Liquid cooling system with optimized structure

Abstract

The utility model provides a liquid cooling system with an optimized structure. The liquid cooling system comprises a main water pump, a main water tank, an auxiliary water pump, an auxiliary water tank, a four-way valve, a cooling channel, a sensor and a control unit, the main water pump, the cooling channel and the main water tank are sequentially communicated through pipelines to form a first circulation loop. The auxiliary water pump, the cooling channel and the main water tank are sequentially communicated through pipelines to form a second circulation loop. Water inlet pipelines of the main water tank and the auxiliary water tank are communicated to the water return end of the cooling channel; water outlet pipelines of the main water pump and the auxiliary water pump are combined into one and then connected to the water inlet end of the cooling channel, the water outlet ends of the main water pump and the auxiliary water pump share one water return branch and are connected to a port P of the four-way valve, a port A of the four-way valve is communicated with the water return end of the cooling channel through a pipeline, and a port B of the four-way valve is communicated with the auxiliary water tank through a pipeline. And a port T of the four-way valve is communicated with the auxiliary water pump through a pipeline. According to the utility model, through combined design and control, the liquid cooling system can work normally under various abnormal conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of thermal management, and particularly relates to an intelligent controlled liquid cooling system. Background Art

[0002] An energy storage power station is a power station that uses advanced energy storage technologies to store electrical energy and release it when needed. Common energy storage technologies include battery energy storage, supercapacitor energy storage, flywheel energy storage, compressed air energy storage, etc. Among them, battery energy storage is one of the most widely used energy storage technologies at present.

[0003] In order to ensure the operation of batteries or other energy storage devices under safe, efficient and durable working conditions, effective thermal management of the energy storage power station is required. The liquid cooling system is a common thermal management system that can provide efficient cooling for batteries or other energy storage devices. The liquid cooling system mainly transfers heat through a liquid medium (usually water or a special coolant) to keep the device within an appropriate working temperature range.

[0004] The basic principle of the liquid cooling system is to utilize the high heat capacity of the liquid to absorb and transfer heat. The system usually includes the following main components: 1) Water pump: responsible for circulating the coolant to ensure the flow of the coolant within the system; 2) Cooling channels: the liquid flows through pipes around the battery modules or devices, usually designed as flow channels or radiators to absorb the heat generated by the batteries; 3) Heat exchanger: a device that transfers the absorbed heat to an external cooling medium (such as air or cooling water) to complete the heat discharge; 4) Temperature sensor: monitors the temperature within the system to adjust the flow rate and temperature of the coolant in real time.

[0005] During the actual operation of the liquid cooling system, there are various factors that affect the cooling effect. For example, the coolant may be lost or the volume of the coolant may change due to temperature changes, the pipeline may be blocked or the water pump speed regulation may be improper, resulting in too high a pump outlet pressure, or the water pump may be damaged or need maintenance. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a liquid cooling system with optimized structure and capable of intelligent control for different situations.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the present utility model adopts the following technical solutions: A liquid cooling system with optimized structure, comprising a main water pump, a main water tank, a secondary water pump, a secondary water tank, a four-way valve, a cooling channel, a sensor, and a control unit; the control unit determines whether the main water pump and the secondary water pump work and controls the rotation speed according to the detected sensor signals; the main water pump, the cooling channel, and the main water tank are sequentially connected through pipelines to form a first circulation loop; the secondary water pump, the cooling channel, and the main water tank are sequentially connected through pipelines to form a second circulation loop; the water inlet pipelines of the main water tank and the secondary water tank are both connected to the return water end of the cooling channel; the water outlet pipelines of the main water pump and the secondary water pump merge into one and then are connected to the water inlet end of the cooling channel, and the water outlet ends of the main water pump and the secondary water pump share a return water branch to be connected to the P port of the four-way valve, the A port of the four-way valve is connected to the return water end of the cooling channel through a pipeline, the B port of the four-way valve is connected to the secondary water tank through a pipeline, and the T port of the four-way valve is connected to the secondary water pump through a pipeline.

[0008] In the above technical solution, by reasonably arranging two water pumps and two water tanks, a first circulation loop, a second circulation loop, and a return water branch are formed, and the on-off of relevant pipelines is controlled by a four-way valve. The control unit determines whether the main water pump and the secondary water pump work and controls the rotation speed according to the detected sensor signals; under normal circumstances, only the main water pump works alone, and the coolant flows in the first circulation loop. When an abnormality occurs in the first circulation loop, the secondary water pump participates in the work. When the equipment in the first circulation loop needs to be repaired or fails, the secondary water pump works alone, and the coolant flows in the second circulation loop; when the coolant in the first circulation loop has losses or the volume of the coolant becomes smaller due to temperature changes, the secondary water pump can be used to supplement the first circulation loop with liquid; when the pressure at the pump outlet is too high in the first circulation loop or the second circulation loop due to pipeline blockage or improper speed regulation of the main water pump, pressure relief can be carried out through the return water branch.

[0009] In one embodiment, the four-way valve is a three-position four-way valve; when the four-way valve is in the middle position, it is in a closed state, and the four interfaces of the four-way valve are not connected to each other; when the four-way valve is in the right position, the P port is connected to the A port, so that the return water branch communicates with the return water end of the cooling channel, and the B port is connected to the T port, so that the secondary water tank communicates with the secondary water pump; when the four-way valve is in the left position, the P port is connected to the B port, so that the return water branch communicates with the secondary water tank, and the A port is connected to the T port, so that the return water end of the cooling channel is directly connected to the secondary water pump.

[0010] In one implementation, by combining the control of the main water pump, the secondary water pump, and the four-way valve, the following eight working states can be formed:

[0011] 1) The four-way valve is closed, the main water pump works, and the secondary water pump does not work. At this time, the coolant flows in the first circulation loop.

[0012] 2) The four-way valve is in the right position, and the main water pump and the auxiliary water pump work simultaneously. At this time, there is coolant flowing in the first circulation loop. The auxiliary water tank is connected to the auxiliary water pump, and the auxiliary water pump replenishes the cooling channel return end through the return water branch;

[0013] 3) The four-way valve is closed, the main water pump does not work, and the auxiliary water pump works. At this time, there is coolant flowing in the second circulation loop;

[0014] 4) The four-way valve is closed, and the main water pump and the auxiliary water pump work simultaneously. At this time, there is coolant flowing in both the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop;

[0015] 5) The four-way valve is in the right position, the main water pump works, and the auxiliary water pump does not work. At this time, there is coolant flowing in the first circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the main water pump can also flow into the main water tank through the return water branch;

[0016] 6) The four-way valve is in the right position, the main water pump does not work, and the auxiliary water pump works. At this time, there is coolant flowing in the second circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the auxiliary water pump can also flow into the main water tank through the return water branch;

[0017] 7) The four-way valve is in the left position, the main water pump works, and the auxiliary water pump does not work. At this time, there is coolant flowing in the first circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the main water pump can also flow back to the auxiliary water tank through the return water branch, and then overflow to the main water tank through the inlet pipeline of the auxiliary water tank;

[0018] 8) The four-way valve is in the left position, the main water pump does not work, and the auxiliary water pump works. At this time, there is coolant flowing in the second circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the auxiliary water pump can also flow back to the auxiliary water tank through the return water branch, and then overflow to the main water tank through the inlet pipeline of the auxiliary water tank.

[0019] Preferably, the four-way valve is a solenoid valve and is controlled by a control unit.

[0020] Further, the main water tank is connected to the first heat exchanger through a pipeline, and the auxiliary water tank is connected to the second heat exchanger through a pipeline.

