Abstract: An electric machine is provided having at least one first permanent magnet, at least one second permanent magnet, a first region, the temperature of which is in a first temperature range during operation, and a second region, the temperature of which is in a second temperature range during operation. The at least one second permanent magnet has a higher maximum working temperature than the first permanent magnet, wherein the maximum working temperature is below the temperature at which the magnetic field strength of the permanent magnet irreversibly decreases in dependence on temperature and because of a magnetic field applied externally to the permanent magnet from. The first permanent magnet is arranged in the first region and the second permanent magnet is arranged in the second region.

Abstract: In order to provide a sealing assembly for a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, which are arranged consecutively in a stacking direction, wherein each of the fuel cell units comprises a housing with at least one housing part made of a metallic material, which also has an adequate electrical insulation effect and an adequate mechanical strength at a high operating temperature of the fuel cell stack, it is proposed that the sealing assembly comprises at least one intermediate element made of a metallic material, wherein the intermediate element is soldered to a housing part of a first fuel cell unit at at least one location by means of a metal solder and is secured to a housing part of a second fuel cell unit at at least another location, wherein the intermediate element and/or the housing part of the first fuel cell unit is provided with a coating made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: An electric machine is provided having at least one first permanent magnet, at least one second permanent magnet, a first region, the temperature of which is in a first temperature range during operation, and a second region, the temperature of which is in a second temperature range during operation. The at least one second permanent magnet has a higher maximum working temperature than the first permanent magnet, wherein the maximum working temperature is below the temperature at which the magnetic field strength of the permanent magnet irreversibly decreases in dependence on temperature and because of a magnetic field applied externally to the permanent magnet from. The first permanent magnet is arranged in the first region and the second permanent magnet is arranged in the second region.

Abstract: In order to provide a sealing assembly for a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, which are arranged consecutively in a stacking direction, wherein each of the fuel cell units comprises a housing with at least one housing part made of a metallic material, which also has an adequate electrical insulation effect and an adequate mechanical strength at a high operating temperature of the fuel cell stack, it is proposed that the sealing assembly comprises at least one intermediate element made of a metallic material, wherein the intermediate element is soldered to a housing part of a first fuel cell unit at at least one location by means of a metal solder and is secured to a housing part of a second fuel cell unit at at least another location, wherein the intermediate element and/or the housing part of the first fuel cell unit is provided with a coating made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: In a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell units, which are arranged consecutively in a stacking direction, wherein each of the fuel cell units comprises a housing with at least one housing part made of a metallic material, which has an adequate electrical insulation effect and an adequate mechanical strength at a high operating temperature of the fuel cell stack, a sealing assembly is provided and comprises at least one intermediate element made of a metallic material, wherein the intermediate element is soldered to a housing part of a first fuel cell unit at at least one location by a metal solder and is secured to a housing part of a second fuel cell unit at at least another location, wherein the intermediate element and/or the housing part of the first fuel cell unit is provided with a coating made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A system including a fuel cell and an internal-combustion engine, particularly for a motor vehicle. Preferably, exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine flows at least essentially around the fuel cell. Exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine may also flow around an afterburner for the fuel cell exhaust gas and/or around a reformer for processing fuel. The fuel cell and/or afterburner and/or reformer may be arranged downstream of a purification system for the internal-combustion engine exhaust gases and may be essentially inside a pipe or the like carrying the latter. The fuel cell and the reformer may also be arranged upstream of an exhaust gas purification system. Part of the fuel cell exhaust gas flow may be fed to the internal-combustion engine for combustion, and exhaust gases from the fuel cell and/or the internal-combustion engine may transfer heat with the air for the fuel cell.

