Patents Assigned to Ballard Power System AG
  • Patent number: 6863522
    Abstract: A method serves the purpose of introducing fuel and/or thermal energy into a gas stream flowing to a catalytic reactor. The gas stream flows in part through an exterior chamber and in part through an interior chamber, which is at least partially open in the flow direction and to which fuel is supplied. The partial streams are re-united after flowing through the two chambers and are fed to the catalytic reactor. In a starting phase of the still cold catalytic reactor, the fuel is burned in the interior chamber. During conventional normal operating modes of the warm catalytic reactor, the fuel is vaporized in the interior chamber. In a suitable device, the exterior chamber and the interior chamber are designed as two tube elements that are inserted into one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Stefan Boneberg, Thomas Hoeger, Michael Schonert
  • Patent number: 6861166
    Abstract: A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell and a fan for supplying air to the at least one fuel cell. Sound-absorbing means for absorbing sound in the air section of the fuel cell system are designed as broadband silencers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventor: Peter Sohmer
  • Patent number: 6830675
    Abstract: A method for removing carbon monoxide from a gas stream, in which the gas stream loaded with CO is guided through a device, and the CO is removed from the gas stream through adsorption on the working electrode. As a function of an electrical voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode, or between the working electrode and the reference electrode, an electrode cleaning mode is enabled by triggering a current flow between the working electrode and the counter electrode, and the CO adsorbed on the working electrode is oxidized to CO2.01.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventor: Detlef Zur Megede
  • Patent number: 6830843
    Abstract: A method for controlling the quality of the coolant for fuel cell systems, it being proposed to measure and monitor the insulation resistance of the load circuit of the fuel cell system. It has become apparent that there is a functional, uniquely defined relationship between the measured insulation resistance and the electrical conductivity of the coolant so that a separate measurement of the electrical conductivity by means of corresponding sensor systems and evaluation means can be dispensed with in the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Anton Sonntag, Josef Sonntag, Hubert Urban
  • Patent number: 6830736
    Abstract: For carrying out a heterogeneously catalyzed reaction, such as the generation of hydrogen from hydrocarbons or alcohol, a reaction mixture comprising a hydrocarbon and water is supplied to a catalyst, which is produced by pressing at least one catalyst powder into a layer. Instead of a metallic housing, stacked layers are sealed by an edge seal, introduced into the layer or applied on the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Oskar Lamla, Martin Schüssler
  • Patent number: 6808690
    Abstract: A catalyst element for a stacked reactor for generating hydrogen from hydrocarbons includes a catalyst disc of porous material and a solid connection element. The catalyst-side end of the connection element is at least partially enclosed by the catalyst disc and is connected to this disc. The catalyst-side end of the connection element may have a mediator layer that is joined to the connection element over the entire area by sintering, soldering, or adhesive bonding. The mediator layer is joined to the catalyst disc over the entire area by sintering. Attachment means are provided at the exposed end, which is remote from the catalyst, of the connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Andreas Ebert, Oskar Lamla, Thomas Stefanovski
  • Patent number: 6777909
    Abstract: In a device for generating electrical power with the fuel cell in a vehicle, a temporary power storage supplies power for a battery start, is charged when the fuel cell is operating, outputs power to connected loads of the fuel cell power system when there is an increased power demand, and absorbs power during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power System AG
    Inventors: Markus Aberle, Josef Sonntag
  • Patent number: 6759153
    Abstract: Fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell which includes an anode compartment and a cathode compartment which are separated from one another by a proton-conducting membrane, further comprising a cathode feeder for delivering oxygen-containing gas to the cathode compartment, an anode feeder for delivering a liquid coolant/fuel mixture to the anode compartment, the anode compartment being disposed in an anode circuit which comprises a gas separator and a pump, and cooling of the coolant/fuel mixture circulating in the anode circuit is effected by the fuel cell which is designed for operation involving water break-through from the anode compartment into the cathode compartment. The evaporation cooling thus achieved in the fuel cell results in cooling of the coolant/fuel mixture at a steady-state operating temperature which is established in the fuel cell as a function of the membrane properties and the speed of the pump, thus obviating the need for any additional cooler in the anode circuit itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignees: Ballard Power Systems AG, Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Lamm, Jens Müller, Norbert Wiesheu
  • Patent number: 6756020
    Abstract: A combined component for afterburning anode exhaust gases from a fuel cell system and for vaporizing educts to be fed to the fuel cell system has an exhaust gas catalyzer for afterburning the anode exhaust gases, with a substantially cylindrical casing having an inlet and an outlet connection disposed coaxially to the long axis of the casing, one on a casing cover and the other on a casing bottom. A first gas-permeable inner tube is disposed coaxially to the long axis of the casing and fixedly joined at the gas inlet end to the casing cover, while a second gas-permeable outer tube which is also disposed coaxially with the long axis of the casing and has a radius rA greater than the radius rI of the inner tube but smaller than the radius rG of the casing. The latter is connected gas-tight to the casing cover at the inlet end. A bulk catalyst is disposed in the area between the inner and the outer tube for the catalytic oxidation of the anode exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Heil, Bruno Motzet, Konrad Schwab, Alois Tischler, Marc Weisser
  • Patent number: 6756143
    Abstract: A fuel cell system, particularly for a motor vehicle, includes (1) at least one fuel cell and (2) a device for supplying at least one fuel cell with hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas. Particularly during start-up or a cold start of the system, individual components of the device or at least one fuel cell can be supplied thermal energy with cooling water contained in a cooling water system. The cooling water system is equipped with an insulating device for storing cooling water in a thermally insulated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventor: Wolfram Birk
