GB2528931A

GB2528931A - Fluid fuel pipe connector

Info

Publication number: GB2528931A
Application number: GB1413865.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zachary Elliott; Paul Leonard Adcock
Original assignee: Intelligent Energy Ltd
Current assignee: Intelligent Energy Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-05
Filing date: 2014-08-05
Publication date: 2016-02-10
Also published as: WO2016020670A3; WO2016020670A2; GB201413865D0

Abstract

A fluid fuel delivery pipe connector comprises a length of flexible fluid delivery pipe 2, terminating in a connection interface 1. The connection interface 1 includes a fluid outlet 3 and a magnetic latch 4 for detachably coupling the connection interface to a docking port 20. A valve 5 in the connector prevents fluid flow between the flexible delivery pipe 2 and the fluid outlet 3 when it is closed and enables fluid flow between the flexible delivery pipe 2 and the fluid outlet 3 when it is open. The valve 5 may automatically close when the connectioninterface 1 is disconnected from a docking port 20 and may automatically open when connected to the docking port 20. There may also be included an electrical connector and cable in the interface 1 and pipe 2 respectively. The valve may be mechanically or magnetically actuated, with the magnetic actuation being as the results of a high permeability flux path displacing a magnetic element in the valve assembly 5 towards other elements in the flux path against a spring bias.

Description

FLUID FUEL PIPE CONNECTOR

The present invention relates to connector systems for fluid conduits, and in particular though not exclusively to connectors allowing rapid connection and disconnection.

The increasingly widespread use of electrochemical fuel cells to generate electricity for portable electronic devices requires means for safely and conveniently delivering a fluid fuel such as hydrogen to the fuel cells. It may not always be convenient to locate the fuel cells in the same product, device or housing as the fuel source, particularly where the fuel source may be a disposable or rechargeable container for hydrogen, or a reactor configured to generate hydrogen on demand.

It is an object of the invention to provide a convenient and safe flexible connector arrangement for coupling a fluid fuel source to a fuel consuming device such as an electrochemical fuel cell.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a fluid fuel delivery pipe connector comprising a length of flexible fluid delivery pipe terminating in a connection interface, the connection interface including a fluid outlet and a magnetic latch for detachably coupling the connection interface to a docking port.

The connector may further include a valve configured to prevent fluid flow between the flexible delivery pipe and the fluid outlet when the valve is a closed condition and to enable fluid flow between the flexible delivery pipe and the fluid outlet when the valve is in an open condition. The valve may be configured to automatically switch to the closed condition when the connection interface is disconnected from a docking port. The valve may be configured to automatically switch to the open condition when the connection interface is connected to a docking port. The connector may further include an electrical connector integrated with the connection interface. The valve may be mechanically actuated. The valve may be magnetically actuated The connector may further include a high permeability flux path having at least one magnetic element physically displaceable from other elements in the flux path, the valve being actuated by displacement of the at least one magnetic element towards other elements in the flux path against a spring bias. The valve may be mounted axially within the bore of the delivery pipe. The valve may comprise a plunger extending axially within the pipe, the plunger being operable from an axially extended position in the connection interface when the valve is in the closed condition to an axially retracted position in the connection interface when the valve is in the open condition. The axially extended position of the plunger may be recessed within the connection interface. The connection interface may include a valve actuation mechanism operable by a magnetic field profile applied to the connection interface. The connector may further include an electrical cable integrated with the fluid delivery pipe. The length of flexible fluid delivery pipe may be coupled to a hydrogen source.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a connection system comprising the connector as described above and a docking port for coupling to the connection interface, the docking port including a fluid conduit configured to connect to the fluid outlet when the connector and docking port are coupled to one another. The docking port may include means for actuating a valve in the connector when the connector and docking port are coupled to one another. The means for actuating a valve in the connector may comprise a high permeability flux circuit element configured to provide a flux path between at least two flux guide elements in the connector. The docking port may form part of an electrochemical fuel cell assembly. The docking port may form part of a portable electronic device.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a connector for a fluid pipe comprising: a fluid conduit terminating in a connection interface, the connection interface including a fluid outlet; a valve for isolating the fluid outlet; a high permeability flux path having at least one magnetic element physically displaceable from other elements in the flux path against a spring bias: the valve being actuated by displacement of the at least one magnetic element towards other elements in the flux path against the spring bias.

