The field is generally related to a pump for switching flow to heat generating or absorbing components.
Pumps are known and commonly used to move fluids, such as coolant in a vehicle. One example is cooling systems with water pumps, which are used for the cooling of different electrical or mechanical components of a vehicle. In hybrid or purely electric vehicles, electrical components need to be cooled. Valves are used to ensure the distribution of the coolant throughout the cooling system. The valves each require an actuator with electrical control and a holder on a component of the vehicle, which results in high component costs.
In some vehicles, more than one cooling loop may be employed to cool heat generating components and to modulate the temperature of the driver cabin. Each loop requires a pump and a valve to direct flow through the appropriate loop.
It is an object of the present disclosure to employ a pump with an integrated valve that can control the flow from the pump through a plurality of outlets using a minimal set of components.
This disclosure relates to a process for cooling a heat generating component of a vehicle comprising pumping coolant from a first pump while a first pump is in a chiller mode in a first loop comprising a component heat exchanger and a chiller module. Coolant is pumped from the first pump while the first pump is in a recirculation mode in a second loop comprising a heater module, and a cabin heat exchanger or back to said component heat exchanger in said first loop. A second pump pumps coolant in the second loop while the second pump is in an isolated mode and from the second loop into the first loop while the second pump is in a linked mode.
The disclosure also relates to an apparatus for cooling a heat generating component of a vehicle comprising a first loop comprising a component heat exchanger and a chiller module and a second loop comprising a heater module and a cabin heat exchanger. A first pump is switchable between a chiller mode and a recirculation mode. The first loop is in downstream communication with the first pump while in the chiller mode, and the second loop or the component heat exchanger is in downstream communication with the first pump while in the recirculation mode.
In an embodiment, a second pump is switchable between an isolated mode and a linked mode. The second loop is in downstream communication with the second pump while in the isolated mode, and the first loop is in downstream communication with the second pump while is in the linked mode.
Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The term “communication” means that fluid flow is operatively permitted between enumerated components, which may be characterized as “fluid communication”. The term “communication” may also mean that data or signals are transmitted between enumerated components which may be characterized as “informational communication”.
The term “downstream communication” means that at least a portion of fluid flowing to the subject in downstream communication may operatively flow from the object with which it fluidly communicates.
The term “upstream communication” means that at least a portion of the fluid flowing from the subject in upstream communication may operatively flow to the object with which it fluidly communicates.
The term “direct communication” means that fluid flow from the upstream component enters the downstream component without passing through any other intervening vessel.
The term “indirect communication” means that fluid flow from the upstream component enters the downstream component after passing through an intervening vessel.
The term “bypass” means that the object is out of downstream communication with a bypassing subject at least to the extent of bypassing.
The Figures, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the disclosure may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system.
A first loop 20 comprises a component heat exchanger 22 and a chiller module 24. The first loop 20 comprises fluid lines 21, 2329 and either lines 25 and 27 or line 66. In
A second fluid line 23 transports coolant to an inlet 41 of a first pump 40. The inlet 41 to the first pump 40 receives coolant directly from the component heat exchanger 22 because the first pump is in direct downstream communication with the component heat exchanger 22.
The first pump 40 has two outlets and is switchable between two modes, a chiller mode and a recirculation mode. The first loop 20 is in downstream communication with the first pump 40 while in the chiller mode. When the first pump is in the chiller mode a valve in the first pump 40 opens the first outlet 42 to discharge coolant from the first outlet while the second outlet may be closed 44. The first outlet 42 directs coolant to the first loop 20 through a third line 25 to the chiller module 24. The chiller module 24 may be on or off. When on, the chiller 24 cools the coolant received from the first pump 40 in the third line 25. When off, the chiller module 24 allows the coolant to pass through without cooling. The chiller module 24 may cool the coolant by means of Peltier electric device. A Peltier electric device applies a current through a junction connecting two metals to absorb heat at the junction to balance the difference in the chemical potential of the two metals to produce a cooling effect.
