Motor vehicles – Power – Electric
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-07
2003-07-08
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Power
Electric
C062S238600, C429S006000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06588522
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a vehicle with a fuel cell system and a method for operating such a vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,956 discloses a coolant system for use in a fuel cell vehicle. A first coolant circuit includes a component such as a fuel cell to be cooled, a radiator with a cooling fan and a coolant pump for circulating coolant through the first component and the radiator. A by-pass line arranged in parallel flow relationship with the radiator includes a second heat exchanger, with a fan for providing heated air for the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a control valve which controls the coolant flow through the by-pass line and the second heat exchanger. A second coolant circuit provided which also passes through the second heat exchanger, separately from the first coolant circuit and includes an additional component to be cooled.
One object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for cooling vehicle components that operate at different coolant temperature levels.
This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the method and apparatus according to the invention, in which a vehicle having a fuel cell system is provided with a first cooling circuit for cooling the fuel cell, and a second cooling circuit for cooling vehicle components, including a propulsion engine. A compression/expansion unit is provided between the first and second cooling circuits, with the cold (expansion) side of the compression/expansion unit being in thermal contact with the heated cooling medium of the first cooling circuit which is at a first, relatively cooler temperature, and the hot (compression) side in thermal contact with the second cooling circuit, which is at a second, relatively warmer temperature, so that heat is transferred from the former to the latter.
The invention allows the fuel cell system to be cooled by the vehicle cooling loop, although the temperature difference between the fuel cell cooling loop and the vehicle cooling loop is small.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5537956 (1996-07-01), Rennfeld et al.
patent: 6232006 (2001-05-01), Breault
patent: 6380835 (2002-04-01), Lee
patent: 6448535 (2002-09-01), Ap
patent: 4-337251 (1992-11-01), None
U.S. patent application Publication 2002/0184908—dated Dec. 12, 2002.*
2001/0018832—patent application Publication dated Sep. 6, 2001.*
2001/0028972—patent application Publication dated Oct. 11, 2001.*
2001/0046618—patent application Publication dated Nov. 29, 2001.*
2001/0050191—patent application Publication dated Dec. 13, 2001.*
2002/0031693—patent application Publication dated Mar. 14, 2002.*
2002/0040896—patent application Publication dated Apr. 11, 2002.*
2002/0053216—patent application Publication dated May 9, 2002.
Baumert Rob
Greenhill Craig
Ballard Power System AG
Fischmann Bryan
Johnson Brian L.
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