High-Voltage Cable Raceway Venting for Protected Thermal Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighting vehicles with internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiency, environmental impact, and operational complexity, particularly in transitioning to electrified systems without compromising performance or requiring significant retraining for operators.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrified firefighting vehicle with a hybrid driveline that integrates an energy storage system, high voltage components, and a raceway assembly with thermal regulation features, allowing for seamless operation and charging while maintaining the appearance and control layout of traditional vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high voltage cables are routed through enclosed conduits for safety and protection, then cable protection is improved, but thermal dissipation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is designed with a porous or perforated structure that allows thermal energy to pass through while maintaining physical protection. The porous material or patterned openings enable heat dissipation pathways without compromising the protective enclosure function.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal management intermediary system is introduced between the high voltage cable and the external environment. This intermediary (such as a cooling plate, heat sink, or thermally conductive barrier) facilitates heat transfer while the conduit maintains its protective function.
Solution Approach 3:
The thermal management solution moves from a one-dimensional linear cooling approach to a multi-dimensional heat dissipation system. Heat is dissipated through the conduit walls in radial directions, and/or through dedicated thermal pathways that extend in multiple spatial dimensions.
2Temperature
If thermal management components are added to the raceway assembly, then thermal regulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management function is merged with the existing conduit structure. The conduit itself is designed to perform both protective and thermal management functions, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical protection, thermal management, and structural support. This universal design approach reduces the number of separate components needed in the raceway assembly.
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 solution enhances efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and simplifies operator training by enabling electrified firefighting vehicles to operate identically to their internal combustion engine counterparts, with improved thermal management and charging systems ensuring reliable performance.
Implementation Method 1
the conduit defines a plurality of vents
Implementation Method 2
the raceway assembly includes a cooling element disposed within the conduit
Implementation Method 3
the conduit comprises a thermally conductive material
Implementation Method 4
The fan is configured to drive hot air out of the rack
Data Source
AI summary
An electrified fire fighting vehicle includes a chassis defining a longitudinal length of the electrified fire fighting vehicle, a first high voltage component positioned at a first location along the longitudinal length, a second high voltage component positioned at a second location along the longitudinal length, and a raceway assembly. The raceway assembly includes a conduit and a high voltage cable. The high voltage cable provides power between the first location and the second location. To facilitate thermally regulating the high voltage cable, at least one of (a) the conduit defines a plurality of vents, (b) the raceway assembly includes a cooling element disposed within the conduit, or (c) the conduit comprises a thermally conductive material.