Rail Vehicle Energy Store Cooling via Cabin Air Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cooling energy stores in rail vehicles, such as those powering trams, are not energy efficient enough, particularly when these vehicles operate without external energy supply and experience significant internal heat losses, leading to reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
Directly routing cooled air from an air-conditioned space within the rail vehicle, such as the passenger compartment or driver's cab, to the energy storage device, utilizing the cooler air to enhance heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ambient air is used to cool the energy store, then the cooling system is simple, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient and energy efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system serves dual purposes: maintaining passenger compartment temperature and cooling the energy store. The cooled air from the passenger compartment is routed to the energy store, allowing one system to perform multiple cooling functions simultaneously, thereby improving energy efficiency without adding separate cooling equipment
2Adaptability or versatility
If high-performance energy stores are used to operate rail vehicles without external energy supply, then the vehicle can operate on track sections without overhead lines, but the energy stores heat up due to internal power losses and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the warm air rising from the energy store into a beneficial circulation pattern. By routing cooled air from the passenger compartment over the energy store and allowing it to return warmed to the passenger compartment, the system transforms the harmful heat accumulation into a useful thermal exchange that cools the energy store while simultaneously providing thermal comfort to passengers
3Temperature
If more cooling air is drawn from the cooled space, then the energy store is cooled more effectively, but the cooling or air conditioning of the passenger compartment is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors temperature conditions and adjusts the air routing accordingly. When the energy store requires cooling, the system draws cooled air from the passenger compartment; when passenger comfort is prioritized, the system adjusts or closes the air routing. This feedback mechanism ensures both the energy store and passenger compartment maintain appropriate temperatures
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 method effectively increases the performance and service life of the energy storage by using colder air for cooling, allowing for more efficient heat dissipation and enabling the use of more heavily loaded energy storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
the air is routed directly from an already cooled or air-conditioned room of the rail vehicle to the energy store
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cooling an energy accumulator in a rail vehicle, using air. According to the invention, the air is fed to the energy accumulator directly from an already cooled or air-conditioned area of the rail vehicle. This occurs in particular when the temperature of the area is lower than the external temperature.