Fuel Cell Cooling System with Bypass Flow Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell cooling systems face inefficiencies due to independent control of coolant circuits for the fuel cell stack and cathode supply gas, leading to temperature differences that can damage components and complicate the structure, while also resulting in inefficient coolant use.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system that cooperatively controls the fuel cell stack and another heat exchange system by using a shared coolant flow passage with a second heat exchanger, allowing for adjustable coolant distribution between the main cooling flow passage and a bypass flow passage to manage temperature and coolant flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If independently controlling coolant circuits for fuel cell stack and cathode supply gas, then each component can be cooled according to its own requirements, but the structure becomes complicated and temperature differences may damage components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coolant circuits for the fuel cell stack and cathode supply gas into a single integrated circuit. The coolant flows sequentially through the fuel cell stack and then through the cathode supply gas, allowing both components to be cooled by the same coolant flow without requiring separate independent circuits, thus simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable temperature control for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circuit is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the fuel cell stack during electrochemical reactions and also cools the cathode supply gas. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling systems for each component, reducing structural complexity while ensuring both components operate within safe temperature ranges.
2Reliability
If independently controlling fuel cell stack cooling and cathode supply gas cooling, then each system can optimize its cooling, but coolant use becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant flow is designed to continuously pass through both the fuel cell stack and the cathode supply gas in sequence, maximizing the utilization of the coolant throughout the system. This continuous flow ensures that the coolant absorbs heat from both components efficiently without idle circulation, improving overall coolant efficiency while maintaining reliable cooling performance for both the fuel cell stack and cathode supply gas.
3Device complexity
If using shared coolant for fuel cell cooling and air conditioning, then system structure is simplified, but temperature control for each function becomes less independent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic control elements including three-way valves and circulation pumps that can adjust coolant flow distribution in real-time. These dynamic components allow the system to switch between different operational modes: prioritizing fuel cell cooling when temperature is high, or directing more coolant to the air conditioning heat exchanger when cabin cooling is needed, thus maintaining temperature control independence despite the shared coolant system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature sensors and control units that continuously monitor the temperatures of both the fuel cell stack and the air conditioning system. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the three-way valves and circulation pump operations to allocate coolant flow appropriately, ensuring that each function receives adequate cooling while maintaining the ability to independently control temperatures for both fuel cell operation and cabin air conditioning.
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 cooperative control enables efficient management of coolant distribution, reducing temperature differences and improving the overall efficiency of the fuel cell cooling system, allowing for independent control of the fuel cell stack and vehicle cabin air conditioning while minimizing structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant such as cooling water is circulated through the fuel cell stack and then cooled by a radiator or the like
Implementation Method 2
cooled by a radiator or the like
Implementation Method 3
it also generates heat and is therefore cooled by a heat exchanger, referred to as an intercooler
Implementation Method 4
generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction produced by supplying a fuel gas to an anode side and supplying an oxidizing gas to a cathode side
Implementation Method 5
This reaction generates heat in the fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system of a fuel cell is provided with a main cooling flow passage and a bypass cooling flow passage which is arranged parallel with the main cooling flow passage and diverts the same coolant, as flow passages through which coolant flows. A radiator and a coolant circulation pump and the like are arranged in the main cooling flow passage. Coolant from the main cooling flow passage enters the bypass cooling flow passage and reaches a second heat exchanger via a case of a motor of an ACP and the like. At the second heat exchanger, heat exchange is also performed with a supply gas flow passage, after which the coolant returns to the main cooling flow passage. The manner in which the coolant is distributed can be changed depending on where the coolant is diverted from the main cooling flow passage and the arrangement of the circulation pump.