Fuel supply systems having operational resistance
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H01M-008/04
F16K-015/06
F16L-037/32
F16N-005/02
H01M-008/10
출원번호
US-0068858
(2013-10-31)
등록번호
US-9455459
(2016-09-27)
발명자
/ 주소
Adams, Paul
Curello, Andrew J.
Fairbanks, Floyd
Sgroi, Anthony
출원인 / 주소
Intelligent Energy Limited
대리인 / 주소
Baker & Hostetler LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
14
초록▼
Fuel supplies including multiple valve components and fuel cell systems having increased operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of fuel supplies are disclosed. The increased operational resistance is provided by increased insertion or removal forces, multiple relative motions for ins
Fuel supplies including multiple valve components and fuel cell systems having increased operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of fuel supplies are disclosed. The increased operational resistance is provided by increased insertion or removal forces, multiple relative motions for insertion and/or removal, latches, actuators, ON/OFF switches, cognitive ability of the user, visual alignment, audio feedback, size of the user's hand, inter alia.
대표청구항▼
1. A fuel cell system comprising: a receptacle having an outlet fluidly connected to a fuel cell;an actuator; anda fuel supply including a valve,wherein the fuel supply is removably connectable to the receptacle such that a flow path is selectively established between the valve and the outlet, and t
1. A fuel cell system comprising: a receptacle having an outlet fluidly connected to a fuel cell;an actuator; anda fuel supply including a valve,wherein the fuel supply is removably connectable to the receptacle such that a flow path is selectively established between the valve and the outlet, and the actuator selectively opens the valve to establish a flow path,wherein at least one of the valve and the receptacle includes a connection portion (404),wherein the connection portion is adapted to be received in a key way opening (444) defined on the other of the valve or the receptacle;wherein the connection portion comprises: a bottom enlarged portion (408) having a first cross-section with a first external dimension (D3);a top enlarged portion (410) having a second cross-section with a second external dimension (D3); anda neck (412) positioned between the top and bottom enlarged portions and having at least a portion with third external dimension (D2) that is smaller than the first and second external dimensions;wherein the key way opening comprises a first portion (452) and a second portion (454), the second portion comprising a channel with a first width (D6) greater than the third external dimension of the neck and smaller than the first and second external dimensions, and the first portion having an internal dimension (D5) that is larger than the first external dimension;wherein the fuel supply and receptacle outlet are configured to be removably connectable via a connection process comprising a step (i) in which the connection portion is passed through the first portion of the key way opening until the neck is in alignment with the channel of the second portion and a step (ii) in which the connection portion is moved translationally with the neck portion with third external dimension (D2) passing through the channel until the valve is aligned with the outlet, wherein during the translational movement the actuator opens the valve to establish the flow path. 2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the key way opening is located on the receptacle. 3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a cam surface (460) positioned along the path of translational movement that is configured to engage the valve during the translational movement of the connection process. 4. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the top enlarged portion (410) comprises a projection (416) having a second width that is smaller than the first width (D6) of the channel, andwherein in step (i) of the connection process the connection portion is passed through the first portion of the key way opening with the projection (416) passing through the channel. 5. The fuel cell system of claim 4, wherein the neck (412) portion having third external dimension (D2) comprises two substantially parallel diametrically opposed flats (418) separated by the third external dimension and arranged orthogonal to projection (416);wherein the connection process further comprises a step (iii) in which after the connection portion is inserted into the first portion of the key way opening and before step (ii) the connection portion is rotated until the flats (418) are aligned with the channel. 6. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein the connection portion (404) further comprises a gasket (432) disposed on the top enlarged portion (410) and surrounding a spring-loaded plunger (426) of the valve;wherein during the connection process the actuator engages with the plunger of the valve to open the valve and the gasket provides a compression seal between the fuel supply and receptacle when the valve is open. 7. The fuel cell system of claim 6, wherein the receptacle outlet is located at the end of the second portion of the key way opening that is opposite the first portion and the outlet comprises a plurality of retainer ribs (451) that are spaced apart to allow fuel flow through the outlet and are configured to abut the plunger and prevent the plunger from entering the outlet. 8. A fuel cell system comprising a fuel supply having a first valve component and containing a fuel,a receptacle attached to a fuel cell, wherein the receptacle comprises a key way opening, an actuator, and an outlet,wherein the key way opening includes a first portion and a second portion,wherein when the first valve component removably connects to the receptacle a flow path is selectively established between the first valve component and the outlet, and the actuator selectively opens the first valve component so that the fuel is transportable from the fuel supply to the fuel cell to be converted into electrical energy, and the fuel cell system further comprisinga resistant system to increase the operational resistance to the connection or separation of the fuel supply to or from the fuel cell,wherein the resistant system comprises a connection portion of the fuel supply adapted to be received in the key way opening;wherein the connection portion comprises: a bottom enlarged portion (408) having a first cross-section with a first external dimension (D3);a top enlarged portion (410) having a second cross-section with a second external dimension (D3); anda neck (412) positioned between the top and bottom enlarged portions and having at least a portion with third external dimension (D2) that is smaller than the first and second external dimensions;wherein the second portion of the key way opening comprises a channel with a first width (D6) greater than the third external dimension of the neck and smaller than the first and second external dimensions, and the first portion of the key way opening has an internal dimension (D5) that is larger than the first external dimension;wherein the first valve component and receptacle outlet are configured to be removably connectable via a connection process comprising a step (i) in which the connection portion is passed through the first portion of the key way opening until the neck is in alignment with the channel of the second portion and a step (ii) in which the connection portion is moved translationally with the neck portion with third external dimension (D2) passing through the channel until the first valve component is aligned with the outlet, wherein during the translational movement the actuator opens the first valve component to establish the flow path. 9. The fuel cell system of claim 8, wherein the top enlarged portion (410) comprises a projection (416) having a second width that is smaller than the first width (D6) of the channel, andwherein in step (i) of the connection process the connection portion is passed through the first portion of the key way opening with the projection (416) passing through the channel. 10. The fuel cell system of claim 9, wherein the neck (412) portion having third external dimension (D2) comprises two substantially parallel diametrically opposed flats (418) separated by the third external dimension and arranged orthogonal to projection (416);wherein the connection process further comprises a step (iii) in which after the connection portion is inserted into the first portion of the key way opening and before step (ii) the connection portion is rotated until the flats (418) are aligned with the channel. 11. The fuel cell system of claim 8, wherein the resistant system comprises a cam surface (460) positioned along the path of translational movement that is configured to engage the first valve component during the translational movement of the connection process. 12. The fuel cell system of clam 11, wherein the resistant system further comprises a sealing surface to form a seal with a sealing member on fuel supply. 13. The fuel cell system of claim 11, wherein the connection portion (404) further comprises a gasket (432) disposed on the top enlarged portion (410) and surrounding a spring-loaded plunger (426) of the first valve component andwherein during the connection process the cam surface engages with the plunger to open the first valve component and the gasket provides a compression seal between the fuel supply and receptacle when the first valve component is open. 14. The fuel cell system of claim 8 wherein the resistant system has a resistance of at least 29.4 N. 15. The fuel cell system of claim 14, wherein the resistance is at least 39.2 N. 16. The fuel cell system of claim 14, wherein the resistance is at least 49.1 N.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (14)
Müller, Jens; Stefener, Manfred, Adapter as alternative to fuel cartridges.
Takahashi, Ken; Nakabaru, Mitsugu; Tanaka, Akira; Kubota, Osamu; Andoh, Shinsuke, Fuel cartridge for fuel cells, fuel cell, fuel cell power system and method of mounting a fuel cell cartridge on a fuel cell.
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