Slip stream for reliable anode to cathode flow in freeze conditions
First Claim
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1. A fluid control device for a fuel cell system with at least one anode and at least one cathode, said device comprising:
- a three-way valve configured to fluidly couple with a cathode flow path of said at least one cathode and an anode flow path of said at least one anode, and to receive to a hydrogen-bearing fluid from said anode flow path, said valve being configured to permit selective passage of at least one of said hydrogen-bearing fluid and a pressurized slip stream fluid therethrough; and
a flow-controlling orifice fluidly coupled to said three-way valve and configured to deliver a metered quantity of said hydrogen-bearing fluid and said slip stream fluid to said cathode flow path, said orifice having a flexible construction such that, when frozen water is present in said fuel cell system, said orifice responds to enhanced pressure of said slip stream fluid and removes frozen water situated thereon by a flexing action of said orifice in response to said passage of said slip stream fluid therethrough.
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Abstract
A device and method for ensuring proper fuel cell system warmup or shutdown during freeze conditions. A three-way valve is used in conjunction with a flow-controlling orifice to ensure that the orifice avoids ice blockage during frozen conditions. Dry, warm air is delivered as a slip stream under pressure to a cathode flowpath, where the construction of the orifice is such that it is structurally compliant to promote flexing in response to the pressurized slip stream, thereby helping to break up any small amount of ice that may have formed in or on the orifice.
9 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid control device for a fuel cell system with at least one anode and at least one cathode, said device comprising:
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a three-way valve configured to fluidly couple with a cathode flow path of said at least one cathode and an anode flow path of said at least one anode, and to receive to a hydrogen-bearing fluid from said anode flow path, said valve being configured to permit selective passage of at least one of said hydrogen-bearing fluid and a pressurized slip stream fluid therethrough; and a flow-controlling orifice fluidly coupled to said three-way valve and configured to deliver a metered quantity of said hydrogen-bearing fluid and said slip stream fluid to said cathode flow path, said orifice having a flexible construction such that, when frozen water is present in said fuel cell system, said orifice responds to enhanced pressure of said slip stream fluid and removes frozen water situated thereon by a flexing action of said orifice in response to said passage of said slip stream fluid therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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5. A fuel cell system comprising:
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a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells each of which comprises an anode to accept a hydrogen-bearing fluid, a cathode to accept an oxygen-bearing fluid and a medium cooperative with said anode and said cathode to pass at least one catalytically-ionized reactant therebetween; an anode flow_path in fluid communication with said anode; a cathode flow_path in fluid communication with said cathode; and a three-way valve fluidly cooperative with said anode flow_path and said cathode flow_path, said valve comprising; at least one actuation mechanism to establish selective introduction of said hydrogen-bearing fluid from said anode flow_path into said cathode flow_path; and a flow controlling orifice configured to control anode flow into said cathode flow_path such that in an environmental condition where water present in said flow_path and said valve may be frozen, said orifice is responsive to the enhanced pressure of said slip stream fluid such that any frozen water situated thereon is removed by a flexing action of said orifice in response to said passage of said slip stream fluid therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a fuel cell system, said method comprising:
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configuring a valve to be fluidly cooperative with an anode flow_path and a cathode flow_path of said fuel cell system, said valve comprising at least one actuation mechanism and a flow controlling orifice; passing a pressurized slip stream through said orifice such that in an environmental condition where water present in at least one of said anode flow_path, cathode flow_path and valve may be frozen, said orifice flexes in response to the enhanced pressure of said slip stream such that any frozen water situated thereon is removed by said flexing; and introducing a hydrogen-bearing fluid to said cathode flow_path from said anode flow_path through said at least one actuation mechanism and said orifice. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification