Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery arranged to be cooled by a chiller of a refrigerant system, and a radiator of a coolant system. The coolant system includes a proportioning valve having a pair of first and second outlets that each selectively receives a proportion of coolant flowing into the valve depending upon a position of the valve. The coolant system further includes a chiller loop connected to the first outlet and arranged to convey coolant to the chiller, and a radiator loop connected to the second outlet and arranged to convey coolant to the radiator. A controller is configured to, in response to the refrigerant system being ON, actuate the proportioning valve to proportion the coolant between the first and second outlets such that heat transfer through the chiller is limited to a chiller capacity.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a cooling system. The cooling system has a chiller, a radiator, and conduit and valving arranged to form a thermal circuit configured to selectively transport heat via coolant from the traction battery to the radiator. The vehicle also includes a grille shutter assembly having an opening and shutters movable to alter an effective cross-sectional area of the opening. A controller is programed to operate the shutters to change the effective cross-sectional area of the opening to increase or decrease air flow over the radiator based on a temperature of the coolant and an ambient air temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a refrigerant system having an intermediary heat exchanger, an exterior heat exchanger, and an expansion device disposed therebetween. The vehicle also includes a coolant circuit having a pump configured to circulate coolant through the intermediary heat exchanger and an engine. A controller is programmed to, in response to air conditioning being requested and the coolant temperature exceeding a threshold temperature, open the expansion device and de-energize the pump to condense refrigerant in the exterior heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for a traction battery of an electrified motor vehicle. That cooling system includes a cooling circuit, a refrigerant circuit, a plurality of flow control valves and a control system. That control system includes a controller configured to (a) control operation of the plurality of flow control valves and (b) prioritize cabin cooling over traction battery cooling.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for a traction battery of an electrified motor vehicle. That cooling system includes a cooling circuit, a refrigerant circuit, a plurality of flow control valves and a control system. That control system includes a controller configured to (a) control operation of the plurality of flow control valves, including a coolant proportional valve, and (b) prioritize cabin cooling over traction battery cooling.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery arrangement, a chiller, a coolant circuit configured to direct coolant through the chiller and battery arrangement, a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, valve, and evaporator, and a controller. The controller is programmed to alter a speed of the compressor and a position of the valve based on a pressure and temperature of refrigerant output from the chiller to alter a temperature of the coolant.

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: A method for preconditioning various subsystems of an electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, scheduling preconditioning of a battery pack, an interior cabin, a transmission and an engine of the electrified vehicle prior to a next expected usage time based at least on a weather forecast.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle climate control operating method includes in a cooling mode, moving a valve to a first position and initializing the valve without moving the valve to a second position. In a heating mode, the method moves the valve to a second position and initializing the valve without moving the valve to the first position. The first position permits more flow than the second position.

Abstract: An exemplary electrified vehicle assembly includes a battery pack, a cabin heater, and a coolant loop that communicates liquid coolant from the battery pack to the cabin heater. The cabin heater configured to heat a cabin of a vehicle with thermal energy from liquid coolant.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a refrigerant system having an intermediary heat exchanger, an exterior heat exchanger, and an expansion device disposed therebetween. The vehicle also includes a coolant circuit having a pump configured to circulate coolant through the intermediary heat exchanger and an engine. A controller is programmed to, in response to air conditioning being requested and the coolant temperature exceeding a threshold temperature, open the expansion device and de-energize the pump to condense refrigerant in the exterior heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of preventing damage to a compressor in a vehicle is provided. The method broadly includes the steps of: (a) sensing a temperature (TD) of a compressor discharge fluid; (b) identifying a time (ta) when the sensed temperature (TD) is greater than a first threshold temperature (T1); (c) initiating a first action at a time (t1) if the sensed temperature (TD) remains greater than the first threshold temperature (T1); (d) initiating a second action at a time (t2) if the sensed temperature (TD) remains greater than the first threshold temperature (T1); (e) initiating a third action at a time (t3) if the sensed temperature (TD) remains greater than the first threshold temperature (T1); and (f) initiating a fourth action at a time (t4) if the sensed temperature (TD) remains greater than the first threshold temperature (T1).

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a traction battery configured to receive wall power from a charging station, a coolant circuit, a heat pump and a controller. The coolant circuit includes the battery, a heater core, a heat exchanger, and valving. The heat pump is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to heat the battery and the cabin, and a time to next planned usage of the vehicle being less than a first threshold time, actuate the valving to circulate coolant to the heater core and not the battery when wall power is available, and energize the heat pump to supply heat to the coolant circuit via the heat exchanger when an ambient air temperature exceeds a threshold temperature. The disclosure also includes a method for preconditioning a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, a cabin, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to heat both the battery and the cabin, and a time to next planned usage of the vehicle exceeding a first threshold time, heat the battery and delay heating the cabin at least until the time to next planned usage is less than the first threshold time.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a cooling system. The cooling system has a chiller, a radiator, and conduit and valving arranged to form a thermal circuit configured to selectively transport heat via coolant from the traction battery to the radiator. The vehicle also includes a grille shutter assembly having an opening and shutters movable to alter an effective cross-sectional area of the opening. A controller is programed to operate the shutters to change the effective cross-sectional area of the opening to increase or decrease air flow over the radiator based on a temperature of the coolant and an ambient air temperature.

Abstract: A heating system for an electric vehicle includes a heat pump subsystem, an electric heater subsystem, and a controller. The heating system further includes one or more sensors for determining an ambient temperature value and a heat pump operational efficiency metric value and for providing those values to the controller. The controller is configured to determine an optimal heating contribution percentage of the heat pump subsystem and the electric heater subsystem from the determined ambient temperature value and the determined heat pump operational efficiency metric value. The heat pump operational efficiency metric may be a compressor discharge pressure value. A related method is described for determining an optimal heating contribution percentage of the heat pump subsystem and the electric heater subsystem.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in a hybrid or battery-electric vehicle is provided. The HVAC system includes a compressor that has its own dedicated motor to control its speed. The compressor includes an inlet pressure sensor to determine and output the suction pressure, and an outlet pressure sensor to determine and output the discharge pressure of the compressor. At least one controller can be programmed to determine the discharge-to-suction pressure ratio, and limit the operating speed of the compressor in response to the ratio exceeding a pressure-ratio-threshold. The pressure-ratio-threshold can vary based on ambient air temperature. In the event an inlet pressure sensor is not available, the operating speed of the compressor can be reduced in response to the outlet pressure exceeding an ambient-temperature-based variable threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a heat pump subsystem configured to circulate refrigerant through a condenser and an evaporator; and a coolant subsystem. The coolant system is configured to circulate coolant through a radiator, a powertrain component, a heater core, and a heat exchanger that is arranged to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the coolant. The coolant subsystem selectively transfers heat from the heat pump subsystem to the radiator to increase condensing capacity of the heat pump subsystem.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery arrangement, a chiller, a coolant circuit configured to direct coolant through the chiller and battery arrangement, a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, valve, and evaporator, and a controller. The controller is programmed to alter a speed of the compressor and a position of the valve based on a pressure and temperature of refrigerant output from the chiller to alter a temperature of the coolant.

Abstract: Methods and system for providing de-icing a heat pump heat exchanger and heating a vehicle passenger cabin are presented. In one example, a heat pump that experiences icing of exterior heat exchanger fins may be operated in a cooling mode where a passenger cabin heat exchanger operates as an evaporator to improve de-icing of the exterior heat exchanger fins.