Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell stack includes a first delimiting surface and a second delimiting surface that is arranged parallel to the first delimiting surface, wherein the delimiting surfaces are arranged spaced apart from one another and define an intermediate space, wherein the bipolar plate includes at least one fuel cell section having a flow field that has depressions that protrude into the intermediate space and is provided so as to make direct contact with a fuel cell, and the bipolar plate includes at least one cooling section that extends therefrom along the delimiting surfaces, wherein at least one heat pipe is arranged in the intermediate space and extends so as to transfer heat from the fuel cell section into the cooling section.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for an airplane includes at least one fuel cell unit each with at least one fuel cell, a voltage output, a fuel intake and an outlet for reaction products, a fuel tank that is couplable with the fuel intake of the fuel cell unit, at least one compressor unit with an air intake and air outlet and an electric motor, which is couplable with a voltage output of the at least one fuel cell unit and, by way of a shaft, with the at least one compressor unit. At least the at least one fuel cell unit, the compressor unit and the electric motor are interconnected to yield a coherent unit, which continuously provides electrical power and pressurized air.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell stack includes a first delimiting surface and a second delimiting surface that is arranged parallel to the first delimiting surface, wherein the delimiting surfaces are arranged spaced apart from one another and define an intermediate space, wherein the bipolar plate includes at least one fuel cell section having a flow field that has depressions that protrude into the intermediate space and is provided so as to make direct contact with a fuel cell, and the bipolar plate includes at least one cooling section that extends therefrom along the delimiting surfaces, wherein at least one heat pipe is arranged in the intermediate space and extends so as to transfer heat from the fuel cell section into the cooling section.

Abstract: A supply system for providing at least oxygen depleted air and water in a vehicle includes a catalytic converter, at least one hydrogen supply means, at least one air supply means, at least one outlet for oxygen depleted air, and a control unit coupled with the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is couplable with the hydrogen supply means and is adapted for producing water under consumption of hydrogen from the at least one hydrogen supply means and oxygen. The catalytic converter is further couplable with the at least one air supply means for additionally producing oxygen depleted air. Further, the control unit is adapted for selectively operating the catalytic converter based on a demand of water and oxygen depleted air.

Abstract: A supply system for providing at least oxygen depleted air and water in a vehicle includes at least one hydrogen supply means, an air channel having an inlet and an outlet, an air cooled fuel cell unit couplable with the hydrogen supply means and arranged inside the air channel and at least one catalytic converter couplable with the hydrogen supply means and arranged between the fuel cell unit and the outlet of the air channel inside the air channel. The air cooled fuel cell unit is adapted for conducting a fuel cell process under consumption of air flowing from the inlet of the air channel through the air cooled fuel cell unit and hydrogen from the hydrogen supply means. At least one catalytic converter is adapted for producing water and oxygen depleted air under consumption of hydrogen from the at least one hydrogen supply means and air.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system intended for a pressure-independent operation, in which at least one fuel cell having an open cathode is provided, a first fluid chamber adjoins an inflow cross section and a second fluid chamber adjoins an outflow cross section. In the fluid chambers can be set an overpressure which is adapted to the operation of the at least one fuel cell.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for an airplane includes at least one fuel cell unit each with at least one fuel cell, a voltage output, a fuel intake and an outlet for reaction products, a fuel tank that is couplable with the fuel intake of the fuel cell unit, at least one compressor unit with an air intake and air outlet and an electric motor, which is couplable with a voltage output of the at least one fuel cell unit and, by way of a shaft, with the at least one compressor unit. At least the at least one fuel cell unit, the compressor unit and the electric motor are interconnected to yield a coherent unit, which continuously provides electrical power and pressurized air.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for an aircraft includes a fuel cell, wherein at the cathode side a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet is provided, and wherein at the anode side an anode inlet and an anode outlet is provided, and a cathode recirculation channel for passing the cathode product fluid from the cathode outlet to the cathode inlet. In the fuel cell system, the water content of the cathode product fluid in the cathode recirculation channel can be reduced or at least stabilized in a possibly effective way, because the cathode recirculation channel includes a water extraction device for extracting water from the cathode product fluid.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for an airplane includes at least one fuel cell unit each with at least one fuel cell, a voltage output, a fuel intake and an outlet for reaction products, a fuel tank that is couplable with the fuel intake of the fuel cell unit, at least one compressor unit with an air intake and air outlet and an electric motor, which is couplable with a voltage output of the at least one fuel cell unit and, by way of a shaft, with the at least one compressor unit. At least the at least one fuel cell unit, the compressor unit and the electric motor are interconnected to yield a coherent unit, which continuously provides electrical power and pressurized air.

Abstract: An aircraft having at least one thrust providing jet engine and a fuselage with an integrated pressurized cabin includes an environmental control system having at least one pneumatic air cycle air conditioning unit, a bleed air port in the at least one thrust providing jet engine, a non thrust providing auxiliary supply unit configured to provide electricity and compressed air on ground and during flight, and at least one compressed air line. The at least one compressed air line is coupled with the bleed air port and the auxiliary supply unit. The environmental control system is coupled with the at least one compressed air line. Further, the auxiliary supply unit is dimensioned to exclusively operate the environmental control system by delivering compressed air, and bleed air from the bleed air port is selectively providable to the environmental control system for redundancy.

