Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including a first enclosure having an interior that is at a first temperature and a second enclosure having an interior that is at a second temperature. An opening allows fluid to flow between the interior of the first enclosure and the interior of the second enclosure. A bimetal valve is positioned in the opening to regulate fluid flow between the first enclosure and the second enclosure depending on the first temperature or on the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

Abstract: A system for bypass control within a transmission oil cooler of U-flow design in a motor vehicle includes a thermostat configured to selectively bypass transmission fluid directly from an inlet tank to an outlet tank of the transmission oil cooler in response to a temperature difference within the tanks relative a predefined threshold. The thermostat includes a thermal-sensitive element, such as a bimetal strip, that has one end bendable at a predetermined rate in a predetermined direction in response to a temperature difference between the inlet and outlet tanks of the transmission oil cooler.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining coolant system health. In one example, a method may include predicting degradation in the coolant system based on oscillations of an estimated coolant temperature at an outlet of a radiator. The method may further control an engine based on the estimated coolant temperature.

Abstract: A degas bottle for inducing a cyclonic direction of flow to incoming coolant is disclosed. The degas bottle includes a body and an air separator having a cylindrical wall. An incoming coolant inlet is attached to the upper end of the air separator and is positioned at a tangent with respect to the cylindrical wall of the air separator, thus inducing cyclonic action as the coolant enters the air separator. The air separator may be of a cylindrical shape or of a conical shape. As air trapped coolant tangentially flows into the air separator, it will follow the cylindrical or conical shape of the air separator. The centrifugal force keeps the incoming coolant pressed against the inner wall of the air separator coolant on the wall while air separates from the coolant. The cyclonically flowing coolant circles downward to the reservoir while air remains on top of the coolant.

Abstract: A liquid cooled viscous fan clutch transfers torque from a driving plate driven by an engine crankshaft to a driven plate connected to a cooling fan. Heat generated in a working fluid is transferred to a second fluid, such as engine coolant or transmission fluid, flowing through a cooling jacket. The cooling jacket is located in a stationary housing which may be fixed to the engine. The working fluid circulates through a working zone, a passageway in the stationary housing, and a passageway in the driving plate. Rotation of the driving plate provides the motive force to circulate the fluid, independent of the rotation speed of the driven plate. A controllable valve may be closed to block circulation, trapping working fluid in a reservoir, to disengage the clutch.

Abstract: A charge air cooler may include inlet and outlet chambers adjacent one another and separated by a baffle defining a bypass passage for airflow therethrough. The charge air cooler may also include heat exchange conduits connected between the inlet and outlet chambers. A valve may be disposed in the bypass passage and configured to selectively redirect at least a portion of the airflow through the bypass passage responsive to a charge air cooler outlet temperature being below a condensation temperature of the airflow.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining coolant system health. In one example, a method may include predicting degradation in the coolant system based on oscillations of an estimated coolant temperature at an outlet of a radiator. The method may further control an engine based on the estimated coolant temperature.

Abstract: A system for bypass control within a transmission oil cooler of U-flow design in a motor vehicle is disclosed. In particular, the system provides for a thermostat configured to selectively bypass transmission fluid directly from an inlet tank to an outlet tank of the transmission oil cooler in response to a temperature difference within the tanks relative a predefined threshold. The thermostat includes a thermal-sensitive element, such as a bimetal strip, that has one end bendable at a predetermined rate in a predetermined direction in response to a temperature difference between the inlet and outlet tanks of the transmission oil cooler.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister. In one example, a method may include during boosted engine operating conditions, utilizing regulated compressed air from an engine intake to purge fuel vapors stored in the fuel vapor canister. Further, during non-boosted condition, regulated air from the intake may be utilized to purge the fuel vapor canister. The purged fuel vapors and intake air may be delivered to upstream of a compressor when operating with boost, or to an intake manifold when operating without boost.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister. In one example, a method may include during boosted engine operating conditions, utilizing regulated compressed air from an engine intake to purge fuel vapors stored in the fuel vapor canister. Further, during non-boosted condition, regulated air from the intake may be utilized to purge the fuel vapor canister. The purged fuel vapors and intake air may be delivered to upstream of a compressor when operating with boost, or to an intake manifold when operating without boost.

Abstract: Methods and a system are provided for powering a coolant pump to drive a coolant flow through a charge air cooler using exhaust gas-driven rotations of a turbocharger. In one example, a method may include adjusting a coolant flow through a charge air cooler with a coolant pump, the coolant pump mechanically driven by rotative power from a turbocharger. As such, coolant flow may increase with increasing turbocharger speed and the method may further include adjusting a wastegate of a turbocharger turbine to adjust power provided to the coolant pump.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister. In one example, a method may include during boosted engine operating conditions, utilizing regulated compressed air from an engine intake to purge fuel vapors stored in the fuel vapor canister. Further, during non-boosted condition, regulated air from the intake may be utilized to purge the fuel vapor canister. The purged fuel vapors and intake air may be delivered to upstream of a compressor when operating with boost, or to an intake manifold when operating without boost.

