Fluidic components suitable for fuel cell systems including pressure regulators and valves

A method of operating a pressure regulator disposed between a hydrogen supply and a fuel cell system, the method comprising:

• within the pressure regulator providing a movable shuttle in a shuttle housing and disposed between a high pressure diaphragm and a low pressure diaphragm wherein the high pressure diaphragm is located proximate to the inlet and the low pressure diaphragm is located proximate to the outlet;
• providing a fluid conduit between the inlet and the outlet;
• controlling the pressure at the outlet by controlling the movement of the shuttle between the high pressure diaphragm and the low pressure diaphragm;
• and,
• disrupting the fluid connection between the inlet and the outlet using a temperature sensitive component comprising a shape memory alloy material disposed in the pressure regulator, wherein the disrupting step comprises:
• fluidly disconnecting the inlet and the outlet by expansion of the temperature sensitive component when the temperature in the pressure regulator is greater than or equals a predetermined fuel cell temperature, and,
• fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet by contraction of the temperature sensitive component when the temperature in the pressure regulator falls below the predetermined fuel cell temperature;
• wherein the shape memory alloy material comprises a wire having a relatively thin shape at temperatures below the predetermined fuel cell temperature and a relatively thicker shape at temperatures greater than or equal to the predetermined fuel cell temperature.

A pressure regulator within a fuel cell or electronic device comprising:

• a movable shuttle disposed between a high pressure diaphragm and a low pressure diaphragm;
• a shuttle housing to house the shuttle;
• a conduit connecting an inlet to an outlet, wherein the high pressure diaphragm is located proximate to the inlet and the low pressure diaphragm is located proximate to the outlet;
• and,
• a temperature sensitive component comprising a shape memory alloy material disposed within the pressure regulator, so that when the temperature of the pressure regulator reaches a predetermined level, the temperature sensitive component changes its shape to render the pressure regulator inoperative;
• wherein the shape memory alloy material comprises a wire having a relatively thin shape at temperatures below the predetermined temperature level and a relatively thicker shape at temperatures greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature level.