FUEL CELL SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY THEREOF
First Claim
1. A fuel cell installation comprising:
- a support structure;
a cell stack assembly removably insertable into the support structure from an uninstalled position to an installed position during an installation procedure, the cell stack assembly including a fitting; and
an interfacing structure mounted on one the support structure and the cell stack assembly, the interfacing structure carrying a connector configured to receive the fitting in an interconnected relationship, at least one of the fitting and the connector movable in a plane relative to the support structure and aligning with the other of the fitting and the connector in response to insertion of cell stack assembly into the support structure during the installation procedure.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell installation includes a support structure and a cell stack assembly that is removably insertable into the support structure from an uninstalled position to an installed position during an installation procedure. The cell stack assembly includes a fitting. An interfacing structure is mounted on one of the support structure in the cell stack assembly. The interfacing structure carries a connector that is configured to receive the fitting in interconnected relationship. At least one of the fitting and the connector floats in a plane relative to the support structure during the installation procedure. In operation, the fitting engages the connector when the cell stack assembly is inserted into the support structure. The fitting is repositioned relative to the connector to ensure that the fitting and connector are aligned with one another and connected upon installation.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A fuel cell installation comprising:
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a support structure; a cell stack assembly removably insertable into the support structure from an uninstalled position to an installed position during an installation procedure, the cell stack assembly including a fitting; and an interfacing structure mounted on one the support structure and the cell stack assembly, the interfacing structure carrying a connector configured to receive the fitting in an interconnected relationship, at least one of the fitting and the connector movable in a plane relative to the support structure and aligning with the other of the fitting and the connector in response to insertion of cell stack assembly into the support structure during the installation procedure. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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2. A fuel cell installation comprising:
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a support structure; a cell stack assembly removably insertable into the support structure from an uninstalled position to an installed position during an installation procedure, the cell stack assembly including a fitting; and an interfacing structure mounted on one the support structure and the cell stack assembly, the interfacing structure carrying a connector configured to receive the fitting in an interconnected relationship, at least one of the fitting and the connector movable in a plane relative to the support structure and aligning with the other of the fitting and the connector in response to insertion of cell stack assembly into the support structure during the installation procedure, wherein the interfacing structure is mounted on the support structure with a bearing arranged between the support structure and interfacing structure in the installed position. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fuel cell installation comprising:
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a support structure; a cell stack assembly removably insertable into the support structure from an uninstalled position to an installed position during an installation procedure, the cell stack assembly including a fitting; and an interfacing structure mounted on one the support structure and the cell stack assembly, the interfacing structure carrying a connector configured to receive the fitting in an interconnected relationship, at least one of the fitting and the connector movable in a plane relative to the support structure and aligning with the other of the fitting and the connector in response to insertion of cell stack assembly into the support structure during the installation procedure, wherein the fitting is a fluid fitting, and the fuel cell comprises a seal arranged between the fitting and the connector. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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15. A method of installing a cell stack assembly into a support structure comprising the steps of:
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inserting a cell stack assembly into a support structure in an installation direction; engaging a fluid fitting on the cell stack assembly with a fluid connector mounted on the support structure; and repositioning the fluid fitting and fluid connector relative to one another in a direction transverse to the installation direction in response to the inserting step. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method of installing a cell stack assembly into a support structure comprising the steps of:
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inserting a cell stack assembly into a support structure in an installation direction; engaging a fluid fitting on the cell stack assembly with a fluid connector mounted on the support structure; and repositioning the fluid fitting and fluid connector relative to one another in a direction transverse to the installation direction in response to the inserting step, wherein the cell stack assembly includes a pin, and the support structure includes a plate supported by the support structure in a plane transverse to the installation direction, the engaging step including engaging the plate with the pin, and the repositioning step includes moving the plate in a plane. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method of installing a cell stack assembly into a support structure comprising the steps of:
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inserting a cell stack assembly into a support structure in an installation direction; engaging a fluid fitting on the cell stack assembly with a fluid connector mounted on the support structure; and repositioning the fluid fitting and fluid connector relative to one another in a direction transverse to the installation direction in response to the inserting step, wherein the engaging step includes sealing the fluid fitting relative to the fluid connector.
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21. A fuel cell arrangement comprising:
an interfacing structure configured to be mounted on one of a support structure and a cell stack assembly, the interfacing structure carrying a connector configured to receive a cell stack assembly fitting in an interconnector relationship, the interfacing structure configured to provide at least one of the fitting and the connector moveably in a plane relative to the support structure and aligning with the other of the fitting and the connector in response to insertion of cell stack assembly into the support structure during an installation procedure.
Specification