[0021] Further, check valves are installed on the outlet pipelines of the main water pump and the auxiliary water pump.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows: Based on the traditional liquid cooling system, the present utility model adds an auxiliary water pump, an auxiliary water tank, and a four-way valve, and conducts reasonable pipeline layout and control design, enabling the entire liquid cooling system to work properly under various abnormal conditions, thereby being able to provide efficient and stable cooling functions for batteries or other energy storage devices, and ensuring that the batteries or other energy storage devices operate under safe, efficient, and long-lasting working conditions. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the connection structure of the liquid cooling system in the embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0025] 1, main water pump; 2, main water tank; 3, auxiliary water pump; 4, auxiliary water tank; 5, cooling channel; 6, one-way valve; 7, four-way valve; 8, first heat exchanger; 9, second heat exchanger. Specific implementation mode

[0026] For the convenience of understanding by those skilled in the art, the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the embodiments and the drawings. The content mentioned in the implementation mode does not limit the present utility model.

[0027] It should be noted in advance that in the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installation", "connection", "connection", "fixation" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.

[0028] As Figure 1 shown, a liquid cooling system with optimized structure includes a main water pump 1, a main water tank 2, an auxiliary water pump 3, an auxiliary water tank 4, a four-way valve 7, a cooling channel 5, a first heat exchanger 8, a second heat exchanger 9, a sensor and a control unit; the control unit determines whether the main water pump 1 and the auxiliary water pump 3 work and controls the rotation speed according to the detected sensor signals; the main water pump 1, the cooling channel 5, and the main water tank 2 are sequentially connected through pipelines to form a first circulation loop; the auxiliary water pump 3, the cooling channel 5, and the main water tank 2 are sequentially connected through pipelines to form a second circulation loop; the water inlet pipelines of the main water tank 2 and the auxiliary water tank 4 are both connected to the return water end of the cooling channel 5; one-way valves 6 are installed on the water outlet pipelines of the main water pump 1 and the auxiliary water pump 3; the water outlet pipelines of the main water pump 1 and the auxiliary water pump 3 merge and then are connected to the water inlet end of the cooling channel 5, and the water outlet ends of the main water pump 1 and the auxiliary water pump 3 share a return water branch to be connected to the P port of the four-way valve 7. The A port of the four-way valve 7 is connected to the return water end of the cooling channel 5 through a pipeline, the B port of the four-way valve 7 is connected to the auxiliary water tank 4 through a pipeline, and the T port of the four-way valve 7 is connected to the auxiliary water pump 3 through a pipeline; the main water tank 2 is connected to the first heat exchanger 8 through a pipeline, and the auxiliary water tank 4 is connected to the second heat exchanger 9 through a pipeline.

[0029] The four-way valve 7 in this embodiment is a three-position four-way solenoid valve, which is also controlled by the control unit. When the four-way valve 7 is in the middle position, it is in a closed state, and the four interfaces of the four-way valve 7 are not connected to each other. When the four-way valve 7 is in the right position, the P port is connected to the A port, so that the return water branch is communicated with the return water end of the cooling channel 5, and the B port is connected to the T port, so that the auxiliary water tank 4 is communicated with the auxiliary water pump 3. When the four-way valve 7 is in the left position, the P port is connected to the B port, so that the return water branch is communicated with the auxiliary water tank 4, and the A port is connected to the T port, so that the return water end of the cooling channel 5 is directly communicated with the auxiliary water pump 3.

[0030] By combining the control of the main water pump 1, the auxiliary water pump 3 and the four-way valve 7, the following eight working states can be formed:

[0031] 1) The four-way valve 7 is closed, the main water pump 1 works, and the auxiliary water pump 3 does not work. At this time, the coolant flows in the first circulation loop. This working state is adopted and maintained under normal circumstances in the liquid cooling system.

[0032] 2) The four-way valve 7 is in the right position, the main water pump 1 and the auxiliary water pump 3 work simultaneously. At this time, the coolant flows in the first circulation loop, the auxiliary water tank 4 is communicated with the auxiliary water pump 3, and the auxiliary water pump 3 replenishes the cooling channel 5 at the return water end through the return water branch.

