Abstract: A thermal system includes a heat-generating component, a heat-absorbing component, a liquid coolant reservoir for receiving and distributing a liquid coolant, a first liquid loop that is connected to the liquid coolant reservoir, includes a first pump upstream from a first functional component to circulate the liquid coolant, is heated by the heat-generating component, and includes a first valve downstream from the first functional component to control recirculation or return of the liquid coolant to the liquid coolant reservoir, and a second liquid loop that is connected to the liquid coolant reservoir, includes a second pump upstream from a second functional component to circulate the liquid coolant, is cooled by the heat-absorbing component, and includes a second valve downstream from the second functional component to control recirculation or return of the liquid coolant to the liquid coolant reservoir.

Abstract: A deaeration device for a fluid includes a reservoir that contains a portion of the fluid, a fluid flow path that carries a portion of the fluid, a pressure regulating structure that creates a pressure gradient along the fluid flow path, a fluid exit in the fluid flow path, and a fluid entrance in the fluid flow path. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid to exit the fluid flow path through the fluid exit and join the fluid in the reservoir. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid from the reservoir to join the fluid flow path through the fluid entrance.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal system includes a heat-generating component, a heat-absorbing component, a liquid coolant reservoir for receiving and distributing a liquid coolant, a first liquid loop that is connected to the liquid coolant reservoir, includes a first pump upstream from a first functional component to circulate the liquid coolant, is heated by the heat-generating component, and includes a first valve downstream from the first functional component to control recirculation or return of the liquid coolant to the liquid coolant reservoir, and a second liquid loop that is connected to the liquid coolant reservoir, includes a second pump upstream from a second functional component to circulate the liquid coolant, is cooled by the heat-absorbing component, and includes a second valve downstream from the second functional component to control recirculation or return of the liquid coolant to the liquid coolant reservoir.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal system includes a heat-generating component, a heat-absorbing component, a liquid coolant reservoir for receiving and distributing a liquid coolant, a first liquid loop that is connected to the liquid coolant reservoir, includes a first pump upstream from a first functional component to circulate the liquid coolant, is heated by the heat-generating component, and includes a first valve downstream from the first functional component to control recirculation or return of the liquid coolant to the liquid coolant reservoir, and a second liquid loop that is connected to the liquid coolant reservoir, includes a second pump upstream from a second functional component to circulate the liquid coolant, is cooled by the heat-absorbing component, and includes a second valve downstream from the second functional component to control recirculation or return of the liquid coolant to the liquid coolant reservoir.

Abstract: A thermal management system and methods for thermal management include selective use of heat exchange between thermal loops for heating, cooling, battery, and refrigerant in order to increase temperature control and efficiency of the thermal management system.

Abstract: A deaeration device for a fluid includes a reservoir that contains a portion of the fluid, a fluid flow path that carries a portion of the fluid, a pressure regulating structure that creates a pressure gradient along the fluid flow path, a fluid exit in the fluid flow path, and a fluid entrance in the fluid flow path. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid to exit the fluid flow path through the fluid exit and join the fluid in the reservoir. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid from the reservoir to join the fluid flow path through the fluid entrance.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes selective use of a liquid cooled gas cooler (LCGC) and conductive heat exchangers between heating, cooling, battery, and powertrain thermal management loops to increase temperature control and efficiency of the system.

Abstract: An electric vehicle drive unit includes an inverter, a gear box, an electric motor coupled to the inverter and to the gear box, a cooling jacket, and coupled to the gear box, a main coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and an external passive air bleed device. The cooling jacket has a cooling chamber and surrounds at least a portion of the electric motor. The main coolant inlet couples to the cooling jacket. The coolant outlet is located at a lower portion of the gear box. The external passive air bleed device runs between an upper portion of the cooling jacket and the coolant outlet. The inverter may couple to a first side of the gear box and the electric motor may couple to a second side of the gear box such that the inverter and the electric motor reside on opposite sides of the gear box.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes selective use of a liquid cooled gas cooler (LCGC) and conductive heat exchangers between heating, cooling, battery, and powertrain thermal management loops to increase temperature control and efficiency of the system.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a vehicle HVAC system includes: a housing that defines at least first and second air conduits to a vehicle interior compartment; and at least first and second heat rods that each traverses the first and second air conduits, wherein a first positive temperature coefficient along a length of the first heat rod is greater at the first air conduit than at the second air conduit, and wherein a second positive temperature coefficient along a length of the second heat rod is greater at the second air conduit than at the first air conduit.

Abstract: An electric vehicle drive unit includes an inverter, a gear box, an electric motor coupled to the inverter and to the gear box, a cooling jacket, and coupled to the gear box, a main coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and an external passive air bleed device. The cooling jacket has a cooling chamber and surrounds at least a portion of the electric motor. The main coolant inlet couples to the cooling jacket. The coolant outlet is located at a lower portion of the gear box. The external passive air bleed device runs between an upper portion of the cooling jacket and the coolant outlet. The inverter may couple to a first side of the gear box and the electric motor may couple to a second side of the gear box such that the inverter and the electric motor reside on opposite sides of the gear box.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a vehicle HVAC system includes: a housing that defines at least first and second air conduits to a vehicle interior compartment; and at least first and second heat rods that each traverses the first and second air conduits, wherein a first positive temperature coefficient along a length of the first heat rod is greater at the first air conduit than at the second air conduit, and wherein a second positive temperature coefficient along a length of the second heat rod is greater at the second air conduit than at the first air conduit.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a vehicle HVAC system includes: a housing that defines at least first and second air conduits to a vehicle interior compartment; and at least first and second heat rods that each traverses the first and second air conduits, wherein a first positive temperature coefficient along a length of the first heat rod is greater at the first air conduit than at the second air conduit, and wherein a second positive temperature coefficient along a length of the second heat rod is greater at the second air conduit than at the first air conduit.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a vehicle HVAC system includes: a housing that defines at least first and second air conduits to a vehicle interior compartment; and at least first and second heat rods that each traverses the first and second air conduits, wherein a first positive temperature coefficient along a length of the first heat rod is greater at the first air conduit than at the second air conduit, and wherein a second positive temperature coefficient along a length of the second heat rod is greater at the second air conduit than at the first air conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a sealed housing defining a manifold having an inlet port for receiving an input fluid stream into the manifold and an outlet port for exiting an output fluid stream from the manifold; and a bleed structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow channel communicating a first opening at the proximal end to a second opening at the distal end, the distal end disposed within the manifold and the proximal end disposed in the outlet port outside of the manifold.