Piezoelectric axial flow microvalve
Abstract
This invention is directed to a fuel cell operable with a quantity of fuel and a quantity of an oxidizer to produce electrical power, the fuel cell including a fuel cell body including a labyrinth system structured to permit the fuel and the oxidizer to flow therethrough; at least a first catalyst in fluid communication with the labyrinth; and at least a first microvalve operably disposed within at least a portion of the labyrinth. The microvalve utilizes a deflectable member operable upon the application of a voltage from a voltage source. The microvalve includes an elongated flow channel formed therein and extending substantially longitudinally between the first and second ends to permit substantially longitudinal flow of the fluid therethrough and between the first and second ends; and the deflectable member disposed on the valve body, the deflectable member including at least a first piezoelectric portion that is piezoelectrically operable to deflect the deflectable member between an open position and a closed position upon the application of a voltage, the deflectable member in the closed position being operable to resist the flow of the fluid through the flow channel.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- US Department of Energy (USDOE), Washington DC (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1176060
- Patent Number(s):
- 7159841
- Assignee:
- United States Of America, Department Of Energy
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F16 - ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS F16K - VALVES
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 25 ENERGY STORAGE
Citation Formats
Gemmen, Randall, Thornton, Jimmy, Vipperman, Jeffrey S., and Clark, William W. Piezoelectric axial flow microvalve. United States: N. p., 2007.
Web.
Gemmen, Randall, Thornton, Jimmy, Vipperman, Jeffrey S., & Clark, William W. Piezoelectric axial flow microvalve. United States.
Gemmen, Randall, Thornton, Jimmy, Vipperman, Jeffrey S., and Clark, William W. Tue .
"Piezoelectric axial flow microvalve". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1176060.
@article{osti_1176060,
title = {Piezoelectric axial flow microvalve},
author = {Gemmen, Randall and Thornton, Jimmy and Vipperman, Jeffrey S. and Clark, William W.},
abstractNote = {This invention is directed to a fuel cell operable with a quantity of fuel and a quantity of an oxidizer to produce electrical power, the fuel cell including a fuel cell body including a labyrinth system structured to permit the fuel and the oxidizer to flow therethrough; at least a first catalyst in fluid communication with the labyrinth; and at least a first microvalve operably disposed within at least a portion of the labyrinth. The microvalve utilizes a deflectable member operable upon the application of a voltage from a voltage source. The microvalve includes an elongated flow channel formed therein and extending substantially longitudinally between the first and second ends to permit substantially longitudinal flow of the fluid therethrough and between the first and second ends; and the deflectable member disposed on the valve body, the deflectable member including at least a first piezoelectric portion that is piezoelectrically operable to deflect the deflectable member between an open position and a closed position upon the application of a voltage, the deflectable member in the closed position being operable to resist the flow of the fluid through the flow channel.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2007},
month = {1}
}