Abstract: To provide a fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell device having one or more fuel cell blocks in which chemical energy can be converted into electrical energy, an oxidant supply device for the fuel cell device, a fuel supply device for the fuel cell device, and a control device, which can be used in a versatile manner, it is provided that the fuel cell device and/or the oxidant supply device and/or the fuel supply device is/are formed as a module, the functional components of the respective device being disposed in a module, the respective module forming a unit which can be put in place as a whole, and the respective module having a communication interface which has connectors.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system is provided. The system comprises a fitting having a crack inducing surface extending radially outward in relation to an axis. An energy absorbing structural element formed by a hollow body extends along the axis and has a first end adapted to interact with the crack inducing surface of the fitting so as to radially spread the hollow body. Cracks are formed in the hollow body in response to forces applied in a direction substantially parallel to the axis which forces push the crack inducing surface against the first end. The hollow body may have layers of reinforcing flat material embedded in a matrix material and may comprise a single winding of the flat material about the axis. A number of layers of the flat material in the hollow body may be different in different areas.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system is provided. The system comprises a fitting having a crack inducing surface extending radially outward in relation to an axis. An energy absorbing structural element formed by a hollow body extends along the axis and has a first end adapted to interact with the crack inducing surface of the fitting so as to radially spread the hollow body. Cracks are formed in the hollow body in response to forces applied in a direction substantially parallel to the axis which forces push the crack inducing surface against the first end. The hollow body may have layers of reinforcing flat material embedded in a matrix material and may comprise a single winding of the flat material about the axis. A number of layers of the flat material in the hollow body may be different in different areas.

Abstract: In order to provide a process for the production of structural elements absorbing energy with defined characteristics, these elements being produced as shaped members from a matrix material and a reinforcing material embedded therein, with which an energy absorption of defined characteristics may be realized in a simple manner it is suggested that in different areas of the shaped member layers of the reinforcing material be arranged so as to extend in relation thereto in a defined manner and be arranged with a number differing in a defined manner, and that the reinforcing material for the entire shaped member be wound in a single winding procedure to form the shaped member.

Abstract: A composite for the absorption of energy comprising fibers having a breaking length of at least 80 km and an elongation at break of at least 2%, such as fibers of a linear polyethylene of ultrahigh molecular weight, and carbon fibers or glass fibers, embedded in a matrix. The first fibers are preferably arranged at obtuse angles (.+-.(45.degree. to 95.degree.)) and the carbon fibers or glass fibers are preferably arranged at acute angles (0.degree. to .+-.30.degree.) to the direction of pressure application in the matrix. The composites may be designed in the form of tubes or corrugated plates (FIG. 5).