Common Fuel Cell Cooling Control to Prevent Coolant Back-Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The independent operations of multiple fuel cell systems on a vehicle can result in unsynchronized cooling requirements, leading to issues such as back-flow of the cooling fluid, which can damage vehicle components.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes at least two fuel cell systems connected to a common cooling system, with each fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack and a pumping apparatus to adjust the flow rate of the cooling fluid based on a target pump speed, controlled by a processor to prevent back-flow and ensure optimal cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fuel cell systems operate independently with different cooling requirements, then each system can be optimized for its specific operating conditions, but back-flow of cooling fluid occurs causing damage to components
Solution Approach 1:
The common cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling circuits, with each fuel cell system having its own dedicated pump and flow control mechanism. This segmentation allows each circuit to independently manage its cooling fluid flow while sharing common cooling components, preventing back-flow between systems with different cooling requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Flow control valves and check valves are introduced as intermediary components between the common cooling system and individual fuel cell systems. These intermediaries regulate and direct cooling fluid flow, ensuring that fluid flows only in the intended direction and preventing back-flow to systems with unsynchronized cooling requirements.
2Device complexity
If a common cooling system is used for multiple fuel cell systems, then system complexity is reduced and components are shared, but unsynchronized cooling requirements cause back-flow issues
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system incorporates dynamically controllable pumps and flow control valves for each fuel cell system, allowing real-time adjustment of cooling fluid flow rates and directions. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt to varying cooling requirements of different fuel cell systems while maintaining a common cooling infrastructure, preventing back-flow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors and flow meters are integrated into each cooling circuit to provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism monitors cooling requirements and flow conditions, enabling the controller to adjust pump speeds and valve positions to maintain proper flow direction and prevent back-flow, ensuring reliable operation of the common cooling 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
The system effectively prevents surge events and back-flow of the cooling fluid, thereby protecting vehicle components and ensuring efficient cooling of multiple fuel cell systems connected to a common cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the at least two fuel cell systems may include a pumping apparatus. Each of the at least two pumping apparatuses may be configured to adjust a flow rate of the fluid to a respective fuel cell system based on a target pump speed.
Implementation Method 2
The common cooling system may include at least one cooling apparatus. The at least one cooling apparatus may be configured to adjust a temperature of the fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for cooling two or more fuel cell systems on a vehicle. The system includes at least two fuel cell systems connected to a common cooling system. The system also includes at least two pumping apparatuses connected, respectively, to the at least two fuel cell systems. The system further includes a processor connected to one or more controllers that are connected to the at least two pumping apparatuses. The processor is configured to determine a target flow rate of a fluid to be received by a first fuel cell system of the at least two fuel cell systems, determine a target pump speed of a first pumping apparatus of the at least two pumping apparatuses, and actuate the first pumping apparatus via a first controller of the one or more controllers based on the determined target pump speed of the first pumping apparatus.