DE102020214326A1 - Cooling device for a vehicle and method for operating a cooling device for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a cooling device (10) for a vehicle (F) comprising a fuel reservoir (TS) in which fuel for the vehicle (F) can be accommodated, the fuel having a storage temperature below a predetermined temperature and a storage pressure above a certain pressure having; an expansion valve (EV) for the fuel, a first heat exchanger (WT1), which is connected to the fuel reservoir (TS) and to at least one vehicle component (FK), and via which heat or cold between the fuel reservoir (TS) and at least one vehicle component (FK) is interchangeable; and a second heat exchanger (WT2), which is connected to an outlet area of the expansion valve (EV) and to at least one vehicle component (FK), and via which heat or cold can be exchanged between the outlet area of the expansion valve (EV) and at least one vehicle component (FK). is.

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device for a vehicle and a method for operating a cooling device for a vehicle.

State of the art

In conventional vehicles, a special device, for example an air conditioning system, may be required to cool vehicle components such as the interior. For gas vehicles or those that use a fuel cell, LPG, CNG, H2, or similar, traditional air conditioning systems can also be used. In a vehicle with traditional air conditioning, up to 10 hp can be applied just for vehicle air conditioning. A conventional cold air-generating air conditioner can include a compressor refrigerator. In their refrigeration cycle, the relationship between pressure and temperature of the climate gas (refrigerant) can be used, with a gas that is compressed being heated in the process; conversely, this cools down when you extract it. A cooling air conditioner can therefore work as follows. The climate gas can be compressed outdoors with a compressor and liquefies in a downstream heat exchanger. The resulting heat can be dissipated to the environment. The refrigerant can have approximately (outside) ambient temperature. Furthermore, the liquid refrigerant can be fed into the interior, where it can expand again after a capillary in cooling fins (in the evaporator), cooling them down below (interior) room temperature. In doing so, it absorbs its specific vaporization heat. The air in the room can be blown past the cooling fins, giving off its heat to the cooling fins and being released back into the room after it has cooled down significantly. Furthermore, the evaporated climate gas, which has been almost warmed to room temperature again by the heat transfer from the room air, can be routed back to the outside to the compressor, where the cycle can begin again. In fuel cell vehicles, useful energy can usually also be used to heat the cold hydrogen from the tank on the way to the stack (stack) to stack temperature in order to simultaneously operate a compressor with electrical energy, which can be used for air conditioning. In the case of combustion gas engines in gas vehicles, the gas from the tank can be heated with the available waste heat from the engine in order to simultaneously operate a compressor for the air conditioning system with mechanical energy. For example, an evaporator can be installed in LPG vehicles, which can supply the cold to an intermediate medium (water) in order to then heat it up using the heat from the engine.

In the DE 20 2018 105 794 U1 describes a gas-powered vehicle which can hold at least one bottle of pressurized gas.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a cooling device for a vehicle according to claim 1 and a method of operating a cooling device for a vehicle according to claim 8.

Preferred developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Advantages of the Invention

The idea on which the present invention is based is to specify a cooling device for a vehicle and a method for operating a cooling device for a vehicle, whereby the cold that is already present in the fuel or that can arise as a result of the fuel expanding, is used for cooling of the vehicle components can be used and thus the energy required for cooling the vehicle can be reduced.

According to the invention, the cooling device for a vehicle comprises a fuel reservoir in which a fuel for the vehicle can be accommodated, the fuel having a storage temperature equal to or below a predetermined temperature and a storage pressure equal to or above a certain pressure; a fuel expansion valve connected to the fuel reservoir; a first heat exchanger, which is connected to the fuel reservoir and to at least one vehicle component, and via which heat or cold can be exchanged between the fuel reservoir and at least one vehicle component; and a second heat exchanger, which is connected to an outlet area of the expansion valve and to at least one vehicle component, and via which heat or cold can be exchanged between the outlet area of the expansion valve and at least one vehicle component.

The fuel reservoir of the vehicle can thus itself be part of the cooling device, in other words it can be/are intended to be associated with the cooling device, since the fuel reservoir filled with the cold fuel can represent a heat sink or a cold source. Alternatively, the invention can also include the vehicle with the cooling device and the fuel reservoir, which with said heat exchangers for cooling said components, and about can also be used to operate an air conditioning system.

The exit area can be an area after the expansion valve in which the gas has already been expanded.

