Extended engine off passenger climate control system and method

An extended engine off climate control system for a hybrid electric motor vehicle comprising a gasoline engine and an electric motor, the system comprising:

• a plurality of sensors;
• a temperature control module configured to receive first signals from the plurality of sensors;
• a power train control module configured to receive second signals from the temperature control module indicative of a need for cooled air or heated air in response to the first signals received from the plurality of sensors;
• an air conditioning system configured to supply cooled air to a passenger cabin of the hybrid electric motor vehicle in response to the second signals, the air conditioning system comprising:
• an air conditioning compressor configured to operate in response to a third signal received from the power train control module;
• an air conditioning condenser coupled to receive refrigerant vapor from the air conditioning compressor;
• a solenoid controlled two stage expansion orifice coupled to receive refrigerant liquid from the air conditioning condenser, the solenoid controlled two stage expansion orifice comprising a first orifice of a first size and a second orifice of a second size different than the first size and configured to select the first orifice or the second orifice in response to receipt by the solenoid of a fourth signal from the power train control module;
• and
• a heating system configured to supply heated air to a passenger cabin of the hybrid electric motor vehicle in response to the second signals, the heating system comprising:
• a heater core;
• and
• an auxiliary electric pump configured to circulate heated engine coolant from the gasoline engine through the heater core in response to a fifth signal received from the power train control module.

A method for maintaining passenger climate control in a passenger cabin of a hybrid electric motor vehicle having a gasoline engine and an electric motor, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing a plurality of climate conditions;
• sensing vehicle speed;
• and
• providing cooled air to the passenger cabin from an air conditioning evaporator in response to sensing the plurality of climate conditions and the vehicle speed by selecting a first orifice size of an expansion orifice positioned between an air conditioning condenser and the air conditioning evaporator when the gasoline engine is operating and selecting a second orifice size of the expansion orifice when the gasoline engine is not operating.