Liquid cooling system for locomotive power battery thermal management device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of rail transit heat exchange, in particular to a liquid cooling system for a locomotive power battery heat management device, which comprises an expansion water tank, a heat exchanger, a water pump, a circulating pipeline, a liquid supplementing pipe and an exhaust pipe, the expansion water tank is connected to the circulation pipeline in parallel through a liquid supplementing pipe and an exhaust pipe. The circulation pipeline comprises a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline and a power battery end cooling pipeline, the third pipeline is higher than other pipelines, and the third pipeline is connected to a water outlet of the water pump; an air inlet of the exhaust pipe is connected to the first pipeline or the second pipeline, and an air outlet of the exhaust pipe is connected to the expansion water tank. The liquid cooling system can be integrated in the locomotive power battery thermal management device, the structure is compact, the space is saved, and the problems of low pipeline exhaust efficiency, cooling liquid backflow and the like can be solved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of rail transit heat exchange technology, in particular to a liquid cooling system for a locomotive power battery thermal management device. BACKGROUND

[0002] The power battery is a core component of the locomotive, and the battery working and storage temperature control level is closely related to its performance and working life. The power battery thermal management system is to manage the heat of the battery, so that the battery works at the best temperature, enhances the safety of the battery use, and prolongs the service life of the battery. At present, the locomotive power battery thermal management system mostly adopts the form of combination of air cooling and liquid cooling. The liquid cooling heat dissipation uses water, ethylene glycol or refrigerant as the cooling liquid, and removes the heat of the battery through the closed circulation system of the cooling liquid.

[0003] During the cooling liquid filling stage and the working stage of the liquid cooling system, there will be gas in the pipeline affecting the cold zone effect of the power battery. At present, the expansion tank is often used in the field of new energy vehicles to solve the exhaust problem in the pipeline. However, due to the difference between the size requirements of the locomotive and the cooling performance requirements and new energy vehicles, the scheme used in the locomotive field will bring problems such as backflow of cooling liquid in the pipeline to the expansion tank, causing the water pump to be air suctioned, and therefore a liquid cooling system suitable for the locomotive power battery thermal management system is urgently needed. CONTENT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a liquid cooling system for a locomotive power battery thermal management device, which can solve the problems of low exhaust efficiency of the pipeline, backflow of the cooling liquid causing the water pump to be air suctioned, and the like.

[0005] The embodiments of the present application can be implemented by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A liquid cooling system for a locomotive power battery thermal management device, comprising an expansion tank, a heat exchanger, a water pump, a circulation pipeline, a liquid supplementing pipe and an exhaust pipe, the heat exchanger and the water pump are connected in series along the circulation direction of the fluid on the circulation pipeline; the expansion tank is connected in parallel with the liquid supplementing pipe and the exhaust pipe on the circulation pipeline; the circulation pipeline comprises a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline and a power battery end cooling pipeline, wherein the third pipeline is higher than the other pipelines, and the third pipeline is connected to the water outlet of the water pump; the gas inlet of the exhaust pipe is connected to the first pipeline or the second pipeline, and the gas outlet of the exhaust pipe is connected to the expansion tank.

[0007] Further, the height of the gas inlet of the exhaust pipe is h1, and the height of the highest point in the first pipeline and the second pipeline is h2, and they satisfy:

[0008] h2-h1≤30mm.

[0009] Further, the air inlet of the exhaust pipe is connected to the highest point of the higher one of the first pipeline or the second pipeline.

[0010] Further, the air inlet of the exhaust pipe is higher than the air outlet.

[0011] Further, the diameter of the exhaust pipe is smaller than that of the liquid supplement pipeline.

[0012] Further, the first pipeline is used to connect the water outlet of the power battery end cooling pipeline and the water inlet of the heat exchanger, the second pipeline is used to connect the water outlet of the heat exchanger and the water inlet of the water pump, and the third pipeline is used to connect the water outlet of the water pump and the water inlet of the power battery end cooling pipeline.

[0013] Further, one end of the liquid supplement pipeline is connected to the expansion water tank, and the other end is connected to the water inlet of the water pump.

[0014] Further, a second exhaust pipe is further included, a first port of the second exhaust pipe is connected to the circulation pipeline, and a second port of the second exhaust pipe is connected to the exhaust pipe.

[0015] Further, the first port of the second exhaust pipe is connected to the third pipeline, and a valve is arranged on the second exhaust pipe.

[0016] The liquid cooling system for the locomotive power battery thermal management device provided by the embodiment of the present application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The liquid cooling system of the present application can be integrated in the locomotive power battery thermal management device. In order to adapt to the shape and size of the thermal management device and the use of the liquid cooling system with other systems in the thermal management device, the components and connections in the liquid cooling system are reasonably arranged, the structure is compact, and the space is saved. Through the parallel expansion water tank, the liquid supplement and exhaust of the entire pipeline are realized, and through the optimized setting of the position of the exhaust pipe, the exhaust efficiency of the pipeline is further improved, and the water pump suction empty phenomenon caused by excessive cooling liquid backflow is avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the locomotive power battery thermal management device to which the liquid cooling system of the present application is applied;

[0019] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the overall structure of the liquid cooling system of one embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the overall structure of the liquid cooling system of one embodiment of the present application from another angle;

[0021] Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the cooling liquid flow direction of one embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Reference signs in the drawings

[0023] Expansion tank 1, heat exchanger 2, water pump 3, power battery cooling pipe 4, liquid replenishment pipe 5, exhaust pipe 6, first pipe 7, second pipe 8, third pipe 9, second exhaust pipe 10. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present application will now be further described based on preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Furthermore, for ease of understanding, various components on the drawings have been enlarged or reduced, but this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] Singular forms of words also include plural meanings, and vice versa.

[0027] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this application is in use, they are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this application. In addition, in the description of this application, in order to distinguish different units, the terms "first," "second," etc. are used in this specification, but these are not limited by the manufacturing order, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Their names may differ in the detailed description and claims of this application.

[0028] The vocabulary used in this specification is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. It should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium; or they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application.

[0029] like Figure 1 The image shows a thermal management device for a locomotive power battery. It is installed on the roof of the locomotive and performs thermal management, such as cooling and heating, on the power battery located beneath it to ensure the battery operates within a suitable temperature range. Because the thermal management device is installed on the roof of the locomotive, it is subject to limitations such as size and shape matching the locomotive. Figure 1The thermal management device shown has a trapezoidal cross-section along the vertical direction, which is high in the middle and low on both sides. The need to integrate multiple systems within the limited space of this thermal management device undoubtedly places high demands on the installation and layout of each system.

[0030] This application provides a liquid cooling system that can be integrated into the above-mentioned thermal management device. In order to adapt to the shape and size of the thermal management device and to cooperate with other systems in the thermal management device, the components and connections in the liquid cooling system are arranged in a reasonable manner, resulting in a compact structure and space saving.

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 An embodiment of the liquid cooling system of this application is shown, specifically including an expansion tank 1, a heat exchanger 2, a water pump 3, a circulation pipeline, a replenishment pipe 5, and an exhaust pipe 6. The circulation pipeline includes a first pipeline 7, a second pipeline 8, a third pipeline 9, and a power battery end cooling pipeline 4. The heat exchanger 2 and the water pump 3 are connected in series along the circulation direction of the fluid. Specifically, the outlet of the power battery end cooling pipeline 4 is connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger 2 through the first pipeline 7, the outlet of the heat exchanger 2 is connected to the inlet of the water pump 3 through the second pipeline 8, and the outlet of the water pump 3 is connected to the inlet of the power battery end cooling pipeline 4 through the third pipeline 9, so that the coolant circulates within it.

[0032] Furthermore, the expansion tank 1 is connected in parallel to the circulation pipeline via the exhaust pipe 6 and the replenishment pipe 5, which serves to exhaust and replenish the entire circulation pipeline. In use, the gas in the circulation pipeline enters the expansion tank 1 through the exhaust pipe 6 and is discharged to the atmosphere from the expansion tank 1. When the coolant in the circulation pipeline is insufficient, the coolant pre-stored in the expansion tank 1 is replenished to the circulation pipeline through the replenishment pipe 5.

[0033] In order to integrate the liquid cooling system of this application into the above-mentioned thermal management device, all components except the power battery cooling pipe 4 need to be integrated into the interior of the above-mentioned thermal management device. In order to adapt to the shape and size specifications of the thermal management device and to cooperate with other systems in the thermal management device, the heat exchanger 2 is located between the expansion tank 1 and the water pump 3. Based on the flow direction of the coolant, in order to make the coolant circulate better in the circulation pipe, the third pipe 9 is higher than the first pipe 7 and the second pipe 8.

[0034] Since lighter gases generally accumulate at higher points in pipelines, the conventional practice is to connect one end of the vent pipe 6 to the highest point of the series pipeline, i.e., the highest point of the third pipeline 9. However, this location is at the water pump outlet, and excessive pressure causes too much coolant to flow through the vent pipe 6 into the expansion tank 1. This portion of coolant, after flowing into the expansion tank 1, is stored there and does not flow back into the pipeline system, thus causing the water pump to suck in cavitation. Based on the aforementioned problem of water pump cavitation, the applicant discovered that connecting the pipeline vent pipe 6 to a specific location in the pipeline system can both avoid the aforementioned water pump cavitation phenomenon and ensure the effective venting of the pipeline.

