Heater core isolation valve position detection
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAngel Fernando Porras
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle is disclosed that has multiple coolant paths selected by control of a three-way valve in which the position of the valve is detectable. A method for detecting the valve position during fault conditions is disclosed. The vehicle has a heating system that includes a first coolant loop with a heating source, a water pump, and a heater core. The heating system also has a second coolant loop that includes an engine and a second water pump, in addition to the elements of the first coolant loop. Temperature sensors are located in each coolant loop. A three-way valve fault is detected by monitoring the behavior of the temperature sensors in response to the position of the three-way valve and the status of the heating sources.
Claims12
A vehicle comprising:
- a valve configured to selectively direct coolant from an engine to a coolant loop including a heat exchanger and an electric heater;
- and
- a controller programmed to receive temperature data and, in response to commanding the valve to a position, identify the position based on a temperature of coolant entering the heat exchanger and a temperature of coolant exiting the engine.
A vehicle comprising:
- a valve configured to selectively direct coolant from an engine to a coolant loop including an electric heater and a heat exchanger;
- and
- a controller programmed to receive temperature data and, in response to commanding the valve to a position, identify the position based on a change in temperature of coolant exiting the electric heater relative to a change in temperature of coolant exiting the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.