Fuel Cell Vehicle Cooling Circuit With Selective Multi-Loop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for battery-operated vehicles are not directly applicable to fuel cell electric vehicles due to the complex topology and different cooling and heating requirements, necessitating a specialized cooling system for fuel cells and associated components.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooling system with multiple circuits and a control device featuring controllable valves and pumps, allowing for efficient and adaptive cooling of fuel cells, electronic components, and batteries, while conserving resources and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cooling systems from battery-operated vehicles are used for fuel cells, then cooling capability is provided, but the system topology becomes very complex due to different heating and cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent circuits: a first circuit for fuel cell cooling, a second circuit for electronic component cooling, and a third circuit for battery cooling. Each circuit can be controlled independently, allowing the system to provide cooling capability while avoiding the complexity of a single integrated system with conflicting heating and cooling requirements.
2Ease of operation
If multiple controllable valves are used to control liquid flow in different circuits, then selective cooling control is improved, but system complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single controllable valve is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling liquid flow to different circuits (second and third circuits) based on cooling requirements. This multi-functional valve reduces the total number of valves needed while maintaining the ability to selectively cool different components, thereby reducing system complexity and construction cost.
3Reliability
If the coolant system is activated for battery cooling, then battery cooling performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses controllable valves to dynamically redirect coolant flow based on real-time cooling requirements. The battery cooling circuit can be activated or deactivated independently through valve control, allowing the system to provide battery cooling performance when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption when the battery does not require cooling.
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 enables efficient energy management and cooling control, saving energy by allowing selective cooling of components and reducing system complexity, while maintaining effective cooling performance without activating the coolant system for the battery.
Implementation Method 1
at least one indirect evaporator
Implementation Method 2
at least one indirect condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for a fuel cell electric vehicle includes a first circuit designed as a compact cooler unit with an indirect evaporator and indirect condenser. A low-temperature second circuit includes a first partial circuit cooling fuel cell electronic control components, a second partial circuit cooling the electric drive system electronic components, and a third partial circuit through the indirect condenser. A third circuit cools the traction battery. A fourth circuit (high-temperature) flows around the fuel cells. A control device controls operation of liquid coolant pumps in the circuits and of controllable valves for controlling the liquid flow in the secondary circuit. The second and third circuits are connected to one another via a first controllable valve, which is arranged as the only control valve in the second circuit.