Abstract: A fuel cell block includes a plurality of channels and pipings and a resulting plurality of connecting and sealed points. Vibrations of the fuel cell block, particularly in vehicles, lead to stress and fatigue of sealed points. This causes a safety problem during operation of the fuel cell block. In order to solve the problem, the fuel cell block includes an end plate, an operating material channel that goes through the end plate and an operating material control device arranged at least partly in the operating material channel. The operating material control device is integrated at least partly into the end plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humidification cell (1) of a fuel cell assembly (41), comprising a water-permeable membrane (5) located between two external plates (9) of said humidification cell (1). One section of the surface of the membrane (5) is fitted to at least one of the external plates (9) and is thus partially covered by the external plate (9). This reduces the humidification capability of the membrane (5). To solve this problem, the inventive humidification cell (1) has a water-permeable supporting element (7a, 7b), which is located between the membrane (5) and one of the external plates (9).

Abstract: A planar, rectangular and water-cooled fuel cell includes a cooling element with a cooling chamber through which cooling water flows during the operation of the fuel cell. Cooling water does not flow through the cooling chamber in a homogeneous manner, normally resulting in local heating of the fuel cell in regions through which the cooling water flows through less frequently. A fuel cell is provided with a cooling element which includes an essentially rectangular cooling chamber with four corner regions, whereby the opening of the coolant flow is arranged in the first corner, the opening of a first coolant flow is arranged in a second corner and a second coolant flow is disposed in a third corner. The first coolant flow has a cross section Q1 on the narrowest point thereof and the second coolant flow has a cross section Q2 on the narrowest point thereof, the ratio of Q1/Q2 being 7-25.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a number of series-connected fuel cells which collectively form a fuel cell stack in such a way that the magnetic field or stray field that is generated during the operation of the fuel cell module and that is detectable in an outer area is kept particularly small. To this end, the invention provides that a number of shielding lines that are connected to a first pole flange of the fuel cell stack are provided, these shielding lines being guided on the outer area of the fuel cell stack, as far as a contact area to a second pole flange of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A leak in a fuel cell module can allow hydrogen and/or oxygen to escape from the fuel cell module, thereby creating a high risk of fire or explosion. This problem is addressed by providing a fuel cell installation with a fuel cell module that is enclosed in a gas-tight pressure container. Filling the pressure container with a protective gas ensures that if the fuel cell module does leak, no operating gas can escape from the module, with protective gas entering the module instead. A leak therefore no longer poses a risk. The leak can also be identified and located by a voltage drop in the cells affected by the leak.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell arrangement and to a fuel cell arrangement for carrying out the method. A fuel cell arrangement (1) comprising a number of fuel cells that are located in a protective housing (4) is to be operated with a high degree of operating reliability and a particularly long service life. To this end, at least a proportion of the gas that is located in the inner area (6) enclosed by the protective housing (4) is guided out of the inner area (6) and replaced with fresh gas.

Abstract: Gas chambers (7, 9) in fuel cells (1) are sealed from the environment in a gas-tight manner by means of seals (11). Said seals (11) are exposed to the chemically very aggressive operating gases at high temperature. According to the invention, a fuel cell (1), has a seal (11), arranged between two components (3, 5), made from a carbon-filled, bisphenol cross-linked fluororubber. Said seal (11) is chemically and mechanically extremely stable, such that each fuel cell (1), in a fuel cell block can be sealed and maintained in position within the fuel cell block by means of single seal (11) in a simple manner.

Abstract: The composite conductor plate of a low-temperature fuel cell poses the following problem: it must be extremely corrosion-resistant to pure oxygen that is humidified by water and to pure hydrogen and must at the same time be able to be processed mechanically. To solve the problem, a composite conductor plate contains 50 to 60 wt. % Ni, 12 to 22 wt. % Cr, 10 to 18 wt. % Mo, 4 to 10 wt. % Fe and 0.5 to 5 wt. % W.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a number of series-connected fuel cells forming a fuel cell stack. To reliably ensure that there is no risk of the fuel cell stack buckling, even where a comparatively large number of fuel cells are grouped to form a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack is surrounded by a stabilizing casing, at least in a middle area as seen in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of fuel cells, which are connected one behind the other and which are combined to form a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell module should be designed in such a manner that the magnetic field or leakage field, which can be detected in the outer area and which is generated during the operation of the fuel cell module, is held at a particularly low level. To this end, the materials used for providing the fuel cells themselves, the materials used for producing the connecting components or auxiliary components, which are assigned thereto, that connect these fuel cells, and the materials used for producing the housing are selected that have a relative magnetic permeability of less than 1.1.

