Fuel cell system with consumption-optimizing unit

• US 20060286419A1
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Gottwick, Ulrich, Binder, Juergen, Schaefert, Arthur
• Application Number:
  US11/451,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20060286419A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/430
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04313 characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0432 Temperature; Ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0438 Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell system which including a fuel cell, a fuel tank and a consumer unit, to improve the operation of a fuel cell, is equipped with a consumption-optimizing unit that limits or interrupts the energy supply to one or more consumers of the consumer unit depending on the fill level of the fuel tank in order to ensure at least the basic function of the fuel cell system for as long as possible.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system, comprising

a fuel cell;

a fuel tank;

a consumer unit; and

a consumption-optimizing unit.

2. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimizing unit is configured so that it monitors a fill level of said fuel tank.

3. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimizing unit is configured so that it monitors a parameter selected from the group consisting of an energy demand, an energy supply, and both to said consumer unit.

4. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimizing and said consumer unit are configured so that different operating modes are provided for said consumption-optimizing unit and said consumer unit to fulfill a primary task of said consumer unit.

5. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimizing unit is configured so that it limits an energy supply to one or more consumers of said consumer unit depending on a fill level of said fuel tank.

6. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimizing unit is configured so that it interrupts an energy supply to one or more consumers depending on a fill level of said fuel tank.

7. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimizing unit is configured so that it limits or interrupts an energy supply to one or more consumers as a function of a priority value of a particular consumer.

8. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimizing unit is configured so that it signals that it is limiting or interrupting an energy supply to one or more consumers.

9. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimizing unit is configured so that it interacts with a navigation system.

10. A fuel cell system as defined in claim 1, wherein said consumption-optimization unit is configured so that it interacts with a tank management device.