Fuel Cell Cooling Layout With Selective Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for vehicles with fuel cells and resistors are inefficient in utilizing the heat dissipation capacity of the radiator, leading to insufficient cooling of the fuel cell when the frequency of cooling the resistor is lower, and adding backflow preventers increases pressure loss and component count.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a radiator, outlet and inlet passages, branch and confluence portions, parallel passages for the fuel cell and resistor, and separate pumps, with a backflow preventer only in the passage for the resistor, allowing coolant to flow through the radiator when needed for the fuel cell and preventing reverse flow in the resistor passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backflow preventer is added to each passage (fuel cell and resistor) to prevent reverse coolant flow, then cooling reliability is improved, but device complexity and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backflow preventer from the fuel cell passage and removes it entirely, relying only on the pump's one-way flow characteristic. This selective removal maintains sufficient cooling reliability while reducing component count and pressure loss in the high-flow fuel cell passage where backflow is less critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different backflow prevention strategies to different passages: the resistor passage retains a backflow preventer because it operates at lower flow rates where backflow could cause significant cooling issues, while the fuel cell passage relies on pump characteristics alone due to its high flow rate and different operational requirements.
2Reliability
If a backflow preventer is added to prevent reverse coolant flow, then cooling reliability is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the backflow preventer from the fuel cell passage entirely, eliminating the pressure loss associated with that component. The system relies on the pump's inherent one-way flow characteristic, which maintains reliability without the additional pressure drop caused by a mechanical backflow preventer.
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
The system effectively utilizes the radiator's heat dissipation capacity for both the fuel cell and resistor, reduces pressure loss, and minimizes the number of components, ensuring efficient cooling without increasing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator configured to radiate heat of a coolant
Implementation Method 2
the fuel cell generating electric power by an electrochemical reaction of fuel
Implementation Method 3
the resistor converting an electric power generated by a motor generator into a heat energy by a braking operation
Implementation Method 4
a first pump provided in the first passage to pump a coolant; a second pump provided in the second passage to pump a coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for cooling a fuel cell on a vehicle includes a radiator, a branch portion connected to an outlet side of the radiator, a confluence portion connected to an inlet side of the radiator, a first passage and a second passage connected in parallel between the confluence portion and the branch portion, a fuel cell and a first pump provided in the first passage, a resistor and a second pump provided in the second passage, and a backflow preventer provided in the second passage. The first passage has no backflow preventer.