Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust heat recovery and EGR cooling via a single heat exchanger. In one example, a method may include selecting a specific mode of operation of an engine exhaust system with the heat exchanger based on engine operating conditions and an estimated fuel efficacy factor. The fuel efficiency factor may take into account fuel efficacy benefits from EGR and exhaust heat recovery.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat recovery system for a vehicle is configured to selectively distribute a fluid heated by engine exhaust to a first path for generating electricity and a second path for heating one or more powertrain components of the vehicle. A controller selects a distribution of the fluid to the first and second paths based on minimizing a fuel consumption of an engine. The controller further selects a distribution of fluid to the powertrain components to minimize fuel consumption. The controller distributes the fluid according to the selected distribution.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and at least one controller. The controller is programmed to selectively heat at least one of a plurality of components of the powertrain with a given amount of waste heat based on an expected decrease in friction power associated with an expected increase in temperature from the given amount of waste heat for each of the components.

Abstract: A method for operating a device at a desired temperature is described. In one example, current supplied to a heater that melts a wax medium or material controlling flow through a valve is adjusted to reduce valve opening and closing delay. The method may improve device temperature control, thereby reducing device emissions, enhancing device performance, and improving device durability.

Abstract: An engine cooling system includes a liquid-to-air heat exchanger having an associated fan and a pump forcing convection and a controller communicating with the fan and the pump, the controller increasing fan speed in response to a first gradient in heat transfer rate to power exceeding a second gradient in heat transfer rate to power for increasing pump speed, and increasing pump speed when the second gradient is greater than the first gradient. The controller may increase the pump speed in response to a desired increase in heat transfer rate. The first gradient may be based on a gradient in heat transfer rate to air flow from a map of heat exchanger performance. The second gradient may be based on a gradient in heat transfer rate to coolant from a map of heat exchanger performance.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat recovery system for a vehicle is configured to selectively distribute a fluid heated by engine exhaust to a first path for generating electricity and a second path for heating one or more powertrain components of the vehicle. A controller selects a distribution of the fluid to the first and second paths based on minimizing a fuel consumption of an engine. The controller further selects a distribution of fluid to the powertrain components to minimize fuel consumption. The controller distributes the fluid according to the selected distribution.

Abstract: A vehicle subsystem according to an exemplary aspect of the present discourse includes, among other things, a wall structure and a thermal resistance feature internal to the wall structure and configured to inhibit heat loss through the wall structure.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and at least one controller. The controller is programed to selectively heat at least one of a plurality of components of the powertrain with a given amount of waste heat based on an expected decrease in friction power associated with an expected increase in temperature from the given amount of waste heat for each of the components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.

Abstract: An engine cooling system includes a liquid-to-air heat exchanger having an associated fan and a pump forcing convection and a controller communicating with the fan and the pump, the controller increasing fan speed in response to a first gradient in heat transfer rate to power exceeding a second gradient in heat transfer rate to power for increasing pump speed, and increasing pump speed when the second gradient is greater than the first gradient. The controller may increase the pump speed in response to a desired increase in heat transfer rate. The first gradient may be based on a gradient in heat transfer rate to air flow from a map of heat exchanger performance. The second gradient may be based on a gradient in heat transfer rate to coolant from a map of heat exchanger performance.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling cooling an engine involve an engine coolant circuit with a radiator and an engine, a fan and a coolant pump are provided. The fan and pump may be electrically driven, driven by a variable speed clutch, hydraulically driven, or driven by some other actively controllable means. When an increase in heat transfer rate is indicated, the fan speed or the coolant pump speed may be increased. The choice of increasing the fan speed or increasing the pump speed is determined so that the power consumed is minimized. dQ/dP, the gradient in heat transfer rate to power, is determined for both the fan and the pump at the present operating condition. The one with the higher gradient is the one that is commanded to increase speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.

Abstract: A traction battery thermal management system is provided. The thermal management system includes a battery loop for regulating the traction battery temperature. A motor loop is provided for regulating a motor temperature. The thermal management system also includes a radiator. A radiator valve selectively controls fluid flow through the radiator. A battery valve selectively couples the battery loop and the motor loops. The battery loop, the motor loop are in fluid communication and arranged in parallel to be cooled by the radiator.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a device at a desired temperature is described. In one example, current supplied to a heater that melts a wax medium or material controlling flow through a valve is adjusted to reduce valve opening and closing delay. The system and method may improve device temperature control, thereby reducing device emissions, enhancing device performance, and improving device durability.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method to control excessive temperature changes in a coolant circuit includes providing a coolant circuit including a bypass flow pathway bypassing a heat exchanger, said coolant circuit at an elevated operating temperature; providing an adjustable coolant flow through said bypass flow pathway and said heat exchanger; providing a coolant pump in said coolant circuit; determining a temperature change in said coolant circuit in response to initiating a coolant flow from said heat exchanger into said coolant circuit, said temperature change greater than a predetermined limit; and in response to said determined temperature change, adjusting at least one or more of said coolant pump speed and said coolant flow to maintain said coolant circuit within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: In an engine coolant circuit with a radiator and an engine, a fan and a coolant pump may be provided. The fan and pump may be electrically driven, driven by a variable speed clutch, hydraulically driven, or driven by some other actively controllable means. When an increase in heat transfer rate is indicated, the fan speed or the coolant pump speed may be increased. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the choice of increasing the fan speed or increasing the pump speed is determined so that the power consumed is minimized. The broad concept is that dQ/dP, the gradient in heat transfer rate to power, is determined for both the fan and the pump at the present operating condition. The one with the higher gradient is the one that is commanded to increase speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing aerodynamic drag on a moving vehicle. One example method comprises, during a first vehicle moving condition, operating the cooling fan, and during a second vehicle moving condition, selectively applying a braking torque on the fan.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing aerodynamic drag on a moving vehicle. One example method comprises, during a first vehicle moving condition, operating the cooling fan, and during a second vehicle moving condition, selectively applying a braking torque on the fan.

Abstract: A humidity sensing device for determining the amount of humidity in at least one primary fluid stream that is passed to a fuel cell stack is provided. The sensing device includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing is positioned within at least one conduit such that the outer housing and the conduit coact with each other to generate at least one secondary fluid stream from the primary fluid stream. The inner housing is positioned within the outer housing such that the inner housing is configured to receive the secondary fluid stream and to measure an amount of water present in the secondary fluid stream to determine the amount of humidity in the primary fluid stream.