IP Library Granted Patent US 6,861,166
Granted Patent B2
US 6,861,166 · App. 09/860,510 · Granted Mar 1, 2005

Fuel cell system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,861,166
App. No.
09/860,510
Granted
Mar 1, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell and a fan for supplying air to the at least one fuel cell. Sound-absorbing means for absorbing sound in the air section of the fuel cell system are designed as broadband silencers.

Claims (27)

1. A fuel cell system, comprising:

at least one fuel cell;

starting from the air feed in an air section with a direction of flow, a first broadband silencer is arranged downstream;

the air section downstream of the first broadband silencer is divided into a first partial section and a second partial section;

a compressor is arranged downstream in the first partial section;

a second broadband silencer is arranged downstream of the compressor and upstream of a cathode air supply of the at least one fuel cell;

a third broadband silencer is arranged downstream of the at least one fuel cell and upstream of an expander;

in the second partial section, downstream, a fourth broadband silencer is arrange upstream of a blower for supplying air to a catalytic burner;

the catalytic burner is arranged downstream of the blower;

the first and second partial sections are brought together again in a common air section downstream of the catalytic burner and downstream of the expander; and

a fifth broadband silencer for insulating an outlet side of expander and blower is arranged in the common air section.

2. The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth broadband silencer absorbs a frequency range for sound-deadening from 400 Hz to 4,000 Hz.

3. The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth broadband silencers absorb a frequency range for sound-deadening from 400 Hz to 4,000 Hz.

4. The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth broadband silencer is a Helmholtz silencer.

5. The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth broadband silencers is a Helmholtz silencer.

6. The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth broadband silencer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, a stainless steel and a plastic.

7. The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth broadband silencers is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, a stainless steel and a plastic.

8. A fuel cell vehicle comprising the fuel cell system of claim 1 .

9. A fuel cell system, comprising:

at least one fuel cell;

a means for supplying cathode air to the at least one fuel cell;

a suction device for supplying ambient air to the means for supplying cathode air;

a first Helmholtz silencer located between the suction device and the means for supplying cathode air; and

a second Helmholtz silencer located between the at least one fuel cell and the means for supplying cathode air,

wherein the ambient air flows from the suction device, through the first Helmholtz silencer, and to the means for supplying cathode air, and wherein the cathode air flows from the means for supplying cathode air, through the second Helmholtz silencer, and to the at least one fuel cell.

10. The fuel cell system of claim 9 , wherein the means for supplying cathode air is selected from the group consisting of a compressor, a fan and a blower.

11. A fuel cell vehicle comprising the fuel cell system of claim 9 .

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 2, 2006
From: FUEL CELL SYSTEMS GMBH
To: NUCELLSYS GMBH
Reel/Frame 017931/0963 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 2, 2006
From: BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS AG
To: FUEL CELL SYSTEMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 017971/0897 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 29, 2002
From: XCELLSIS GMBH
To: BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS AG
Reel/Frame 013193/0248 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2001
From: SOHMER, PETER
To: XCELLSIS GMBH
Reel/Frame 012200/0937 →