Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle user interface is provided, the user interface utilizing a touch-screen display mounted within the vehicle. In one aspect, the visual or visual/interactive properties of the interface change after the user initiates interface interaction. In another aspect, the interface allows a user to utilize any of a variety of different control interaction techniques, all to achieve the same function.

Abstract: An integrated drive system assembly is provided that combines an electric motor, a power inverter assembly and a gearbox into a single, multi-piece enclosure. Combining these components into a single enclosure reduces weight, reduces drive system complexity, reduces system volume, simplifies assembly integration into an electric vehicle, reduces manufacturing cost, allows the flexible and lengthy electrical cables between the power inverter and the electric motor to be replaced with short, low loss, rigid bus bars, and simplifies component cooling by allowing the use of a common thermal management system, i.e., a mutual thermal management system. The common thermal management system includes a liquid coolant loop that is thermally coupled to the electric motor, the power inverter assembly and the gearbox.

Abstract: A method of regulating thermal dissipation from a vehicle battery pack is provided in which a by-pass valve is used to control the amount of battery pack coolant either passing through, or by-passing, a heat exchanger, where the coolant passing through the heat exchanger is cooled by a refrigeration system. The vehicle's HVAC system is controlled to insure that HVAC operation does not compromise maintaining the battery pack within an acceptable range of temperatures.

Abstract: A coolant de-aeration system is provided that includes a coolant reservoir, a plurality of de-aeration chambers within the reservoir, a plurality of de-aeration chamber apertures that direct coolant flow through the de-aeration chambers, a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet that share a common coolant flow pathway that allows the majority of coolant to flow directly between the reservoir inlet and the reservoir outlet, and a reservoir inlet aperture that directs a portion of coolant passing along the common coolant flow pathway through the reservoir's de-aeration chambers for de-aeration prior to being returned to the common coolant flow pathway.

Abstract: A thermal management system and method of use are provided, the system including a heat exchanger, a refrigeration system, a coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger, and a by-pass valve that regulates the amount of coolant within the coolant loop that either passes through the heat exchanger or is diverted away from the heat exchanger. The coolant loop is thermally coupled to the battery pack of an electric vehicle.

Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series, and a coolant reservoir that is coupled to both coolant loops when the two coolant loops are operating in series and only coupled to the drive train coolant loop when the two coolant loops are operating in parallel.

Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), and a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel, and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system is provided that includes two or more heat exchangers configured in a non-stacked arrangement, where separate air inlets corresponding to each of the heat exchangers allow a direct intake of ambient air. Active louver systems consisting of sets of adjustable louvers and a control actuator are used to control and regulate air flowing directly into one or more of the heat exchangers, where the adjustable louvers are either adjustable between two positions, i.e., opened and closed, or adjustable over a range of positions. Air ducts may be used to couple the output from one heat exchanger to the input of a different heat exchanger.

Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series, and a coolant reservoir that is coupled to both coolant loops when the two coolant loops are operating in series and only coupled to the drive train coolant loop when the two coolant loops are operating in parallel.

Abstract: A coolant de-aeration system is provided that includes a coolant reservoir, a plurality of de-aeration chambers within the reservoir, a plurality of de-aeration chamber apertures that direct coolant flow through the de-aeration chambers, a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet that share a common coolant flow pathway that allows the majority of coolant to flow directly between the reservoir inlet and the reservoir outlet, and a reservoir inlet aperture that directs a portion of coolant passing along the common coolant flow pathway through the reservoir's de-aeration chambers for de-aeration prior to being returned to the common coolant flow pathway.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system is provided that includes two or more heat exchangers configured in a non-stacked arrangement, where separate air inlets corresponding to each of the heat exchangers allow a direct intake of ambient air. Corresponding to each heat exchanger is a set of adjustable louvers that control ambient air flowing directly into the heat exchanger. The adjustable louvers may be adjustable between two positions; fully opened or fully closed. Alternately, the adjustable louvers may be adjustable over a range between fully opened and fully closed. Alternately, each set of adjustable louvers may be comprised of multiple groups of independently controllable louvers. Air ducts may be used to couple the output from one heat exchanger to the input of a different heat exchanger.

Abstract: An integrated drive system assembly is provided that combines an electric motor, a power inverter assembly and a gearbox into a single, multi-piece enclosure. Combining these components into a single enclosure reduces weight, reduces drive system complexity, reduces system volume, simplifies assembly integration into an electric vehicle, reduces manufacturing cost, allows the flexible and lengthy electrical cables between the power inverter and the electric motor to be replaced with short, low loss, rigid bus bars, and simplifies component cooling by allowing the use of a common thermal management system. The common thermal management system includes a liquid coolant loop that is thermally coupled to the electric motor, the power inverter assembly and the gearbox.

Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), and a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel, and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle user interface is provided, the user interface utilizing a touch-screen display mounted within the vehicle. In one aspect, the visual or visual/interactive properties of the interface change after the user initiates interface interaction. In another aspect, the interface allows a user to utilize any of a variety of different control interaction techniques, all to achieve the same function.

Abstract: One embodiment includes an apparatus for a vehicle that includes a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) shell having a plurality of openings therein, a fluid distribution ring mounted for coaxial rotary movement within the HVAC shell, the fluid distribution ring having one or more apertures therein to align with the plurality of openings in the shell to put openings in fluid communication with an inner chamber and a mechanism coupled to the HVAC shell and the fluid distribution ring to rotate the ring relative to the HVAC shell between selected rotary positions to provide fluid flow paths through the inner chamber and those openings in the HVAC shell that are aligned with the one or more apertures in the fluid distribution ring.