THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A VEHICLE COMPUTING SYSTEM

Computer thermal regulation (CTR) systems and methods for thermal energy (TE) regulation of vehicle computers designed to operate within a target temperature range (TTR). A vehicle HVAC system includes a computer heat exchanger in the computer including a phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature (PCT). When the computer is below a TTR lower limit, the CTR system causes the HVAC system to run a heating cycle, heating the PCM to and above the PCT. The PCM releases stored TE to the computer. When the CTR system is above a TTR upper limit, the CTR system causes the HVAC system to run a cooling cycle, cooling the PCM to and below the TTR. The PCM then absorbs heat from the computer. TE storage and release processes during phase changes enable the PCM to operate as a buffer between the HVAC system and the computer to allow finer control over the computer temperature with an otherwise over-powered HVAC system for the vehicle.