The high permeability flux path may include at least two flux guides extending between the displaceable magnetic element and an external face of the connector, the connector being configured such that engagement of the connector with a docking port having a further magnetic element increases magnetic flux within the flux path sufficient to move the displaceable magnetic element against the spring bias.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a method of connecting a flexible fluid fuel delivery pipe to a docking port comprising: magnetically latching the fluid fuel delivery pipe to the docking port; automatically opening a valve enabling fluid flow between an outlet of the delivery pipe and the docking port when the delivery pipe is magnetically latched to the docking port; and automatically closing the valve preventing fluid flaw between the outlet of the delivery pipe and the docking port when the fluid fuel delivery pipe is unlatched from the delivery port.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a method of connecting a first fluid conduit connector to a second fluid conduit connector for fluid flow therebetween comprising: providing a valve for isolating fluid flow from at least one of the connectors; providing a first high permeability flux path in the first connector having at least one magnetic element physically displaceable from other elements in the first flux path under a mechanical bias; providing a second high permeability flux path in the second connector; coupling the first and second connectors and thereby joining the first and second high permeability flux paths to increase magnetic flux flow therethrough, the increased flux flow automatically opening the valve by displacement of the at least one magnetic element towards other elements in the flux path against the mechanical bias.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a fluid fuel delivery pipe connector and a compatible docking port, shown in disconnected relationship, and an inset perspective diagram showing further detail of a part of a valve assembly therein; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the fluid fuel delivery pipe connector and compatible docking port of figure 1, shown in connected relationship; Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a fluid fuel delivery pipe connector and compatible docking port, with magnetic actuation; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a fluid fuel delivery pipe connector incorporating an integral electrical connector.

Figure 1 shows a fluid fuel delivery pipe connector 1 comprising a length of flexible pipe 2 with a fluid outlet 3 at a proximal end of the pipe, a magnetic latch 4 coupled to the pipe and a valve assembly 5 integrated into the pipe proximal to the fluid outlet 3.

The flexible pipe 2 may be formed of any suitable material for the confinement and conveyance of fluid fuel, such as hydrogen, through the pipe from a fuel source at a distal end of the pipe, not shown in figure 1. An exemplary material for the flexible pipe 2 may include, for example, a polymer material. The fluid outlet 3 may comprise an open end of the pipe 2 or may comprise an open end of other hardware coupled to the pipe serving as a connection interface at the proximal end of the pipe 2. In the example of figure 1, the magnetic latch may comprise a collarS which incorporates at least one permanent magnet capable of being attracted to a magnetic material disposed on or forming part of a docking p01 20 to be described later The valve assembly 5 is mounted axially within the bore 7 of the flexible pipe 2 and comprises a plunger 8 disposed within a retaining structure 9 which fills the bore 7 of the pipe. A series of orifices 10 (also seen in the inset perspective diagram in figure 1) in the retaining structure 9 allow fluid flow through the retaining structure 9 between the bore 7 upstream of the retaining structure 9 and the fluid outlet 3. The retaining structure 9 further includes a central aperture 11 in which the shaft 12 of the plunger 8 is received in axially sliding relationship. A disc plate 13 at one axial end of the shaft 12 is configured to come into sealing relationship with an 0-ring seal 14 extending around an end face 15 of the retaining structure 9. The valve assembly 5 further includes an end stop 16 disposed within the bore 7 of the pipe against which a spring 17 bears. The spring 17 serves to maintain the plungerS in a position axially biased towards the 0-ring seal 14, as shown in figure 1. In this manner, the valve assembly 5 is maintained in a normally closed configuration as seen in figure 1, with the disc plate 13 in sealing engagement against the 0-ring seal 14, thereby occluding the orifices lOin the retaining structure 9. The end stop 16 also includes a series of orifices 18 allowing fluid flow through the end stop 16 along the bore 7 of the pipe 2. It can understood from figure 1 that the axial position of the plunger 8 can be changed, from the axially extended position of figure 1 to an axially retracted position as shown in figure 2 by pressing an actuation end 19 of the shaft 12 against the bias of the spring 17 to thereby displace the disc plate 13 away from the 0-ring seal 14. In the arrangement shown, in both the axially extended and the axially retracted positions, the actuation end 19 of the shaft 12 is preferably recessed relative to a proximal end face 25 of the connector 1, to protect the shaft 12 from damage or inadvertent pressure to open the valve.

