US 12,410,818 B2
Hydrogen recirculation pump heating and sealing assemblies and methods
Christopher Nelson, Columbus, IN (US); Bryn Epp, Barrie (CA); and Nathaniel Ian Joos, Toronto (CA)
Assigned to CUMMINS INC., Columbus, IN (US); and HYDROGENICS CORPORATION, Mississauga (CA)
Filed by CUMMINS INC., Columbus, IN (US); and HYDROGENICS CORPORATION, Mississauga (CA)
Filed on Oct. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/482,858.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/379,557, filed on Oct. 14, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0128483 A1, Apr. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04089 (2016.01); F04D 13/06 (2006.01); F04D 25/06 (2006.01); F04D 29/046 (2006.01); F04D 29/08 (2006.01); F04D 29/58 (2006.01); F04D 29/70 (2006.01); H01M 8/04007 (2016.01); H01M 8/04303 (2016.01); H01M 8/04701 (2016.01); H01M 8/04746 (2016.01); H01M 8/04955 (2016.01)
CPC F04D 29/588 (2013.01) [F04D 13/06 (2013.01); F04D 25/06 (2013.01); F04D 25/0606 (2013.01); F04D 29/046 (2013.01); F04D 29/08 (2013.01); F04D 29/584 (2013.01); F04D 29/586 (2013.01); F04D 29/706 (2013.01); H01M 8/04007 (2013.01); H01M 8/04097 (2013.01); H01M 8/04303 (2016.02); H01M 8/04708 (2013.01); H01M 8/04753 (2013.01); H01M 8/04955 (2013.01); F05D 2260/6022 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A recirculation pump for a fuel cell system, comprising:
an impeller configured to rotate and impel a fluid from an inlet to an outlet;
a pump motor assembly including a pump housing having a pump cavity therein and a pump motor arranged in the pump cavity and configured to drive the impeller, the pump housing arranged axially away from the impeller; and
at least one heater disposed on or in the pump housing and spaced apart from the impeller, the at least one heater being configured to increase a temperature of any portion of the fluid that leaks from the impeller into the pump cavity and resides in the pump cavity, wherein the increase in the temperature causes the fluid that resides in the pump cavity to flow toward the impeller and exit the pump cavity.