PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR HYDROGEN STORAGE SYSTEM

• US 20100101666A1
• Filed: 10/28/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Pechtold, Rainer, Podorashi, Demitri A., Weidner, Hans, Markard, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 9,074,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/505
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/30 spring-loaded
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/1221 one side of the piston being spring-loaded
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/1223 one side of the piston being acted upon by the circulating fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/1226 the fluid circulating through the piston
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/103 the sensing element placed between the inlet and outlet multiple-way valve G05D16/101
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7793 With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator]

Abstract

A pressure regulator for a hydrogen storage system, wherein the pressure regulator is adapted to operate at temperatures below −50° C., while minimizing the need for separate sealing elements and O-rings. The pressure regulator includes a main body including an inner cavity bounded by an interior wall, a piston disposed in the inner cavity, the piston including a first channel disposed adjacent a first portion, wherein the first portion is adapted to cooperate with the interior wall to form a seal between the piston and the interior wall, a first biasing device disposed in the first channel, wherein the first biasing device is adapted to exert a force on the first portion of the piston to form a seal between the first portion and the interior wall, and an end cap coupled to the main body thereby enclosing the piston to form an outlet pressure chamber.

Claims

1. A piston assembly for a pressure regulator comprising:

a piston having a first portion; and

a first biasing device adapted to cooperate with the piston and exert a force on the first portion of the piston to form a seal between the first portion and the pressure regulator.

2. The piston assembly according to claim 1, wherein the piston is formed from a material having a predetermined permeability and performance at temperatures below −

50°

C.

3. The piston assembly according to claim 1, wherein the piston is formed from at least one of ultra heavy molecular weight polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. The piston assembly according to claim 1, wherein the piston includes a first channel disposed adjacent the first portion, the first channel adapted to receive the first biasing device.

5. The piston assembly according to claim 1, wherein the piston is adapted to receive a second biasing device for biasing a second portion of the piston to form a seal between the second portion and another body.

6. The piston assembly according to claim 5, wherein the piston includes a second channel disposed adjacent the second portion, the second channel adapted to receive the second biasing device.

7. A pressure regulator comprising:

a main body;

a piston having a first portion adapted to cooperate with the main body to form a seal between the piston and the main body; and

a first biasing device adapted to exert a force on the first portion of the piston to form the seal between the first portion and the main body.

8. The pressure regulator according to claim 7, wherein the piston is formed from at least one of ultra heavy molecular weight polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene.

9. The pressure regulator according to claim 7, wherein the piston includes at least one of a cross bore and an axial bore for directing fluid through the piston.

10. The pressure regulator according to claim 7, wherein the piston includes a first channel disposed adjacent the first portion, the first channel adapted to receive the first biasing device.

11. The pressure regulator according to claim 7, wherein the piston is adapted to receive a second biasing device for biasing a second portion of the piston to form a seal between the second portion and the main body.

12. The pressure regulator according to claim 11, wherein the piston includes a second channel disposed adjacent the second portion, the second channel adapted to receive the second biasing device.

13. The pressure regulator according to claim 7, further comprising an end cap coupled to the main body to enclose the piston assembly.

14. A pressure regulator comprising:

a main body including an inner cavity bounded by an interior wall;

a piston disposed in the inner cavity, the piston including a first channel disposed adjacent a first portion, wherein the first portion is adapted to cooperate with the interior wall to form a seal between the piston and the interior wall;

a first biasing device disposed in the first channel, wherein the first biasing device is adapted to exert a force on the first portion of the piston to form the seal between the first portion and the interior wall; and

an end cap coupled to the main body thereby enclosing the piston to form an outlet pressure chamber.

15. The pressure regulator according to claim 14, wherein the piston is formed from at least one of ultra heavy molecular weight polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene.

16. The pressure regulator according to claim 14, wherein the piston includes at least one of a cross bore and an axial bore for directing fluid through the piston.

17. The pressure regulator according to claim 14, wherein the main body includes an inlet port adapted to provide fluid communication between a pressurized fluid source and the piston.

18. The pressure regulator according to claim 14, wherein the piston is adapted to receive a second biasing device for biasing a second portion of the piston to form a seal between the second portion and the main body.

19. The pressure regulator according to claim 18, wherein the piston includes a second channel disposed adjacent the second portion, the second channel adapted to receive the second biasing device.

20. The pressure regulator according to claim 14, further comprising a radial seal disposed between the end cap and the main body for providing a seal between the main body and the end cap.