US4583583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel cell crimp-resistant cooling device with internal coil
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1983-06-02
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Granted: 1986-04-22
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Expires: 2003-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A cooling assembly for fuel cells having a simplified construction whereby coolant is efficiently circulated through a conduit arranged in serpentine fashion in a channel within a member of such assembly. The channel is adapted to cradle a flexible, chemically inert, conformable conduit capable of manipulation into a variety of cooling patterns without crimping or otherwise restricting of coolant flow. The conduit, when assembled with the member, conforms into intimate contact with the member for good thermal conductivity. The conduit is non-corrodible and can be constructed as a single, manifold-free, continuous coolant passage means having only one inlet and one outlet. The conduit has an internal coil means which enables it to be bent in small radii without crimping.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles F. Wittel, deceased
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04067; H01M8/04074; H01M8/24; H01M8/2465; H01M8/2484; F; F28; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/08; F28F; F28F1/00; F28F1/10; F28F1/12; F28F1/14; F28F1/22; F28F21/00; F28F21/06; F28F21/062; H01M8/04014; H01M8/04029; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S138/00; Y10S138/08; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/044; Y10S165/047; Y10S165/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A cooling assembly for use in removing heat from a fuel cell having means for circulating coolant through the cooling assembly adjacent the cell, the cooling assembly comprising: (a) a bendable length of flexible conformable material having the capability of withstanding the corrosive materials of a fuel cell environment having a coolant passageway along the length thereof said passageway having a plurality of straight parallel sections spaced one from another and also having a plurality of bend sections coupling said parallel sections in serpentine configuration and (b) means located within the passageway formed as coils within the bend sections for enhancing the ability of the flexible material to bend into relatively small radii without crimping, said last mentioned means being formed straight within the straight parallel sections with the passageway maintaining its ability to carry coolant along the length of the material, of the coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A cooling assembly for use in removing heat from a fuel cell having means for circulating coolant through the cooling assembly adjacent the cell, the cooling assembly comprising: (a) a bendable length of flexible conformable material having the capability of withstanding the corrosive materials of a fuel cell environment having a coolant passageway along the length thereof said passageway having a plurality of straight parallel sections spaced one from another and also having a plurality of bend sections coupling said parallel sections in serpentine configuration and (b) means located within the passageway formed as coils within the bend sections for enhancing the ability of the flexible material to bend into relatively small radii without crimping, said last mentioned means being formed straight within the straight parallel sections with the passageway maintaining its ability to carry coolant along the length of the material, of the coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the conduit means is metal-free.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the conduit means is polytetrafluoroethylene and the coil means is a metallic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The assembly as set forth in claim 1 and further including means for holding the conduit means in the cooling assembly including at least one member which, when assembled with the conduit means, conforms at least a portion of the conduit means into intimate contact with the member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the means for holding the conduit means comprises at least one plate supporting said conduit means, the plate provided with grooves for conforming at least a portion of the conduit means into intimate contact with the plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3733244A
Cited
US3712372A
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-21 | 1989-10-21 | 1990-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-21 | 1993-10-21 | 1994-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-21 | 1997-10-21 | 1998-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |