Method and device for supplying air to a fuel cell system

• Main Author: FLECK, WOLFRAM
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 02.04.1997
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT OR PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLEDVEHICLES; ELECTRICITY; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES, IN GENERAL; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

The invention relates to a method and a device for regulating the power (performance) of an air-breathing fuel cell system which consists of an air supply line, a fuel cell, an air outlet line and a separate gas supply system for the hydrogen gas. In order to regulate the fuel cell power, it is proposed to arrange a compressor having an adjustable rotation speed in the air supply line and an expander having a variable suction capacity in the air outlet line, the compressor, the expander and an additional electric motor being arranged on a common shaft. The expander converts the pressure energy contained in the exhaust air into mechanical energy and emits this energy via the common shaft to the compressor. The air mass flow is regulated at a predetermined nominal value via the rotation speed of the compressor, a predetermined operating pressure being set in the fuel cell system at the same time, by matching the suction capacity of the expander.