Abstract: One general aspect includes a system having one or more heat pads installed at a vehicle, the one or more heat pads configured to provide infrared energy transmissions to a vehicle component to defrost, defog, or both defrost and defog a surface of the vehicle component. The system may also carry out the following steps: (a) determining that ice or fog or both ice and fog has accumulated on the surface of the vehicle component; and (b) based on the determination made in step (a), activating the one or more heat pads to defrost, defog, or both defrost and defog a surface of the vehicle component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer panel, comprising: a center layer comprising graphene, wherein the center layer comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface; a first polymer layer deposited on the first surface of the center layer and a second polymer layer deposited on the second surface of the center layer; and a first glass layer deposited on an outer surface of the first polymer layer and a second glass layer deposited on an outer surface of the second polymer layer; wherein the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer, or any combination(s) thereof comprise carbon filler.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system having one or more heat pads installed at a vehicle, the one or more heat pads configured to provide infrared energy transmissions to a vehicle component to defrost, defog, or both defrost and defog a surface of the vehicle component. The system may also carry out the following steps: (a) determining that ice or fog or both ice and fog has accumulated on the surface of the vehicle component; and (b) based on the determination made in step (a), activating the one or more heat pads to defrost, defog, or both defrost and defog a surface of the vehicle component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer panel, comprising: a center layer comprising graphene, wherein the center layer comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface; a first polymer layer deposited on the first surface of the center layer and a second polymer layer deposited on the second surface of the center layer; and a first glass layer deposited on an outer surface of the first polymer layer and a second glass layer deposited on an outer surface of the second polymer layer; wherein the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer, or any combination(s) thereof comprise carbon filler.

Abstract: A transparent sheet is provided, and includes a heatable element arranged to transfer heat energy to the transparent sheet, a strain gage transducer disposed on the transparent sheet, and a temperature sensor disposed on the transparent sheet. A controller is in communication with the strain gage transducer and the temperature sensor, and is operably connected to the heatable element. The controller is operative to control the heatable element based upon signal inputs from the strain gage and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: One variation may include a product including a mixture including CF3CF?CH2 and a lubricating oil or grease wherein the lubricating oil or grease that reduces eliminates the likelihood that the refrigerant will ignite.

Abstract: A method of operating a HVAC system in a vehicle having an engine that operates in a high efficiency mode and a less efficient mode is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: operating a refrigerant compressor to cool a passenger compartment and charge a cold thermal storage apparatus; determining if a cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded a threshold; enabling compressor cycling if the cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded the threshold; detecting if the engine is operating in the high efficiency mode; determining an amount of HVAC loads on the engine; determining a proximity of the engine operation to a switching point from the high efficiency mode to the less efficient mode; and conducting a HVAC load shed if the HVAC load reduction allows the engine to stay below the switching point and the compressor cycling is enabled.

Abstract: A method of operating a HVAC system in a vehicle having an engine that operates in a high efficiency mode and a less efficient mode is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: operating a refrigerant compressor to cool a passenger compartment and charge a cold thermal storage apparatus; determining if a cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded a threshold; enabling compressor cycling if the cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded the threshold; detecting if the engine is operating in the high efficiency mode; determining an amount of HVAC loads on the engine; determining a proximity of the engine operation to a switching point from the high efficiency mode to the less efficient mode; and conducting a HVAC load shed if the HVAC load reduction allows the engine to stay below the switching point and the compressor cycling is enabled.