IP Library Patent Application 12867428
Patent Application
App. No. 12/867,428

Fuel Cell Supply System, Fuel Cell System and Method of Operating the Same

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/867,428
Abstract

A fuel cell supply system 6 is proposed for feeding an oxidizing agent to a fuel cell assembly 2 , has a continuous flow machine for accelerating and/or increasing the pressure of the oxidizing agent, and a humidifier for humidifying the oxidizing agent. The humidifier is connected or connectable flow-wise between the continuous flow machine and the fuel cell assembly, and has a dehumidifier, which is designed and/or arranged to dehumidify the oxidizing agent.

Claims (15)

1 - 14 . (canceled)

15 . A fuel cell supply system ( 6 ) for feeding an oxidizing agent to a fuel cell assembly having a continuous flow machine for accelerating and/or increasing the pressure of the oxidizing agent and having a humidifier for humidifying the oxidizing agent, the humidifier being connected or connectable flow-wise between the continuous flow machine and the fuel cell assembly, a dehumidifier, which is designed or arranged for dehumidification of the oxidizing agent.

16 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the dehumidifier is arranged flow-wise downstream of the humidifier.

17 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the dehumidifier is of connectable construction.

18 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the dehumidifier may be connected by division of the oxidizing agent into sub-streams.

19 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the dehumidifier is one of integrated into the humidifier and coupled directly to the humidifier.

20 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising a cooling device, which is arranged flow-wise after the continuous flow machine and before the dehumidifier.

21 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the cooling device is arranged flow-wise after the humidifier.

22 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the dehumidifier is a humidity buffer.

23 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dehumidifier takes the form of a humidity diverter.

24 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the dehumidifier takes the form of a passive device or a device operated by external energy.

25 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the dehumidifier comprises one of a membrane dryer, an enthalpy wheel, a chemical reactor, an absorber and an adsorber.

26 . The fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising a control device to activate the dehumidifier and/or the cooling device in the event of system switch-off or of a cold start of the fuel cell device.

27 . A fuel cell device for a vehicle, having a fuel cell supply system as claimed in claim 15 .

28 . A method of switching off and/or cold starting the fuel cell device as claimed in claim 27 , wherein water-extracting measures are applied to the oxidizing agent.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2011
From: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: DAIMLER AG
Reel/Frame 026290/0784 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2010
From: HEIDRICH, HANS-JOERG
To: DAIMLER AG; FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 025221/0229 →