Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Siemens Canada Limited

Siemens Automotive Corporation

Frederic Gagnon

Peter Hueniken

Gary Michael Everingham

Kenneth Peter Nydam

Gilles Delaire

David William Balsdon

Kwang Yew

Robert Faulkner

A system and method for regulating steam pressure. The system includes a steam source, a reformer, and a pressure regulator. The reformer includes an inlet that is in fluid communication with a steam source, and an outlet that provides a supply of hydrogen gas. The pressure regulator includes a valve body, a valve movable between first and second positions, and an actuator. The valve body defines an internal flow passage between first and second ports. The first port is in fluid communication with the inlet of the reformer. The first position of the valve substantially prevents steam communication through the internal flow passage, and the second position of the valve permits generally unrestricted steam communication through the internal flow passage. The actuator includes an actuator body that defines a chamber, a movable actuator wall that divides the chamber into first and second chamber spaces, and a shaft that couples the movable actuator wall to the valve.

System and method for regulating steam pressure in a fuel cell system

A solenoid for use in a valve such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for a motor vehicle. The solenoid includes a housing having a coil for generating a first magnetic field. An armature is slidably mounted in the housing. The solenoid further includes a permanent magnet having a second magnetic field, wherein the magnet is located adjacent the armature. In addition, a stator is affixed in the housing for cooperation with the armature and the magnet to form a third magnetic field.

Actuator having a permanent magnet

An air mass flow controller valve containing at least two air channels that deliver desired air mass amount from a single inlet to fuel cell(s) through at least one channel of the at least two air channels. Preferably, a single housing encloses the inlet, two air channels and actuating devices. Each air channel includes an actuating device that actuates an associated closure member to regulate air flow from the inlet through the air channel as a function of a signal from an air mass sensor or a controller signal. The signal from each air mass sensor can be directly coupled to the actuating device, or the signal can be used as an error correction signal to feed back control the actuating device associated with the air mass sensor and the air channel.

Air mass flow controller valve

A diffuser for an air mass flow controller for fuel cells that includes a housing, an inlet, a first bank of outlets, and a second bank of outlets. The housing has walls, which define a volume. The inlet is disposed along a first axis and is coupled to a first one of the walls. The first bank of outlets is disposed along a second axis and is coupled to a second one of the walls. The first bank of outlets is in fluid communication with the inlet. The second bank of outlets is disposed along a third axis and is coupled to the second wall. The second bank of outlets is in fluid communication with the inlet and the first bank of outlets.

Diffuser in an air mass flow controller

An electric actuated control valve, such as an EGR valve, has a solenoid that can deliver useful force over a longer stroke for operating a valve element.

Longer stroke control valve and actuator

A connection and a method of providing a connection includes a fluid tight communication between a valve and a tube. The valve includes a first surface, a second surface, a cavity, and an aperture extending through the valve between the first and second surfaces. The tube includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion between the first and second portions. The first portion penetrates the first surface and extends through the aperture into the cavity. The third portion is deformed so as to engage the second surface.

Connection formed by engagement of a tube and a valve surface

A steam pressure regulator for a reformer of a fuel cell system. The reformer includes an inlet in fluid communication with a steam source, and an outlet that provides a supply of hydrogen gas. The steam pressure regulator including a valve body, a valve movable between first and second positions, and an actuator. The valve body defines an internal flow passage between first and second ports. The first port is adapted to be in fluid communication with the inlet of the reformer. The first position of the valve substantially prevents fluid communication through the internal flow passage, and the second position of the valve permits generally unrestricted fluid communication through the internal flow passage. The actuator includes an actuator body that defines a chamber, a movable actuator wall that divides the chamber into first and second chamber spaces, and a shaft that couples the movable actuator wall to the valve. The shaft includes a signal passage that provides fluid communication between the first port and the first chamber space, such that fluid pressure at the first port is communicated through the signal passage to the first chamber space.

Apparatus for regulating steam pressure in a fuel cell system

An apparatus and method for dissipating heat from a steam pressure regulator for a reformer of a fuel cell system. The reformer including an inlet in fluid communication with a steam source, and an outlet providing a supply of hydrogen gas. The steam pressure regulator including a valve body, a valve movable between first and second positions, an actuator, and an intermediate body. The valve body defines an internal flow passage between first and second ports. The first port is adapted to be in fluid communication with the inlet of the reformer. The first position of the valve substantially prevents fluid communication through the internal flow passage, and the second position of the valve permits generally unrestricted fluid communication through the internal flow passage. The actuator includes an actuator body that defines a chamber, a movable actuator wall that divides the chamber into first and second chamber spaces, and a shaft that couples the movable actuator wall to the valve. The intermediate body couples the valve body with respect to the actuator body, and includes a fin projecting into ambient conditions around the intermediate body.

