# US 10,480,391 B2 · Coolant control systems and methods to prevent coolant boiling

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- Number: US 10,480,391 B2
- Document ID: US10480391B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/495,141
- Filed: 2014-09-24
- Published: 2016-02-18
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2014-08-13
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze; Yue-Ming Chen; Vijay Ramappan; Ben W. Moscherosch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480391B2

## CPC

- F01P 7/14: the coolant being liquid
- F01P 5/10: Pumping liquid coolant; Arrangements of coolant pumps
- F01P 7/164: {by varying pump speed}
- F01P 7/167: {by adjusting the pre-set temperature according to engine parameters, e.g. engine load, engine speed}
- F01P: COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with cooling of propulsion units in vehicles B60K11/00; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials C09K5/00; {cooling of gas-turbine engines F02C7/12}; heat exchange in general, radiators F28)

## Abstract

A coolant control system of a vehicle includes first and second target flowrate modules, a target speed module, and a speed control module. The first target flowrate module determines a first target flowrate of coolant through an engine. The second target flowrate module, when a change in heat input to the engine is greater than a predetermined value, sets a second target flowrate to greater than the first target flowrate. The target speed module determines a target speed of an engine coolant pump based on the second target flowrate. The speed control module controls a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the target speed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A coolant control system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first target flowrate module that determines a first target flowrate of coolant through an engine;
a flowrate adjustment module that:
when a change in heat input to the engine from combustion within the engine is greater than a predetermined value:
determines a flowrate adjustment based on the change in the heat input to the engine;
determines a flow period for increasing coolant flow through the engine based on the change in the heat input to the engine, the determination of the flow period including:
setting the flow period to a first period if the change in the heat input to the engine is in a first range; and
setting the flow period to a second period that is greater than the first period if the change in the heat input to the engine is in a second range that is greater than the first range; and
maintains the flowrate adjustment for the duration of the flow period; and
when the change in the heat input to the engine is less than the predetermined value and the flow period has passed, sets the flowrate adjustment to a predetermined flowrate;
a heat input module that determines the heat input to the engine from combustion within the engine based on an engine torque and an engine speed;
a second target flowrate module that determines a second target flowrate as a function of the first target flowrate and the flowrate adjustment;
a coolant valve control module that controls a position of a coolant valve, the coolant valve having:
a first chamber configured to output coolant received by the first chamber to a transmission fluid heat exchanger and an oil heat exchanger; and
a second chamber configured to output coolant received by the second chamber to an engine coolant pump,
the coolant valve being configured to:
when the position of the coolant valve is between a first end position and a first position, block coolant flow into the first chamber and block coolant flow into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the first position and a second position, block coolant flow into the first chamber, allow coolant flow from an engine into the second chamber, and block coolant flow from a radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the second position and a third position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from an integrated exhaust manifold, allow coolant flow from the engine into the second chamber, and block coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the third position and a fourth position, allow coolant flow from the integrated exhaust manifold into the first chamber, allow coolant flow from the engine into the second chamber, and allow coolant output by the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the fourth position and a fifth position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, block coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and allow coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the fifth position and a sixth position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, allow coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and allow coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the sixth position and a seventh position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, allow coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and block coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber; and
when the position of the coolant valve is between the seventh position and a second end position, block coolant flow into the first chamber and block coolant flow into the second chamber;
a target speed module that determines a target speed of the engine coolant pump based on the second target flowrate and the position of the coolant valve; and
a speed control module that controls a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the target speed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The coolant control system of claim 1 wherein, when the change in the heat input to the engine is greater than the predetermined value, the flowrate adjustment module increases the flowrate adjustment as the change in the heat input to the engine increases.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The coolant control system of claim 1 wherein, when the change in the heat input to the engine is greater than the predetermined value, the flowrate adjustment module decreases the flowrate adjustment as the change in the heat input to the engine decreases.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The coolant control system of claim 1 wherein the second target flowrate module sets the second target flowrate equal to the first target flowrate plus the flowrate adjustment.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The coolant control system of claim 1 wherein the second target flowrate module selectively sets the second target flowrate equal to the first target flowrate when the flowrate adjustment is set to the predetermined flowrate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The coolant control system of claim 1 wherein the first target flowrate module determines the first target flowrate based on the engine torque and the engine speed.

