Patents by Inventor Hans-Joerg Heidrich

Hans-Joerg Heidrich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11563224
    Abstract: A method for preparing a fuel cell system in a vehicle for starting, for which purpose a starting preparation routine is carried out after the vehicle has been shut down depending on a temperature limit value. In the method, in the event that the fuel cell had not reached its normal operating temperature during the previous operation and a temperature falls below the predetermined temperature limit value, the fuel cell system is operated until it has reached its normal operating temperature and after which the starting preparation routine is subsequently carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Pere Antoni Pastor Nigorra, Sven Schmalzriedt, Hans-Joerg Heidrich
  • Publication number: 20210242477
    Abstract: A method for preparing a fuel cell system in a vehicle for starting, for which purpose a starting preparation routine is carried out after the vehicle has been shut down depending on a temperature limit value. In the method, in the event that the fuel cell had not reached its normal operating temperature during the previous operation and a temperature falls below the predetermined temperature limit value, the fuel cell system is operated until it has reached its normal operating temperature and after which the starting preparation routine is subsequently carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Pere Antoni PASTOR NIGORRA, Sven SCHMALZRIEDT, Hans-Joerg HEIDRICH
  • Patent number: 9656572
    Abstract: A method for starting a motor vehicle with a fuel cell system for providing electrical drive power in the vehicle is disclosed. A starting procedure can be started by a remote control unit independently of the presence of the user in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. The starting procedure only takes place by the remote control unit if a start signal from the remote control unit exists, and if simultaneously a sensed temperature in the vehicle, the fuel cell system and/or the surroundings of the vehicle is below a predetermined temperature threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Heidrich
  • Publication number: 20160185253
    Abstract: A method for starting a motor vehicle with a fuel cell system for providing electrical drive power in the vehicle is disclosed. A starting procedure can be started by a remote control unit independently of the presence of the user in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. The starting procedure only takes place by the remote control unit if a start signal from the remote control unit exists, and if simultaneously a sensed temperature in the vehicle, the fuel cell system and/or the surroundings of the vehicle is below a predetermined temperature threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg HEIDRICH
  • Publication number: 20150079492
    Abstract: A device for supplying fuel to a fuel cell (3) via a metering valve (8). The metering valve (8) is a proportional valve. A pulsation device (14) is situated downstream from the metering valve (8) in the flow direction, by means of which the pressure and/or volume flow of the metered fuel flow may be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Heidrich
  • Publication number: 20120189932
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system a specific connection and a valve arrangement make it possible for a compressor to supply precompressed air to a fuel cell stack via a waste gas line, said air then leaving the fuel cell stack via a line which is otherwise an air feed line. In this way, a humidifier may be bypassed. This is sensible in particular during a start phase at low ambient temperatures, during which the fuel cell system is intended to warm up without moisture in the fuel cell stack having a negative effect, for instance by freezing. The compressor may be operated both in the start phase or stop phase and during conventional operation by the same mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg HEIDRICH
  • Patent number: 8227122
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system a specific connection and a valve arrangement make it possible for a compressor to supply precompressed air to a fuel cell stack via a waste gas line, said air then leaving the fuel cell stack via a line which is otherwise an air feed line. In this way, a humidifier may be bypassed. This is sensible in particular during a start phase at low ambient temperatures, during which the fuel cell system is intended to warm up without moisture in the fuel cell stack having a negative effect, for instance by freezing. The compressor may be operated both in the start phase or stop phase and during conventional operation by the same mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Heidrich
  • Patent number: 8173308
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system a specific connection and a valve arrangement make it possible for a compressor to supply precompressed air to a fuel cell stack via a waste gas line, said air then leaving the fuel cell stack via a line which is otherwise an air feed line. In this way, a humidifier may be bypassed. This is sensible in particular during a start phase at low ambient temperatures, during which the fuel cell system is intended to warm up without moisture in the fuel cell stack having a negative effect, for instance by freezing. The compressor may be operated both in the start phase or stop phase and during conventional operation by the same mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Heidrich
  • Publication number: 20110045367
    Abstract: A fuel cell supply system 6 is proposed for feeding an oxidizing agent to a fuel cell assembly 2, has a continuous flow machine for accelerating and/or increasing the pressure of the oxidizing agent, and a humidifier for humidifying the oxidizing agent. The humidifier is connected or connectable flow-wise between the continuous flow machine and the fuel cell assembly, and has a dehumidifier, which is designed and/or arranged to dehumidify the oxidizing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicants: DAIMLER AG, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Heidrich
  • Publication number: 20100255388
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system a specific connection and a valve arrangement make it possible for a compressor to supply precompressed air to a fuel cell stack via a waste gas line, said air then leaving the fuel cell stack via a line which is otherwise an air feed line. In this way, a humidifier may be bypassed. This is sensible in particular during a start phase at low ambient temperatures, during which the fuel cell system is intended to warm up without moisture in the fuel cell stack having a negative effect, for instance by freezing. The compressor may be operated both in the start phase or stop phase and during conventional operation by the same mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicants: DAIMLER AG, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Heidrich
  • Publication number: 20100143810
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system with at least one fuel cell unit comprising a plurality of fuel cells, each having one anode and one cathode, the anode adjoining an anode gas compartment and the cathode adjoining a cathode gas compartment, hydrogen being supplied to the anode and an oxidizing agent being supplied to the cathode. Hydrogen is supplied to the anode compartment during a retention time before start-up of the fuel cell system, in which no fuel cell reaction takes place in the fuel cell unit. Hydrogen is stored in an adsorption storage element during fuel cell operation and released to the anode compartment during the retention time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicants: DAIMLER AG, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hans-Joerg Heidrich, Uwe Limbeck, Holger Richter
  • Publication number: 20100136454
    Abstract: A fuel cell circuit of a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell unit having an input on the anode side for feeding fuel from a storage tank to the fuel cell unit, and an output on the anode side for discharging fuel cell waste gas on the anode side from the fuel cell unit. A recirculation circuit is provided, to return the fuel cell waste gas on the anode side to the input on the anode side. The recirculation circuit is connected to an intake line of an ejector unit, and fuel can be fed from the storage tank directly into the recirculation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Hans-Joerg Heidrich, Cosimo S. Mazzotta