Abstract: A method of operating a gas generating system for generating a hydrogen-rich product gas by partial oxidation or autothermal reforming includes operating a reactor approximately adiabatically. The ratio of the mole flow O2/mole flow C-atomsfuel (O2/C ratio) is controlled on the basis of the temperature of the educts and of the reaction temperature. For adjusting and maintaining an optimal O2/C ratio with respect to a high hydrogen yield, approximately an O2/C ratio corresponding of the present educt temperatures is adjusted and is corrected on the basis of the deviation of the reaction temperature from a desired reaction temperature. The O2/C ratio is then adjusted by controlling the oxygen-containing educt or the hydrocarbon-containing educt.

Abstract: A distributor transmission (8) having at least three shafts (11, 12, 13) for distributing a drive torque (M_GE) as needed to at least two drive axles (4, 5). A first shaft (11) is operatively connected with the first drive axle (5) and can be loaded with the drive torque (M_GE). The second shaft (12) is operatively connected with the second drive axle (4) and a torque (M_E) of a machine device (14) on a third shaft (13) can be applied which influences a degree of distribution (P_VA/P_GES) of the drive torque (M_GE) between the drive axles (4, 5).

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell unit and a gas-generating system containing at least one reforming unit for obtaining a hydrogen-rich reformate from a fuel. It is possible to supply the reformate at least partly to the anode side of the fuel cell unit. The system may include a first reforming reactor for producing a first reformate with a high outlet temperature; a second reforming reactor for producing a second reformate with a second outlet temperature which is below the first outlet temperature; a mixing element for mixing the first reformate with at least one fuel and located between an outlet of the first reforming reactor and an inlet of the second reforming reactor. The second reformate may be supplied to a gas-purification system and the purified reformate supplied to the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: A gas generation system comprises a reformer (1) to generate a hydrogen-containing reformate stream (4), a reformate stream cooler (2), and a shift stage (3) down-stream of the reformate stream cooler to purify the reformate stream. The surfaces of the cooler that come into contact with the reformate stream are coated with a material that contains at least one catalytically active constituent. The coating is selected such that it also protects against corrosion and sooting in the presence of oxidizing, reducing, and carbon-containing gases. By directly utilizing the coated reformate stream cooler as a catalytically active reactor unit, a water-gas shift reaction to reduce the carbon monoxide concentration takes place to some extent in the cooler prior to the reformate stream entering the actual shift stage. This enables the size of subsequent shift stage(s) to be reduced.

Abstract: A procedure for the circulation of a quantity of oil in an oil circulation system of a transmission of a motor vehicle and also concerns an oil circulation system. A portion of the quantity of the oil, which oil is at a lower temperature and a higher viscosity, is retained in a stationary, porous storage medium, from which, upon increasing oil temperature and lessening viscosity, the oil may be removed and entrained in the existing circulating oil quantity. Preferably, the storage medium is placed within an oil pan.

Abstract: A distributor transmission (8) having at least three shafts (11, 12, 13) for distributing a drive torque (M_GE) as needed to at least two drive axles (4, 5). A first shaft (11) is operatively connected with the first drive axle (5) and can be loaded with the drive torque (M_GE). The second shaft (12) is operatively connected with the second drive axle (4) and a torque (M_E) of a machine device (14) on a third shaft (13) can be applied which influences a degree of distribution (P_VA/P_GES) of the drive torque (M_GE) between the drive axles (4, 5).

Abstract: A power split transmission (5) having at least two input shafts (12, 14) and at least one output shaft (16) for transmitting a drive torque from one transmission unit (3) to one drive wheel (4) of a drive axle (6, 7) of a vehicle. One of the input shafts (12) is operatively connected with one output shaft (8A, 8B) and one other input shaft (14) with a transmission unit (15) and the output shaft (16) is in operative connection with the drive wheel (4).

