Single Duct Cooling for Electric Powertrain Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for electric transport vehicles, particularly those with traction chains, are bulky due to multiple air circulation ducts for separate cooling devices, which increases size and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

Integration of all cooling devices within a single air circulation duct with a single fan to circulate air, reducing bulk and improving reliability while minimizing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate cooling devices are used for power supply module, transformer, and braking rheostat, then each component can be cooled independently, but the overall system bulk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidcooling system bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges three separate cooling devices (for power supply module, transformer, and braking rheostat) into a single integrated cooling device with one air circulation duct. This consolidation maintains the ability to cool all three components while significantly reducing the overall system bulk and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single air circulation duct serves multiple functions by cooling three different components simultaneously. The duct is designed with specific sections and flow paths that allow it to effectively cool the power supply module, transformer, and braking rheostat, making it a multi-functional cooling solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate air circulation ducts are used for each cooling device, then each component receives dedicated cooling, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines three separate air circulation ducts into a single duct system, reducing the total number of components that require power for operation. This consolidation leads to lower energy consumption while maintaining effective cooling for all three components through optimized air flow paths within the unified duct.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate cooling devices are deployed, then comprehensive cooling coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates three separate cooling devices into one unified cooling system with a single air circulation duct. This merging reduces the number of separate components, simplifies the overall system architecture, and makes installation and maintenance easier, while still providing comprehensive cooling coverage for all three components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution results in a more compact cooling system with reduced energy consumption and enhanced reliability by using a single air circulation duct to manage heat dissipation for the power supply module, transformer, and braking rheostat, thereby addressing the bulkiness and inefficiency of traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

a fan (48) configured to circulate a flow of air inside said air circulation duct (46)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a braking rheostat (18) adapted to dissipate the electrical energy resulting from the braking of a transport vehicle (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3398826B1Cooling system of a power chain for a transport vehicle, associated power chain and electric transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3398826B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

This cooling system (20) is intended for a powertrain (12) of an electric transport vehicle (10), the powertrain (12) comprising a power supply module (14) for an electric motor, an electrical transformer (16) and a braking rheostat (18). The cooling system (20) includes a first cooling device (40) for at least partially removing heat dissipated by the power supply module (14), a second cooling device (42) for at least partially removing heat dissipated by the transformer (16), and a third cooling device (44) for at least partially removing heat dissipated by the rheostat (18).The first (40), second (42) and third (44) cooling devices are arranged inside a single air circulation duct (46), the cooling system (20) comprising said duct and a fan (48) to generate an airflow in said duct.