Fuel Cell Vehicle Circulation System Heat Pump Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell vehicle circulation systems inefficiently heat the vehicle interior and require costly, material-intensive conduit systems due to separate cooling and heating circuits for the traction battery and fuel cell arrangement, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A circulation system with a first fluid circulation operating as a heat pump, utilizing CO2 in a supercritical state, and additional fluid circulations for cooling the traction battery and fuel cell arrangement, with a fourth circulation for heating the vehicle interior, allowing effective heat transfer and reducing conduit system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling and heating circuits are used for the traction battery and fuel cell arrangement, then the cooling function is reliable, but the conduit system becomes material- and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling circuits for the traction battery and fuel cell arrangement into a single integrated cooling system. The coolant circulation system includes a common coolant reservoir, pump, and heat exchangers that serve both thermal management needs, eliminating the need for separate conduit systems while maintaining reliable cooling for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circulation system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both cooling and heating purposes. The same coolant loop that cools the traction battery can also provide heating to the fuel cell arrangement by adjusting flow paths and utilizing heat exchangers in different operational modes, reducing the need for dedicated conduit systems for each function.
2Temperature
If heat is transferred from the second circulation to the first circulation, then the fuel cell arrangement can be cooled, but the heat is not used for heating the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat from the fuel cell arrangement and traction battery into a useful resource for vehicle interior heating. The thermal management system includes heat exchangers and fluid circulation paths that redirect heat from the cooling circuits to the passenger compartment, transforming what would be wasted thermal energy into a beneficial heating source.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circulation system is designed to perform multiple functions including cooling the fuel cell arrangement, cooling the traction battery, and heating the vehicle interior. By using the same thermal management infrastructure for both cooling and heating purposes, the system maximizes energy utilization and eliminates the need for separate heating and cooling conduit systems.
3Temperature
If the vehicle interior is heated via the second circulation, then heating is provided, but the heating operation must be orchestrated together with the cooling of the traction battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management system into independent control zones for different functions. The heating to the vehicle interior and cooling of the traction battery are controlled through separate valves and flow paths within the same circulation system, allowing independent adjustment of each function without requiring complex coordinated control of the entire system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a material- and cost-intensive conduit system is used for the second circulation, then the heat exchanger locations can be flexible, but the material and weight costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the conduit systems for multiple functions into a single integrated network. The same coolant lines and heat exchangers are used for both cooling and heating operations, eliminating redundant piping and reducing the overall material required. This integrated approach maintains location flexibility while significantly reducing the weight and material costs of the conduit system.
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
Enhances heating efficiency of the vehicle interior, reduces material and weight costs in conduit systems, and improves cooling capacity by utilizing heat emitted from the traction battery and fuel cell arrangement, while using environmentally friendly fluids like CO2 and water-glycol mixtures.
Implementation Method 1
the first circulation (10) can be operated in heat pump operation... at least one heat exchanger (21) to which the second fluid can be conveyed for a heat exchange with the first fluid... at least one heat exchanger (85) to which the fourth fluid can be conveyed for a heat exchange with the first fluid
Implementation Method 2
utilizing CO2 in a supercritical state... a fluid which can be operated in a supercritical state can be operated therein, in a supercritical state, as a first fluid
Implementation Method 3
a second circulation (30) which conveys a second fluid, in particular for the purpose of cooling a traction battery (39)... at least one heat exchange connection (41) which is designed for heat exchange between the second fluid and a traction battery (39)
Implementation Method 4
a third circulation (50) which conveys a third fluid, in particular for the purpose of cooling a fuel cell arrangement (55)... at least one heat exchanger (45), to which the third fluid can be conveyed for a heat exchange with the second fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a circulation system (1) for a fuel cell vehicle, with a first flow circuit (10) which conveys a first fluid and can be operated in heat pump operation; a second flow circuit (30) which can be operated in a heat exchange connection to the first flow circuit (10) and which conveys a second fluid, in particular for the purpose of cooling a traction battery (39); and a third flow circuit (50) which can be operated in a heat exchange connection to the second flow circuit (30) and which conveys a third fluid, in particular for the purpose of cooling a fuel cell arrangement (55), wherein the circulation system (1) also has a fourth flow circuit (70) which conveys a fourth fluid, and at least one conveying device (71) for the fourth fluid, least one heat exchanger (85) and/or convector (81) to which the fourth fluid can be conveyed for the purpose of heating at least one interior of a fuel cell vehicle, and one heat exchanger (7) to which the fourth fluid can be conveyed for a heat exchange with the first fluid are arranged in the fourth flow circuit (70), wherein this heat exchanger (7) to which the first fluid can also be conveyed is arranged in the high-pressure region of the first flow circuit (10). Such a circulation system (1) improves the flexibility and efficiency of the temperature control of vehicle interiors and of components of a fuel cell vehicle.