An air conditioning system of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes a condenser configured to receive refrigerant output by an electric compressor and transfer heat from the refrigerant within the condenser to air passing the condenser. A first evaporator is configured to receive refrigerant from the condenser when a first control valve is open and transfer heat from air passing the first evaporator to the refrigerant within the first evaporator. A first blower is configured to blow air across the first evaporator to a first section of a cabin of the vehicle. A second evaporator is configured to receive refrigerant from the condenser when a second control valve is open and transfer heat from air passing the second evaporator to the refrigerant within the second evaporator. A second blower is configured to blow air across the second evaporator to a second section of the cabin of the vehicle.

An air conditioning system of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes a condenser configured to receive refrigerant output by an electric compressor and transfer heat from the refrigerant within the condenser to air passing the condenser. A first evaporator is configured to receive refrigerant from the condenser when a first control valve is open and transfer heat from air passing the first evaporator to the refrigerant within the first evaporator. A first blower is configured to blow air across the first evaporator to a first section of a cabin of the vehicle. A second evaporator is configured to receive refrigerant from the condenser when a second control valve is open and transfer heat from air passing the second evaporator to the refrigerant within the second evaporator. A second blower is configured to blow air across the second evaporator to a second section of the cabin of the vehicle.

An air conditioning system of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes a condenser configured to receive refrigerant output by an electric compressor and transfer heat from the refrigerant within the condenser to air passing the condenser. A first evaporator is configured to receive refrigerant from the condenser when a first control valve is open and transfer heat from air passing the first evaporator to the refrigerant within the first evaporator. A first blower is configured to blow air across the first evaporator to a first section of a cabin of the vehicle. A second evaporator is configured to receive refrigerant from the condenser when a second control valve is open and transfer heat from air passing the second evaporator to the refrigerant within the second evaporator. A second blower is configured to blow air across the second evaporator to a second section of the cabin of the vehicle.

A method of identifying air flow faults within a cooling system of an automobile comprises measuring the temperature of coolant entering a heat exchanger for the cooling system, measuring the temperature of coolant leaving the heat exchanger, and measuring the temperature of ambient air that is flowing into the heat exchanger, calculating Actual Delta T by subtracting the temperature of coolant leaving the heat exchanger from the temperature of coolant entering the heat exchanger, calculating Expected Delta T, wherein Expected Delta T is a pre-determined value of an expected difference between the temperature of the coolant entering the heat exchanger and the temperature of the coolant leaving the heat exchanger, calculating Effective Delta T by subtracting Expected Delta T from Actual Delta T, and identifying a fault in the air flow through the heat exchanger based on the value of Effective Delta T.

Methods and systems are provided for optimizing engine climate control performance and fuel economy in engines configured with start/stop capabilities. Climate control inhibits of start/stop actions are adjusted as a function of operator driving habits and climate control inputs and preferences. The approach enables climate performance to be improved while also allowing for frequent idle-stop operation.

An apparatus and method for measuring air conditioning output temperature to ensure the proper amount of refrigerant for refilling or servicing a coolant system, such as an automobile coolant system, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a measurement display for viewing the temperature of air conditioning output inside a vehicle while the user is outside the vehicle refilling or servicing a coolant system. The measurement display is in communications with a temperature sensor measuring the air temperature at a vent inside the vehicle to allow a user to ensure the proper amount of coolant is refilled.

An air conditioning apparatus may include an evaporator; a temperature sensor configured for detecting a temperature of the evaporator; a compressor compressing a refrigerant transmitted to the evaporator; a clutch selectively allowing power transmission from a vehicle power source to a compressor; and a controller connected to the clutch and configured for controlling the clutch to selectively allow the power transmission according to a result of comparison between a target temperature of the evaporator and a temperature detected by the temperature sensor, in which the controller sets the target temperature based on a vehicle driving state.

An air conditioning system of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes a condenser configured to receive refrigerant output by an electric compressor and transfer heat from the refrigerant within the condenser to air passing the condenser. A first evaporator is configured to receive refrigerant from the condenser when a first control valve is open and transfer heat from air passing the first evaporator to the refrigerant within the first evaporator. A first blower is configured to blow air across the first evaporator to a first section of a cabin of the vehicle. A second evaporator is configured to receive refrigerant from the condenser when a second control valve is open and transfer heat from air passing the second evaporator to the refrigerant within the second evaporator. A second blower is configured to blow air across the second evaporator to a second section of the cabin of the vehicle.

A method of identifying air flow faults within a cooling system of an automobile comprises measuring the temperature of coolant entering a heat exchanger for the cooling system, measuring the temperature of coolant leaving the heat exchanger, and measuring the temperature of ambient air that is flowing into the heat exchanger, calculating Actual Delta T by subtracting the temperature of coolant leaving the heat exchanger from the temperature of coolant entering the heat exchanger, calculating Expected Delta T, wherein Expected Delta T is a pre-determined value of an expected difference between the temperature of the coolant entering the heat exchanger and the temperature of the coolant leaving the heat exchanger, calculating Effective Delta T by subtracting Expected Delta T from Actual Delta T, and identifying a fault in the air flow through the heat exchanger based on the value of Effective Delta T.

A filter monitoring system for a filter in a vehicle air conditioner includes a first temperature sensor to detect an air temperature of intake air drawn into an air conditioner case through the filter, a second temperature sensor to detect an evaporator temperature of the evaporator, and a processor coupled to the first and second temperature sensors and coupled to a memory. The processor is configured to calculate an actual change-rate of the evaporator temperature while a compressor is in operation, calculate an expected change-rate of the evaporator temperature based on the air temperature and operation levels of a blower and the compressor by using predetermined data with a properly functioning filter, calculate a degradation degree of the filter by comparing the actual change-rate to the expected change-rate, and output a signal indicating degradation of the filter upon determining that the degradation degree is out of an acceptable range.