Variable-Speed Water Pump Control Using Driveline Torque Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable speed water pumps in internal combustion engines primarily rely on engine oil temperature and coolant temperature for control strategies, failing to account for other critical parameters like driveline torque, which can affect cooling efficiency and engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitor driveline torque to adjust the speed of a variable-speed pump providing coolant flow to a gearbox cooler, with threshold time-based adjustments to increase pump speed in response to varying torque levels, ensuring optimal coolant flow and engine temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If variable speed water pumps are used to reduce parasitic losses on the engine, then energy efficiency is improved, but cooling effectiveness may deteriorate when high coolant flow is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The water pump operates at variable speeds rather than constant speed, allowing the system to adapt coolant flow to actual thermal conditions. The pump controller dynamically adjusts pump speed based on real-time monitoring of coolant temperature and engine operating conditions, ensuring optimal cooling performance while minimizing parasitic losses during low-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback control mechanism where the pump controller continuously monitors coolant temperature and engine operating parameters, then adjusts pump speed accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that cooling effectiveness is maintained when needed while allowing energy savings during low-demand conditions.
2Loss of energy
If pump speed is reduced to save energy, then parasitic losses are decreased, but coolant flow rate is reduced which may compromise cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The water pump transitions from constant speed operation to variable speed operation, enabling the system to optimize the balance between energy consumption and coolant flow rate. The pump controller adjusts pump speed dynamically based on actual cooling demands, reducing parasitic losses during low-demand periods while maintaining adequate flow rates when thermal conditions require enhanced cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter of pump speed from a fixed value to a variable parameter that is continuously adjusted based on cooling requirements. This allows the system to optimize the trade-off between energy loss and coolant flow rate by adapting pump speed to match actual thermal demands.
3Device complexity
If traditional temperature-based control is used, then cooling system simplicity is maintained, but responsiveness to other critical parameters like driveline torque is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pump controller is designed to respond to multiple types of inputs including coolant temperature, engine operating conditions, and driveline torque. This multi-functional control capability allows the system to adapt to diverse operating scenarios beyond what traditional temperature-only control can achieve, while the controller integrates these multiple inputs into a unified control strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively adjusts pump speed in response to driveline torque conditions before thermal crises develop. By monitoring torque as a leading indicator of upcoming high-load conditions, the system can pre-adjust coolant flow to prevent overheating, rather than merely reacting to temperature changes after they occur.
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 enhances cooling efficiency by dynamically responding to driveline torque, improving engine performance and reducing energy losses by optimizing coolant flow based on real-time operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A variable-speed pump is configured to provide coolant flow to a gear box cooler
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for providing an improved strategy for controlling a variable speed water pump in a vehicle. In some embodiments, more than one water pump speed function is calculated based on values obtained from vehicle sensors, and a controller chooses among the water pump speed function results to set a water pump speed. In some embodiments, the water pump speed is increased when driveline torque is greater than a threshold amount for an amount of time that varies based on the driveline torque. In some embodiments, ambient temperature is considered while determining whether the water pump should provide full coolant flow to an auxiliary coolant loop of a trailer.