Abstract: An air-conditioning system and method of climate control for a fuel cell vehicle are provided herein. The system and method include a vacuum enclosure having an adsorber and an evaporator/condenser assembly. A conduit and valve system operates the air-conditioning system in two modes of operation to provide uninterrupted cooling to a passenger cabin, among other things. In one mode of operation, the adsorber is regenerated using waste heat from a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a vacuum enclosure having a refrigerant, a first section and a second section. The system further includes a radiator, a core and a phase change material vessel downstream from the core. A conduit and valve system operate the air-conditioning system in two modes of operation.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes first and second PCM vessels, a heat recovery circuit, and a conduit and valve system. The heat recover circuit includes a third PCM vessel. The conduit and valve system operably couples i.) a first heat exchanger to the first PCM vessel and a radiator, ii.) a second heat exchanger to a core and the second PCM vessel, and iii.) the heat recovery circuit to the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes first and second PCM vessels, a heat recovery circuit, and a conduit and valve system. The heat recover circuit includes a third PCM vessel. The conduit and valve system operably couples i.) a first heat exchanger to the first PCM vessel and a radiator, ii.) a second heat exchanger to a core and the second PCM vessel, and iii.) the heat recovery circuit to the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptively assisting developmentally disabled or cognitively impaired drivers are disclosed. An apparatus comprises a user interface. The user interface is to present first navigation data in a first mode to assist a driver in guiding a vehicle from a current location to a destination location. The user interface is further to present second navigation data in a second mode to assist the driver in guiding the vehicle from the current location to the destination location. The second navigation data is adapted relative to the first navigation data based on driver assistance data associated with the driver.

Abstract: Fuel-cell thermal management systems and control schemes therefore are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may include a fuel-cell stack, a heat-exchanger, a thermal battery including a material having a melting temperature of 50-120° C., a first coolant loop including the fuel-cell stack and the thermal battery and excluding the heat-exchanger, and a second coolant loop including the fuel-cell stack, the thermal battery, and the heat-exchanger. The first and second coolant loops may be configured to heat and cool the fuel-cell stack, respectively. The system may include a controller or processor configured to direct coolant to transfer heat from the thermal battery to the fuel-cell stack based on a negative heat rejection status of the fuel-cell stack and to transfer heat from the fuel-cell stack to the thermal battery based on a positive heat rejection status of the fuel-cell stack when the thermal battery is below a target temperature.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a vacuum enclosure having a refrigerant, a first section and a second section. The system further includes a radiator, a core and a phase change material vessel downstream from the core. A conduit and valve system operate the air-conditioning system in two modes of operation.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes first and second PCM vessels, a heat recovery circuit, and a conduit and valve system. The heat recover circuit includes a third PCM vessel. The conduit and valve system operably couples i.) a first heat exchanger to the first PCM vessel and a radiator, ii.) a second heat exchanger to a core and the second PCM vessel, and iii.) the heat recovery circuit to the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system and method of climate control for a fuel cell vehicle are provided herein. The system and method include a vacuum enclosure having an adsorber and an evaporator/condenser assembly. A conduit and valve system operates the air-conditioning system in two modes of operation to provide uninterrupted cooling to a passenger cabin, among other things. In one mode of operation, the adsorber is regenerated using waste heat from a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a vacuum enclosure having a refrigerant, a first section and a second section. The system further includes a radiator, a core and a phase change material vessel downstream from the core. A conduit and valve system operate the air-conditioning system in two modes of operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.