[0033] 3) The four-way valve 7 is closed, the main water pump 1 does not work, and the auxiliary water pump 3 works. At this time, the coolant flows in the second circulation loop. This working state is applicable when the main water pump 1 fails or needs to be repaired.

[0034] 4) The four-way valve 7 is closed, the main water pump 1 and the auxiliary water pump 3 work simultaneously. At this time, the coolant flows in both the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop.

[0035] 5) The four-way valve 7 is in the right position, the main water pump 1 works, and the auxiliary water pump 3 does not work. At this time, the coolant flows in the first circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the main water pump 1 can also flow into the main water tank 2 through the return water branch for pressure relief.

[0036] 6) The four-way valve 7 is in the right position, the main water pump 1 does not work, and the auxiliary water pump 3 works. At this time, the coolant flows in the second circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the auxiliary water pump 3 can also flow into the main water tank 2 through the return water branch for pressure relief.

[0037] 7) The four-way valve 7 is in the left position, the main water pump 1 works, and the auxiliary water pump 3 does not work. At this time, the coolant flows in the first circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the main water pump 1 can also flow back to the auxiliary water tank 4 through the return water branch, and then overflow to the main water tank 2 through the water inlet pipeline of the auxiliary water tank 4 for pressure relief.

[0038] 8) The four-way valve 7 is in the left position. The main water pump 1 does not work, and the auxiliary water pump 3 works. At this time, the coolant flows in the second circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the auxiliary water pump 3 can also flow back to the auxiliary water tank 4 through the return water branch, and then overflow to the main water tank 2 through the water inlet pipeline of the auxiliary water tank 4 for pressure relief.

[0039] In this embodiment, by reasonably arranging two water pumps and two water tanks, a first circulation loop, a second circulation loop and a return water branch are formed, and the four-way valve 7 is used to control the on-off of related pipelines. The control unit decides whether the main water pump 1 and the auxiliary water pump 3 work and controls the rotation speed according to the detected sensor signals; under normal circumstances, the main water pump 1 works alone, and the coolant flows in the first circulation loop. When the first circulation loop has an abnormality, the auxiliary water pump 3 participates in the work. When the equipment in the first circulation loop needs to be repaired or fails, the auxiliary water pump 3 works alone, and the coolant flows in the second circulation loop; when the coolant in the first circulation loop has a loss or the volume of the coolant becomes smaller due to temperature change, the first circulation loop can be replenished with coolant by the auxiliary water pump 3; when the pressure at the pump outlet is too high in the first circulation loop or the second circulation loop due to pipeline blockage or improper speed regulation of the main water pump 1, pressure relief can be carried out through the return water branch.

[0040] Based on the traditional liquid cooling system, this embodiment adds an auxiliary water pump 3, an auxiliary water tank 4, and a four-way valve 7, and conducts reasonable pipeline layout and control design, so that the entire liquid cooling system can work normally under various abnormal conditions, thereby being able to provide efficient and stable cooling functions for batteries or other energy storage devices, and ensuring that the batteries or other energy storage devices operate under safe, efficient and durable working conditions.

[0041] In order to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to more conveniently understand the improvements of the present invention over the prior art, some drawings and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified, and the above embodiments are the preferred implementation schemes of the present invention. In addition, the present invention can also be implemented in other ways. Any obvious replacement without departing from the concept of the technical solution is within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling system with optimized structure, characterized in that: The invention comprises a main water pump (1), a main water tank (2), an auxiliary water pump (3), an auxiliary water tank (4), a four-way valve (7), a cooling channel (5), a sensor and a control unit; the control unit determines whether the main water pump (1) and the auxiliary water pump (3) are in operation and controls the rotation speed according to the detected sensor signals; the main water pump (1), the cooling channel (5) and the main water tank (2) are connected in sequence through pipelines to form a first circulation loop; the auxiliary water pump (3), the cooling channel (5) and the main water tank (2) are connected in sequence through pipelines to form a second circulation loop; the main water tank (2 ) and the auxiliary water tank (4) are both connected to the return water end of the cooling channel (5); the water outlet pipes of the main water pump (1) and the auxiliary water pump (3) are combined into one and then connected to the water inlet end of the cooling channel (5); and the water outlet ends of the main water pump (1) and the auxiliary water pump (3) share a return water branch connected to the P port of the four-way valve (7); the A port of the four-way valve (7) is connected to the return water end of the cooling channel (5) through a pipeline, the B port of the four-way valve (7) is connected to the auxiliary water tank (4) through a pipeline, and the T port of the four-way valve (7) is connected to the auxiliary water pump (3) through a pipeline.

