Abstract: A fuel cell with a gas chamber, arranged between two plate elements, is provided. One of the plate elements includes bosses for supporting the plate element on the other plate element in a regular grid structure. Between the bosses runs a network of gas channels passing through the gas chamber, the bosses being at most three times longer than wide. The bosses form between themselves first gas channels in a first region of the gas chamber and larger-volume second gas channels in a second region of the gas chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact device which is arranged in a terminal compartment of a fuel cell stack and is used to electrically contact the fuel cell stack. According to the invention, the surface of said contact device is at least partially provided with a hydrophobic surface layer, facilitating the removal of water, e.g., condensation water, from the terminal compartment and thus from the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: When an insulator is used in a humid atmosphere, the cooling thereof causes a humidity condensation, which is deposited on the insulator surface. Drops of water formed by the humidity condensation are connected to each other that a water film substantially reducing the insulation resistance of the insulator is formed. In order to solve said problem, the inventive insulator is provided, at least partially, with a hydrophobe surface. In such a way, the water layers formed by condensation are drained off the surface or detached there from without connection and the drops of water produced by condensation are unable to be bound to each other, thereby making it possible to maintain a desired high insulation resistance.

Abstract: A fuel cell with a gas chamber, arranged between two plate elements, is provided. One of the plate elements includes bosses for supporting the plate element on the other plate element in a regular grid structure. Between the bosses runs a network of gas channels passing through the gas chamber, the bosses being at most three times longer than wide. The bosses form between themselves first gas channels in a first region of the gas chamber and larger-volume second gas channels in a second region of the gas chamber.

Abstract: When an insulator is used in a humid atmosphere, the cooling thereof causes a humidity condensation, which is deposited on the insulator surface. Drops of water formed by the humidity condensation are connected to each other that a water film substantially reducing the insulation resistance of the insulator is formed. In order to solve said problem, the inventive insulator is provided, at least partially, with a hydrophobe surface. In such a way, the water layers formed by condensation are drained off the surface or detached there from without connection and the drops of water produced by condensation are unable to be bound to each other, thereby making it possible to maintain a desired high insulation resistance.

Abstract: A defective operation of a valve (15, 35, 37, 39) in a drainage line (13, 21, 31, 33) of a fuel cell results in unintentionally permitting process gas to flow into the surrounding area of the fuel cells. In order to resolve this problem, the invention provides a method for monitoring the discharge of media out of a fuel cell and provides a fuel cell system, with which the gas and water stream flowing through the drainage line (25, 41) is monitored (65) by means of a Venturi nozzle (23, 40) that is connected to a differential pressure sensor (27, 53). The magnitude (67) and the temporal progression (69) of the differential pressure indicated by the differential pressure sensor (27, 53) establishes the basis for controlling the valve (15, 35, 37, 39) in the drainage line (13, 21, 31, 33) and for shutting down (71) the fuel cell block (1) in the event that the valve (15, 35, 37, 39) is defective.

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: The invention relates to a contact device which is arranged in a terminal compartment of a fuel cell stack and is used to electrically contact the fuel cell stack. According to the invention, the surface of said contact device is at least partially provided with a hydrophobic surface layer, facilitating the removal of water, e.g., condensation water, from the terminal compartment and thus from the fuel cell stack.

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 defective operation of a valve (15, 35, 37, 39) in a drainage line (13, 21, 31, 33) of a fuel cell results in unintentionally permitting process gas to flow into the surrounding area of the fuel cells. In order to resolve this problem, the invention provides a method for monitoring the discharge of media out of a fuel cell and provides a fuel cell system, with which the gas and water stream flowing through the drainage line (25, 41) is monitored (65) by means of a Venturi nozzle (23, 40) that is connected to a differential pressure sensor (27, 53). The magnitude (67) and the temporal progression (69) of the differential pressure indicated by the differential pressure sensor (27, 53) establishes the basis for controlling the valve (15, 35, 37, 39) in the drainage line (13, 21, 31, 33) and for shutting down (71) the fuel cell block (1) in the event that the valve (15, 35, 37, 39) is defective.

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: 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.