  • Patent number: 6753105
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a reservoir for cryogenic media and a fuel cell unit containing at least one fuel cell connected to receive fuel from the reservoir. At least a first heat exchanger is provided within a cooling circuit for the fuel cell unit, whereby heat from the first heat exchanger (3) is used, at least indirectly, to provide fuel from the reservoir. A heating circuit for the reservoir, designed to heat and/or vaporize the cryogenic medium via the first heat exchanger, is connected directly to the cooling circuit for the fuel cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Fleck, Robert D. Merritt, Ed Peters, Eric Pow
  • Patent number: 6746250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile device comprising an apparatus for generating electric energy, which is connected to an energy distribution network containing branches to the electric loads. A switching and distribution unit connected to the energy generating system comprises a switch which is arranged upstream from the branches. The loads are connected to the switching and distribution unit by means of flexible conductors with connectors on their ends. Means are provided to ensure that the connectors can only be separated when there is no current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventor: Reinhold Blutbacher
  • Patent number: 6740303
    Abstract: A gas generating system for a fuel cell system as well as to a method of operating same. In order to provide hydrogen-containing combustible gas as rapidly as possible and to reduce the exhaust gas emissions, for the start of the operation of the gas generating system, at least one catalytic burner is started and the generated heat is used for evaporating a combustion agent and/or water and for the heating-up of an additionally connected partial reforming unit or partial oxidation stage in order to generate a hydrogen-containing gas for the fuel cell unit by reforming or partial oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Stefan Boneberg, Martin Schaefer, Martin Schuessler, Erik Theis, Ralf Heuser
  • Publication number: 20040096711
    Abstract: A fuel cell based system for the generation of electrical energy employs a drive unit that includes at least two electric motors sharing a common rotor which is mechanically coupled to drive a compressor to provide oxidant and/or fuel to a fuel cell. An electrical storage device such as a battery produces a voltage in at least a low voltage one of the electric motors to startup the system, and the fuel cell supplies a voltage to a high voltage one of the electric motors to drive the compressor, one or more loads such as a traction motor, and/or recharge the electrical storage device during standard operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Zinser, Markus Aberle
  • Patent number: 6723460
    Abstract: A fuel cell system has a fuel cell unit with at least one fuel cell and a gas generation system, which supplies the fuel cell unit with hydrogen from an operating medium, and at least one ion exchanger unit for removing ions from water. The at least one ion exchanger unit is arranged in a flow path for the operating medium, between a condensate separator and the gas generation system and is acted on by a mixture of water and the operating medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Monika Derflinger, Dietmar Mirsch
  • Publication number: 20040065489
    Abstract: Regulation of energy supplied to an electric motor from an energy supply system comprising a fuel cell and an energy storage buffer such as a battery, improves the dynamic response of the motor by adding current from the energy storage buffer to the current from the fuel cell during acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Markus Aberle, Joachim Blum, Mathias Boehmisch, Thomas Schetter
  • Patent number: 6713202
    Abstract: A multifuel fuel cell system includes a hydrogen production unit; at least one fuel cell; means for heating a first catalytic converter element in the hydrogen production unit to an operating temperature which can be preset; means for metering liquid fuel, air, and optionally water to the catalytic converter element to produce a synthetic gas mixture containing hydrogen or a reformate; and means for passing the synthetic gas or reformate to further components of the hydrogen production unit which are connected between the catalytic converter element and the at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell system also contains means for switching the fuel cell system between a first and a second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Marcel Corneille, Martina Fischer, Berthold Keppeler, Christian Lorenz, Stefan Paulik, Bernd Schönrock
  • Patent number: 6699608
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for humidifying a gas flow includes means for atomizing a liquid into a gas feed line and means for heating the liquid. The atomizing means is provided in a spray chamber, with a heat-exchanger region for at least partially evaporating the liquid being arranged adjacent to the spray chamber. The heat-exchanger region has a multiplicity of flow passages for gas flows which are to be humidified, which flow passages are at least partially delimited by heat-exchanger surfaces for condensing and evaporating the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Janusz Blaszczyk, Wolfram Fleck, Colin Keddie
  • Patent number: 6696027
    Abstract: A reformation reactor that can be used especially for steam reformation of methanol for generating hydrogen in motor vehicles operated by fuel cells. A gas stream to be reformed is conducted through a reaction chamber into which a charge of a catalyst material is added. A catalyst supply container connected with the reaction chamber is so arranged that the catalyst material is automatically added from the supply container to the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Rainer Autenrieth, Andreas Christen
  • Patent number: 6696188
    Abstract: A device is used to evaporate and/or superheat a hydrocarbon or a hydrocarbon/water mixture for a gas generation system of a fuel cell installation. The hydrocarbon or the hydrocarbon/water mixture flows through a medium-side region of a heat exchanger, which is in thermally conductive communication with a heat-transfer-side region of the heat exchanger. A burner is arranged upstream of the heat-transfer-side region of the heat exchanger, as seen in the direction of flow. An exhaust gas from a combustion which takes place in the burner flows through the heat-transfer-side region of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Stefan Boneberg, Bruno Motzet, Alois Tischler, Marc Weisser