Cooling of electric powertrain in electric vehicles
Basnet, Jenish (2025)
Diplomityö
2025
School of Energy Systems, Sähkötekniikka
Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025052855517
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025052855517
Tiivistelmä
This work examines the thermal management challenges and cooling methods utilized for electric powertrain systems in electric vehicles (EVs). Particular consideration is given to cooling strategies pertaining to electric motors, power converters, batteries and gearboxes, all of which are critical to the efficiency and operational lifetime of an EV. The applicability of different cooling schemes—such as liquid cooling systems, air cooling systems, spray cooling systems, and oil-based methods—is assessed to find the best heat management solutions for high-power-density scenarios.
The cooling requirements for power electronic devices employing silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) components are critically analyzed, with a systematic evaluation of advanced thermal solutions necessary to optimize their thermal performance. It includes a systematic review of existing research on the assessment of cooling mechanisms for electric motors, power converters and batteries in terms of heat dissipation and their efficiency for the power systems. Important results from the literature include performance of geothermal fluid, glycols, oils and nanofluids as a heat exchange fluid and detailed active and passive cooling architectures.
It is demonstrated that customized active and passive cooling systems are required for powertrain components to deliver optimal thermal management in EVs. Key results include a 25% improvement in heat transfer efficiency using nanofluids, a 15°C reduction in peak battery temperatures with liquid cooling compared to passive air-cooled systems and a 12% efficiency gain through active thermal management strategies.
The cooling requirements for power electronic devices employing silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) components are critically analyzed, with a systematic evaluation of advanced thermal solutions necessary to optimize their thermal performance. It includes a systematic review of existing research on the assessment of cooling mechanisms for electric motors, power converters and batteries in terms of heat dissipation and their efficiency for the power systems. Important results from the literature include performance of geothermal fluid, glycols, oils and nanofluids as a heat exchange fluid and detailed active and passive cooling architectures.
It is demonstrated that customized active and passive cooling systems are required for powertrain components to deliver optimal thermal management in EVs. Key results include a 25% improvement in heat transfer efficiency using nanofluids, a 15°C reduction in peak battery temperatures with liquid cooling compared to passive air-cooled systems and a 12% efficiency gain through active thermal management strategies.