Passive water drain
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsSteven G. Goebel, William H. Pettit
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A passive water drain for removal of water from a fuel cell system is disclosed, the drain including a main body having a cavity formed therein, an interior element, and a hydrophilic porous media. The passive water drain is adapted to simplify the anode reactant recycler, eliminate the need for bypass valve systems used to remove water from the cathode exhaust, and eliminate the need for condensate draining systems used for compressed air entering the cathode.
Claims20
A device for receiving a fluid stream comprising:
- a main body having a cavity formed therein, the main body including an inlet, an outlet, and a drain, the inlet adapted to receive the fluid stream;
- an interior element disposed in the cavity of the main body adapted to increase a tortuosity of the fluid stream;
- and
- a hydrophilic porous media disposed adjacent the drain in fluid communication with the cavity, the hydrophilic porous media militating against transfer of the fluid stream through the drain, wherein the fluid stream is exhausted from the cavity through the outlet.
A device for receiving a fluid stream in a fuel cell system comprising:
- a main body having a cavity formed therein, the main body including an inlet, an outlet, and a drain, the inlet adapted to receive the fluid stream;
- an interior element disposed in the cavity of the main body adapted to increase a tortuosity of the fluid stream;
- a hydrophilic porous media sealingly disposed in the drain in fluid communication with the cavity;
- and
- a liquid retention feature disposed adjacent the hydrophilic porous media, wherein the hydrophilic porous media militates against transfer of the fluid stream through the drain and the fluid stream is exhausted from the cavity through the outlet.
A method for receiving a fluid stream in a fuel cell system comprising the steps of:
- providing a device having a main body with a cavity formed therein and including an inlet, an outlet, and a drain;
- providing an interior element disposed in the cavity;
- providing a hydrophilic porous media in fluid communication with the cavity, one of a thickness and an area of the hydrophilic porous media selected to militate against transfer of the fluid stream through the drain;
- providing the fluid stream including a liquid from a source of fluid to the inlet;
- increasing a tortuosity of the fluid stream with the interior element, thereby causing the liquid to collect in the cavity;
- hydrating the hydrophilic porous media with the liquid collected in the cavity, thereby militating against transfer of the fluid stream through the drain;
- draining the liquid in excess of a saturation point of the hydrophilic porous media through the drain;
- and
- exhausting the fluid stream from the cavity through the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.