Abstract: A thermal system for an electrified vehicle including a thermal loop and a controller is provided. The thermal loop may include a rear evaporator and a compressor fluidly connected thereto, a conduit to distribute oil throughout the thermal loop, and an evaporator valve. The controller may be programmed to, responsive to receipt of a signal indicating evaporator valve shut-off and detection of a vehicle plug-in event, cycle the compressor to promote oil movement through the compressor. The controller may be further programmed to, responsive to receipt of the signal, open the evaporator valve to force oil back to the compressor. The thermal loop may further include a first expansion valve up stream of a chiller fluidly connected to the compressor, a second expansion valve between the evaporator valve and the rear evaporator, and a third expansion valve up stream of a front evaporator fluidly connected to the compressor.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle and method for heating a passenger cabin of an electrified vehicle that may include an internal combustion engine in addition to an electric machine and a traction battery for supplying the electric machine control an electric heating element to store thermal energy while the vehicle is connected to an external power source that is also used to charge the traction battery, and to extract stored thermal energy during operation of the vehicle with the electric heating element turned off to extend the electric driving range of the vehicle while also providing heat to the passenger cabin. The electric heating element may positioned and controlled to heat one or more elements directly by mechanical contact, or indirectly by heating a circulating liquid coolant to a temperature above a current or anticipated external ambient temperature.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that has a user interface. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and includes baffles. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A lint filter is disposed within the airflow path and between the drum and the blower. A foreign particulate collector is disposed within the drum and is configured to collect foreign particulates within the drum. A controller is operably coupled to a motor for rotating the drum and the blower. The user interface and the controller cooperate to operate the drum and the blower for capturing foreign particulates at least within the foreign particulate collector.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a user interface. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and is operably coupled to a motor that rotates the drum. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A controller is communicatively coupled to the user interface, the motor, and the blower. The controller is configured to selectively operate a foreign particulate cycle that includes at least a soft-start feature.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that defines an opening. A rotating drum is accessible via the opening and operably coupled to the cabinet. A fluid emitting feature is proximate the rotating drum. The fluid emitting feature is configured to dispense a fluid into the rotating drum. The fluid is configured to contact foreign particulates in the rotating drum. A housing is proximate the rotating drum and includes a foreign particulate filter configured to collect the foreign particulates. The fluid and rotation of the rotating drum direct the foreign particulates toward the foreign particulate filter.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet, a drum, a housing, a foreign particulate removal assembly, and a blower. The foreign particulate removal assembly includes a first lint filter that defines a plurality of first lint filter openings, a second lint filter that defines a plurality of second lint filter openings that are smaller than the plurality of first lint filter openings, such that the second lint filter is configured to collect foreign particulates that pass through at least one of the plurality of first lint filter openings, and a binding member that couples the first lint filter to the second lint filter. The foreign particulate removal assembly is operable between a collection position and a maintenance position. In the collection position, at least the second lint filter is positioned within the housing. In the maintenance position, the second lint filter is positioned outside of the housing.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an opening. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and defines a processing space. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A door is operably coupled to the cabinet. The door is operable to an open position that provides selective access through the opening and into the drum. A foreign particulate collector is operably coupled to the door. The foreign particulate collector includes a collection material configured to collect foreign particulates within the drum.

