Vehicle thermal management system with laser and method of management thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of laser thermal management, in particular to a vehicle thermal management system carrying a laser and a management method thereof, which can realize laser thermal management under low power consumption and small size. The system uses fuel and phase change material as cold storage medium, which is conducive to reducing the size of the laser cooling system. It can operate respectively for short-time small-power and long-time high-power laser emission modes, save energy consumption, and compared with the traditional cooling system, it is more compact, lightweight, and more suitable for ground vehicle applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser thermal management technology, and more specifically to a vehicle thermal management system and management method for a vehicle equipped with a laser. Background Technology

[0002] Lasers have significant application prospects due to their high precision and low cost. However, laser operation typically generates a large amount of heat, which needs to be effectively managed to ensure the stability and performance of the laser.

[0003] Traditional laser systems typically rely on large water-cooled units to reduce the laser's temperature. These cooling systems use large-capacity cold and hot water tanks for heat storage and regulate coolant temperature by mixing cold and hot water. This occupies a significant amount of space, increasing the size and weight of the laser system and limiting its application on mobile platforms.

[0004] In summary, current laser cooling systems suffer from problems such as excessive size and the need for organic integration between the laser cooling system and the existing chassis heat pipe system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a vehicle thermal management system and management method for a laser-equipped vehicle, which can achieve laser thermal management with low power consumption and small size.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a vehicle thermal management system equipped with a laser, including an engine, a water pump 1, a cooling unit, a water pump 2, a generator controller, a generator, a hub motor controller, a hub motor, a fuel tank 1, a condenser, an expansion valve, a cold accumulator, a fuel tank 2, a compressor, a power battery, a preheater, an oil pump, a laser, a water pump 3, valve 1, valve 2, valve 3, a water tank 1, a water tank 2, and a water tank 3;

[0007] The condenser and heat dissipation unit are arranged in series. The refrigerant at the expansion valve outlet is divided into two streams: one enters the cold storage module, and the other enters the fuel tank 2 branch. A valve 1 is installed at the inlet of the fuel tank 2. After coolant is added to the water tank 3, the coolant flows through the water pump 1 and the engine cylinder liner, and then flows back to the high-temperature radiator. The heat of the coolant is carried away by the fan-driven airflow. After coolant is added to the water tank 2, the coolant flows out from the low-temperature radiator, flows through the water pump 2, and then splits into three branches that flow through the generator controller branch and the two hub motor controller branches. After merging, they flow into the low-temperature radiator. After coolant is added to the water tank 1, the coolant flows through the water pump 3 and splits into two streams that enter the laser and the power battery branch respectively. After merging, they split into two streams that enter the fuel tank 2 and the cold storage module respectively, and then merge back to the water pump 3. A valve 3 is installed at the laser inlet, and a valve 2 is installed at the coolant inlet of the fuel tank 2.

[0008] The heat dissipation unit includes a high-temperature radiator, a low-temperature radiator, and a fan; the condenser, the low-temperature radiator, and the high-temperature radiator are arranged in series, and the fan provides power for airflow.

[0009] The fuel tank 2 has a heat exchange structure for coolant and refrigerant inside, and an aerogel insulation layer is attached to the outside. When the temperature of the fuel tank 2 or the accumulator is higher than 7°C, the refrigeration cycle works to store cold for the fuel tank 2 and the accumulator. The flow regulating valve regulates the flow distribution of refrigerant between the fuel tank 2 and the accumulator so that the cold storage progress of the two is consistent. When the refrigerant at the outlet of the two is lower than the refrigerant evaporation temperature, the two complete the cold storage at the same time.

[0010] The cold accumulator is a plate-fin phase change cold accumulator, with fins used to enhance heat transfer on the phase change material side; the plate-fin phase change cold accumulator is designed with a phase change material filling port at the top.

[0011] The cold accumulator uses a phase change material with a phase change temperature between 10 and 20°C; the cold accumulator is covered with insulation material.

