WO2012084632A2 - Cooling system for elelctrical components on a vehicle - Google Patents

Cooling system for elelctrical components on a vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012084632A2
WO2012084632A2 PCT/EP2011/072718 EP2011072718W WO2012084632A2 WO 2012084632 A2 WO2012084632 A2 WO 2012084632A2 EP 2011072718 W EP2011072718 W EP 2011072718W WO 2012084632 A2 WO2012084632 A2 WO 2012084632A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cooling
vehicle
cooling system
tractor
circuit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2011/072718
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2012084632A3 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Breu
Robert Honzek
Florian GRASER
Original Assignee
Agco International Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB201021975A external-priority patent/GB201021975D0/en
Application filed by Agco International Gmbh filed Critical Agco International Gmbh
Publication of WO2012084632A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012084632A2/en
Publication of WO2012084632A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012084632A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K11/00—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units
    • B60K11/02—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units with liquid cooling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L1/00—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles
    • B60L1/003—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L15/00—Methods, circuits, or devices for controlling the traction-motor speed of electrically-propelled vehicles
    • B60L15/20—Methods, circuits, or devices for controlling the traction-motor speed of electrically-propelled vehicles for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L3/00—Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
    • B60L3/0023—Detecting, eliminating, remedying or compensating for drive train abnormalities, e.g. failures within the drive train
    • B60L3/0069—Detecting, eliminating, remedying or compensating for drive train abnormalities, e.g. failures within the drive train relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/61—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/18—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules
    • B60L58/20—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules having different nominal voltages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2210/00—Converter types
    • B60L2210/10—DC to DC converters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2210/00—Converter types
    • B60L2210/30—AC to DC converters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2210/00—Converter types
    • B60L2210/40—DC to AC converters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/40—Drive Train control parameters
    • B60L2240/42—Drive Train control parameters related to electric machines
    • B60L2240/421—Speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60W2300/15—Agricultural vehicles
    • B60W2300/152—Tractors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/62—Hybrid vehicles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/64—Electric machine technologies in electromobility
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/72—Electric energy management in electromobility

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a cooling system on a vehicle. More specifically, this invention relates to a cooling system for cooling electrical components on an agricultural machine.
  • a vehicle for powering propulsion systems.
  • electric motors are used to drive the wheels on a vehicle, such as a truck or car.
  • the vehicle is provided with a rechargeable battery, a fuel cell and a combustion engine connected to a generator.
  • such a vehicle will additionally have an electrical network (usually 12V or 24V DC) for supplying components on the vehicle and/or externa! systems, e.g. on a towed trailer, for example lights.
  • an electrical network usually 12V or 24V DC
  • Agricultural machinery such as agricultural tractors have different electrical energy requirements than passenger vehicles.
  • a tractor must also provide power to implements attached to the tractor such as trailer, balers or ploughs.
  • the implements require power to drive certain components on the implement, such as drives.
  • the drives are usually powered by the PTO, or an hydraulic circuit.
  • a medium voltage supply system that is a voltage supply greater than 400V (150 kW)
  • 400V 150 kW
  • electrical motors are cheap and easy to control and if the energy supply for the implement is taken from the tractor it avoids the implement having to generate and store its own electricity.
  • Cooling circuits therefore have to be provided to cool electrical components on both the tractor and implement.
  • transformer oil is a non electrical conducting fluid it can flow in direct contact with the electrical components and parts of the drives to be cooled. As a result the electrical components can be designed and housed more compactly than if an electrical conducting cooling fluid is used which must be guided in hoses, or cavities between the components and parts to be cooled.
  • transformer oil is that it is harmful to the environment and is highly combustible. This has consequences if any of the transformer oil leaks.
  • transformer oil is expensive. It can be a serious problem if a cooling system on an implement leaks as it will influence the cooling system on the vehicle.
  • Agricultural machinery and implements are fitted with specific, standard components with specific, recommended cooling requirements.
  • the cooling requirements of two components may be different thus necessitating at least two different cooling systems.
  • An electrical component cooling system for use on a vehicle, said system comprising at least two cooling circuits each having a respective cooling fluid, characterised in that the system carries at least two different cooling fluids for cooling electrical components located on the vehicle and/or a connected implement.
  • Figure 1 shows a side view of an agricultural tractor coupled to a towed implement
  • FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the cooling system in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram of a medium voltage supply unit on an agricultural tractor
  • Figures 4 to 7 are circuit diagrams of a cooling system in accordance with further embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows an agricultural tractor 1 coupled to a baler implement 2.
  • detachable hose and wiring 3 connects implement 2 to the tractor 1 to allow the tractor to power the baler.
  • FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a cooling system according to the invention which is used to cool electrical components located on a tractor 1
  • a combustion engine 10 located on the tractor 1 drives the generator 11a which is located within a medium voltage supply unit .
  • a medium voltage supply is taken to be greater than 400 V.
  • Generator 11a is positioned within medium voltage supply unit 11 and is connected to an electric motor 12 which drives the tractor's wheels (not shown).
  • the first cooling circuit 20 comprises a cooling fluid 20c moving in the direction indicated by arrow A, pump 21 , an air to fluid heater core 22, and flow control valves 24a, 24b to control the rate of flow of the cooling fluid 24c in the circuit 20.
  • Air is blown from fan 23 which is driven by combustion engine 10 to heater fluid core 22.
  • Check valves 25a, 25b prevent the fluid flowing between consumers, that is the electrical components to be cooled without passing the heater core.
  • a tractor control unit 100 controls the check valves 24a, 24b, combustion engine 10, generator 11a and electric motor 12.
  • the cooling fluid 20c is transformer oil although other cooling fluids may be used. Circuit 20 is used to cool the generator 11a and electric motor 12.
  • a second cooling circuit 30 comprises a pump 31 , an air to fluid heater core 32, control valve 33 and check valve 34. Fan 23 blows air onto core 32.
  • Cooling fluid 30a comprises a water-glycol emulsion although an alternative cooling fluid could be used.
  • Consumer 40 requiring cooling is cooled by circuit 30.
  • Consumer 40 may for example be a low performance electric component such as an electric air compressor.
  • Check valve 41 ensures that only components which are designed for water cooling are cooled by the second circuit 30.
  • FIG 3 shows an electrical circuit inside medium voltage supply unit 11 for a tractor 1.
  • the medium voltage supply unit 1 is provided with an electric generator 1 1a which is driven by the engine crank shaft 10a of combustion engine 10 and an electronic power unit 11 b (insulated-gate bipolar transistor) connected to the electric generator by wiring.
  • the unit 11 provides protection for the generator and power unit and reduces the risk of persons accidentally coming into contact with these components.
  • the generator and power unit may be placed outside of the unit 1 a different locations on the tractor.
  • the generator produces AC power with an AC frequency dependent on the combustion engine speed.
