Fuel cell engine cooling system, vehicle and monitoring method
By monitoring the coolant flow and pressure in the fuel cell engine cooling system in real time and optimizing the water pump speed and circuit layout, the problem of poor coolant flow in low-temperature environments was solved, ensuring reliable engine start-up and efficient operation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-10
AI Technical Summary
In low-temperature environments, the coolant in fuel cell engines has poor fluidity, leading to start-up failures or substandard reaction efficiency.
By installing flow meters and pressure sensors in the fuel cell engine cooling system, the flow and pressure data of the coolant can be monitored in real time. The operating limit of the water pump speed can be adjusted, the cooling system loop layout can be optimized, and the effective circulation of the coolant at low temperatures can be ensured.
It enables reliable start-up and efficient operation of fuel cell engines at low temperatures, reducing the probability of start-up failure and substandard reaction efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN121642022A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a fuel cell engine cooling system, a vehicle and a monitoring method. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the development of fuel cell engines, in view of the structure and performance characteristics of fuel cell engines, when the external environment temperature is-30℃ or lower, the coolant of the fuel cell engine will be poor in flowability due to low temperature, which may cause problems such as low-temperature cold start failure or substandard reaction efficiency of the fuel cell engine. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the coolant of the fuel cell engine. SUMMARY
[0003] The present application aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art. To this end, the present application aims to provide a fuel cell engine cooling system, a vehicle and a monitoring method to reduce the probability of start failure or substandard reaction efficiency of the fuel cell engine under low-temperature conditions.
[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a fuel cell engine cooling system, comprising: a stack, a radiator, a water pump, an expansion tank, a deionizer, and a plurality of flow meters and a plurality of pressure sensors; the stack, the radiator and the water pump are connected in sequence to form a first circuit; the stack, the deionizer and the water pump are connected in sequence to form a second circuit, and the second circuit is shorter than the first circuit; a water supply port of the expansion tank is connected to a pipe section near the water pump inlet of the first circuit, a first return port of the expansion tank is connected to a pipe section near the radiator outlet of the second circuit, and a second return port of the expansion tank is connected to a pipe section connected to the coolant outlet of the stack; wherein the plurality of flow meters at least include a first flow meter arranged at the inlet of the radiator and a second flow meter arranged at the coolant inlet of the stack, and the plurality of pressure sensors at least include a first pressure sensor arranged at the outlet of the radiator and a second pressure sensor arranged at the coolant inlet of the stack.
[0005] In a second aspect, the present application provides a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the fuel cell engine cooling system of the first aspect.
[0006] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a monitoring method for the fuel cell engine cooling system of the first aspect. The method comprises: starting the fuel cell engine in a low-temperature state where the plurality of temperatures are less than a low-temperature threshold; recording a start-up time of the fuel cell engine from the start-up to an idle state and / or a 50% rated power state, and recording real-time flow data measured by the plurality of flow meters and real-time pressure data measured by the plurality of pressure sensors within the start-up time.
[0007] The fuel cell engine cooling system, vehicle and monitoring method of the embodiments of the present application can effectively monitor the coolant by detecting real-time flow data of the coolant by the first flow meter at the radiator inlet and the second flow meter at the stack coolant inlet, and detecting real-time pressure data of the coolant by the first pressure sensor at the radiator outlet and the second pressure sensor at the stack coolant inlet, so as to facilitate subsequent adjustment of the rotational speed operating boundary limit value of the water pump or the loop arrangement of the cooling system based on the monitoring information, thereby reducing the probability of start-up failure or substandard reaction efficiency of the fuel cell engine in a low-temperature state.
[0008] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be made apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a fuel cell engine cooling system according to a first embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a fuel cell engine cooling system according to a second embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a fuel cell engine cooling system according to a third embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a fuel cell engine cooling system according to a fourth embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar notations represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings are intended to explain the present application, and should not be understood as limiting the present application.
[0011] The fuel cell engine cooling system, vehicle and monitoring method of the embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a fuel cell engine cooling system according to a first embodiment of the present application.
[0013] As shown in Figure 1 , the fuel cell engine cooling system comprises a stack 15, a radiator 1, a water pump 8, an expansion tank 16, a deionizer 6, and a plurality of flow meters and a plurality of pressure sensors; the stack 15, the radiator 1, and the water pump 8 are connected in sequence to form a first circuit; the stack 15, the deionizer 6, and the water pump 8 are connected in sequence to form a second circuit, and the second circuit is shorter than the first circuit; a water supply port of the expansion tank 16 is connected to a pipe section near an inlet of the water pump 8 in the first circuit, a first water return port of the expansion tank 16 is connected to a pipe section near an outlet of the radiator 1 in the second circuit, and a second water return port of the expansion tank 16 is connected to a pipe section connected to a cooling liquid outlet of the stack 15.
[0014] Among them, the plurality of flow meters at least includes a first flow meter 2 arranged at an inlet of the radiator 1 and a second flow meter 12 arranged at a cooling liquid inlet of the stack 15, and the plurality of pressure sensors at least includes a first pressure sensor 5 arranged at an outlet of the radiator 1 and a second pressure sensor 12 arranged at the cooling liquid inlet of the stack 15.
[0015] Through the plurality of flow meters and the plurality of pressure sensors, the cooling liquid during the start of the fuel cell engine can be monitored online in a low-temperature state (such as a temperature less than a low-temperature threshold, such as -10℃). Specifically, real-time flow data and real-time pressure data of each measuring point during the start of the fuel cell engine in a low-temperature state can be collected in real time, and then the real-time flow data and the real-time pressure data in various low-temperature states can be integrated to improve the circuit arrangement of the cooling system and the water pump head, so that the start failure or substandard reaction efficiency of the fuel cell engine in a low-temperature state can be avoided, the research and development efficiency is improved, and the reliability of the fuel cell engine is guaranteed.
[0016] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2 , the system further comprises an intercooler 9 and a hydrogen heat exchanger 14; the intercooler 9, the radiator 1, and the water pump 8 are connected in sequence to form a third circuit; the intercooler 9 is further connected in sequence with the deionizer 6 and the water pump 8 to form a fourth circuit, and the fourth circuit is shorter than the third circuit; and the hydrogen heat exchanger 14 is connected with the stack 15 to form a fifth circuit.
[0017] In this embodiment, the plurality of flow meters further includes a third flow meter 10 arranged at an outlet of the intercooler 9, and the plurality of pressure sensors further includes a third pressure sensor 11 arranged at an inlet of the hydrogen heat exchanger 14.
[0018] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3As shown, the system further comprises: a three-way valve 4, a first passage of the three-way valve 4 is connected to the first loop, and a second passage of the three-way valve 4 and the deionizer 6 constitute a sixth loop.
[0019] In this embodiment, the plurality of flow meters further comprises a fourth flow meter 3 arranged at the outlet of the second passage.
[0020] In some embodiments, as Figure 4 As shown, the system further comprises: a filter screen 7 connected at the inlet of the water pump 8.
[0021] Specifically, the filter screen 7 serves as a low-cost and high-value protective component in the fuel cell engine cooling system, and its main responsibility is to act as a “guardian” for the water pump, intercepting macroscopic impurities that can damage the water pump 8 and downstream precision components, thereby greatly improving the operation reliability and life of the entire system.
[0022] Exemplarily, the plurality of flow meters are clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters, and the safety position pipelines of the flow meters are special pipelines calibrated for the corresponding clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters.
[0023] It should be noted that before connecting the loops of the fuel cell engine cooling system, the pipeline of the flow measurement point position is arranged according to the position of the flow measurement point, and the flow meter arranged at the flow measurement point position is calibrated, and then the pipeline is connected to the system after the calibration is completed. At the same time, each pressure sensor is installed at each pressure measurement point position. When monitoring, the fuel cell engine can be started under different low-temperature conditions, the engine idle speed and 50% dynamic starting time are recorded, and the real-time flow data and real-time pressure data corresponding to the starting time at each loop measurement point position are recorded.
