansion device, a third expansion device, and a third valve. A second input of the compressor receives an output refrigerant from at least one of the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop having first and second heat exchangers, and a coolant loop. The coolant loop is connected to allow a first flow of coolant to be directed through at least one of a plurality of air-to-coolant heat exchangers and at least one component for regulating a temperature of the at least component, and to allow a second flow of coolant to be directed through at least one other of the plurality of air-to-coolant heat exchangers and the at least one component for regulating the temperature of the at least one component dependent upon a mode of operation. A control module, control unit, controller, or the like commonly used in vehicles controls the first and second flows of coolant dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A vapor injection heat pump includes a coolant loop and a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a valve directing a refrigerant of the compressor to a first or second heat exchanger dependent upon a mode of operation, an expansion device receiving the refrigerant from at least one of the heat exchangers, a separator receiving an expanded liquid/vapor refrigerant mix from the expansion device and directing a vapor component to a first input port of the compressor and a liquid component to a second valve. The second valve directs the liquid component to the heat exchangers, dependent upon the mode, and an accumulator receives an output refrigerant of the heat exchangers dependent upon the mode and directs a vapor component to a second input port of the compressor. A control module controls a pump in the coolant loop and the first and second valves dependent upon the mode.

Abstract: A vehicle heat pump system including a thermal loop, an eight-way valve, and a controller is provided. The thermal loop includes a compressor, a first portion, and a second portion. The first portion includes an outside heat exchanger. The second portion includes a cabin heat exchanger. The eight-way valve is downstream of the compressor and has a first position in which refrigerant flows within the portions in a cooling mode and a second position in which refrigerant flows within the portions in a heating mode. The controller switches the eight-way valve between the first and second positions. The outside heat exchanger operates as a condenser in the cooling mode and the eight-way valve directs refrigerant flow from the outside heat exchanger to the cabin heat exchanger.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a cold source through which a first flow of coolant flows, a heat source through which a second flow of coolant flows, and first and second parallel connected air-to-coolant heat exchangers. The first and second coolant flows are directed through one or both of the air-to-coolant heat exchangers dependent upon a mode of operation. A control module controls the first and second flows of coolant dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop having first and second heat exchangers, and a coolant loop. The coolant loop includes a plurality of valves directing a first flow of coolant through a first refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger, a second flow of coolant through a second refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger, and a third flow of coolant including a first portion of the first flow of coolant exiting the first refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger and a first portion of the second flow of coolant exiting the second refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger through an auxiliary coolant loop, and a control module for controlling the plurality of valves to direct the flows of coolant dependent upon a mode of operation. The auxiliary coolant loop is for heating/cooling one or more components, such as a battery, dependent upon the mode of operation.

Abstract: A multifunction reservoir for a secondary loop climate control system includes a coolant vessel, a capsule held in the coolant vessel and a phase change material in the capsule. A secondary loop air conditioning system and a secondary loop heat pump system incorporating one or more multifunction reservoirs of the type described are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vapor injection heat pump includes a coolant loop and a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a valve directing a refrigerant of the compressor to a first or second heat exchanger dependent upon a mode of operation, an expansion device receiving the refrigerant from at least one of the heat exchangers, a separator receiving an expanded liquid/vapor refrigerant mix from the expansion device and directing a vapor component to a first input port of the compressor and a liquid component to a second valve. The second valve directs the liquid component to the heat exchangers, dependent upon the mode, and an accumulator receives an output refrigerant of the heat exchangers dependent upon the mode and directs a vapor component to a second input port of the compressor. A control module controls a pump in the coolant loop and the first and second valves dependent upon the mode.