Manifold for a fuel cell system
First Claim
1. A manifold for a fuel cell system, comprising:
- a manifold body;
a plurality of first ports in the manifold body, for connecting to fuel cell peripherals;
a plurality of second ports in the manifold body, for connecting to a fuel cell stack; and
a plurality of fluid passages within the manifold providing communication between respective ones of the first ports and respective ones of the second ports, whereby, in use, the fluid passages communicate fluids between the fuel cell stack and fuel cell peripherals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A manifold for a fuel cell system comprises a plurality of first ports for connecting to fuel cell peripherals; a plurality of ports for connecting to a fuel cell stack; and a plurality of fluid passages within the manifold in communication with the said plurality of ports connecting to the fuel cell peripherals and with the first and second ports for providing, communication of fluids between the fuel cell stack and fuel cell peripherals. The manifold provides a higher degree of system integration, considerably reduced piping, fittings and associated hardware and hence generally reduces the size and weight of the fuel cell system. Thermal-fluid related system losses are also minimized.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A manifold for a fuel cell system, comprising:
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a manifold body;
a plurality of first ports in the manifold body, for connecting to fuel cell peripherals;
a plurality of second ports in the manifold body, for connecting to a fuel cell stack; and
a plurality of fluid passages within the manifold providing communication between respective ones of the first ports and respective ones of the second ports, whereby, in use, the fluid passages communicate fluids between the fuel cell stack and fuel cell peripherals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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13. A fuel cell system comprising, a fuel cell stack including:
at least one fuel cell and having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet for an oxide, an anode inlet and an anode outlet for a fuel gas, and a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet;
a manifold having ports connected to the cathode inlet, the cathode outlet, the anode inlet, the anode outlet, the coolant inlet, and the coolant outlet of the fuel cell stack;
a plurality of additional ports including at least a port for an oxidant inlet, a port for a fuel gas inlet, and inlet and outlet ports for the coolant; and
a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the additional ports of the manifold.
Specification