Hybrid electric vehicle and method for managing heat therein

• US 8,887,843 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Piccard, Douglas, Wang, Jin, Newman, Kevin Lloyd, Siciak, Raymond C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/244,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20100084112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,238 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.2, 180/68.5, 180/65.27, 180/65.21, 180/65.31, 180/65.265, 123/41.02, 123/142.5 R, 123/179.4, 165/202, 165/61, 165/41
• US Class Current: 180/65.21
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00278 for the battery arrangement of batteries B60R16/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/004 for vehicles having a combustion engine and electric drive means, e.g. hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00307 Component temperature regulation using a liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/34 Cabin temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electrical power storage unit. The engine and power storage unit are configured to provide motive power for the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a heater core in fluid communication with the engine, power storage unit and vehicle'"'"'s cabin.

Claims

1. A hybrid electric vehicle having a cabin, the vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

an electrical power storage unit, the engine and power storage unit configured to provide power for moving the vehicle;

a heater core;

a first fluid line connecting the heater core and engine; and

a second fluid line connecting the power storage unit, heater core and cabin, the heater core configured to transfer heat between the first fluid line and the second fluid line.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first fluid line includes a first fluid, the first fluid comprising a coolant.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the coolant comprises a liquid.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first fluid line forms a fluid loop including at least one valve configured to direct the coolant around the engine to bypass the engine.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the second fluid line includes a second fluid, the second fluid comprising air.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the second fluid line includes a valve configured to direct the air to at least one of the cabin and the vehicle'"'"'s exterior.

7. A hybrid electric vehicle having a cabin, the vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

an electrical power storage unit, the engine and power storage unit configured to provide power for moving the vehicle; and

a heater core in fluid communication with the engine, power storage unit and cabin.

8. The vehicle of claim 7 further comprising a first fluid line connecting the heater core and engine.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the first fluid line includes a first fluid, the first fluid comprising a coolant.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the coolant comprises a liquid.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the first fluid line forms a fluid loop including at least one valve configured to direct the coolant around the engine to bypass the engine.

12. The vehicle of claim 8 further comprising a second fluid line connecting the power storage unit, heater core and cabin.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the second fluid line includes a second fluid, the second fluid comprising air.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the second fluid line includes a valve configured to direct the air to at least one of the cabin and the vehicle'"'"'s exterior.

15. A method for managing heat in a hybrid electric vehicle comprising:

passing a first fluid over one of an engine and traction battery to transfer heat to the first fluid;

transferring the heat from the first fluid to a second fluid; and

passing the second fluid over the other of the engine and traction battery.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the heat from the first fluid is transferred to the second fluid via a heater core.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein one of the first and second fluids comprises air and the other of the first and second fluids comprises a liquid coolant.