Abstract: A thermal management system is provided for a vehicle having an electric traction motor. The system includes a coolant system configured to convey coolant through a first thermal load, a refrigerant circuit including a condenser and a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a control system and a sensor. The refrigerant circuit is configured to cool at least one second thermal load. The sensor is configured to send signals to the control system that are indicative of a temperature of the first thermal load. The control system is configured to control an outlet pressure of the compressor based on the signals.

Abstract: A vehicle having at least an electric traction motor and a passenger cabin includes a controller. The controller has a memory storing an expected range routine and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the expected range routine. An expected range for the vehicle is determined referencing an average power consumption of a cabin conditioning system over an selected duration of initial cabin conditioning. During the selected duration of initial cabin conditioning, the average power consumption of the cabin conditioning system is added to an instantaneous power consumption of at least the electric traction motor to determine a total power consumption of the vehicle. The total power consumption of the vehicle is used to determine the expected range, which is output on a display located in the passenger cabin for reference by the driver.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an electric vehicle includes a controller that carries out a method of cooling a battery of the electric vehicle. The method includes: a) when charging the battery using an external electrical source but prior to the temperature of the battery reaching a selected temperature, cooling a motor of the electric vehicle by a selected amount by circulating fluid between the motor and a radiator of the electric vehicle, and b) after step a) cooling the battery of the electric vehicle by circulating fluid between the battery, the motor and the radiator while charging the battery using the external electrical source.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided for a vehicle having an electric traction motor. The system includes a coolant system configured to convey coolant through a first thermal load, a refrigerant circuit including a condenser and a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a control system and a sensor. The refrigerant circuit is configured to cool at least one second thermal load. The sensor is configured to send signals to the control system that are indicative of a temperature of the first thermal load. The control system is configured to control an outlet pressure of the compressor based on the signals.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle having an electric traction motor for moving the vehicle and a battery pack configured to provide power for driving the motor. The thermal management system includes a motor cooling system operable to cool the motor, and a second thermal load cooling system configured to remove heat from a second thermal load. The second thermal load cooling system is selectively thermally connectable to the motor to remove heat therefrom. A control system is provided and is configured to detect a motor cooling system failure situation and can operate the second thermal load cooling system to thermally connect the second thermal load cooling system to the motor to cool the electric traction motor in response to detection of the motor cooling system failure situation.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided for a vehicle having an electric traction motor and a battery pack. The thermal management system includes a battery pack heater configured to transfer heat to the battery pack, a second thermal load heater configured to transfer heat to a second thermal load, and a control system. The second thermal load heater is selectively thermally connectable to the battery pack to transfer heat from the second thermal load heater to the battery pack. When the vehicle is connected to an external energy source and the battery pack is at sufficiently low temperature, the control system is configured to control the temperature of the battery pack by activating the second thermal load heater and thermally connecting the second thermal load heater to the battery pack in response to a failure of the battery pack heater.

Abstract: A process for charging a battery pack of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a cooling system that automatically turns on to cool the battery pack when its temperature reaches a high threshold temperature. The process involves determining an operating heating rise of the battery pack in the event the vehicle is driven at a predetermined operating condition. The process determines a target temperature for the battery pack at the end of charging which is set to prevent the cooling system from turning on if the vehicle is driven under the predetermined operating condition. The battery pack is then charged and the cooling system is operated during charging to prevent the battery pack from reaching the target temperature. By preventing the subsequent operation of the cooling system, the driving range provided by the battery pack may be extended.