Abstract: A supply system for providing at least oxygen depleted air and water in a vehicle includes a catalytic converter, at least one hydrogen supply means, at least one air supply means, at least one outlet for oxygen depleted air, and a control unit coupled with the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is couplable with the hydrogen supply means and is adapted for producing water under consumption of hydrogen from the at least one hydrogen supply means and oxygen. The catalytic converter is further couplable with the at least one air supply means for additionally producing oxygen depleted air. Further, the control unit is adapted for selectively operating the catalytic converter based on a demand of water and oxygen depleted air.

Abstract: A supply system for providing at least oxygen depleted air and water in a vehicle includes a catalytic converter, at least one hydrogen supply means, at least one air supply means, at least one outlet for oxygen depleted air, and a control unit coupled with the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is couplable with the hydrogen supply means and is adapted for producing water under consumption of hydrogen from the at least one hydrogen supply means and oxygen. The catalytic converter is further couplable with the at least one air supply means for additionally producing oxygen depleted air. Further, the control unit is adapted for selectively operating the catalytic converter based on a demand of water and oxygen depleted air.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for an aircraft includes a fuel cell, wherein at the cathode side a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet is provided, and wherein at the anode side an anode inlet and an anode outlet is provided, and a cathode recirculation channel for passing the cathode product fluid from the cathode outlet to the cathode inlet. In the fuel cell system, the water content of the cathode product fluid in the cathode recirculation channel can be reduced or at least stabilized in a possibly effective way, because the cathode recirculation channel includes a water extraction device for extracting water from the cathode product fluid.

Abstract: An engine for propelling an aircraft includes an annular fuel cell arrangement having at least one fuel cell, at least one electric motor couplable to the fuel cell arrangement, at least one fan couplable to the electric motor and a cowling having an inlet and an outlet nozzle. The fuel cell arrangement is arranged inside the cowling, the at least one fan is arranged between the inlet and the fuel cell arrangement inside the cowling, the electric motor is operable under consumption of electric power delivered by the fuel cell arrangement and the at least one fan is designed to produce a thrust force by creating an accelerated airflow at the outlet nozzle. The engine is extremely efficient and comprises a distinct low noise.

Abstract: An aircraft having at least one thrust providing jet engine and a fuselage with an integrated pressurized cabin includes an environmental control system having at least one pneumatic air cycle air conditioning unit, a bleed air port in the at least one thrust providing jet engine, a non thrust providing auxiliary supply unit configured to provide electricity and compressed air on ground and during flight, and at least one compressed air line. The at least one compressed air line is coupled with the bleed air port and the auxiliary supply unit. The environmental control system is coupled with the at least one compressed air line. Further, the auxiliary supply unit is dimensioned to exclusively operate the environmental control system by delivering compressed air, and bleed air from the bleed air port is selectively providable to the environmental control system for redundancy.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for an aircraft includes a fuel cell, wherein at the cathode side a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet is provided, and wherein at the anode side an anode inlet and an anode outlet is provided, and a cathode recirculation channel for passing the cathode product fluid from the cathode outlet to the cathode inlet. In the fuel cell system, the water content of the cathode product fluid in the cathode recirculation channel can be reduced or at least stabilized in a possibly effective way, because the cathode recirculation channel includes a water extraction device for extracting water from the cathode product fluid.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having a housing that encases the fuel cell, a supply line for a fuel cell fuel, and an exhaust gas line for fuel-cell exhaust gas. In this arrangement the supply line extends in the exhaust gas line, and the exhaust gas line encases the supply line while forming a space. Any leakage in the supply line thus results in the fuel being flushed out by means of the exhaust gases flowing in the exhaust gas line so that higher system reliability and a reduction in costs can be achieved.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a combustion chamber for combusting a fuel/air mixture, and a fuel cell device, wherein the fuel cell device includes at least one fuel cell, which in each case includes an anode that is couplable to a fuel line, a cathode that is couplable to an air source, and a fluid outlet and is arranged upstream of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber further includes a combustion chamber inlet for supplying the fuel/air mixture, and a combustion chamber outlet for discharging exhaust gas, and the combustion chamber inlet is connected to the fluid outlet of the fuel cell device. In this way a hybrid drive unit can be provided which apart from mechanical power also generates electrical power at high efficiency.

Abstract: A supply system for providing at least oxygen depleted air and water in a vehicle includes at least one hydrogen supply means, an air channel having an inlet and an outlet, an air cooled fuel cell unit couplable with the hydrogen supply means and arranged inside the air channel and at least one catalytic converter couplable with the hydrogen supply means and arranged between the fuel cell unit and the outlet of the air channel inside the air channel. The air cooled fuel cell unit is adapted for conducting a fuel cell process under consumption of air flowing from the inlet of the air channel through the air cooled fuel cell unit and hydrogen from the hydrogen supply means. At least one catalytic converter is adapted for producing water and oxygen depleted air under consumption of hydrogen from the at least one hydrogen supply means and air.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for an airplane includes at least one fuel cell unit each with at least one fuel cell, a voltage output, a fuel intake and an outlet for reaction products, a fuel tank that is couplable with the fuel intake of the fuel cell unit, at least one compressor unit with an air intake and air outlet and an electric motor, which is couplable with a voltage output of the at least one fuel cell unit and, by way of a shaft, with the at least one compressor unit. At least the at least one fuel cell unit, the compressor unit and the electric motor are interconnected to yield a coherent unit, which continuously provides electrical power and pressurized air.