2. The structure-optimized liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four-way valve (7) is a three-position four-way valve; when the four-way valve (7) is in the middle position, it is in a closed state, and the four interfaces of the four-way valve (7) are not connected to each other; when the four-way valve (7) is in the right position, the P port is connected to the A port, thereby making the return water branch communicate with the return water end of the cooling channel (5), and the B port is connected to the T port, thereby making the auxiliary water tank (4) communicate with the auxiliary water pump (3); when the four-way valve (7) is in the left position, the P port is connected to the B port, thereby making the return water branch communicate with the auxiliary water tank (4), and the A port is connected to the T port, thereby making the return water end of the cooling channel (5) directly communicate with the auxiliary water pump (3).

3. The structure-optimized liquid cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main water pump (1), the auxiliary water pump (3) and the four-way valve (7) are controlled in combination to form the following eight working states: 1) The four-way valve (7) is closed, the main water pump (1) is working, and the auxiliary water pump (3) is not working. At this time, coolant flows in the first circulation loop; 2) The four-way valve (7) is in the right position, the main water pump (1) and the auxiliary water pump (3) work simultaneously, and coolant flows in the first circulation loop. The auxiliary water tank (4) is connected to the auxiliary water pump (3), and the auxiliary water pump (3) replenishes the coolant to the return water end of the cooling channel (5) through the return water branch; 3) The four-way valve (7) is closed, the main water pump (1) does not work, and the auxiliary water pump (3) works. At this time, coolant flows in the second circulation loop; 4) The four-way valve (7) is closed, the main water pump (1) and the auxiliary water pump (3) work simultaneously, and coolant flows in both the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop; 5) The four-way valve (7) is in the right position, the main water pump (1) is working, and the auxiliary water pump (3) is not working. At this time, coolant flows in the first circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the main water pump (1) can also flow into the main water tank (2) through the return branch; 6) The four-way valve (7) is in the right position, the main water pump (1) does not work, and the auxiliary water pump (3) works. At this time, coolant flows in the second circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the auxiliary water pump (3) can also flow into the main water tank (2) through the return branch; 7) When the four-way valve (7) is in the left position, the main water pump (1) is working and the auxiliary water pump (3) is not working. At this time, coolant flows in the first circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the main water pump (1) can also flow back to the auxiliary water tank (4) through the return branch, and then overflow to the main water tank (2) through the water inlet pipe of the auxiliary water tank (4); 8) When the four-way valve (7) is in the left position, the main water pump (1) does not work, and the auxiliary water pump (3) works. At this time, coolant flows in the second circulation loop. When the pressure is too high, the coolant discharged by the auxiliary water pump (3) can also flow back to the auxiliary water tank (4) through the return branch, and then overflow to the main water tank (2) through the water inlet pipe of the auxiliary water tank (4).

4. The structure-optimized liquid cooling system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The four-way valve (7) is a solenoid valve and is controlled by a control unit.

5. The structure-optimized liquid cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The main water tank (2) is connected to the first heat exchanger (8) through a pipeline, and the auxiliary water tank (4) is connected to the second heat exchanger (9) through a pipeline.

6. The structure-optimized liquid cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: One-way valves (6) are installed on the water outlet pipes of the main water pump (1) and the auxiliary water pump (3).

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