Engine cooling and climate control system

A system for cooling the powertrain of a vehicle and controlling the temperature of the vehicle cabin, the system operable to supplement the cooling effects of a radiator while maintaining a desired vehicle cabin temperature, the system comprising:

• a plenum having an intake and an outtake, the plenum housing a heater core, an evaporator and a blower, wherein the heater core is in a closed loop circuit with the radiator so as to deliver coolant from the heater core to the radiator, the blower operable to blow air onto the evaporator and heater core;
• a powertrain sensor, the powertrain sensor operable to detect the state of the powertrain so as to determine if supplemental cooling of the powertrain is needed;
• an electronic control unit in communication with the powertrain sensor, the powertrain sensor operable to transmit the state of the powertrain to the electronic control unit;
• and
• a first proportioning valve disposed upstream the heater core, the first proportioning valve operable to move between a closed position wherein the first proportioning valve blocks airflow from the blower onto the heater core, and an open position wherein the first proportioning valve positioned so as to provide unrestricted airflow from the blower to the heater core;
• a first conduit and a second conduit, wherein the first conduit provides a passage for air flowing from the heater core to a designated location, and wherein the second conduit provides a passage for air flowing from the heater core to the outtake;
• a second proportioning valve disposed upstream the first conduit and the second conduit, wherein the second proportioning valve is movable between first position wherein the second proportioning valve blocks airflow from the heater core to the second conduit, and a second position wherein the second proportioning valve blocks airflow from the heater core to the first conduit, and
• wherein the electronic control unit is further operable to independently move the first and second proportioning valves so as to control supplemental cooling of the powertrain and the temperature of the vehicle cabin.