# US 2013/0280628 A1 · Extended valve orifice for fuel cell > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0280628 A1 - Document ID: US20130280628A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/449,829 - Filed: 2012-04-18 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-18 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Ronald J. Daum - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130280628A1 ## CPC - H01M 8/04156: {with product water removal} - H01M 8/04253: {Means for solving freezing problems} - H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes} - Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract An improved fuel cell system comprising a component designed to minimize or otherwise prevent the collection of water (and thus formation of ice at low temperatures) at valves or other anode exhaust flowpath control points. Thus, such system is configured to be operable under at least freeze start conditions. Also provided, in various embodiments, are methods of controlling ice blockage in a fuel cell system by, among other things, providing such a component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fuel cell system, comprising: (A) a fuel cell stack having (i) a plurality of fuel cells, each comprising an anode; and (ii) an anode exhaust flowpath operably coupled to said anodes and configured to direct flow of a water-containing exhaust away from said anodes; (B) a water separator operably coupled to said flowpath and configured to remove at least a portion of water from said exhaust; (C) a valve comprising (i) a first portion operably coupled to said flowpath and configured to accept said exhaust therefrom, and (ii) a second portion operably coupled to said water separator and configured to discharge said accepted exhaust thereto; and (D) a valve inlet throat comprising (i) a proximate end portion operably coupled to said first portion of said valve; (ii) a substantially curved distal end portion having an orifice disposed therein, said orifice operably coupled to said flowpath; and (iii) a sidewall portion disposed between said proximate end portion and said distal end portion and defined around an axis; wherein the fuel cell system is configured to operate under at least freeze start conditions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said anode inlet valve and said orifice are oppositely positioned on said axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said distal end portion is configured such that any water, ice, or both, in said exhaust does not collect at said orifice or at said first portion of said anode inlet valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein said valve, inlet throat, or both, are oriented away from a substantially vertical position by an angle of from about 30° to about 45°. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein said inlet throat comprises a substantially concave curved inner surface at said distal end portion and a cylindrical inner surface at said sidewall portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein said inlet throat comprises a substantially convex curved outer surface at said distal end portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein said orifice comprises at least one land. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said sidewall portion has an axial length of from about 15 mm to about 50 mm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said inlet throat is machined or otherwise suitably formed from fluoropolymer resin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said inlet throat is integral with said first portion of said valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said water separator comprises a labyrinth separator, a double cyclone separator, a lamellar separator, or a wire mesh separator. ### Claim 12 A method of controlling anode exhaust flowpath ice-blockage in a fuel cell system, comprising: (A) providing a fuel cell stack having an anode exhaust flowpath operably coupled to a plurality of fuel cells and configured to direct flow of a water-containing exhaust; (B) providing a water separator operably coupled to said anode exhaust flowpath and configured to remove at least a portion of water from said exhaust; (C) providing at least one valve comprising (i) a first portion operably coupled to said flowpath and configured to accept said exhaust therefrom, and (ii) a second portion operably coupled to said water separator and configured to discharge said accepted exhaust thereto; and (D) providing a valve inlet throat comprising (i) a proximate end portion operably coupled to said first portion of said valve; (ii) a substantially curved distal end portion having an orifice disposed therein, said orifice operably coupled to said flowpath; and (iii) a sidewall portion disposed between said proximate end portion and said distal end portion and defined around an axis; wherein said distal end portion is configured such that any water, ice, or both, in said exhaust does not collect at said orifice or at said first portion of said anode inlet valve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said first portion of said anode inlet valve and said orifice are oppositely positioned on said axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, comprising orienting said valve, inlet throat, or both, away from a substantially vertical position by an angle of from about 30° to about 45°. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said inlet throat comprises a substantially concave curved inner surface at said distal end portion, and a cylindrical inner surface at said sidewall portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said inlet throat comprises a substantially convex curved outer surface at said distal end portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said orifice comprises at least one land. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said sidewall portion has an axial length of from about 15 mm to about 50 mm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, comprising machining or otherwise suitably forming said inlet throat from fluoropolymer resin. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said inlet throat is integral with said first portion of said valve.