The cooling device can thus provide cooling for the engine or another vehicle component, for example in the interior or in the engine compartment, and thermal management can thereby take place, advantageously by means of the fuel as, for example, pre-compressed and/or cooled gas from the fuel reservoir, which, for example, has a gas tank may include.

Vehicles can be made much more efficient for operating thermal management for cooling vehicle components, such as glove compartments, driver's cabs or refrigerated trailers, for example in gas-powered or hydrogen-powered motor vehicles, since the fuel can be used advantageously as a heat sink for cooling.

In conventional air conditioning systems, a compressor can be used, which can compress a gas using mechanical or electrical energy. In the case of gas-powered vehicles, the fuel can either be carried in pressurized containers or even be present in liquid form and at extremely low temperatures in the fuel reservoir, such as hydrogen, which can be offered in different forms, whereby liquid hydrogen (LH2) has a temperature of up to -253 °C max. 16.5 bar (predetermined temperature and storage pressure), gaseous hydrogen (GH2) at a temperature of 20 °C at 250/350 bar (predetermined temperature and predetermined storage pressure), or gaseous hydrogen (GH2) at a temperature of - 40 °C at 700 bar (predetermined temperature and predetermined storage pressure) can be carried (favoured by the manufacturers).

In gas vehicles (LPG, H2, ...), the fuel can either be very highly compressed and/or very cool.

A quick refueling process at the gas station (e.g. for a car at 5 kg/ 3 min) may require pre-cooling of the hydrogen. Despite the cooling supply in the fuel reservoir, the vehicle can also include a (conventional) air conditioning system, for example with or without an evaporator. The mentioned cooling device can be used, for example, in high-consumption gas vehicles, such as trucks or commercial vehicles, etc., since there can be sufficient fuel throughput, or also in normal cars.

In contrast to the conventional operation of air conditioning systems on gas vehicles, in which useful energy can be used for cooling, at least part of the cooling energy can be saved with the cooling device according to the invention and can be obtained from the fuel reservoir or from an expansion of the fuel. The useful energy mentioned can come from mechanical energy in the case of internal combustion engines, or from electrical energy in the case of fuel cell vehicles. As soon as useful energy is used for cooling, this is available to a lesser extent for propulsion and can impair efficiency. By using the cold of the fuel, useful energy can be saved, and emissions can be reduced in gas combustion engines.

The fuel reservoir can include a gas tank, for example for a gaseous gas or for liquid gas.

The fuel may have a storage temperature when filled in the fuel reservoir, which may be equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and have a storage pressure in the fuel reservoir equal to or higher than a certain pressure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the cooling device, it is designed for operation in a truck or commercial vehicle.

Trucks or other commercial vehicles can have a higher fuel consumption and thus fuel throughput than a car, which means that the cooling effect from one or both heat exchangers can have a higher efficiency than for a car.

According to a preferred embodiment of the cooling device, the fuel comprises liquid or gaseous hydrogen, LPG or CNG.

Advantageously, these types of fuel can be easily carried and used in a vehicle as fuel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the cooling device, the vehicle component is a passenger compartment, a glove compartment, an engine component, a refrigerated trailer and/or a component of an air conditioning system.

The operating conditions, such as the accessible cold (temperature, temperature flow) and/or the ambient conditions (outside temperature, vehicle temperature) or the consumption of the fuel and thus the remaining cold flow, can also be taken into account for cooling the vehicle components or at least influence the cooling effect.

According to a preferred embodiment of the cooling device, cold can be exchanged between the outlet area of the expansion valve and at least one vehicle component, and the fuel can be cooled by expansion and pressure reduction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the cooling device, the expansion valve is arranged on a pressure reducer or is part of the pressure reducer, with the cooling device comprising the pressure reducer.

A cold that can be generated and used can be obtained from the cold of the fuel in the fuel reservoir (e.g. hydrogen at -40 degrees) and from the cold that can arise at the expansion valve on the pressure reducer (Joule Thomson effect). The Joule Thomson effect can describe the change in temperature of a gas when the pressure is reduced. In this way, when using the cold from the fuel, a compressor for conventional air conditioning can either be operated with useful energy to a lesser extent or the compressor of an air conditioning system and useful energy from engine power or electricity for the compressor can be dispensed with entirely. On the other hand, a conventional air conditioning system with a compressor can still be present in the vehicle, in which case the use of cold from the fuel can serve to support the conventional air conditioning system, which then does not have to cool as much.

As already mentioned, the application of the cooling device can be relevant for high-consumption drives, since there can be a sufficiently high fuel throughput so that the use of the cold from the fuel reservoir and the Joules Thomson effect on the pressure reducer can also occur in a usable magnitude.

