Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an energy system having at least one energy unit and at least one DC/DC converter, wherein the DC/DC converter is coupled to at least one electrical component, and a power output to the electrical component can be controlled by the DC/DC converter, with the maximum power which can be output to the electrical component being determined by a power limit value of the DC/DC converter. The invention provides that the energy unit and the DC/DC converter and the electrical component are coupled via a limit-value management system which controls the power output such that, when power is demanded from the electrical component above the power limit value of the DC/DC converter, power is output up to the maximum power limit value.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention relates to a method and a protector for reducing degradation of fuel cell systems at transitions in operation, in particular at electrodes or catalysts in a combustion chamber of a stack of a PEM fuel cell system in startup and shutoff events of the fuel cell system. A switchable material delivery device is provided for varying a delivery of material to the fuel cell system, so that a transition from a first state of the fuel cell system to a second state of the fuel cell system can be initiated, such that a potential difference between different electrodes can be effected. At least one reducing mechanism is provided for reducing the potential difference between the different electrodes during the transition, in which the reducing mechanism includes at least one compensating device for an unequal gas distribution by reducing the proportions causing degradation, to reduce degradation.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an energy system having at least one energy unit and at least one DC/DC converter, wherein the DC/DC converter is coupled to at least one electrical component, and a power output to the electrical component can be controlled by the DC/DC converter, with the maximum power which can be output to the electrical component being determined by a power limit value of the DC/DC converter. The invention provides that the energy unit and the DC/DC converter and the electrical component are coupled via a limit-value management system which controls the power output such that, when power is demanded from the electrical component above the power limit value of the DC/DC converter, power is output up to the maximum power limit value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing the efficiency of an energy system, which system has at least one energy unit that is coupled to a control unit and a DC/DC converter for regulating the power output of the energy unit, and the control unit regulates the power output to an electrical component via the DC/DC converter as a function of an operating state of the energy system. According to the invention, it is provided that the energy unit communicates with an observer via a first information channel, and information from the energy unit is transmitted during the operation of the energy system via the first information channel to the observer, which from the transmitted information ascertains the efficiency performance of the energy unit and transmits the efficiency performance to the control unit via a second information channel, as a result of which the overall efficiency of the energy system is improved.

Abstract: A multiphase DC/DC converter has multiple converter cells that are arranged in parallel to one another and clocked in a time-staggered manner. Equipped on the input side and/or output side of the converter cells is a voltage sensor or a current sensor. The latter is connected via an analog-digital converter to a separator, which is provided for separating the output signal of the analog-digital converter into voltage or current values associated with the individual phases of the converter. The separator is connected to a control system, which on the output side provides control signals influencing the clock signals of the converter cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell unit for generating electrical energy, a unit for storing or dispensing electrical energy, an electrical consumer for consuming electrical energy, a diagnostic unit for ascertaining a functional capability of the at least one fuel cell unit during a diagnosis phase, and a control unit for determining an electrical power generated at least during the diagnosis phase by the at least one fuel cell unit.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention relates to a method and a protector for reducing degradation of fuel cell systems at transitions in operation, in particular at electrodes or catalysts in a combustion chamber of a stack of a PEM fuel cell system in startup and shutoff events of the fuel cell system. A switchable material delivery device is provided for varying a delivery of material to the fuel cell system, so that a transition from a first state of the fuel cell system to a second state of the fuel cell system can be initiated, such that a potential difference between different electrodes can be effected. At least one reducing mechanism is provided for reducing the potential difference between the different electrodes during the transition, in which the reducing mechanism includes at least one compensating device for an unequal gas distribution by reducing the proportions causing degradation, to reduce degradation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell (1) with an air-supplied cathode region (2) and a device (3) for determining the oxygen content in the supplied air. It is characterized by the fact that a fuel cell operating state control unit (3) is provided, which determines the operating state for the mobile operation of the fuel cell based on the oxygen content that was determined.

Abstract: A fuel cell system which including a fuel cell, a fuel tank and a consumer unit, to improve the operation of a fuel cell, is equipped with a consumption-optimizing unit that limits or interrupts the energy supply to one or more consumers of the consumer unit depending on the fill level of the fuel tank in order to ensure at least the basic function of the fuel cell system for as long as possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain-sensitive resistor, comprising a resistance layer arranged on a support element and an electromechanical transducer produced with this resistor. An increase in the electrical measured signal picked off across the resistor is achieved in a simple way by the support element (1) having a recess (7) on its surface (9) which, when the support element (1) is subjected to mechanical stress in at least one area of the surface (9) of the support element (1) in which the resistance layer (4) is positioned, produces a ratio between the two main strain directions (L, T) of the resistance layer (4) which differs in magnitude.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell unit for generating electrical energy, a unit for storing or dispensing electrical energy, an electrical consumer for consuming electrical energy, a diagnostic unit for ascertaining a functional capability of the at least one fuel cell unit during a diagnosis phase, and a control unit for determining an electrical power generated at least during the diagnosis phase by the at least one fuel cell unit.

Abstract: A method of producing a strain sensitive resistor includes matching an area of a film insulating layer to a shape of a recess in a surface of a support element. The film insulating area is applied to the support element so that the area of the film matching the shape of the recess is congruent with the shape of the recess. A resistive layer comprising strain-sensitive resistors is applied to the film insulating layer and the film insulating layer and the resistive layer are applied to heat treatment.

Abstract: In a steering booster device, a torque-sensor shaft being provided between a first shaft carrying the steering wheel and a second shaft connected to the gear of the steering booster, at least one end of the torque-sensor shaft is supported flexibly in the first or second shaft by at least one damping element.

Abstract: A mechanical/electrical transducer which has a bridge circuit formed by electrically connecting strain-sensitive thick-film resistors by conductor tracks, the thick-film resistors being arranged directly on a metallic component to be subjected mechanically to torsional loading and lying outside an axis of the component to be loaded which is neutral with respect to bending moments, it being possible to tap an electrical signal corresponding to the strain of the thick-film resistors when the component is subjected to torsion.

Abstract: A protective device for an electric steering system of a motor vehicle having a control, an electric motor, a control circuit and a gear mechanism. The electric motor is connected to a brake circuit which applies an electrical load to the motor if the rotational speed exceeds a predefined value.

Abstract: A strain-sensitive resistor including a resistance layer arranged on a support element and an electromechanical transducer produced with this transistor. The support element has a recess in its surface. When the support element is subjected to mechanical stress in at least one area in which the resistance layer is positioned, the recess produces a ratio between the two main strain directions of the resistance layer which differs in magnitude.