Abstract: Closed-loop and open-loop systems are used for automated control of the operation of arbitrary systems. An open-loop control apparatus, which controls at least one controlled variable of a system such as a fuel cell system, has a pilot control module and an associated storage module, for storing pilot control characteristic data. The pilot control module carries out pilot control, based on a pilot control value determined from a desired value of the controlled variable from the pilot control characteristic data. A closed-loop control module performs closed-loop control of the controlled variable using a controlled portion determined on the basis of the actual value of the controlled variable. In the open-loop control apparatus, the pilot control value and the controlled portion each make respective contributions to a manipulated variable. An adaptation module matches the pilot control characteristic data in the storage module adaptively during the run time of the open-loop control apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for regulating electrical power output of a fuel cell system comprising a fuel processing system, a system for supplying an oxidant stream, and a fuel cell to supply power. In a reformer of the fuel processing system a supply fuel is used to produce hydrogen-rich gas to be supplied to the fuel cell. The fuel cell system also contains a controller to set the mass flow of the supply fuel to the fuel processing system and the mass flow of the oxidant stream to the fuel cell, whereby the mass flow of the oxidant stream can be set in dependence on the dynamic response of the fuel processing system and/or the mass flow of the hydrogen-rich gas can be set in dependence on the dynamic response of the system for supplying the oxidant stream.

Abstract: A method for controlling the communications of a computer in a computer network or a plurality of single computers in a computer network, in which the computer is connected to other computers and the single computers are connected with each other via a standard network LAN and a high performance network SAN. Each single computer comprises, in an operation system kernel, a protocol unit connected with the standard network LAN for servicing communication protocols and a library, which is connected in front of the operation system kernel, for which applications are sitting at a communication interface. Selection of the communication path between the standard network LAN and the high performance network SAN occurs in a network selection unit integrated with a base library. It is thereby provided that the network selection happens after the communication interface of the library and before access to the operation system kernel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided that comprises a fuel cell for powering an electrical load, an oxidant supply device for supplying oxidant to the fuel cell, an energy storage device for providing at least temporary electrical power to drive the oxidant supply device and to the electrical load, and a control device which, in response to an increased power demand from the electrical load, directs the energy storage device to provide electrical power to the oxidant supply device, and then, when an increase in fuel cell power output has been detected, directs the energy storage device to provide electrical power to the electrical load. Methods for operating the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: Plastics moulded parts, suitable for the motor vehicle sector, consisting of a transparent plastics material the rear face of which is provided with a colour- and/or effect-producing lacquer.

Abstract: Regulation of energy supplied to an electric motor from an energy supply system including a fuel cell and an energy storage buffer such as a battery, improves the dynamic response of the motor by adding current from the energy storage buffer to the current from the fuel cell during acceleration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an actuator, such as a device adapted to adjust the hydraulic parameter(s) of a fluid, where the actuator is controlled by a pulse-width modulated signal whose characteristics depend on the parameter(s) to be adjusted. In cases where the actuator needs to be operated with a pulse-width modulated signal whose pulse width is below the actuator's critical pulse width, the pulse-width modulated signal is further modulated with an on-off frequency where the pulse-width is set to at least the actuator's critical pulse width during the “on” phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for regulating electrical power output of a fuel cell system comprising a fuel processing system, a system for supplying an oxidant stream, and a fuel cell to supply power. In a reformer of the fuel processing system a supply fuel is used to produce hydrogen-rich gas to be supplied to the fuel cell. The fuel cell system also contains a controller to set the mass flow of the supply fuel to the fuel processing system and the mass flow of the oxidant stream to the fuel cell, whereby the mass flow of the oxidant stream can be set in dependence on the dynamic response of the fuel processing system and/or the mass flow of the hydrogen-rich gas can be set in dependence on the dynamic response of the system for supplying the oxidant stream.

Abstract: Process for the production of a three-dimensional substrate provided with a protective and decorative laminar structure, in which a primer layer of a coating composition (I) which is electrically conductive in the stoved state is applied without spraying onto an electrically conductive substrate and stoved, whereupon a substrate not yet in the desired three-dimensional shape is shaped, whereupon a second coating layer of an electrophoretically depositable coating composition (II) is electrophoretically deposited and stoved and whereupon a plastic film is applied.

