Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Nicholas David Moore

Joseph George

Mary Bellino

Rajit Johri

Jordan Mazaira

Maruthi Ravichandran

Rohan Shrivastava

Naginder Gogna

Calvin Trescott

Ralph Wayne Cunningham

Marin Assaliyski

Rian Edman

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an integrated starter/generator (ISG) is operated in a speed control mode after an engine stop request. The ISG is prevented from stopping while engine rotational speed is greater than a threshold engine rotational speed so that the engine may be restarted via the ISG.

System and method for restarting an engine

Systems and methods for selecting which of a plurality of engine starting devices starts an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, engine starting devices may be selected and operated while a vehicle is operating in a creep mode. The system and method may place a driveline disconnect clutch in a wait state or engage a flywheel starter to improve engine starting.

System and method for controlling engine starting devices

Thermal management systems are provided for thermally managing electrified vehicle battery packs. An exemplary battery thermal management system may monitor the availability and effectiveness of a radiator for thermally managing a battery pack. A control unit may be configured to actuate a valve from an open position to a closed position that prevents the flow of the coolant to the radiator when a coolant temperature of the coolant is less than a modified ambient temperature. The modified ambient temperature may be derived as a function of a vehicle speed.

Battery thermal management systems for providing improved battery cooling as a function of vehicle speed

An air conditioning system, a vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle with a vehicle air conditioning system are provided. The vehicle air conditioning system has a refrigeration circuit having a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator in sequential fluid communication, with a valve assembly and a battery chiller positioned for parallel flow with the evaporator. A cooling circuit in the vehicle has a chiller. A controller is configured to, in response to a temperature of the evaporator being less than a first predetermined value and the compressor operating at a predetermined speed, open the valve assembly to divert a portion of refrigerant through the chiller and away from the evaporator. The refrigerant may be diverted, for example, to raise the temperature of the evaporator and/or prevent cycling of the compressor.

Cabin air conditioning system for a vehicle and method of controlling the vehicle and system

A thermal management system for a passenger cabin of a hybrid vehicle includes a refrigerant loop in fluid communication with a compressor, a condenser, and a chiller. A main cabin evaporator is in fluid communication with the refrigerant loop. A first valve is configured to regulate refrigerant flow through the main cabin evaporator. A temperature sensor disposed at the main cabin evaporator is configured to output a signal indicative of a main cabin evaporator temperature. An auxiliary evaporator is in fluid communication with the refrigerant loop. A second valve is configured to regulate refrigerant flow through the auxiliary evaporator. A controller is programmed to, in response to the main cabin evaporator temperature being less than a threshold while the main cabin evaporator is operated with the second valve closed, open the second valve to cycle refrigerant through the auxiliary evaporator to increase the main cabin evaporator temperature.

Vehicle cabin thermal management system and control methods

A thermal management for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The system includes an engine coolant to cabin air heat exchanger in a first heat exchange loop and being operably coupled to an engine coolant circuit and cabin air in the vehicle, respectively, a transmission fluid to engine coolant heat exchanger in a second heat exchange loop and being operably coupled to a transmission fluid circuit and the engine coolant circuit, respectively, a control valve operable to control a flow of engine coolant through at least the second heat exchange loop, and a control module configured to selectively operate the control valve to initiate or restrict the flow through the second heat exchange loop to provide heat to the transmission fluid circuit based on ambient temperature, transmission fluid temperature and engine coolant temperature. The control module is further configured to enable control functions associated with transmission operation and hybrid functions based on the transmission fluid temperature.

Control system for opportunistic heating of transmission fluid

This disclosure details thermal management systems for thermally managing electrified vehicle battery packs. An exemplary battery thermal management system may monitor the availability and effectiveness of a radiator for thermally managing a battery pack. A control unit may be configured to actuate a valve from an open position to a closed position that prevents the flow of the coolant to the radiator when a coolant temperature of the coolant exceeds a modified ambient temperature. The modified ambient temperature may be derived as a function of a vehicle speed.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Nicholas David Moore