Vehicle thermal management at condensers of the refrigerant loop

US11845321B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Cameron P. Smith · Milford, US
• Lawrence P. Ziehr · Maumee, US
• Nathan J. English · Auburn Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 5, 2020
• Grant date: Dec 19, 2023
• Expiry date: Feb 18, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60H2001/3279
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Thermal management in a vehicle involves a compressor to output a refrigerant in vapor form for circulation in a refrigerant loop. A thermal management system includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in the refrigerant loop including an evaporator and an HVAC condenser, and an exterior condenser in the refrigerant loop configured to vent heat to an exterior of the vehicle. A first variable refrigerant flow valve controls a flow rate of the refrigerant output by the compressor into the HVAC condenser, and a second refrigerant flow valve controls a flow rate of the refrigerant output by the compressor into the exterior condenser. A controller controls the first refrigerant flow valve and the second refrigerant flow valve based on a target output temperature for the HVAC condenser.