System and method for optimizing the integration of engines and vehicle driveline retarders

A method of controlling coolant flow to a driveline retarder, the method comprising:

• receiving operation data regarding a driveline retarder, the operation data indicating a braking event and a temperature of the driveline retarder being below a predetermined temperature threshold;
• and
• causing a valve positioned in a housing of a coolant diverter body of a coolant diverter system to move from a first valve orientation to a second valve orientation in response to the braking event and the temperature of the driveline retarder being below a predetermined threshold, the first valve configuration fluidly coupling a coolant inlet opening in the housing to a driveline retarder outlet opening in the housing in isolation from a bypass passage, the second valve orientation fluidly coupling the coolant inlet opening to the driveline retarder outlet opening and the bypass passage in the housing, the driveline retarder remaining operational to provide braking when the valve is configured in the second valve orientation, the driveline retarder outlet opening in fluid communication with a driveline retarder inlet opening, one or more thermostat valves positioned in the housing and configured to control the flow of coolant through the coolant outlet opening,
• wherein the bypass passage comprises:
• a bypass passage inlet in fluid receiving communication with the coolant inlet opening, the bypass passage inlet positioned between the coolant inlet opening and the driveline retarder outlet opening, and
• a bypass passage outlet in fluid providing communication with the coolant outlet opening, the bypass passage outlet positioned between the driveline retarder inlet opening and the coolant outlet opening.

An engine system comprising:

• an internal combustion engine including a driveline component;
• a driveline retarder coupled to the driveline component for applying braking force to the driveline component;
• a coolant circulation system coupled to the internal combustion engine;
• a coolant diverter body comprising a housing fluidly coupling the coolant circulation system to the driveline retarder, the housing comprising:
• a coolant inlet opening in fluid communication with the coolant circulation system,
• a driveline retarder outlet opening in fluid communication with the coolant inlet opening,
• a driveline retarder inlet opening in fluid communication with the driveline retarder outlet opening,
• a coolant outlet opening in fluid communication with the driveline retarder inlet opening, and
• a bypass passage fluidly coupling the coolant inlet opening and the coolant outlet opening, the bypass passage comprising:
• a bypass passage inlet in fluid receiving communication with the coolant inlet opening, the bypass passage inlet positioned between the coolant inlet opening and the driveline retarder outlet opening, and
• a bypass passage outlet in fluid providing communication with the coolant outlet opening, the bypass passage outlet positioned between the driveline retarder inlet opening and the coolant outlet opening;
• one or more thermostat valves positioned in the housing and configured to control the flow of coolant through the coolant outlet opening;
• a valve positioned in the housing, the valve configured in a first valve orientation to fluidly isolate the bypass passage from the coolant inlet opening, the valve further configured in a second valve orientation to fluidly couple the coolant inlet opening to the driveline retarder outlet opening and the bypass passage, the driveline retarder remaining operational to provide braking when the valve is configured in the second valve orientation;
• and
• a valve controller configured to receive operation data regarding the driveline retarder, the operation data indicating a braking event and a temperature of the driveline retarder being below a predetermined temperature threshold, the valve controller configured to move the valve from the first valve orientation to the second valve orientation in response to the braking event and the temperature of the driveline retarder being below the predetermined threshold.