Abstract: A secondary loop air conditioning system for a vehicle that includes a condenser and an integrated assembly is disclosed. The condenser has a first condenser header spaced from a second condenser header, a condenser core extending between the first and second condenser headers, and a refrigerant inlet operatively engaging the first condenser header. The integrated assembly includes a chiller mounted to the first condenser header and having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a secondary loop of the air conditioning system, and an expansion device in fluid communication with the condenser and mounted adjacent to the chiller for directing refrigerant into the chiller, and a refrigerant outlet. Also, a receiver/dryer area may be located in one of the condenser and the integrated assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having an air conditioning system, an engine and a belt-alternator-starter motor-generator, and a method of operation, is disclosed. A torque transfer assembly, such as a pulley and belt assembly, engages the engine and motor-generator, and includes a clutched member for selectively disconnecting the torque transfer between the engine and motor-generator. A refrigerant compressor includes a compressor shaft rotationally coupled to and driven by the motor-generator shaft. The compressor may be driven by the motor-generator when the engine is not operating.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle and a method of operation is disclosed. The air conditioning system includes a primary refrigerant loop and a secondary liquid loop. The primary refrigerant loop includes a compressor configured to be selectively driven by the engine, a condenser, an expansion device and a refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger. The secondary liquid loop includes the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a thermal storage reservoir within which the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger is mounted, a pump configured to pump a liquid through the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a liquid-to-air heat exchanger configured to mount in a HVAC module and receive the liquid from the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a liquid flow valve configured to selectively direct the liquid directly to the pump or through the thermal storage reservoir to the pump.

Abstract: A belt alternator starter (BAS) system for a hybrid vehicle may include a first pulley, a first belt, a motor generator unit (MGU), a second pulley, a second belt, and a first clutch. The first belt encircles the first pulley and a crankshaft pulley of an internal combustion engine. The MGU includes the second pulley and functions as an electric motor when the engine is started and as a generator for charging a battery when the engine is running. The second belt encircles the second pulley and at least one drive pulley of an accessory unit. The first clutch couples/decouples the crankshaft pulley to/from the second pulley depending on operation of the engine.

Abstract: An accessory load control system for a vehicle, includes an actuator control module, a period estimation module, and a load control module. The actuator control module operates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle in a high-efficiency (HE) mode. The period estimation module estimates a period between a current time and a future time when an actual load on a crankshaft of the engine will reach a maximum engine load associated with the HE mode. The load control module selectively decreases engine loads applied by vehicle accessories, respectively, based on the period.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and a method of heating air flowing through a heater core of a HVAC module is disclosed. The method includes flowing essentially all of the air flowing through an evaporator through a heater core for all HVAC operating conditions. A flow control valve is opened long enough to allow a flow of hot coolant from an engine into the heater core. The valve is then closed to stop the flow of the hot coolant. When the temperature of the hot coolant is determined to have cooled to a predetermined temperature threshold, the flow control valve is then opened again to allow hot coolant to flow into the heater core.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired.

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 and system for removing oil accumulation from refrigerant lines of a vehicle HVAC system having multiple refrigerant loops each having an evaporator is disclosed. The method for operating the system may comprise the steps of: monitoring a flow rate through at least one of the refrigerant loops; determining if the flow rate through any of the at least one refrigerant loops being monitored is below a predetermined flow rate for greater than a predetermined time limit; monitoring for an indication of imminent vehicle operation; and if the indication of imminent vehicle operation is detected and the flow rate through any of the at least one refrigerant loops being monitored is below the predetermined flow rate for greater than the predetermined time limit, opening a valve to allow for maximum flow through the at least one refrigerant loop.

Abstract: A smart HVAC system adapted for selectively regulating fluid flow into a space generally includes an HVAC system including at least one active vent, a preferably variable blower fluidly coupled thereto, and at least one sensor associated with each vent, wherein the sensor is operable to cause the associated vent to shift between opened and closed conditions, and/or preferably the blower output to change, when an occupant is autonomously detected within at least a portion of the space.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power input to a compressor clutch, via an A/C clutch voltage controller, that selectively drives an A/C compressor in a vehicle HVAC system is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: determining a first electric power level needed to cause the compressor clutch to move to a full engagement position from a compressor clutch non-engagement position; applying the first electric power level to the compressor clutch to cause the compressor clutch to move to the full engagement position; determining a second electric power level, which is lower than the first electric power level, needed to maintain the compressor clutch in the full engagement position; and applying the second electric power level to the compressor clutch to maintain the compressor clutch in the full engagement position.

