The present invention relates generally to fluid systems within an automobile.
During the operation of a vehicle, such as an automobile, heat is routinely generated by various components. In many cases, the heat must be removed to ensure the efficient function and/or the durability or longevity of the parts. Due to their unique thermal properties, fluids are often used to absorb thermal energy where it is generated, and to transfer it to a more suitable location where it may be transferred efficiently to the environment. This working fluid may typically be recycled within the cooling system once it has expelled the stored thermal energy. As such, a fluid circuit, such as a closed loop circuit, may be constructed to cycle the working fluid between the heat generating component and the heat expelling component. Such circuits are common in engine block cooling and/or refrigeration applications. In modern automobiles, such as hybrid electric automobiles, multiple fluid circuits may be included, where each circuit may be responsible for heating and/or cooling a particular component or group of components.
A vehicle having multiple isolated fluid circuits configured to be filled through a common fill port may include a first fluid circuit disposed within the vehicle, the first fluid circuit having a first fill port, a second fluid circuit disposed within the vehicle, and a conduit defining a fluid passageway between the first fluid circuit and second fluid circuit, the conduit including a valve. The valve is configured such that the first and second fluid circuits are fluidly coupled via the passageway when the valve is open, and are fluidly isolated when the valve is closed.
The first and second fluid circuits may be further configured such that fluid provided via the first fill port enters both of the first and second fluid circuits when the valve is open. Each of the first and second fluid circuits may include a respective fluid reservoir, heat exchanger, and thermal component, and at least one of the first or second fluid circuits may be configured to cool an engine block of an internal combustion engine, or a rechargeable energy storage system. Additionally, in an embodiment, the second fluid circuit may include a second fluid fill port. The first and second fluid circuits both may be filled by providing a fluid via one of the first and second fill ports.
The valve may include a plunger that is configured to be depressed by a user, and once depressed, the plunger may close the valve by physically impeding fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The valve may also include a retaining clip that inhibits the plunger from moving away from the depressed state.
A method of filling a plurality of isolated automotive vehicle fluid circuits through a common fluid fill port may include providing a first fluid circuit within an automotive vehicle, where the first fluid circuit may have a first fluid fill port, providing a second fluid circuit within the automotive vehicle and in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit, and providing a valve in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuit. The valve may be configured to fluidly couple the first and second fluid circuits while open, and may fluidly isolate the first and second fluid circuits while closed. The method may further include filling the first and second fluid circuits with a fluid via the first fluid fill port, and closing the valve to selectively isolate the first fluid circuit from the second fluid circuit.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to identify like or identical components in the various views,
In general, each fluid circuit 14, 16 may define a closed loop fluid path, and may be constructed from a plurality of tubular members or chambers that are sealed from the external environment. Each fluid circuit 14, 16 may be configured to use the heat absorption qualities of a fluid contained within the circuit to move heat from one physical location to another. As such, the fluid circuits may be configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat-generating component to the environment, from a heat-generating component to another heat-absorbing component, or from the environment to a heat-absorbing component.
As illustrated in
The first and second fluid circuits 14, 16 may be used to heat and/or cool different thermal components 26 that may operate at substantially different temperatures. For example, the first fluid circuit 14 may be configured to cool the engine block 27 of an internal combustion engine, which may operate at a relatively high temperature, while the second fluid circuit 16 may be used to cool a rechargeable energy storage system 28 (e.g., a hybrid vehicle battery), which may operate at a much lower temperature. Accordingly, the size of the reservoir 20, heat exchanger 22, and pump 24 within each circuit 14, 16 may be specifically configured as known in the art to accommodate the thermal demands/requirements of the component 26. It may also be appreciated that the fluid 30 within each circuit 14, 16 may have a substantially different operational temperature range based on the nature and use of the particular fluid circuit.
Each fluid circuit 14, 16 within the vehicle 12 may include a respective fluid fill port 32, 34. A fill port may allow a person, such as a technician or assembler, to fill the circuit with the fluid 30 necessary for operation. In an embodiment, a fluid circuit may be filled by first creating a vacuum within the circuit, and then by providing a fluid 30 into the evacuated circuit via the fill port. While the step of evacuation is not specifically necessary, it is often performed to reduce the likelihood of air pockets being trapped within a fluid line or component.
In an embodiment, the first and second fluid circuits 14, 16 may be configured so that fluid provided via the first fill port 32 may enter both of the first and second fluid circuits 14, 16. By filling both circuits 14, 16 through a single fill port, this configuration may reduce the number of processes needed during initial manufacturing (i.e., from two separate fills to one). Correspondingly, it may also reduce the need for redundant capital equipment and fluid fill stations within the assembly plant. To provide for the fluid coupling between the first and second fluid circuits 14, 16, the vehicle 12 may include a conduit 18 that may define a fluid passageway between the circuits 14, 16. During the filling operation, the conduit 18 may allow fluid from the first fluid circuit 14 to freely flow into the second fluid circuit 16. More generally, the first and second fluid circuits may be both filled by providing a fluid via one of the first and second fill ports.
As noted above, since each fluid circuit 14, 16 may be maintained within a different temperature range during operation, it may be desirable for the fluids of the first and second circuits 14, 16 to be isolated once filled. To accomplish this, in an embodiment, the conduit 18 may include a valve 40 that may be configured to fluidly couple the first and second fluid circuits 14, 16 via the passageway when the valve 40 is in an open state, and may fluidly isolate the circuits 14, 16 when closed.
During the filling operation, the valve 40 may be configured in an open position (as generally illustrated in
While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims. All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, above, below, vertical, and horizontal) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not as limiting.