Cooling device for electric vehicle with fuel cell

• US 6,448,535 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Ap, Ngy Srun
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeffery, John A.
• Application Number:
  US09/546,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20020040896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 219/208, 219/202, 392/496, 165/41, 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.8, 237/12.3 R, 237/12.3 B, 622/44, 429/26, 429/120
• US Class Current: 219/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/02 with liquid cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0053 relating to fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/33 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/34 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A cooling device for a vehicle with an electric motor powered by a fuel cell has a first cooling loop suitable for cooling the fuel cell and traversed by a first cooling fluid, a second cooling loop suitable for cooling at least the electric motor and traversed by a second cooling fluid, and a heat exchanger interposed between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop.

Claims

1. A cooling device for a vehicle with an electric motor powered by a fuel cell, the cooling device comprising a first cooling loop suitable for cooling the fuel cell and traversed by a first cooling fluid, a second cooling loop suitable for cooling at least the electric motor and traversed by a second cooling fluid, a fan heater for heating a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger interposed between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop, wherein the fan heater is separate and distinct from the heat exchanger.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the cooling loop comprises thermal regulation means for keeping the cooling loop in an ice-free condition.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the thermal regulation means comprise at least one electric heating resistance element integrated into a receptacle traversed by the first cooling fluid.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the receptacle is a filling and outgassing vessel integrated into the first cooling loop.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first cooling loop comprises an electric pump suitable for putting the first cooling fluid into circulation.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second cooling loop comprises a cooling radiator traversed by the second cooling fluid and suitable for being swept by a flow of air.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the second cooling loop further comprises a heat exchanger for cooling at least one auxiliary unit of the fuel cell.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second cooling loop comprises the fan heater for heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second cooling loop comprises an electric pump suitable for putting the second cooling fluid into circulation.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger interposed between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop is produced essentially from stainless steel.

18. The device of claim 9, wherein the second cooling loop comprises a fan heater for heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

11. A cooling device for a vehicle with an electric motor powered by a fuel cell, the cooling device comprising a first cooling loop suitable for cooling the fuel cell and traversed by a first cooling fluid, a second cooling loop suitable for cooling at least the electric motor and traversed by a second cooling fluid, and a heat exchanger interposed between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop wherein the second cooling loop comprises a cooling radiator traversed by the second cooling fluid and suitable for being swept by a flow of air wherein the second cooling loop comprises a main branch incorporating the heat exchanger interposed between the first loop and the second loop, a secondary branch incorporating the cooling radiator and a thermostatic valve of the three-way type mounted at the junction of the main branch and of the secondary branch, wherein the second cooling loop moreover comprises a cooling element for cooling the electric motor of the vehicle.

12. The device of claim 11, in which the electric motor is of the alternating-current type and is controlled by a power control, wherein the said cooling element serves for cooling the electric motor and for cooling the power control.

13. The device of claim 11, in which the said cooling element for cooling the electric motor is incorporated into the main branch of the second cooling loop.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the said heat exchanger for cooling the electric motor is incorporated into a diversion from the main branch of the second cooling loop.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the second cooling loop further comprises a heat exchanger for cooling at least one auxiliary unit of the fuel cell.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the said heat exchanger for cooling the auxiliary unit is incorporated into the secondary branch of the second cooling loop.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the said heat exchanger for cooling the auxiliary unit is incorporated into a diversion from the main branch of the second cooling loop.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein the second cooling loop comprises an electric pump suitable for putting the second cooling fluid into circulation.

20. The device of claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger interposed between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop is produced essentially from stainless steel.

21. A cooling device for a vehicle with an electric motor powered by a fuel cell, the cooling device comprising a first cooling loop suitable for cooling the fuel cell and traversed by a first cooling fluid, a second cooling loop suitable for cooling at least the electric motor and traversed by a second cooling fluid, a heat exchanger interposed between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop, and a means for thermal insulation of the first cooling loop.

22. A cooling device for a vehicle with an electric motor powered by a fuel cell, the cooling device comprising a first cooling loop suitable for cooling the fuel cell and traversed by a first cooling fluid, a second cooling loop suitable for cooling at least the electric motor and traversed by a second cooling fluid, and a heat exchanger interposed between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop, wherein the second cooling loop comprises a cooling radiator traversed by the second cooling fluid and suitable for being swept by a flow of air, wherein the second cooling loop comprises a main branch incorporating the heat exchanger interposed between the first loop and the second loop, a secondary branch incorporating the cooling radiator and a thermostatic valve of the three-way type mounted at the junction of the main branch and of the secondary branch.