Anode Air Purge Valve Design

A fuel cell system comprising:

• a first split stack including an anode input line;
• a second split stack including an anode input line;
• a coupling line coupling the anode side of the first and the anode side of the second split stack;
• and
• a purge valve for purging the anode side of the first and second split stacks at system shut-down, said purge valve including a housing defining a chamber, an inlet port, a first output port in fluid communication with the chamber and the anode inlet line of the first split stack, a second outlet port in fluid communication with the chamber and the anode input line of the second split stack, and a diaphragm positioned within the chamber, said diaphragm closing off a flow channel between the inlet port and the first and second outlet ports and a flow channel between the first and second outlet ports when the diaphragm is in a closed position, and allowing flow through the purge valve from the inlet port to the anode input line of the first split stack and the anode input line of the second split stack when the diaphragm is in an open position at system shut-down.

A method for purging the anode sides of split stacks in a fuel cell system at system shut-down, said method comprising:

• providing a purge valve including a housing defining a chamber, an inlet port, a first outlet port in fluid communication with the chamber, a second outlet port in fluid communication with the chamber, and a diaphragm positioned in the chamber and closing off a flow channel between the inlet port and the first and second outlet ports, and a flow channel between the first and second outlet ports when the diaphragm is in a closed position;
• coupling the first outlet port to the anode side of one of the split stacks;
• coupling the second outlet port to the anode side of the other split stack;
• coupling the inlet port to an air source;
• and
• moving the diaphragm to an open position to provide a flow path for the air from the inlet port to the first and second outlet ports to provide purge air to the anode side of the split stacks.