Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Andreas Buchner

Michael Bauer

Stefan Haase

Georg Goetz

Florian Pfattrisch

Sylvester Burckhardt

A fuel cell having an anode-cathode stack includes at least one active surface layer formed by a first channel structure with a first and at least one second channel for conducting a first fluid over the at least one active surface layer of the anode-cathode stack. A first distributor structure for distributing the first fluid into the first and the at least one second channel of the channel structure is provided. The first distributor structure is configured with a first surface region assigned to the first channel and with a second surface region assigned to the second channel. The two surface regions are configured with a flow resistance of differing magnitude for the first fluid distributed in the first distributor structure.

Fuel cell having a flow distributor

An exhaust-air guide of a fuel cell stack having a cooling structure, in particular in a motor vehicle, is provided. The cooler structure belongs to the functional environment of the fuel cell stack and is in form through which ambient air flows. The exhaust air of the fuel cell stack is guided to a point upstream of the cooler structure such that the exhaust air flows through the cooler structure in a throughflow direction and, in so doing, entrains ambient air in accordance with the jet pump principle. The exhaust air of the fuel cell stack may be cooled before being guided to the cooler structure. The exhaust air of the fuel cell stack is guided to a point upstream of the cooler structure in multiple pipes that are oriented at least approximately parallel to the inflow surface of the cooler structure, from which pipes the exhaust air emerges via outlet openings in the pipe wall. The outlet openings are situated at a suitable angle with respect to the throughflow direction.

Exhaust air guide of a fuel cell stack in a motor vehicle

The invention relates to a fuel cell having an anode/cathode stack, which comprises at least one active surface layer, which is designed having a first channel structure having a plurality of first channels for conducting a first fluid in a first direction over the surface layer, which is designed having a second channel structure having a plurality of second channels for conducting a second fluid in a second direction over the surface layer, wherein the second direction extends substantially perpendicularly to the first direction, which is designed having a first feeding structure for feeding the first fluid into the plurality of first channels, and which is designed having a second feeding structure for feeding the second fluid into the plurality of second channels. According to the invention, the first feeding structure and the second feeding structure are both arranged on a first edge of the surface layer and the first feeding structure additionally comprises an edge channel for feeding the first fluid to a second edge of the surface layer that is directed perpendicular to the first edge.

Fuel cell having at least one active surface layer

A method of operating an electric system of a motor vehicle, consisting of a fuel cell system, an accumulator and an electric driving motor is provided. Without implementing an electric voltage conversion and therefore without an electric voltage converter, as a function of the level of the electric voltage made available by the fuel cell system and by the accumulator and the electric power demanded by the electric motor, a first switching element in the connection between the fuel cell system and a node point electrically connected with the accumulator and the electric motor, as well as a second switching element in the connection between the accumulator and this node point are opened or closed as needed. This is done such that the power requirement of the electric motor is met primarily from the fuel cell system, and in an auxiliary fashion, additionally from the accumulator. If the electric power offered by the fuel cell system exceeds the electric power demanded by the electric motor, the excess power will be fed to the accumulator for as long as its permissible charging current is not exceeded and the accumulator still has a defined residual storage capacity.

Operating method for an electric energy system of a motor vehicle comprising a fuel cell system, an accumulator and an electric motor

In a motor vehicle having a fuel cell, an air compressor provides input air under pressure at the fuel cell and an electric drive motor for driving the motor vehicle, which drive motor can be supplied with electric current by the fuel cell for that purpose, wherein the air compressor is driven by the drive motor.

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Steinebach, Germany

Andreas Buchner