Patent ID: 8288048

Claim:
A thermal management system for a hybrid vehicle having an electrochemical power source and an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a first heat exchanger associated with the electrochemical power source; a third heat exchanger associated with the engine; a second heat exchanger capable of dissipating heat to an ambient; a pump for moving a vaporizable fluid through the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger; a temperature sensor capable of sensing the temperature of the electrochemical power source; a valve positioned between the pump, and each of the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger, the valve receiving fluid from the pump, and selectively directing the fluid (i) from the pump to the first heat exchanger and then to the second heat exchanger in a cooling mode when the temperature of the electrochemical power source is above a predetermined temperature or (ii) from the pump to the third heat exchanger and then to the first heat exchanger and then to the second heat exchanger in a heating mode when the temperature of the electrochemical power source is at or below a predetermined first temperature.