Pressure differential slide valve for fuel cell

• US 9,837,674 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2014
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eickhoff, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilliam, Barbara
• Assistant Examiner(s): Arciero, Adam A
• Application Number:
  US14/446,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20140342261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A power generator includes a fuel container adapted to hold a hydrogen containing fuel. A sliding valve is coupled between a fuel cell and a fuel container. A pressure responsive actuator is coupled to the two stage valve and the fuel container.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell in response to power demand;

moving a sliding valve responsive to a pressure differential between a hydrogen supply and ambient to provide an open valve position, the sliding valve including;

a cylindrical inner plate;

a cylindrical outer plate coupled in a coaxial sliding relationship to the cylindrical inner plate;

a plurality of o-rings seated in annular grooves around the cylindrical inner plate, wherein the cylindrical inner plate and cylindrical outer plate are sized to maintain a sealing force against the o-rings; and

moving the sliding valve responsive to the pressure differential to provide a substantially sealed closed valve position.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical inner plate and cylindrical outer plate include two coaxial lubricated friction fit cylinders.

3. The method of claim 1, further including receiving hydrogen in the fuel cell from a fuel container.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the sliding valve to provide an open valve position includes aligning a plurality of alignable holes in the sliding valve.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the sliding valve to provide a substantially sealed closed valve position includes causing the plurality of alignable holes to be misaligned.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the sliding valve includes a cylindrical inner plate, a cylindrical outer plate disposed around the cylindrical inner plate, and at least one o-ring disposed in at least one annular groove on an outer surface of the inner plate; and

wherein moving the sliding valve to provide a substantially sealed closed valve position includes sliding at least a portion of the cylindrical outer plate off of at least one o-ring.

7. The method of claim 1, further including filtering particulates through a hydrogen and water vapor permeable particulate filter positioned between the sliding valve and the fuel cell.