Patent ID: 8955820
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A valve for a fuel cell system, comprising: a valve housing including a valve seat formed therein, the valve seat having an orifice formed therein to permit a fluid to flow through the valve housing, an edge of the valve seat curved adjacent the orifice; a movable member disposed in the valve housing and linearly movable between an open position and a closed position, the movable member seated on the valve seat and sealing the orifice in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the movable member defines a conical shaped base having a diameter less than a diameter of the orifice, the base disposed in the orifice to militate against a formation of ice across the orifice of the valve seat when the movable member is in the closed position and a portion of the base curved, wherein the curved edge of the valve seat and the curved portion of the base facilitate slideable contact between the movable member and the valve seat; and a bearing bracket formed with the valve seat to limit at least one of a degree of tilt and a lateral movement of the movable member, wherein the bearing bracket has a cross member spaced apart from the valve seat, the cross member having an aperture concentrically aligned with the orifice of the valve seat and receiving the portion of the movable member, the aperture having a diameter less than a diameter of the orifice, the portion of the movable member contacting an inner surface of the aperture when one of a maximum allowable degree of tilt and a maximum lateral movement of the movable member is reached.