Importance

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Abstract

A flow reversal control valve for use in a fuel cell. The valve includes a housing having a first end and a second end disposed along a longitudinal axis. The valve also includes a wall that defines a first passage in fluid communication with a second passage. The first passage is disposed proximate to the first end and the second passage is disposed proximate to the second end. The valve further includes a chamber in fluid communication with the first and second passages. There are flow flutes formed in the chamber. A seal is disposed in the chamber and coupled to at least one of the first and second passages. The seal has an elastomeric member disposed on a planar surface transverse to the longitudinal axis. There is a closure member disposed in at least one of the first passage, second passage and the chamber. A resilient member acting on the closure member can operate to prevent fluid communication between the first and second passages in a first position where the closure member abuts the elastomeric member when the pressure of the fluid of one of the first and second passages is generally equal to a fluid pressure of the other one of the first and second passages. The resilient member and the closure member can also operate in a second position to permit fluid flow between the first and second passages when the fluid pressure of one of the first and second passages is not equal to the fluid pressure of the other of the first and second passages. The flutes maintain a laminar flow between the first and second passages and guide the closure member towards the seal when the closure member is in the second position.

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First Claim