Apparatus and method for dissipating heat in a steam pressure regulator for a fuel cell system

A valve including a wall, a closure member, a motive force device, and a coupling member. The wall defines a flow passage that is disposed along a longitudinal axis. The closure member is disposed in the flow passage and is rotatable on a first axis that is oblique to the longitudinal axis. The closure member is rotatable between a first position that substantially prevents flow through the flow passage and a second position that generally permits flow through the flow passage. The motive force device rotates the closure member between the first position and the second position. The device includes a rotor that is rotatably supported by a bearing, a stator that is proximate to the rotor, and an overmolded housing that positions the stator with respect to the bearing. The coupling member conveys motive force from the device to rotation of the closure member.

Exhaust gas regulator including an overmolded housing

A flow reversal control valve for use in a fuel cell. The valve includes a housing having a first end and a second end disposed along a longitudinal axis. The valve also includes a wall that defines a first passage in fluid communication with a second passage. The first passage is disposed proximate to the first end and the second passage is disposed proximate to the second end. The valve further includes a chamber in fluid communication with the first and second passages. There are flow flutes formed in the chamber. A seal is disposed in the chamber and coupled to at least one of the first and second passages. The seal has an elastomeric member disposed on a planar surface transverse to the longitudinal axis. There is a closure member disposed in at least one of the first passage, second passage and the chamber. A resilient member acting on the closure member can operate to prevent fluid communication between the first and second passages in a first position where the closure member abuts the elastomeric member when the pressure of the fluid of one of the first and second passages is generally equal to a fluid pressure of the other one of the first and second passages. The resilient member and the closure member can also operate in a second position to permit fluid flow between the first and second passages when the fluid pressure of one of the first and second passages is not equal to the fluid pressure of the other of the first and second passages. The flutes maintain a laminar flow between the first and second passages and guide the closure member towards the seal when the closure member is in the second position.

Flow reversal control valve

A bypass control valve including a wall that defines a first passage disposed along a first axis and having a first portion, a second portion, and a transitional portion disposed between the first and second portion. The transitional portion has a first port, a pivot point, and an annular locking member proximate the transitional portion, with the first port having a sealing surface disposed thereon. The bypass control valve also includes a first bypass passage disposed along a second axis oblique to the first axis. The first bypass passage has a second port, which projects into the transitional portion and which has a sealing surface and a receiver portion. The receiver portion is coupled to the locking members. The bypass control valve further includes a closure member having a first planar surface and a second planar surface with at least one elastomeric member disposed on each of the first planar surface and the second planar surface. The closure member is preferably pivotally attached to the pivot point and movable between a first position, with the first planar surface contiguous to the first port to permit fluid communication between the first portion and the first bypass passage and to prevent fluid communication between the first portion and the second portion, and a second position, with the second planar surface contiguous to the second port to permit fluid communication between the first portion and the second portion and to prevent fluid communication between the first portion and the first bypass passage. The bypass control valve also includes an actuator, which is operable to rotate the closure member between the first position and the second position. The actuator has a shaft coupled to the closure member and extending through the wall to the pivot point along a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axis.

Bypass control valve

An apparatus and method for reducing heat transfer between a motive force device and a valve. The apparatus consists of a regulator valve. The valve comprises a wall defining a flow passage disposed along a longitudinal axis. A closure member is disposed in the flow passage for rotation about an axis oblique to the longitudinal axis. The closure member is movable to a first position to prevent flow in the flow passage and the closure member is also movable to a second position to permit flow in the flow passage. A motive force device is disposed along the axis and coupled to the closure member by an insulator member. The motive force device is disposed such that it can rotate the closure member between the first position and the second position about the axis. The valve also comprises a spacing chamber having an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall forms a volume that houses the insulator member, the outer wall of the spacing chamber is coupled to the motive force device and the flow passage. The method comprises coupling a chamber having a defined volume to the motive force device and the regulator valve; and connecting the driveshaft of the motive force device to the actuating shaft of the valve with an insulator member.

Regulator valve with spacing chamber

A valve that includes a wall, a closure member, a motive force device, a coupling member, and a spacer. The wall defines a flow passage that is disposed along a longitudinal axis. The closure member is disposed in the flow passage and includes a first shaft that extends along a first axis that is oblique to the longitudinal axis. The closure member is rotatable on the first axis between a first position that substantially prevents flow through the flow passage and a second position that generally permits flow through the flow passage. The motive force device rotates the closure member between the first position and the second position, and includes a second shaft that is rotatable on a second axis. The coupling member connects the first and second shafts to convey rotation from the device to the closure member. The coupling member is resilient with respect to the first and second shafts. And the spacer insulates the device with respect to the wall, and generally defines a volume that contains the coupling member.

Exhaust gas regulator including a resilient coupling

A valve that includes a wall, a closure member, a motive force device, a coupling member, and a sensor. The wall defines a flow passage that is disposed along a longitudinal axis. The closure member is disposed in the flow passage and is rotatable on a first axis that is oblique to the longitudinal axis. The closure member is rotatable between a first position that substantially prevents flow through the flow passage and a second position that generally permits flow through the flow passage. The motive force device rotates the closure member between the first position and the second position. The device includes a rotor that is rotatable with the closure and includes a stator that is disposed proximate to the rotor. The coupling member conveys motive force of the device to rotation of the closure member. And the sensor detects the angular position of the rotor with respect to the stator.

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Chatham, Canada

Frederic Gagnon