Actuation of the valve 5 is preferably achieved automatically by connection of the connector Ito a docking port 20 as shown in figure 2.

The docking port 20 is provided within a housing 21 and includes a fluid conduit 22 configured to connect to the fluid outlet 3 of the flexible pipe 2 when the connector 1 is connected to the docking port 20. The docking port 20 further includes an actuation member which may take the form of a pin 23 extending outwards from a receiving surface 24 of the housing 21. The receiving surface 24 generally provides an engagement surface against which the proximal end face 25 of the connector 1 may engage. The receiving surface 24 of the docking port 20, and the end face 25 of the connector 1 preferably comprise, between them, suitable co-operating materials for providing a fluid tight seal against the escape of fluid fuel when the connector 1 and the docking port 20 are engaged.

Such materials may include 0-rings or ribbed seals on at least one of the surfaces 24, 25,

for example.

Retention of the end face 25 of the connector I against the receiving surface 24 is provided by magnetic latching. In the example shown in figures 1 and 2, the magnetic latching is provided by the action of the permanent magnet or magnets within collar S being attracted to magnetic material in the housing 21, or from which the housing is formed, and/or magnetic elements 26 disposed in or on the casing 21, such as a ring of ferromagnetic material disposed around the end of the fluid conduit 22, as shown in figure 2.

In the example shown in figure 2, to protect the pin 23 from accidental damage, the receiving surface 24 of the housing 21 may be recessed slightly within recess 27 so that the actuation member 23 does not protrude from the main face 28 of the casing 21.

A feature of the pipe connector 1 is that the magnetic latching arrangement means that no other mechanical engagement or latching mechanism is necessary to hold the connector I to the docking port 20 in normal use. The pipe connector 1 may be attached directly to the surface of the housing 21 without using conventional male-female plug-socket arrangements. The recess 27 may be made very shallow and may be provided solely to provide protection to an otherwise protruding actuation member 23, and/or to provide a small mechanical positional reference so that a user can easily locate the connector 1 in the correct place on the housing 21. This could alternatively or additionally be achieved with small surface protrusions such as ribs on the surface of the housing 21. The recess 27 could be formed with tapered walls and does not need to provide any friction fit between the connector 1 and the docking port 20.

In other arrangements, if the actuation mechanism does not require an axially extending actuation member 23 from either the connector 1 or the docking port 20, then the housing 21 and the end face 25 of the connector 1 could both be entirely flat surfaces for engagement. In such a case, positional reference of the connector 1 to the docking port could be effected by the magnetic latching mechanism. For example, the magnetic structures 6 and 26 located in the connector and docking port could be configured to be sufficiently strong and closely relatively positioned that they will automatically centre the connector 1 over the correct position on the housing 21 such that the fluid outlet 3 is pulled into lateral alignment with the fluid conduit 22 as well as axially pulling the connector 1 and the docking port 20 together.

