Abstract: A number of variations may include a drain grommet including a primary and secondary seal and a diversion shaft.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a Stirling engine is integrated into an exhaust system of a vehicle. The system comprises an engine coupled to a cooling system and an exhaust system. An emission control system is coupled to the exhaust system. A Stirling engine has one end coupled to the cooling system and another end selectively coupled to the exhaust system between the engine and the emission control system, and configured be driven from heat extracted from exhaust gas flow. The Stirling engine drives an electrical energy generator that provides electrical energy for storage in an energy storage system.

Abstract: A vehicular heat pump system utilizing intermediate gas recompression is provided. The heat pump system is for use in a vehicle having a battery and a passenger compartment. The heat pump system may include a heating circuit and a cooling circuit each including a compressor having a first inlet and a second inlet and a vapor-liquid separator configured to separate intermediate pressure refrigerant supplied by a first expansion device into refrigerant in a gaseous state flowing therethrough and refrigerant in a liquid state flowing therethrough. The vapor-liquid separator may be configured to selectively inject refrigerant in a gaseous state into the compressor at the second inlet to increase the mass flow rate of the refrigerant. This allows the heat pump system to operate effectively in cold ambient temperatures. A method of operating a heat pump system utilizing intermediate gas recompression is also provided.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a drain grommet including a primary and secondary seal and a diversion shaft.

Abstract: A vehicular heat pump system utilizing intermediate gas recompression is provided. The heat pump system is for use in a vehicle having a battery and a passenger compartment. The heat pump system may include a heating circuit and a cooling circuit each including a compressor having a first inlet and a second inlet and a vapour-liquid separator configured to separate intermediate pressure refrigerant supplied by a first expansion device into refrigerant in a gaseous state flowing therethrough and refrigerant in a liquid state flowing therethrough. The vapor-liquid separator may be configured to selectively inject refrigerant in a gaseous state into the compressor at the second inlet to increase the mass flow rate of the refrigerant. This allows the heat pump system to operate effectively in cold ambient temperatures. A method of operating a heat pump system utilizing intermediate gas recompression is also provided.

Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle with a passenger compartment includes a heater circuit, a cooler circuit, and a primary loop, all of which have fixed flow directions. The heater circuit is filled with a first liquid medium and has a heater core, and the cooler circuit is filled with a second liquid medium and has a cooler core. The heater and cooler cores are selectively in thermal communication with the passenger compartment. The primary loop includes a compressor and an expansion valve and is filled with a refrigerant medium. No portion of the primary loop is within the passenger compartment. A liquid-cooled condenser thermally links the heater circuit and primary loop. A liquid-warmed evaporator thermally links the cooler circuit and primary loop. The primary loop is in direct heat-exchange communication with one of the first liquid medium and the second liquid medium.

Abstract: A vehicular heat pump system for controlling the temperature of a passenger compartment and vehicle battery is provided. The heat pump system may include a cooling mode and a heating mode. The components of each of the respective heating and cooling circuits may include: a compressor, an AC condenser, a heat pump condenser, a cabin evaporator, a heat pump evaporator, a receiver/dryer, a plurality of expansion devices, and a plurality of flow control valves. The use of multiple evaporators and condensers eliminates the need to reverse the direction of refrigerant flow upon a change in operating mode; therefore, the position of the low-pressure side of the system remains constant in all operating modes. The low-pressure side of the system is not cooled with ambient air, minimizing the complexity of the system and eliminating the need to interrupt heating mode in order to de-ice the outside heat exchanger.

