Abstract: A control method for an HVAC system of a vehicle including an air handling system having a dual inlet design is disclosed. The air handling system comprises a housing having recirculation air inlets to receive recirculation air originating from a passenger compartment of the vehicle, ambient air inlets to receive ambient air originating from an ambient environment, and a blower assembly that causes air to flow through the housing. Distribution doors and baffle doors selectively control a flow of the recirculation air and the ambient air into the housing. The control method selectively positions the distribution doors and the baffle doors and selectively adjusts a speed of the blower assembly to achieve a target dew point temperature in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air handling system of a vehicle comprises a housing defining an inlet section. The inlet section includes a first inlet portion and a second inlet portion. The first inlet portion includes a first recirculation inlet configured to receive recirculated air originating from a passenger compartment of the vehicle and a first ambient air inlet configured to receive ambient air originating from an ambient environment. The second inlet portion includes a second recirculation inlet configured to receive recirculated air originating from the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a second ambient air inlet configured to receive the ambient air originating from the ambient environment. A first air distribution door and a first baffle door are disposed in the inlet section to selectively control a distribution of the recirculated air and the ambient air entering the first inlet portion.

Abstract: A tube stiffener for insertion into a plurality of radiator tubes includes a plurality of inserts and first and second connection strips. Each insert is configured to extend into at least one of the plurality of radiator tubes to strengthen the plurality of radiator tubes. The plurality of inserts include a first end and a second end and a tab projecting from each of the first end and the second end. The first connection strip is fixed to the tab on the first end and the second connection strip is fixed to the tab on the second end. Each of the connection strips connects the plurality of inserts to each other.

Abstract: An engine cooling module having a radiator and a stone guard. The stone guard protects a core of the radiator from potential damage by foreign objects, such as stones.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for an unloader valve of an air compressor. The assembly comprises an unloader piston having a first bore of a first diameter, and a second bore of a second diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first bore. The assembly also comprises a coil spring having a central opening, one end portion disposed in the second bore, and an opposite end portion extending into the first bore. The assembly further comprises a balance piston including a head portion sized to be disposed in the first bore, a first stem portion extending from the head portion and having a diameter smaller than the first and second bores, and a second stem portion extending from the first stem portion and extending into the central opening of the coil spring and having a diameter smaller than the first stem portion.

Abstract: An impact-resistant heat exchanger for a vehicle is provided with a region that does not transfer fluid but instead resists impacts from foreign objects, such as stones or debris. The heat exchanger includes first and second header tanks configured to contain a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger, as well as a tube extending between the header tanks. The tube has a fluid-transferring region fluidly coupling the first and second header tanks that is configured to transfer fluid between the first and second header tanks. The tube also has an impact-resistant region fluidly isolated from the fluid-transferring region and not fluidly coupling the first and second header tanks. The impact-resistant region has a rear edge adjacent the fluid-transferring region and an opposing leading edge.

Abstract: A tube stiffener for insertion into a plurality of radiator tubes includes a plurality of inserts and first and second connection strips. Each insert is configured to extend into at least one of the plurality of radiator tubes to strengthen the plurality of radiator tubes. The plurality of inserts include a first end and a second end and a tab projecting from each of the first end and the second end. The first connection strip is fixed to the tab on the first end and the second connection strip is fixed to the tab on the second end. Each of the connection strips connects the plurality of inserts to each other.

Abstract: An engine cooling module having a radiator and a stone guard. The stone guard protects a core of the radiator from potential damage by foreign objects, such as stones.

Abstract: A baffle, for directing air within a compressor head, includes a first leg extending along a first direction, positioned proximate to a first valve of the compressor head, and a second leg extending along the first direction and substantially parallel to the first leg, positioned proximate to a second valve of the compressor head. A first portion of air from a first side of the first leg is communicated to a second side of the first leg beyond an end of the first leg. An aperture in the first leg communicates a second portion of the air from the first side of the first leg to the second side of the first leg. A turbulence and/or pressure fluctuation proximate the first valve is reduced by communicating the second portion of the air from the first side to the second side of the first leg.

