Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter cartridge for supplying fuel to a device set up for fuel cartridge operation alternatively to the fuel cartridges, also by means of an external tank or an external supply pipe. The adapter cartridge comprises a fuel feed device and an interface on the load side for releasing the fuel, which is formed according to the corresponding interface of the fuel cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to frame elements for monopolar fuel cell stacks, permitting a simplified electrical wiring and/or a simplified and improved assembly of monopolar fuel cell stacks. They permit a significant miniaturization of monopolar arrangements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate element for a fuel cell stack which comprises a frame region and at least one inner region which is surrounded by the frame region. In addition, it has a plurality of webs which extend from the frame region into the at least one inner region and define a flow guidance structure in the at least one inner region, in which at least four bore holes are in the frame region of which at least two are connected with the flow guidance structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid separating device with a lower section with a fluid feeding device and a liquid discharging device, an upper section with a fluid feeding device and a gas discharging device, a contact device which is constructed in such a manner that gas, which rises from the lower section into the upper section, comes into contact with liquid which sinks from the upper section into the lower section. Thereby, the rising gases can be depleted of components which are soluble in said liquid. Furthermore, a measuring device for determining the quantity of liquid and/or the alterations thereof is provided.

Abstract: The invention refers to a fuel cell device comprising an electrolyte device, which comprises an alkaline electrolyte means and an acid electrolyte means, wherein the fuel cell device is formed such that at least part of at last one reaction product produced at the electrolyte means can be supplied to the other electrolyte means. Moreover, the invention comprises a method of operating a fuel cell device, which includes the following steps: providing an alkaline electrolyte means and an acid electrolyte means, supplying at least one fuel and at least one oxidant, discharging reaction products, wherein at least part of at least one reaction product produced at an electrolyte means is supplied to the other electrolyte means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the fluid balance in an anode circuit of a fuel cell system. In this method, at least the gases discharged on the cathode side are cooled in a condensing device in order to obtain a condensed liquid, and the condensed liquid is fed to the anode circuit of the fuel cell system. It further relates to a fuel cell system designed according to the principles of the inventive method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connection device for an electrical consumer which is provided with an internal energy source so that, when an external energy source is connected, the internal energy source and the external energy source form a hybrid energy source. The connection device comprises an interconnection designed in such a way that an external energy source connected to the connection device (i) exclusively supplies the consumer with energy in a lower load range and (ii) in a higher load range supplies the consumer with energy in conjunction with the internal energy source. The invention also relates to an interface or an electrical consumer having such a connection device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the amount of fluid in a fluid container, wherein the amount of fluid contained in the fluid container is determined at a first moment in time, said step comprising reading out information provided on the fluid container, and wherein, at a second moment in time, the amount of fluid is determined that has been removed between said first and second moments in time, and wherein at least one quantity is stored, which is representative of the amount of fluid contained in the fluid container at said second moment in time. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluid container comprising an information storage means which is adapted to have stored therein the amount of fluid contained in the fluid container or at least one other quantity that is representative of the amount of fluid contained in the fluid container. The invention additionally relates to a system for using such fluid containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate element for a fuel cell stack which comprises a frame region and at least one inner region which is surrounded by the frame region. In addition, it has a plurality of webs which extend from the frame region into the at least one inner region and define a flow guidance structure in the at least one inner region, in which at least four bore holes are in the frame region of which at least two are connected with the flow guidance structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to frame elements for monopolar fuel cell stacks, permitting a simplified electrical wiring and/or a simplified and improved assembly of monopolar fuel cell stacks. They permit a significant miniaturization of monopolar arrangements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid separating device with a lower section with a fluid feeding device and a liquid discharging device, an upper section with a fluid feeding device and a gas discharging device, a contact device which is constructed in such a manner that gas, which rises from the lower section into the upper section, comes into contact with liquid which sinks from the upper section into the lower section. Thereby, the rising gases can be depleted of components which are soluble in said liquid. Furthermore, a measuring device for determining the quantity of liquid and/or the alterations thereof is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid energy source (current/voltage source), wherein a fuel cell device and an energy storing device, e.g. a battery and/or a capacitor, are directly interconnected in parallel.

Abstract: The performance of a direct feed fuel cell such as, for example, a direct methanol fuel cell, with an anode having a CO-tolerant catalyst, such as a Pt—Ru catalyst, is improved by periodically reducing the output power of the cell to be less than the normal minimum output of the cell. This is effected, for example, by switching the cell at predetermined time intervals to an open circuit or reduced output power condition.