Vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of clean energy application, and particularly relates to a vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device. The device mainly comprises a galvanic pile and a temperature circulator for regulating and controlling the temperature of the galvanic pile, and is characterized in that the temperature circulator comprises a plurality of circulation loops and a parallel connection pipeline for communicating the plurality of circulation loops, and further comprises a three-way valve assembly arranged between the circulation loops and the parallel connection pipeline; the three-way valve assembly is used for controlling the flow direction of cooling liquid in the temperature circulator. According to the device, the temperatures of the electric piles of different fuel cell modules are adjusted through a plurality of loops, so that the different modules can be pertinently preheated, and each module is ensured to be in a good starting environment; and in the long-time adjusting process, electric energy does not need to be continuously consumed for heating, and energy is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of clean energy application, and specifically relates to a vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is a power generation device that converts the chemical energy in fuel and oxidant into electrical energy. Due to the high power density, zero emission pollution, and good adaptability to complex environments, fuel cells are widely used in fixed power generation and vehicle-mounted power generation scenarios. A multi-module fuel cell system refers to a system composed of multiple fuel cell modules, which is usually used in the field of electric vehicles. During the operation of the system, one or more modules can be selectively enabled according to the power required by the vehicle to achieve optimal efficiency.

[0003] In the actual application of multi-module fuel cells on vehicles, the startup temperature of each module is an important engineering parameter, which needs to be optimized according to the specific application scenarios and requirements. Specifically, when a fuel cell module is started, it needs to be quickly raised from room temperature to normal operating temperature. When the room temperature is low, the increase in the process time will affect the performance of the fuel cell. For multi-module fuel cells on vehicles, depending on the power demand of the vehicle, there will be a situation where not all modules are enabled at the same time. The temperature of the modules in the unenabled state is relatively low. When the power demand of the vehicle suddenly increases, that is, when all modules are enabled, the modules in the unenabled state will seriously affect the overall startup performance due to the low startup temperature, reducing the system working efficiency.

[0004] In the prior art, a heating device is often introduced to maintain the temperature of the fuel cell, thereby optimizing its startup performance. For example, a Chinese patent document with publication number CN106898796A discloses a hydrogen fuel cell startup system and method, wherein the hydrogen fuel cell system includes a water pipeline connected in series with the cooling water circuit of the stack and in parallel with the external heat dissipation system of the stack; when the hydrogen fuel cell is started and enters the working state, the electric heater heats the water channel of the water pipeline, and heats the stack through the circulating water channel. This utility model solves the problem in the prior art that the hydrogen fuel cell cannot output high power due to low temperature during the startup phase, thereby ensuring the rapid startup of the hydrogen fuel cell and making the power output relatively stable.

[0005] However, the above-mentioned hydrogen fuel cell starting system only has a single complete heating loop. When faced with different working conditions of different fuel cell stacks of multi-module fuel cells, it is impossible to perform independent heating or insulation operations on different modules in a targeted manner; and the process requires continuous additional electricity consumption, resulting in a certain amount of energy waste. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device, which adjusts the temperature of the stacks of different fuel cell modules through multiple circuits, and can perform targeted preheating on different modules to ensure that each module is in a good starting environment; and during the long-term adjustment process, it does not require continuous consumption of electrical energy for heating, which is more energy-saving.

[0007] A vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device comprises a fuel cell stack and a temperature circulator for regulating the temperature of the fuel cell stack. The device is characterized in that the temperature circulator comprises a plurality of circulation loops and a parallel pipe for connecting the plurality of circulation loops, and further comprises a three-way valve assembly arranged between the circulation loops and the parallel pipe; the three-way valve assembly is used to control the flow direction of the coolant in the temperature circulator.

[0008] Therefore, the stack is the core reaction component of each fuel cell module, and each module contains a stack. The thermal regulation device is mainly composed of multiple thermal circulators, where a set of multi-module fuel cells is temperature-assisted by a thermal regulation device, wherein the number of thermal circulators contained in the thermal regulation device is the same as the number of stacks, that is, one thermal regulation device provides temperature assistance for one stack.

[0009] When the vehicle is in a low-power operating state, all of its fuel cells will be divided into starting fuel cells and non-starting fuel cells. Among them, the starting fuel cells in operation are at a higher temperature due to their own reaction heat release, while the non-starting fuel cells are affected by the ambient temperature and their fuel cell temperature is lower than the normal operating temperature. When the vehicle needs to run at full power, the non-starting fuel cell needs to be started additionally. During the above process, the thermal circulator will maintain the temperature of the non-starting fuel cell in real time to increase its starting performance.

[0010] The heat circulator consists of a pipeline and a three-way valve installed on the pipeline. The pipeline is filled with coolant. Different heat circulators are interconnected by parallel pipelines, and the flow direction of the coolant is controlled by the three-way valve. When the coolant flows through the pipeline part that contacts the working battery stack, it will be heated by the heat emitted by the working battery stack. At this time, the high-temperature coolant will flow along the pipeline and the three-way valve to the parallel pipeline, and flow through the parallel pipeline to other heat circulator pipelines in contact with the non-working battery stack. At this time, the high-temperature coolant flows through the pipeline part of the heat circulator that contacts the non-working battery stack, and the heat will be transferred from the high-temperature coolant to the non-working battery stack. The temperature of the non-working battery stack is maintained. When it is awakened and started, the higher starting temperature will greatly increase its starting performance, thereby enhancing the high-power response capability of the entire vehicle. In addition, the above process does not require continuous intervention of an external heater, which can save additional energy consumption.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the utility model, the circulation loop includes a large circulation loop and a small circulation loop, the large circulation loop is provided with a refrigeration component for cooling the coolant; the small circulation loop is provided with a PTC heating component for heating the coolant.

[0012] Therefore, if the power demand of the whole vehicle is not high, it can be powered by the single-module fuel cell system, that is, quickly start a loop. At this time, the temperature of all the battery stacks has not reached the optimal starting temperature. In order to achieve the purpose of quick start, the small circulation loop in the circulation loop corresponding to the battery stack in the single-module fuel cell system to be started is preferentially started. The small circulation loop is provided with a PTC heating component for heating the coolant. The PTC heating component is a heating element using a positive temperature coefficient material, which has a high resistivity at a certain temperature. When current passes through it, it will generate heat. When this heat is transferred to the low-temperature coolant, it can heat the coolant and then heat the battery stack. At this time, the three-way valve assembly closes all parallel pipes through a specific connection method, and the small circulation loop only quickly heats the current battery stack. The coolant in the pipeline of the large circulation loop does not flow through the PTC heating component. A refrigeration component is provided in the loop for cooling the coolant. When the power demand of the whole vehicle is not high, it can be powered by a single-module fuel cell system, and when the battery stack corresponding to the above-mentioned single module is in normal working mode, it will dissipate a large amount of heat by itself. The heat is transferred through the refrigeration component by the coolant in the large circulation loop. The refrigeration component can be composed of a fan or a semiconductor radiator in the prior art to dissipate heat from the high-temperature coolant.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the three-way valve assembly includes a first valve for switching the passage states of the large circulation loop and the small circulation loop.

[0014] The first valve is located on the common flow section of the large circulation loop and the small circulation loop. It controls the direction nodes of the two loops. According to the different valve passages opened by itself, the small circulation loop and the large circulation loop can be flexibly switched.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circulation loop includes a heat-conducting pipeline attached to the battery stack for heat conduction.

[0016] The heat transfer pipe directly contacts the heat dissipation point of the battery stack, and transfers the heat in the battery stack directly to the coolant therein by means of heat conduction. The coolant then transfers the temperature to other circulation loops or the refrigeration component cools down and takes away the heat.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a circulation pump for providing power for the coolant is provided between the heat conduction pipeline and the first valve.

[0018] When there is coolant with uneven temperature in the connected pipes at the same time, according to the laws of thermodynamics, the high-temperature coolant and the low-temperature coolant will automatically form a circulating flow, but the speed of this circulating flow is slow. Therefore, a circulating pump is arranged between the heat transfer pipeline and the first valve. The circulating pump is used to provide continuous power for the coolant in the circulating pipeline. This power can simultaneously pressurize the coolant in one circulating loop to multiple adjacent circulating loops, thereby realizing the multi-module temperature management function.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device also includes a PLC controller electrically connected to the three-way valve assembly, the refrigeration assembly, the PTC heating assembly and the circulation pump.

[0020] In order to realize the automatic management function of the fuel cell temperature control system, a PLC controller is set. The PLC controller has the advantages of high power control and high stability. It is connected to the three-way valve assembly, refrigeration assembly, PTC heating assembly and circulation pump respectively, and the number of controls is more than one set. The fuel cell temperature control system contains multiple circulation loops, and each loop contains a set of the above components. One PLC controller controls all controllable components. In this way, comprehensive command and dispatch of the above multiple circulation loops can be realized.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the utility model, each of the heat conduction pipes is affixed with a thermistor sensor which is electrically connected to the PLC controller and is used to collect and feed back the temperature of the fuel cell stack.

[0022] Thermistor sensors are attached to the heat transfer pipes. Since the heat transfer pipes are in direct contact with the battery stack, the temperature of the joint between the two needs to be continuously monitored. If abnormal temperature rise is not discovered in time, it may cause the battery stack to burn. Thermistor sensors can also be connected to the PLC controller and feed back temperature information to the PLC controller, thereby helping the PLC controller to schedule the refrigeration components and three-way valve components in real time according to the temperature, achieving faster heating or cooling operations.

[0023] The utility model also provides a vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell, characterized in that it comprises the vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device.

[0024] In summary, the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] 1. Through multiple circulation loops and parallel pipes connecting the multiple circulation loops, in conjunction with a three-way valve assembly arranged between the circulation loops and the parallel pipes, it is possible to transfer the heat in the circulation loop corresponding to the battery stack in a working state to the battery stack that is not working, so that the temperature of the battery stack that is not working is maintained. When the power demand of the vehicle suddenly increases, that is, when it is awakened and started, the higher starting temperature will greatly increase its starting performance, thereby enhancing the high-power response capability of the entire vehicle.

[0026] 2. By setting up large circulation loops and small circulation loops, the number of working modes of the entire circulation loop can be increased. For different startup scenarios and power requirements, it can realize a variety of circulation heating modes through the overall control of the PLC controller, thereby enhancing its multi-scenario usage capability.

[0027] 3. Through the cooperation of thermistor sensors and PLC controllers, multi-loop scheduling based on the temperature of the battery stack as the reference control basis can be achieved, greatly improving efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the quick start state of a single module small cycle;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-module small cycle fast start state;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the normal operation of multiple modules;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the normal operation of a single module;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the normal operation of a single module.

[0034] In the figure: battery stack 1, temperature circulator 2, circulation loop 21, large circulation loop 211, small circulation loop 212, parallel pipe line 22, three-way valve assembly 23, first valve 231, heat transfer pipe 24, refrigeration assembly 3, PTC heating assembly 4, circulation pump 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The utility model is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0036] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present invention and is not a limitation of the present invention. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art may make non-creative modifications to the present embodiment as needed, but such modifications are protected by patent law as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0037] In order to simplify the difficulty of understanding the technical solution of the utility model, this embodiment illustrates the startup process by analyzing two fuel cell modules. In actual applications, multiple fuel cell modules are included that are controlled by a PLC controller, that is, the number is multiple.

[0038] Depend on Figure 1 As shown, a single fuel cell module includes a stack 1, and each stack 1 is temperature-managed by a circulation loop 21. Multiple circulation loops 21 are interconnected through parallel pipes 22 and three-way valve assemblies 23 to form a temperature circulator 2. Coolant flows in the pipeline of the circulation loop 21, and the stack 1 is connected to the circulation loop 21 through a heat-conducting pipe 24, wherein the high-temperature coolant and the low-temperature coolant can exchange heat with the stack 1, thereby achieving temperature management of the stack 1.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, when the power demand of the whole vehicle is not high, it can enter the single module small cycle fast start state. That is, a loop is quickly started. At this time, the temperature of the two stacks 1 has not reached the optimal start temperature. In order to achieve the purpose of fast start, the small circulation loop 212 in the circulation loop 21 corresponding to the stack 1 in the single module fuel cell system to be started is preferentially intervened in the start. The small circulation loop 212 is provided with a PTC heating component 4 for heating the coolant. The PTC heating component is a heating element using a positive temperature coefficient material, which has a high resistivity at a certain temperature. When current passes through, heat is generated. When this heat is transferred to the low-temperature coolant, the coolant can be heated, and then the stack 1 is heated. At this time, the three-way valve assembly 23 closes all parallel pipes 22 through a specific connection method, and the small circulation loop 212 only quickly heats the current stack 1.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, when the vehicle requires a high power, it can enter the multi-module small cycle fast start state. Similar to the above startup process, the three-way valve assembly 23 closes all parallel pipes 22 through a specific connection method, and both circulation loops 21 enter the small cycle fast start state, and both PTC heating components 4 are in working state.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, when the vehicle requires a high power and is already in normal operation, the two circulation loops 21 enter the large circulation state, and the refrigeration components 3 on the two large circulation loops 211 are involved in work. During operation, each battery stack 1 will emit a large amount of heat, which is transferred to the coolant through the heat transfer pipe 24, and then the refrigeration component 3 cools the high-temperature coolant to achieve overall temperature control.

[0042] The switching between the large circulation state and the small circulation state is determined by the PLC controller through controlling the conduction strategy of the first valve 231 .

[0043] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when the power demand of the whole vehicle is low, only one stack 1 needs to be started. At this time, a circulating loop 21 in working state is in a large circulation state, and the refrigeration component 3 continues to cool the high-temperature coolant. In addition, the three-way valve component 23 controls the parallel pipe 22 to be connected, and the high-temperature coolant will flow to another circulating loop 21 through the parallel pipe 22. At this time, the high-temperature coolant will transfer heat to the unstarted stack 1 through another heat-conducting pipe 24 to achieve the heat preservation operation of the stack 1. When the power demand suddenly increases, the higher ambient temperature of the stack 1 will give it a higher starting temperature, thereby shortening the startup time of the stack 1 and making it reach the best working state as soon as possible.

[0044] A thermistor sensor is provided between the battery stack 1 and the heat conducting pipe 24 for real-time monitoring of the temperature thereof and feeding back the temperature data to the PLC controller, thereby enabling efficient automatic control of the PLC controller.

[0045] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device, comprising a fuel cell stack (1) and a temperature circulator (2) for regulating the temperature of the fuel cell stack (1), characterized in that: The temperature circulator (2) comprises a plurality of circulation loops (21) and a parallel pipe (22) for connecting the plurality of circulation loops (21), and further comprises a three-way valve assembly (23) arranged between the circulation loops (21) and the parallel pipe (22); the three-way valve assembly (23) is used to control the flow direction of the coolant in the temperature circulator (2).

2. The vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circulation loop (21) comprises a large circulation loop (211) and a small circulation loop (212); the large circulation loop (211) is provided with a refrigeration component (3) for cooling the coolant; the small circulation loop (212) is provided with a PTC heating component (4) for heating the coolant.

3. The vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The three-way valve assembly (23) comprises a first valve (231) for switching the passage states of the large circulation loop (211) and the small circulation loop (212).

4. The vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The circulation loop (21) comprises a heat-conducting pipeline (24) which is attached to the fuel cell stack (1) and is used for heat conduction.

5. The vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A circulation pump (5) for providing power for the coolant is provided between the heat-conducting pipeline (24) and the first valve (231).

6. The vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device also comprises a PLC controller electrically connected to the three-way valve assembly (23), the refrigeration assembly (3), the PTC heating assembly (4) and the circulation pump (5).

7. The vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Each of the heat-conducting pipelines (24) is fitted with a thermistor sensor which is electrically connected to the PLC controller and is used to collect and feed back the temperature of the fuel cell stack (1).

8. A vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell, characterized in that: A vehicle-mounted multi-module fuel cell temperature management device comprising any one of claims 1-7.

Images