Cooling Pump Flow Measurement With Pressure-Temperature Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell cooling systems face challenges in accurately measuring the flow rate of cooling liquid, especially when the rotation speed of the motor is low, which can lead to instability and inefficiency in cooling operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a measurement device that includes a pressure sensor with temperature sensing capabilities, attached to the liquid pump's suction and discharge outlets, allows for the calculation of cooling liquid flow rate by detecting pressure and temperature differences, ensuring accurate measurement even at low motor speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional pressure sensor is used to measure cooling liquid flow rate, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement precision deteriorates when motor rotation speed is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor into a single integrated measurement device. The pressure sensor measures pressure differential across the pump, while the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the cooling liquid. By merging these two measurement functions, the system can calculate flow rate using both pressure and temperature data, improving measurement precision especially at low motor speeds where pressure alone is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement device serves multiple functions: it measures pressure differential, measures temperature, and calculates flow rate. By making the device multi-functional, the system can obtain comprehensive data about the cooling liquid state and pump performance, enabling accurate flow rate measurement across all motor speed ranges including low speed operation.
2Measurement precision
If the measurement device is attached close to the pump, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the pressure sensor and temperature sensor into a single measurement device housing, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be installed and wired. This merging approach maintains measurement precision by keeping the sensors close to the pump while simplifying the overall device structure and installation process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure and temperature sensors are provided separately, then the measurement capabilities are comprehensive, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure sensor and temperature sensor into a single integrated measurement device with a unified housing and signal processing system. This integration maintains comprehensive measurement capabilities for both pressure differential and temperature while reducing the complexity of the sensor system through consolidated installation, wiring, and data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated measurement device performs multiple measurement functions simultaneously - measuring pressure differential across the pump and measuring temperature of the cooling liquid. This multi-functionality approach provides comprehensive adaptability for calculating flow rate and monitoring pump performance without requiring separate sensor systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables precise calculation of cooling liquid flow rates, enhances operational efficiency by preventing cavitation, and ensures effective control of the liquid pump's operation, thereby improving the overall performance of the cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor with temperature sensing capabilities, attached to the liquid pump's suction and discharge outlets, allows for the calculation of cooling liquid flow rate by detecting pressure and temperature differences
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor with temperature sensing capabilities, attached to the liquid pump's suction and discharge outlets, allows for the calculation of cooling liquid flow rate by detecting pressure and temperature differences
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a measurement device attached to a liquid pump with a suction inlet and a discharge outlet, including: a discharge side sensor unit which detects detection values based on both discharge temperature and discharge pressure of cooling liquid flowing out of the discharge outlet; and a discharge side calculation unit which calculates, based on the detection values, a flow rate of the cooling liquid flowing out of the discharge outlet. The detection values may be the discharge temperature and the discharge pressure. The measurement device may further include a suction side sensor unit which detects suction temperature and suction pressure of cooling liquid flowing into the suction inlet; and a suction side sensing unit which senses, based on a comparison result between a saturated vapor pressure of the cooling liquid at the suction temperature and the suction pressure, occurrence of cavitation.