Abstract: A fuel cell system has a single-stage or multistage gas generation unit for producing a hydrogen-rich gas from an untreated fuel, a single-stage or multistage gas cleaning unit, at least one fuel cell and a single-stage or multistage exhaust-gas treatment unit for converting the fuel cell exhaust gases as completely as possible. At least two sub-units of the fuel cell system are connected to one another mechanically and in terms of flow by means of a connecting plate.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a drive combustion engine and a power supply system for supplying electric consuming devices on-board the motor vehicle. The power supply system includes a fuel cell system and a battery coupled to the fuel cell system. The energy and/or material currents of the drive combustion engine and the fuel cell system are coupled together.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and method for operating a fuel cell system have a water separator for extracting water contained in a fuel cell exhaust stream. The method comprises varying the pressure of the fuel cell exhaust stream in response to a change in ambient temperature in the vicinity of the fuel cell system. The pressure can be varied by the use of a flow control device positioned downstream of the fuel cell and operationally linked to an ambient temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method serves for starting a reactor, particularly a reformer, in a gas-generating system of a fuel cell installation at a temperature, which is far below the operating temperature of the gas generating system. A hydrocarbon is reacted for generating thermal energy for heating the reactor. At least a portion of the waste gases of the reacted hydrocarbon flows into the reactor. As the reactor temperature increases, an increasing flow of at least one educt, which is to be reacted in the reactor, is introduced and evaporated at least partly in the at least one portion of the waste gases, which flows into the reactor.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell unit and a gas-generating system containing at least one reforming unit for obtaining a hydrogen-rich reformate from a fuel. It is possible to supply the reformate at least partly to the anode side of the fuel cell unit. The system may include a first reforming reactor for producing a first reformate with a high outlet temperature; a second reforming reactor for producing a second reformate with a second outlet temperature which is below the first outlet temperature; a mixing element for mixing the first reformate with at least one fuel and located between an outlet of the first reforming reactor and an inlet of the second reforming reactor. The second reformate may be supplied to a gas-purification system and the purified reformate supplied to the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas generating system for generating a hydrogen-rich product gas by partial oxidation or autothermal reforming includes operating a reactor approximately adiabatically. The ratio of the mole flow O2/mole flow C-atomsfuel (O2/C ratio) is controlled on the basis of the temperature of the educts and of the reaction temperature. For adjusting and maintaining an optimal O2/C ratio with respect to a high hydrogen yield, approximately an O2/C ratio corresponding of the present educt temperatures is adjusted and is corrected on the basis of the deviation of the reaction temperature from a desired reaction temperature. The O2/C ratio is then adjusted by controlling the oxygen-containing educt or the hydrocarbon-containing educt.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a drive combustion engine and a power supply system for supplying electric consuming devices on-board the motor vehicle. The power supply system includes a fuel cell system and a battery coupled to the fuel cell system. The energy and/or material currents of the drive combustion engine and the fuel cell system are coupled together.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has a single-stage or multistage gas generation unit for producing a hydrogen-rich gas from an untreated fuel, a single-stage or multistage gas cleaning unit, at least one fuel cell and a single-stage or multistage exhaust-gas treatment unit for converting the fuel cell exhaust gases as completely as possible. At least two sub-units of the fuel cell system are connected to one another mechanically and in terms of flow by means of a connecting plate.

Abstract: A gas-generating device includes at least one reforming reactor, one CO shift reactor with associated cooling device and one gas cleaning unit for selective catalytic oxidation of the carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-containing gas with associated cooling device. A fuel cell is connected downstream of the gas-generating device. The cooling device associated with the CO shift reactor comprises a line for the cathode discharge air current and the cooling device associated with the gas cleaning unit comprises a line for the anode gas discharge current. During a method for starting the gas-generating device, only fuel and air are fed into the reforming reactor at the start and the fuel cell is bypassed using a bypass line. After the starting phase, water is additionally fed into the reforming reactor and the bypass line is closed.