Fuel Cell Coolant Flow Switching for Cold-Start Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell vehicles, low-temperature environments reduce power generation efficiency, leading to increased heat generation and hydrogen consumption, which shortens the driving range.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control apparatus with multiple control modes that circulates heated cooling water through different flow paths to manage the temperature of the fuel cell unit, including a temperature-raising flow path, a warming flow path, and a cooling flow path, independent from each other, to optimize hydrogen usage and maintain efficient power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fuel cell stack is operated to generate heat in a low-temperature environment, then the temperature of the fuel cell stack is raised, but the consumption of hydrogen increases and the driving range becomes shorter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling water circulation system into multiple independent flow paths: a first flow path for heating the fuel cell stack, a second flow path for heating the vehicle interior, and a third flow path for cooling the fuel cell stack. This segmentation allows selective operation of different flow paths based on temperature requirements, enabling external heating of the fuel cell stack without relying on internal heat generation that consumes hydrogen.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the fuel cell stack by circulating heated cooling water through the first flow path before the fuel cell stack needs to generate power. The heater pre-heats the cooling water, which then heats the fuel cell stack in advance, avoiding the need to operate the fuel cell stack at high heat generation levels to warm itself up, thereby reducing hydrogen consumption.
2Device complexity
If the cooling water is circulated through shared flow paths for both fuel cell cooling and vehicle air-conditioning, then the system complexity is reduced, but the independent control of temperature management is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling water circulation system into three independent flow paths with separate control capabilities. The first flow path (for fuel cell heating), second flow path (for vehicle interior heating), and third flow path (for fuel cell cooling) can be operated independently or in combination, allowing flexible and independent temperature management for both fuel cell stack and vehicle interior without compromising system simplicity.
3Temperature
If the fuel cell stack operates at high heat generation to raise temperature in low-temperature environments, then the temperature requirement is met, but the power generation efficiency lowers due to hydrogen consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the fuel cell stack using externally heated cooling water before power generation is required. This allows the fuel cell stack to reach optimal operating temperature without operating at high heat generation levels, thereby maintaining high power generation efficiency when power is needed while still meeting temperature requirements.
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 approach reduces hydrogen consumption by heating the fuel cell unit without relying on generated heat, maintaining power generation efficiency and extending the driving range while independently controlling cabin heating and cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat cooling water
Implementation Method 2
a radiator configured to perform heat exchange with the cooling water
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a fluid control apparatus includes a heater; a heater core; a fuel cell unit; a radiator; and a controller configured to control circulation of the cooling water in one of a plurality of control modes, the control modes including a first control mode in which the cooling water heated by the heater circulates in a first flow path in which the cooling water passes through the heater, the hater core and the fuel cell unit and circulates, and a second control mode in which the cooling water is circulated in each of a second flow path in which the cooling water passes through the heater and the heater core and circulates, and a third flow path in which the cooling water passes through the fuel cell unit and the radiator and circulates.