Water supply system for a fuel cell

• US 20030116654A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NuCellSys GmbH (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: NuCellSys GmbH (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Herd, Gregory, Schroepel, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,932,282 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/551
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04291 Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems H01M8/04119 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

Apparatus for supplying water to a plurality of individually controllable water injectors, has a pump adapted to provide water under pressure to the water injectors. Each water injector has associated therewith a respective controllable solenoid valve to control the amount of water supplied to the water injector, in dependence upon a pulse modulated control signal supplied to the valve.

Claims

1. Apparatus for supplying water to a plurality of individually controllable water injectors in a fuel cell control system, characterized by pump means adapted to provide water under pressure to said plurality of water injectors, each water injector having associated therewith a respective controllable valve to control the amount of water supplied to the water injector, in dependence upon a control signal supplied to said valve.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump means provides a substantially constant flow rate and pressure of water to a water flow passage to which each of the water injectors is connected.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the water flow passage includes a pressure regulator to control the pressure in the passage and to recirculate excess water flow to the pump means.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1, characterized in that the control valves each comprise a solenoid operable valve to which a control signal in the form of a pulse modulated signal is supplied to determine the opening period of the valve to meter the flow rate of water to the associated water injector.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2, characterized in that the control valves each comprise a solenoid operable valve to which a control signal in the form of a pulse modulated signal is supplied to determine the opening period of the valve to meter the flow rate of water to the associated water injector.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3, characterized in that the control valves each comprise a solenoid operable valve to which a control signal in the form of a pulse modulated signal is supplied to determine the opening period of the valve to meter the flow rate of water to the associated water injector.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control signal is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the control signal is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the control signal is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.