Abstract: In order to create a fuel cell system, comprising at least one fuel cell stack and a channel system for supplying a fluid medium to the fuel cell stack and/or for discharging a fluid medium from the fuel cell stack, a first water collection region in which water collects in a first range of operating positions of the fuel cell system, and a first water discharge port by which water is able to be discharged from the first water collection region, in which fuel cell system a drain operation is performable in any operating position of the fuel cell system, by which drain operation accumulated water is able to be discharged from the fuel cell system, it is proposed that the fuel cell system comprises at least one second water collection region in which water collects in a second range of operating positions of the fuel cell system, and at least one second water discharge port by which water is able to be discharged from the second water collection region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for starting a fuel cell stack at temperatures below the freezing point of a reaction product produced during the reaction between an anode-side fuel and a cathode-side fuel. The fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of individual cells having at least one internal cell which is arranged in the stacking direction in the interior of the fuel cell stack and an edge cell which is arranged in the stacking direction at the edge of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack is connected to a cooling circuit having cooling fluid for cooling the fuel cell stack, which cooling fluid can be conducted through the fuel cell stack by a pump arranged in the cooling circuit.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a fluid-conducting module for a fuel cell device, said fluid-conducting module being simple and inexpensive to produce and being used to operate a fuel cell device in a preferably efficient manner. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the fluid-conducting module comprises the following: a flow channel which comprises at least one flow channel inlet and at least one flow channel outlet and through which a first fluid, in particular a liquid, can be conducted; a heat exchanger, by means of which a second fluid, in particular a gas, can be heated, preferably by transferring heat from the first fluid to the second fluid.

Abstract: In order to provide a fuel cell device which can be produced simply and cost-effectively, it is proposed that the fuel cell device comprises the following: a plurality of fuel cell elements which are stacked one on top of another along a stacking direction and form a fuel cell stack; a clamping device for securing the fuel cell elements; a fluid guide unit for supplying fuel and/or oxidizer and/or coolant to the fuel cell elements and/or for removing fuel and/or oxidizer and/or exhaust gas and/or coolant from the fuel cell elements, wherein the clamping device comprises two or more crossmembers which extend at least approximately perpendicularly to the stacking direction, wherein in each case at least one crossmember is arranged at each end of the fuel cell stack, wherein the crossmembers can be drawn towards one another by means of clamping elements and the fuel cell stack can thereby be clamped between the crossmembers.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided, including a media system for supplying fluid media to electrochemical units of the fuel cell device and/or for discharging fluid media from the electrochemical units of the fuel cell device, wherein the media system includes at least one valve to which, in a standard operating state of the fuel cell device, an electrical standard input power is suppliable in order to maintain the valve in a desired valve state. The fuel cell device is able to be reliably started with as little effort as possible, even under frost conditions. The fuel cell device is switchable into a heating operating state in which an electrical heating input power that is greater than the electrical standard input power is suppliable to the at least one valve.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided, including a media system for supplying fluid media to electrochemical units of the fuel cell device and/or for discharging fluid media from the electrochemical units of the fuel cell device, wherein the media system includes at least one valve to which, in a standard operating state of the fuel cell device, an electrical standard input power is suppliable in order to maintain the valve in a desired valve state. The fuel cell device is able to be reliably started with as little effort as possible, even under frost conditions. The fuel cell device is switchable into a heating operating state in which an electrical heating input power that is greater than the electrical standard input power is suppliable to the at least one valve.

Abstract: In order to provide a fuel cell device which can be produced simply and cost-effectively, it is proposed that the fuel cell device comprises the following: a plurality of fuel cell elements which are stacked one on top of another along a stacking direction and form a fuel cell stack; a clamping device for securing the fuel cell elements; a fluid guide unit for supplying fuel and/or oxidizer and/or coolant to the fuel cell elements and/or for removing fuel and/or oxidizer and/or exhaust gas and/or coolant from the fuel cell elements, wherein the clamping device comprises two or more crossmembers which extend at least approximately perpendicularly to the stacking direction, wherein in each case at least one crossmember is arranged at each end of the fuel cell stack, wherein the crossmembers can be drawn towards one another by means of clamping elements and the fuel cell stack can thereby be clamped between the crossmembers.