Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a first condenser, a vapor generator having a first region and a second region, a first expansion valve, a second expansion valve, and a first evaporator. A branching point is positioned between the first condenser and the vapor generator. The branching point diverts a portion of a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop to the vapor generator. The first expansion valve is positioned between the branching point and the vapor generator. An outlet of the vapor generator is coupled to a mid-pressure inlet port of the compressor.

Abstract: Secondary loop air conditioning and heat pump systems include a reservoir with a capsule holding a phase change material.

Abstract: A cold ambient battery chilling mode of an electric vehicle may be implemented if the vehicle battery is being charged when the ambient air temperature is low and a temperature of the battery is elevated. During cold ambient charging, coolant flows through a heater core and through a battery heat exchanger. Cold ambient air may be utilized to cool the coolant flowing through the heater core, and coolant from the heater core flows through the battery heat exchanger and cools the battery during charging. A battery chiller may be deactivated when the cold ambient battery chilling mode is activated to reduce energy consumption.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a first condenser, a vapor generator having a first region and a second region, a first expansion valve, a second expansion valve, and a first evaporator. A branching point is positioned between the first condenser and the vapor generator. The branching point diverts a portion of a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop to the vapor generator. The first expansion valve is positioned between the branching point and the vapor generator. An outlet of the vapor generator is coupled to a mid-pressure inlet port of the compressor.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a first condenser, a vapor generator having a first region and a second region, a first expansion valve, a second expansion valve, and a first evaporator. A branching point is positioned between the first condenser and the vapor generator. The branching point diverts a portion of a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop to the vapor generator. The first expansion valve is positioned between the branching point and the vapor generator. An outlet of the vapor generator is coupled to a mid-pressure inlet port of the compressor.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a first condenser, a vapor generator having a first region and a second region, a first expansion valve, a second expansion valve, and a first evaporator. A branching point is positioned between the first condenser and the vapor generator. The branching point diverts a portion of a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop to the vapor generator. The first expansion valve is positioned between the branching point and the vapor generator. An outlet vapor generator is coupled to a mid-pressure inlet port of the compressor.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rim having a core structure, a plurality of heaters surrounding at least a portion of the core structure to define a plurality of heating zones, at least one sensor for sensing location of a user's hand on the steering wheel, and a controller controlling the plurality of heaters to activate one or more of the heaters based on the sensed location of the hand.

Abstract: A method of assembling a personal air purifying respirator includes assembling a housing including a blower disposed therein, a filter cavity, and an outlet manifold; installing a filter on the housing; attaching a filter cover to the housing with the filter cover disposed over the filter, wherein the filter cover defines an air inlet; and testing the filter including energizing the blower, introducing a testing aerosol into the air inlet, and measuring air exiting the outlet manifold.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle having a cabin pre-cooling strategy for managing battery and cabin cooling loads. A corresponding method is also disclosed. An example electrified vehicle includes a battery for propulsion, a cabin, a thermal management system configured to thermally condition both the battery and the cabin, and a controller configured to follow a cabin pre-cooling strategy to pre-cool the cabin when an expected cooling load of the battery, if the electrified vehicle were to be driven in present conditions, exceeds an upper battery cooling load threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system including a heat pump system. The heat pumps system including a refrigerant module mounting manifold, the manifold including a first plate and a second plate. The first plate and the second plate are configured to couple together such that together they define a plurality of channels for directing the flow of refrigerant through the heat pump system. One or more auxiliary modules are fluidly coupled to the refrigerant module mounting manifold.

Abstract: Secondary loop air conditioning and heat pump systems include a reservoir with a capsule holding a phase change material.

Abstract: A dual zone auxiliary climate control system for a vehicle includes an evaporator, a heater core having a first zone and a second zone, a first zone mode door downstream from the first zone of the heater core, a second zone mode door downstream from the second zone of the heater core and a blower. The blower forces air through the evaporator and the heater core toward the first zone mode door and the second zone mode door. A method of providing a dual zone auxiliary climate control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A respirator includes a head unit configured to be received on a human head and a purifying unit configured to provide purified air to the head unit. The purifying unit includes a first housing portion having an interior side defining a blower cavity, an exterior side defining a partial filter chamber with a filter sealing surface, and an inlet hole circumscribed by the sealing surface and extending between the interior and exterior sides. A second housing portion has an interior side defining a blower cavity. The first and second housings are attached to each other to form a housing such that the blower cavities are opposite each other to define a blower chamber within the housing. A blower is disposed in the blower chamber. A filter covers over the inlet hole and is disposed against the sealing surface such that air entering the hole passes through the filter.

Abstract: Secondary loop air conditioning and heat pump systems include a reservoir with a capsule holding a phase change material.

Abstract: A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop for conveying refrigerant, a coolant loop for conveying coolant, a chiller configured to convey the refrigerant and the coolant, and a vessel coupled to the chiller and having a phase change material disposed therein. The phase change material is configured to freeze via heat transfer from the phase change material to the refrigerant and melt via heat transfer from the coolant to the phase change material.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant outside air, a first check valve set, a first expansion device for decompressing a first portion of the refrigerant, a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the first portion of the refrigerant and a second portion of the refrigerant, a second expansion device for decompressing the second portion of the refrigerant, a second check valve set, a third heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and inside air, and a selector valve for switching between a heating mode and a cooling mode. The first check valve set and the second check valve set together maintain a constant flow direction through the first expansion device, the second heat exchanger, and the second expansion device in the heating mode and the cooling mode.

Abstract: A method for defogging a window of a vehicle includes steps of determining a risk of window fogging and automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode according to that determined risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from: an outside air mode, an air-conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging according to one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller may automatically select the climate control system operating mode.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rim having a core structure, a plurality of heaters surrounding at least a portion of the core structure to define a plurality of heating zones, at least one sensor for sensing location of a user's hand on the steering wheel, and a controller controlling the plurality of heaters to activate one or more of the heaters based on the sensed location of the hand.

Abstract: A refrigerant loop of a vapor injection heat pump includes a compressor, first and second expansion valves, and first and second separator valves. The separator valves allow an entire refrigerant flow to pass therethrough or operate to separate vapor and liquid components of expanded refrigerant and inject the vapor component into a suction port of the compressor. Vapor injection occurs in both heating and cooling modes of operation and may depend upon an ambient condition (e.g., high or low ambient temperatures). An accumulator receives an output refrigerant of the heat exchangers dependent upon the mode and directs a vapor component into another suction port of the compressor. A control module controls at least the first and second expansion valves and first and second separator valves dependent upon the mode of operation which include, among others, heating, cooling, and dehumidification and re-heating.

Abstract: A multi-compressor refrigerant system for a vehicle including a main compressor, an auxiliary compressor fluidly coupled with the main compressor, and a chiller fluidly coupled to the main compressor and the auxiliary compressor for exchanging heat with an electronic device. At least one of the main compressor and the auxiliary compressor is operated based on a thermal load of the chiller.