The fuel gas (hydrogen, LPG, etc.) is used here as a medium or refrigerant to transport heat away. The Joule Thomson effect is used, which means that gases can cool down considerably when they expand at the pressure reducer after the tank.

Gas-powered vehicles, such as LPG, can include an evaporator to prepare for later energy conversion and to prepare the gas for propulsion. With the evaporator, the gas can be heated and evaporated with the waste heat from the engine. In fuel cell vehicles, before dosing into the anode path, a heat exchanger can also be provided, which can bring the cold hydrogen close to a stack temperature/operating temperature of the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen can become very cold, especially after the pressure reduction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the cooling device, the first heat exchanger and/or the second heat exchanger can be connected to a fuel cell stack of the vehicle.

In fuel cell vehicles, useful electrical energy can be used to heat the heat exchanger. This electrical energy can be saved, at least in part, if cooling takes place via the fuel and can be used to obtain more range.

The hydrogen is currently being heated with electrical energy in order to bring its temperature close to the stack temperature, and at the same time electric compressors are being used to air-condition the vehicle. The necessary useful energy (electrical or mechanical, which can generally generate heat) can be used by the cooling device to compress and cool a climate gas using a compressor. Ideally, depending on the target market (cool target markets, Norway, Finland, etc.), the air conditioning compressor can be omitted entirely, which can result in space gain in the engine compartment, weight advantage and cost reduction.

According to the invention, in a method for operating a cooling device for a vehicle, a cooling device according to the invention is provided; filling the fuel reservoir with fuel for the vehicle, the fuel having a storage temperature equal to or below a predetermined temperature and a storage pressure equal to or above a predetermined pressure; operating the first heat exchanger, which is connected to the fuel reservoir and to at least one vehicle component, and via which heat or cold is exchanged between the fuel reservoir and at least one vehicle component; and/or operating a second heat exchanger, which is connected to an outlet area of the expansion valve and to at least one vehicle component, and via which heat or cold is exchanged between the outlet area of the expansion valve and at least one vehicle component.

The method can be used in gas vehicles with high consumption, where there is a corresponding gas throughput, so that the above-mentioned effects can occur on a usable scale. Furthermore, the method can also be used on stationary gas engines on which a control station is to be cooled.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, one or more vehicle components are cooled as a passenger compartment, glove compartment, engine component, refrigerated trailer and/or as a component of an air conditioning system.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, a vehicle component of a gas vehicle or fuel cell vehicle is cooled.

The method can advantageously also be distinguished by the already mentioned features of the cooling device and vice versa.

Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention result from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

character list

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment specified in the schematic figures of the drawing.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeugs mit einer Kühleinrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 2 eine Blockdarstellung von Schritten in einem Kühlprozess beim Anwenden einer Kühleinrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 3 eine Blockdarstellung von Verfahrensschritten eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben einer Kühleinrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 a block diagram of steps in a cooling process when using a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 3 a block diagram of method steps of a method for operating a cooling device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same elements or elements with the same function.

1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle with a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The cooling device 10 for a vehicle F comprises a fuel reservoir TS in which fuel for the vehicle F is receivable, the fuel having a storage temperature below a predetermined temperature and a storage pressure above a certain pressure; a fuel expansion valve EV connected to the fuel reservoir TS; a first heat exchanger WT1, which is connected to the fuel reservoir TS and to at least one vehicle component FK, and via which heat or cold can be exchanged between the fuel reservoir TS and at least one vehicle component FK; and a second heat exchanger WT2, which is connected to an outlet area of the expansion valve EV and to at least one vehicle component FK, and via which heat or cold can be exchanged between the outlet area of the expansion valve EV and at least one vehicle component FK.

2 shows a block diagram of steps in a cooling process when using a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The block representation of the 2 shows a process for using the cold from the fuel, on the one hand from its temperature while being stored in the fuel reservoir and on the other hand from an expansion and/or pressure reduction when it is discharged via an expansion valve and/or at a pressure reducer.

