Fuel cell multifunction cathode valve
First Claim
1. A fuel cell comprising:
- a cathode and an anode; and
a cathode loop upstream of the cathode and downstream of an ambient air inlet and having;
a compressor having an inlet and an outlet,a bypass line configured to return the air from the outlet to the inlet; and
a multifunction valve operable in;
a first mode configured to block the air from the cathode anda second mode configured to direct at least some of the air to the bypass line while directing air to the cathodea third mode configured to block the air from being sent to the bypass line and direct the air to be sent toward the cathode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell system in a vehicle has a cathode and an anode. A compressor has an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being configured to outlet a compressed air from the compressor. A bypass line is configured to return the compressed air from the outlet to the inlet such that the air returns to the compressor in a loop. A valve is located downstream of the compressor and is operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the valve is configured to block the air from the cathode and return the air via the bypass line. In a second mode, the valve is configured to direct at least some of the air to the cathode. The valve can also be configured to operate in a third mode in which the air is sent to the cathode without going through the bypass line.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A fuel cell comprising:
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a cathode and an anode; and a cathode loop upstream of the cathode and downstream of an ambient air inlet and having; a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, a bypass line configured to return the air from the outlet to the inlet; and a multifunction valve operable in; a first mode configured to block the air from the cathode and a second mode configured to direct at least some of the air to the bypass line while directing air to the cathode a third mode configured to block the air from being sent to the bypass line and direct the air to be sent toward the cathode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A fuel cell system comprising:
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a cathode and an anode; and a fuel cell compressor recirculation system, comprising; an air compressor having an inlet and an outlet; a multifunction valve; a first fluid line coupling the outlet to the multifunction valve; a second fluid line coupling the multifunction valve to the inlet; and a third fluid line coupling the multifunction valve to the cathode; wherein the multifunction valve selectively diverts air into the second fluid line while blocking the air from flowing into the third fluid line; wherein the multifunction valve selectively enables some of the air into the third line while diverting some of the air into the second line; and wherein the multifunction valve selectively enables the air to flow from the first line to the third line while blocking air from flowing into the second line. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification