The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 15, 2011
Filed:
Mar. 19, 2007
Alan J. Jacobsen, Pacific Palisades, CA (US);
Jennifer J. Zinck, Calabasas, CA (US);
Leslie A. Momoda, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Michael W. Murphy, Manchester, NY (US);
Alan J. Jacobsen, Pacific Palisades, CA (US);
Jennifer J. Zinck, Calabasas, CA (US);
Leslie A. Momoda, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Michael W. Murphy, Manchester, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A flow control valve for a fuel cell that has particular application for controlling the flow of cathode air through a cathode flow channel of the fuel cell. The valve includes an element that controls the flow through the flow channel in response to changes in the voltage potential of the fuel cell. The valve includes a shape memory alloy wire and a flow control element secured to both ends of the shape memory alloy wire. The ends of the wire are also coupled to the anode and cathode of the fuel cell. When no current is flowing through the wire, the flow control element holds the wire in a pre-strained condition. If the voltage generated by the fuel cell increases, the current passing through the wire will heat the wire and cause it to shrink or contract which forces the flow control element into the flow path.