Fuel cell system having a compact water separator
US6579637B1 · kind B1 · utility
36Cited by
0References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell system including a compact, low-pressure-drop, high efficiency water-separator for separating liquid water from water-laden streams of the system. A cyclonic separator includes a sump for collecting the water, a drain for removing the water from the sump and directing it to a reservoir, a shutoff valve associated with the drain for controlling flow through from the drain, and a water level switch that controls the opening/closing of the valve. The switch triggers closing of the valve before the sump is emptied to provide a water seal that prevents escape of gas through the drain.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.