Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle secondary cooling system

Abstract

A system for utilizing heat generated by a component of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes a first component having a first coolant system extending therethrough. The first coolant circulation system includes a first radiator. The system also includes a second component having a second coolant circulation system extending therethrough. The second coolant circulation system is in fluid communication with the first coolant circulation system. The first coolant system is configured is to selectively direct heated coolant from the first component to the second component.

1 . A system for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine and an electric drive system, including an electric motor, the system comprising:
 a component of the electric drive system;   a first closed-loop coolant circulation system associated with the electric drive system component and having a coolant configured to flow therethrough   a vehicle component to be heated;   a second closed-loop coolant circulation system associated with the vehicle component to be heated, the first and second coolant circulation systems being operable independently of each other, and selectively in fluid communication with each other;   such that heated coolant from the component of the electric drive system can be provided to the vehicle component to be heated; and   a radiator in fluid communication with at least one of the closed-loop coolant circulation systems for transferring heat away from the corresponding coolant.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first coolant circulation system is further configured to selectively prevent heated coolant from flowing between the component of the electric drive system and the radiator. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the first coolant circulation system further comprises a first valve configured to selectively direct the flow of heated coolant from the component of the electric drive system to one of the vehicle component to be heated or the radiator. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the first coolant circulation system is further configured to permit heated coolant to flow from the component of the electric drive system to the radiator and to prevent heated coolant from flowing to the vehicle component to be heated when the vehicle component to be heated reaches a predetermined temperature. 
   
   
       5 . A system for utilizing heat generated by a component of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the system comprising:
 an electric component having a first coolant circulation system extending therethrough, the first coolant circulation system including a first radiator; and   an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a second coolant circulation system extending therethrough, the second coolant circulation system (ICE) being in fluid communication with the first coolant circulation system;   wherein the first coolant circulation system is configured to selectively direct heated coolant from the electric component to the ICE.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the electric component comprises an ISC. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the first coolant system is further configured to selectively prevent the heated coolant from flowing between the electric component and the first radiator. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the first coolant system further comprises a first valve configured to selectively direct the flow of the heated coolant from the electric component to one of the ICE and the first radiator. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the second coolant circulation system further comprises a second radiator and a second valve configured to selectively direct the flow of coolant from the internal combustion engine to one of the electric component and the second radiator. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the second valve is further configured to direct the flow of coolant from the internal combustion engine to the electric component when the first valve directs the heated coolant from the electric component to the ICE. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the second valve is further configured to direct the flow of coolant from the internal combustion engine to the second radiator when the first valve directs the heated coolant from the electric component to the first radiator. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first valve is further configured to direct the heated coolant from the electric component to the ICE when the ICE is not operating and wherein the first valve is further configured to direct the heated coolant from the electric component to the ICE when the ICE is operating. 
   
   
       13 . A system for utilizing heat generated by a component of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the system comprising:
 an electric component having a first coolant circulation system extending therethrough, the first coolant circulation system including a first radiator; and   a heater core having a second coolant circulation system extending therethrough, the second coolant circulation system being in fluid communication with the first coolant circulation system;   wherein the first coolant circulation system is configured to selectively direct heated coolant from the first component to the heater core.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the electric component comprises an ISC. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first coolant system is further configured to selectively prevent the heated coolant from flowing between the electric component and the first radiator. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising an internal combustion engine having the second coolant circulation system extending therethrough, the second coolant circulation system further comprising a second radiator. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the first coolant system further comprises a first valve configured to selectively direct the flow of the heated coolant from the electric component to one of the second coolant circulation system and the first radiator. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the second coolant circulation system further comprises a second valve configured to selectively direct the flow of coolant from the internal combustion engine to one of the second radiator and the electric component. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the heater core is positioned down stream of the internal combustion engine such that when the second valve directs the flow of coolant from the internal combustion engine to the electric component, the coolant passes through the heater core. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the electric component comprises an ISC.