  • the electronic power unit 1 b converts the AC power output of the generator 11a to a DC voltage with the defined DC-link voltage level to provide ail units connected to the DC network 1 e.
  • a brake chopper 11 c is provided to avoid a voltage rise in the DC network 11 e if energy is fed back into the system from other sources than the generator.
  • the chopper comprises an oscillating switch in series with a resistor and, depending on the input voltage overshoot (coming from e.g. the implement via the network) the switch is oscillated to guide the excess voltage into the resistor transforming the voltage into heat.
  • the oscillation is necessary to keep the network active and supplying energy, if the switch was to be closed completely over a longer period, the complete voltage supplied by the system would be destroyed and all consumers would be non operative. By oscillating the switch, only the peaks of the voltage are destroyed and the system is still operative.
  • the resistors are generally designed to be quite small so they are not capable of receiving a constant high load. Using oscillation enables them to cope with the load.
  • the nominal voltage of the network is 700 V.
  • the overshoot limitation is 900 V. If peaks greater than 900 V occur the switch is closed in an oscillatory manner.
  • An insulation monitoring system 1 1d is provided to monitor the resistance in the network to detect electrical malfunctions in the medium voltage system. This is necessary to protect the life of potential users of the system and to prevent damage in electric components of the tractor or implement or other consumers connected to the system.
  • Medium voltage DC network 11 e (greater than 400V, 150 kW) supplies tractor components such as a battery/supply network 16 via DC/DC converter 16a reducing voltages greater than 400 V to, for example, the standard 12V supply.
  • An electronic unit 11g comprising a heating/ventilating/air conditioning (HVAC) compressor via DC/DC converter
  • variable cooling fan drive 1 1f is supplied via a DC/AC inverter to provide a variable frequency to vary fan speed.
  • Medium voltage DC network 11e is connected to an electronic unit 1 1h for supplying external consumers.
  • electronic unit 11 h converts high power DC into high power AC at fixed frequency to connectors 1 1i.
  • electronic unit 11 h can also supply high power DC to connectors 1k.
  • an electric motor running on constant speed can be supplied with AC at a fixed frequency adequate for the wanted motor speed. If one or more electric motors with variable speed must be supplied, it may be more efficient to supply DC and convert into AC on the implement respectively for every electric motor.
  • First cooing circuit 111 carries
  • a second cooling circuit 1 m carries a water glycol emulsion and is used to cool lower cooling requirement components such as a battery/supply network 11f, HVAC compressor supply 11 g, cooling fan drive supply 1 1 f and electronic units 11 h.
  • FIG 4 shows a further embodiment of a tractor cooling system.
  • Both cooling circuit 20 and 30 are designed as secondary cooling circuits. Air to fluid heater cores 22 and 32 are replaced by fluid to fluid heater cores 222 and 232. Heater core 102 is placed in front of cooling fan 23. Installation space is reduced using this embodiment since heater cores 222 and 232 can be placed arbitrarily on the tractor.
  • Figure 5 is yet a further embodiment of a tractor cooling system.
  • Figure 5 is based on the system shown in figure 2 extending the cooling system of the tractor 1 so that it can also be used to cool components on an implement 2.
  • the second cooling circuit 30 is connected to the implement 2 and a consumer 50 by self sealing couplings 51 a in the feedline 52a and self sealing couplings 51b in the return line 52b to disassemble the implement 2 without needing to empty the circuit.
  • a fluid which is not harmful for example a water glycol mixture.
  • a fluid which is not harmful if it leaks during coupling and uncoupling of the implement to and from the tractor.
  • Figure 6 shows a further embodiment still of a tractor cooling system.
  • Figure 6 is based on the circuit of figure 5 in which the first cooling circuit 20 comprising a transformer is also supplying a high performance consumer 60 on the implement 2 by self sealing couplings 61a, 61b.
  • the circuit is protected by control valves 62 and a check valve 63 is used to avoid flow of the cooling fluid in the wrong direction. If a sensor (not shown) detects pressure losses on the implement and/or supply lines 64, this information is forwarded to the tractor control unit 100 and the control valve 62 is closed to prevent the whole circuit leaking.
  • Figure 7 is yet a further embodiment which is based on the cooling circuit of figure 5.
  • the second cooling circuit 300 is provided with a water glycol mixture to supply consumer 301 on implement 2. Secondary cooling circuit is dependent on the first cooling circuit.
  • First cooling circuit 20 and second cooling circuit 300 are exchanging heat by a fluid to fluid heat exchanger 302.
  • the fluid passage to heat exchange 302 can be controlled by control valve 303.
  • the implement supply can be switched on or off.
  • the check valve 304 is provided to avoid flow of the cooling fluid in the wrong direction.
  • a pump 305 pumps the fluid around the circuit in the direction C shown by the arrow.
  • Cooling circuit 300 exchanges heat by an additional heat exchanger 302 which could be located at any convenient location on the tractor 1.
  • the second cooling circuit 300 can be reversed by using transformer oil whilst connected to the second cooling circuit 30 without having the first cooling circuit 20.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical component cooling system for use on a vehicle. The system comprises at least two cooling circuits each having a respective cooling fluid, characterised in that the system carries at least two different cooling fluids for cooling electrical components located on the vehicle and/or a connected implement.