A substantial benefit of using magnetic latching for a fluid fuel delivery connector is that inadvertent pulling or sudden shock on the flexible pipe 2 in any direction (e.g. an axial or a shear direction) will enable the magnetic latching force to be overcome and detachment of the connector 1 from the docking port 20 will result without risking damage to the connector, pipe or the docking port. Such an arrangement is particularly useful where the fluid fuel pipe 2 connector 1 is to be connected to a docking port on a user device such as a portable computing device (such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone) or a power adaptor containing a fuel cell power source. With such user devices, it is very easy for a user to unintentionally move the device beyond the range of the cable or pipe 2 connecting the user device to a fuel source thereby stressing or damaging the pipe andtor the connectors, With the magnetic latching arrangements described herein, upon disconnection -whether accidental or otherwise -by overcoming the magnetic latching force, the connector 1 is configured to automatically shut off the flow of fluid fuel to the fluid outlet 3 as soon as loss of contact between the connector 1 and the docking port 20 occurs.

The housing 21 may form part of the housing of a user device such as a portable computing device or a portable fuel cell-based electrical power source into which the docking port 20 is integrated.

The arrangement of figures 1 and 2 exemplifies a connector in which the connector is magnetically latched to the docking port 20, but the valve 5 is mechanically actuated, e.g. by the actuation member 23 bearing against the actuation end 19 of the shaft 12 of the plungerS.

An alternative arrangement of connector and docking port is shown in figure 3 in which the connector is magnetically latched to the docking port and the valve is magnetically actuated. In the example shown, the same magnetic circuit can be used to achieve both latching function and actuation of the valve.

In figure 3, a fluid fuel delivery pipe connector 41 comprises a length of flexible pipe 42 with a fluid outlet 43 at a proximal end of the pipe, a magnetic latch 44 coupled to the pipe 42 and a valve assembly 145 proximal to the fluid outlet 43. The magnetic latch 44 comprises a permanent magnet element 45 and flux guide elements 46 which are configured to provide a high permeability flux circuit when brought into proximity with a suitable high permeability element 48 (e.g. a soft magnetic material) in a docking port 40.

In the arrangement shown in figure 3, the high permeability element 48 may comprise the housing 21 of the docking port 40 itself1 or the housing of a user device (as discussed above) into which the docking port 40 is integrated.

The permanent magnet element 45 is coupled by shaft 49 to a valve head 50 which seats against an 0-ring seal 51 to close an orifice 52, when the permanent magnet element 45 is biased by spring 47 into a valve-closed condition.

In use, when the connector 41 is brought into proximity with a suitable magnetic element 48 of a docking port 40, the high permeability flux circuit formed by the flux guide elements 46 and the magnetic element 48 of the docking port 40 together provides an increased field strength across gaps 54 between the flux guide elements 46 and the permanent magnet element 45. This increased field strength serves to provide a greater attraction force between the permanent magnet element 45 and the flux guide elements 46 which is enough to compress the spring 47 which normally biases the permanent magnet element away from the flux guide elements 46. The overcoming of this spring bias allows the magnet element 48 to displace in a leftward direction as viewed in figure 3 and indicated by arrow 55, thereby pulling the shaft 49 and valve head 50 with it to open the orifice 52, corresponding to a valve open condition. Fluid, such as hydrogen, can then flow from the pipe 42 to the orifice 52 past the magnetic circuit elements (which are shown only in cross-section) and into the fluid conduit 22 in the docking port 40.

Conversely, upon detachment of the connector 41 from the docking port 40 by overcoming the magnetic attraction force which maintains the flux circuit comprising flux guide elements 46 and magnetic element 48 in the docking port 40, the reduced flux in the circuit enables the bias from spring 47 to overcome the attraction force between permanent magnet element 45 and the flux guide elements 46, thereby displacing the magnet 45, shaft 49 and valve head 50 in the rightward direction as viewed in figure 3, and indicated by arrow 55, to the valve closed position. The closure of the orifice 52 therefore occurs automatically when the connector 41 is uncoupled from the docking port 40.

The shaping and positioning of the flux guide elements 46 can be configured such that the flux circuit completed with a suitable magnetic element 48 in the docking port 40 is only effective to engage the permanent magnet 45 into the flux circuit (by overcoming the spring bias) if the magnetic element 48 in the docking port 40 is in the appropriate position andlor of the appropriate size I level of permeability. Thus, in a general aspect, the connection interface may comprise a valve actuation mechanism which requires a predetermined magnetic profile of docking port applied to the connection interface in order to actuate the valve. Insufficient permeability, or inappropriate positioning relative to the flux guides 46, may prevent the valve from operating to the open condition.