[0024] Wherein, the flow measurement point position and the pressure measurement point position can be determined according to the structure and performance characteristics of the fuel cell.
[0025] The application further provides a vehicle.
[0026] In this embodiment, the vehicle comprises the fuel cell engine cooling system of the above-mentioned embodiment.
[0027] The application further provides a monitoring method for the fuel cell engine cooling system of the above-mentioned embodiment.
[0028] As Figure 5 As shown, the monitoring method comprises: S1, starting the fuel cell engine under a low-temperature state in which a plurality of temperatures are less than a low-temperature threshold.
[0029] S2 records the start-up time of the fuel cell engine from startup to idle speed and / or 50% rated power, and records the real-time flow data measured by multiple flow meters and the real-time pressure data measured by multiple pressure sensors during the start-up time.
[0030] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: determining the flow operating boundary limit of each flow meter under each low temperature condition based on real-time flow data recorded during the startup time.
[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: determining the pressure operating boundary limit of each pressure sensor under each low temperature state based on real-time pressure data recorded during the startup time.
[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: starting the fuel cell engine at various water pump speeds for each low-temperature state; obtaining the coolant flow resistance characteristics at each water pump speed under each low-temperature state based on the real-time flow data and the real-time pressure data; and obtaining the operating boundary limit value of the water pump speed under each low-temperature state based on the coolant flow resistance characteristics.
[0033] Specifically, at low temperatures, the viscosity of the coolant increases, and the flow resistance characteristics of the entire circuit (including pipes, valves, fuel cell stack cooling channels, and radiators) are completely different from those at room temperature. While water pumps have inherent performance curves (head-flow curves), at low temperatures, due to the increased fluid viscosity, the actual performance of the pump deviates from its room temperature curve (typically manifested as a decrease in both head and flow rate). To ensure safe and efficient startup and operation of the system at low temperatures, the operating speed limits are reset, including a lower limit and an upper limit. The lower limit ensures that the pump speed does not fall below a certain value; otherwise, the coolant flow rate will be too low to overcome system resistance, leading to stagnant circulation and localized overheating of the fuel cell stack. The upper limit ensures that the pump speed does not exceed a certain value, preventing the valuable heat generated by the fuel cell stack from being carried away during the initial startup phase when heat generation is relatively low, resulting in "overcooling," slow temperature rise, and wasted pump power.
[0034] In one embodiment, the coolant flow resistance characteristics are represented by a system pressure difference-flow rate curve, where the system pressure difference is the pressure difference between the coolant circuit inlet and outlet. The boundary determination step includes: superimposing the system pressure difference-flow rate curve with the measured head-flow rate curve of the water pump under the current low-temperature conditions; determining the lower limit of the operating speed boundary as the minimum speed capable of overcoming the system flow resistance under the current low-temperature environment and achieving coolant circulation; and determining the upper limit of the operating speed boundary as the highest speed that meets the initial temperature rise rate requirements of the fuel cell stack during low-temperature startup.
[0035] It should be noted that the logic and / or steps represented in the flowchart or otherwise described herein, for example, can be considered as a sequenced list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions, and can be specifically implemented in any computer-readable medium for use by, or in conjunction with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer-based system, a processor-included system, or other system that can fetch and execute instructions from, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device). For the purposes of this specification, "computer-readable medium" can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit programs for use by, or in conjunction with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable media include: an electrical connection having one or more wires (electronic device), a portable computer disk drive (magnetic device), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable and editable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), fiber optic devices, and portable optical disc read-only memory (CDROM). Alternatively, the computer-readable medium may be paper or other suitable media on which the program can be printed, since the program can be obtained electronically, for example, by optically scanning the paper or other medium, followed by editing, interpreting, or otherwise processing as necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
[0036] It should be understood that various parts of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above embodiments, multiple steps or methods can be implemented in software or firmware stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented using any one or a combination of the following techniques known in the art: discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing logical functions on data signals, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) having suitable combinational logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.
