Patent Application
20080242211
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for operation of an energy source and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for ventilating the energy source.
In various fields and industries, energy sources are widely used. Fuel cell systems are being proposed as a replacement for many traditional energy sources. In particular, automotive manufacturers have designed and developed vehicles that use fuel cell systems as an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to an internal combustion engine. In a typical fuel cell vehicle, fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to charge batteries or to provide power for an electric motor.
Fuel cell vehicles that utilize a battery require a cooling system to control a temperature of the battery and prevent damage thereto. The cooling system is necessary because the battery generates heat during a charging and discharging thereof. Specifically, when fuel cell vehicles travel at slower speeds or are idle, a sufficient flow of external air is not provided to flow over and around the battery and maintain a desired temperature level. Thus, it is necessary to induce a flow of air to cool the battery. Typically, a battery ventilator is used to induce the flow of air. The battery ventilator typically draws air from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Often, an opening under the driver's seat is used. The ventilator then “pushes” the air downstream through a conduit to the battery or a battery compartment. The battery ventilator normally includes a ventilator fan and a housing.
The battery ventilator is typically between the opening from the passenger compartment and the battery. The close proximity of the battery ventilator to the opening from the passenger compartment exposes passengers in the passenger compartment of the vehicle to noise emitted by the fan, and to noise caused by the air being drawn into the opening. The noise exposure is contrary to an objective of automobile manufacturers to minimize the noise entering the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
It would be desirable to develop a method and apparatus for ventilating an energy source that is compliant with a desired noise level, and militates against damage to or a shortening of a life of the energy source, and which is simple to manufacture and install.
In concordance and agreement with the present invention, a method and apparatus for ventilating an energy source that is compliant with a desired noise level and militates against damage to or a shortening of a life of the energy source, and which is simple to manufacture and install, has surprisingly been discovered.
In one embodiment, the method for ventilating an energy source comprises the steps of providing a source of fluid; providing a ventilator; providing a housing for an energy source, the housing having an inlet and an outlet formed therein, the inlet in fluid communication with the source of fluid and the outlet in fluid communication with the ventilator; and causing a fluid to flow from the source of fluid, through the housing, and through the ventilator to ventilate the housing.
In another embodiment, a method for ventilating an energy source in a fuel cell system comprises the steps of providing a ventilator; providing a housing for an energy source, the housing having an inlet and an outlet formed therein, the inlet in fluid communication with a passenger compartment of a vehicle and the outlet in fluid communication with the ventilator; and causing air to flow from the passenger compartment of the vehicle, through the housing, and through the ventilator to ventilate the housing.
In another embodiment, an apparatus for ventilating an energy source in a fuel cell system comprises a source of fluid; a housing for the energy source, the housing having an inlet and an outlet formed therein, the inlet in fluid communication with the source of fluid; a ventilator in fluid communication with the outlet of the housing, wherein the ventilator causes a fluid, from the source of fluid, to flow through the housing to ventilate the housing.
A method and apparatus for ventilating an energy source for a fuel cell system is particularly useful for cooling a high voltage battery in a fuel cell vehicle.
The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings described in which:
The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. It is understood that materials other than those described can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, are not necessary or critical. Although use with a fuel cell system is disclosed herein for exemplary purposes, it is understood that the invention can be used otherwise as desired such as for any energy source, for example.
The housing 12 includes an inlet section 16 and an outlet section 18 formed therein. In the embodiment shown, the inlet section 16 and the outlet section 18 are formed on opposing ends of the housing 12. The inlet section 16 is formed on an upstream side of the housing 12 and the outlet section 18 is formed on a downstream side of the housing 12. It is understood that the inlet section 16 and the outlet section 18 may be formed elsewhere on the housing 12, if desired.
The inlet section 16 is in fluid communication with a source of fluid such as a passenger compartment 26 illustrated in
The ventilator 14 includes a fluid transfer device (not shown). It is understood that the fluid transfer device can be any conventional fluid transfer device known in the art such as a fan, a pump, or a turbine, for example. The ventilator 14 may be produced from any conventional material such as polypropylene, for example. In the embodiment shown in
An inlet 28 and an outlet 30 are formed in the ventilator 14. The inlet 28 is formed on an upstream side of the ventilator 14 and the outlet 30 is formed on a downstream side of the ventilator 14. It is understood that the inlet 28 and the outlet 30 may be formed elsewhere on the ventilator 14, if desired. The inlet 28 is in fluid communication with the housing 12 through the outlet conduit 24. The ventilator 14 can be in direct fluid communication with the housing 12, if desired. The outlet 30 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere. However, the outlet 30 may be connected to a contaminant treatment system or other system or element.
As illustrated in
It is desirable for the apparatus 10 to be installed to maximize a distance between the aperture 38 and the ventilator 14. The apparatus 10 can be assembled using commonly known joining methods such as fasteners, clips, epoxy, and the like, for example.
In operation, the ventilator 14 causes the fluid, typically air, to flow from the passenger compartment 26, through the aperture 38, into the inlet conduit 22, and through the housing 12. Once the fluid has flowed through the housing 12, the fluid flows to the ventilator 14 through the outlet conduit 24. The fluid is then exhausted from the ventilator 14 to the atmosphere or other system or element as desired. Due to the flow of air though the housing 12, a temperature in the housing 12 is maintained at or about a temperature of the passenger compartment 26 or other source of fluid. Additionally, since the distance between the aperture 38 and the ventilator 14 is maximized, noise entering the passenger compartment 26 or other source of fluid from the ventilator is minimized.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.