Description

Cooling System for Electrical components on a Vehicle
This invention relates to a cooling system on a vehicle. More specifically, this invention relates to a cooling system for cooling electrical components on an agricultural machine.
It is known in the vehicle industry to provide cooling circuits on vehicles to cool down the engine, or hydraulic oil, or transmission oil.
It is also known to generate electrical energy on a vehicle for powering propulsion systems. For example, electric motors are used to drive the wheels on a vehicle, such as a truck or car. To provide the necessary electrical energy, the vehicle is provided with a rechargeable battery, a fuel cell and a combustion engine connected to a generator.
Typically, such a vehicle will additionally have an electrical network (usually 12V or 24V DC) for supplying components on the vehicle and/or externa! systems, e.g. on a towed trailer, for example lights.
Agricultural machinery, such as agricultural tractors have different electrical energy requirements than passenger vehicles. As well as travelling over ground, a tractor must also provide power to implements attached to the tractor such as trailer, balers or ploughs. The implements require power to drive certain components on the implement, such as drives. The drives are usually powered by the PTO, or an hydraulic circuit.
If a medium voltage supply system, that is a voltage supply greater than 400V (150 kW), is available on the tractor, it is desirable to supply implements attached to the tractor with electrical energy. Electrical motors are cheap and easy to control and if the energy supply for the implement is taken from the tractor it avoids the implement having to generate and store its own electricity.
Medium voltage components require cooling systems to keep the temperatures of the electrical components at an optimum working temperature. Cooling circuits therefore have to be provided to cool electrical components on both the tractor and implement.
It is known to use transformer oil to cool down electrically powered drives and electrical components. Because transformer oil is a non electrical conducting fluid it can flow in direct contact with the electrical components and parts of the drives to be cooled. As a result the electrical components can be designed and housed more compactly than if an electrical conducting cooling fluid is used which must be guided in hoses, or cavities between the components and parts to be cooled.
The disadvantage of transformer oil is that it is harmful to the environment and is highly combustible. This has consequences if any of the transformer oil leaks.
Further, transformer oil is expensive. It can be a serious problem if a cooling system on an implement leaks as it will influence the cooling system on the vehicle.
It is also known to use a water glycol emulsion mixture to cool down electric drives and electrical components. It has the advantage that it is not harmful to the environment, however it is not as efficient as a cooling fluid as transformer oil.
Agricultural machinery and implements are fitted with specific, standard components with specific, recommended cooling requirements. The cooling requirements of two components may be different thus necessitating at least two different cooling systems.
It is an aim of the invention to provide an improved cooling system for cooling electrical components on an agricultural machine and/or an attached implement.
According to the invention there is provided An electrical component cooling system for use on a vehicle, said system comprising at least two cooling circuits each having a respective cooling fluid, characterised in that the system carries at least two different cooling fluids for cooling electrical components located on the vehicle and/or a connected implement.
Preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a side view of an agricultural tractor coupled to a towed implement,
Figure 2 shows a circuit diagram of the cooling system in accordance with the present invention,
Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram of a medium voltage supply unit on an agricultural tractor, Figures 4 to 7 are circuit diagrams of a cooling system in accordance with further embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1 shows an agricultural tractor 1 coupled to a baler implement 2. A
detachable hose and wiring 3 connects implement 2 to the tractor 1 to allow the tractor to power the baler.
Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a cooling system according to the invention which is used to cool electrical components located on a tractor 1
A combustion engine 10 located on the tractor 1 drives the generator 11a which is located within a medium voltage supply unit . Here a medium voltage supply is taken to be greater than 400 V. Components which are included in the medium voltage supply unit 11 are described later. Generator 11a is positioned within medium voltage supply unit 11 and is connected to an electric motor 12 which drives the tractor's wheels (not shown).
The first cooling circuit 20 comprises a cooling fluid 20c moving in the direction indicated by arrow A, pump 21 , an air to fluid heater core 22, and flow control valves 24a, 24b to control the rate of flow of the cooling fluid 24c in the circuit 20. Air is blown from fan 23 which is driven by combustion engine 10 to heater fluid core 22. Check valves 25a, 25b prevent the fluid flowing between consumers, that is the electrical components to be cooled without passing the heater core. A tractor control unit 100 controls the check valves 24a, 24b, combustion engine 10, generator 11a and electric motor 12.
The cooling fluid 20c is transformer oil although other cooling fluids may be used. Circuit 20 is used to cool the generator 11a and electric motor 12.
A second cooling circuit 30 comprises a pump 31 , an air to fluid heater core 32, control valve 33 and check valve 34. Fan 23 blows air onto core 32. Cooling fluid 30a comprises a water-glycol emulsion although an alternative cooling fluid could be used. Consumer 40 requiring cooling is cooled by circuit 30. Consumer 40 may for example be a low performance electric component such as an electric air compressor. Check valve 41 ensures that only components which are designed for water cooling are cooled by the second circuit 30.
Figure 3 shows an electrical circuit inside medium voltage supply unit 11 for a tractor 1.The medium voltage supply unit 1 is provided with an electric generator 1 1a which is driven by the engine crank shaft 10a of combustion engine 10 and an electronic power unit 11 b (insulated-gate bipolar transistor) connected to the electric generator by wiring. The unit 11 provides protection for the generator and power unit and reduces the risk of persons accidentally coming into contact with these components. Alternatively, the generator and power unit may be placed outside of the unit 1 a different locations on the tractor.
