Solenoid control valve for controlling water flow from fuel cell stack

Abstract

A solenoid control valve (100) for controlling water flow from a fuel cell stack is described. The solenoid control valve (100) includes a water inlet flow path (110), a solenoid chamber (120) in flow communication with the water inlet flow path (110), the solenoid chamber (120) being adapted to store water received in the solenoid chamber (120). The magnetic anchor (130) comprises a flat portion (140) and a piston-shaped portion (150) extending from the flat portion (140), the piston-shaped portion (150) of the magnetic anchor (130) being adapted to close an outlet supply path (160) of the solenoid control valve (100) due to its weight. A belleville spring (170) is secured between the magnetic anchor (130) and a housing of the solenoid control valve (100), the belleville spring (170) being adapted to bias the magnetic anchor (130) against an outlet supply path (160) of the solenoid control valve (100).

Description

[0001] The following description describes and defines the nature of the invention and the manner in which the invention is to be practiced. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a solenoid controlled valve for controlling water flow through an outlet supply path, and more particularly, to a solenoid controlled valve for controlling water flow through an outlet supply path from a fuel cell stack. Background Art

[0003] SU 1002406 A1 describes an invention relating to the field of electrochemical technology, in particular to systems with a hydrogen atmosphere - chromatographs, ionization detectors and laboratory furnaces. A device for producing hydrogen, comprising an electrolytic cell, a module for regulating system pressure and a process carried out on fast nickel electrodes using an alkaline electrolyte. The disadvantage of such a device is the use of an alkaline solution, which requires the gas to be purified from an aerosol base to prevent corrosion of the equipment. In addition, the device with an alkaline electrolyte is heavy, difficult to operate and is characterized by high power consumption. Also known is a device for preparing hydrogen and oxygen, comprising an electrolytic cell with an ion exchange membrane, a separator of anode and cathode products connected to the corresponding chambers of the electrolytic cell, a level float switch located in the cathode separator, deionizer water located in the anode separator and a solenoid valve installed on a pipeline, an anode separator with an anode chamber of the electrolytic cell and a cartridge dryer arranged on a pipeline, the device being connected to a conventional cathode separator at a pressure of 2 bar. In this arrangement, water is supplied to the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell to decompose the cathode separator provided with a float sensor level. The replenishment of water in the cathode separator comes from the anode of the separator, thanks to a periodic solenoid valve equipped with a signal. The addition of water to the anode separator is performed periodically in the device, and we found that the binder at atmospheric pressure makes the water level in the anode separator lower than the upper edge of the deionized hydrogen pressure at the outlet of the device with a solenoid level sensor, thus performing a charge change in the battery mode. When the valve is open, water directly enters the anode of the electrolytic cell, where the enclosed water flows to the anode through the ion exchange membrane on the cathode side. The disadvantage of this device is the complexity and reliability of the device, because in the event of a failure of the solenoid valve of the turbopump, it will cause the anode separator to dry out. In the event of a failure of the liquid level in the cathode and separator, it is possible for water to overflow the separator and flood the cartridge. The purpose of the invention is to increase reliability and simplify the device, eliminating the solenoid valve and float switch liquid level. This object is achieved in an apparatus for preparing hydrogen, comprising: an electrolytic cell having an input and output conduit for water separated by ion exchange membranes on the anode chamber and cathode chamber; separator anode and cathode products, which are connected to the corresponding conductive chamber electrolytic cell by pipelines; a deionizer and a cartridge dryer, wherein the separator cathode product is provided with an indicator level and the deionizer is installed in the pipeline, connected to the electrolytic cell of the invention with the separator anode product, wherein the inlet water is output from the deionizer placed below the input port to the water in the electrolytic cell. The apparatus is provided with a column with a ceramic nozzle, which is placed between the cartridge reservoir and the separator cathode product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 A solenoid controlled valve for controlling water flow from a fuel cell stack in one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0005] Figure 1 A solenoid controlled valve 100 for controlling a water flow from a fuel cell stack is illustrated. The solenoid controlled valve 100 includes a water inlet flow path 110 and a solenoid chamber 120 in flow communication with the water inlet flow path 110, the solenoid chamber 120 being adapted to store water received in the solenoid chamber 120. The magnetic anchor 130 includes a flat-shaped portion 140 and a piston-shaped portion 150 extending from the flat-shaped portion 140, the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 being adapted to close an outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 due to its own weight to prevent water from flowing through the outlet supply path 160.

[0006] The solenoid controlled valve 100 includes a water inlet flow path 110. More specifically, the water inlet flow path 110 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 is in flow communication with a solenoid chamber 120. More specifically, the solenoid chamber 120 is adapted to store water received from the water inlet flow path 110 in the solenoid chamber 120. The water inlet flow path 110 is in flow communication with a fuel cell stack and receives water generated in the fuel cell stack. The water received in the water inlet flow path 110 from the fuel cell stack generating water is guided to the solenoid chamber 120 and stored therein.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic anchor 130 includes a flat-shaped portion 140, which is defined at an end of the magnetic anchor 130. The magnetic anchor 130 also includes a piston-shaped portion 150 extending from the flat-shaped portion 140 of the magnetic anchor 130. The piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 is adapted to be inserted into the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. Therefore, the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 is adapted to close the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. Closing of the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 prevents water present in the solenoid chamber 120 from flowing through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 is adapted to close the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 due to its own weight to prevent the water flow from the solenoid chamber 120 from flowing through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a disc spring 170 is fixed between the magnetic anchor 130 and the housing of the solenoid controlled valve 100. In its equilibrium position, the disc spring 170 is biased against the magnetic anchor 130 such that the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 is adapted to close the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. The disc spring 170 is adapted to bias the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 against the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 to prevent water from flowing from the solenoid chamber 120 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. When the disc spring 170 is actuated toward the magnetic anchor 130 and away from the housing 175 of the solenoid controlled valve 100, the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 is adapted to open the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. The disc spring 170 is adapted to bias the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 away from the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 to allow water to flow from the solenoid chamber 120 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 .

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the valve seal 180 is fixed to an end of the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130. More specifically, when the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 closes the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100, the valve seal 180 fixed to the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 seals the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. The sealing of the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 by the valve seal 180 fixed to the piston-shaped portion 150 of the magnetic anchor 130 seals the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100, thereby preventing water from flowing through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the solenoid coil 190 is positioned close to the magnetic anchor 130. When the solenoid coil 190 is activated, the magnetic anchor 130 is actuated in a direction away from the valve seat 185. The actuation of the magnetic anchor 130 in a direction away from the valve seat 185 facilitates opening the valve seat 185 of the solenoid controlled valve 100. When the valve seat 185 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 is opened due to the actuation of the magnetic anchor 130 in a direction away from the valve seat 100, the valve seat 185 is opened, thereby allowing water to flow through the outlet supply path 160. In addition, when the solenoid coil 190 is deactivated, the magnetic anchor 130 returns to its original equilibrium position in a direction toward the valve seat 185. The return of the magnetic anchor 130 to its original equilibrium position in a direction toward the valve seat 185 facilitates closing the valve seat 185 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 and disconnecting the flow of water from the solenoid chamber 120 of the solenoid controlled valve 100 through the outlet supply path 160. In addition, due to the arrangement of the disc spring and the anchor member in the present configuration, the hydraulic flow resistance in the valve chamber is small.

[0010] The operation of the solenoid controlled valve 100 for controlling the flow of water through the outlet supply path 160 of the fuel cell stack is described as an example. Water from the fuel cell stack is guided to the solenoid chamber 120 via the water inlet flow path 110 and stored therein. When the solenoid coil 190 is actuated by passing an electric current through the solenoid coil 190, the magnetic anchor 130 is actuated in an upward direction toward the solenoid coil 190 and away from the valve seat 185. The translation of the magnetic anchor 130 toward the solenoid coil 190 and away from the valve seat 185 causes the outlet supply path 160 to open. Therein, the water present in the solenoid chamber 120 is guided to the storage chamber through the outlet supply path 160. Therefore, the actuation and deactivation of the magnetic anchor 130 caused by the activation and deactivation of the solenoid coil 190 causes the outlet supply path 160 to open and close, thereby allowing the water from the solenoid chamber 120 to flow through the outlet supply path 160 or being controlled not to leave through the outlet supply path 160, respectively. Furthermore, the solenoid controlled valve 100 may be heated by supplying power to the solenoid controlled valve 100 .

[0011] It must be understood that the embodiments explained above are only for illustration and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Many modifications in the embodiments regarding various component sizes are contemplated and form part of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A solenoid controlled valve (100) for controlling fluid flow from a fuel cell stack, the solenoid controlled valve (100) comprising: a water inlet flow path (110); a solenoid chamber (120) in flow communication with the water inlet flow path (110), the solenoid chamber (120) being adapted to store water received in the solenoid chamber (120); and A magnetic anchor (130) includes a flat portion (140) and a piston portion (150) extending from the flat portion (140), wherein the piston portion (150) of the magnetic anchor (130) is adapted to close a valve seat (185) of an outlet supply path (160) of the solenoid controlled valve (100) due to its own weight to prevent water from flowing through the outlet supply path (160).

2. The solenoid controlled valve (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a disc spring (170) fixed between the magnetic anchor (130) and a housing of the solenoid controlled valve (100), the disc spring (170) being adapted to bias the magnetic anchor (130) against an outlet supply path (160) of the solenoid controlled valve (100) to prevent water from flowing through the outlet supply path (160).

3. The solenoid controlled valve (100) according to claim 2, further comprising a valve seal (180) fixed to an end of the piston-shaped portion (150) of the magnetic anchor (130), the valve seal (180) being adapted to seal an outlet supply path (160) of the solenoid controlled valve (100) to prevent water from flowing through the fuel outlet supply path (160).

4. The solenoid controlled valve (100) of claim 2, further comprising a solenoid coil (190) positioned proximate the magnetic anchor (130), the solenoid coil (190) being adapted to be activated to actuate the magnetic anchor (130) in a direction away from a valve seat (185) so as to open the valve seat (185) of the solenoid controlled valve (100) and allow water to flow through the outlet supply path (160), and wherein, The solenoid coil (190) is adapted to be deactivated to de-actuate the magnetic anchor (130) in a direction toward the valve seat (180) to close the valve seat (180) of the solenoid controlled valve (100) and disconnect water flow through the outlet supply path (160).

5. The solenoid controlled valve (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The solenoid controlled valve (100) may be heated by supplying power to the solenoid controlled valve (100).

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