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Today the worldwide convergence towards stricter fuel consumption and emission regulations is pushing carmakers and suppliers into new fields of innovation. Valeo Engine Cooling, VEC, is contributing towards these goals by applying its thermal management system expertise in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by using an advanced engine cooling system that incorporated variable speed PWM fans, an electric water pump and an electric water control valve. The paper discusses the benefits in terms of engine cooling, fuel economy and emissions over the FTP drive cycle. The paper gives some examples of advanced engine cooling strategies based on a virtual, predictive metal temperature sensor that is used to actuate the electrical water pump at the desired flow rate. The electrical balance between the 42V pump and fans has also been optimized to reduce the vehicle electrical power consumption and to keep the coolant temperature close to 110°C.

The main objectives of new technologies for internal-combustion engine are lower consumption, pollutant reduction and comfort passenger increase. To reach these objectives, we have adopted for engine thermal management two strategies: quicker rise temperature during the cold start and higher engine temperature for part load. To satisfy these criteria, we have modified the classic cooling loop. An electric water pump, an electric water valve and variable speed fan system are the new actuators automatically controlled by electronic calculator. This concept allows to obtain a warm-up time reduced by 50% and 2 to 3% fuel economy on the European cycle.