The generator produces AC power with an AC frequency dependent on the combustion engine speed. The electronic power unit 1 b converts the AC power output of the generator 11a to a DC voltage with the defined DC-link voltage level to provide ail units connected to the DC network 1 e.
A brake chopper 11 c is provided to avoid a voltage rise in the DC network 11 e if energy is fed back into the system from other sources than the generator. The chopper comprises an oscillating switch in series with a resistor and, depending on the input voltage overshoot (coming from e.g. the implement via the network) the switch is oscillated to guide the excess voltage into the resistor transforming the voltage into heat. The oscillation is necessary to keep the network active and supplying energy, if the switch was to be closed completely over a longer period, the complete voltage supplied by the system would be destroyed and all consumers would be non operative. By oscillating the switch, only the peaks of the voltage are destroyed and the system is still operative. In addition, the resistors are generally designed to be quite small so they are not capable of receiving a constant high load. Using oscillation enables them to cope with the load. E.g. the nominal voltage of the network is 700 V. The overshoot limitation is 900 V. If peaks greater than 900 V occur the switch is closed in an oscillatory manner.
An insulation monitoring system 1 1d is provided to monitor the resistance in the network to detect electrical malfunctions in the medium voltage system. This is necessary to protect the life of potential users of the system and to prevent damage in electric components of the tractor or implement or other consumers connected to the system.
Medium voltage DC network 11 e (greater than 400V, 150 kW) supplies tractor components such as a battery/supply network 16 via DC/DC converter 16a reducing voltages greater than 400 V to, for example, the standard 12V supply. An electronic unit 11g comprising a heating/ventilating/air conditioning (HVAC) compressor via DC/DC converter
is aiso provided. Similarly a variable cooling fan drive 1 1f is supplied via a DC/AC inverter to provide a variable frequency to vary fan speed.
To supply external consumers (e.g. on implements/ front loaders /stationary devices supplied by the tractor) additional supply means are provided.
Medium voltage DC network 11e is connected to an electronic unit 1 1h for supplying external consumers.
In a first mode, electronic unit 11 h converts high power DC into high power AC at fixed frequency to connectors 1 1i. Alternatively electronic unit 11 h can also supply high power DC to connectors 1k. By having an DC or AC supply, different consumer requirements can be fulfilled. E.g. an electric motor running on constant speed can be supplied with AC at a fixed frequency adequate for the wanted motor speed. If one or more electric motors with variable speed must be supplied, it may be more efficient to supply DC and convert into AC on the implement respectively for every electric motor.
There are two cooling circuits 111 and 1 m. First cooing circuit 111 carries
transformer oil and is used to cool high performance components, for example electric generator 11 a and electric power unit 1 b. A second cooling circuit 1 m carries a water glycol emulsion and is used to cool lower cooling requirement components such as a battery/supply network 11f, HVAC compressor supply 11 g, cooling fan drive supply 1 1 f and electronic units 11 h.
By having two separate cooling circuits, different consumers with different cooling requirements in different locations can be efficiently cooled.
Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a tractor cooling system. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts already described. Both cooling circuit 20 and 30 are designed as secondary cooling circuits. Air to fluid heater cores 22 and 32 are replaced by fluid to fluid heater cores 222 and 232. Heater core 102 is placed in front of cooling fan 23. Installation space is reduced using this embodiment since heater cores 222 and 232 can be placed arbitrarily on the tractor.
Figure 5 is yet a further embodiment of a tractor cooling system. Figure 5 is based on the system shown in figure 2 extending the cooling system of the tractor 1 so that it can also be used to cool components on an implement 2. To supply the implement 2, the second cooling circuit 30 is connected to the implement 2 and a consumer 50 by self sealing couplings 51 a in the feedline 52a and self sealing couplings 51b in the return line 52b to disassemble the implement 2 without needing to empty the circuit.
By having two separate cooling circuits 20 and 30, any leakage, or failure of the second circuit on the implement will not affect the important circuit 20 on the tractor. Highly efficient cooling is provided on the tractor 1 whilst the lower cooling
requirement of the consumer on the implement is supplied with a fluid which is not harmful, for example a water glycol mixture. Such a fluid is not harmful if it leaks during coupling and uncoupling of the implement to and from the tractor.
Figure 6 shows a further embodiment still of a tractor cooling system. Figure 6 is based on the circuit of figure 5 in which the first cooling circuit 20 comprising a transformer is also supplying a high performance consumer 60 on the implement 2 by self sealing couplings 61a, 61b. The circuit is protected by control valves 62 and a check valve 63 is used to avoid flow of the cooling fluid in the wrong direction. If a sensor (not shown) detects pressure losses on the implement and/or supply lines 64, this information is forwarded to the tractor control unit 100 and the control valve 62 is closed to prevent the whole circuit leaking.
Figure 7 is yet a further embodiment which is based on the cooling circuit of figure 5. The second cooling circuit 300 is provided with a water glycol mixture to supply consumer 301 on implement 2. Secondary cooling circuit is dependent on the first cooling circuit. First cooling circuit 20 and second cooling circuit 300 are exchanging heat by a fluid to fluid heat exchanger 302. The fluid passage to heat exchange 302 can be controlled by control valve 303. The implement supply can be switched on or off. The check valve 304 is provided to avoid flow of the cooling fluid in the wrong direction. A pump 305 pumps the fluid around the circuit in the direction C shown by the arrow.
With the arrangement shown in figure 7, only one heater core 22 is placed in front of the fan 22 thus reducing the amount of space occupied in front of the engine 10. Cooling circuit 300 exchanges heat by an additional heat exchanger 302 which could be located at any convenient location on the tractor 1.
The second cooling circuit 300 can be reversed by using transformer oil whilst connected to the second cooling circuit 30 without having the first cooling circuit 20.

