CONTROL VALVE WITH ENHANCED INNER SURFACE
A control valve is disclosed having a passage formed therein defined by an inner surface, the control valve includes at least one enhanced surface, a liner, or a combination thereof to militate against ice formation thereon and adhesion of the ice thereto.
1 . A valve assembly comprising:
a housing adapted to be disposed in a fuel cell system conduit, the housing having a passage formed therein defined by an inner surface; and
a moveable member disposed in the housing and adapted to selectively permit and militate against a flow of fluid through the housing, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the moveable member includes an enhanced surface.
2 . The valve assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is disposed in a cathode exhaust conduit.
3 . The valve assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuator to maneuver the moveable member.
4 . The valve assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the enhanced surface is achieved by at least one of a mechanical treating, a chemical treating, and applying a coating.
5 . The valve assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the mechanically treating includes at least one of sandblasting, shotpeening, milling, and grinding.
6 . The valve assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the chemically treating includes at least one of anodic oxidation and caustic treatment.
7 . The valve assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the applied coating includes at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, wax, polyethylene, silicone, polypropylene, and nanoparticles.
8 . The valve assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is a butterfly type valve.
9 . A fuel cell valve comprising:
a housing adapted to be disposed in a conduit in fluid communication with a fuel cell stack, the housing having a passage formed therein defined by an inner surface;
a moveable member disposed in the housing and adapted to selectively permit and militate against a flow of fluid through the passage; and
an actuator provided to maneuver the moveable member, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the moveable member includes an enhanced surface.
10 . The valve assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the housing is disposed in a cathode exhaust conduit.
11 . The valve assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the enhanced surface is achieved by at least one of a mechanical treating, a chemical treating, and applying a coating.
12 . The valve assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the mechanical treating includes at least one of sandblasting, shotpeening, milling, and grinding.
13 . The valve assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the chemical treating includes at least one of anodic oxidation and caustic treatment.
14 . The valve assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the applied coating includes at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, wax, polyethylene, silicone, polypropylene, and nanoparticles.
15 . The valve assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the valve is a butterfly type valve.
16 . A valve assembly comprising:
a housing adapted to be disposed in a conduit, the housing having a passage formed therein;
a moveable member disposed in the housing and adapted to selectively permit and militate against a flow of fluid through the passage;
an actuator provided to maneuver the moveable member; and
a liner adapted to be disposed in the passage formed in the housing, wherein the liner is produced from a hydrophobic material.
17 . The valve assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the housing is disposed in a cathode exhaust conduit.
18 . The valve assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the moveable member includes an enhanced surface.
19 . The valve assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the liner is produced from at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, silicone, and polypropylene.
20 . The valve assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the valve is a butterfly type valve.