The expression "high permeability" of, e.g. the flux guide elements, is intended to encompass any suitable level of permeability required to define a flux path capable of enabling a displaceable magnetic element to be attracted into the flux circuit against a spring bias, in which the spring bias is sufficient to operate a valve. The relative permeability o of elements in the flex circuit may be at least 30, at least 50, or at least 100 for example, or even at least 1000 or at least 4000.

The fluid fuel delivery pipe connectors as described herein are particularly useful in the application of a connector to a flexible fluid fuel delivery pipe that will be used as a "flying lead" or "umbilical connection" from a fuel source to a fuel consuming device where the fuel source and consuming device are formed in separate housings which do not necessarily remain in fixed spatial relationship to one another during use, e.g. where a user is holding or manipulating the fuel consuming device.

The fluid fuel delivery pipe connectors as described herein can readily be integrated with electrical connectors if it is desirable to communicate both fluid fuel and electrical power / data between the fuel source and the consuming device (e.g. a portable computing device incorporating fuel cell electrical power generation). Figure 4 illustrates schematically a connector 31 comprising a flexible fluid pipe 32 integrated with a power and/or data cable 33 terminating in a plurality of electrical contacts 34 which engage with corresponding electrical contacts 35 disposed on the docking port 30. Other features may correspond to those described in connection with figures 1 and 2, or to the magnetically actuated arrangement of figure 3. Integrating a power and/or data cable with the fluid pipe connector may be particularly advantageous where communication between a fuel source and a fuel cell power supply is desirable, e.g. to optimise control of the system. The power and/or data cable connection then benefits from the same magnetic latching arrangement to minimise risk of damage to the connectors.

The examples shown and described herein illustrate a connector in which the connector is provided on a fuel source side and the docking port is provided on a fuel-consuming device side, but it will be recognised that fluid flow can operate in reverse, i.e. between the docking port and the connector. Furthermore, an automatic actuating valve can be provided in both sides, i.e. in both the connector and in the docking port. This may be particularly useful to close both fuel source pipe and any fuel conduit to a fuel cell in the docking port side, thereby preventing escape of unused fuel in the fuel cell and preventing atmospheric gas from reaching the anodes of such fuel cells when the fuel source is disconnected.

In particular, the magnetic valve actuation arrangement of figure 3 could be extended so that the part of the flux circuit in the docking port also includes a biased magnetic element, similar to element 45 in the connector, which serves to close a second valve in the docking port when the two parts of the flux circuit from connector and docking port are brought together.

The arrangement of figures 1 and 2 illustrate a valve assembly which can be mounted entirely within the bore of the fluid pipe thereby offering an extremely compact connector.

The arrangement of figure 3 could also be adapted to be mounted entirely within the bore of the pipe.

The arrangement of figure 3 exemplifies a "side-entry1' connector 41 in which the pipe enters from a side of the connector, which may be preferred for a low profile connector, or one in which there is less risk of sideways forces being inadvertently applied on the connector. The side-entry arrangement can generally be applied to other configurations, including that of figures 1 and 2.

The valves used can be of any suitable type, such as the plunger and 0-ring seal type illustrated. Other valve types could be used, such as pinch valves operating on a section of flexible pipe.

The illustrated embodiments include connectors in which a permanent magnet is mounted in the connector and a soft magnetic material in the docking port provides a high permeability path to assist a flux circuit from the connector. Other arrangements are possible in which a magnetic latching force is used to hold the two components together.

Both connector and docking port may be provided with permanent magnetic elements configured to attract when the connector is in the correct position or orientation. The permanent magnet may be provided in the docking port and the connector provided with a suitable flux path to operate a valve therein from magnetic flux provided by the docking port.

Other embodiments are intentionally within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fluid fuel delivery pipe connector comprising: a length of flexible fluid delivery pipe terminating in a connection interface, the connection interface including a fluid outlet and a magnetic latch for detachably coupling the connection interface to a docking port.