Abstract: In fuel cells operated with damp operating gases, water condenses out as the operating gas flows from the damping device to the fuel cell block. Typically, the condensed water runs into the fuel cells and impairs their operation. A fuel cell block according to the invention includes fuel cells, a an operating gas delivery line, and a condensed water separator connected to the operating gas delivery line for preventing the condensed water from flowing into the fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell arrangement (1) comprising a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a protective housing (4). The inventive arrangement is embodied in such a way that it has a long service life and is highly reliable. According to the invention, the inner area (6) enclosed by the housing (4) is connected on the gas side to a closed recirculation circuit (8). A plurality of gas purifying elements are connected advantageously to the recirculation circuit (8) and used to remove water-containing components or components which would otherwise be harmful for built-in elements inside the protective housing (4) from the gas flow (G) which is conducted inside the recirculation circuit (8).

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes at least two stacked fuel cell units which are held together by a material which has sealing and fixing properties. A method for assembling a fuel cell stack is also provided.

Abstract: The fuel cell installation is monitored and controlled with regard to its system dynamics during its use as the prime mover energy supply of a vehicle. The system is configured to provide half its maximum output after less than 5 minutes following a stationary phase of up to 3 weeks.

Abstract: The fuel cell installation not only provides the energy for a drive unit of a vehicle, but it is also integrated as a member of the motor vehicle body. The fuel cell system is integrated into the vehicle chassis in such a way that the assembly economizes on components and/or forms a direct load-bearing component of the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, in particular a PEM fuel cell, has an asymmetric distribution of the expensive precious metal on the membrane. The asymmetric distribution is realized in accordance with the requirements of the particular region. In the production, the electrodes are coated with membrane first of all, rather than the other way round.

Abstract: The fuel cell block has stacked elements. At least two adjacent elements define an intermediate space between them. Radial channels are formed between the two elements or in one of the elements. The radial channels connect the space to an axial channel through the stack. At least one of the radial channels is a blind channel which, in contrast with the other radial channels, does not allow fluid communication between the space and the axial channel. The number of radial channels that are configured as blind channels influences the quantity of operating medium flowing through the intermediate space.

Abstract: When a fuel cell installation is switched off, there is danger that residual oxygen remains in the fuel cells of the fuel cell installation. The residual oxygen results in undesired oxidations that considerably limit the output and life-time of the fuel cell installation. The aim is therefore to make sure that enough hydrogen remains in the fuel cells to bring the entire oxygen within the fuel cells to an electrochemical reaction when the fuel cell installation is switched off. To this end, the fuel cell installation in which the anode gas chamber adjoining the anodes of the fuel cells is at least twice as big as the cathode gas chamber adjoining the cathodes of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A device connects at least two fuel cell batteries. Moreover, a plant includes the device. In order to connect a plurality of batteries containing fuel cells in a clearly understandable way and for easy mounting, each battery is assigned a junction block with T-pieces. The T-pieces in each case form a stub line to a collecting line and are coupled to the battery or (for example, via connecting elements) to one another via flanges. The flanges are preferably integrated to form junction flange plates and coupling flange plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid-cooled fuel cell, in which the cell surfaces are supplied with reaction media via axial supply ducts and radial distribution ducts, the distribution ducts being located in the cell surface and running along the edge of the cell surface, with the open side toward the active surface.According to the invention, the supply and distribution ducts in a fuel-cell stack are arranged such that distribution ducts are arranged in the edge region of the cell surfaces, as a result of stacking and staggering, in such a way that the inlet of the medium to the cell surface along a distribution duct is not carried out in a point-like manner, and that the entire cell surface is uniformly supplied with medium.