Vehicle and method for controlling a variable speed water pump
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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, lacking responsiveness to other critical parameters.
Innovation Solution
A variable speed water pump management system that incorporates a controller communicatively coupled with sensors to determine water pump operating speed based on coolant temperature, ambient temperature, vehicle state, and other parameters, allowing for adaptive control strategies beyond traditional temperature-based approaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If variable speed water pump control is based only on engine oil temperature and coolant temperature, then the control system is simple, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient under diverse operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The water pump control system transitions from static temperature-based control to dynamic multi-parameter control. The controller continuously adjusts pump speed based on real-time inputs from multiple sensors including ambient temperature, vehicle speed, engine load, and temperature sensors, enabling the system to adapt to changing operating conditions and optimize cooling efficiency dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to serve multiple cooling functions simultaneously. It manages the primary engine cooling loop while also supporting auxiliary cooling loops for components like urea tanks and HVAC systems. The multi-parameter control strategy enables the single water pump to efficiently serve diverse cooling requirements across different operating scenarios
2Loss of energy
If traditional constant speed water pump is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but parasitic losses on the engine increase when peak coolant flow is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The water pump is converted from constant speed to variable speed operation. The controller modulates pump speed based on actual cooling demand determined by multiple parameters including ambient temperature, vehicle speed, and thermal load. This dynamic speed adjustment reduces parasitic losses by lowering pump speed when full cooling capacity is not required, while maintaining adequate cooling when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the operating parameters of the water pump from fixed to variable. By continuously monitoring multiple sensors and adjusting pump speed as a function of these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between energy consumption and cooling performance, reducing parasitic losses during part-load conditions while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If variable speed water pump with multiple sensors is implemented, then cooling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to serve multiple cooling functions simultaneously. It manages the primary engine cooling loop while also supporting auxiliary cooling loops for components like urea tanks and HVAC systems. The multi-parameter control strategy enables the single water pump to efficiently serve diverse cooling requirements across different operating scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements comprehensive feedback control by continuously monitoring multiple parameters through dedicated sensors and adjusting water pump speed in response. Temperature sensors, ambient temperature sensors, and vehicle speed sensors provide feedback to the controller, which modulates pump operation to maintain optimal cooling efficiency while adapting to changing thermal and operational conditions
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
Enhances cooling system efficiency by optimizing water pump speed in response to various operating conditions, reducing power consumption and maintaining optimal engine temperatures while supporting additional cooling loops for components like urea tanks and HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
water (or other coolant) is fed through the engine block and then through a radiator by a water pump to dissipate excess heat
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.