[0012] The present invention also provides a management method for a vehicle thermal management system equipped with a laser, comprising the following steps:

[0013] When the vehicle is in motion, water pump 1 operates, and coolant flows through the engine, carrying away engine heat and returning to the high-temperature radiator to exchange heat with the air and be cooled. Water pump 2 operates, and coolant enters three branches: the generator controller-generator branch and the wheel hub motor controller-wheel hub motor branch, flowing out and merging before returning to the low-temperature radiator to be cooled. The refrigeration cycle operates, storing coolant in the fuel tank and accumulator. The refrigerant condenses and releases heat in the condenser, then passes through the expansion valve to reduce its temperature and pressure, and then enters the accumulator and fuel tank 2 to evaporate, condense, and vaporize, before returning to the condenser through the compressor. Valve 3 is closed, valve 2 is open, and water pump 3 rotates at low speed, allowing the power battery cooling cycle coolant to enter the power battery through water pump 3 and return to the fuel tank 2 and accumulator. The fan operates, carrying away heat from the condenser, low-temperature radiator, and high-temperature radiator.

[0014] When the vehicle emits a laser while in motion, it cools the engine, generator controller, generator, hub motor controller, hub motor, and power battery, while also cooling the laser. When valves 3 and 2 are opened, water pump 3 rotates, and coolant flows through the laser and power battery, carrying away the heat from the laser and power battery, and then enters fuel tank 2 and the accumulator respectively. When the fuel pump works, the fuel in fuel tank 2 is heated by the preheater and returns to fuel tank 1.

[0015] A management method for a vehicle thermal management system equipped with a laser, as described in this invention, includes the following steps: when the vehicle is stationary, a laser is emitted to cool the power battery and the laser; water pump 1 and water pump 2 are turned off, and the coolant flows through water pump 3 in two paths through the laser and the power battery, carrying away the heat from the laser and the power battery, and then returns to the fuel tank 2 and the accumulator.

[0016] Beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. The system of this invention uses fuel and phase change materials as the cold storage medium, which helps to reduce the size of the laser cooling system. It can operate separately for short-duration low-power and long-duration high-power laser emission modes, saving energy. Compared with traditional cooling systems, it is more compact, lightweight, and more suitable for ground vehicle applications.

[0018] 2. The system of the present invention has a fast response capability, which can quickly reduce the temperature of the laser, thereby increasing the continuous performance of the laser.

[0019] 3. In the system of the present invention, the cold accumulator uses phase change materials with high cold storage density such as tetradecane and hexadecane, and phase change temperature between 10 and 20°C; the cold accumulator is covered with a thin layer of insulation material with low thermal conductivity, such as aerogel.

[0020] 4. In the system of the present invention, the phase change cold storage adopts a plate-fin type, with a phase change material filling port designed at the top, and fins used to enhance heat transfer on the phase change material side.

[0021] 5. The method of the present invention is based on the system of the present invention. It uses fuel oil and phase change material as cold storage medium, which helps to reduce the volume of the laser cooling system. It can operate for short-term low-power and long-term high-power laser emission modes respectively, saving energy consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the system of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a plate-fin phase change accumulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the plate-fin phase change cooler core in a system embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal single-cycle structure of the plate-fin phase change regenerator core in a system embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fuel tank structure in a system embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] This invention provides a vehicle thermal management system equipped with a laser, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes an engine, water pump 1, high-temperature radiator, low-temperature radiator, fan, water pump 2, generator controller, generator, hub motor controller, hub motor, fuel tank 1, condenser, expansion valve, cold accumulator, fuel tank 2, compressor, power battery, preheater, oil pump, laser, water pump 3, valve 1, valve 2, valve 3, water tank 1, water tank 2, and water tank 3.

[0029] The system comprises a condenser, a low-temperature radiator, and a high-temperature radiator arranged in series, with a fan providing power for airflow. On the refrigeration cycle side, the refrigerant at the expansion valve outlet is divided into two streams: one enters the cold storage module, and the other enters the fuel tank 2 branch. A valve 1 is installed at the inlet of the fuel tank 2. After coolant is added to the water tank 3, the coolant flows through the water pump 1 and the engine cylinder liner, then back to the high-temperature radiator, where the heat is carried away by the fan-driven airflow. After coolant is added to the water tank 2, the coolant flows out from the low-temperature radiator, through the water pump 2, and then splits into three branches that flow through the generator controller branch and the two hub motor controller branches, before converging and flowing back into the low-temperature radiator. After coolant is added to the water tank 1, the coolant flows through the water pump 3, splits into two streams that enter the laser and the power battery branch respectively, then converges, and then splits into two streams that enter the fuel tank 2 and the cold storage module respectively, before converging and returning to the water pump 3. A valve 3 is installed at the laser inlet, and a valve 2 is installed at the coolant inlet of the fuel tank 2.

