Thermoelectric Dual-Use Cooling for Engine and Electronics Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for vehicles require separate systems for engines and electronics due to large temperature differences, leading to increased complexity, cost, and weight, as well as reduced efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A single cooling system utilizing a thermoelectric cooling device, such as a solid-state Peltier heat pump, to manage temperature gradients between engines and electronics, with a thermoelectric generator converting waste heat into power to support the cooling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling systems are used for engine and electronics, then temperature control reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate cooling systems into a single integrated cooling system that serves both the engine and electronic components. The engine coolant system is used to cool both the engine and electronics through heat exchangers, reducing the number of separate systems while maintaining effective temperature control for both high-temperature engine components and low-temperature electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine coolant system is designed to perform multiple functions: cooling the engine directly and cooling electronic components through heat exchangers. This multi-functional approach allows a single cooling system to handle different temperature requirements of various components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If separate cooling systems are used for engine and electronics, then temperature control effectiveness is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate cooling systems into one integrated system where the engine coolant loop serves dual purposes. By combining the cooling functions, the total weight of cooling system components (pumps, radiators, hoses, reservoirs) is reduced while maintaining effective temperature control through strategic placement of heat exchangers.
3Device complexity
If a single cooling system is used for engine and electronics, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control capability deteriorates due to temperature gradient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat exchangers as intermediary devices between the engine coolant system and electronic components. These heat exchangers act as mediators that transfer heat from electronic components to the engine coolant, enabling temperature control of electronics without direct thermal contact and preserving the temperature gradient between engine and electronic cooling zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into different thermal zones using heat exchangers. The engine coolant system maintains a hot zone for engine cooling while heat exchangers create a separate thermal pathway for electronic component cooling. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of different components within a single integrated system.
4Reliability
If multiple separate cooling systems are used, then temperature control precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate cooling systems into a single integrated system, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while preserving temperature control precision through the use of heat exchangers that enable independent thermal management of different components.
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 approach reduces the need for separate cooling systems, improving efficiency, reliability, and reducing weight and complexity while enabling effective temperature control of both engine and electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
use of a thermoelectric cooling device, such as a solid-state Peltier heat pump, enables driving heat against a temperature gradient
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger to receive heat from a hot side of the thermoelectric cooling device
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger to remove heat from a coolant
Implementation Method 4
a thermoelectric generator may be used to convert some of the waste heat from the electronic components and the engine as power
Data Source
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AI summary
Cooling systems and methods of use are disclosed. A particular method includes routing at least a first portion of a coolant stream from a first heat exchanger to a second heat exchanger to receive heat from a hot side of a thermoelectric cooling device. The method also includes cooling one or more electronic devices using a cold side of the thermoelectric cooling device. The method also includes routing at least a second portion of the coolant stream to an engine.