Patent · US Expired

Ventilation and purge of a hydrogen blower

US7021907B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by

4References

23Claims

0Family size

Assignee

General Motors LLC · US

Inventors

Ralph Hobmeyr · Mainz, DE
Bernhard Wnendt · Adelsheim, DE
Roland Matthe · Bischofsheim, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 3, 2003
Grant date	Apr 4, 2006
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 5, 2024

Classification

Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
CPC primaryF04D29/102
WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A hydrogen blower is provided and includes a housing having a drive unit and a compressor unit disposed therein. The drive unit is separated from the compressor unit by a neutral chamber, whereby the neutral chamber effectively seals the drive unit from the compressor unit. The drive unit includes a drive shaft, whereby the drive shaft extends generally between the drive unit and the compressor unit to selectively drive the compressor. In addition, the drive shaft fixedly supports a series of fan blades such that rotation of the drive shaft imparts a pressure on the neutral chamber to effectively seal the drive unit from the compressor unit. In this manner, the drive motor, compressor, and drive shaft may be packaged in a single housing while effectively sealing the drive unit from the compressor unit through cooperation between the fan blades and the neutral chamber.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.