Thermal management system with dual mode coolant loops

US8336319B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tesla Motors, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Vincent George Johnston · Rue de l'Église, US
• Andrew David Baglino · San Francisco, US
• Scott Ira Kohn · Menlo Park, US
• Vineet Haresh Mehta · Boston, US
• Christopher Gadda · Palo Alto, US
• Curt Raymond O'Donnell · Sunnyvale, US
• Wulfer Adrijn de Bruijn · Redwood City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 13, 2010
• Grant date: Dec 25, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 25, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T90/16
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), and a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel, and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series.