Adaptation of Traditional Cooling Airflow Management to Advanced Technology Vehicles

Advanced Technology Vehicles require levels of cooling airflow that are different from traditional internal combustion and diesel engines of today. While the cooling airflow needs of the climate control system for air conditioning are dependent on the interior volume and passenger compartment configuration, the cooling airflow needs for powertrain cooling are dependent on the heat rejection and configuration of the powertrain. With alternative powertrains, such as fuel cells, hybrid electrics and electric vehicles, the heat rejection from the powertrain differs in both the quantity of heat rejected and the temperature differentials required for sustaining the designed operating conditions of the powertrain. The cooling airflow for advanced vehicles must comprehend both the climate control and powertrain cooling needs of the vehicle.

This paper examines cooling air trend data for the current vehicle population. Correlation of various vehicle parameters and cooling air trend data with cooling system configurations will be examined. Extrapolation of cooling air requirements for advanced technology vehicles: fuel cell vehicles, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, will produce some new challenges for providing a sufficient quantity and quality of cooling airflow.

Different design scenarios are feasible for the various alternative powertrains. The potential cooling air strategies for advance technology vehicles discussed are based on past experiences with traditional internal combustion and diesel engines. The technical gaps for meeting the advanced powertrain requirements are identified.