US Patent 10961884 Exhaust gas heat recovery device system and method

Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery device having an exhaust heat recovery device valve that may be selectively opened and closed. In one example, a method may include storing heat from exhaust gases in a phase changing material and releasing the stored heat to surroundings of an exhaust heat recovery device valve to reduce a possibility of the exhaust heat recovery device valve sticking.