18030550. FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM simplified abstract (Robert Bosch GmbH)

From WikiPatents
Jump to navigation Jump to search

FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM

Organization Name

Robert Bosch GmbH

Inventor(s)

Jochen Wessner of Esslingen (DE)

Martin Katz of Stuttgart (DE)

FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18030550 titled 'FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM

Simplified Explanation

The invention is a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell stack with a cathode, an air compressor integrated in the cathode gas path, and a shut off device. The cathode gas path branches into a main path and a secondary path downstream of the air compressor. The main path can be connected to the inlet of the fuel cell stack, while the secondary path can be connected to the outlet of the fuel cell stack. The shut off device allows for individual or simultaneous shut off of the main and secondary paths.

  • The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack with a cathode and an air compressor integrated in the cathode gas path.
  • The cathode gas path branches into a main path and a secondary path downstream of the air compressor.
  • The main path can be connected to the inlet of the fuel cell stack, while the secondary path can be connected to the outlet of the fuel cell stack.
  • A shut off device is provided to individually or simultaneously shut off the main and secondary paths.

Potential applications of this technology:

  • Automotive industry: The fuel cell system can be used in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to efficiently generate electricity for propulsion.
  • Power generation: The fuel cell system can be utilized in stationary power plants to produce electricity for residential or commercial use.
  • Portable devices: The compact and efficient design of the fuel cell system makes it suitable for powering portable electronic devices.

Problems solved by this technology:

  • Efficient air supply: The integration of an air compressor in the cathode gas path ensures a consistent and sufficient supply of air to the fuel cell stack.
  • Flexibility in operation: The ability to shut off the main and secondary paths individually or together provides flexibility in controlling the flow of cathode gas and optimizing the fuel cell system's performance.

Benefits of this technology:

  • Improved efficiency: The integration of an air compressor ensures optimal air supply, leading to improved fuel cell efficiency and overall system performance.
  • Enhanced control: The shut off device allows for precise control of the cathode gas flow, enabling better management of the fuel cell system's operation.
  • Versatile applications: The compact and flexible design of the fuel cell system makes it suitable for various applications, including automotive, power generation, and portable devices.


Original Abstract Submitted

The invention relates to a fuel cell system () comprising a fuel cell stack () with a cathode (), to which air can be fed as cathode gas via a cathode gas path (), an air compressor () being integrated in the cathode gas path (). According to the invention, the cathode gas path () branches downstream of the air compressor () into a main path (), which can be connected to an inlet () of the fuel cell stack (), and into a secondary path (), which can be connected to an outlet () of the fuel cell stack (), wherein the main path () and the secondary path () can each be shut off individually or together with the aid of a shut off device (). The invention also relates to a method for operating a fuel cell system ().