Abstract: An apparatus is used for the recirculation of anode exhaust gases of a fuel cell, with a recirculation blower and at least one jet pump operated by a propulsion gas stream. The propelling medium is in this case a pressurized fuel, for example hydrogen. The anode outlet of the fuel cell is connected to the intake connection of the at least one jet pump. The outlet of the at least one jet pump is then connected to both the anode inlet and the intake connection of the recirculation blower. The output of the recirculation blower can be connected to the intake connection of the at least one jet pump.

Abstract: A battery is provided with a plurality of individual cells connected in series and/or in parallel to one another, and at least one cooling plate arranged on the pole side on the individual cells, with current drain tabs of electric poles of the individual cells being thermally coupled with the cooling plate and being angled such that they extend parallel to the cooling plate. Current drain tabs of adjacent individual cells are electrically interconnected in non-positive and/or in positive manner and pressed with the cooling plate in non-positive and/or in positive manner by clamping elements.

Abstract: A battery is provided with a plurality of individual cells connected in series and/or in parallel to one another, and at least one cooling plate arranged on the pole side on the individual cells, with current drain tabs of electric poles of the individual cells being thermally coupled with the cooling plate and being angled such that they extend parallel to the cooling plate. Current drain tabs of adjacent individual cells are electrically interconnected in non-positive and/or in positive manner and pressed with the cooling plate in non-positive and/or in positive manner by clamping elements.

Abstract: A single cell having a casing formed from a first casing side part, a second casing side part and a casing frame, in which casing an electrolyte and an electrochemically active electrode foil unit are arranged, wherein the casing comprises an overpressure protection. The first casing side part includes a casing side part segment going at least sectionally over a length of the single cell, which casing side part segment is angled down in relation to the first casing side part in the direction of the cell interior and in which the overpressure protection is arranged and a venting opening is incorporated into the casing frame in a region of the overpressure protection.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) including at least one fuel cell (2) having a cathode area (3) and an anode area (4) is disclosed. The cathode area (3) and the anode area (4) have feed conduits (31, 41) and discharge conduits (32, 42). Downstream of the anode area (4) and the cathode area (3), a junction (12) of the discharge conduits (32, 42) is provided. The junction (12) fluidically communicates with an area (13) which includes a material that is catalytically active with respect to a reaction of a fuel for the fuel cell (2) with an oxidant for the fuel cell (2). The feed conduit (31) leading to the cathode area (3) is configured in such a manner that it fluidically communicates with the cathode area (3) in at least two different sites (19, 20) in each of the fuel cells (2). A humidifying device (16) is provided in the feed conduit (41) leading to the anode area (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery with a heat conducting plate for controlling the temperature of the battery. The battery comprises a plurality of single cells connected in parallel and/or in series to each other, the cells being connected to the heat conducting plate in a heat conducting manner. In the heat conducting plate, a channel structure for a heat conducting medium is provided. In the region of the poles of the single cells, the heat conducting plate comprises bores through which the poles of the single cells extend.

Abstract: A method for controlling the exhaust gas temperature of a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, and further including a fuel supply line for supplying H2-containing fuel to the anode, and an oxidant supply line for supplying O2-containing gas to the cathode, and at least one discharge line for discharging anode gas and/or cathode gas from the fuel cell. The discharge line is connected by at least one humidifier with the fuel supply line and/or with the oxidant supply line in such a manner that the fuel and/or the oxidant is/are humidified with moisture from the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas temperature is controlled by changing the temperature of the fuel in the fuel supply line and/or that of the oxidant in the oxidant supply line, and by transferring heat in the humidifier from the fuel and/or the oxidant to the exhaust gas.

Abstract: In a battery with a heat-conducting plate and several individual cells that are combined into a cell combination, wherein with pole contacts of the individual cells electrically interconnected in parallel and/or in series. The cell compound and the heat-conducting plate are completely surrounded by a clamping element. A contact plate is arranged between the first individual cell and the clamping elements and at the face side between the last individual cell and the clamping elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is used for the recirculation of anode exhaust gases of a fuel cell, with a recirculation blower and at least one jet pump operated by a propulsion gas stream. The propelling medium is in this case a pressurized fuel, for example hydrogen. The anode outlet of the fuel cell is connected to the intake connection of the at least one jet pump. The outlet of the at least one jet pump is then connected to both the anode inlet and the intake connection of the recirculation blower. The output of the recirculation blower can be connected to the intake connection of the at least one jet pump.

Abstract: A device is used for supplying fuel to a burner in a fuel cell system with a reformer. The fuel comprises a materials flow of a reformate gas, which materials flow is depleted of hydrogen, and a materials flow of a compound which comprises carbon and hydrogen. According to the invention, the device comprises at least one nozzle means in which the two materials flows can be mixed together. At least one of the materials flows is controllable as far as its through-flow is concerned.

Abstract: A method for controlling the exhaust gas temperature of a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, and further including a fuel supply line for supplying H2-containing fuel to the anode, and an oxidant supply line for supplying O2-containing gas to the cathode, and at least one discharge line for discharging anode gas and/or cathode gas from the fuel cell. The discharge line is connected by at least one humidifier with the fuel supply line and/or with the oxidant supply line in such a manner that the fuel and/or the oxidant is/are humidified with moisture from the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas temperature is controlled by changing the temperature of the fuel in the fuel supply line and/or that of the oxidant in the oxidant supply line, and by transferring heat in the humidifier from the fuel and/or the oxidant to the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying a gas stream includes a humidifier device having at least one membrane permeable to water vapor. The gas stream and a humid gas stream flow through a humidifier device, being separated from one another by the at least one membrane. The apparatus includes at least one bypass line configured to route at least part of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream so that it does not come into contact with the membrane. In addition a method for humidifying a gas stream, includes flowing the gas stream through a humidifier having a membrane permeable to water vapor, flowing a humid gas stream through the humidifier separated by the membrane, and routing at least a portion of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream using a bypass line so that it does not come into contact with the membrane, and varying a quantity of the portion so as to set a predetermined dew point in the gas stream.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly having a cathode disposed on a first side and an anode disposed on a second side of the electrolyte electrode assembly, a first flow module disposed adjacent the cathode, and a second flow module disposed adjacent the anode. At least one of the first and second flow modules includes a material suitable for exothermal hydride formation. In addition, a method for cold-starting a such fuel cell that includes at least one of the first and second flow modules with a hydrogen-containing gas so as to induce the exothermic hydride formation and release heat; and heating the fuel cell using the heat.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) including at least one fuel cell (2) having a cathode area (3) and an anode area (4) is disclosed. The cathode area (3) and the anode area (4) have feed conduits (31, 41) and discharge conduits (32, 42). Downstream of the anode area (4) and the cathode area (3), a junction (12) of the discharge conduits (32, 42) is provided. The junction (12) fluidically communicates with an area (13) which includes a material that is catalytically active with respect to a reaction of a fuel for the fuel cell (2) with an oxidant for the fuel cell (2). The feed conduit (31) leading to the cathode area (3) is configured in such a manner that it fluidically communicates with the cathode area (3) in at least two different sites (19, 20) in each of the fuel cells (2). A humidifying device (16) is provided in the feed conduit (41) leading to the anode area (4).

Abstract: A method and a system for resistance seam welding of a foil and at least one foil support of a fuel cell system. During welding, the thin foil, together with the thicker foil support, is moved relative to the roller electrode while resting on a flat support element. In a suitable welding system, a counter-electrode is designed as a flat support element, such as a welding strip, that is displaceable relative to the roller electrode, the roller electrode being in rolling contact with the foil support, but not with the foil. Depending on whether one foil is to be welded to one or two foil frames, the support element may be designed having a high or a low specific electric resistance.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a plurality of electric consuming devices and a power supply system for supplying the electric consuming devices with electric energy. The power supply system has a decentralized construction and, for supplying electric energy to at least one electric consuming device or to a group of electric consuming devices, has a fuel cell system which is electrically isolated from other power sources and which is arranged in the proximity to the assigned consuming device or group of consuming devices. The decentralized construction may have many mutually independent fuel cell systems, permitting a high-efficiency power supply.

Abstract: A device used for humidifying the flow of a gas which is to be humidified, e.g., fed to a fuel cell system. A moist gas, e.g. a moist waste gas from said fuel cell system is used for said humidification, whereby said gas flows together with the gas flow in a humidifying device. The two gas flows are separated from each other by a membrane in the humidifying device. The membrane is exclusively permeable for water vapour. According to the invention, at least one bypass line is provides. At least one of the gas flows can be partially guided via said bypass line around the region of the membrane in the humidifying device. The saturation point can thus be freely adjusted in an advantageous manner in the gas which is to be humidified.

Abstract: In a method of operating a fuel cell with fuel circulation, the recirculated moist fuel exhaust stream serves to humidify the fuel inlet stream. The fuel stoichiometry and operating temperatures may be adjusted or selected to control the humidity of the fuel inlet stream.

Abstract: A device is used for supplying fuel to a burner in a fuel cell system with a reformer. The fuel comprises a materials flow of a reformate gas, which materials flow is depleted of hydrogen, and a materials flow of a compound which comprises carbon and hydrogen. According to the invention, the device comprises at least one nozzle means in which the two materials flows can be mixed together. At least one of the materials flows is controllable as far as its through-flow is concerned.

Abstract: An apparatus generates virtually pure hydrogen for fuel cells, and includes a device for reforming starting substances having at least one hydrocarbon-containing compound and water. Furthermore, the apparatus has catalytic agents for producing a water gas shift reaction in the reformate gas stream generated by the reforming device. Moreover, the apparatus includes a device for separating hydrogen out of the reformate gas stream using membranes which are selectively permeable to hydrogen. The hydrogen-separating device includes a proportion of the catalytic agents for producing the water gas shift reaction. A device for exchanging thermal energy between the reformate gas stream and a further stream of medium is arranged downstream, as seen in the direction of flow, of the reforming device. The device for exchanging thermal energy includes a further proportion of the catalytic agents for producing the water gas shift reaction.