Quicker DC charging has required a brand new technology of cable cooling, however Common Motors can also be taking a look at cooling of the cost port, a patent submitting signifies.
Printed by the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) April 25, 2024, and initially filed by GM October 18, 2022, the patent utility in query offers with cooling of EV cost ports with section change materials (PCM).
A PCM is one which absorbs and releases warmth when it goes by means of a section change—therefore the title. PCM cooling has been utilized in warmth sinks within the computing world for years, and has changing into more and more frequent in outside gear.
Common Motors PCM cost port cooling patent picture
On this charging utility, PCM can be positioned across the cost port and would shift from a strong to a liquid state because it absorbs warmth brought on by the circulation of electrical energy by means of the port, thus offering a cooling impact, GM states within the utility. If temperatures nonetheless rise above a predetermined threshold, an onboard controller would robotically derate charging, the automaker provides.
One method mentioned within the utility mentions a warmth spreader and metallic foam as a potential configuration, however regardless it is unlikely that PCM cost port cooling would require transferring elements. It is also doubtless a lot much less complicated than liquid cooling.
Common Motors PCM cost port cooling patent picture
Thus far, efforts to chill off {hardware} so as to enhance charging speeds have targeted on different areas. In 2021, researchers at Ford and Purdue College confirmed off a phase-change technique for serving to cool EVs for quicker charging. However this concerned a section change of coolant (from liquid to vapor) in a cable, not a cost port. In some EVs, the cabin cooling system additionally helps the battery keep cool throughout charging, however that additionally hasn’t been utilized to the cost port itself.
Warmth buildup is without doubt one of the important causes EV makers are shifting to larger voltages as properly. For this reason Porsche pushed for 800-volt charging as a substitute of 400-volt for the Taycan.
