METHOD FOR CONTROLLING EXHAUST GAS HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS IN VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission, the method comprising:
- controlling a two-way valve, wherein the two-way valve is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position, wherein the engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine and does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine;
monitoring an ambient air temperature;
comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature; and
if the monitored ambient air temperature is greater than the predetermined cold ambient temperature, setting the two-way valve to the transmission position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission. The method includes controlling a two-way valve, which is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position. The engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine, but does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger. The transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine. The method also includes monitoring an ambient air temperature and comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature. If the monitored ambient air temperature is greater than the predetermined cold ambient temperature, the two-way valve is set to the transmission position.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission, the method comprising:
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controlling a two-way valve, wherein the two-way valve is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position, wherein the engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine and does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine; monitoring an ambient air temperature; comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature; and if the monitored ambient air temperature is greater than the predetermined cold ambient temperature, setting the two-way valve to the transmission position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission, the method comprising:
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controlling a two-way valve, wherein the two-way valve is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position in response to an engine signal which is configured to place the two-way valve into the engine position, wherein the engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine and does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine; monitoring an ambient air temperature; comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature; and if the monitored ambient air temperature is greater than the predetermined cold ambient temperature, setting the two-way valve to the transmission position, wherein the two-way valve is set to the transmission position whenever the engine signal is not provided, such that the two-way valve is configured to default to the transmission position when unpowered. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission, the method comprising:
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controlling a two-way valve, wherein the two-way valve is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position in response to an engine signal which is configured to place the two-way valve into the engine position, wherein the engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine and does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine; monitoring an ambient air temperature; comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature; and if the monitored ambient air temperature is greater than the predetermined cold ambient temperature, setting the two-way valve to the transmission position, wherein the two-way valve is set to the transmission position whenever the engine signal is not provided, such that the two-way valve is configured to default to the transmission position when unpowered; and if the monitored ambient air temperature is below the predetermined cold ambient temperature, comparing the monitored engine water temperature to an engine target temperature; if the monitored engine water temperature is below the engine target temperature, setting the two-way valve to the engine position, and if the monitored engine water temperature is above the engine target temperature, monitoring for an auto-stop mode, wherein the auto-stop mode occurs when the engine is not producing positive torque; if the engine is not in the auto-stop mode, setting the two-way valve to the transmission position, and if the engine is in the auto-stop mode, comparing the monitored transmission oil temperature to a transmission target temperature; if the monitored transmission oil temperature is above the transmission target temperature, setting the two-way valve to the engine position, and if the monitored transmission oil temperature is below the transmission target temperature, setting the two-way valve to the transmission position.
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Specification