Method of operation of a device for energy conversion using a main fuel and at least one auxiliary fuel

1. A method for operating a converter for the energy conversion of fuel from at least one main fuel supply, and from at least one auxiliary fuel supply for operating the converter directly and/or by operating an auxiliary unit, comprising:

detecting the amount of fuel in the main fuel supply;

detecting the amount of fuel in the auxiliary fuel supply, at least with respect to a predetermined minimum amount;

in response to the minimum amount being reached, generating a signal that blocks at least one of a) filling of the main fuel supply, and b) startup of the converter via a control unit; and

deactivating the blocking in response to the auxiliary fuel supply being replenished.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signal activates a control program in a control unit, whereby only a minimum operation that is limited in at least one of capacity, distance and time is permitted.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the minimum operation is limited by the existing residual amount of fuel in the auxiliary fuel supply.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, before the minimum amount is reached, an advance signal is generated which then triggers a warning signal.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising

determining an actual amount fuel ratio of the amounts of fuel in the main and auxiliary fuel supplies detected in the detecting steps;

comparing the actual amount fuel ratio to a predetermined permissible range for the fuel amount ratio; and

if the value for the actual amount fuel ratio is below the predetermined ratio, performing at least one of the steps of a) indicating the maximum permissible refill amount for at least one of the main fuel and the auxiliary fuel, and b) triggering the blocking signal.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of generating a signal comprises blocking startup of the converter by activation of an electronic immobilization device.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the converter is installed in a vehicle, and the step of generating a signal comprises activating a lock preventing filling of the main fuel supply.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the converter is an internal combustion engine.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary fuel supply operates an exhaust-gas after treatment unit.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary fuel supply operates a fuel cell for the autonomous electrical supply of auxiliary units.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the detected amount of fuel in the auxiliary fuel supply is at least one of indicated and recorded.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the respective amounts of fuel in the main fuel supply and the auxiliary fuel supply are detected simultaneously at intervals.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fuel in the auxiliary fuel supply comprises at least two material components that can be supplied individually to the auxiliary fuel supply, the mixing ratio of the material components is detected, and the blocking signal is generated in response to deviations of the mixing ratio from a predetermined mixing ratio.

14. A method for operating a converter for the energy conversion of fuel from at least one main fuel supply, and from at least one auxiliary fuel supply for operating the converter directly and/or for operating an auxiliary unit, comprising: detecting the amount of fuel in the main fuel supply; detecting the amount of fuel in the auxiliary fuel supply, at least with respect to a predetermined minimum amount; in response to the predetermined minimum amount being reached, generating a signal to activate a control program in a control unit to permit only a minimum operation, which is limited in at least one of capacity, distance, and time; and deactivating generation of the signal in response to the auxiliary fuel supply being replenished above the predetermined minimum amount.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising limiting the minimum operation based on the amount of fuel in the auxiliary fuel supply.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising generating an advance signal that triggers a warning signal before the predetermined minimum amount is reached.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the converter is an internal combustion engine.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the auxiliary fuel supply operates an exhaust-gas after treatment unit.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the auxiliary fuel supply operates a fuel cell for the autonomous electrical supply of auxiliary units.

20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising indicating or recording the amount of fuel that is detected in the auxiliary fuel supply.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the respective amounts of fuel in the main fuel supply and the auxiliary fuel supply are detected simultaneously at intervals.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the fuel in the auxiliary fuel supply comprises at least two material components that can be supplied individually to the auxiliary fuel supply, the method further comprising: detecting a mixing ratio of the material components, and generating the signal to activate the control program in response to deviations of the mixing ratio from a predetermined mixing ratio.