Powertrain thermal management system
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJames Thomas Gooden, Donald Peter Schneider, Kenneth Gerald Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal management system for a vehicle powertrain includes a heater core, a transmission fluid warmer selectively in thermal communication with the heater core, a bypass valve between the heater core and transmission fluid warmer configured to control fluid flow therebetween, a control module configured to control the bypass valve, and a timer linked to the control module configured to delay deactivation of the bypass valve.
Claims9
A thermal management system for a vehicle powertrain, comprising:
- a heater core;
- a transmission fluid warmer selectively in thermal communication with the heater core;
- a bypass valve between the heater core and transmission fluid warmer configured to control fluid flow therebetween;
- a control module configured to control the bypass valve;
- a timer linked to the control module, configured to delay deactivation of the bypass valve;
- and
- a temperature sensor linked to the control module, configured to assess an engine coolant temperature;
- wherein the control module is configured to deactivate the bypass valve when engine coolant temperature is greater than a predetermined amount;
- and
- wherein the control module is configured to set the timer when a rate of engine coolant temperature change is less than a predetermined amount.
A control module for a transmission thermal management system, comprising:
- a processor linked to a vehicle system configured to control a fluid bypass valve between a transmission fluid warmer and a heater core, the processor including:
- a timer configured to implement a delayed deactivation of the bypass valve;
- wherein the control module is configured to set the timer when an indicator is detected indicating that a radiator thermostat valve is at least partially open.
A thermal management system for a vehicle powertrain, comprising:
- a heater core;
- a transmission fluid warmer selectively in thermal communication with the heater core;
- a bypass valve between the heater core and transmission fluid warmer configured to control fluid flow therebetween;
- a control module configured to control the bypass valve;
- and
- a timer linked to the control module, configured to delay deactivation of the bypass valve;
- wherein the control module is configured to set the timer when an indicator is detected indicating that a radiator thermostat valve is at least partially open.
A thermal management system for a vehicle powertrain, comprising:
- a heater core;
- a transmission fluid warmer selectively in thermal communication with the heater core;
- a bypass valve between the heater core and transmission fluid warmer configured to control fluid flow therebetween;
- a control module configured to control the bypass valve;
- and
- a timer linked to the control module, configured to delay deactivation of the bypass valve;
- wherein the control module is linked to a transmission shifter position sensor configured to determine a mode of transmission operation;
- and
- wherein the control module is configured to set the timer according to the mode of transmission operation.
A control module for a transmission thermal management system, comprising:
- a processor linked to a vehicle system configured to control a fluid bypass valve between a transmission fluid warmer and a heater core, the processor including:
- a timer configured to implement a delayed deactivation of the bypass valve;
- wherein the control module is linked to a temperature sensor and configured to deactivate the bypass valve according to an ambient temperature reading;
- and
- wherein the control module is configured to set the timer to deactivate the bypass valve when a rate of engine coolant temperature change is less than a predetermined amount.
A control module for a transmission thermal management system, comprising:
- a processor linked to a vehicle system configured to control a fluid bypass valve between a transmission fluid warmer and a heater core, the processor including:
- a timer configured to implement a delayed deactivation of the bypass valve;
- wherein the control module is linked to a transmission shifter position sensor configured to determine a mode of transmission operation and set the timer to deactivate the bypass valve according to the mode of transmission operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.