Abstract: A dual-fluid receptacle for a diesel vehicle includes an outer wall disposed on an outer surface of the vehicle. The outer wall defines a diesel receptacle for receiving diesel fuel, a diesel-exhaust receptacle adjacent the diesel receptacle for receiving a diesel-exhaust fluid, and a bridge portion disposed between the diesel and diesel-exhaust receptacles. The receptacles are configured to simultaneously receive the diesel fuel and diesel-exhaust fluid from a single fluid dispensing unit. This allows an operator to fill the vehicle with diesel fuel and diesel-exhaust fluid, simultaneously, from a single fluid dispensing unit. A projection extends from the outer wall proximate to at least one of the two receptacles. The projection is configured to cooperate with an engagement feature of the fluid dispensing unit to selectively enable dispensing of diesel.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus is provided and is configured to dispense two fluids to a vehicle. A rigid diesel spout delivers diesel, while a urea spout is slidably disposed on the diesel spout and configured to deliver urea to the vehicle. The urea spout includes a guide that cooperates with a rail on the diesel spout such that insertion of the diesel spout into the vehicle can slide the urea spout relative the diesel spout. A valve in the urea spout includes an area for receiving a projection member on the vehicle to open the urea spout when inserted into the vehicle. The vehicle correspondingly includes a diesel intake and a urea intake. A projection or pin is provided to cooperate with the dispensing apparatus to open the valve and allow urea to flow into the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptively assisting developmentally disabled or cognitively impaired drivers are disclosed. An apparatus comprises a user interface. The user interface is to present first navigation data in a first mode to assist a driver in guiding a vehicle from a current location to a destination location. The user interface is further to present second navigation data in a second mode to assist the driver in guiding the vehicle from the current location to the destination location. The second navigation data is adapted relative to the first navigation data based on driver assistance data associated with the driver.

Abstract: A system for regulating lubricant temperature within a vehicle axle is provided. A differential housing has a primary chamber that contains the differential, and a secondary chamber separated from the primary chamber. A sump is in the primary chamber for collecting lubricant. An inlet to the secondary chamber allows the lubricant to flow from the primary chamber into the secondary chamber. An outlet to the secondary chamber allows the lubricant stored therein to be purged into the sump. When the lubricant is below a certain threshold temperature, a temperature-responsive valve is configured to close to inhibit the fluid to travel through the outlet. When the temperature of the lubricant rises to exceed the threshold, the valve is configured to open and permit the fluid to travel through the outlet.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a phase change material (PCM) integrated radiator. In one example, a method may include adjusting a radiator control valve into a first position to flow coolant only through a first zone of a radiator containing phase change material (PCM) and not through a second zone of the radiator not containing phase change material. The method may further include adjusting the radiator control valve into a second position to flow coolant only through the second zone of the radiator and not the first zone.

Abstract: A system for regulating lubricant temperature within a vehicle axle is provided. A differential housing has a primary chamber that contains the differential, and a secondary chamber separated from the primary chamber. A sump is in the primary chamber for collecting lubricant. An inlet to the secondary chamber allows the lubricant to flow from the primary chamber into the secondary chamber. An outlet to the secondary chamber allows the lubricant stored therein to be purged into the sump. When the lubricant is below a certain threshold temperature, a temperature-responsive valve is configured to close to inhibit the fluid to travel through the outlet. When the temperature of the lubricant rises to exceed the threshold, the valve is configured to open and permit the fluid to travel through the outlet.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system which may be included in a motor vehicle may include a single pair of tube-and-plate heat exchangers arranged within a common vacuum enclosure, the heat exchangers selectively coupled with a heat source, a radiator, and an air-conditioning core. During an adsorbing/evaporating mode, coolant may circulate between a first heat exchanger and the radiator and vapor may evaporate from the surface of non-adsorbent-coated plates of the second heat exchanger and be adsorbed at adsorbent-coated plates of the first heat exchanger while coolant circulates between the second heat exchanger and the core. During a desorbing/condensing mode, coolant may circulate between a heat source and the first heat exchanger to effect desorption of vapor from the adsorbent in the first heat exchanger, while melting PCM in the core exchanges heat with air blown through the core to provide cooling.

Abstract: A differential is provided. The differential includes a housing that has a sump, an input shaft, a ring gear, a carrier that is affixed to the ring gear, and a diverter. The sump is configured to collect lubricating fluid. The ring gear is configured to transfer lubricating fluid out of the sump. The diverter is configured to direct the lubricating fluid to the input shaft and carrier.

Abstract: Fuel-cell thermal management systems and control schemes therefore are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may include a fuel-cell stack, a heat-exchanger, a thermal battery including a material having a melting temperature of 50-120° C., a first coolant loop including the fuel-cell stack and the thermal battery and excluding the heat-exchanger, and a second coolant loop including the fuel-cell stack, the thermal battery, and the heat-exchanger. The first and second coolant loops may be configured to heat and cool the fuel-cell stack, respectively. The system may include a controller or processor configured to direct coolant to transfer heat from the thermal battery to the fuel-cell stack based on a negative heat rejection status of the fuel-cell stack and to transfer heat from the fuel-cell stack to the thermal battery based on a positive heat rejection status of the fuel-cell stack when the thermal battery is below a target temperature.