A thermal management system and method for a vehicle can include providing an engine, a transmission, a radiator, and a thermostat. A first heat exchanger can be in fluid communication with the transmission to heat or cool transmission fluid. A hot branch line can extend from the engine to the first heat exchanger to supply engine coolant to the first heat exchanger. The hot branch line can be in fluid communication with each of the engine and the first heat exchanger. A heat exchanger return line can be in fluid communication with each of the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the thermostat.

A method for preventing an engine overheat based on a coolant temperature applied to an engine system 1 is provided, in which a controller 50 checks if a coolant coming from an engine 10 is distributed to any one of a heater core 25B and an ATF warmer 25A as a radiator 23 is switched from a distribution blocking state (i.e., radiator closed) at a diagnosis start to a distribution state (i.e., radiator open) during the diagnosis under the control of an opening degree of an ITM valve 40, diagnoses lack of a coolant amount using factors B determined by an inlet/outlet coolant temperature difference T of the engine 10 through first and second water temperature sensors 30A and 30B as a factor cumulative value A, and then controls the ITM valve 40 to a full open state in a state where a coolant temperature increase is predicted.

A thermal management system for a vehicle may be selectively controlled to supply heat from any one of a plurality of different heat sources, to any one of a plurality of different heat sinks. The heat sources may include: an internal combustion engine, a cylinder head, an exhaust gas heat recovery system, an exhaust gas recirculation system, or a turbocharging system. The heat sinks may include: the internal combustion engine, the cylinder heat, an engine oil cooler, a transmission oil cooler, and a heating core. Each of an engine oil cooler control valve, a transmission oil cooler control valve, a heating core control valve, an engine block control valve, a cylinder head control valve, a bypass control valve, and a heat transfer control valve are controlled to effectuate a desired operating mode for the thermal management system.

A number of variations may include a thermal management system having an engine and a coolant system comprising a coolant circuit and a coolant pump, wherein the coolant pump is operated by an electronic control unit that operates independently of the engine, and wherein the electronic control unit is constructed and arranged to operate the coolant pump at a higher speed than the engine speed multiplied by pulley ratio during engine warm up.

A number of variations may include a thermal management system comprising: an engine, an exhaust heat recovery system, and a coolant system comprising a coolant circuit and a coolant pump wherein the coolant pump operates independently of the engine and is operated by an electronic control unit, and wherein the electronic control unit is constructed and arranged to operate the coolant pump after engine start up to limit coolant temperature below a predetermined value in and/or near the exhaust heat recovery system.

A coolant control system of a vehicle includes a pump control module and a coolant valve control module. The pump control module selectively activates a coolant pump. The coolant pump pumps coolant into coolant channels formed in an integrated exhaust manifold (IEM) of an engine. The coolant valve control module selectively actuates a coolant valve that controls coolant flow from the coolant channels formed in the IEM to a transmission heat exchanger based on a first temperature of a transmission and a second temperature of coolant within the integrated exhaust manifold of the engine.

A waste heat accumulator/distributor system for use in a vehicle. The system includes an engine coolant loop directing engine coolant through a power plant, a powertrain electronics coolant loop directing electronics coolant through a powertrain electronics system; and a transmission fluid loop directing transmission fluid through a transmission. The system includes a multi-fluid heat exchanger including an engine coolant inlet receiving the engine coolant from the engine coolant loop, an electronics coolant inlet receiving the electronics coolant from the powertrain electronic coolant loop, and a transmission fluid inlet receiving the transmission fluid from the transmission fluid loop; a first valve controllable to cause engine coolant to flow into the engine coolant inlet or to bypass the engine coolant inlet; and a second valve controllable to cause electronics coolant to flow into the electronics coolant inlet or to bypass the electronics coolant inlet.

A vehicle heating/cooling system has first and second fluid circulation loops for circulating engine coolant and automotive fluid. A first heat exchanger transfers heat from the coolant to air for the passenger compartment. A second heat exchanger transfers heat between the coolant and automotive fluid. A first valve has first and second inlets for receiving coolant from hot and cold coolant sources, and an outlet for discharging coolant to the second heat exchanger. A second valve has an inlet for receiving coolant from the first coolant source, and an outlet for discharging coolant to the first inlet of the first valve. The valve positions change with temperature of the coolant and the automotive fluid, providing preferential heating of the passenger compartment during cold start-up of the vehicle. The second heat exchanger and valves may be provided in a temperature control module.

A valve apparatus for controlling the flow of two sources of a first fluid while preventing mixing of the two fluid sources is disclosed along with a system incorporating the same. The valve apparatus has a first valve chamber with a first valve mechanism for controlling the flow of a first fluid, such as a heated coolant, from a first source. A second valve chamber with a second valve mechanism controls the flow of a first fluid, such as a cooled coolant, from a second source, the first and second valve chambers being fluidly isolated from each other. At least one thermal actuator arranged within a control chamber or control manifold controls operation of the first and second valve mechanisms, the thermal actuator having a first activation temperature for controlling the first valve mechanism and a second activation temperature for controlling the second valve mechanism. A control fluid passing through the control chamber, or control manifold, dictates the operational settings of the first and second valve mechanisms, respectively. The control fluid may comprise a fluid to be heated and/or cooled, such as a transmission fluid.

An engine system is provided, including an engine, a circulation system that circulates coolant through a water jacket, and a controller. The circulation system includes a radiator passage including a heat exchanger, a bypass passage, a flow rate control device, and a thermally-actuated valve. The engine has a spark plug that forcibly ignites an air-fuel mixture. The engine switches between a first combustion in which the air-fuel mixture combusts without the forcible ignition, and a second combustion in which the air-fuel mixture combusts by the forcible ignition. The controller is electrically connected to the flow rate control device, and when the engine performs the first combustion, the controller controls the flow rate control device to adjust the flow rate of the coolant flowing through the water jacket according to the engine load, by closing the radiator passage and adjusting the flow rate of the coolant flowing through the bypass passage.