FUEL CELL/BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

• US 20100258063A1
• Filed: 04/20/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Inventors: THOMPSON, DALE R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,288,048 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/41.190
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/63 Control systems charging or discharging in response to temperature H01M10/44 , H01M10/443; measurement of temperature H01M10/48 , H01M10/486
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6567 Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6568 characterised by flow circuits, e.g. loops, located externally to the cells or cell casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6569 Fluids undergoing a liquid-gas phase change or transition, e.g. evaporation or condensation heat pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/663 the system being an air-conditioner or an engine
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04059 Evaporative processes for the cooling of a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A thermal management system is disclosed for a hybrid vehicle having an electrochemical power source (battery/fuel cell) and an internal combustion engine. In cooling mode, the system will flow liquid refrigerant over an evaporator attached to the battery/fuel cell, a two-phase mixture will then flow to the condenser where the heat is dissipated to ambient. In cold conditions where the battery/fuel cell needs to be warmed, the system will pick up heat from the engine and pump the warm fluid back to the battery/fuel cell until its optimal operating temperature is reached.

Claims

1. A thermal management system for a hybrid vehicle having an electrochemical power source and an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

a first heat exchanger associated with the electrochemical power source;

a second heat exchanger associated with the engine;

a third heat exchanger capable of dissipating heat to an ambient;

a pump for moving a vaporizable fluid through the system;

a vapor separator and an accumulator;

the vapor separator positioned between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger;

the vapor separator adapted to direct vapororized fluid to the third heat exchanger and liquid fluid to the accumulator;

a temperature sensor capable of sensing the temperature of the electrochemical power source;

a valve selectively directing the fluid to the first heat exchanger in a cooling mode when the temperature of the electrochemical power source is above a predetermined temperature and directing the fluid to the second heat exchanger and then to the first heat exchanger in a heating mode when the temperature of the electrochemical power source is at or below a predetermined first temperature.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical power source is a battery or a fuel cell.

3. The system of claim 1, where each heat exchanger is either a condenser/evaporator or a cold/hot plate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system does not include a compressor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a two-phase refrigerant.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a dielectric material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is hermetically sealed within the system.

8. A thermal management system for a hybrid vehicle having an electrochemical power source and an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

a thermal circuit loop having a vaporizable refrigerant fluid flowing therethrough, the thermal circuit loop compring a first cold plate associated with the electrochemical power source, a second cold plate associated with a heat source, a condenser dissipating heat to an ambient, and a pump for moving the fluid through the thermal circuit;

a temperature sensor capable of sensing the temperature of the electrochemical power source;

a bypass valve in the thermal circuit loop selectively directing the fluid to bypass the second cold plate in a cooling mode when the temperature of the electrochemical power source is above a predetermined temperature and directing the fluid to the second cold plate in a heating mode when the temperature of the electrochemical power source is at or below a predetermined first temperature.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a vapor separator and an accumulator, the vapor separator positioned between the first cold plate and the condensor;

the vapor separator adapted to direct vaporized fluid to the condensor and liquid fluid to the accumulator, bypassing the condenser.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the heat source is the internal combustion engine of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the electrochemical power source is a battery or a fuel cell.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the system does not include a compressor.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the fluid is a two-phase refrigerant.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the fluid is a dielectric material.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the fluid is hermetically sealed within the system.