Thermal management systems and methods
First Claim
1. A thermal management system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein;
a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electro-chemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger;
a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger, the first and second loops configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media;
an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electro-chemical storage device; and
a second heat exchanger provided in the first coolant loop.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein, a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electrochemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger, and a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger. The first and second coolant loops are configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media. The thermal management system also includes an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electrochemical storage device. Thermal management methods are also provided.
186 Citations
43 Claims
-
1. A thermal management system for a vehicle, comprising:
-
a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein; a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electro-chemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger; a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger, the first and second loops configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media; an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electro-chemical storage device; and a second heat exchanger provided in the first coolant loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A thermal management system for a vehicle, comprising:
-
a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein; a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electro-chemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger; a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger, the first and second loops configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media; an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electro-chemical storage device; a second heat exchanger provided in the first coolant loop, wherein, in operation, thermal energy transfer medium flowing in the first coolant loop is selectively flowed through the second heat exchanger to reduce a temperature TBatt to within a predetermined temperature range; a bypass fluid path configured to deliver the thermal energy transfer medium circulating in the first coolant loop, bypassing the heat exchanger, to the electro-chemical storage device; and first and second pumps to enable circulation of the thermal energy transfer media provided in the respective first and second coolant loops. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A thermal management system for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
-
a first fluid loop having a first coolant mixture flowing therein; a battery module located in the first fluid loop; a second fluid loop having a second coolant mixture flowing therein, the second coolant mixture being distinct from the first coolant mixture; a heat exchanger including; a wall defining a chamber; a fluid flow passage inside the chamber, the fluid flow passage defining a portion of the first fluid loop; heat exchange tubing defining a portion of the second fluid loop, the heat exchange tubing being inside the chamber but not being in fluid communication with the fluid flow passage inside the chamber; a flexible pouch in the chamber, and phase change material in the pouch, the pouch being capable of expanding and contracting as the phase change material therein undergoes changes in density because of phase transitions; and phase change material in the flexible pouch; and a thermal interface configured to transfer heat produced by an internal combustion engine of the vehicle to the heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A thermal management system for a vehicle, comprising:
-
a heat exchanger means having a means for storing thermal energy; a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electrical energy storage means located within the first coolant loop; a second coolant loop, the first and second coolant loops being thermally coupled to the heat exchanger means and configured to carry a thermal energy transfer medium; an interface means for enabling transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger means in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electro-chemical storage means; and a second heat exchanger means provided in the first coolant loop. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. A vehicle comprising:
-
a heat exchanger; a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electro-chemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger; a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger, the first and second loops configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media; an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electro-chemical storage device; a second heat exchanger provided in the first coolant loop, wherein, in operation, thermal energy transfer medium flowing in the first coolant loop is selectively flowed through the second heat exchanger to reduce a temperature TBatt to within a predetermined temperature range; a bypass fluid path configured to selectively deliver the thermal energy transfer medium circulating in the first coolant loop, bypassing the heat exchanger, to the electro-chemical storage device; and first and second pumps to enable circulation of the thermal energy transfer media provided in the respective first and second coolant loops. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
-
-
39. A vehicle comprising:
-
an internal combustion engine; a heat exchanger; a first coolant loop thermally coupled to a battery located within the first coolant loop; a second coolant loop, the first and second coolant loops being thermally coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to carry a thermal energy transfer medium; an interface for enabling transfer of heat generated by the internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger in order to selectively deliver the heat from the engine to the battery; and a second heat exchanger provided in the first coolant loop. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43)
-
Specification