Apparatus and Method

Abstract

In one embodiment, there is provided a device for a vehicle, having: a first interface configured to couple to at least one replaceable fluid container for a vehicle comprising a battery, the first interface comprising at least one fluid port configured to couple to at least one fluid port of the replaceable fluid container; a second interface configured to couple to an engine of the vehicle, the second interface comprising at least one fluid port configured to couple to at least one fluid port of a fluid circulation system of the vehicle; a fluid path coupled to at least one fluid port of the first interface and at least one fluid port of the second interface; and at least one electrical pump configured to be powered and/or driven by the battery of the vehicle and to cause fluid flow.

1 . A device comprising:
 a first interface configured to couple to a fluid container for a vehicle comprising a battery, the first interface comprising a fluid port configured to couple to a fluid port of the fluid container;   a second interface configured to couple to a component of the vehicle, the second interface comprising a fluid port configured to couple to a fluid port of a fluid circulation system of the vehicle;   a fluid path coupled to the fluid port of the first interface and the fluid port of the second interface; and   an electrical pump configured to be powered by the battery and to cause fluid flow between the fluid container and the fluid circulation system through the fluid path.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow caused by the pump comprises:
 fluid supply from the fluid container to the fluid circulation system, or   fluid return from the fluid circulation system to the fluid container.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the fluid path, and   a temperature regulating system of the vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a second electrical pump configured to be powered by the battery and to cause a temperature regulating fluid flow through the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the temperature regulating fluid comprises one or more of: air, hydrogen, an inert gas, water, and an anti-freeze liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a latent heat accumulator thermally coupled to the heat exchanger, or   an electrical heater thermally coupled to the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical heater is configured to be powered by the battery. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a latent heat accumulator thermally coupled to the fluid path, or   an electrical heater thermally coupled to the fluid path.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises an electric drivetrain and the battery is configured to provide at least a part of an electrical power for operation of the electric drivetrain. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the battery has a nominal voltage of more than 24V. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing provided with the first interface and the second interface and configured to house the fluid path and the electrical pump. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid in the container is one or more of:
 a de-icer,   a hydraulic fluid,   a pneumatic fluid,   a washer fluid,   a charge conduction liquid,   an electrical connectivity liquid, and   a heat exchange fluid.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the component is an electric motor. 
     
     
         15 . A method of determining a characteristic of a fluid in a fluid container for a vehicle comprising a battery, a component, and a fluid circulation system, wherein the method is performed by a controller, the method comprising:
 determining, using a temperature sensor, a temperature associated with the fluid in the fluid container, wherein the fluid container is coupled to a fluid path coupled to the fluid circulation system, and wherein an electrical pump is configured to be powered by the battery and to cause fluid flow between the fluid container and the fluid circulation system through the fluid path;   determining an electrical load associated with the electrical pump in a predetermined mode of operation; and   comparing the determined electrical load with an expected electrical load.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the expected electrical load is associated with the determined temperature or predetermined mode of operation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the characteristic of the fluid comprises at least one of a viscosity of the fluid, an age of the fluid, and a purity of the fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the comparing comprises determining that the determined electrical load is lower than the expected electrical load, and further comprising:
 providing data indicating that a fluid change is required.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the vehicle further comprises an electric drivetrain and the battery is configured to provide at least a part of an electrical power for operation of the electric drivetrain. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the component comprises an electric motor.