Device for metering a gaseous medium
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsJoachim Seitz, Jochen Sang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device is used to meter a gaseous medium, in particular air, by means of a plurality of metering valves, into a plurality of components of a fuel cell system used in a motor vehicle. All of the metering valves are arranged on a central middle block. The central middle block has at least one inlet opening for the gaseous medium, which is connected, via at least one passage, to in each case one connection point for each of the metering valves.
Claims9
An apparatus for metering a gaseous medium, said apparatus comprising:
- a) a central mounting block, said mounting block comprising
- i) a substantially planar member having oppositely disposed major surfaces, wherein, on opposite edges of said member, a plurality of cutouts project into said major surfaces, forming mounting receptacles for metering valves, and
- ii) one gas flow passage for guiding a flow of gaseous medium to metering valves to be mounted to the central mounting block;
- and
- b) a bridge element for mounting metering valves in locking engagement with the central mounting block, said bridge element comprising a substantially planar member having oppositely disposed major surfaces, wherein, on an edge of said member, a plurality of cutouts project into said major surfaces, forming mounting receptacles for metering valves.
Apparatus for metering a gaseous medium to a plurality of remotely situated gas consuming devices, said apparatus comprising:
- a central mounting block;
- and
- a plurality of metering valves mounted on said central mounting block, each of said metering valves being connectable to deliver said gaseous medium to a different one of said gas consuming device;
- wherein
- said central mounting block has at least one gas flow passage for guiding a flow of gas which is to be metered individually to each of said gas consuming devices;
- said central mounting block comprises a substantially planar member having oppositely disposed major surfaces, and having on opposite edges thereof a plurality of cutouts which project into said major surfaces, forming mounting receptacles for said metering valves;
- the projection of said mounting receptacles into said major surfaces forms a configuration that corresponds to an external body configuration of said metering valves, for mounting of said metering valves in locking engagement in said receptacles;
- and
- each of said mounting receptacles includes a coupling for connecting the metering valve mounted therein with the gas flow passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.