Centralized multi-zone cooling for increased battery efficiency
View Patent ↗A system for managing battery temperature is described. The system may include a cooling system which may include a fluid. A cabin circulation subsystem may be coupled to the cooling subsystem and may utilize the fluid for cabin cooling. A separate battery circulation subsystem may also may also be coupled to the cooling subsystem so that it may additionally utilize the fluid for battery cooling. A control may be present in order to regulate movement of the fluid to the cabin circulation subsystem and/or to the battery circulation subsystem.
1. A system for managing a battery within a vehicle, comprising:
a cooling subsystem including a fluid;
a cabin circulation subsystem coupled to the cooling subsystem to utilize the fluid for cabin cooling;
a battery circulation subsystem coupled to the cooling subsystem to utilize the fluid for battery cooling;
a temperature sensor that monitors a battery temperature corresponding to the battery; and
a processor to regulate operation of the cabin circulation subsystem and the battery circulation subsystem, wherein said processor estimates a remaining operational time before the battery reaches a state of depletion, wherein said processor estimates a time before said battery temperature reaches a threshold battery temperature, and wherein said processor prevents operation of said battery circulation subsystem if said remaining operational time is less than said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor operates said battery circulation subsystem to prevent said battery temperature from exceeding a peak threshold battery temperature if said remaining operational time is greater than said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor operates the battery circulation subsystem to assure the battery is maintained below a threshold temperature during said remaining operational time, wherein the processor only operates the battery circulation subsystem if said remaining operational time is greater than said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cooling subsystem further includes a compressor to pressurize the fluid.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the processor is further operable to regulate the operation of the compressor.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery circulation subsystem includes a further fluid in thermal contact with the battery, and wherein the further fluid receives cooling from the fluid of the cooling subsystem.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
a valve to regulate flow of said fluid, the valve controlled by the processor.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an evaporator in communication with the cooling subsystem to provide cooling to said cabin circulation subsystem.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an accessory valve controlled by the processor to cool an additional zone.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is operable to restrict said accessory valve to decrease cooling in said additional zone and increase cooling in the battery circulation subsystem.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cooling subsystem is powered by the battery.
12. A method for cooling a battery in a vehicle, comprising:
monitoring a battery temperature corresponding to the battery;
estimating a time before said battery temperature reaches a threshold battery temperature;
estimating a remaining operational time before the battery reaches a state of depletion;
comparing said remaining operational time with said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature; and
preventing cooling for the battery if said remaining operational time is less than said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of cooling the battery if said remaining operational time is greater than said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature, wherein said cooling step is performed to prevent said battery temperature from exceeding a peak threshold battery temperature.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the amount of cooling is based on the battery temperature.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the amount of cooling is based on the remaining operational time.
16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of cooling the battery if said remaining operational time is greater than said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature, wherein said cooling step is performed to prevent said battery temperature from exceeding said threshold battery temperature.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of decreasing cooling in a first cooling zone separate from a second cooling zone in order to provide cooling to the battery, wherein said second cooling zone includes said battery.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first cooling zone includes a cabin in the vehicle.