Description:Complete Specification

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention relates to a solenoid-controlled valve for controlling a flow of water through an outlet supply path, and more specifically to the solenoid-controlled valve for controlling the flow of water that flows through the outlet supply path from a fuel cell stack.

Background of the invention
[0002] SU 1002406 A1 describes an invention that relates to the technical field of electrochemistry, in particular, to systems - chromatographs, ionization detectors and lab furnaces with hydrogen atmosphere. A device for producing hydrogen, comprising an electrolytic cell, an adjustment system pressure and block, wherein the process is carried out using an alkaline electrolyte on fast nickel electrodes. The disadvantage of such a device is the use of an alkali solution, thus requiring purification of the gas from the aerosol alkali to corrosion of equipment. In addition, device with an alkaline electrolyte are heavy, difficult to operate and are characterized by high power consumption. Also known device for the preparation of hydrogen and oxygen, comprising an electrolytic cell with ion-exchange membranes., separators of the anode and cathode products, connected to the respective chambers of the electrolyzer, level float switch , located in the cathode separator, deionizator water located in the anode separator and a solenoid valve mounted on the pipe, anode separator with the anode chamber of the electrolytic cell and the cartridge-dryer, set on the line, is connected accustomed cathode separator with pressure of 2 bar. In this arrangement, the water is supplied to the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell to the decomposition of the cathode separator provided with a float sensor level. Replenishment of water in the cathode separator is derived from the anode of the separator due to the periodic solenoid valve equipped by a signal. Adding water in the installation is performed periodically to the anode separator, we find adhesive at atmospheric pressure so that the water level in the anode separator is below the upper edge of the deionization hydrogen pressure at the outlet of the device with a solenoid level sensor is carried out charge change of mode of the cell. When the valve is open, water enters directly to the anode of the electrolytic cell, wherein the closed water flows to the anode through the ion exchange membrane on the cathode side. The disadvantage of this device is the complexity of the device and reliability, because in case of failure of the solenoid valve of the turbopump drying the anode separator. In case of failure of the levels in the cathode and separator may overflow it with water, and the flooding of the cartridge. The aim of the invention is to increase reliability and simplify the device, eliminating solenoid valve and float switch level. The objective is achieved in a device for the preparation of hydrogen comprising the electrolytic cell with pipes of input and output of the water divided by ion-exchange membrane on the anode and cathode chambers, a separator anode and cathode products, connected by pipelines with the corresponding conductive chamber electrolytic cell, deionizator and a cartridge-dryer, wherein the separations cathode products is provided with an indicator level, and deionizator is installed in the pipeline, is connected to the present cell with a separator anode products, with the inlet water output from deionizator placed below the input of water into the electrolytic cell. Installation is provided with a column with a ceramic nozzle placed between the cartridge reservoir, and a separator cathode products.

Brief description of the accompanying drawing
[0003] Figure 1 illustrates a solenoid-controlled valve for controlling a flow of water from a fuel cell stack in one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a solenoid-controlled valve 100 for controlling a flow of water from a fuel cell stack. The solenoid-controlled valve 100 comprises a water inlet flow path 110, and a solenoid chamber 120 in flow communication with the water inlet flow path 110, the solenoid chamber 120 adapted to store water that is received in the solenoid chamber 120. A magnet anchor 130 comprises a flat shaped portion 140 and a piston shaped portion 150 extending from the flat shaped portion 140, the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 adapted to close an outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 due its self weight to prevent the flow of water through the outlet supply path 160.

[0005] The solenoid-controlled valve 100 comprises a water inlet flow path 110. More specifically, the water inlet flow path 110 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 is in flow communication with a solenoid chamber 120. More specifically, the solenoid chamber 120 is adapted to store water that is received in the solenoid chamber 120 from the water inlet flow path 110. The water inlet flow path 110 is in flow communication with the fuel cell stack and receives the water that is produced in the fuel cell stack. Therein, this water that is received in the water inlet flow path 110 from the fuel cell stack where water is produced is channeled to the solenoid chamber 120 and stored therein.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnet anchor 130 comprises a flat shaped portion 140 that is defined at the end of the magnet anchor 130. The magnet anchor 130 further comprises a piston shaped portion 150 that extends from the flat shaped portion 140 of the magnet anchor 130. The piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 is adapted to be inserted within the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. Therefore, the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 is adapted to close the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. The closure of the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 prevents the water that is present within the solenoid chamber 120 from flowing through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 is adapted to close the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 due to its self weight to prevent the flow of water from the solenoid chamber 120 from flowing through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, a disc spring 170 is secured between the magnet anchor 130 and a housing of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. In its equilibrium position, the disc spring 170 is biased against the magnet anchor 130 such that the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 is adapted to close the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. The disc spring 170 is adapted to bias the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 against the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 to prevent the flow of water from the solenoid chamber 120 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. When the disc spring 170 is actuated towards the magnet anchor 130 and away from the housing 175 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100, the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 is adapted to open the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. The disc spring 170 is adapted to bias the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 away from the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 to cause water from the solenoid chamber 120 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 to flow through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a valve seal 180 is secured to an end of the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130. More specifically, when the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 closes the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100, the valve seal 180 that is secured to the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 seals the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. The sealing of the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 by the valve seal 180 that is secured to the piston shaped portion 150 of the magnet anchor 130 seals the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100, thereby preventing the flow of water through the outlet supply path 160 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. In an exemplary embodiment, a solenoid coil 190 is positioned proximate to the magnet anchor 130. When the solenoid coil 190 is activated, the magnet anchor 130 is actuated in a direction that is away from the valve seat 185. The actuation of the magnet anchor 130 in the direction that is away from the valve seat 185 facilitates opening the valve seat 185 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100. When the valve seat 185 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 is opened due to the actuation of the magnet anchor 130 in the direction that is away from the valve seat 100, the valve seat 185 is opened, thereby permitting a flow of water through the outlet supply path 160. In addition, when the solenoid coil 190 is deactivated, the magnet anchor 130 is restored to its original equilibrium position in a direction that is towards the valve seat 185. The restoration of the magnet anchor 130 to its original equilibrium position in the direction that is towards the valve seat 185 facilitates closing the valve seat 185 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 and disconnecting the flow of water from the solenoid chamber 120 of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 through the outlet supply path 160. In addition, a hydraulic flow resistance inside the valve chamber is less, due to arrangement of disc spring and anchor components in the present configuration.

[0009] A working of the solenoid-controlled valve 100 for controlling a flow of water through the outlet supply path 160 of the fuel cell stack is described as an example. The water from the fuel cell stack is channeled to the solenoid chamber 120 and stored therein via the water inlet flow path 110. When the solenoid coil 190 is actuated by passing electric current through the solenoid coil 190, the magnet anchor 130 is actuated in the upward direction towards the solenoid coil 190 and away from the valve seat 185. The translation of the magnet anchor 130 towards the solenoid coil 190 and away from the valve seat 185 causes the outlet supply path 160 to open. Therein, the water that is present within the solenoid chamber 120 is channeled through the outlet supply path 160 to a storage chamber. Therefore, the actuation and de-actuation of the magnet anchor 130 due to the activation and deactivation of the solenoid coil 190 causes the outlet supply path 160 to open and close, thereby permitting the water from the solenoid chamber 120 to flow through the outlet supply path 160 or controlled from exiting through the outlet supply path 160 respectively. In addition, the solenoid-controlled valve (100) may be heated by supplying power to the solenoid-controlled valve (100).

[0010] It must be understood that the embodiments explained above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Many modifications in the embodiments with regard to dimensions of various components are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We Claim

1. A solenoid-controlled valve (100) for controlling a flow of fluid from a fuel cell stack, said solenoid-controlled valve (100) comprising;
a water inlet flow path (110);
a solenoid chamber (120) in flow communication with the water inlet flow path (110), the solenoid chamber (120) adapted to store water that is received in said solenoid chamber (120); and
a magnet anchor (130) comprising a flat shaped portion (140) and a piston shaped portion (150) extending from said flat shaped portion (140), the piston shaped portion (150) of said magnet anchor (130) adapted to close a valve seat (185) of an outlet supply path (160) of said solenoid-controlled valve (100) due its self weight to prevent the flow of water through the outlet supply path (160).

2. The solenoid-controlled valve (100) in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising a disc spring (170) secured between said magnet anchor (130) and a housing of said solenoid-controlled valve (100), said disc spring (170) adapted to bias the magnet anchor (130) against the outlet supply path (160) of said solenoid-controlled valve (100) to prevent flow of water through the outlet supply path (160).

3. The solenoid-controlled valve (100) in accordance with Claim 2, further comprising a valve seal (180) secured to an end of the piston shaped portion (150) of said magnet anchor (130), said valve seal (180) adapted to seal the outlet supply path (160) of said solenoid-controlled valve (100) to prevent the flow of water through the fuel outlet supply path (160).

4. The solenoid-controlled valve (100) in accordance with Claim 2, further comprising a solenoid coil (190) positioned proximate to said magnet anchor (130), said solenoid coil (190) adapted to be activated to actuate said magnet anchor (130) in a direction that is away from the valve seat (185) to facilitate opening the valve seat (185) of said solenoid-controlled valve (100) and permitting a flow of water through the outlet supply path (160), and wherein said solenoid coil (190) is adapted to be deactivated to de-actuate said magnet anchor (130) in a direction that is towards the valve seat (180) to facilitate closing the valve seat (180) of said solenoid-controlled valve (100) and disconnecting the flow of water through the outlet supply path (160).

5. A solenoid-controlled valve (100) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the solenoid-controlled valve (100) may be heated by supplying power to said solenoid-controlled valve (100).