Vehicle Energy Storage Tank With Movable Partition for Brake Recuperation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved energy recuperation and cooling solutions in vehicles, particularly for vehicles with electrical energy supply systems, where energy recuperation from braking and efficient cooling of fuel cell systems are essential.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system comprising an energy storage tank with a movable partition, a biasing device, a heat transfer fluid duct, and a fluid control assembly, which allows for the storage of energy in both thermal and mechanical forms using recuperated energy from braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If energy is recuperated from braking and stored in a battery, then energy utilization efficiency is improved, but the system complexity and cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermal energy storage and mechanical energy storage into a single integrated tank system. The heat transfer fluid stores thermal energy from the battery cooling system, while the biasing device stores mechanical energy from the motor. This merging of multiple energy storage functions into one system reduces overall system complexity while improving energy utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage tank serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal energy storage device for battery cooling, a mechanical energy storage device for motor assistance, and a fluid reservoir. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle both thermal management and energy recuperation through a single integrated system rather than separate systems.
2Reliability
If a fuel cell system is cooled to maintain nominal operation temperature, then system reliability is improved, but energy is consumed for cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste thermal energy generated during braking into useful thermal energy storage. The heat transfer fluid absorbs thermal energy from the battery cooling system and stores it in the second volume, converting what would be waste heat into a useful resource that can later be used for heating or preheating applications, thereby reducing the energy needed for active cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the heat transfer fluid dynamically. The heat transfer arrangement heats or cools the fluid in the second volume based on system needs, allowing the stored thermal energy to be utilized for different temperature requirements throughout the vehicle, thereby reducing overall energy consumption for thermal management.
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 stores recuperated energy from braking in the form of thermal and mechanical energy, enabling its use for cooling and propulsion, thus enhancing the efficiency of energy utilization in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
movement of the partition away from the minimum energy storage position corresponds to storing energy in the biasing device, and movement towards the minimum energy storage position corresponds to releasing energy from the biasing device
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer arrangement arranged for altering the temperature of the heat transfer fluid from a first temperature when in the first volume to a second temperature when in the second volume
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an energy storage tank (10) defining a tank volume for said heat transfer fluid, and comprising a partition (12) dividing said tank volume into a first volume (V1) and a second volume (V2), wherein said partition (12) is movable to/from any position between a minimum energy storage position corresponding to a minimum second volume (V2), and a maximum energy storage position corresponding to a maximum second volume (V2), said energy storage tank further comprising a biasing device (18) being arranged such that movement of the partition (12) away from said minimum energy storage position corresponds to storing energy in said biasing device (18), and movement towards the minimum energy storage position corresponds to releasing energy from said biasing device (18); said energy storage system further comprising a heat transfer fluid duct (20) connecting said first volume (V1) and said second volume (V2), and a heat transfer arrangement (40) arranged for altering the temperature of the transfer fluid from a first temperature when in the first volume (V1) to a second temperature when in the second volume (V2), and said energy storage system (100) further comprising a fluid control assembly (30) for providing a pressure implying a flow of said heat transfer fluid from said first volume (V1) to said second volume (V2) via said heat transfer fluid duct (20).