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Title: Variable cooling circuit for thermoelectric generator and engine and method of control

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes an engine, an exhaust system, and a thermoelectric generator (TEG) operatively connected to the exhaust system and configured to allow exhaust gas flow therethrough. A first radiator is operatively connected to the engine. An openable and closable engine valve is configured to open to permit coolant to circulate through the engine and the first radiator when coolant temperature is greater than a predetermined minimum coolant temperature. A first and a second valve are controllable to route cooling fluid from the TEG to the engine through coolant passages under a first set of operating conditions to establish a first cooling circuit, and from the TEG to a second radiator through at least some other coolant passages under a second set of operating conditions to establish a second cooling circuit. A method of controlling a cooling circuit is also provided.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC (Detroit, MI)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1079231
Patent Number(s):
8297238
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC (Detroit, MI)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01N - GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01P - COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL
DOE Contract Number:  
FC26-04NT42278
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING

Citation Formats

Prior, Gregory P. Variable cooling circuit for thermoelectric generator and engine and method of control. United States: N. p., 2012. Web.
Prior, Gregory P. Variable cooling circuit for thermoelectric generator and engine and method of control. United States.
Prior, Gregory P. Tue . "Variable cooling circuit for thermoelectric generator and engine and method of control". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1079231.
@article{osti_1079231,
title = {Variable cooling circuit for thermoelectric generator and engine and method of control},
author = {Prior, Gregory P},
abstractNote = {An apparatus is provided that includes an engine, an exhaust system, and a thermoelectric generator (TEG) operatively connected to the exhaust system and configured to allow exhaust gas flow therethrough. A first radiator is operatively connected to the engine. An openable and closable engine valve is configured to open to permit coolant to circulate through the engine and the first radiator when coolant temperature is greater than a predetermined minimum coolant temperature. A first and a second valve are controllable to route cooling fluid from the TEG to the engine through coolant passages under a first set of operating conditions to establish a first cooling circuit, and from the TEG to a second radiator through at least some other coolant passages under a second set of operating conditions to establish a second cooling circuit. A method of controlling a cooling circuit is also provided.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2012},
month = {10}
}