Integrated compressor expander apparatus
US6283723A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Fluid displacement apparatus with a set of opposing pistons in traveling chambers and a set of opposing pistons in stationary bores; a second embodiment with all pistons in traveling chambers; a third embodiment with all pistons in stationary bores. In each embodiment the displacement of the pistons can be different and the displacement can be variable. The apparatus is connected to a fuel cell stack to supply compressed gaseous fluid from a portion of the chambers and receive exhaust from the fuel cell stack in other chambers to perform an expander function. The apparatus can also be connected to a fuel cell stack and a reformer to supply compressed gaseous fluid to both and to receive exhaust from both as an expander. The chambers are sized differently to provide a pressure ratio across the fuel cell stack.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.