PUMP CONTROL FOR COMPLEX VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEM

A vehicle thermal system includes a coolant circuit having at least one coolant loop, a pump, a valve, and a component to be cooled. A controller is programmed to receive a flow target indicating a coolant flow required to cool the component, receive a coolant temperature and a position of the valve, determine a pressure drop for a given flow target, coolant temperature, and valve position, determine a maximum flow based on the given flow target, coolant temperature, and valve position, determine a pump pressure rise for the given flow target and coolant temperature, and a pump speed required to meet the given flow target, determine a pump maximum pressure rise for the given coolant temperature, and a maximum coolant flow rate and a pump maximum speed, determine a final pump speed required to meet the received flow target, and command the pump to operate at the final pump speed.