US 12,451,499 B2
Auxiliary thermal regulation of fuel cell stack
Dallas K. Fox, Yorba Lina, CA (US)
Assigned to TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC, Plano, TX (US); and TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota (JP)
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/732,752.
Prior Publication US 2023/0352704 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04007 (2016.01); B60H 1/00 (2006.01); B60L 50/72 (2019.01); B60L 58/33 (2019.01); B60L 58/34 (2019.01); H01M 8/04029 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/04067 (2013.01) [B60H 1/00271 (2013.01); B60H 1/00392 (2013.01); B60H 1/00885 (2013.01); B60H 1/00899 (2013.01); B60L 50/72 (2019.02); B60L 58/33 (2019.02); B60L 58/34 (2019.02); H01M 8/04029 (2013.01); B60H 2001/00307 (2013.01); H01M 2250/20 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle, comprising:
a fuel cell (FC) thermal regulation circuit for circulation of a radiant fluid, the FC thermal regulation circuit including a fuel cell stack (FCS) thermally regulated by the radiant fluid and operable to generate electric power, an AC evaporator/condenser, a heat exchange device operable to thermally regulate the radiant fluid, and an FC radiator operable to transmit heat absorbed from the radiant fluid that flows through the FC thermal regulation circuit to an area outside of the FCS; and
a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) thermal regulation circuit for circulation of a refrigerant fluid to thermally regulate air in a vehicle passenger compartment, the HVAC thermal regulation circuit including the AC evaporator/condenser operable to supply air to an interior vehicle compartment, an HVAC radiator operable to transmit heat absorbed from the refrigerant fluid to an ambient environment outside of the vehicle, and a bi-directional heat pump operable to drive the refrigerant fluid and thereby facilitate selective auxiliary thermal regulation of the FCS.