Vehicle Cooling Circuit Split for Fuel Cell and Brake Heat Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling systems for vehicles with fuel cells struggle to provide adequate cooling capacity during braking, as the coolant temperature is limited by the fuel cell's maximum cooling temperature, resulting in reduced cooling capacity compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a series-connected circuit comprising a first heat source (fuel cell) and a second heat source (retarder) with separate radiators and a hydraulic switch, allowing for independent cooling of each heat source at different temperature levels, thereby enhancing cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the cooling system is enlarged (radiator and pumps) to increase cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the cost and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate cooling circuits: a first cooling circuit for the fuel cell and a second cooling circuit for the brake cooling device. Each circuit operates independently with its own pump and radiator, allowing optimized cooling capacity for each component without requiring an oversized unified system. This segmentation enables the second circuit to provide high cooling capacity during braking without increasing the overall system cost and space requirement.
2Reliability
If the coolant temperature is kept below the maximum cooling temperature of the fuel cell, then the fuel cell is protected from damage, but the cooling capacity for the brake is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent circuits that can operate separately. The first circuit maintains coolant temperature below the fuel cell's maximum cooling temperature to protect it, while the second circuit independently provides high-temperature cooling (90-105°C) for the brake cooling device. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to receive appropriate cooling without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic switch serves as an intermediary device that controls the connection between the first and second cooling circuits. During braking operations, the hydraulic switch isolates the second circuit from the first, allowing the brake cooling device to operate at high temperatures without affecting the fuel cell temperature. This intermediary mechanism enables independent temperature control for each heat source.
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 a significantly greater cooling capacity for the second heat source during braking, while maintaining the first heat source's temperature below its limit, thus preventing overheating and optimizing cooling capacity utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a first radiator (4a) and a second radiator (4b). The first heat source (3a), the first radiator (4a), the second heat source (3b) and the second radiator (4b) are connected in series in the cooling circuit
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic switch (6), which divides the cooling circuit into a first partial circuit (2a) with the first heat source (3a) and the first radiator (4a) and into a second partial circuit (2b) with the second heat source (3b) and the second radiator (4b)
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for a vehicle may include a cooling circuit through which a coolant is flowable. The cooling circuit may include a first heat source, a first radiator, a second heat source, a second radiator, and a hydraulic switch. The first heat source may be coolable at a lower temperature level. The second heat source may be coolable at a higher temperature level. The first heat source, the first radiator, the second heat source, and the second radiator may be connected in series with one another in the cooling circuit. The hydraulic switch may divide the cooling circuit into (i) a first partial circuit with the first heat source and the first radiator and (ii) a second partial circuit with the second heat source and the second radiator.