A heat storage system including a heat storage device that stores heat and transfers heat to engine coolant passing through the heat storage device. A coolant flow control system directs coolant through the heat storage system. A control module configures the coolant flow control system to direct coolant to bypass the heat storage device such that the heat storage device does not heat the coolant when temperature of the engine is above the predetermined temperature.

Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.

A heat accumulator for use in a motor vehicle having a heat accumulator container which can be integrated into the motor oil circuit, through which motor oil flows when the motor is running, and which is disconnected from the circuit when the motor is switched off. The oil pan of the motor, in particular the lower part of the oil pan, is provided as the heat accumulator container, and the oil pan is provided with heat-insulating container walls. Also, an element for increasing the heat capacity of the heat accumulator is provided.

A cooling device cools a charging station or a multiplicity of charging stations of a charging park. The respective charging station has an internal coolant duct for a coolant to flow through the charging station, an input-side coolant connection, an output-side coolant connection, a coolant circuit with a cooling assembly for cooling the coolant, and a pump for pumping the coolant in the coolant circuit. The coolant duct of the respective charging station is integrated into the coolant circuit. A heat accumulator or a multiplicity of heat accumulators is integrated into the coolant circuit.

This relates to a cooling circuit comprising a liquid circulation path and arranged on the path: in series, an engine (2) and a radiator (8), mounted on a first branch in parallel between the inlet and outlet of the radiator, a store-exchanger (10) containing at least one volume: enclosing elements for storing and releasing thermal energy, involving a phase change material PCM, placed in a heat exchange relationship with said liquid (9), and around which are arranged at least one first layer containing a PCM and one second layer containing a porous thermally insulating material, and valves (14, 16, 18) so positioned as to direct the circulation of the liquid arriving from the engine toward the radiator and/or the store-exchanger.

A cooling system for an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle presenting a circuit for a coolant of the engine. The circuit includes a thermally insulated tank for the coolant of the engine, connected to an outer portion of the cooling circuit. The tank is arranged in the circuit to retain a defined quantity of coolant at a temperature above the ambient temperature when the engine is inactive, and for causing this quantity of coolant to flow, at a temperature above the ambient temperature, into the cooling circuit of the engine, after a subsequent start of the engine, during an engine warm up stage. The circuit also includes an expansion vessel connected to the outer circuit portion of the coolant of the engine. The expansion vessel has a thermally insulated body and constitutes the thermally insulated tank for the engine coolant.

In a vehicle cooling system, a quantity of warm coolant stored within a thermally insulated tank is used to heat engine lubricating oil in an engine warm-up phase following a cold start. A conduit feeding coolant leaving the engine is connected to an inlet of the tank via a reduced cross-section or a labyrinth pathway. The conduit is connected to an inlet of an electronically controlled distribution valve having three outlets connected to the oil cooler, a passenger compartment heater, and a radiator. In an initial part of the warm-up phase, the valve is closed, and the entire flow of coolant leaving the engine flows into the tank, moving the quantity of warm coolant previously stored in the tank to the oil cooler, where it contributes to more rapid heating of the lubricating oil. When the engine is switched-off, the tank is again filled with warm coolant from the engine.

An exhaust device of an engine, with an exhaust path to lead exhaust gas discharged from the engine to outside, the exhaust device comprising: an exhaust heat collector being configured to collect heat from the exhaust gas, and a cooling part being configured to cool down the exhaust heat collecting part from an outer peripheral side via a cooling fluid; and an exhaust gas flow controlling member in a cylindrical shape, comprising an inlet part and an outlet part where the inflow of the exhaust gas is discharged to an upstream side of the exhaust heat collecting part. An opening diameter of the outlet part is arranged to be smaller than an outer diameter of the exhaust heat collecting part. The exhaust gas flow controlling member is placed so that an open end of the outlet part opposes a central portion of an upstream end plane of the exhaust heat collecting part. The open end of the outlet part and the upstream end plane of the exhaust heat collecting part are a predetermined distance apart.

The heat storage apparatus of the present disclosure includes a casing, a heat storage material that is located in the casing, a stirrer that is located in the casing, that is in contact with the heat storage material, and that rotates to stir the heat storage material, and a projection that is in contact with the heat storage material, that projects from the stirrer, and that rotates with rotation of the stirrer. The projection is continuously in contact with an inner face of the casing while the stirrer rotates.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a flow of coolant through a coolant system including a rear axle heat exchanger. In one example, a method may include flowing coolant through the coolant system while an engine is not operating. In another example, a method may include increasing a flow of coolant to the rear axle heat exchanger while the engine is not operating when a rear axle oil temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.