2. The connector of claim 1 further including a valve configured to prevent fluid flow between the flexible delivery pipe and the fluid outlet when the valve is a closed condition and to enable fluid flow between the flexible delivery pipe and the fluid outlet when the valve is in an open condition.

3. The connector of claim 2 in which the valve is configured to automatically switch to the closed condition when the connection interface is disconnected from a docking port.

4. The connector of claim 2 in which the valve is configured to automatically switch to the open condition when the connection interface is connected to a docking port.

5. The connector of claim 1 further including an electrical connector integrated with the connection interface.

5. The connector of claim 2 in which the valve is mechanically actuated.

7. The connector of claim 2 in which the valve is magnetically actuated.

8. The connector of claim 7 further including a high permeability flux path having at least one magnetic element physically displaceable from other elements in the flux path, the valve being actuated by displacement of the at least one magnetic element towards other elements in the flux path against a spring bias.a The connector of claim 2 in which the valve is mounted axially within the bore of the delivery pipe.10. The connector of claim 9 in which the valve comprises a plunger extending axially within the pipe, the plunger being operable from an axially extended position in the connection interface when the valve is in the closed condition to an axially retracted position in the connection interface when the valve is in the open condition.11. The connector of claim 10 in which the axially extended position of the plunger is recessed within the connection interface.12. The connector of claim 2 in which the connection interface includes a valve actuation mechanism operable by a magnetic field profile applied to the connection interface.13. The connector of claim 5 further including an electrical cable integrated with the fluid delivery pipe.14. The connector of claim 1 in which the length of flexible fluid delivery pipe is coupled to a hydrogen source.15. A connection system comprising the connector of claim 1 and a docking port for coupling to the connection interface, the docking port including a fluid conduit configured to connect to the fluid outlet when the connector and docking port are coupled to one another.16. The connection system of claim 15 in which the docking port includes means for actuating a valve in the connector when the connector and docking port are coupled to one another.17. The connection system of claim 16 in which the means for actuating a valve in the connector comprises a high permeability flux circuit element configured to provide a flux path between at least two flux guide elements in the connector.18. The connection system of claim 15 in which the docking port forms part of an electrochemical fuel cell assembly.19. The connection system of claim 18 in which the docking port forms part of a portable electronic device.20. A connector for a fluid pipe comprising: a fluid conduit terminating in a connection interface, the connection interface including a fluid outlet; a valve for isolating the fluid outlet; a high permeability flux path having at least one magnetic element physically displaceable from other elements in the flux path against a spring bias; the valve being actuated by displacement of the at least one magnetic element towards other elements in the flux path against the spring bias.21 The connector of claim 20 in which the high permeability flux path includes at least two flux guides extending between the displaceable magnetic element and an external face of the connector, the connector being configured such that engagement of the connector with a docking port having a further magnetic element increases magnetic flux within the flux path sufficient to move the displaceable magnetic element against the spring bias.22. A method of connecting a flexible fluid fuel delivery pipe to a docking port comprising: magnetically latching the fluid fuel delivery pipe to the docking port; automatically opening a valve enabling fluid flow between an outlet of the delivery pipe and the docking port when the delivery pipe is magnetically latched to the docking port; and automatically closing the valve preventing fluid flow between the outlet of the delivery pipe and the docking port when the fluid fuel delivery pipe is unlatched from the delivery port.23. A method of connecting a first fluid conduit connector to a second fluid conduit connector for fluid flow therebetween comprising: providing a valve for isolating fluid flow from at least one of the connectors; providing a first high permeability flux path in the first connector having at least one magnetic element physically displaceable from other elements in the first flux path under a mechanical bias; providing a second high permeability flux path in the second connector; coupling the first and second connectors and thereby joining the first and second high permeability flux paths to increase magnetic flux flow therethrough, the increased flux flow automatically opening the valve by displacement of the at least one magnetic element towards other elements in the flux path against the mechanical bias.