Temperature regulating system for fuel cells and method for regulating the temperature of fuel cells
First Claim
1. A temperature regulating system for fuel cells (14), comprising at least one electric heating device (2) and at least one cooling element (3), the heating device (2) and the cooling element (3) being connected via a heat bridge to at least one temperature-controlling channel (1) passing through the temperature regulating system, the temperature-controlling channel (1) being connectable in fluid-conducting fashion to a heat transport line (15) which is formed at least between the temperature regulating system and the fuel cell (14) by a temperature-controlling circuit conducting a temperature-controlling fluid, wherein the temperature-controlling channel (1), the cooling element (3) and the heating device (2) are joined to form a temperature-controlling stack (7, 8).
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a temperature regulating system for fuel cells (14) and to a method for regulating the operative temperature of a fuel cell (14). To bring the operating temperature of the fuel cell (14) as fast as possible to a value within a set temperature range and to be able to keep the value within the range, it is provided according to the invention that the temperature regulating system comprises at least one electric heating device (2) which together with at least one cooling element (3) forms a temperature-controlling stack (7, 8).
29 Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A temperature regulating system for fuel cells (14), comprising at least one electric heating device (2) and at least one cooling element (3), the heating device (2) and the cooling element (3) being connected via a heat bridge to at least one temperature-controlling channel (1) passing through the temperature regulating system, the temperature-controlling channel (1) being connectable in fluid-conducting fashion to a heat transport line (15) which is formed at least between the temperature regulating system and the fuel cell (14) by a temperature-controlling circuit conducting a temperature-controlling fluid, wherein the temperature-controlling channel (1), the cooling element (3) and the heating device (2) are joined to form a temperature-controlling stack (7, 8).
- 13. A method for regulating an operating temperature of a fuel cell, wherein a heat flow is conducted from a heating device (2) via a heat transport line (15) to the fuel cell (14), and the heating device (2) is fed from a source of electrical energy or an energy storage device if the operating temperature is below a first set temperature (Tu), and wherein, when a second set temperature (To) is exceeded, the heat flow is conducted from the fuel cell (14) via the heat transport line (15) to a cooling element (3), wherein the heat flow is passed over at least one temperature regulating system (7, 8).
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17. A fuel cell temperature regulating system comprising:
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a temperature controlling channel capable of conducting a fluid and having a side face; an electric heating device having opposing first and second surfaces, the opposing first surface matching the side face of said temperature controlling channel, the opposing first surface contacting the side face; a cooling element having a face, the face matching the opposing second surface of said electric heating device, the face of said cooling element contacting the opposing second surface of said electric heating device, said temperature controlling channel, said electric heating device, and said cooling element joined to form a temperature controlling stack; a heat transport line coupled to said temperature controlling channel; a regulating unit coupled to said heat transport line, whereby fluid flow is regulated; and a control unit coupled to the temperature controlling stack, whereby an operating temperature of a fuel cell can be maintained between a first set temperature and a second set temperature for optimum performance. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification