Electric vehicle thermal management system
View Patent ↗An efficient thermal management system ( 100 ) that utilizes a single heat exchanger ( 133 ) is provided. A refrigeration subsystem ( 103 ) cools the heat exchanger ( 133 ). A first coolant loop ( 139 ) in thermal communication with the heat exchanger ( 133 ) is used to cool the energy storage system ( 137 ). A second coolant loop ( 151 ) corresponding to the HVAC subsystem ( 107 ) is also in thermal communication with the heat exchanger ( 133 ). Preferably a third coolant loop ( 109 ) corresponding to the drive motor cooling subsystem ( 101 ) is coupleable to the HVAC coolant loop ( 151 ), thus providing an efficient means of providing heat to the HVAC subsystem ( 107 ).
1. An electric vehicle thermal management system comprising:
a refrigeration subsystem comprising a refrigerant and a heat exchanger;
a first coolant loop in thermal communication with an energy storage system and in thermal communication with said heat exchanger;
a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) subsystem comprising a second coolant loop in thermal communication with said heat exchanger;
a power train cooling subsystem, said power train cooling subsystem comprising a third coolant loop in thermal communication with a vehicle drive motor and in thermal communication with a radiator; and
means for controllably and fluidly coupling said second coolant loop to said third coolant loop, wherein said means for controllably and fluidly coupling provides a means for allowing and preventing coolant fluid exchange between said second and third coolant loops.
2. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 1 , said HVAC subsystem further comprising a radiator and a blower fan.
3. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 2 , said second coolant loop further comprising a coolant pump.
4. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 2 , further comprising a heater in thermal communication with said radiator.
5. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 1 , said first coolant loop further comprising a coolant pump and a coolant reservoir.
6. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 5 , further comprising a heater in thermal communication with said first coolant loop.
7. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 1 , wherein said means for controllably and fluidly coupling means comprises a first flow control valve within said third coolant loop and a pair of flow control valves within said second coolant loop.
8. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 1 , said refrigeration system further comprising a compressor, a condenser and a thermostatic expansion valve.
9. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 1 , said energy storage system further comprising a plurality of batteries.
10. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 1 , said third coolant loop further comprising a coolant pump and a coolant reservoir.
11. The electric vehicle thermal management system of claim 1 , said power train cooling subsystem further comprising a power electronics module in thermal communication with said third coolant loop.