[0035] In some specific embodiments, the air inlet of the exhaust pipe 6 is connected to the highest point of the first pipe 7 and the second pipe 8, and the air outlet of the exhaust pipe 6 is connected to the expansion tank 1. In this way, the problem of water pump sucking in air can be avoided and the exhaust effect can be guaranteed.

[0036] In some other embodiments, the air inlet of the exhaust pipe 6 is connected to the first pipe 7 or the second pipe 8, and the height h1 of its air inlet and the height h2 of the highest point in the first pipe 7 and the second pipe 8 satisfy h2-h1≤30mm. In this way, the problem of water pump sucking in air can be avoided and the exhaust effect can be guaranteed.

[0037] In some other embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, it also includes a second exhaust pipe 10. The first port of the second exhaust pipe 10 is connected to the circulation pipe, and the second port is connected to the exhaust pipe 6. The arrangement of multiple exhaust pipes can further enhance the exhaust effect. Specifically, the first port of the second exhaust pipe 10 is connected to the third pipe 9. The third pipe 9 is equipped with a valve. The gas-liquid ratio in the second exhaust pipe 10 is controlled by the opening degree of the valve, so as to avoid the problem of water pump suction and ensure the exhaust effect.

[0038] In some preferred embodiments, the air inlet of the exhaust pipe 6 is higher than the air outlet to ensure that the gas can be better transferred from the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0039] In some preferred embodiments, the diameter of the exhaust pipe 6 is smaller than the diameter of the replenishment pipe 5, so that the amount of coolant flowing out of the expansion tank 1 from the replenishment pipe 5 at the same time is greater than the amount of coolant entering the expansion tank 1 from the exhaust pipe 6, further avoiding the phenomenon of water pump cavitation.

[0040] The liquid cooling system of this application operates as follows: During operation, the high-temperature coolant from the cooling pipe 4 at the power battery end flows into the inlet of the heat exchanger 2 through the first pipe 7. In the heat exchanger 2, heat exchange occurs, resulting in a lower-temperature coolant that flows into the inlet of the water pump 3 through the second pipe 8. The coolant then flows back to the inlet of the cooling pipe 4 at the power battery end through the outlet of the water pump 3 and the third pipe 9, thus forming a circulation loop to cool the power battery. Gas generated in the circulation loop flows into the gas area of ​​the expansion tank 1 through the exhaust pipe 6. When the gas pressure exceeds a threshold, it is discharged into the outside atmosphere. When the coolant in the circulation loop is insufficient, coolant from the expansion tank 1 is replenished into the circulation loop through the replenishment pipe 5.

[0041] The specific embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. For those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this application without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling system for a locomotive power battery thermal management device, comprising an expansion tank (1), a heat exchanger (2), a water pump (3), a circulation pipeline, a replenishment pipe (5), and an exhaust pipe (6), characterized in that: The heat exchanger (2) and the water pump (3) are connected in series in the circulation pipeline along the direction of fluid circulation; The expansion tank (1) is connected in parallel to the circulation pipeline via a replenishment pipe (5) and an exhaust pipe (6); The circulation pipeline includes a first pipeline (7), a second pipeline (8), a third pipeline (9) and a power battery end cooling pipeline (4), wherein the third pipeline (9) is higher than the other pipelines and is connected to the outlet of the water pump (3); The air inlet of the exhaust pipe (6) is connected to the first pipeline (7) or the second pipeline (8), and the air outlet of the exhaust pipe (6) is connected to the expansion tank (1).

2. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the air inlet of the exhaust pipe (6) is h1, and the height of the highest point in the first pipe (7) and the second pipe (8) is h2. The two satisfy the following: h2-h1≤30mm.

3. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet of the exhaust pipe (6) is connected to the highest point of the higher pipe in the first pipe (7) or the second pipe (8).

4. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet of the exhaust pipe (6) is positioned higher than the air outlet.

5. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the exhaust pipe (6) is smaller than the diameter of the liquid replenishment pipe (5).

6. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pipe (7) is used to connect the outlet of the power battery cooling pipe (4) and the inlet of the heat exchanger (2), the second pipe (8) is used to connect the outlet of the heat exchanger (2) and the inlet of the water pump (3), and the third pipe (9) is used to connect the outlet of the water pump (3) and the inlet of the power battery cooling pipe (4).

7. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the replenishment pipe (5) is connected to the expansion tank (1), and the other end is connected to the inlet of the water pump (3).

8. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second exhaust pipe (10), the first port of which is connected to the circulation pipe and the second port is connected to the exhaust pipe (6).

9. The liquid cooling system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first port of the second exhaust pipe (10) is connected to the third pipe (9), and a valve is provided on the second exhaust pipe (10).

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