# US 12,214,769 B2 · Method and system for heating coordination > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,769 B2 - Document ID: US12214769B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/854,689 - Filed: 2022-06-30 - Published: 2024-01-04 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-06-30 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Kee Y. Kim; Anthony H. Heap; Yiran Hu; Benjamin H. Daavettila - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214769B2 ## CPC - B60H 1/143: {the heat being derived from cooling an electric component, e.g. electric motors, electric circuits, fuel cells or batteries} - B60W 10/30: including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps - B60H 1/02: the heat being derived from the propulsion plant - B60W 10/00: Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function (for propulsion of purely electrically-propelled vehicles with power supplied within the vehicle B60L50/00 - B60L58/00) - B60W 10/06: including control of combustion engines - B60W 10/08: including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators - F01N 5/02: the devices using heat - B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES - B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT - F01N: GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K11/16) ## Abstract A method for heat coordination is provided. The method includes operating a propulsion system that generates heat as wasted power, operating a device utilizing the heat generated by the propulsion system, and operating a heat transfer system configured for transferring the heat generated by the propulsion system from the propulsion system to the device. The method further includes, within a computerized processor, determining a minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device, monitoring a desired output torque for the propulsion system, and utilizing a cost-based determination to determine a propulsion system operating point based upon the desired output torque and the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device. The method further includes utilizing the propulsion system operating point to control the propulsion system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for heat coordination, comprising: operating a propulsion system that generates heat as wasted power, wherein operating the propulsion system includes operating an internal combustion engine and operating an electric machine both configured to provide output torque for propulsion; operating a device utilizing the heat generated by the propulsion system; operating a heat transfer system configured for transferring the heat generated by the propulsion system from the propulsion system to the device; within a computerized processor, determining a minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device with a heat coordination model; monitoring a desired output torque for the propulsion system based on a driver request; and utilizing a cost-based determination to determine a propulsion system operating point based upon the desired output torque and the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device, wherein determining the propulsion system operating point includes determining an operating point for the internal combustion engine and determining an operating point for the electric machine; and utilizing the propulsion system operating point to control the propulsion system; wherein operating the heat transfer system includes directing a flow of coolant through the internal combustion engine and the electric machine for transferring the heat to the device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device includes: monitoring an ambient temperature; monitoring the heat generated by the propulsion system; and determining the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device based upon the ambient temperature and the heat generated by the propulsion system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein utilizing the cost-based determination to determine the propulsion system operating point based upon the desired output torque and the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device includes: iteratively analyzing a cost to deliver the desired output torque and provide additional heat to satisfy the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device at a plurality of propulsion system candidate operating points; and selecting one of the plurality of propulsion system candidate operating points as the propulsion system operating point based upon minimizing the cost and providing a lowest energy expenditure by the propulsion system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the propulsion system operating point includes selecting an engine speed and engine torque operating point for the internal combustion engine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the propulsion system operating point includes selecting a spark retard timing to generate heat for the internal combustion engine. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the method is operated within a vehicle; wherein the vehicle includes a passenger cabin; and wherein operating the device includes operating a heater core configured for providing heat to the passenger cabin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the method is operated within a vehicle; and wherein operating the device includes operating a first device configured for defrosting a windshield and a second device configured for heating windshield washer fluid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the propulsion system operating point includes selecting a power electronics switching strategy for the electric machine to generate an increased amount of heat while providing output torque for propulsion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein operating the heat transfer system includes directing a flow of coolant through the internal combustion engine, a battery pack, and the electric machine for transferring the heat to the device with the battery pack providing power to the electric machine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the device includes a battery heating system configured to heat a battery pack that is configured to provide power to the electric machine. ### Claim 11 A method for heat coordination in a vehicle, comprising: operating a propulsion system that generates heat as wasted power, wherein operating the propulsion system includes operating an internal combustion engine and operating an electric machine both configured to provide output torque for propulsion; operating a device utilizing the heat generated by the propulsion system; operating a heat transfer system configured for transferring the heat generated by the propulsion system from the propulsion system to the device; within a computerized processor, determining a minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device; monitoring a desired output torque for the propulsion system; and utilizing a cost-based determination to determine a propulsion system operating point based upon the desired output torque and the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device, wherein determining the propulsion system operating point includes determining an operating point for the internal combustion engine and determining an operating point for the electric machine; and utilizing the propulsion system operating point to control the propulsion system; wherein operating the heat transfer system includes directing a flow of coolant through the internal combustion engine and the electric machine for transferring the heat to the device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein determining the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device includes: monitoring an ambient temperature; monitoring the heat generated by the propulsion system; and determining the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device based upon the ambient temperature and the heat generated by the propulsion system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein utilizing the cost-based determination to determine the propulsion system operating point based upon the desired output torque and the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device includes: iteratively analyzing a cost to deliver the desired output torque and provide additional heat to satisfy the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device at a plurality of propulsion system candidate operating points; and selecting one of the plurality of propulsion system candidate operating points as the propulsion system operating point based upon minimizing the cost. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising operating a device configured for defrosting a windshield; and wherein determining the minimum useful waste thermal power is based upon a total heat desired by the device configured for defrosting the windshield. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein determining a propulsion system operating point includes selecting a power electronics switching strategy for the electric machine to generate an increased amount of heat while providing output torque for propulsion. ### Claim 16 A system for heat coordination, comprising: a propulsion system that generates heat as wasted power, wherein the propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine both configured to provide output torque for propulsion; a device utilizing the heat generated by the propulsion system; a heat transfer system configured for transferring the heat generated by the propulsion system from the propulsion system to the device; a computerized heat coordination controller, including programming to: determine a minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device; monitor a desired output torque for the propulsion system; utilize a cost-based determination to determine a propulsion system operating point based upon the desired output torque and the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device, wherein determining the propulsion system operating point includes determining an operating point for the internal combustion engine and determining an operating point for the electric machine; and utilize the propulsion system operating point to control the propulsion system; wherein operating the heat transfer system includes directing a flow of coolant through the internal combustion engine and the electric machine for transferring the heat to the device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the programming to utilize the cost-based determination to determine the propulsion system operating point based upon the desired output torque and the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device includes programming to: iteratively analyze a cost to deliver the desired output torque and provide additional heat to satisfy the minimum useful waste thermal power to operate the device at a plurality of propulsion system candidate operating points; and select one of the plurality of propulsion system candidate operating points as the propulsion system operating point based upon minimizing the cost. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising a vehicle; wherein the vehicle includes a passenger cabin; and wherein the device includes a heater core configured for providing heat to the passenger cabin. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising a vehicle; and wherein the device includes a first device configured for defrosting a windshield and a second device configured for heating windshield washer fluid. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the propulsion system includes: an electric machine configured for providing an output torque; and wherein the programming to determine a propulsion system operating point includes programming to select a power electronics switching strategy for the electric machine to generate an increased amount of heat while providing output torque for propulsion.