| CPC H01M 8/04783 (2013.01) [C25B 1/04 (2013.01); C25B 9/19 (2021.01); C25B 9/60 (2021.01); C25B 9/70 (2021.01); G05D 16/028 (2019.01); G05D 16/065 (2013.01); H01M 8/04156 (2013.01); H01M 8/04201 (2013.01); H01M 2008/1095 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |
|
1. A passive dual modulating regulator with relative differential venting (“regulator”) having a first end and a second end, the regulator comprising:
a first housing section and a second housing section that cooperate to define a first internal cavity having a first valve assembly therein, a second internal cavity having a second valve assembly therein, and a third internal cavity having a third valve assembly therein, wherein:
the first housing section defines a hydrogen gas inlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen fluid path, a hydrogen outlet port, and a hydrogen vent port; and
the second housing section defines an oxygen gas inlet in fluid communication with an oxygen fluid path, an oxygen outlet port, and an oxygen vent port;
a flexible diaphragm having a first side and a second side and clamped between the first housing section and the second housing section along a periphery thereof, wherein:
a first hydrogen chamber is positioned on the first side of the flexible diaphragm and a first oxygen chamber is positioned on the second side of the flexible diaphragm within the first internal cavity; and
the first valve assembly extends through the flexible diaphragm and includes a first valve pin in alignment with a first valve seat in the first housing section and includes a second valve pin in alignment with a second valve seat in the second housing section, wherein a pressure differential between the first hydrogen chamber and the first oxygen chamber causes the flexible diaphragm to deflect toward a region of lesser pressure, such that the first valve assembly restricts and then seals the hydrogen outlet port for the first hydrogen chamber or the oxygen outlet port for the first oxygen chamber to equalize pressure within the first hydrogen chamber and the first oxygen chamber;
a second hydrogen chamber in fluid communication with the first hydrogen chamber is positioned on the first side of the flexible diaphragm and a second oxygen chamber in fluid communication with the first oxygen chamber is positioned on the second side of the flexible diaphragm;
the second valve assembly extends through the flexible diaphragm and includes a third valve pin seated in a third valve seat in second hydrogen chamber in alignment with a first biasing element in the second oxygen chamber biasing the third valve pin into the third valve seat, wherein a threshold pressure differential between the second hydrogen chamber and the second oxygen chamber due to excess pressure in the second hydrogen chamber causes the flexible diaphragm to overcome the first biasing element and deflect toward a region of lesser pressure in the second oxygen chamber to open the second valve assembly to release gas through the hydrogen vent port;
a third hydrogen chamber in fluid communication with the second hydrogen chamber is positioned on the first side of the flexible diaphragm and a third oxygen chamber in fluid communication with the second oxygen chamber is positioned on the second side of the flexible diaphragm; and
the third valve assembly extends through the flexible diaphragm and includes a fourth valve pin seated in a fourth valve seat in the third oxygen chamber in alignment with a second biasing element in the third hydrogen chamber biasing the fourth valve pin into the fourth valve seat, wherein a threshold pressure differential between the third hydrogen chamber and the third oxygen chamber due to excess pressure in the third oxygen chamber causes the flexible diaphragm to overcome the second biasing element and deflect toward a region of lesser pressure in the third hydrogen chamber to open the third valve assembly to release gas through the oxygen vent port.
|