Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a cabin that is defined by the body, an air delivery system, and a controller. The air delivery system includes a blower, an air register, ductwork, and an intake module. The air register is positioned within the cabin. The ductwork extends between the blower and the air register. The intake module is positioned upstream of the blower. The controller adjusts a speed of the blower as a function of a speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of selecting air intake between 100% fresh air mode and 100% recirculated air mode for optimum heating/cooling performance, fuel economy and/or high voltage (HV) battery power consumption is disclosed. The system and method includes a partial recirculation control strategy in which the air inlet door is moved progressively to any position by taking into account cooling/heating loads and cabin fogging probability. As cooling/heating loads increase the air inlet door moves toward 100% recirculation mode. As fogging probability increases the air inlet door moves toward 100% fresh air mode. By selectively choosing a position between 100% recirculation and 100% fresh air, fuel economy and/or HV battery power consumption is optimized without compromising passenger comfort or causing fogging on interior glass surfaces. In cooling applications the compressor load is minimized and air conditioning performance is improved due to the reduced evaporator cooling load.

Abstract: A evaporator provides an evaporator that includes an evaporator core, an evaporator tank attached to the evaporator core, at least one baffle incorporated into the evaporator tank, and multi-piece end plate assemblies attached to the tank. Each end plate assembly includes inner and an outer end plate layers. Each of the layers includes crimps. The inner end plate layer is preliminarily attached to the open end of the evaporator tank, during which proper alignment of the plate to the tank is made. The crimps of the inner end plate layer are crimped over. The outer end plate layer is then preliminarily attached to the inner end plate layer by crimping, thereby allowing preliminary attachment of the end plates to the tank to assure proper alignment prior to the end plates being fixed in position by a method such as brazing.

Abstract: A two-door HVAC air intake comprising an air intake body having a fresh air opening and first and second recirculated air openings is disclosed. A first door is provided that is movable from a first recirculation opening-unblocking/fresh air opening-blocking position to a first recirculation opening-blocking/fresh air opening-unblocking position. A second door is provided that is movable from a second recirculation opening-unblocking position to a second recirculation opening-blocking position. The doors may be shell doors or flap doors. Fresh air mode is achieved by moving the first and second doors to their recirculation opening-blocking positions. Partial air recirculation mode is achieved by moving the first door to its first recirculation opening-blocking position and the second door to its second recirculation opening-unblocking position.

Abstract: A Start-Stop method and system for optimizing a selected set of parameters to provide an ideal balance between cabin thermal comfort and fuel economy performance is disclosed. The method and system include several parameters to manage how long and when the engine OFF time will occur. Such parameters include, but are not limited to, outside ambient temperature, cabin temperature, cabin humidity, engine coolant temperature, and evaporator thermistor temperature. A control logic monitors inputs such as cabin humidity and, under certain conditions, sends a request for the engine to be ON. Other factors influencing engine ON time include inputs from the wiper(s), the heated windshield, the heated back light, the HVAC blower, and the temperature control setting. The disclosed system has utility in both electronic automatic temperature control (EATC) systems as well as in manual temperature control (MTC) systems.

Abstract: A system and method for environmental management of a vehicle automatically operates a vehicle climate control system to defog a vehicle windshield, while still operating at or near environmental comfort guidelines determined by a vehicle occupant. The method may be executed by an HVAC control system that is configured with a preprogrammed algorithm to operate an HVAC to achieve the desired results. A number of sensors can provide inputs to the control system, which can also receive inputs from a number of manual overrides operable by an occupant of the vehicle. The preprogrammed algorithm is configured to act on the various inputs to operate the HVAC to strike an appropriate balance between occupant comfort and windshield defogging.

Abstract: A Start-Stop method and system for optimizing a selected set of parameters to provide an ideal balance between cabin thermal comfort and fuel economy performance is disclosed. The method and system includes several parameters to manage how long and when the engine OFF time will occur. Such parameters include, but are not limited to, outside ambient temperature, cabin temperature, cabin humidity, engine coolant temperature, and evaporator thermistor temperature. A control logic monitors inputs such as cabin humidity and, under certain conditions, sends a request for the engine to be ON. Other factors influencing engine ON time include inputs from the wiper(s), the heated windshield, the heated back light, the HVAC blower, and the temperature control setting. The disclosed system has utility in both electronic automatic temperature control (EATC) systems as well as in manual temperature control (MTC) systems.

Abstract: A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities resulting in energy savings. Determining the impact that increasing or decreasing engine cooling fan speed has on the overall energy consumption of the climate control system without affecting target discharge air temperature provides for energy saving opportunities. Optimizing energy consumption according to the provided strategy provides for improved fuel economy without sacrificing passenger comfort.

Abstract: A climate control system having a control head including a display providing at least one comfort level indicator and a fuel economy indicator is provided. The comfort level indicator displays a plurality of comfort level settings corresponding to relative thermal comfort in all weather conditions. Each comfort level setting corresponds to a range of temperatures so that once a comfort range is obtained, the climate control system will be reluctant to consume additional energy, thereby maintaining or improving the current fuel economy state. The fuel economy indicator provides for direct communication of the impact of comfort level settings on fuel economy.

Abstract: A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities resulting in energy savings. Determining the impact that increasing or decreasing engine cooling fan speed has on the overall energy consumption of the climate control system without affecting target discharge air temperature provides for energy saving opportunities. Optimizing energy consumption according to the provided strategy provides for improved fuel economy without sacrificing passenger comfort.

