Thermal Comfort and Engine Warm-Up Optimization of a Low-Flow Advanced Thermal Management System

The replacement of the mechanical water pump and wax-based thermostat with an electric pump and electric flow control valve provide the opportunity for improved engine thermal management and climate control. This paper investigates various cooling system flow circuits and their effects on heater performance, subsequently optimizing passenger comfort and engine warm-up. An electric pump and 2-way electric flow control valve were installed on a large SUV, and both the warm-up and flow performance were evaluated for several circuits-including a heater core boost pump, modified flow circuit designs, and differing pump speeds-and compared to the base cooling and HVAC systems. The Advanced Thermal Management System (ATMS) is shown to increase engine warm-up, cabin warm-up, and heater performance.