Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes a target pressure module and a thermostat valve control module. The target pressure module determines a target pressure of coolant in a coolant path between a thermostat valve and at least one of an engine oil heat exchanger and a transmission fluid heat exchanger. The thermostat valve control module closes the thermostat valve and blocks coolant flow out of an engine when a temperature of coolant within the engine is less than a predetermined temperature. When the temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature, the thermostat valve control module controls opening of the thermostat valve to the coolant path based on the target pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas received by an exhaust system, the exhaust system including a first selective catalytic reduction device, an exhaust gas heat recovery device and a second selective catalytic reduction device is provided. The method includes flowing the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into the first selective catalytic reduction device, receiving the exhaust gas from the first selective catalytic reduction device into the exhaust gas heat recovery device and directing the exhaust gas to a heat exchanger in the exhaust gas heat recovery device based on a temperature of the internal combustion engine proximate moving engine components. The method includes adsorbing nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas via a nitrogen oxide adsorbing catalyst disposed in the heat exchanger and flowing the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas heat recovery device into the second selective catalytic reduction device.

Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes a target pressure module and a thermostat valve control module. The target pressure module determines a target pressure of coolant in a coolant path between a thermostat valve and at least one of an engine oil heat exchanger and a transmission fluid heat exchanger. The thermostat valve control module closes the thermostat valve and blocks coolant flow out of an engine when a temperature of coolant within the engine is less than a predetermined temperature. When the temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature, the thermostat valve control module controls opening of the thermostat valve to the coolant path based on the target pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas received by an exhaust system, the exhaust system including a first selective catalytic reduction device, an exhaust gas heat recovery device and a second selective catalytic reduction device is provided. The method includes flowing the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into the first selective catalytic reduction device, receiving the exhaust gas from the first selective catalytic reduction device into the exhaust gas heat recovery device and directing the exhaust gas to a heat exchanger in the exhaust gas heat recovery device based on a temperature of the internal combustion engine proximate moving engine components. The method includes adsorbing nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas via a nitrogen oxide adsorbing catalyst disposed in the heat exchanger and flowing the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas heat recovery device into the second selective catalytic reduction device.

Abstract: The method for thermal management of a battery can include vehicle systems to control the thermal input to the battery and a dedicated battery thermal management system. The battery thermal management system includes transferring battery heat to coolant flowing in a circuit, if ambient air temperature is greater than the battery temperature, using an evaporator/chiller to transfer heat from the coolant to a refrigerant, using a condenser to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the coolant, and using a radiator to transfer heat from the coolant to ambient air; and if coolant can be maintained in the reference temperature range without using a heat source or refrigerant, using a radiator to transfer heat from the coolant to the ambient air.

Abstract: A method for conditioning an energy storage system for a vehicle located in a geographic area includes the steps of obtaining data pertaining to an external temperature of the geographic area, measuring a temperature of the energy storage system, heating the energy storage system if the temperature is less than a first predetermined threshold, and cooling the energy storage system if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is dependent upon the external temperature. The second predetermined threshold is also dependent upon the external temperature.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for a vehicle is operable to direct exhaust heat to a vehicle transmission under certain operating conditions. In some embodiments, the EHRS may also direct exhaust heat to a heater for vehicle passenger compartment. Preferably, the EHRS is controllable to manage available exhaust heat according to vehicle operating conditions, by prioritizing the heat flow among the engine, the transmission, and the vehicle heater. The EHRS may also operate in a bypass mode during which exhaust heat is not directed to the engine, the transmission or the vehicle heater. A method of managing exhaust heat recovery on a vehicle having an EHRS is also provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission. The method includes controlling a two-way valve, which is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position. The engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine, but does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger. The transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine. The method also includes monitoring an ambient air temperature and comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for a vehicle is provided that is operable to direct coolant heated by exhaust heat to a vehicle transmission under certain operating conditions after the engine is adequately heated by the exhaust heat and without further heating the engine with the exhaust heat. Thus, recovery of exhaust heat is increased as the transmission is heated to a higher operating temperature than the engine using the heated coolant. The EHRS may also operate in a bypass mode during which exhaust heat is not directed to the engine or the transmission. A method of managing exhaust heat is also provided.

Abstract: A cogeneration system includes an engine, a motor/generator unit (MGU) powered by the engine, a compressor powered by the MGU, and a heat storage tank. The system further includes an engine coolant loop which places the engine in thermal communication with the tank, and a vapor loop which circulates refrigerant from the compressor. An air handler unit exchanges heat between the engine coolant loop and the vapor loop. A controller is configured to control the engine, MGU, compressor, and air handler unit, alone or in combination, to heat or cool air supplied to a building and water in the tank, and to selectively charge at least one auxiliary device such as a battery of an electric vehicle (EV) via the MGU. The system may include two power plants, with one, e.g., an EV or a portable module, having the engine and a first engine coolant loop.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission. The method includes controlling a two-way valve, which is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position. The engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine, but does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger. The transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine. The method also includes monitoring an ambient air temperature and comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature.

