SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL AUTOMOTIVE POWERTRAIN COMPONENT TEMPERATURE

摘要

A thermal management unit for a vehicle powertrain component. The thermal management unit is designed to maintain the operating temperature of the vehicle component within a relatively small, ideal temperature range. The thermal management unit includes a three-way valve and temperature sensor that uses the temperature of a lubricant used by the component itself to configure the valve such that lubricant having the desired temperature is passed to the component.

主权项

1. A thermal management unit for a vehicle powertrain component, said thermal management unit comprising:
a temperature controlled multi-port valve having a sensor adapted to sense a temperature of a lubricant used by the powertrain component, said valve having at least a first configuration during a first state whereby heated lubricant is passed to the powertrain component and a second configuration during a second state whereby cooled lubricant is passed to the powertrain component based on the sensed temperature; and a heat exchanger for heating the lubricant during the first state and cooling the lubricant during the second state, said heat exchanger having:
a first port for inputting the lubricant from the component;a second port for outputting the heated or cooled lubricant to the sensor; anda third port connected to a first port of the valve and a fourth port connected to a coolant output of an engine.