A thermal management component in a thermal management system. The thermal management component has a first connecting port, a second connecting port, and a third connecting port and includes a first valve portion, a liquid storage portion, and a plate heat exchange assembly. The first valve portion is located between a fourth connecting port and a fifth connecting port. The first connecting port is in communication with an inlet of the liquid storage portion. The plate heat exchange assembly is located downstream from the liquid storage portion. The plate heat exchange assembly is in communication with the second connecting port and the third connecting port, and the second connecting port and the third connecting port are outlets.

A thermal management component in a thermal management system. The thermal management component has a first connecting port, a second connecting port, and a third connecting port and includes a first valve portion, a liquid storage portion, and a plate heat exchange assembly. The first valve portion is located between a fourth connecting port and a fifth connecting port. The first connecting port is in communication with an inlet of the liquid storage portion. The plate heat exchange assembly is located downstream from the liquid storage portion. The plate heat exchange assembly is in communication with the second connecting port and the third connecting port, and the second connecting port and the third connecting port are outlets.

A dual rail heat pump cycle includes a low-temperature heat source; a two stage, high-temperature heat exchange process through which, in operation, heat is exchanged with a thermal medium; and a working fluid circuit. The working fluid circuit includes an expansion process; a compression process; a recuperation process, and a pair of parallel flow paths. The recuperation process is interposed between the expansion process and the compression process and has a high-pressure side defined by the compression process and a low pressure side defined by the expansion process. The pair of parallel flow paths between the recuperation process and the high-temperature heat exchange process on the high-pressure side of the recuperation process.

A dual rail heat pump cycle includes a low-temperature heat source; a two stage, high-temperature heat exchange process through which, in operation, heat is exchanged with a thermal medium; and a working fluid circuit. The working fluid circuit includes an expansion process; a compression process; a recuperation process, and a pair of parallel flow paths. The recuperation process is interposed between the expansion process and the compression process and has a high-pressure side defined by the compression process and a low pressure side defined by the expansion process. The pair of parallel flow paths between the recuperation process and the high-temperature heat exchange process on the high-pressure side of the recuperation process.