Abstract: A vehicle has a fuel system operative to chemically reform a fuel gas, a supply unit for supplying the fuel system with the fuel gas, and a gas reservoir provided with a storage volume for an intermediate storage of the fuel gas, the storage volume having a size that is changeable.

Abstract: A vehicle with a device (6) for converting chemical energy into electrical and/or mechanical energy, in particular a fuel cell unit (6) and/or combustion device (6), such as a diesel or gas engine (6), whereby at least one oxygen-containing source mixture is proved. The efficiency of the energy conversion, in particular, for protection of the environment, is improved relative to the state of the art. This is achieved according to the present invention, in that a separator (7) for separating off at least one oxygen-enriched fluid (2) from a fluid residue (3) of the source mixture (1) is provided.

Abstract: The fuel cell system has a fuel cell unit and a catalytically active reactor unit (3) for at least partial chemical transformation of an operating medium stream (1), especially a reformer, gas purifier stage and/or a combustor, in which the catalytically active reactor unit (3) has a variable catalytically active reactor volume (4) acted on by the operating medium stream. To provide the fuel cell system with a higher efficiency and good dynamic behavior the catalytically active reactor unit is provided with at least one control device (5, 8, 11, 12, 13) for controlling and/or for changing the variable catalytically active reactor volume (4) acted on by the operating medium stream (1).

Abstract: The fuel cell apparatus has a fuel cell (1), a pressurized fuel tank (2) for supplying fuel at a supply pressure and a pressure-reducing unit (4) for reducing the supply pressure to an operating pressure of the fuel cell. In order to improve the overall efficiency of the unit in comparison to the art the pressure-reducing unit (4) is constructed as a cooling apparatus for cooling at least one cooling element, preferably a condenser (5).

Abstract: An atomizer nozzle (1) for fuels, in particular for feeding them into a chemical reformer for obtaining hydrogen, has a nozzle body (2) containing spray-discharge orifices (3) that discharge into a metering space, and has at least one metering aperture (6). The spray-discharge orifices (3) are situated at elevation levels (4) so as to have a radial directional component with respect to a center line (10) of the nozzle body (2), each elevation step having at least one spray-discharge orifice (3), and the spray-discharge orifices (3) of at least one elevation level (4) being connected to at least one channel (14) of a nozzle-body insert (5) that has at least one flow-through opening (11).

Abstract: A valve for controlling a fluid, in particular for controlling a gas, is described, encompassing a valve housing an actuation unit for an at least locally tubular valve armature which is guided axially displaceably and is equipped with a valve closure member by which a fluid flow between an inflow side and an outlet side is controllable and which coacts with a valve seat. The valve armature comprises a guidance collar in a region remote from the valve closure member, and is equipped with a second guidance in a region offset with respect to the guidance collar.

Abstract: A dosing device (1) for liquid fuels, in particular for input into a chemical reformer in order to recover hydrogen, having at least one metering device (2) for metering fuel into a metering conduit (12) and having a nozzle body (7), adjoining the metering conduit (12), having spray discharge openings (6) which open into a metering chamber (10), the nozzle body (7) projecting with a spherical portion at the spray-discharge end into the metering chamber (10), and the spray discharge openings (6) being distributed over the spherical portion of the nozzle body (7).

Abstract: An atomizer nozzle for fuels, particularly for charging a chemical reformer for obtaining hydrogen, features a nozzle body, having spray-discharge orifices discharging into a metering space, and at least one metering aperture, The spray-discharge orifices are situated with a radial directional component with respect to a center axis of the nozzle body at elevation levels, each elevation level having at least one spray-discharge orifice. At least one nozzle body insert, having at least one flow-through opening, is situated in the nozzle body in front of the first elevation step in the direction of fuel flow and/or between the elevation steps.

Abstract: A vehicle has a fuel system operative to chemically reform a fuel gas a supply unit for supplying the fuel system with the fuel gas, and a gas reservoir provided with a storage volume for an intermediate storage of the fuel gas, the storage volume having a size that is changeable.

Abstract: A device for mixing fluids, in particular a gas injection valve, nozzle valve, mixing nozzle or jet compressor, is proposed. To that end, a first fluid-carrying device (12) for carrying a first fluid and a second fluid-carrying device (13) for carrying a second fluid are provided; the fluids are mixed with one another in a mixing region (16) that is in communication with the fluid-carrying devices (12, 13). In addition, a means (20) for generating turbulence in the applicable fluid and a heater, with which the fluid can be heated before reaching the mixing region (16), disposed downstream of the means (20) for generating turbulence in terms of the flow direction of the applicable fluid are associated with at least one of the fluid-carrying devices (12, 13). The proposed device is used in particular for mixing hydrogen and saturated steam and to deliver this mixture to a fuel cell.