Abstract: The method for thermal management of a battery can include vehicle systems to control the thermal input to the battery and a dedicated battery thermal management system. The battery thermal management system includes transferring battery heat to coolant flowing in a circuit, if ambient air temperature is greater than the battery temperature, using an evaporator/chiller to transfer heat from the coolant to a refrigerant, using a condenser to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the coolant, and using a radiator to transfer heat from the coolant to ambient air; and if coolant can be maintained in the reference temperature range without using a heat source or refrigerant, using a radiator to transfer heat from the coolant to the ambient air.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for a vehicle is provided that is operable to direct coolant heated by exhaust heat to a vehicle transmission under certain operating conditions after the engine is adequately heated by the exhaust heat and without further heating the engine with the exhaust heat. Thus, recovery of exhaust heat is increased as the transmission is heated to a higher operating temperature than the engine using the heated coolant. The EHRS may also operate in a bypass mode during which exhaust heat is not directed to the engine or the transmission. A method of managing exhaust heat is also provided.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for a vehicle is operable to direct exhaust heat to a vehicle transmission under certain operating conditions. In some embodiments, the EHRS may also direct exhaust heat to a heater for vehicle passenger compartment. Preferably, the EHRS is controllable to manage available exhaust heat according to vehicle operating conditions, by prioritizing the heat flow among the engine, the transmission, and the vehicle heater. The EHRS may also operate in a bypass mode during which exhaust heat is not directed to the engine, the transmission or the vehicle heater. A method of managing exhaust heat recovery on a vehicle having an EHRS is also provided.

Abstract: An HVAC system for use in a vehicle. The HVAC system comprises an evaporator, a refrigerant compressor that receives a refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that receives the refrigerant from the compressor and has fins with air flowing through the fins to remove heat from a refrigerant flowing through the condenser, and an expansion device that receives the refrigerant from the condenser and directs the refrigerant to the evaporator. The HVAC system also comprises a water tank that receives and stores water, a water spray pump that receives water from the water tank, and a nozzle that receives water from the water spray pump and is located adjacent to the condenser, with the nozzle selectively spraying water on the fins of the condenser.

Abstract: A method for conditioning an energy storage system for a vehicle located in a geographic area includes the steps of obtaining data pertaining to an external temperature of the geographic area, measuring a temperature of the energy storage system, heating the energy storage system if the temperature is less than a first predetermined threshold, and cooling the energy storage system if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is dependent upon the external temperature. The second predetermined threshold is also dependent upon the external temperature.

Abstract: An integrated high and moderate temperature cooling system both for an internal combustion engine and for auxiliary vehicle components requiring cooling. The integrated cooling system shares a coolant, yet the shared coolant is stratified to retain thermal identity between the portion of the coolant used for engine cooling and the portion of the coolant used for auxiliary vehicle components cooling. A shared coolant reservoir is used; preferably a shared heat exchanger, and optionally a common coolant pump may also be used.

Abstract: An integrated high and moderate temperature cooling system both for an internal combustion engine and for auxiliary vehicle components requiring cooling. The integrated cooling system shares a coolant, yet the shared coolant is stratified to retain thermal identity between the portion of the coolant used for engine cooling and the portion of the coolant used for auxiliary vehicle components cooling. A shared coolant reservoir is used; preferably a shared heat exchanger, and optionally a common coolant pump may also be used.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for pre-cooling the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. The vehicle includes at least one electrically actuatable window and a HVAC system having at least a controller, a blower, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, and a HVAC ducting leading to the passenger compartment. The controller and the blower are connected to a vehicle battery. The method includes determining the passenger compartment temperature and comparing the temperature to a first predetermined value; cycling an blower inlet to an outside air intake position and operating the blower to provide pressurized air to the passenger compartment if the passenger compartment temperature is greater than the first predetermined value; opening the vehicle windows; comparing the passenger compartment temperature to a second predetermined value; and stopping operation of the blower when the passenger compartment temperature drops below the second predetermined value.

Abstract: An air separator for low flow rate coolant systems which removes air from the liquid coolant thereof. The air separator is a closed canister having a bottom wall, a top wall at a gravitationally high location with respect to the bottom wall, and a sidewall sealingly therebetween. A coolant inlet is at the sidewall, a pump outlet is at the bottom wall and a coolant reservoir outlet is at the top wall. The coolant reservoir outlet is connected to a coolant reservoir gravitationally elevated with respect to the canister. A much larger cross-sectional area per unit length of the canister relative to the piping results in a coolant dwell time in the canister that encourages coolant air bubbles to migrate toward the coolant reservoir.