[0030] Among them, cold storage devices such as Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment uses a plate-fin phase change accumulator; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the plate-fin phase change regenerator core in a system embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal single-cycle structure of the plate-fin phase change regenerator core in a system embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Typically, the engine uses fuel from fuel tank 1. When the power battery discharges at a high rate and generates heat, fuel from fuel tank 2 absorbs some of the heat from the power battery through the fuel pump and preheater before entering fuel tank 1. Fuel tank 2 contains a heat exchange structure for coolant and refrigerant, and is externally insulated with an aerogel layer. When the temperature of fuel tank 2 or the refrigerant accumulator exceeds 7°C, the refrigeration cycle operates to store refrigerant in both fuel tank 2 and the refrigerant accumulator. A flow control valve regulates the refrigerant flow distribution between fuel tank 2 and the refrigerant accumulator to ensure consistent refrigerant storage. When the refrigerant outlet temperature of either tank is below its evaporation temperature, both tanks complete their refrigerant storage simultaneously. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fuel tank structure in a system embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Furthermore, in the system of the present invention, the phase change cold storage adopts a plate-fin type, with a phase change material filling port designed at the top, and fins used to enhance heat transfer on the phase change material side.

[0033] Furthermore, in the system of the present invention, the cold accumulator uses phase change materials with high cold storage density such as tetradecane and hexadecane, and phase change temperature between 10 and 20°C; the cold accumulator is covered with a thin layer of insulation material with low thermal conductivity, such as aerogel.

[0034] The present invention also provides a vehicle thermal management system and management method equipped with a laser, including the following modes:

[0035] Operating Mode 1: When the vehicle is in motion, cooling is required for chassis heat dissipation, cold storage, and battery charging. This involves cooling the engine, generator controller, generator, wheel hub motor controller, wheel hub motor, and power battery. Water pump 1 operates, allowing coolant to flow through the engine, carrying away engine heat and returning to the high-temperature radiator for heat exchange with the air. Water pump 2 operates, directing coolant into three separate circuits: the generator controller-generator circuit and the wheel hub motor controller-wheel hub motor circuit. The coolant then flows out and merges before returning to the low-temperature radiator for further cooling. The refrigeration cycle stores heat in the fuel tank and cold accumulator. Refrigerant condenses and releases heat in the condenser, then passes through the expansion valve for throttling and depressurization. It then enters the cold accumulator and fuel tank 2 for evaporation and condensation, before returning to the condenser via the compressor. Valve 3 is closed, valve 2 is open, and water pump 3 rotates at low speed. Coolant from the power battery cooling cycle enters the power battery via water pump 3 and returns to the fuel tank 2 and cold accumulator. The fan operates, carrying away heat from the condenser, low-temperature radiator, and high-temperature radiator.

[0036] Operating Mode 2: When the vehicle emits a laser while in motion, this involves chassis cooling, laser cooling, and battery discharge cooling. In addition to cooling the engine, generator controller, generator, wheel hub motor controller, wheel hub motor, and power battery, cooling of the laser is also required. Based on Operating Mode 1, valves 3 and 2 open, water pump 3 rotates at high speed, and coolant flows through the laser and power battery, carrying away heat from both, and then enters fuel tank 2 and the accumulator respectively. The fuel pump operates, and the fuel in fuel tank 2 is preheated and returns to fuel tank 1.

[0037] Operating Mode 3: When the vehicle is stationary and emits a laser, cooling is required for the power battery and the laser. Water pumps 1 and 2 are turned off. The coolant flows through water pump 3 in two streams through the laser and the power battery, carrying away the heat from the laser and the power battery, before returning to fuel tank 2 and the accumulator.

[0038] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle thermal management system equipped with a laser, characterized in that, Includes engine, water pump 1, cooling unit, water pump 2, generator controller, generator, hub motor controller, hub motor, fuel tank 1, condenser, expansion valve, cold accumulator, fuel tank 2, compressor, power battery, preheater, oil pump, laser, water pump 3, valve 1, valve 2, valve 3, water tank 1, water tank 2 and water tank 3; The condenser and heat dissipation unit are arranged in series. The refrigerant at the expansion valve outlet is divided into two streams: one enters the cold storage module, and the other enters the fuel tank 2 branch. A valve 1 is installed at the inlet of the fuel tank 2. After coolant is added to the water tank 3, the coolant flows through the water pump 1 and the engine cylinder liner, and then flows back to the high-temperature radiator. The heat of the coolant is carried away by the fan-driven airflow. After coolant is added to the water tank 2, the coolant flows out from the low-temperature radiator, flows through the water pump 2, and then splits into three branches that flow through the generator controller branch and the two hub motor controller branches. After merging, they flow into the low-temperature radiator. After coolant is added to the water tank 1, the coolant flows through the water pump 3 and splits into two streams that enter the laser and the power battery branch respectively. After merging, they split into two streams that enter the fuel tank 2 and the cold storage module respectively, and then merge back to the water pump 3. A valve 3 is installed at the laser inlet, and a valve 2 is installed at the coolant inlet of the fuel tank 2.

2. The system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heat dissipation unit includes a high-temperature radiator, a low-temperature radiator, and a fan; the condenser, the low-temperature radiator, and the high-temperature radiator are arranged in series, and the fan provides power for airflow.

3. The system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... The fuel tank 2 has a heat exchange structure for coolant and refrigerant inside, and an aerogel insulation layer is attached to the outside. When the temperature of the fuel tank 2 or the accumulator is higher than 7°C, the refrigeration cycle works to store cold for the fuel tank 2 and the accumulator. The flow regulating valve regulates the flow distribution of refrigerant between the fuel tank 2 and the accumulator to make the cold storage progress of the two consistent. When the refrigerant at the outlet of the two is lower than the refrigerant evaporation temperature, the two complete the cold storage at the same time.

4. The system as described in claim 3, characterized in that... The cold accumulator is a plate-fin phase change cold accumulator, with fins used to enhance heat transfer on the phase change material side; the plate-fin phase change cold accumulator is designed with a phase change material filling port at the top; the cold accumulator uses a phase change material with a phase change temperature between 10 and 20°C; the cold accumulator is covered with insulation material.

5. A management method for a vehicle thermal management system equipped with a laser as described in any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that... It includes the following steps: When the vehicle is in motion, water pump 1 operates, and coolant flows through the engine, carrying away engine heat and returning to the high-temperature radiator to exchange heat with the air and be cooled. Water pump 2 operates, and coolant enters three branches: the generator controller-generator branch and the wheel hub motor controller-wheel hub motor branch, flowing out and merging before returning to the low-temperature radiator to be cooled. The refrigeration cycle operates, storing coolant in the fuel tank and accumulator. The refrigerant condenses and releases heat in the condenser, then passes through the expansion valve to reduce its temperature and pressure, and then enters the accumulator and fuel tank 2 to evaporate, condense, and vaporize, before returning to the condenser through the compressor. Valve 3 is closed, valve 2 is open, and water pump 3 rotates at low speed, allowing the power battery cooling cycle coolant to enter the power battery through water pump 3 and return to the fuel tank 2 and accumulator. The fan operates, carrying away heat from the condenser, low-temperature radiator, and high-temperature radiator.

6. The management method as described in claim 5, characterized in that... When the vehicle emits a laser while in motion, it cools the engine, generator controller, generator, hub motor controller, hub motor, and power battery, as well as the laser itself. When valves 3 and 2 are opened, water pump 3 rotates, and coolant flows through the laser and power battery, carrying away the heat from the laser and power battery, and then enters fuel tank 2 and the accumulator respectively. When the fuel pump works, the fuel in fuel tank 2 is heated by the preheater and returns to fuel tank 1.

7. A management method for a vehicle thermal management system equipped with a laser as described in any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that... The process includes the following steps: when the vehicle is stationary, it emits a laser to cool the power battery and the laser; water pump 1 and water pump 2 are turned off, and the coolant flows through water pump 3 in two paths through the laser and the power battery, carrying away the heat from the laser and the power battery, and then returns to the fuel tank 2 and the accumulator.

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