Abstract: A secondary loop air conditioning system for a vehicle that includes a condenser and an integrated assembly is disclosed. The condenser has a first condenser header spaced from a second condenser header, a condenser core extending between the first and second condenser headers, and a refrigerant inlet operatively engaging the first condenser header. The integrated assembly includes a chiller mounted to the first condenser header and having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a secondary loop of the air conditioning system, and an expansion device in fluid communication with the condenser and mounted adjacent to the chiller for directing refrigerant into the chiller, and a refrigerant outlet. Also, a receiver/dryer area may be located in one of the condenser and the integrated assembly.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle and a method of operation is disclosed. The air conditioning system includes a primary refrigerant loop and a secondary liquid loop. The primary refrigerant loop includes a compressor configured to be selectively driven by the engine, a condenser, an expansion device and a refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger. The secondary liquid loop includes the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a thermal storage reservoir within which the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger is mounted, a pump configured to pump a liquid through the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a liquid-to-air heat exchanger configured to mount in a HVAC module and receive the liquid from the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a liquid flow valve configured to selectively direct the liquid directly to the pump or through the thermal storage reservoir to the pump.

Abstract: An accessory load control system for a vehicle, includes an actuator control module, a period estimation module, and a load control module. The actuator control module operates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle in a high-efficiency (HE) mode. The period estimation module estimates a period between a current time and a future time when an actual load on a crankshaft of the engine will reach a maximum engine load associated with the HE mode. The load control module selectively decreases engine loads applied by vehicle accessories, respectively, based on the period.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired.

Abstract: A fluid-based or fluidic climate control system for a seat includes first and second portions positionable adjacent to first and second surfaces of the seat and a fluid control module (FCM) for circulating fluid in a closed-loop within the portions. The FCM delivers fluid to the portions at independently-controllable temperatures. An interface may be used to control the temperatures. The FCM may include a heat exchanger module (HEM) having a fan connected to an energy storage device (ESD). The FCM may include a miniature vapor compressor for circulating the fluid. A method of cooling a seat includes positioning first and second portions of the system adjacent to different surfaces of the seat, and using the FCM to circulate fluid within a closed-loop passage of the portions while independently controlling the temperature of the fluid, and thus the portions, using a user interface.

Abstract: An accessory load control system for a vehicle, includes an actuator control module, a period estimation module, and a load control module. The actuator control module operates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle in a high-efficiency (HE) mode. The period estimation module estimates a period between a current time and a future time when an actual load on a crankshaft of the engine will reach a maximum engine load associated with the HE mode. The load control module selectively decreases engine loads applied by vehicle accessories, respectively, based on the period.

Abstract: A seat temperature control system having a temperature controlled seat for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The temperature controlled seat may comprise a seat bottom, a seat back and an air conditioning system. The seat bottom includes a bottom heat exchanger fluid coil configured to direct a cooling fluid therethrough from a bottom inlet end to a bottom outlet end. The seat back includes a back heat exchanger fluid coil configured to direct the cooling fluid therethrough from a back inlet end to a back outlet end. The air conditioning system includes a coils inlet line in fluid communication with the bottom inlet end and the back inlet end, and a coils outlet line in fluid communication with the bottom outlet end and the back outlet end. The air conditioning system provides cooling fluid to the coils and receives cooling fluid from the coils.

Abstract: A fluid-based or fluidic climate control system for a seat includes first and second portions positionable adjacent to first and second surfaces of the seat and a fluid control module (FCM) for circulating fluid in a closed-loop within the portions. The FCM delivers fluid to the portions at independently-controllable temperatures. An interface may be used to control the temperatures. The FCM may include a heat exchanger module (HEM) having a fan connected to an energy storage device (ESD). The FCM may include a miniature vapor compressor for circulating the fluid. A method of cooling a seat includes positioning first and second portions of the system adjacent to different surfaces of the seat, and using the FCM to circulate fluid within a closed-loop passage of the portions while independently controlling the temperature of the fluid, and thus the portions, using a user interface.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a vehicle is disclosed. The HVAC system may comprise an HVAC module configured to selectively direct conditioned air through an HVAC outlet; and an HVAC air distribution system including a duct operatively engaging the HVAC outlet to receive air flow therefrom, a top outlet configured to be positioned above an instrument panel, a heater outlet configured to be located below the instrument panel, and a diverter located in the duct and configured to selectively direct the air flow from the HVAC outlet through the duct to the top outlet and the heater outlet.

Abstract: A HVAC system and method for a vehicle is disclosed. The air conditioning portion of the HVAC system may be able to store and release refrigerant in charge bottle while operating in an air conditioning mode. The air conditioning portion of the HVAC system may be able to employ the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator to provide supplemental heat.

