Locomotive Cooling Systems: A Multi-Domain System Strategy for Efficient and Quieter Cooling Units

Abstract

An important subsystem in all locomotives is the cooling module with its demand of external energy and the sound emitted. Under specific operational conditions the cooling system is the major noise source and the component with the largest energy consumption. In the work presented the design of mobile cooling systems is revisited in a more integrated manner as compared to the state-of-the-art. The aim is the holistic multi-domain system simulation of the cooling unit and its optimization. For that the complete cooling unit is subdivided in a number of sub-models (water circuit, aerodynamic fan, fan transmission, control unit, etc.) which are interacting with the vehicle and ambient conditions. The complete thermal layout of the cooling system is optimized employing advanced numerical simulation tools. In addition, innovative control strategies are included such as intelligent adaptive control of the forced coolant, anticipated upcoming cooling demand from temperature history, adaptive control strategies for increased efficiency of the fans, etc. The potential reduction of sound power level and energy consumed is evaluated while assessing the cost-benefit ratio. The work is part of the European FP7 transport research project ECOQUEST.