HYBRID THERMAL SYSTEM WITH DEVICE-SPECIFIC CONTROL LOGIC
First Claim
1. A hybrid thermal system comprising:
- a plurality of fluid-cooled devices;
a thermal loop having;
a cooling actuator configured to circulate a cooling fluid to the fluid-cooled devices; and
a fluid passage that connects the cooling actuator to the fluid-cooled devices, and that conducts the cooling fluid to and from the fluid-cooled devices; and
a controller in communication with the fluid-cooled devices and with the cooling actuator, and having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded device-specific control logic for arbitrating between cooling requests from each of the fluid-cooled devices;
wherein the controller is configured to execute the control logic via the processor to thereby cause the controller to;
receive, for each of the fluid-cooled devices, a raw speed request and a noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limit;
process the raw speed requests and NVH limits, including determining a relative cooling priority for each of the fluid-cooled devices; and
output a speed command to the cooling actuator to thereby cool the fluid-cooled devices at a level required by the fluid-cooled device having the highest relative cooling priority.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal system includes fluid-cooled devices, a controller, and a thermal loop or loops each having a cooling actuator and fluid passages. The controller executes device-specific control logic to arbitrate between cooling requests having different relative priorities. The controller receives raw speed requests and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for each device, and processes the raw speed requests and NVH limits to determine a relative cooling priority for each device. The controller outputs a speed command to the actuator(s) for each thermal loop in order to cool the devices at a level required by the device having the highest relative cooling priority. A vehicle includes a traction motor, a transmission that is selectively connected to the traction motor, fluid-cooled devices each in electrical communication with the motor, and a controller configured to execute the arbitration method noted above.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A hybrid thermal system comprising:
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a plurality of fluid-cooled devices; a thermal loop having; a cooling actuator configured to circulate a cooling fluid to the fluid-cooled devices; and a fluid passage that connects the cooling actuator to the fluid-cooled devices, and that conducts the cooling fluid to and from the fluid-cooled devices; and a controller in communication with the fluid-cooled devices and with the cooling actuator, and having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded device-specific control logic for arbitrating between cooling requests from each of the fluid-cooled devices; wherein the controller is configured to execute the control logic via the processor to thereby cause the controller to; receive, for each of the fluid-cooled devices, a raw speed request and a noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limit; process the raw speed requests and NVH limits, including determining a relative cooling priority for each of the fluid-cooled devices; and output a speed command to the cooling actuator to thereby cool the fluid-cooled devices at a level required by the fluid-cooled device having the highest relative cooling priority. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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circulating a cooling fluid through a fluid passage to at least one fluid-cooled device in each of a first and a second thermal loop via a first and second cooling actuator, respectively; and arbitrating, via a controller, cooling requests from each of the fluid-cooled devices, including; receiving, for each of the fluid-cooled devices, a raw speed request and a noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limit; processing the raw speed requests and NVH limits, including determining a relative cooling priority for each of the fluid-cooled devices; and transmitting a speed command to each of the first and second cooling actuators to thereby cool the fluid-cooled devices in each of the first and second thermal loops at a level required by the fluid-cooled device having the highest relative cooling priority in that particular thermal loop. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A vehicle comprising:
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an electric traction motor having an output member; a transmission having an input member that is selectively connected to the output member of the electric traction motor; a plurality of fluid-cooled devices each in electrical communication with the electric traction motor; a first thermal loop having; a pump configured to circulate coolant; and conduit connecting the pump to the fluid-cooled devices cooled via the first thermal loop, and conducting the coolant to and from the fluid-cooled devices in the first thermal loop; a second thermal loop having; a fan configured to circulate air; and air ducts connecting the fan to the fluid-cooled devices that are cooled via the second thermal loop, and conducting the air to and from the fluid-cooled devices in the second thermal loop; and a controller in communication with the fluid-cooled devices of the first and second thermal loops, the pump, and the fan, and having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded device-specific control logic for arbitrating between cooling requests from each of the fluid-cooled devices; wherein the controller is configured to execute the device-specific control logic via the processor to thereby cause the processor to; receive, for each of the fluid-cooled devices, a raw speed request and a noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limit; process the raw speed requests and NVH limits, including determining a relative cooling priority for each of the fluid-cooled devices; and output a speed command to the pump and to the fan to thereby cool the fluid-cooled devices at a level required by the fluid-cooled device having the highest relative cooling priority for that particular thermal loop. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification