Magnetic check valve with applications in fuel cell systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11435008-B2
Application number	US-202117248057-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 7, 2021
Priority date	Jan 7, 2020
Publication date	Sep 6, 2022
Grant date	Sep 6, 2022

Abstract

Check valves include a valve seat and a movable valve member, or piston. Movement of the piston is what allows fluid to either flow or be prevented from flowing. A magnetic check valve is provided that contains an annular piston, which is configured such that the fluid flows through a central aperture in the piston. Fuel cell systems include a cathode loop which is in contact with the proton exchange membrane (PEM). The PEM is sensitive to fowling by contaminants that may be present in the ambient air. The magnetic check valve apparatus disclosed herein prevents backflow of air through the exhaust side of the cathode loop. The valve is used on the inlet side of the cathode as well.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic check valve comprising:
a housing comprising a valve seat and a piston chamber;
wherein the valve seat comprises
(1) at least one prong extending radially from the housing, the at least one prong connecting to a central plate;
wherein the at least one prong comprises at least one magnet; and
(2) at least one segment of annular space between the central plate and the housing;

wherein the piston chamber, downstream from the valve seat, comprises a cylindrical space configured to receive a piston that slides along the axis of the housing;
wherein the piston
(1) is an annular shape with a central aperture configured to allow fluid flow and sized to form a seal with the central plate; and
(2) comprises a material that is attracted to the at least one magnet in the at least one prong, wherein the material comprises an encapsulated steel ring.

2. The magnetic check valve of claim 1 wherein the magnetic check valve is placed in an exhaust line of a cathode side of a fuel cell.

3. The magnetic check valve of claim 1 wherein the magnetic check valve is placed in a supply line of a fuel cell downstream of a hydrogen supply.

4. The magnetic check valve of claim 1 wherein the magnetic check valve is normally closed.

5. The magnetic check valve of claim 1 wherein the magnetic check valve is injection molded.

6. The magnetic check valve of claim 1 wherein the material that is attracted to the at least one magnet in the piston comprises a steel ring encapsulated in a polyvinylchloride shell.

7. The magnetic check valve of claim 1 wherein the magnetic attraction is weakest when the valve is fully open.

8. The magnetic check valve of claim 1 wherein the valve seat comprises at least two prongs extending radially from the housing, and wherein each prong independently comprises at least one magnet.

9. The magnetic check valve of claim 1 wherein the valve seat comprises at least three prongs extending radially from the housing.

10. A normally-closed magnetic check valve, comprising:
a piston with an annular shape and a central aperture, wherein the piston comprises a magnetic material, wherein the magnetic material comprises an encapsulated steel ring;
a valve seat, wherein the valve seat has a central plate that creates a continuous seal against the central aperture of the piston; and
wherein the central plate is connected to a housing by at least one prong, wherein the at least one prong contains at least one magnet.

11. The normally-closed magnetic check valve of claim 10 wherein the magnetic check valve is injection molded.

12. The normally-closed magnetic check valve of claim 10 wherein the material that is attracted to the at least one magnet in the piston comprises a steel ring encapsulated hi a silicone shell.

13. The normally-closed magnetic check valve of claim 10 wherein the magnetic attraction is weakest when the magnetic check valve is fully open.

14. The normally-closed magnetic check valve of claim 10 wherein the magnetic check valve is placed in an exhaust line of a cathode side of a fuel cell.

15. The normally-closed magnetic check valve of claim 10 wherein the magnetic check valve is placed in a supply line of the anode side of a fuel cell.

16. The normally-closed magnetic check valve of claim 10 wherein the central plate is connected to a housing by at least two prongs and wherein each prong independently comprises at least one magnet.

17. The normally-closed magnetic check valve of claim 16 wherein the wherein the central plate is connected to a housing by at least three prongs.

18. A magnetic check valve, comprising:
a valve seat and a piston;
wherein the piston comprises a magnetic metal, wherein the magnetic metal comprises an encapsulated steel ring; and
wherein the valve seat comprising a central plate connected to a housing by at least two prongs each independently comprising at least one magnet;
wherein the magnetic check valve is configured to provide a fluid flow comprising an annular path through the valve seat and through a single central aperture in the center of the piston.

19. The magnetic check valve of claim 18 wherein the valve is placed in an exhaust line of a cathode side of a fuel cell.

20. The magnetic check valve of claim 18 wherein the valve is placed in a supply line of a fuel cell downstream of a hydrogen supply.

Assignees

• Nuvera Fuel Cells Inc
• Nuvera Fuel Cells Llc

Inventors

• Butland Derek

Classifications

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M8/04089

  of gaseous reactants · CPC title

• F16K31/084 Primary

  the magnet being used only as a holding element to maintain the valve in a specific position, e.g. check valves (F16K31/082, F16K31/086 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16K15/08 Primary

  shaped as rings · CPC title

• H01M8/04746

  Pressure; Flow · CPC title