Patent ID: 6451467
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell reactant flow control subsystem comprising:a three-way valve adapted to selectively switch a fuel stream between a bypass path and a fuel cell stack path; the valve being connected to a supply line, a bypass line, and a stack line; the valve having a bypass line seating orifice and a stack line seating orifice; the valve having a plunger that directly abuts the stack seating orifice when the valve is in a bypass position, and that directly abuts the bypass seating orifice when the valve is in a operating position; wherein a cross-sectional area of the stack line seating orifice is larger than a cross-sectional area of the stack line such that when the valve is in an operating position, the pressure drop across the valve is less than 5 inches water column at a fuel stream flow of 20 cubic feet per minute.