[0037] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0038] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.
[0039] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0040] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.
[0041] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A fuel cell engine cooling system characterized by, It comprises: a stack (15), a radiator (1), a water pump (8), an expansion tank (16), a deionizer (6), and a plurality of flow meters and a plurality of pressure sensors; The stack (15), the radiator (1), and the water pump (8) are sequentially connected to form a first circuit; the stack (15), the deionizer (6), and the water pump (8) are sequentially connected to form a second circuit, and the second circuit is shorter than the first circuit; a water supply port of the expansion tank (16) is connected to a pipe section of the first circuit close to an inlet of the water pump (8); a first water return port of the expansion tank (16) is connected to a pipe section of the second circuit close to an outlet of the radiator (1); and a second water return port of the expansion tank (16) is connected to a pipe section connected to a coolant outlet of the stack (15). The plurality of flow meters at least includes a first flow meter (2) arranged at an inlet of the radiator (1) and a second flow meter (12) arranged at a coolant inlet of the stack (15), and the plurality of pressure sensors at least includes a first pressure sensor (5) arranged at an outlet of the radiator (1) and a second pressure sensor (12) arranged at the coolant inlet of the stack (15).
2. The fuel cell engine cooling system of claim 1, wherein, The system further comprises a intercooler (9) and a hydrogen heat exchanger (14). The intercooler (9), the radiator (1), and the water pump (8) are sequentially connected to form a third circuit; the intercooler (9) is further sequentially connected with the deionizer (6) and the water pump (8) to form a fourth circuit, and the fourth circuit is shorter than the third circuit; and the hydrogen heat exchanger (14) is connected with the stack (15) to form a fifth circuit. The plurality of flow meters further includes a third flow meter (10) arranged at an outlet of the intercooler (9), and the plurality of pressure sensors further includes a third pressure sensor (11) arranged at an inlet of the hydrogen heat exchanger (14).
3. The fuel cell engine cooling system of claim 1, wherein, The system further comprises a three-way valve (4), a first passage of the three-way valve (4) is connected to the first circuit, and a second passage of the three-way valve (4) forms a sixth circuit with the deionizer (6). The plurality of flow meters further includes a fourth flow meter (3) arranged at an outlet of the second passage.
4. The fuel cell engine cooling system of claim 1, wherein, The system further comprises a filter screen (7) connected at an inlet of the water pump (8).
5. The fuel cell engine cooling system of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The plurality of flow meters are clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters, and a safety position pipeline of each flow meter is a dedicated pipeline after calibration of the corresponding clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter.
6. A vehicle characterized by comprising: It comprises: The fuel cell engine cooling system according to any one of claims 1-5.
7. A monitoring method characterized by, The method for the fuel cell engine cooling system according to any one of claims 1-5, the method comprising: starting the fuel cell engine in a low-temperature state where a plurality of temperatures are less than a low-temperature threshold; recording a startup time of the fuel cell engine from startup to an idle state and / or a 50% rated power state, and recording real-time flow data measured by the plurality of flow meters and real-time pressure data measured by the plurality of pressure sensors within the startup time.
8. The monitoring method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining, based on the real-time flow data, flow operating boundary limits of each of the flow meters at each low temperature state.
9. The monitoring method of claim 7, wherein, The method further comprises: determining, based on the real-time pressure data, pressure operating boundary limits of each of the pressure sensors at each low temperature state.
10. The monitoring method of claim 7, wherein, The method further comprises: for each low temperature state, starting the fuel cell engine at a plurality of water pump rotational speeds; based on the real-time flow data and the real-time pressure data, obtaining a coolant flow resistance characteristic at each low temperature state and at each water pump rotational speed; obtaining, from the coolant flow resistance characteristic, a rotational speed operating boundary limit of the water pump at each low temperature state.