Abstract: An autolift-resistant piston assembly is provided for an air compressor. The piston assembly comprises an unloader piston having an interior chamber. The piston assembly further comprises a first coil spring for biasing the unloader piston to a loaded position when the piston assembly is installed in the air compressor. The piston assembly also comprises an inner member disposed in the interior chamber of the unloader piston and including (i) a body portion, and (ii) a tapered end portion extending from the body portion and facing an unloader air passage of the air compressor when the piston assembly is installed in the air compressor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a crankshaft assembly with an insert are disclosed. The crankshaft assembly for an air compressor comprises a crankshaft with a first segment; a second segment having an outside diameter and a cavity extending into a distal end. The cavity comprises a first portion having a first inner diameter; and a second portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is less than the first inner diameter. The crankshaft includes a linear passage in the second segment, wherein the linear passage does not intersect the cavity. The crankshaft assembly includes an insert having a first end with a first insert diameter and a second end having a second insert diameter, wherein the insert is sized to be matingly engaged in the cavity.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for an unloader valve of an air compressor. The assembly comprises an unloader piston having a first bore of a first diameter, and a second bore of a second diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first bore. The assembly also comprises a coil spring having a central opening, one end portion disposed in the second bore, and an opposite end portion extending into the first bore. The assembly further comprises a balance piston including a head portion sized to be disposed in the first bore, a first stem portion extending from the head portion and having a diameter smaller than the first and second bores, and a second stem portion extending from the first stem portion and extending into the central opening of the coil spring and having a diameter smaller than the first stem portion.

Abstract: An autolift-resistant piston assembly is provided for an air compressor. The piston assembly comprises an unloader piston having an interior chamber. The piston assembly further comprises a first coil spring for biasing the unloader piston to a loaded position when the piston assembly is installed in the air compressor. The piston assembly also comprises an inner member disposed in the interior chamber of the unloader piston and including (i) a body portion, and (ii) a tapered end portion extending from the body portion and facing an unloader air passage of the air compressor when the piston assembly is installed in the air compressor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a crankshaft assembly with an insert are disclosed. The crankshaft assembly for an air compressor comprises a crankshaft with a first segment; a second segment having an outside diameter and a cavity extending into a distal end. The cavity comprises a first portion having a first inner diameter; and a second portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is less than the first inner diameter. The crankshaft includes a linear passage in the second segment, wherein the linear passage does not intersect the cavity. The crankshaft assembly includes an insert having a first end with a first insert diameter and a second end having a second insert diameter, wherein the insert is sized to be matingly engaged in the cavity.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for an unloader valve of an air compressor. The assembly comprises an unloader piston having a first bore of a first diameter, and a second bore of a second diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first bore. The assembly also comprises a coil spring having a central opening, one end portion disposed in the second bore, and an opposite end portion extending into the first bore. The assembly further comprises a balance piston including a head portion sized to be disposed in the first bore, a first stem portion extending from the head portion and having a diameter smaller than the first and second bores, and a second stem portion extending from the first stem portion and extending into the central opening of the coil spring and having a diameter smaller than the first stem portion.

Abstract: A baffle, for directing air within a compressor head, includes a first leg extending along a first direction, positioned proximate to a first valve of the compressor head, and a second leg extending along the first direction and substantially parallel to the first leg, positioned proximate to a second valve of the compressor head. A first portion of air from a first side of the first leg is communicated to a second side of the first leg beyond an end of the first leg. An aperture in the first leg communicates a second portion of the air from the first side of the first leg to the second side of the first leg. A turbulence and/or pressure fluctuation proximate the first valve is reduced by communicating the second portion of the air from the first side to the second side of the first leg.

Abstract: An air cycle air conditioning system for treating air contained within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The system includes a compressor for receiving air from the passenger compartment and compressing the air, thereby producing charged air. Further, an expander is provided selectively coupled to the compressor for expanding the air and cooling the air communicated to the passenger compartment. The system further includes an air-to-air heat exchanger that cools the air received by the compressor-and supplies cooled charged air to the vehicle's engine.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a low-charge condition in a dual-output vehicle air conditioning system. A program reads a set of evaporator, driver-side, and passenger-side temperatures for the purpose of adjusting a temperature in a vehicle passenger compartment. A diagnostic program then analyzes these same readings to determine whether a temperature differential condition exists. Assuming a temperature differential condition exists, the program records a set of the temperature sensor readings and a time period for these temperature readings. The diagnostic program compares this set of information with a set of stored data to determine whether a low-charge condition exists.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle air-conditioning system for cooling an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle air conditioning system has a compressor coupled to an electronic control valve.

Abstract: The present invention involves an air cycle system having a preventative icing feature for climate control of a vehicle cabin. The air cycle system includes a compressor for compressing air, an intercooler for cooling compressed air, an expander for expanding air pressure, and a means for controlling conditions of air at atmospheric pressure. The compressor has a compressor inlet for ambient air and a compressor outlet for compressed air. The intercooler has an intercooler inlet for receiving compressed air from the compressor and an intercooler outlet for exiting intercooled air. The expander has an expander inlet for receiving air from the intercooler and has an expander outlet for exiting air at atmospheric pressure at an expanded condition. The expanded condition of the air at atmospheric pressure is above the icing temperature of water to prevent icing at the expander outlet.