Fuel Cell Cooling System Variable-Speed Pump Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for fuel cell assemblies in aircraft are inefficient, particularly when cells have different power levels, as they require multiple cooling systems and control pumps, leading to a larger size and reduced optimization.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a single variable-speed pump and 3-way valves for each cell, allowing for optimized control of cooling fluid flow and temperature, eliminating the need for dedicated control pumps and enabling efficient cooling of cells with varying power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated control pump is provided for each fuel cell, then each cell can be cooled according to its specific power level, but the system size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dedicated control pumps into a single variable-speed pump that serves the entire fuel cell assembly. This single pump is controlled by a control unit that receives temperature signals from each cell and adjusts the overall flow rate accordingly, eliminating the need for multiple separate pumps while maintaining cooling precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The single variable-speed pump is designed to perform the cooling function for multiple fuel cells with different power levels simultaneously. The control unit enables this universal pump to adapt its operation to meet the specific cooling requirements of each cell through centralized control and individual temperature sensing.
2Reliability
If the cooling system is designed for maximum power level, then all cells can be cooled at full power, but the system size is larger than necessary for partial power operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a variable-speed pump that can dynamically adjust its flow rate based on the actual power output of the fuel cells. The control unit receives temperature signals and modifies the pump speed accordingly, allowing the system to provide full cooling capacity when needed while operating at reduced capacity during partial power operation, thus avoiding oversized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter of the cooling fluid based on the operating conditions. The control unit adjusts the flow rate parameter dynamically according to temperature measurements and power level requirements, enabling the same system to adapt to both maximum and partial power operation without requiring multiple systems of different sizes.
3Measurement precision
If multiple control pumps are used for each cell, then precise temperature control is achieved, but the manufacturing cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature control function by providing individual temperature sensors for each fuel cell while using a single centralized pump. Each sensor independently monitors its cell's temperature and sends signals to the control unit, which processes all signals and adjusts the overall flow rate to maintain precise temperature control across all cells without requiring multiple pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the individual temperature sensors and the single variable-speed pump. It receives temperature signals from each cell, processes the information, and controls the pump's operation accordingly, enabling precise temperature control while maintaining system simplicity and reducing manufacturing complexity.
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 achieves precise temperature control and reduced size, ensuring efficient cooling of fuel cell assemblies with cells of different power levels, optimizing overall cooling power and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling heat exchanger configured to be able to provide heat exchanges between said cooling loop and a channel for circulating cooling air drawn in from outside the transport vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a variable-speed pump for supplying said cooling loop with cooling fluid as a function of a measurement representative of the cooling need of said fuel cell assembly
Implementation Method 3
for each fuel cell of said cell assembly, a 3-way valve for regulating the flow rate of cooling fluid supplying this cell as a function of a measurement representative of the cooling need of this cell
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for cooling a fuel cell assembly (10) of a transport vehicle, such as an aircraft, comprising: a cooling fluid circulation loop (20); a cooling heat exchanger (24) configured to be able to provide heat exchanges between said loop (20) and a channel (25) for circulating cooling air (26); a variable-speed pump (21) for supplying said cooling loop with cooling fluid as a function of a measurement representative of the cooling need of said fuel cell assembly; for each fuel cell (10a, 10b, 10c) of said cell assembly, a 3-way valve (12a, 12b, 12c) for regulating the flow rate of cooling fluid supplying this cell as a function of a measurement representative of the cooling need of this cell.