System and method to control temperature of an alternator and/or an engine in a vehicle

A method of controlling alternator temperature and engine temperature for a vehicle, comprising:

• rotating a first drive shaft to generate electricity during an operation of an engine;
• rotating a second drive shaft to cause pumping of coolant to cool at least portion of the alternator and the engine where the first and second drive shafts are operatively coupled such that rotation of the first drive shaft imparts rotation to the second drive shaft;
• and
• selectively routing coolant through multiple different fluid pathways in response to an engine operation condition wherein the engine operation condition is an engine operating temperature and the coolant is routed through a first fluid pathway, which includes the alternator and the engine when the engine temperature is below a first predetermined temperature.

A system for a vehicle, comprising:

• an engine;
• a first alternator having a first drive shaft configured to be driven by a belt of the engine through a pulley;
• a first water pump having a second drive shaft that is operatively coupled with the first drive shaft by a first coupler where rotation of the first drive shaft imparts rotation to the second drive shaft and causes pumping of coolant;
• a first fluid pathway passing through the first alternator and the engine;
• a second fluid pathway passing through the first alternator, the engine, and a heater core, and having a first valve located therein wherein the first and second fluid pathways have at least partially shared pathways;
• and
• a control system to selectively circulate a coolant via the first and second pathways in response to an engine operating temperature to control the temperature in the engine and the alternator.

A system for a vehicle, comprising:

• an engine;
• an alternator having a first drive shaft mounted therein and is configured to be driven by a belt of the engine through a pulley;
• a first water pump having a second drive shaft that is operatively coupled with the first drive shaft by a first coupler where rotation of the first drive shaft imparts rotation to the second drive shaft and cause pumping of coolant;
• a second water pump having a third drive shaft that is operatively coupled with the first drive shaft by a second coupler where rotation of the first drive shaft imparts rotation to the third drive shaft and cause pumping of coolant;
• a first fluid pathway passing through the alternator, the engine and a heater core;
• a second fluid pathway passing through the alternator, the engine, and the heater core, and a radiator, and having a first valve located between the heater core and the radiator wherein the first and second fluid pathways have at least partially shared fluid pathways;
• and
• a control system to selectively circulate a coolant via the first and second pathways in response to an engine operating temperature to control the temperature in the engine and the alternator.