A flow-directing element for a heating apparatus, in particular a heating apparatus with an evaporator burner, having a body which comprises a laterally arranged inflow region on an underside of the flow-directing element, having a centrally arranged outflow region, which includes a through-passage from an underside of the flow-directing element to an upper side of the flow-directing element, the upper side being located opposite the underside, and having at least one guide element, which is arranged such that it allows flow to be guided from the inflow region to the outflow region.

It is proposed a thermal management system for a fuel cell vehicle comprising: a first cooling circuit filled with a first coolant, having at least a first pump, a second cooling circuit filled with a second coolant, having at least a second pump, a third cooling circuit filled with a third coolant, having at least a third pump, wherein the first, second and third cooling circuits are fluidically independent from one another, wherein there is provided at least a selective heat exchanger arrangement, for selectively coupling thermally the third cooling circuit with the first cooling circuit and/or with the second cooling circuit, under predefined conditions.

A coolant control device includes: first control means for, at warm-up of an internal combustion engine, circulating coolant in a first passage bypassing the engine and stopping coolant circulation in the second passage passing through the engine; second control means for, at engine warm-up and when the quantity of heat required by a heater core is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, circulating coolant in the first passage while adjusting the flow rate of coolant circulating in the first passage and stopping coolant circulation in the second passage; and third control means for, at engine warm-up and when the required quantity of heat exceeds the predetermined threshold, circulating coolant in the first passage without decreasing the flow rate of coolant circulating in the first passage and circulating coolant in the second passage while adjusting the flow rate of coolant circulating in the second passage.

A thermal energy storage system for a vehicle. The system includes a tank that is external to the vehicle. The tank is configured to receive liquid from the vehicle, and store the liquid at or above a predetermined temperature prior to the liquid being returned to the vehicle.

A system for warming an engine. The system includes an engine coolant system that directs warm engine coolant to the engine to heat the engine. A heat pump system warms the engine coolant.

A shutter system includes a housing, and a plurality of shutters coupled to the housing. Each of the shutters is rotatable about a respective rotation axis, between a first position and a second position. At least one actuator is attached to the housing, and is coupled to at least one of the shutters for moving that shutter between its respective first position and second position. Each of the shutters define a first angle relative to a reference axis when disposed in their respective first position, and a second angle relative to the reference axis when disposed in their respective second position. The first angle of each of the shutters is substantially equal to the first angle of all other of the shutters. The second angle of at least one of the shutters is different than the second angle of at least another of the shutters.

Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a heat pump supplies thermal energy to an engine to reduce engine emissions during engine starting. Further, heating the engine via the heat pump may also reduce engine friction at colder ambient temperatures where oil viscosity may be increased.

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.

Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented, whereby a refrigerant loop is operated to heat a cabin of the vehicle via heat generated by a compressor and heat generated by a resistive heating element. The heat generated by the compressor and the heat generated by the resistive heating element are transferred to a refrigerant before it is transferred to the cabin. In one example, in a first mode, an evaporator bypass valve on an evaporator bypass conduit of the A/C system is opened to route the refrigerant around an evaporator of the A/C system to increase a temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant loop; and in a second mode, the evaporator bypass valve is closed to route the refrigerant through the evaporator, where heat is released to a flow of air across the evaporator that is directed to the vehicle cabin.

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.