Claims

Claims
1. An electrical component cooling system for use on a vehicle, said system comprising at least two cooling circuits each having a respective cooling fluid, characterised in that the system carries at least two different cooling fluids for cooling electrical components located on the vehicle and/or a connected implement.
2. An electrical component cooling system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the at least two cooling circuits cool different electrical components.
3. An electrical component cooling system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one cooling fluid comprises transformer oil and at least one cooling fluid comprises a water-glycol mixture.
4. An electrical component cooling system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least two cooling circuits are provided with respective pumps which are powered by a common power source on the vehicle.
5. An electrical component cooling system as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of the at least two cooling circuits cool the common power source.
£. An electrical component cooling system as claimed In any preceding claim wherein a cooling circuit used to cool electrical components on a connected implement is provided with means to block the fluid connection with the vehicle in case of leakage of said cooling circuit.
■ .. An electrical component cooling system as claimed in any preceding claim for use on an agricultural tractor.
RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP
PCT/EP2011/072718 2010-12-24 2011-12-14 Cooling system for elelctrical components on a vehicle WO2012084632A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1021975.6 2010-12-24
GB201021975A GB201021975D0 (en) 2010-07-22 2010-12-24 Cooling system for electrical components on a vehicle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012084632A2 true WO2012084632A2 (en) 2012-06-28
WO2012084632A3 WO2012084632A3 (en) 2013-05-02

