Patent ID: 7302969
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: F16K,H01M,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve device for bypassing a humidifier disposed in a reaction gas passage of a fuel cell system to supply a reaction gas from a heat radiator to the cathodes of fuel cells, comprising: a first opening for providing fluid communication between said heat radiator and said humidifier to pass said reaction gas therethrough; a second opening for providing fluid communication between said heat radiator and said cathodes to pass said reaction gas therethrough; a first valve body for selectively opening and closing said first opening; a second valve body for selectively opening and closing said second opening; an opening sensor for detecting an opening of said first valve body with respect to said first opening and an opening of said second valve body with respect to said second opening; a valve housing, said first valve body being disposed in said first opening, said first opening being defined in said valve housing, said second valve body being disposed in said second opening, said second opening being defined in said valve housing; a first shaft extending coaxially diametrically with said first valve body and said second valve body, and angularly movably interconnecting said first valve body and said second valve body; a motor for angularly moving said first shaft about its own axis; a first angular movement transmitting member engaging said first shaft for angularly moving said first shaft when said motor is energized, said first angular movement transmitting member being disposed in said valve housing; an angular movement start position limiting mechanism for being held against said first angular movement transmitting member for limiting an angular movement start position of said first angular movement transmitting member, said angular movement start position limiting mechanism being disposed in said valve housing; a closure member closing said valve housing, said motor being mounted on said valve housing by said closure member; a second shaft mounted on said closure member and angularly movable about its own axis when said motor is energized; a second angular movement transmitting member interposed between said second shaft and said first angular movement transmitting member, for transmitting angular movement of said second shaft to said first angular movement transmitting member; and an angular movement end position setting member for being held against said second angular movement transmitting member for limiting an angular movement end position of said second angular movement transmitting member; wherein when said first valve body opens said first opening, said second valve body closes said second opening, and when said first valve body closes said first opening, said second valve body opens said second opening; said first opening and said second opening have ends serving as reaction gas inlets for introducing said reaction gas; said first opening has another end serving as a first reaction gas outlet for discharging said reaction gas when said first valve body opens said first opening; and said second opening has another end serving as a second reaction gas outlet for discharging said reaction gas when said second valve body opens said second opening; said second valve body is coupled to said first shaft at a position closer to said motor than said first valve body.