Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) includes a reformer (2), for generating a reformate gas, a fuel cell (3) for generating electric current from cathode air and reformate gas, an air supply (4), which draws in ambient air and splits this at least into reformer air and cathode air, sends the reformer air via a reformer air line (15) in the direction of the reformer and sends the cathode air via a cathode air line (16) in the direction of a cathode side (11). A recirculating line (20) connects an anode side (10) to the reformer (2). A hot gas delivery (24), which contains a hot gas path (26), is arranged in the recirculating line for driving the anode waste. A cooling air path (27), which is integrated into the cathode air line, through which the reformer air or cathode air flows, reduces thermal load of the hot gas delivery.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) includes a reformer (2), for generating a reformate gas, a fuel cell (3) for generating electric current from cathode air and reformate gas, an air supply (4), which draws in ambient air and splits this at least into reformer air and cathode air, sends the reformer air via a reformer air line (15) in the direction of the reformer and sends the cathode air via a cathode air line (16) in the direction of a cathode side (11). A recirculating line (20) connects an anode side (10) to the reformer (2). A hot gas delivery (24),which contains a hot gas path (26), is arranged in the recirculating line for driving the anode waste. A cooling air path (27), which is integrated into the cathode air line, through which the reformer air or cathode air flows, reduces thermal load of the hot gas delivery.

Abstract: In an air supplier particularly for air supply systems for fuel cells including a compressor having a housing with a radial diffuser and including a rotor operated by an electric motor, a diverting channel is connected to the radial diffuser providing a communication path guiding the air via an axial annular channel to an inwardly extending collecting chamber via a final diffuser formed by a curved end section of a wall delimiting the annular passage and an inwardly curved wall area of the collection chamber, the compressor housing having an outer diameter is not substantially larger than the outer diameter of the electric motor.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank in which hydrogen is stored at a pressure above atmospheric and which communicates via a hydrogen supply line with an anode chamber of the fuel cell. An anode circuit, via which unreacted hydrogen is able to be recirculated from a region downstream of the anode chamber into the hydrogen supply line, is provided. At least one pumping device is provided between the outlet of the anode chamber and its inlet in the anode circuit and/or the hydrogen supply line. Between the hydrogen storage tank and the anode chamber, a turbine is provided, which supplies at least a portion of the power required for driving the pumping device.

Abstract: In an air supply unit for a fuel cell stack comprising a compressor for compressing air that is fed via a feed line to the fuel cell stack and to a turbine to which also exhaust gas of a combustion chamber can be supplied and wherein an exhaust gas from the combustion chamber is supplied to the turbine, the feed line to the fuel cell stack is in communication with a branch line by way of which compressed air can be fed also to the combustion chamber. The invention further relates to a method for operating an air supply unit for the fuel cell system.

Abstract: In an air supplier particularly for air supply systems for fuel cells including a compressor having a housing with a radial diffuser and including a rotor operated, by an electric motor, a diverting channel is connected to the radial diffuser providing a communication path guiding the air via an axial annular passage to an inwardly extending coiled collecting chamber whose outer diameter is not substantially larger than the outer diameter of the electric motor.

Abstract: In a device and method for providing a fuel cell with an oxidizing agent via a supply line which leads to a cathode chamber of the fuel cell and in which a compressor is arranged, and a discharge line which extends from the cathode chamber to an expander and wherein a bypass line extends between an output of the compressor and an inlet to the expander while bypassing the fuel cell with a first flow control valve arranged in the bypass line, a recirculation arrangement is provided for returning oxidizing agent from the supply line downstream of the compressor to the supply line upstream of the compressor.

Abstract: A device used for air supply of a fuel cell has an expander and a compressor that is at least partially driven thereby. The hot gases of combustion at least occasionally flow through the expander. After flowing through the expander, the exhaust gases emit at least a portion of the residual thermal energy remaining in them to at least one of the fuel flows supplied for combustion and during a cold start especially also to the cooling circuit of the fuel cell. A device of this type may be used, for example, in a mobile fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank in which hydrogen is stored at a pressure above atmospheric and which communicates via a hydrogen supply line with an anode chamber of the fuel cell. An anode circuit, via which unreacted hydrogen is able to be recirculated from a region downstream of the anode chamber into the hydrogen supply line, is provided. At least one pumping device is provided between the outlet of the anode chamber and its inlet in the anode circuit and/or the hydrogen supply line. Between the hydrogen storage tank and the anode chamber, a turbine is provided, which supplies at least a portion of the power required for driving the pumping device.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the engine which comprises a compressor having an impeller disposed in a housing including a main inlet duct in which the impeller is supported and an additional inlet duct joining the main inlet duct in the area of the compressor impeller, and valving means for controlling the gas supply to the inlet ducts and an electric motor connected to the compressor impeller for rotation therewith so that the compressor is operable by the electric motor and by the pressure drop in the air intake line of the engine, a flywheel is coupled to the impeller for storing rotational energy when the impeller is driven by the intake gas and returning the energy to the impeller when the pressure drop collapses upon a sudden increase in the demand for engine power.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the engine which comprises a compressor having an impeller disposed in a housing including a main inlet duct in which the impeller is supported and an additional inlet duct joining the main inlet duct in the area of the compressor impeller, and valving means for controlling the gas supply to the inlet ducts and an electric motor connected to the compressor impeller for rotation therewith so that the compressor is operable by the electric motor and by the pressure drop in the air intake line of the engine, a flywheel is coupled to the impeller for storing rotational energy when the impeller is driven by the intake gas and returning the energy to the impeller when the pressure drop collapses upon a sudden increase in the demand for engine power.

Abstract: In a variable exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbine and a compressor with a variable vane structure wherein the exhaust gas turbocharger comprises a housing and a compressor wheel which is connected to an exhaust gas turbine wheel via a shaft, the compressor has a radial inflow flow passage in which a variable vane structure or throttle device is arranged upstream of the compressor wheel and another vane structure is arranged in the radial flow passage downstream of the compressor wheel in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A device for supplying air to fuel cells includes a compressor connected upstream from the fuel cell, and an expander, which is connected downstream from the fuel cell. The compressor is provided in the form of a claw compressor having at least two intermeshing compressor wheels, and the expander is provided in the form of a claw expander having at least two intermeshing expander wheels.

Abstract: In a variable exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas turbocharger to which exhaust gas is supplied from the engine to provide a torque for driving the turbocharger, an additional device is provided which includes an electrical or mechanical drive for supplying an additional torque to the exhaust gas turbocharger in order to maintain the exhaust gas turbocharger at a certain speed at which it is capable of generating a desired inlet air pressure for the charge air supplied to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In a variable exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas turbocharger to which exhaust gas is supplied from the engine to provide a torque for driving the turbocharger, an additional device is provided which includes an electrical or mechanical drive for supplying an additional torque to the exhaust gas turbocharger in order to maintain the exhaust gas turbocharger at a certain speed at which it is capable of generating a desired inlet air pressure for the charge air supplied to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In a variable exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbine and a compressor with a variable vane structure wherein the exhaust gas turbocharger comprises a housing and a compressor wheel which is connected to an exhaust gas turbine wheel via a shaft, the compressor has a radial inflow flow passage in which a variable vane structure or throttle device is arranged upstream of the compressor wheel and another vane structure is arranged in the radial flow passage downstream of the compressor wheel in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A device used for air supply of a fuel cell has an expander and a compressor that is at least partially driven thereby. The hot gases of combustion at least occasionally flow through the expander. After flowing through the expander, the exhaust gases emit at least a portion of the residual thermal energy remaining in them to at least one of the fuel flows supplied for combustion and during a cold start especially also to the cooling circuit of the fuel cell. A device of this type may be used, for example, in a mobile fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fastening device for a convertible top according to the invention comprises a front bow; a front window frame; a bracket, which is arranged on one of the group of the front bow and the front window frame; a first catch element, which is assigned to the respectively other component of the group of the front bow and the front window frame, said first catch element being secured in a movable manner and being connectable to said bracket, it being possible for the first catch element to be pivoted about a first axis; and at least one second catch element, which can be connected to said bracket; wherein the second catch element can be pivoted about a second axis, said second axis being spaced apart from said first axis.

Abstract: A device for supplying air to a fuel cell includes a compression machine connected at the intake air side of the fuel cell and an expansion machine connected at the exhaust air side of the fuel cell. The expansion machine is disposed on a common shaft with the compression machine. A motor-driven compression machine is connected downstream from the expansion machine on the exhaust air side.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped, inter alia, with a main drive engine, an electric motor, an air compressor and with an electric current source. To permit an energy-optimized, functional operation of the air compressor, the air compressor is driven by the main drive engine provided the main drive engine is running at sufficient speed, or otherwise, as required, by an electric motor, for example, via a power take-off transmission. In this context, the air compressor provides the process air required for the operation of a fuel cell that also supplies the electric motor.