Abstract: In order to provide a sealing assembly for a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, which are arranged consecutively in a stacking direction, wherein each of the fuel cell units comprises a housing with at least one housing part made of a metallic material, which also has an adequate electrical insulation effect and an adequate mechanical strength at a high operating temperature of the fuel cell stack, it is proposed that the sealing assembly comprises at least one intermediate element made of a metallic material, wherein the intermediate element is soldered to a housing part of a first fuel cell unit at least one location by means of a metal solder and is secured to a housing part of a second fuel cell unit at least another location, wherein the intermediate element and/or the housing part of the first fuel cell unit is provided with a coating made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A system including a fuel cell and an internal-combustion engine, particularly for a motor vehicle. Preferably, exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine flows at least essentially around the fuel cell. Exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine may also flow around an afterburner for the fuel cell exhaust gas and/or around a reformer for processing fuel. The fuel cell and/or afterburner and/or reformer may be arranged downstream of a purification system for the internal-combustion engine exhaust gases and may be essentially inside a pipe or the like carrying the latter. The fuel cell and the reformer may also be arranged upstream of an exhaust gas purification system. Part of the fuel cell exhaust gas flow may be fed to the internal-combustion engine for combustion, and exhaust gases from the fuel cell and/or the internal-combustion engine may transfer heat with the air for the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes at least one individual cell with an electrolyte/electrode unit, as well as at least one conducting end or intermediate plate, via which a gaseous reactant can be supplied to an electrode at least in one inlet region. In order to lower power losses, as well as the need for gas circulation, the end or intermediate plate is designed so that in terms of flow, a heat exchange region is incorporated before an inlet region, and heat is removed from an anode side of the individual cell in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In order to provide a sealing assembly for a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, which are arranged consecutively in a stacking direction, wherein each of the fuel cell units comprises a housing with at least one housing part made of a metallic material, which also has an adequate electrical insulation effect and an adequate mechanical strength at a high operating temperature of the fuel cell stack, it is proposed that the sealing assembly comprises at least one intermediate element made of a metallic material, wherein the intermediate element is soldered to a housing part of a first fuel cell unit at at least one location by means of a metal solder and is secured to a housing part of a second fuel cell unit at at least another location, wherein the intermediate element and/or the housing part of the first fuel cell unit is provided with a coating made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A system comprising an internal combustion engine, which particularly serves to provide the locomotion of a vehicle, and a fuel cell, which serves, among other things, to generate current for electrical units of the vehicle is provided. In order to utilize the heat loss of the fuel cell when the vehicle is stationary as well as the residual heat of the fuel cell for the internal combustion engine, a thermal coupling of the fuel cell and the internal combustion engine is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a catalyst operatively associated with the internal combustion engine for processing exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine, and a fuel cell thermally coupled with the catalyst in such a manner that heat in waste gases of the fuel cell is supplied at least partially to the catalyst to heat the catalyst.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes at least one individual cell with an electrolyte/electrode unit, as well as at least one conducting end or intermediate plate, via which a gaseous reactant can be supplied to an electrode at least in one inlet region. In order to lower power losses, as well as the need for gas circulation, the end or intermediate plate is designed so that in terms of flow, a heat exchange region is incorporated before an inlet region, and heat is removed from an anode side of the individual cell in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and failure. To prevent such oxygen migration, check valves and oxygen getter devices containing oxygen-scavenging material such as metallic nickel are provided in the reformate passageways leading to and from the anodes. The check valves preferably are closed by gravity. Oxidation of the oxygen-gettering material is readily reversed through reduction by reformate when the assembly is restarted.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a catalyst operatively associated with the internal combustion engine for processing exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine, and a fuel cell thermally coupled with the catalyst in such a manner that heat in waste gases of the fuel cell is supplied at least partially to the catalyst to heat the catalyst.

Abstract: A system includes a fuel cell, and a heat exchanger coupled to the fuel cell. The heat exchanger is arranged upstream of the fuel cell in a flow of gaseous reactants for the fuel cell for preheating gaseous reactants and downstream of the fuel cell in a flow of at least a portion of the waste gas from the fuel cell. The heat exchanger is directly integrated with the fuel cell so that there is a direct flow transition from the heat exchanger to the flow cell.

Abstract: A system comprising an internal combustion engine, which particularly serves to provide the locomotion of a vehicle, and a fuel cell, which serves, among other things, to generate current for electrical units of the vehicle is provided. In order to utilize the heat loss of the fuel cell when the vehicle is stationary as well as the residual heat of the fuel cell for the internal combustion engine, a thermal coupling of the fuel cell and the internal combustion engine is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The fuel cell system comprise; at least one fuel cell that can be operated with hydrogen or combustion gas that is produced in a reformer; an internal combustion engine, which is operated with the same or with another combustion gas, and; optionally comprises an auxiliary heating device. In order to increase the overall efficiency of the fuel cell system, the invention provides that an outlet of the fuel cell can be brought into flow connection with an inlet of the internal combustion engine or with an inlet of an auxiliary heating device in order to utilize the excess of combustion gas in the exhaust gas of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is, in particular, operated with a volume flow that ensures a maximum electric power output.

Abstract: In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and failure. To prevent such oxygen migration, check valves and oxygen getter devices containing oxygen-scavenging material such as metallic nickel are provided in the reformate passageways leading to and from the anodes. The check valves preferably are closed by gravity. Oxidation of the oxygen-gettering material is readily reversed through reduction by reformate when the assembly is restarted.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for monitoring the filling of a tank with a liquid, deep-frozen gas, in which the temperature and the pressure of the liquid gas in the tank are recorded, and the mass of the liquid gas in the tank is calculated from the temperature and the volume. In the prior art, a system with an overflow was used as a filling-level limitation, in which case the height of the overflow took the maximum increase in volume into account. With this limitation of the filling level, because the phase boundary is only determined independently of the density, the maximum permissible filling level must take into account the maximum possible increase in volume of the liquid gas. With the system according to the invention, better utilization of the tank volume is possible, because the increase in volume actually possible is taken into account based on the actually prevailing pressure and temperature state of the liquid gas introduced.