Abstract: A seat temperature control system having a temperature controlled seat for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The temperature controlled seat may comprise a seat bottom, a seat back and an air conditioning system. The seat bottom includes a bottom heat exchanger fluid coil configured to direct a cooling fluid therethrough from a bottom inlet end to a bottom outlet end. The seat back includes a back heat exchanger fluid coil configured to direct the cooling fluid therethrough from a back inlet end to a back outlet end. The air conditioning system includes a coils inlet line in fluid communication with the bottom inlet end and the back inlet end, and a coils outlet line in fluid communication with the bottom outlet end and the back outlet end. The air conditioning system provides cooling fluid to the coils and receives cooling fluid from the coils.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle and a method of operation is disclosed. The air conditioning system includes a primary refrigerant loop and a secondary liquid loop. The primary refrigerant loop includes a compressor configured to be selectively driven by the engine, a condenser, an expansion device and a refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger. The secondary liquid loop includes the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a thermal storage reservoir within which the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger is mounted, a pump configured to pump a liquid through the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, a liquid-to-air heat exchanger configured to mount in a HVAC module and receive the liquid from the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a liquid flow valve configured to selectively direct the liquid directly to the pump or through the thermal storage reservoir to the pump.

Abstract: A secondary loop air conditioning system for a vehicle that includes a condenser and an integrated assembly is disclosed. The condenser has a first condenser header spaced from a second condenser header, a condenser core extending between the first and second condenser headers, and a refrigerant inlet operatively engaging the first condenser header. The integrated assembly includes a chiller mounted to the first condenser header and having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a secondary loop of the air conditioning system, and an expansion device in fluid communication with the condenser and mounted adjacent to the chiller for directing refrigerant into the chiller, and a refrigerant outlet. Also, a receiver/dryer area may be located in one of the condenser and the integrated assembly.

Abstract: A HVAC system and method for a vehicle is disclosed. The air conditioning portion of the HVAC system may be able to store and release refrigerant in charge bottle while operating in an air conditioning mode. The air conditioning portion of the HVAC system may be able to employ the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator to provide supplemental heat.

Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle and method of operating it is disclosed. The cooling system may include a refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger, which may be located outside of a passenger cabin, and a chiller, which may be located inside the passenger cabin. A refrigerant circuit and a water circuit may both engage the refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger. The refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger may be an integrated heat exchanger and expansion device.

Abstract: A method and resulting electronic package in which a heat sink is secured to the package's dielectric material (e.g., overmold). The surface of the dielectric is roughened (e.g., using an abrasive paper or pad) to enhance the subsequent dielectric-heat sink bond in which an adhesive is used. The dielectric material's roughened external surface(s), typically containing silicone material (e.g., silicone residue) which is an inherent by-product of many dielectric materials of the type used in such packaging, is (are) able to still be securely attached to the heat sink, despite the presence of said silicone. In another embodiment, the roughened surface enhances the marking of dielectric material of this type (e.g., using ink).

Abstract: A method and resulting electronic package in which a heat sink is secured to the package's dielectric material (e.g., overmold). The surface of the dielectric is roughened (e.g., using an abrasive paper or pad) to enhance the subsequent dielectric-heat sink bond in which an adhesive is used. The dielectric material's roughened external surface(s), typically containing silicone material (e.g., silicone residue) which is an inherent by-product of many dielectric materials of the type used in such packaging, is (are) able to still be securely attached to the heat sink, despite the presence of said silicone. In another embodiment, the roughened surface enhances the marking of dielectric material of this type (e.g., using ink).

Abstract: A method and resulting electronic package in which a heat sink is secured to the package's dielectric material (e.g., overmold). The surface of the dielectric is roughened (e.g., using an abrasive paper or pad) to enhance the subsequent dielectric-heat sink bond in which an adhesive is used. The dielectric material's roughened external surface(s), typically containing silicone material (e.g., silicone residue) which is an inherent by-product of many dielectric materials of the type used in such packaging, is (are) able to still be securely attached to the heat sink, despite the presence of said silicone. In another embodiment, the roughened surface enhances the marking of dielectric material of this type (e.g., using ink).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a selected endpoint in the polishing of layers on a workpiece in a chemical/mechanical polishing apparatus where the workpiece is rotated by a motor against a polishing pad. When a difficult to polish layer, i.e., one requiring a chemical change in a surface skin of the layer which skin is then abraded away by a mechanical process is removed from a more easy to polish surface, i.e., one that relies solely on mechanical abrasion and does not need to have a chemically converted skin thereon. The power required to maintain a set rotational speed in a motor rotating the workpiece significantly drops when the difficult to polish layer is removed. This current drop is used to detect the point at which the polishing must be stopped to avoid over polishing effects, i.e., dishing or thinning or removal of the more easily removed underlying material. Thus, an end point in the process can be established.