Abstract: A liquid cooled viscous fan clutch transfers torque from a driving plate driven by an engine crankshaft to a driven plate connected to a cooling fan. Heat generated in a working fluid is transferred to a second fluid, such as engine coolant or transmission fluid, flowing between the driven plate and a stationary housing. A controllable valve may be closed to block circulation of working fluid, trapping working fluid in a reservoir, to disengage the clutch. Rotation of the driven plate provides the motive force to circulate the coolant or transmission fluid.

Abstract: A liquid cooled viscous fan clutch transfers torque from a driving plate driven by an engine crankshaft to a driven plate connected to a cooling fan. Heat generated in a working fluid is transferred to a second fluid, such as engine coolant or transmission fluid, flowing through a cooling jacket. The cooling jacket is located in a stationary housing which may be fixed to the engine. The working fluid circulates through a working zone, a passageway in the stationary housing, and a passageway in the driving plate. Rotation of the driving plate provides the motive force to circulate the fluid, independent of the rotation speed of the driven plate. A controllable valve may be closed to block circulation, trapping working fluid in a reservoir, to disengage the clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister. In one example, a method may include during boosted engine operating conditions, utilizing regulated compressed air from an engine intake to purge fuel vapors stored in the fuel vapor canister. Further, during non-boosted condition, regulated air from the intake may be utilized to purge the fuel vapor canister. The purged fuel vapors and intake air may be delivered to upstream of a compressor when operating with boost, or to an intake manifold when operating without boost.

Abstract: A degas bottle for inducing a cyclonic direction of flow to incoming coolant is disclosed. The degas bottle includes a body and an air separator having a cylindrical wall. An incoming coolant inlet is attached to the upper end of the air separator and is positioned at a tangent with respect to the cylindrical wall of the air separator, thus inducing cyclonic action as the coolant enters the air separator. The air separator may be of a cylindrical shape or of a conical shape. As air trapped coolant tangentially flows into the air separator, it will follow the cylindrical or conical shape of the air separator. The centrifugal force keeps the incoming coolant pressed against the inner wall of the air separator coolant on the wall while air separates from the coolant. The cyclonically flowing coolant circles downward to the reservoir while air remains on top of the coolant.

Abstract: Methods and a system are provided for powering a coolant pump to drive a coolant flow through a charge air cooler using exhaust gas-driven rotations of a turbocharger. In one example, a method may include adjusting a coolant flow through a charge air cooler with a coolant pump, the coolant pump mechanically driven by rotative power from a turbocharger. As such, coolant flow may increase with increasing turbocharger speed and the method may further include adjusting a wastegate of a turbocharger turbine to adjust power provided to the coolant pump.

Abstract: A resonant charge air cooler is provided having internal structures for producing vortexes in the air flow, thus inducing turbulence and increasing heat transfer efficiency. The air cooler includes an inlet tank, an outlet tank and a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting the inlet and outlet tanks. The tubes include vortex-inducing structures such as dimples or grooves formed on their interior surfaces. A vortex-inducing structure such as wire mesh formed from a long wire, a wire grid or parallel wires on a frame is included in the inlet tank. By changing the geometry of the internal structures, turbulent eddies are created at very small length scales. Adjustment of the geometries results in vortexes that have almost the same size as those produced by the surface dimples or grooves formed on the walls of the tubes connecting the inlet and outlet tanks, whereby a resonance behavior occurs and heat transfer increases.

Abstract: A convex fan shroud for use with an automotive engine cooling system having a fan and a fan-cooled, liquid-to-air radiator is disclosed. The convex fan shroud has an optimized shape that leads to high air flow rates through the radiator. The convex fan shroud includes a front frame that defines an air-intake opening, a convex top wall connected to the frame, a convex bottom wall connected to the frame, and a pair of opposed convex side walls connected to the frame and to the top and bottom walls. The interior surfaces of the walls are smooth. The convex walls define a barrel-shaped shroud body that includes a round engine-facing opening to accommodate the fan. In addition to generating a higher flow rate, the disclosed inventive concept for a smooth convex fan shroud is relatively low cost to produce and has a relatively high degree of rigidity.

Abstract: A convex fan shroud for use with an automotive engine cooling system having a fan and a fan-cooled, liquid-to-air radiator is disclosed. The convex fan shroud has an optimized shape that leads to high air flow rates through the radiator. The convex fan shroud includes a front frame that defines an air-intake opening, a convex top wall connected to the frame, a convex bottom wall connected to the frame, and a pair of opposed convex side walls connected to the frame and to the top and bottom walls. The interior surfaces of the walls are smooth. The convex walls define a barrel-shaped shroud body that includes a round engine-facing opening to accommodate the fan. In addition to generating a higher flow rate, the disclosed inventive concept for a smooth convex fan shroud is relatively low cost to produce and has a relatively high degree of rigidity.