### Claim 7

A coolant control method for a vehicle, comprising:
determining a first target flowrate of coolant through an engine;
when a change in heat input to the engine from combustion is greater than a predetermined value:
determining a flowrate adjustment based on the change in the heat input to the engine;
determining a flow period for increasing coolant flow through the engine based on the change in the heat input to the engine, the determination of the flow period including:
setting the flow period to a first period if the change in the heat input to the engine is in a first range; and
setting the flow period to a second period that is greater than the first period if the change in the heat input to the engine is in a second range that is greater than the first range; and
maintaining the flowrate adjustment for the flow period;
when the change in the heat input to the engine is less than the predetermined value and the flow period has passed, setting the flowrate adjustment to a predetermined flowrate;
determining the heat input to the engine based on an engine torque and an engine speed;
determining a second target flowrate as a function of the first target flowrate and the flowrate adjustment;
controlling a position of a coolant valve, the coolant valve having:
a first chamber configured to output coolant received by the first chamber to a transmission fluid heat exchanger and an oil heat exchanger; and
a second chamber configured to output coolant received by the second chamber to an engine coolant pump,
the coolant valve being configured to:
when the position of the coolant valve is between a first end position and a first position, block coolant flow into the first chamber and block coolant flow into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the first position and a second position, block coolant flow into the first chamber, allow coolant flow from an engine into the second chamber, and block coolant flow from a radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the second position and a third position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from an integrated exhaust manifold, allow coolant flow from the engine into the second chamber, and block coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the third position and a fourth position, allow coolant flow from the integrated exhaust manifold into the first chamber, allow coolant flow from the engine into the second chamber, and allow coolant output by the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the fourth position and a fifth position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, block coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and allow coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the fifth position and a sixth position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, allow coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and allow coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the sixth position and a seventh position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, allow coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and block coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber; and
when the position of the coolant valve is between the seventh position and a second end position, block coolant flow into the first chamber and block coolant flow into the second chamber;
determining a target speed of the engine coolant pump based on the second target flowrate and the position of the coolant valve; and
controlling a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the target speed.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The coolant control method of claim 7 wherein determining the flowrate adjustment includes, when the change in the heat input to the engine is greater than the predetermined value, increasing the flowrate adjustment as the change in the heat input to the engine increases.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The coolant control method of claim 7 wherein determining the flowrate adjustment includes, when the change in the heat input to the engine is greater than the predetermined value, decreasing the flowrate adjustment as the change in the heat input to the engine decreases.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The coolant control method of claim 7 wherein determining the second target flowrate includes setting the second target flowrate equal to the first target flowrate plus the flowrate adjustment.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The coolant control method of claim 7 further comprising selectively setting the second target flowrate equal to the first target flowrate when the flowrate adjustment is set to the predetermined flowrate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The coolant control method of claim 7 further comprising determining the first target flowrate based on the engine torque and the engine speed.

### Claim 13

A coolant control system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first target flowrate module that determines a first target flowrate of coolant through an engine based on an engine torque, an engine speed, a first temperature of coolant at an input to the engine, and a second temperature of coolant at an output of the engine;
a flowrate adjustment module that:
when a change in heat input to the engine is less than a predetermined value, sets a flowrate adjustment to a predetermined flowrate; and
when the change in the heat input to the engine is greater than the predetermined value, sets the flowrate adjustment to greater than the predetermined flowrate;
a heat input module that determines the heat input to the engine from combustion within the engine based on an engine torque and an engine speed;
a second target flowrate module that determines a second target flowrate as a function of the first target flowrate and the flowrate adjustment including:
setting the second target flowrate to greater than the first target flowrate based on the flowrate adjustment being greater than the predetermined flowrate; and
setting the second target flowrate equal to the first target flowrate based on the flowrate adjustment being set to the predetermined flowrate;
a coolant valve control module that controls a position of a coolant valve, the coolant valve having:
a first chamber configured to output coolant received by the first chamber to a transmission fluid heat exchanger and an oil heat exchanger; and
a second chamber configured to output coolant received by the second chamber to an engine coolant pump,
the coolant valve being configured to:
when the position of the coolant valve is between a first end position and a first position, block coolant flow into the first chamber and block coolant flow into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the first position and a second position, block coolant flow into the first chamber, allow coolant flow from an engine into the second chamber, and block coolant flow from a radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the second position and a third position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from an integrated exhaust manifold, allow coolant flow from the engine into the second chamber, and block coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the third position and a fourth position, allow coolant flow from the integrated exhaust manifold into the first chamber, allow coolant flow from the engine into the second chamber, and allow coolant output by the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the fourth position and a fifth position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, block coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and allow coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the fifth position and a sixth position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, allow coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and allow coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber;
when the position of the coolant valve is between the sixth position and a seventh position, allow coolant flow into the first chamber from the engine coolant pump, allow coolant flow into the second chamber from the engine, and block coolant flow from the radiator into the second chamber; and
when the position of the coolant valve is between the seventh position and a second end position, block coolant flow into the first chamber and block coolant flow into the second chamber;
a target speed module that determines a target speed of the engine coolant pump based on the second target flowrate and the position of the coolant valve; and
a speed control module that controls a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the target speed.