Active Thermal Management, or ATM, is a General Motors engine technology that aims to improve engine performance via targeted cooling and heating.
Principles
An Active Thermal Management design makes smart use of otherwise wasted energy to enhance efficiency of and reduce friction in engine.
How It Works
The Active Thermal Management system uses a rotary valve system to distribute coolant through the engine in a targeted manner. It sends heat where it’s needed to warm up the engine, thereby reducing friction and heating the cabin, or cooling when needed for high power operation.
An electric water pump is at the core of GM’s Active Thermal Management setup. It further enhances the engine’s performance and efficiency by eliminating the parasitic drag that comes with a conventional engine-driven water pump.
It also uses various cutting-edge features, including electronically-controlled ball valve modules to intelligently and precisely control the flow of coolant.
Benefits
The benefits of Active Thermal Management include targeted engine heating and cooling across the entire powertrain system to create the most ideal conditions for optimal fuel economy and recover otherwise wasted exhaust heat for faster engine and transmission warmup.
Active Thermal Management helps the engine warm up faster to achieve its optimal engine temperature for performance and efficiency. Ultimately, benefits include faster passenger cabin warm-up in hot and cold ambient temperatures as well as increased efficiency.
GM 2.0L I4 LSY Engine
Applications
Active Thermal Management is currently present on the following GMÂ engines:
- 2.0L LSY I-4 Turbo (gasoline)
- 2.7L L3B I-4 Turbo (gasoline)
- 3.0L LM2 I-6 Turbo Duramax (diesel)
Engines that feature Active Thermal Management typically utilize a high-pressure direct injection system, an advanced turbocharger, and an exhaust manifold integrated within the aluminum cylinder head.
Related Technologies
GM engines with Active Thermal Management are typically also equipped with the TriPower system.