Abstract: Regulation of energy supplied to an electric motor from an energy supply system comprising a fuel cell and an energy storage buffer such as a battery, improves the dynamic response of the motor by adding current from the energy storage buffer to the current from the fuel cell during acceleration.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus produce current values dependent on the position of the accelerator pedal controlling the power of one or more electric drives for moving a mobile device that is energised by a fuel cell. The time required by the drive or drives to respond to a change in the desired current value produced as a function of the position of the accelerator pedal is kept as small as possible by producing a current value—convertible into a desired torque value—which is held continuously at a value sufficient to ensure that the output voltage of the fuel cell just avoids undershooting a critical limit.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system having a gas generation system for providing hydrogen from a carbon- and hydrogen-containing medium for a fuel cell unit, means are provided for adjusting pressure in the gas generation system and/or mass flow through the fuel cell unit, upstream of the fuel cell unit. In a transition from a part-load range to a full-load range, the pressure can be at least briefly reduced, and in a transition from a full-load range to a part-load range, the pressure can be at least briefly increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a fuel cell system. The method and apparatus can provide electrical power to a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising a fuel cell, an electrical propulsion unit that is powered at least partially by the fuel cell, and a compressor to provide oxidant for the fuel cell. A target power demand may be determined based on an accelerator pedal demand. The power difference between the target power demand and the instantaneous power that is available from the fuel cell is compensated by power originating from an electrical energy storage device. Immediately after an increase in accelerator pedal demand, the electrical energy storage device first provides electrical power to drive the oxidant compressor, until a certain increase in the power available from the fuel cell has been detected. Once such an increase has been detected, the electrical energy storage device provides power to the electrical propulsion unit, such as a traction motor.

Abstract: A method for controlling the communications of single computers in a computer network, in which the single computers are connected with each other via a standard network LAN and a high performance network SAN. Each single computer comprises, in an operation system kernel, a protocol unit connected with the standard network LAN for servicing communication protocols and a library, which is connected in front of the operation system kernel, on which applications are stuck at a communication interface. The selection between the standard network LAN and the high performance network SAN occurs in a network selection unit. It is thereby provided that the network selection happens after the communication interface of the library and before access to the operation system kernel. If the network selection happens before access to the operation system, the library can be connected via a communication path with the high performance network SAN, which bypasses the operation system kernel.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus produce current values dependent on the position of the accelerator pedal controlling the power of one or more electric drives for moving a mobile device that is energised by a fuel cell. The time required by the drive or drives to respond to a change in the desired current value produced as a function of the position of the accelerator pedal is kept as small as possible by producing a current value—convertible into a desired torque value—which is held continuously at a value sufficient to ensure that the output voltage of the fuel cell just avoids undershooting a critical limit.

Abstract: Process for the production of a three-dimensional substrate provided with a protective and decorative laminar structure, in which a primer layer of a coating composition (I) which is electrically conductive in the stoved state is applied without spraying onto an electrically conductive substrate and stoved, whereupon a substrate not yet in the desired three-dimensional shape is shaped, whereupon a second coating layer of an electrophoretically depositable coating composition (II) is electrophoretically deposited and stoved and whereupon a plastic film is applied.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system having a gas generation system for providing hydrogen from a carbon- and hydrogen-containing medium for a fuel cell unit, means are provided for adjusting pressure in the gas generation system and/or mass flow through the fuel cell unit, upstream of the fuel cell unit. In a transition from a part-load range to a full-load range, the pressure can be at least briefly reduced, and in a transition from a full-load range to a part-load range, the pressure can be at least briefly increased.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a multilayer lacquer coating on a substrate having an autophoretically coatable, metallic surface, in which a first priming coat of an autophoretically depositable coating composition is autophoretically deposited and then stoved and one or more subsequent coats are then applied by spraying, wherein the autophoretically depositable coating composition contains one or more constituents having an adhesion promoting action and/or wherein before one or more further coats are applied by spraying, the stoved priming layer produced by autophoretic deposition is physically and/or chemically treated and/or provided with an adhesion promoting coat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stove-enamel coating medium based on at least one binder vehicle selected from amino(meth)acrylate resins and/or epoxide-amine addition products comprising cationic groups and/or groups which can be converted into cationic groups. The binder vehicle additionally comprises cyclic carbonate groups and/or at least one crosslinking agent which comprises cyclic carbonate groups is present, and the binder vehicle also contains secondary amino groups and/or hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A method of determining the visual effect of lacquer coatings in which one, two or more lacquer coatings are applied to the surface of a flat substrate and are dried or hardened, wherein one or two of the lacquer coats are applied with a coat thickness gradient, and one or more surface properties which influence the visual impression are subsequently each measured on the lacquered surface thus obtained, at measuring points distributed over the surface, by means of one or more optical methods of measurement, and the respective thickness of the lacquer coat(s) applied in the form of a gradient is also measured, as well as an apparatus for carrying out the method.