Abstract: A system and method for preconditioning a vehicle interior via a remote start device based on then-current weather conditions independent of the previous climate control head settings in place at the termination of the vehicle's last use are disclosed. The preconditioning system and method may be used in either electronic automatic temperature control (EATC) systems or in manual temperature control (MTC) systems. When used in conjunction with an EATC system, variables including sunload, Tset point (that is, the temperature door position), Tambient, and Tcabin are used to calculate the climate load demand. When used in conjunction with an MTC system, Tambient, Tset point, and Tcabin are used to calculate the climate load demand. In the event that the MTC system does not have a Tcabin sensor then Tevaporator thermister is used to calculate the climate load demand in the beginning of the remote start. The disclosed system and method also has windshield defrosting/defog and rear glass defrost capabilities.

Abstract: A climate control system includes a control head having a warmer/cooler temperature control for providing relative thermal comfort. A thermal comfort rating (TCR) corresponding to a range of passenger cabin temperatures is determined based upon a comfort level selection by an occupant using the control head. A control strategy employs look-up tables corresponding to the TCR to determine the speed of an electric compressor and the position of a temperature control blend door. The strategy provides for a relatively fast ramp down to a minimum compressor speed to improve fuel economy while maintaining a relative level of thermal comfort.

Abstract: A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities resulting in energy savings. Determining the impact that increasing or decreasing engine cooling fan speed has on the overall energy consumption of the climate control system without affecting target discharge air temperature provides for energy saving opportunities. Optimizing energy consumption according to the provided strategy provides for improved fuel economy without sacrificing passenger comfort.

Abstract: A system and method for environmental management of a vehicle automatically operates a vehicle climate control system to quickly and efficiently defog a vehicle windshield, while still operating at or near environmental comfort guidelines determined by a vehicle occupant. The method may be executed by an HVAC control system that is configured with a preprogrammed algorithm to operate an HVAC to achieve the desired results. A number of sensors can provide inputs to the control system, which can also receive inputs from a number of manual overrides operable by an occupant of the vehicle. The preprogrammed algorithm is configured to act on the various inputs to operate the HVAC to strike an appropriate balance between occupant comfort and windshield defogging.

Abstract: A system and method of selecting air intake between 100% fresh air mode and 100% recirculated air mode for optimum heating/cooling performance, fuel economy and/or high voltage (HV) battery power consumption is disclosed. The system and method includes a partial recirculation control strategy in which the air inlet door is moved progressively to any position by taking into account cooling/heating loads and cabin fogging probability. As cooling/heating loads increase the air inlet door moves toward 100% recirculation mode. As fogging probability increases the air inlet door moves toward 100% fresh air mode. By selectively choosing a position between 100% recirculation and 100% fresh air, fuel economy and/or HV battery power consumption is optimized without compromising passenger comfort or causing fogging on interior glass surfaces. In cooling applications the compressor load is minimized and air conditioning performance is improved due to the reduced evaporator cooling load.

Abstract: A method for environmental management of a vehicle includes the steps of determining certain environmental conditions for the vehicle, and determining when it is desirable to defog the window based on the determined environmental conditions. A status of manual overrides is determined, and at least some automatically controllable functions of an HVAC system are implemented to effect defogging of a vehicle window when it is determined that none of the manual overrides has been selected.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling temperature in an automotive vehicle having a driver-side area, a front passenger-side area, and a climate control system with at least one interface. The interface allows a user to select a driver-side temperature setting and a passenger-side temperature setting. The system includes a seat occupancy sensor and at least one computer-based controller. In operation, the seat occupancy sensor generates a sensor signal indicative of passenger seat occupancy in the passenger-side area of the vehicle. Based on the sensor signal, the controller controls the climate control system. When the passenger-side area is unoccupied, the climate control system distributes conditioned air according to the driver-side temperature setting to both the driver-side and passenger-side areas.

Abstract: A climate control system includes a control head having a warmer/cooler temperature control for providing relative thermal comfort. A thermal comfort rating (TCR) corresponding to a range of passenger cabin temperatures is determined based upon a comfort level selection by an occupant using the control head. A control strategy employs look-up tables corresponding to the TCR to determine the speed of an electric compressor and the position of a temperature control blend door. The strategy provides for a relatively fast ramp down to a minimum compressor speed to improve fuel economy while maintaining a relative level of thermal comfort.

Abstract: A vehicle compressor is controlled based on an environment parameter and a vehicle status parameter. In at least one embodiment, a temperature control system for a vehicle including an engine is provided. The system includes a compressor having a target operating speed. The system also includes an environment sensor arrangement configured to sense an environment parameter and a vehicle status sensor arrangement configured to sense a vehicle status parameter. The system further includes a control module that determines a maximum operating speed of the compressor as a function of both the environment parameter and the vehicle status parameter. The control module limits an operating speed of the compressor to the maximum operating speed if the target operating speed is greater than the maximum operating speed.

Abstract: A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities resulting in energy savings. Determining the impact that increasing or decreasing engine cooling fan speed has on the overall energy consumption of the climate control system without affecting target discharge air temperature provides for energy saving opportunities. Optimizing energy consumption according to the provided strategy provides for improved fuel economy without sacrificing passenger comfort.