Slideable cylindrical valve for fuel cell

• US 8,557,479 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eickhoff, Steven J., Ellman, Bob
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIDDIQUEE, MUHAMMAD S
• Application Number:
  US12/829,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20110003237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 429/513
• US Class Current: 429/513
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 77/14 by incorporation of racks or supports, other than shelves, for household utensils
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 45/02 for fastening kitchen utensils to tables, walls, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A power generator including one or more fuel cells, a fuel chamber enclosing a hydrogen generating fuel, and one or more slideable cylindrical valves in contact with the fuel chamber. The one or more valves include an inner cylindrical component with first perforations, and a slideable cylindrical component with second perforations and having a plurality of separated flexible sections. The valves are useful in controlling the flow of hydrogen into the anode portion of the fuel cell.

Claims

1. An electrical power generator, comprising:

one or more fuel cells;

a fuel chamber, enclosing a hydrogen generating fuel; and

one or more valves, at least partially surrounding the fuel chamber;

wherein the one or more valves includes concentric inner and outer components;

a fixed component with first perforations; and

a slideable component with second perforations, having a plurality of separated flexible sections;

wherein the flexible sections are supported at the top and bottom, wherein the separation of the flexible sections is formed by slits that are in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the flexible sections are thicker on the sides adjacent to the slits to improve structural rigidity.

2. The electrical power generator of claim 1 wherein, the concentric components are cylindrical and the inner cylindrical component is fixed and the outer cylindrical component is slideable.

3. The electrical power generator of claim 2 wherein the inner cylindrical component and the outer slideable component comprise a metal.

4. The electrical power generator of claim 3 wherein the both the inner fixed cylindrical component and the outer cylindrical slideable component comprise brass or stainless steel.

5. The electrical power generator of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen generating fuel comprises a chemical hydride, a metal hydride, or both a chemical hydride and a metal hydride.

6. The electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the flexible sections are separated by a flexible component.

7. The electrical power generator of claim 6, wherein the slits are substantially filled with a flexible material.

8. The electrical power generator of claim 7, wherein the flexible material is silicone rubber.

9. The electrical power generator of claim 1, further comprising a flexible material wrapped around the circumference of the slideable valve.

10. The electrical power generator of claim 9, wherein the flexible material is a silicone rubber.

11. A fuel cell system valve comprising concentric inner and outer components;

a fixed component with first perforations; and

a slideable component with second perforations and having a plurality of separated flexible sections, positioned thereon; and

wherein the flexible sections are supported at the top and bottom;

wherein the separation of the flexible sections is formed by slits that are in a longitudinal direction; and

wherein the flexible sections are thicker on the sides adjacent to the slits to improve structural rigidity.

12. The fuel cell system valve of claim 11 wherein, the concentric components are cylindrical and the inner cylindrical component is fixed and the outer cylindrical component is slideable.

13. The fuel cell system valve of claim 11, wherein the inner cylindrical component and the outer slideable component comprise a metal.

14. The fuel cell system valve of claim 13 wherein the both the inner cylindrical component and the outer slideable component comprise brass or stainless steel.

15. The fuel cell system valve of claim 11, wherein the flexible sections are separated by a flexible component.

16. The fuel cell system valve of claim 15, wherein the slits are substantially filled with a flexible material.

17. The fuel cell system valve of claim 16, wherein the flexible component comprises a silicone rubber.

18. The fuel cell system valve of claim 11, further comprising a flexible material wrapped around the circumference of the slideable valve.

19. The fuel cell system valve of claim 18, wherein the flexible material is a rubber band.

20. The fuel cell system valve of claim 11, wherein the valve at least partially surrounds a hydrogen generating fuel.