Patent ID: 6648018
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: F16K,H01M,Y02E,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
A bypass control valve for a fuel cell, the control valve comprising:a wall defining a first passage disposed along a first axis and having a generally uniform cross-section orthogonal to the first axis, the first passage having a first portion, a second portion and a transitional portion disposed between the first and second portion, the cross-section in the transitional portion being at least partially occluded by a first port, a pivot point in the first passage, and an annular locking member proximate the transitional portion, the first port having a first sealing surface disposed thereon; a first bypass passage disposed along a second axis non-parallel to the first axis, the first bypass passage having a second port, the second port having a second sealing surface and a receiver portion, the second port projecting into the first passage and partially occluding the cross-section in the transitional portion, the receiver portion being coupled to the locking member; a closure member having a first planar surface and a second planar surface, at least one elastomeric member disposed on each of the first planar surface and second planar surface, the closure member being coupled 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, the closure member movable to 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; and an actuator operable to rotate the closure member between the first position and the second position, the actuator having a shaft extending through the wall to the pivot point along a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axis, the shaft being coupled to the closure member.