SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE THERMAL MANAGEMENT

A system and method for thermal management for a work vehicle having an engine and a non-engine heat-generating component is disclosed. A fuel tank configured to store fuel in a liquid or gaseous state and fuel flow lines are configured to deliver the fuel from the fuel tank to the engine for combustion of the fuel and to utilize all or a portion of the fuel for cooling to cool one or more components of the engine or a cooling body of the non-engine heat-generating component or both. A thermal expansion valve is coupled to the fuel flow lines intermediate the fuel tank and the engine and is configured to deliver all or the portion of the fuel utilized for cooling through an orifice such that the fuel undergoes a pressure reduction, including changing from a liquid state to a gaseous state if the fuel is in a liquid state when stored in the fuel tank, and inducing a heat of vaporization to absorb thermal energy in the one or more components of the engine or the cooling body of the non-engine heat-generating component. All or the portion of the fuel utilized for cooling is delivered to the engine for combustion after passing through the one or more components of the engine or the cooling body of the non-engine heat-generating component.