AUXILIARY PUMP SCHEME FOR A COOLING SYSTEM IN A HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE

• US 20110132291A1
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ulrey, Joseph Norman, Pursifull, Ross Dykstra
• Granted Patent: US 8,387,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/24 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/08 Cabin heater
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/167 by adjusting the pre-set temperature according to engine parameters, e.g. engine load, engine speed

Abstract

Various systems and methods are described for a cooling system coupled to an engine in a vehicle. One example method comprises, during engine off, operating an auxiliary pump to flow coolant through a heater core; and, during engine running, operating an engine pump to flow coolant through the heater core and radiator, and selectively operating the auxiliary pump to assist flow through the heater core based on operating conditions.

Claims

1. A method for an engine cooling system with a radiator and a heater core, comprising:

during engine off, operating an auxiliary pump to flow coolant through the heater core; and

during engine running, operating an engine-driven pump to flow coolant through the heater core and the radiator, and selectively operating the auxiliary pump to assist the flow through the heater core and radiator based on operating conditions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine is coupled in a hybrid-electric propulsion system, and the auxiliary pump is an electric pump.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively operating the auxiliary pump includes operating the auxiliary pump in response to engine coolant temperature being greater than a threshold temperature.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, during engine running, adjusting an amount of auxiliary pump assist based on the operating conditions.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the operating conditions include engine speed, and in at least one condition the amount of auxiliary pump assist increases when the engine speed decreases.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the operating conditions include ambient temperature, and in at least one condition the amount of auxiliary pump assist increases when the ambient temperature increases.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, during engine off, operating the auxiliary pump to flow coolant through the heater core and radiator.

8. A method for an engine cooling system coupled to an engine in a vehicle, comprising:

during engine off, operating an auxiliary pump to flow coolant through a heater core;

during engine running;

operating an engine-driven pump to flow coolant through the heater core and a radiator,

selectively operating the auxiliary pump to assist the flow through the heater core and radiator based on operating conditions, and

adjusting an amount of auxiliary pump assist based on the operating conditions.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle has a hybrid-electric propulsion system, and where the amount of auxiliary pump assist is based on engine output.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary pump is an electric pump.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein selectively operating the auxiliary pump includes activating the auxiliary pump when engine coolant temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the operating conditions include engine speed and the amount of auxiliary pump assist decreases in response to an increase in engine speed.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the operating conditions include ambient temperature and the amount of auxiliary pump assist decreases in response to a decrease in ambient temperature.

14. A cooling system for an engine in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an engine-driven pump;

an auxiliary pump in fluidic communication with the engine-driven pump;

a first loop including a radiator, and where the engine-driven pump circulates coolant through the radiator in the first loop;

a second loop parallel to the first loop including a heater core, and where the auxiliary pump circulates coolant through the heater core in the second loop; and

a controller for operating the auxiliary pump and the engine-driven pump, the controller comprising a computer readable storage medium, the medium comprising instructions for;

during engine off, operating the auxiliary pump to flow coolant through the heater core;

during engine running, operating the engine-driven pump to flow coolant through the heater core and the radiator, and selectively operating the auxiliary pump to assist the flow through the heater core based on operating conditions; and

during engine running, adjusting an amount of auxiliary pump assist based on the operating conditions

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle has a hybrid-electric propulsion system, and the auxiliary pump is an electric pump.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first loop includes a thermostat valve and the thermostat valve opens to allow coolant flow to the radiator after an engine temperature increases above a first threshold temperature.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein selectively operating the auxiliary pump includes turning the auxiliary pump on when engine coolant temperature increases above a second threshold temperature.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the operating conditions include engine speed and ambient temperature.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the amount of auxiliary pump assist increases in response to an increase in ambient temperature.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the amount of auxiliary pump assist decreases in response to an increase in engine speed.

21. The system of claim 14, further comprising a heater core fan, wherein a heater core fan airflow rate is directly proportional to a rate of coolant flow through the heater core.