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.

Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus has a fuel cell unit, a first electronic control unit for producing an electrical control signal, at least one starting device for starting the first electronic control unit and formed as a second electronic control unit for producing an electrical input signal of the first electronic control unit and at least one further electrical signal as a starting signal of the second electronic control unit, the second electronic control unit having an electronic evaluating unit formed so that the two independent electrical starting signals are automatically connected with one another with the electronic evaluating unit of the second electronic control unit.

Abstract: The fuel cell system has a membrane unit for separating a hydrogen-enriched fuel for a fuel cell unit from a hydrogen-containing mixture, for example a hydrogen-containing mixture produced by a reforming unit. The membrane unit contains a semi-permeable membrane, which is permeable to molecular hydrogen, and at least reduces the amount of certain undesirable gasses, such as CO and CO2, in the stream passing through it. This semi-permeable membrane is economically constructed in comparison to the state of the art, because it is permeable to molecular hydrogen.

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 system has a combustion device (1, 24) with an exhaust gas line (3) for discharge of exhaust gas (7, 34), a reformer (20) for converting a fuel (6, 31) to a hydrogen-enriched fluid (35), a fuel cell unit (23) operating to produce electrical power from the hydrogen-enriched fluid (35) and air and a heat exchanger (2,WT1) arranged in the exhaust gas line (3). The heat exchanger (2, WT1) delivers heat of the exhaust gas (7, 34) to a heated fluid (32) for the reformer (20) and/or an operating substance (29, 30, 31) of the reformer (20).

Abstract: A safety system for a gas-operated apparatus for generating energy, in particular in a vehicle, includes at least one sensor for measuring the gas concentration. The sensor is preferably disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In the event of a dangerously high gas concentration, a fan and/or power window control is triggered via a control unit in such a way that the fastest possible air exchange in the passenger compartment of the vehicle results.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has a combustion device, a fuel cell unit and a reformer for transforming fuel into a reformed gas, the combustion device having at least one exhaust pipe as an outlet for exhaust gas, the use of such a fuel cell system resulting in a marked reduction in the additional energy that may be required for heating the transforming unit. This is achieved by positioning at least one heat exchanger unit at the exhaust pipe for heating a heating fluid and/or a fuel of the reformer, using the heat from the exhaust gas stream.

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 cooting apparatus for cooling at least one cooling element, preferably a condenser (5).

Abstract: A fuel cell device has a fuel cell unit, a conversion unit for converting material mixtures to a hydrogen-containing fluid stream, a separation device for separating at least one hydrogen-enriched material stream from a fluid residual stream, the separation device being formed as a mass separation device for separating different masses.

Abstract: The fuel cell apparatus includes a fuel cell (3) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy by burning a hydrogen-enriched liquid (7), a fuel-converting unit (22) for converting hydrocarbon-containing substances (11,12) to the hydrogen-enriched fluid (7), a first tank (1) for storing a first hydrocarbon-containing mixture (11) and optionally an internal combustion engine (4) which burns the hydrocarbon-containing substance. The production of the hydrogen-enriched fluid (7) is improved, especially in the cold starting operation stage, when the fuel cell apparatus includes a device for supplying a second hydrocarbon-containing mixture (12) at least to the fuel-converting unit (22) in certain operating stages.

Abstract: A fuel preparation unit and a method for furnishing a fuel that contains hydrogen to a fuel energy converter (12) for chemical conversion and energy conversion of the fuel includes a fuel pressure reservoir (2) for storing the fuel subjected to pressure, with which the efficiency of furnishing the fuel is improved. At least one separate pressure energy recycling unit (4, 8, 9) for converting and recycling pressure energy of the fuel is utilized.