A second loop 30 comprises a heater module 32 and a cabin heat exchanger 34. The second loop 30 comprises lines 33, 35, 37 and sometimes line 52. In
In the cabin heat exchanger 34 air from the cabin 14 is indirectly heat exchanged with coolant from the seventh line 35. If the heater module 32 is on, the coolant will heat the cabin air. If heater module 32 is off, the first pump 40 is in the chiller mode and the chiller module 24 is on, the coolant will cool the cabin air. Coolant will exit the cabin heat exchanger 34 in eighth fluid line 37 and flow to an inlet 51 of the second pump 50. The inlet 51 to the second pump 50 receives coolant directly from the cabin heat exchanger 34 because the second pump is in direct downstream communication with the cabin heat exchanger.
The second pump 50 has two outlets. The second pump 50 is switchable between an isolated mode and a linked mode. The second loop is in downstream communication with the second pump while in the isolated mode. When the second pump 50 is in the isolated mode a valve in the second pump 50 opens a first outlet 52 to discharge coolant from the first outlet 52 while a second outlet 54 may be closed. The first outlet 52 directs coolant through a ninth line 38 to a third junction 45 from which it flows with any coolant from a first tie line 60 in the second loop 30 through the sixth fluid line 33 back to the heater module 32. In the isolated mode, the second pump 50 only pumps coolant through the second loop 30 via the first outlet 52. Furthermore, in the isolated mode, coolant from the heater module only heats the cabin air through the cabin heat exchanger 34. A second sensor 39 is in communication with the seventh line 35.
When the first pump 40 is in chiller mode and the second pump is in isolated mode, the cooled or uncooled coolant from the chiller module 24 may be transported in a fourth fluid line 27 through a first junction 28 with a first bypass line 66 in the first loop 20 to a fifth line 29 and through a second junction 31 with a second bypass line 62 in the second loop and back through the first line 21 to the component heat exchanger 22 to perhaps cool the heat generating component 12.
When the second pump 50 is in the isolated mode, the first loop 20 and the second loop 30 circulate independently. However, the first loop 20 and the second loop 30 communicate minorly by fluid expansion and contraction through the first tie line 60 which keeps the loops in equilibrium.
The first sensor 26 senses the temperature of coolant in line 21 entering the component heat exchanger 22. The sensor 26 sends a signal to a controller 68 for signaling the first pump 40 to operate in the chiller mode and to turn the chiller module 24 on if the temperature of the coolant entering the component heat exchanger is higher than a set point as shown in
The second sensor 39 senses the temperature of the coolant in line 35 entering the cabin heat exchanger 34. The second sensor 39 sends a signal to a second controller 70 for signaling the second pump 50 to operate in isolation mode and to turn the heating module 32 on if the temperature of the coolant entering the cabin heat exchanger 34 in line 35 is below a set point as shown in
In linked mode, the valve on the second pump opens to the second outlet 54 which directs coolant to the first loop 30 through a second bypass line 62. The valve may close the first outlet 52. The second pump in linked mode pumps coolant from the second outlet 54 through the second bypass line 62 to a second junction 31 and along with minor coolant from the fifth line 29 flows in the first line 21 to the component heat exchanger 22 in the first loop 20. In linked mode, the second pump 50 pumps coolant from the second pump from the second loop 30 into the first loop 20. In linked mode, minor coolant from the first loop 20 and coolant from the second loop 30 meet at the second junction 31 and flow together to the component heat exchanger 22 in line 21.
The first sensor 26 senses the temperature of coolant in line 21 entering the component heat exchanger 22. If the temperature of the coolant entering the component heat exchanger 22 is higher than a set point, the first sensor 26 sends a signal to a controller 68 signaling the first pump 40 to operate in the chiller mode and to turn the chiller module 24 on as shown in
The second sensor 39 senses the temperature of the coolant in line 35 entering the cabin heat exchanger 34. The second sensor 39 sends a signal to a second controller 70 for signaling the second pump 50 to operate in linked mode and to turn the heating module 32 off if the temperature of the coolant entering the cabin heat exchanger 34 in line 35 is higher than a set point as shown in
The second pump 50 in isolated mode has an open first outlet 52 to discharge coolant from the first outlet. The first outlet 52 directs coolant to the second loop 30 through a ninth line 38 to a third junction 45 from which coolant flows with any coolant from a first tie line 60 through the sixth fluid line 33 back to the heater module 32. In isolation mode, the second pump 50 only pumps coolant through the second loop 30 via the first outlet 52. Furthermore, in the isolation mode, coolant from the heater module 32 only heats the cabin air through the cabin heat exchanger 34.
