US Patent 10465615 Engine cooling by electrically driven intake air compressor

Methods and systems are provided for cooling an engine by operating an electrically driven intake air compressor. In one example, in response to a determination, based on a measured or inferred engine temperature, that the engine temperature is greater than a threshold temperature, employing the vehicle's electrically driven intake air compressor to route air through a charge air cooler and engine cylinders, while engine spins unfueled. In this way the engine temperature may be reduced even under conditions not normally amenable to engine cooling, such as at idle-stops or when an engine coolant system is degraded.