US 11,923,585 B2
Low loss inlet header for fuel cells
Zhongtao Dai, West Hartford, CT (US); and Andrzej E. Kuczek, Bristol, CT (US)
Assigned to HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Apr. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/714,334.
Prior Publication US 2023/0327169 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 8/2483 (2016.01); H01M 8/026 (2016.01); H01M 8/2485 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/2483 (2016.02) [H01M 8/026 (2013.01); H01M 8/2485 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inlet header for a fuel cell comprising:
an inner end configured to be located against a plate stack of the fuel cell, an outer end spaced apart from the inner end, and a plurality of segments between the inner end and the outer end, and the plurality of segments include:
an outer segment that extends from the outer end to a first intermediate end, wherein the outer segment defines a cylindrical profile;
a first intermediate segment that forms an outer elbow and extends from the first intermediate end to a second intermediate end, wherein the second intermediate end has a rectangular shape, and wherein the first intermediate segment increases in width proportionally as it extends toward the second intermediate end;
a second intermediate segment that extends from the second intermediate end to a third intermediate end, wherein the third intermediate end has a rectangular shape, and wherein the second intermediate segment increases in width and height proportionally as it extends toward the third intermediate end; and
an inner segment that forms an inner elbow and extends from the third intermediate end to the inner end of the inlet header.