In a state A1 or a first step A1, the fuel, for example as a gas or liquefied gas, can be stored/kept in the fuel reservoir. The gas can be highly compressed and/or very cold, in particular have a storage temperature below a predetermined temperature and a storage pressure above a certain pressure. In a further step A2 in the process flow, the state of the fuel can be queried, in particular whether the fuel actually has a storage temperature below a predetermined temperature and can therefore be assumed to be “cold” and suitable for cooling. This query can be done with a temperature sensor and a control device. If the fuel can be detected as cold (Y), a first heat exchanger can be operated in a further step A3 and cool one or more vehicle components with the cold from the fuel, which is shown by the further step A6. If the fuel cannot be recognized as cold (N), ie has a storage temperature above a predetermined temperature, in a further step A4 an expansion valve or pressure min which are operated, or as an addition together with the first heat exchanger with A3. Due to the expansion and/or reduction in pressure, the fuel can be further cooled and then considered cold. After this cooling step, a second heat exchanger can be operated in a further step A5 and cool one or more vehicle components with the cold from the fuel, which is shown by the further step A6. In a further step A7, the remaining cold or then heat (after exchange with the vehicle components) can then be delivered to a fuel cell engine (stack) or internal combustion engine for temperature control (cooling, heating) of the engine or other vehicle components.

3 shows a block diagram of method steps of a method for operating a cooling device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the method for operating a cooling device for a vehicle, a cooling device according to the invention is provided S1; filling S2 the fuel reservoir with fuel for the vehicle, the fuel having a storage temperature below a predetermined temperature and a storage pressure above a certain pressure; an operation S3 of the first heat exchanger, which is connected to the fuel reservoir and to at least one vehicle component, and via which heat or cold is exchanged between the fuel reservoir and at least one vehicle component; and/or operating S4 a second heat exchanger, which is connected to an outlet area of the expansion valve and to at least one vehicle component, and via which heat or cold is exchanged between the outlet area of the expansion valve and at least one vehicle component.

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiment, it is not restricted thereto but can be modified in a variety of ways.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 202018105794 U1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Cooling device (10) for a vehicle (F) comprising: - A fuel reservoir (TS) in which a fuel for the vehicle (F) can be accommodated, the fuel having a storage temperature equal to or below a predetermined temperature and a storage pressure equal to or above a certain pressure; - a fuel expansion valve (EV) connected to the fuel reservoir (TS); - A first heat exchanger (WT1), which is connected to the fuel reservoir (TS) and to at least one vehicle component (FK), and via which heat or cold can be exchanged between the fuel reservoir (TS) and at least one vehicle component (FK); and - A second heat exchanger (WT2), which is connected to an outlet area of the expansion valve (EV) and to at least one vehicle component (FK), and via which heat or cold can be exchanged between the outlet area of the expansion valve (EV) and at least one vehicle component (FK). is. Cooling device (10) after claim 1 , which is designed for operation in a truck or commercial vehicle. Cooling device (10) after claim 1 or 2 , in which the fuel comprises liquid or gaseous hydrogen, LPG or CNG. Cooling device (10) according to one of claim 1 until 3 , In which the vehicle component (FK) is a passenger compartment, a glove compartment, an engine component, a refrigerated trailer and/or a component of an air conditioning system. Cooling device (10) according to one of claim 1 until 4 , in which cold between the output area of the expansion valve (EV) and at least one vehicle component (FK) is exchangeable and the fuel can be cooled by expansion and pressure reduction. Cooling device (10) according to one of claim 1 until 5 , in which the expansion valve (EV) is arranged on a pressure reducer or is part of the pressure reducer, the cooling device (10) comprising the pressure reducer. Cooling device (10) according to one of claim 1 until 6 , In which the first heat exchanger (W1) and / or the second heat exchanger (WT2) can be connected to a fuel cell stack of the vehicle. Method for operating a cooling device (10) for a vehicle (F), comprising: - providing (S1) a cooling device (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 ; - Filling (S2) the fuel reservoir (TS) with fuel for the vehicle (F), the fuel having a storage temperature equal to or below a predetermined temperature and a storage pressure equal to or above a certain pressure; - Operating (S3) the first heat exchanger (WT1), which is connected to the fuel reservoir (TS) and to at least one vehicle component (FK), and via which heat or cold is exchanged between the fuel reservoir (TS) and at least one vehicle component (FK). will; and/or - operating (S4) a second heat exchanger (WT2), which is connected to an outlet area of the expansion valve (EV) and to at least one vehicle component (FK), and via which heat or cold is exchanged between the outlet area of the expansion valve (EV) and at least one vehicle component (FK) is exchanged. procedure after claim 8 , In which one or more vehicle components (FK) is cooled as a passenger compartment, glove compartment, engine component, refrigerated trailer and / or as a component of an air conditioning system. procedure after claim 8 or 9 , in which a vehicle component of a gas vehicle or fuel cell vehicle is cooled.

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