Abstract: An atomizer nozzle for fuels, in particular for feeding them into a chemical reformer for obtaining hydrogen, has a nozzle body containing spray-discharge orifices that discharge into a metering space, and has at least one metering aperture. The spray-discharge orifices are situated at elevation levels so as to have a radial directional component with respect to a center line of the nozzle body, each elevation step having at least one spray-discharge orifice, and the spray-discharge orifices of at least one elevation level being connected to at least one channel of a nozzle-body insert that has at least one flow-through opening.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a brake system of a vehicle, with an automatic braking action being triggered when a threshold value is exceeded. The threshold value is varied as a function of a quantity derived from the distance to an obstacle located in front of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric drive for an electric or hybrid vehicle has an electric motor, with which a vehicle wheel is drivable, for instance via an articulated shaft. The the electric drive is embodied additionally with a mechanically actuatable wheel brake, which is actuatable by the electric motor selectively for driving the vehicle wheel via a shiftable distributor gear. The invention has the advantage that the electric motor provided for driving the vehicle wheel is simultaneously used for actuating the wheel brake (24) as well.

Abstract: The fuel reformer, especially for a fuel cell, produces a hydrogen-containing reformate from a fuel or hydrocarbon mixture supplied to it by partial oxidation (POX) and/or an autothermal reforming process. The reformer provides improved local reaction temperatures with increased conversion of hydrocarbons to hydrogen, decreased residual carbon monoxide formation and at the same time an increased yield of hydrogen. A gas supply member for distribution of reactants, such as air and/or oxygen, is arranged within the flow path of the fuel or hydrocarbon mixture in the reformer. The gas supply member has a plurality of gas supply outlets distributed in a flow direction along the fuel flow path for supplying the reactants to a catalyst material, which are distributed and formed so that reaction regions are more uniformly distributed along the flow path.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a vehicle involving the following steps is described: recording characteristic actual values that describe the driving condition of a vehicle; determining setpoint values that are at least partially assigned to the actual values; comparing actual values and setpoint values and influencing actual values based on comparison results, one of the recorded actual values being characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle, and one of the setpoint values being assigned to the recorded actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle. A device for stabilizing a vehicle is also described.

Abstract: A sensor (1) for ascertaining a carbon monoxide concentration of a gas mixture (2), having a proton-conducting electrolyte (4) disposed between at least two electrochemically active electrodes (5, 6), in particular catalytically active electrodes (5, 6), of which at least one electrode is CO-sensitive, and in which a measurement unit (8) for measuring at least a first, electrical operating parameter of the sensor (1) at at least one electrode (5, 6) of the sensor (1) is provided, is proposed, with which calibration intervals are markedly lengthened and cross-sensitivities are minimized. This is attained according to the invention in that an evaluation unit (8) is provided for evaluating a change over time in the first, electrical operating parameter of the sensor (1) as a function of a known change over time of at least one second operating parameter.

Abstract: The emergency operating device for releasing a trunk lock mechanism of a motor vehicle, in which a human, especially a small child, or an animal could be locked, includes a sensor device in the trunk and an evaluation device connected to the sensor device. The sensor device generates and transmits sensor signals that indicate whether or not the human or animal is present in the trunk. The evaluation device receives and evaluates or analyzes the sensor signals to ascertain whether or not the human or animal is present in the trunk. The evaluation device generates an operating signal for automatic activation of the release mechanism if the human or animal is present in the trunk.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a brake system of a vehicle, with an automatic braking action being triggered when a threshold value is exceeded. The threshold value is varied as a function of a quantity derived from the distance to an obstacle located in front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell device has a fuel cell unit including at least two fuel cell elements which are coupled with one another in a way selected from the group consisting of a series coupling, a parallel coupling, and both, for conversion of chemical energy into an electrical energy, and an electronic control unit for controlling individual fuel cell elements of the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: A vehicle with a device (6) for converting chemical energy into electrical and/or mechanical energy, in particular a fuel cell unit (6) and/or combustion device (6), such as a diesel or gas engine (6), whereby at least one oxygen-containing source mixture is proved. The efficiency of the energy conversion, in particular, for protection of the environment, is improved relative to the state of the art. This is achieved according to the present invention, in that a separator (7) for separating off at least one oxygen-enriched fluid (2) from a fluid residue (3) of the source mixture (1) is provided.