Abstract: A method of climate control in a vehicle includes cooling a battery and cabin of a vehicle at a target chiller-pump speed of a chiller. The target speed corresponds to a difference between a temperature of a battery and a target temperature of the battery. The target pump speed does not exceed a limit defined by a look-up table that identifies a capacity of the chiller by mapping the load and the difference.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a climate control system. In one example, a method for operating a vehicle climate control system includes modeling a pressure in a heat pump downstream of an exterior heat exchanger an upstream of an expansion valve. The method also includes operating the expansion valve to cool a vehicle cabin using the modeled pressure in conjunction with a temperature from a sensor positioned upstream of the expansion valve and downstream of the exterior heat exchanger.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vapor-injection heat pump having a refrigerant loop with an evaporator configured to cool cabin air, the evaporator coupled to an electronically controllable pressure regulating valve having a fully-open position with near-zero pressure drop, and a cabin conditioning coolant loop having a heater core configured to selectively heat the cabin air. A controller is configured to control the valve to maintain temperature and pressure of the refrigerant loop above a freezing threshold to inhibit or prevent evaporator icing. The valve may be controlled to throttle flow during a parallel dehumidification mode and to fully open to minimize pressure drop during other operational modes, such as a cooling mode, heating mode, de-icing mode, and series dehumidification mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing de-icing a heat pump exchanger and heating a vehicle cabin are presented. In one example, a climate control system that experiences icing of the exterior heat exchanger may be operated in a first mode where thermal energy from the energy storage device is used to de-ice and also heat the cabin.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a climate control system. In one example, a method for operating a vehicle climate control system includes modeling a temperature in a cabin heating circuit coupled to a heat pump. The method also includes operating the heat pump to deliver thermal energy to a cabin heat exchanger based on the modeled temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a climate control system. In one example, a method for operating a vehicle climate control system includes modeling a pressure in a heat pump downstream of an exterior heat exchanger an upstream of an expansion valve. The method also includes operating the expansion valve to cool a vehicle cabin using the modeled pressure in conjunction with a temperature from a sensor positioned upstream of the expansion valve and downstream of the exterior heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a climate control system. In one example, a method for operating a vehicle climate control system includes modeling a temperature in a cabin heating circuit coupled to a heat pump. The method also includes operating the heat pump to deliver thermal energy to a cabin heat exchanger based on the modeled temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust heat recovery and EGR cooling via a single heat exchanger. In one example, a method may include selecting a specific mode of operation of an engine exhaust system with the heat exchanger based on engine operating conditions and an estimated fuel efficacy factor. The fuel efficiency factor may take into account fuel efficacy benefits from EGR and exhaust heat recovery.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vehicle configured to prevent oil entrapment within a refrigerant system of the vehicle. This disclosure also relates to a corresponding method. An example vehicle includes a refrigerant system configured to circulate fluid including a mixture of refrigerant and oil relative to an evaporator, a controller, and an electronic expansion valve upstream of the evaporator. The electronic expansion valve is responsive to instructions from the controller, and the controller is configured to instruct the electronic expansion valve to open to prevent entrapment of oil within the evaporator or refrigerant lines.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing de-icing a heat pump exchanger and heating a vehicle cabin are presented. In one example, a climate control system that experiences icing of the exterior heat exchanger may be operated in a first mode where thermal energy from the energy storage device is used to de-ice and also heat the cabin.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing control of a heat pump of a motor vehicle are presented. In one operating mode, speed of a heat pump compressor is controlled responsive to an outlet pressure of the heat pump compressor. In a second operating mode, speed of the heat pump compressor is controlled responsive to a pressure ratio between an inlet and an outlet of the heat pump compressor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vehicle configured to prevent oil entrapment within a refrigerant system of the vehicle. This disclosure also relates to a corresponding method. An example vehicle includes a refrigerant system configured to circulate fluid including a mixture of refrigerant and oil relative to an evaporator, a controller, and an electronic expansion valve upstream of the evaporator. The electronic expansion valve is responsive to instructions from the controller, and the controller is configured to instruct the electronic expansion valve to open to prevent entrapment of oil within the evaporator or refrigerant lines.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle and method for heating a passenger cabin of an electrified vehicle that may include an internal combustion engine in addition to an electric machine and a traction battery for supplying the electric machine control an electric heating element to store thermal energy while the vehicle is connected to an external power source that is also used to charge the traction battery, and to extract stored thermal energy during operation of the vehicle with the electric heating element turned off to extend the electric driving range of the vehicle while also providing heat to the passenger cabin. The electric heating element may positioned and controlled to heat one or more elements directly by mechanical contact, or indirectly by heating a circulating liquid coolant to a temperature above a current or anticipated external ambient temperature.