Cooling circuit for vehicles operated by means of fuel cells

Abstract

A cooling system for a fuel cell electric vehicle includes a first circuit designed as a compact cooler unit with an indirect evaporator and indirect condenser. A low-temperature second circuit includes a first partial circuit cooling fuel cell electronic control components, a second partial circuit cooling the electric drive system electronic components, and a third partial circuit through the indirect condenser. A third circuit cools the traction battery. A fourth circuit (high-temperature) flows around the fuel cells. A control device controls operation of liquid coolant pumps in the circuits and of controllable valves for controlling the liquid flow in the secondary circuit. The second and third circuits are connected to one another via a first controllable valve, which is arranged as the only control valve in the second circuit.