When the second pump 50 is in isolation mode coolant is circulated through the first loop 20 and the second loop 30 independently. However, the first loop 20 and the second loop 30 communicate minorly by fluid expansion and contraction through the first tie line 60 which keeps the loops in equilibrium.
The first sensor 26 senses the temperature of coolant in line 21 entering the component heat exchanger 22. If the temperature of the coolant entering the component heat exchanger 22 is lower than a set point, the first sensor 26 sends a signal to a controller 68 for signaling the first pump 40 to operate in the recirculation mode and to turn the chiller module 24 off as shown in
The second sensor 39 senses the temperature of the coolant in line 35 entering the cabin heat exchanger 34. The second sensor 39 sends a signal to a second controller 70 signaling the second pump 50 to operate in isolation mode and to turn the heating module 32 on if the temperature of the coolant entering the cabin heat exchanger 34 in line 39 is below a set point as shown in
In linked mode, the valve on the second pump 50 opens to the second outlet 54 which directs coolant through a second bypass line 62. In linked mode, the valve on the second pump 50 may close the first outlet 52. The coolant in the first loop 20 and the second loop 30 circulate dependently. The coolant from the first bypass line 66 is pumped through the first junction 28 and through the first tie line 60 and the second junction 45 into the second loop 30. In the second loop 30, the coolant is pumped through the line 33 into the heater module 32 to be heated if the heater module is on then through the line 35 and into the cabin heat exchanger 34 to modulate heat in the cabin 14. Coolant from the cabin heat exchanger 34 flows to the inlet 51 of the second pump 50. The second pump is in linked mode, so the valve of the second pump 50 is open to the second outlet 54 and may close the first outlet 52. In this mode, the second pump directs coolant from the second outlet 54 through the second bypass line 62. The second bypass line 62 feeds a second junction 31 and along with coolant from the fifth line 29 flows in first line 21 to the component heat exchanger 22 in the first loop 20. In linked mode, coolant from the first loop 20 only minorly joins coolant from the second loop 30 at the second junction 31 from line 29 and flow together to the component heat exchanger 22 in line 21.
The first sensor 26 senses the temperature of coolant in line 21 entering the component heat exchanger 22. The sensor 26 sends a signal to a controller 68 for signaling the first pump 40 to operate in the recirculation mode and to turn the chiller module 24 off if the temperature of the coolant entering the component heat exchanger is lower than a set point as shown in
The second sensor 39 senses the temperature of the coolant in line 35 entering the cabin heat exchanger 34. The second sensor 39 sends a signal to a second controller 70 for signaling the second pump 50 to operate in linked mode and to turn the heating module 32 on if the temperature of the coolant entering the cabin heat exchanger 34 in line 39 is below a set point as shown in
If the temperature of the coolant entering the component heat exchanger 22 read by the first sensor 26 is at the set point, the first sensor 26 sends a signal to the first controller 68 which sends no signal to the first pump 40 other than to operate in the mode it was previously in and to turn off the chiller module 24.
If the temperature of the coolant entering the cabin heat exchanger 34 read by the second sensor 39 is at the set point, the second sensor 26 sends no signal to the second controller 70 other than to operate in the mode it was previously in and to turn off the heater module 32.
In
Referring to
In operation, rotation of the valve member 142 selectively positions opening 144 to divert fluid flow from the inlet 41, 51 to the pump cavity 150 to the first fluid outlet 42, 52 or the second fluid outlets 44, 54 thereby controlling the discharge of fluid from the pump section 104.
The disclosure sets for a process and apparatus that can control temperature of a heat generating component and a vehicle cabin by means of only two pumps without requiring separate valves and the additional fluid lines and controls appurtenant thereto.
It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term “communicate,” as well as derivatives thereof, encompasses both direct and indirect communication. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.
The description in the present application should not be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential or critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of the claims is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect to any of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim, followed by a participle phrase identifying a function. Use of terms such as (but not limited to) “mechanism,” “module,” “device,” “unit,” “component,” “element,” “member,” “apparatus,” “machine,” “system,” or “controller” within a claim is understood and intended to refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art, as further modified or enhanced by the features of the claims themselves and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).
While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63351743 | Jun 2022 | US |