Abstract: The efficiency of a dual drive compressor for an air conditioner in a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor is enhanced by calculating compressor load for the air conditioner and then determining allowable engine-off time for the internal combustion engine. Once the engine is turned off, a time counter is started. The engine is thereafter turned on once the time counter indicates that an allowable engine-off time has elapsed. During the cycle, the engine is forced to remain on until minimum “engine-on” time has elapsed. The A/C compressor load is calculated using compressor capacity, engine speed, and/or air conditioner high pressure as input parameters.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle's lighting functionality is disclosed herein. The method may include realizing a preferred vehicle lighting configuration and transmitting a signal to the vehicle via a radio frequency communication system. In response to the signal, the vehicle lighting system may alter a current vehicle lighting configuration to correspond with the preferred vehicle lighting configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system as described herein obtains solar intensity data from an onboard solar sensor, along with current vehicle position data from a telematics system or a GPS system. The current vehicle position data is processed to determine the current sun position, which is used to provide a real-time and accurate estimate of the solar intensity in the vehicle interior. Vehicle configuration information, including position data related to light-obstructing features such as pillars, may also influence the solar intensity estimate. The solar intensity estimate can be utilized to control the operation of the vehicle HVAC system.

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: The present invention concerns an automotive HVAC system for use in a vehicle having a vehicle body that includes an engine and a battery. The HVAC system has a predetermined design cooling capacity and includes a condenser and one of an orifice tube and an expansion valve in fluid communication with the condenser. A first compressor is adapted to be mechanically driven by the engine and is in fluid communication from the evaporator and in fluid communication to the condenser. A second compressor is electrically connected to and driven by the battery bank and is in fluid communication from the evaporator and in fluid communication to the condenser. Each of the compressors is selectively operable to compress refrigerant in the HVAC system during operation of the HVAC system.

Abstract: The integrated automotive HVAC/PTC system of the present invention includes a bi-fluidic heat exchanger between an air conditioning subsystem and a heating subsystem which enables heat extracted during dehumidification of the ventilation air to be transferred into dehumidified ventilation air. The HVAC/PTC system includes reconfigurable coolant loops and reconfigurable refrigerant loops, some of which act in concert and some of which may be isolated. Power train components, including the power supply, may be grouped by heat transfer requirements and may be cooled or heated as needed. Power train cooling is accomplished with coolant in the heating subsystem chilled by the air conditioning system.

Abstract: An improved control method for a dual mode compressor drive arrangement selectively operates an electric machine coupled to the compressor as a motor or a generator during operation of an engine coupled to the compressor for improved efficiency and performance. The machine is operated as a generator to increase the available power for vehicle electrical loads when compressor operation is not needed or when the engine is driving the compressor. Conversely, the machine is operated as a motor to drive the compressor under heavy engine loading or when the engine speed is outside a desired operating range defined in terms of compressor speed.

Abstract: An improved control method for a dual mode compressor drive arrangement selectively operates an electric machine coupled to the compressor as a motor or a generator during operation of an engine coupled to the compressor for improved efficiency and performance. The machine is operated as a generator to increase the available power for vehicle electrical loads when compressor operation is not needed or when the engine is driving the compressor. Conversely, the machine is operated as a motor to drive the compressor under heavy engine loading or when the engine speed is outside a desired operating range defined in terms of compressor speed.

Abstract: The invention provides a battery cooling system to cool an electric vehicle battery pack and extend the operating range of an automotive heat pump system. Waste heat from the battery pack is transferred to a secondary coolant system thereby cooling the battery pack. A secondary heat exchanger is coupled between the secondary cooling system and a reversible HVAC system. The secondary heat exchanger transfers the secondary coolant system heat energy to the reversible HVAC system. The heat energy transferred to the reversible HVAC system supplements the existing stored energy thereby extending the heating mode operating range of the HVAC system. The requirement for supplemental electric heating is reduced, further increasing the electric vehicle energy efficiency.

Abstract: A reversible HVAC system for heating a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a heat pump and an electric heater for supplying heat directly to air blown into the passenger compartment. A controller initially selects the heat pump to provide the heat that is directed into the passenger compartment. The heat pump attempts for a predetermined period of time to heat the passenger compartment to a target temperature. The controller stores a heat pump gain value representing the heating capacity of the heat pump before switching the heating operation to the electric heater. During operation of the electric heater, the controller calculates a system heat gain value representing the required heating capacity to maintain the passenger compartment at the target temperature. While the electric heater is operating, the controller continuously modifies the heat pump gain value to reflect changes in the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A flow management device is provided for managing refrigerant flow in a reversible HVAC system. Refrigerant lines from the system heat exchangers connect to bi-directional ports on the flow management device which converts the high pressure refrigerant flowing in one bi-directional port into pressure reduced refrigerant that flows out of the other bi-directional port. The flow management device has multiple bi-directional ports and a flow path for refrigerant extending between the ports. Flow sensitive valves are positioned within the flow path to prevent high pressure refrigerant from flowing between the ports. A pressure reducing device is arranged so that high pressure refrigerant flowing into one of the ports flows through one of the flow sensitive valves and then into the pressure reducing device. Pressure reduced refrigerant emitted from the pressure reducing device flows through a multi-function valve and out the other port.

Abstract: An air-flow management system for controlling the supply air to a motor vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The air-flow management system includes a reversible heat pump system for transferring heat energy between an outside environment and a refrigerant. Air from the outside environment, fresh air, and from the passenger compartment, recirculated air, is forced through the air-flow structure by a blower resulting in the transfer of heat energy between the refrigerant and the passenger compartment. A recirculation door provides a means for controlling the mixture of fresh air to recirculated air that flows through the air-flow structure. The position of the recirculation door is selectable by a controller to prevent fogging during the transition from cooling mode to heating mode, minimize the energy expended conditioning the passenger compartment air, and prevent the backflow of unconditioned outside air from the fresh air duct into the recirculation duct.

Abstract: An air-flow management system for controlling the supply air to a motor vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The air-flow management system includes a reversible heat pump system for transferring heat energy between an outside environment and a refrigerant. Air from the outside environment, fresh air, and from the passenger compartment, recirculated air, is forced through the air-flow structure by a blower resulting in the transfer of heat energy between the refrigerant and the passenger compartment. A recirculation door provides a means for controlling the mixture of fresh air to recirculated air that flows through the air-flow structure. The position of the recirculation door is selectable by a controller to prevent fogging during the transition from cooling mode to heating mode, minimize the energy expended conditioning the passenger compartment air, and prevent the backflow of unconditioned outside air from the fresh air duct into the recirculation duct.

Abstract: A method of controlling fogging in vehicles having a reversible HVAC system. First, the method detects if conditions for fogging exist such as moisture or localized coldspots on the inside heat exchanger. Then, the speed of the compressor is gradually increased, causing the discharge temperature of the refrigerant to increase at a controlled rate. As the temperature of the refrigerant increases, the temperature of the inside heat exchanger increases. Moisture that exists on the inside heat exchanger slowly begins to evaporate into the air passing through the heat exchanger into the passenger compartment. The moisture laden air flows through the passenger compartment and exits through door seal cracks and outlet vents to the outside environment. After a predetermined period of time, the moisture on the inside heat exchanger has evaporated, so the compressor speed is increased to its steady-state speed.