# US 8,783,278 B2 · Back pressure valve with inductively heated flap

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- Number: US 8,783,278 B2
- Document ID: US8783278B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/693,410
- Filed: 2012-12-04
- Published: 2013-04-18
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2007-11-27
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Thomas Hild; Andreas Koenekamp
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783278B2

## CPC

- F16K 31/02: electric {(F16K31/004 takes precedence)}; magnetic
- F16K 27/0218: {Butterfly valves}
- F16K 27/029: {Electromagnetically actuated valves}
- F16K 49/002: {Electric heating means}
- H01M 8/0432: Temperature; Ambient temperature
- H01M 8/0662: Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- Y10T 137/0318: Processes
- Y10T 137/6606: With electric heating element
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- 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
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for heating a valve flap comprising the steps of:
providing a valve including a housing and a plastic valve flap adapted to selectively permit and militate against a flow of fluid through the housing, a portion of the valve flap formed from metal, wherein the portion of the valve flap formed from metal is a metal ring surrounding the valve flap along an outer edge thereof, and wherein the housing includes a solenoid disposed thereon, the solenoid in communication with a source of electrical power; and
energizing the solenoid to result in a generation of heat in the portion of the valve flap formed from metal, wherein the heat is generated by an induction of an alternating current in the portion of the valve flap formed from metal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the valve flap formed from metal is formed from a ferromagnetic material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 2, wherein the heat is generated by an alternating magnetization of the ferromagnetic material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 1, wherein the step of energizing the solenoid is commenced upon at least one of a starting of a fuel cell system and a temperature within the fuel cell system reaching a predetermined level.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 1, wherein the solenoid is formed integrally with the housing.

### Claim 6

A method for heating a valve flap comprising the steps of:
providing a valve in a cathode exhaust conduit, the valve including a housing and a valve flap adapted to selectively permit and militate against a flow of fluid through the housing, a portion of the valve flap formed from metal, wherein the portion of the valve flap formed from metal is a metal ring surrounding the valve flap along an outer edge thereof, wherein the housing includes a solenoid disposed thereon, the solenoid in communication with a source of electrical power; and
energizing the solenoid to result in a generation of heat in the portion of the valve flap formed from metal, wherein the heat is generated by an induction of an alternating current in the portion of the valve flap formed from metal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 6, wherein the portion of the valve flap formed from metal is formed from a ferromagnetic material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 7, wherein the heat is generated by an alternating magnetization of the ferromagnetic material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 6, wherein the step of energizing the solenoid is commenced upon at least one of a starting of a fuel cell system and a temperature within the fuel cell system reaching a predetermined level.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 6, wherein the solenoid is formed integrally with the housing.

### Claim 11

A method for heating a valve flap comprising the steps of:
providing a valve in a cathode exhaust conduit, the valve including a housing and a plastic valve flap adapted to selectively permit and militate against a flow of fluid through the housing, a portion of the valve flap formed from metal, wherein the portion of the valve flap formed from metal is a metal ring surrounding the valve flap along an outer edge thereof, and wherein the housing includes a solenoid disposed thereon, the solenoid in communication with a source of electrical power; and
energizing the solenoid to result in a generation of heat in the portion of the valve flap formed from metal, wherein the heat is generated by an induction of an alternating current in the portion of the valve flap formed from metal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 11, wherein the portion of the valve flap formed from metal is formed from a ferromagnetic material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 12, wherein the heat is generated by an alternating magnetization of the ferromagnetic material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 11, wherein the step of energizing the solenoid is commenced upon at least one of a starting of a fuel cell system and a temperature within the fuel cell system reaching a predetermined level.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method for heating a valve flap according to claim 11, wherein the solenoid is formed integrally with the housing.