Abstract: Climate control systems and methods of operating climate control systems for motor vehicles are provided herein. In one example, the method comprises the steps of expanding a condensed refrigerant stream with an expansion valve to form a partially expanded refrigerant stream. The partially expanded refrigerant stream comprises a refrigerant liquid phase and a refrigerant vapor phase. The partially expanded refrigerant stream is separated with a liquid-vapor separator into a refrigerant liquid stream and a refrigerant vapor stream. Heat is exchanged between air passing across or through an evaporator and the refrigerant liquid stream passing internally through and expanding in the evaporator to form a superheated refrigerant gas stream.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a Stirling engine is integrated into an exhaust system of a vehicle. The system comprises an engine coupled to a cooling system and an exhaust system. An emission control system is coupled to the exhaust system. A Stirling engine has one end coupled to the cooling system and another end selectively coupled to the exhaust system between the engine and the emission control system, and configured be driven from heat extracted from exhaust gas flow. The Stirling engine drives an electrical energy generator that provides electrical energy for storage in an energy storage system.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion assembly, and method of operation, for use in a vehicle air conditioning system is disclosed. The assembly has a main body including an orifice inlet port, an orifice outlet port, an orifice channel extending between the orifice inlet and outlet ports and including a fixed orifice, an upstream bypass channel extending from the orifice channel between the orifice inlet port and the fixed orifice and including a valve seat, and a downstream bypass channel extending from the orifice channel between the fixed orifice and the orifice outlet port. A bypass valve flange extends from the main body, forming a bypass chamber connected to the upstream bypass channel and the downstream bypass channel, with the ball valve seat adjacent to the bypass chamber. A check ball mounts in the bypass chamber adjacent to the valve seat, and a spring biases the check ball into the valve seat.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion assembly, and method of operation, for use in a vehicle air conditioning system is disclosed. An orifice channel connects an orifice inlet port to an orifice outlet port and includes a valve seat. A variable orifice assembly is mounted in the orifice channel and includes a fixed orifice passage extending axially through a variable orifice body having a sealing flange that can seal against a valve seat via an orifice spring. An orifice bypass valve includes a check ball biased against a ball seat by a bypass spring and selectively allows some of the refrigerant to bypass the variable orifice assembly. The refrigerant expansion assembly may also include a burst disk downstream of the variable orifice assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating a HVAC system in a vehicle having an engine that operates in a high efficiency mode and a less efficient mode is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: operating a refrigerant compressor to cool a passenger compartment and charge a cold thermal storage apparatus; determining if a cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded a threshold; enabling compressor cycling if the cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded the threshold; detecting if the engine is operating in the high efficiency mode; determining an amount of HVAC loads on the engine; determining a proximity of the engine operation to a switching point from the high efficiency mode to the less efficient mode; and conducting a HVAC load shed if the HVAC load reduction allows the engine to stay below the switching point and the compressor cycling is enabled.

Abstract: A method of operating a HVAC system in a vehicle having an engine that operates in a high efficiency mode and a less efficient mode is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: operating a refrigerant compressor to cool a passenger compartment and charge a cold thermal storage apparatus; determining if a cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded a threshold; enabling compressor cycling if the cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded the threshold; detecting if the engine is operating in the high efficiency mode; determining an amount of HVAC loads on the engine; determining a proximity of the engine operation to a switching point from the high efficiency mode to the less efficient mode; and conducting a HVAC load shed if the HVAC load reduction allows the engine to stay below the switching point and the compressor cycling is enabled.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion assembly, and method of operation, for use in a vehicle air conditioning system is disclosed. The assembly has a main body including an orifice inlet port, an orifice outlet port, an orifice channel extending between the orifice inlet and outlet ports and including a fixed orifice, an upstream bypass channel extending from the orifice channel between the orifice inlet port and the fixed orifice and including a valve seat, and a downstream bypass channel extending from the orifice channel between the fixed orifice and the orifice outlet port. A bypass valve flange extends from the main body, forming a bypass chamber connected to the upstream bypass channel and the downstream bypass channel, with the ball valve seat adjacent to the bypass chamber. A check ball mounts in the bypass chamber adjacent to the valve seat, and a spring biases the check ball into the valve seat.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion assembly, and method of operation, for use in a vehicle air conditioning system is disclosed. An orifice channel connects an orifice inlet port to an orifice outlet port and includes a valve seat. A variable orifice assembly is mounted in the orifice channel and includes a fixed orifice passage extending axially through a variable orifice body having a sealing flange that can seal against a valve seat via an orifice spring. An orifice bypass valve includes a check ball biased against a ball seat by a bypass spring and selectively allows some of the refrigerant to bypass the variable orifice assembly. The refrigerant expansion assembly may also include a burst disk downstream of the variable orifice assembly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for controlling the operation of an automotive HVAC system. The HVAC system includes at least a refrigerant compressor and a refrigerant evaporator. The method includes the steps of calculating an ambient air enthalpy value; comparing the calculated ambient air enthalpy value to at least one predetermined enthalpy value; and selectively changing the operation of the refrigerant compressor based on the comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the air temperature within an interior compartment of a vehicle includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator interconnected in a manner to remove heat from air in the interior compartment. A thermostatic expansion valve is connected between the condenser and evaporator, and includes an inlet and an outlet. A silencer screen is positioned at the outlet of the thermostatic expansion valve to reduce turbulence in refrigerant flow exiting the thermostatic expansion valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the air temperature within an interior compartment of a vehicle includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator interconnected in a manner to remove heat from air in the interior compartment. A thermostatic expansion valve is connected between the condenser and evaporator, and includes an inlet and an outlet. A silencer screen is positioned at the outlet of the thermostatic expansion valve to reduce turbulence in refrigerant flow exiting the thermostatic expansion valve.