Abstract: A system for heating and cooling a vehicle includes a solar panel disposed on a surface of a vehicle and a thermoelectric unit i) disposed on or in an internal surface disposed in a cabin area of the vehicle, and ii) operatively connected to the solar panel. The thermoelectric unit is configured to heat and/or cool the internal surface in response to electric current applied thereto from the solar panel. The system further includes a control unit operatively associated with the thermoelectric unit. The control unit is configured to determine the amount and direction of the electric current to be applied to the thermoelectric unit based on i) a measured ambient temperature, ii) a measured temperature of the internal surface, and iii) a user-preferred reference temperature.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle air conditioning system having an engine driven, fixed capacity refrigerant compressor and a compressor clutch is disclosed. The method may comprises setting a preliminary evaporator air temperature target; charging a cold storage apparatus in the vehicle air conditioning system; determining if the cold storage apparatus has reached a predetermined threshold; if the cold storage apparatus has reached a predetermined threshold, determining a new evaporator air temperature target by: determining a maximum allowable dewpoint evaporator air temperature for maintaining a passenger compartment humidity below a predetermined value; determining a maximum allowable mode evaporator air temperature based on a mode to which the vehicle air conditioning system is set; and setting the evaporator air temperature target to the lower of the dewpoint evaporator air temperature and the mode evaporator air temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for providing cool air to a passenger compartment of a hybrid vehicle in an engine off mode is disclosed. This may include operating a HVAC system to provide cold refrigerant flowing through an evaporator while an engine is operating, and forcing air through the evaporator to cool the air. A first portion of the cooled air from the evaporator is directed through a heater core and a second portion around the heater core, and an electric water pump is activated to pump coolant from a thermal storage tank, through the heater core and back to the thermal storage tank to cool the coolant. When the engine operation is ceased, the air flow is directed through the heater core, and the coolant is pumped from the thermal storage tank, through the heater core and back to the thermal storage tank to cool the air.

Abstract: A vehicle-integrated water harvesting system is provided that enables water-vapor or condensation in a vehicle to be captured, and made available onboard the vehicle for drinking or other uses. The system includes a water emitting component and may include a purification system operatively connected to the water emitting component. The purification system at least partially purifies the water and then sends the purified water to a storage reservoir or directly to a dispenser or outlet.

Abstract: A fluid-based or fluidic climate control system for a seat includes first and second portions positionable adjacent to first and second surfaces of the seat and a fluid control module (FCM) for circulating fluid in a closed-loop within the portions. The FCM delivers fluid to the portions at independently-controllable temperatures. An interface may be used to control the temperatures. The FCM may include a heat exchanger module (HEM) having a fan connected to an energy storage device (ESD). The FCM may include a miniature vapor compressor for circulating the fluid. A method of cooling a seat includes positioning first and second portions of the system adjacent to different surfaces of the seat, and using the FCM to circulate fluid within a closed-loop passage of the portions while independently controlling the temperature of the fluid, and thus the portions, using a user interface.

Abstract: A solar powered ventilation system for regulating the interior temperature of a motorized vehicle and a method of controlling the same is provided. The vehicle includes a battery pack in electrical communication with at least one motor assembly that is selectively operable to propel the vehicle. The solar powered ventilation system includes a solar panel in electrical communication with a fan and the battery pack. The method includes: determining if sufficient solar load is available; if so, determining the current vehicle power mode; determining if the current battery pack temperature is greater than a threshold battery pack temperature if the vehicle is in “off” or “accessories on” mode; and commanding the solar powered ventilation system to modify the interior temperature of the vehicle to thereby decrease the temperature of the battery pack if the current battery pack temperature is greater than the threshold battery pack temperature.

Abstract: An accessory load control system for a vehicle, includes an actuator control module, a period estimation module, and a load control module. The actuator control module operates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle in a high-efficiency (HE) mode. The period estimation module estimates a period between a current time and a future time when an actual load on a crankshaft of the engine will reach a maximum engine load associated with the HE mode. The load control module selectively decreases engine loads applied by vehicle accessories, respectively, based on the period.

Abstract: A battery pack cooling and body pressure relief system for a vehicle having a passenger cabin is disclosed. The system may include an intake air flow duct connected between the passenger cabin and the battery pack, and an air flow duct connected between the exhaust air outlet and the body pressure relief valve. The system may include a one-way cabin pressure relief vent connected to the air flow duct and configured to selectively allow for air flow into the air flow duct, and may include a duct pressure relief vent connected to the air flow duct and configured to selectively allow for air flow out of the air flow duct into the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling air flow through a passenger cabin and battery pack of a vehicle having a battery module is disclosed. A HVAC controller communicates with a battery pack controller to assure that air flow from the passenger cabin through the battery pack, and either out to atmosphere or returned to the passenger cabin, is coordinated to obtain desirable passenger cabin heating/cooling and battery cooling.