Family

ID=45406718

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2011/072718 WO2012084632A2 (en) 2010-12-24 2011-12-14 Cooling system for elelctrical components on a vehicle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2012084632A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014173614A3 (en) * 2013-04-26 2015-01-29 Deere & Company Hybrid vehicle operating strategy for implementing a load point shift, a recuperation, and a boost

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2792259B1 (en) * 1999-04-15 2001-06-15 Valeo Thermique Moteur Sa COOLING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH FUEL CELL
DE102004035879A1 (en) * 2004-07-23 2006-02-16 Daimlerchrysler Ag Cooling system, in particular for a motor vehicle, and method for cooling a heat source
US7451808B2 (en) * 2004-09-17 2008-11-18 Behr Gmbh & Co. Exchanging device for motor vehicles
WO2008007164A1 (en) * 2006-07-07 2008-01-17 Renault Trucks A tractor, a trailer and a truck-type vehicle comprising such a tractor and such a trailer

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014173614A3 (en) * 2013-04-26 2015-01-29 Deere & Company Hybrid vehicle operating strategy for implementing a load point shift, a recuperation, and a boost
CN105008197A (en) * 2013-04-26 2015-10-28 迪尔公司 Hybrid vehicle operating strategy for implementing a load point shift, a recuperation, and a boost
CN105008197B (en) * 2013-04-26 2018-03-02 迪尔公司 For motor vehicle driven by mixed power point displacement, recovery and the operation reserve being pressurized are loaded to realize
US10029691B2 (en) 2013-04-26 2018-07-24 Deere & Company Operating strategy for hybrid vehicles for the implementation of a load point shift, a recuperation and a boost

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2012084632A3 (en) 2013-05-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP5336467B2 (en) Battery cooling device for vehicle
US7150159B1 (en) Hybrid auxiliary power unit for truck
US20130140001A1 (en) Heating/cooling system for a battery of a motor vehicle, and operating method for the same
US20080006045A1 (en) System, method, and apparatus for providing auxiliary power, heating, and air conditioning for a vehicle
CN103925062B (en) Engine compartment cooling heat radiator
US20130239913A1 (en) Thermal Management System, Vehicle, and Associated Method
US8596201B2 (en) Engine warming system for a multi-engine machine
JP2014092160A (en) Integrated cooling system and method for engine-powered unit
US11447036B2 (en) Temperature adjustment circuit and control method thereof
CN112290112B (en) Thermal conditioning system provided with Peltier units for electrically driven vehicles
US20230417170A1 (en) Power System Radiators and Power Systems Having Radiators
CN102729834B (en) Vehicle power supply apparatus
CA2646999C (en) Combination power plant/fluid compressor for service vehicles
CN102966024B (en) There is the building machinery of oil-cooled generator
US11318861B2 (en) Coolant system for a vehicle
WO2012084632A2 (en) Cooling system for elelctrical components on a vehicle
US20140116642A1 (en) Battery-Operated Auxiliary Power Unit
KR101704905B1 (en) Electric machine for a motor vehicle and method for cooling an electric machine
CN211045665U (en) Interactive pure electric vehicles cooling system
CN112572093B (en) Thermal management system and engineering machinery
KR20200127716A (en) System and method for cooling electrical oil pump integrated controller
EP4166363A1 (en) Work vehicle with at least partial electric traction
WO2022107383A1 (en) Temperature regulating device
US20230311638A1 (en) Electric vehicle cooling system
WO2012084633A1 (en) Housing for electrical components on a vehicle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 11801685

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 11801685

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2