Anode air purge valve design
US7771888B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/87772
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A purge valve for a split fuel cell stack design that prevents a direct flow path between the anode sides of the split stacks. The purge valve includes an inlet port that receives purge air from a compressor, a first outlet port in fluid communication with the anode side of one of the split stacks and a second outlet port in fluid communication with the anode side of the other split stack. A spring biased shaft maintains a diaphragm in a closed position to close off the flow channels between the inlet port and the first outlet port, the inlet port and the second outlet port and the first and second outlet ports during normal fuel cell operation. A hole is provided through the diaphragm to provide pressure equalization in the chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.