Patent ID: 8807445
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: B60H,F01P

Abstract:
1. A method of auxiliary heater pump control in a vehicle including a heater core and an auxiliary pump in a heater core branch of a vehicle coolant system when the power plant is not on, the method comprising the steps of: (a) calculating, with a controller, an estimated heating power required to provide heat to a passenger compartment that is a function of a mass air flow, a specific heat, and a change in temperature in the passenger compartment, the change in temperature in the passenger compartment being a function of a coolant temperature in the coolant system and an outside air temperature; (b) determining, with the controller, if the calculated estimated heating power required is greater than a minimum required heating power that will be able to maintain a thermal range in the passenger compartment; (c) if the calculated estimated heating power required is greater than the minimum required heating power, activating the auxiliary pump to pump the coolant through the heater core; and (d) when the auxiliary pump is activated, setting a minimum blower power for a blower forcing air through the heater core, whereby noise from the auxiliary pump is masked by noise from the blower.