Thermal Management Pump Calibration for Adaptive Fluid Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal management systems in marine and industrial applications require manual calibration, which is time-consuming and resource-intensive, and are not adaptable to unique configurations.

Innovation Solution

A computer system with processing circuitry that automates the calibration of fluid flow in thermal management systems by using a stored map of fluid flow rates and adjusting pump operation based on system data and measured properties to achieve the required flow rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calibration is used for thermal management systems with unique configurations, then calibration accuracy can be achieved, but calibration time and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal management system performs self-calibration by automatically determining pump calibration values based on measured fluid flow rates and operating conditions. The processing circuitry compares measured flow rates with expected flow rates from maps and iteratively adjusts pump calibration values without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to calibrate itself efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the calibration parameters of the pump by adjusting pump calibration values in an iterative process. The processing circuitry modifies these parameters based on the difference between measured and expected fluid flow rates, allowing the system to adapt to unique configurations automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If manual calibration is performed for each unique configuration, then system performance can be optimized, but resource consumption and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidcalibration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines pump calibration values by measuring fluid flow rates and comparing them with expected values from pre-stored maps. This self-calibration process eliminates the need for manual calibration procedures and external verification, reducing calibration complexity while maintaining system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The processing circuitry uses feedback from measured fluid flow rates to adjust pump calibration values. By continuously monitoring the difference between measured and expected flow rates, the system iteratively refines calibration parameters, ensuring optimal performance without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If pre-defined configurations are used for thermal management systems, then installation time is reduced, but adaptability to unique configurations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains adaptability to unique configurations by automatically determining pump calibration values based on measured fluid flow rates and operating conditions. The processing circuitry adjusts calibration parameters iteratively, allowing the system to adapt to any configuration while keeping installation time short.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pre-stored maps of expected fluid flow rates as a foundation for calibration. These preliminary data provide a starting point that speeds up the calibration process, while the subsequent iterative adjustment based on actual measurements ensures adaptability to unique configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4610498A1A method for calibrating a thermal management system and a thermal management system
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 VOLVO PENTA AB
  • EP4610498A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4610498A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4610498A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A computer-implemented method (2) and a computer system (500) for calibrating a flow of fluid in a thermal management system (5) the thermal management system (5) comprising at least one pump (10) and a stored map (14) of fluid flow rates provided by the at least one pump (10) as a function of a predetermined input parameter (P) and pump speed. The method (2) comprises obtaining (S 1) data about a status of the thermal management system (5), determining (S2) a required fluid flow rate of the at least one pump (10) based on the obtained data, operating (S3) the at least one pump (10), based on the stored map (14) and on measured properties, to provide a current fluid flow rate. The method further comprises monitoring (S4) the current fluid flow rate, and if the current fluid flow rate is different from the required fluid flow rate, controlling (S5) the at least one pump (10) such that the current fluid flow rate approaches the required fluid flow rate. The disclosure further comprises a thermal management system (5) and a marine vessel (6) or an electric machine (6) comprising the thermal management system (5).