VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich.,
Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC), a leading global automotive
supplier, recently launched products featuring different approaches
to battery thermal management on a number of new electric and
hybrid vehicles.
These new architectures include products such as battery contact
heat exchangers and battery chillers, which are designed to
maintain battery temperatures within tight ranges specified by
automakers. This allows for optimal function, extends the life of
the battery packs and helps improve fuel economy.
"As vehicle manufacturers continue to pursue electric and hybrid
alternatives, Visteon is accelerating this effort by developing
products that are forward-thinking, efficient and cost-effective,"
said Brigit Anthony, global chief engineer, heat exchangers and
engineering services. "With the automotive industry and government
considering various regulations and guidelines pertaining to fuel
economy and vehicle electrification, we believe it's important to
offer flexible solutions to meet our customers' needs now and in
the future."
One architecture uses coolant-based contact heat exchangers,
while a second employs a refrigerant-based battery cooling and
heating approach. In both systems, Visteon's battery contact heat
exchanger is connected with the air conditioning system to reject
heat from the battery into the coolant or refrigerant, depending on
the vehicle. This helps improve battery performance and prevent
premature aging of cells. Visteon engineers and manufactures
components for both battery thermal management architectures in
Europe.
Visteon's coolant-based solution employs a battery cooling and
heating architecture, in which heat from the lithium-ion batteries
is transferred into the coolant system. When the battery needs to
be cooled, the air conditioning system is used to decrease the
temperature of the coolant. This is made possible by Visteon's
coolant-to-refrigerant battery chiller, which reuses current heat
exchanger technology in an innovative and cost-effective design
solution. When battery heating is needed, Visteon heaters immersed
in the coolant turn on.
In addition to these battery thermal management technologies,
Visteon's climate product portfolio features other prominent
"green" technologies. These include electric compressors that are
in production with two different auto manufacturers, a heat pump
system, and a "leak free" metal seal fitting.
About Visteon
Visteon is a leading global automotive supplier that
designs, engineers and manufactures innovative climate, electronics
and interior products for vehicle manufacturers. With corporate
offices in Van Buren Township,
Michigan. (U.S.); Shanghai,
China; and Chelmsford, UK;
the company has facilities in 28 countries and employs
approximately 22,000 people. Learn more at
www.visteon.com.
SOURCE Visteon Corporation