Abstract: Hydrogen gas flow from high pressure storage to a lower pressure hydrogen-using device is managed using one or more axial flow pressure regulators comprising a cup-shaped housing with an inlet for high pressure hydrogen gas at one end of the flow axis and a closure with a low pressure hydrogen outlet at the other end of the flow axis. A piston head with a piston stem are aligned on the flow axis and a hydrogen flow passage is formed up the stem and through the piston head to the hydrogen flow outlet. One or more combinations of a corrugated tubular bellows (or like expansive sealing vessel) with static seals attaching one bellows end to the piston stem or head and the other bellows end to the housing or closure are used to accommodate axial movement of the piston while isolating and containing hydrogen gas flow from a high pressure chamber at a flow entrance to the piston stem to a low hydrogen pressure chamber at the piston head and closure outlet.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is disclosed wherein multiple valve stages are used to accommodate low flow rates and to maximize a turn-down ratio of the regulator.

Abstract: A fuel cell system utilizes at least one flow restricting device to vary the stoichiometric quantity of cathode reactant flowing to two discrete cathode sides of the fuel cell system. The varying of the stoichiometric quantity of cathode reactant can be between two predetermined values. The varying of the stoichiometric quantity can be during a steady state power demand placed on the system and/or during transients in a power demand placed on the system. The airmover that supplies the cathode reactant stream can be operated in a substantially continuous manner during a continuous power demand placed on the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A heated O-ring that has particular application for providing sealing in the connector region of a compressed hydrogen storage tank in a fuel cell system. In one embodiment, an electrical heating wire is wound through the O-ring so that resistive heating is provide by applying an electrical potential to the wire so that the temperature of the O-ring does not decrease below a predetermined temperature. In another embodiment, electrical heating elements are provided adjacent to and in contact with the O-ring, where an electrical potential applied to the heating elements causes the heating elements to maintain the temperature of the O-ring.

Abstract: A valve including an elastically deformable component is disclosed, wherein the elastically deformable component is disposed in one of a valve head and a valve body, and wherein the elastically deformable component is elastically deformed when the valve is in a closed position to facilitate a substantially fluid tight seal between the valve head and the valve body.

Abstract: A shut-off valve that has particular application for opening and closing a compressed hydrogen storage tank. In one embodiment, the valve includes two valve sealing members where one side of one valve sealing member is on the high pressure side of the valve and an opposing side of the other valve sealing member is on the high pressure side of the valve. Therefore, the pressure applied to the two valve sealing members offset each other so that less force is required to open the valve against the high pressure.

Abstract: A liquid hydrogen storage system having minimized tanking losses. Hydrogen is discharged from a liquid hydrogen tank through connector piping of a filling connector to a discharge pipe and then to an external device, such as a fuel cell. As such, the connector piping is maintained at a cryogenic temperature substantially that of liquid hydrogen. During refilling of the tank through the already cryogenically cold connector piping there is substantially reduced evaporation of the liquid hydrogen provided by a liquid hydrogen tank station.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a plurality of fuel cells combined together to form a fuel cell stack, with the fuel cell stack having an anode side with an inlet for a fuel and an outlet for non-consumed fuel and exhaust gases arising at the anode side as well as a cathode side with an inlet for a gaseous oxidising agent such as air and an outlet for exhaust gases which arise at the cathode side, and a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, the compressor outlet of which is connected to the oxidising agent inlet of the fuel cell stack provided at the cathode side, is characterised in that a gas dynamic pressure wave machine having a driven rotor is provided, with an inlet for exhaust gases arising at the cathode side, an inlet for fresh oxidizing agent, an outlet for oxidising agent compressed by the cathode side exhaust gases and also an outlet for the cathode side exhaust gases being associated with the rotor and with the outlet for the oxidising agent compressed by the cathode side ex

Abstract: A Z-shaped, multi-channel conduit segment configured to transfer cryogenic fluid into and out of a cryogenic storage tank with minimal heat transfer. The conduit segment comprises a first channel operable to transport a cryogenic liquid from a supply source to the storage tank, and a second channel operable to transport gas from the storage tank to an end user. The conduit is preferably formed from a single piece of material, such that the first channel is separated from the second channel.

Abstract: A mechanization of a fuel cell system and a method of operating the same is provided which simplifies the start-up of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system can be started up without using any battery derived high voltage power to drive a high voltage compressor. The present invention provides for the use of a low voltage blower to provide oxygen to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to enable start-up of the fuel cell stack without the initial use of a high voltage compressor. The low voltage blower can be powered by a low voltage power source and/or the voltage produced by the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A pressure regulator that has particular application for an anode input side of a fuel cell system to provide the desired large turn-down ratio. The pressure regulator includes at least two valves positioned in parallel where the first valve is smaller than the second valve. The first valve is opened and closed and the second valve is maintained closed at low flow rates. Once the flow rate is high enough, the first valve is maintained completely open, and the second valve is opened and closed to control the flow at high flow rates.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is disclosed wherein multiple valve stages are used to accommodate low flow rates and to maximize a turn-down ratio of the regulator.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a shut-off valve is disclosed that has particular application for opening and closing a high pressure compressed gas storage tank. In one embodiment, the valve includes a single sealing member and a bellows. High pressure is provided at inlet port to one side of the sealing member and a bellows chambers so that both sides of the sealing member are at high pressure to provide equalization. A spring bias is the sealing member against a valve seat in one direction. An electromagnetic coil is energized to draw the sealing member away from the valve seat against the bias of the spring.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a combined injector/ejector system. The pressure of a hydrogen gas being injected into the fuel cell system by the injector acts as a pump that draws an anode exhaust gas being carried by the ejector back into the fuel cell system. The respective gases mix together in proximity to the ejector prior to being introduced back into the fuel cell system. A pressure controller can be provided to control the pressure of the hydrogen gas applied to the injector to more effectively draw the anode exhaust gas. In this manner, the need for a separate pump for the ejector, and the energy required for its operation, is eliminated or at least lessened, thus increasing the overall energy efficiency of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A liquid hydrogen storage system having minimized tanking losses. Hydrogen is discharged from a liquid hydrogen tank through connector piping of a filling connector to a discharge pipe and then to an external device, such as a fuel cell. As such, the connector piping is maintained at a cryogenic temperature substantially that of liquid hydrogen. During refilling of the tank through the already cryogenically cold connector piping there is substantially reduced evaporation of the liquid hydrogen provided by a liquid hydrogen tank station.

Abstract: A coolant reservoir and associated multi-functional unit for a thermal sub-system of a fuel cell system. The coolant reservoir includes a flame arrester positioned in a gas region of the reservoir. The multi-functional unit includes a first pressure relief valve that automatically opens if the pressure within the gas region goes above a first predetermined pressure. The multi-functional unit may also include a second pressure release valve that quickly releases pressure in the coolant reservoir if the pressure within the gas region goes above a second higher predetermined pressure. The multi-functional unit also includes an air-line and a check valve for allowing ambient air to enter the gas region if the pressure within the gas region falls below ambient pressure. The multi-functional unit also includes a cooling fluid fill line having plumbing that causes the coolant reservoir to vent prior to a cooling fluid cap being removed.

Abstract: A shut-off valve that has particular application for opening and closing a compressed hydrogen storage tank. In one embodiment, the valve includes two valve sealing members where one side of one valve sealing member is on the high pressure side of the valve and an opposing side of the other valve sealing member is on the high pressure side of the valve. Therefore, the pressure applied to the two valve sealing members offset each other so that less force is required to open the valve against the high pressure. In another embodiment, one of the sealing members is replaced with a bellows.

Abstract: A shut-off valve that has particular application for opening and closing a compressed hydrogen storage tank. In one embodiment, the valve includes two valve sealing members where one side of one valve sealing member is on the high pressure side of the valve and an opposing side of the other valve sealing member is on the high pressure side of the valve. Therefore, the pressure applied to the two valve sealing members offset each other so that less force is required to open the valve against the high pressure.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a shut-off valve is disclosed that has particular application for opening and closing a high pressure compressed gas storage tank. In one embodiment, the valve includes a single sealing member and a bellows. High pressure is provided at inlet port to one side of the sealing member and a bellows chambers so that both sides of the sealing member are at high pressure to provide equalization. A spring bias is the sealing member against a valve seat in one direction. An electromagnetic coil is energized to draw the sealing member away from the valve seat against the bias of the spring.

Abstract: A hydrogen distribution valve for alternately distributing gaseous and liquid hydrogen from a tank is disclosed. The hydrogen distribution valve includes a valve housing having a gaseous hydrogen inlet, a liquid hydrogen inlet, a hydrogen outlet and a reference pressure port for receiving a reference hydrogen pressure. A rocker valve is provided in the valve housing for alternately sealing the gaseous hydrogen inlet and the liquid hydrogen inlet. A bias mechanism engages the rocker valve for biasing the rocker valve in sealing engagement with said liquid hydrogen inlet. A valve membrane is provided in fluid communication with the reference pressure port and engages the valve head for biasing the valve head in sealing engagement with the gaseous hydrogen inlet.