Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Daniel B Glassford

Gregory Paul Prior

Gregory P Meisner

George M Claypole

A powertrain cooling system includes a coolant pump and coolant flow passages. A first three-position valve is operatively connected with an outlet of the coolant pump and has a first, a second, and a third position to at least partially establish different coolant flow modes through the coolant flow passages. Coolant flow from the coolant pump is blocked from both the cylinder head and the engine block in a first coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the first position. Coolant flow from the coolant pump is provided to the cylinder head and is blocked from the engine block in a second coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the second position. Coolant flows from the coolant pump to the engine block and from the engine block to the cylinder head in a third coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the third position.

Powertrain cooling system with cooling flow modes

A cooling system has an engine heat exchanger in thermal communication with engine oil in an engine. A transmission heat exchanger is in thermal communication with transmission oil in a transmission. A pump has a pump inlet and a pump outlet. A valve assembly is in fluid communication with the pump outlet and has a first and a second position that at least partially establish different coolant flow modes through a plurality of coolant flow passages. The valve assembly has a first inlet that receives coolant that flows from the pump outlet, to an engine inlet, then through the engine to an engine outlet. The valve assembly has a second inlet that receives coolant that flows from the pump outlet and bypasses the engine. The valve assembly has a single outlet that directs coolant flow to at least one of the engine heat exchanger and the transmission heat exchanger.

Powertrain cooling system with cooling and heating modes for heat exchangers

An exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for a vehicle is provided that is operable to direct coolant heated by exhaust heat to a vehicle transmission under certain operating conditions after the engine is adequately heated by the exhaust heat and without further heating the engine with the exhaust heat. Thus, recovery of exhaust heat is increased as the transmission is heated to a higher operating temperature than the engine using the heated coolant. The EHRS may also operate in a bypass mode during which exhaust heat is not directed to the engine or the transmission. A method of managing exhaust heat is also provided.

Exhaust heat recovery for transmission warm-up

An apparatus for a vehicle with an engine is provided that accomplishes exhaust heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation with a common heat exchanger used for both purposes. The apparatus includes an exhaust system through which exhaust gas is discharged from the engine. A heat exchanger is positioned within the exhaust system. Coolant flow passages are provided in thermal communication with the engine and with the heat exchanger. A bypass valve is operable in a first position to direct the exhaust gas through the heat exchanger to transfer heat to the coolant flow passages in a coolant heating mode, and operable in a second position in which the exhaust gas bypasses the heat exchanger in a bypass mode during which no significant coolant heating occurs via the heat exchanger. A portion of the exhaust gas is recirculated to the engine after cooling via the heat exchanger.

Exhaust heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation with common heat exchanger

An apparatus is provided for a vehicle with an engine that includes an exhaust system through which exhaust gas is discharged from the engine. A heat exchanger is positioned at least partially within the exhaust system. Coolant flow passages are provided in thermal communication with the engine and with the heat exchanger. A bypass valve is operable in a first mode to direct the exhaust gas across the heat exchanger along a first flow path to transfer exhaust heat to the coolant flow passages, and is further operable in a second mode to direct at least a portion of the exhaust gas across the heat exchanger along a second flow path to transfer exhaust heat to the coolant flow passages in a second coolant heating mode. The second flow path is restricted relative to the first flow path. A method of managing exhaust heat recovery is also provided.

Vehicle exhaust heat recovery with multiple coolant heating modes and method of managing exhaust heat recovery

An apparatus is provided that includes a thermoelectric generator and an exhaust gas system operatively connected to the thermoelectric generator to heat a portion of the thermoelectric generator with exhaust gas flow through the thermoelectric generator. A coolant system is operatively connected to the thermoelectric generator to cool another portion of the thermoelectric generator with coolant flow through the thermoelectric generator. At least one valve is controllable to cause the coolant flow through the thermoelectric generator in a direction that opposes a direction of the exhaust gas flow under a first set of operating conditions and to cause the coolant flow through the thermoelectric generator in the direction of exhaust gas flow under a second set of operating conditions.

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Dryden, MI, United States of America

Daniel B Glassford