Connection for a distribution network

• US 6,746,250 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NuCellSys GmbH (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Blutbacher, Reinhold
• Primary Examiner(s): GILMAN, ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US10/398,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20040058586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 238 Days
• Field of Search: 439/34, 439/489, 439/188, 439/299, 439/552, 307/10.1, 307/9.1, 307/10.5, 340/636, 340/638, 320/25, 320/48
• US Class Current: 439/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/40 Adaptation of control equipment on vehicle for remote actuation from a stationary place devices along the route for controlling devices on rail vehicles B61L3/00; central rail-traffic control systems B61L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0007 Measures or means for preventing or attenuating collisions
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0053 relating to fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/10 Indicating wheel slip ; Correction of wheel slip
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/33 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04298 Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/06 Two-wire systems
• 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

The invention relates to a mobile device comprising an apparatus for generating electric energy, which is connected to an energy distribution network containing branches to the electric loads. A switching and distribution unit connected to the energy generating system comprises a switch which is arranged upstream from the branches. The loads are connected to the switching and distribution unit by means of flexible conductors with connectors on their ends. Means are provided to ensure that the connectors can only be separated when there is no current.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

(a) an energy generating system;

(b) an electrical load; and

(c) an energy distribution network comprising a branch coupling the energy generating system and the electrical load,

wherein, the energy distribution network further comprises;

(i) a switching means;

(ii) a switching plug-in connector element coupled to the switching means;

(iii) a load plug-in connector element coupled to the electrical load; and

(iv) a flexible line comprising a first plug-in connector element, adapted to engage the switching plug-in connector element, and a second plug-in connector element, adapted to engage the load plug-in connector element,

wherein, each of the plug-in connector elements have a branch contact for forming an electrical connection between the energy generating system and the electrical load, and each of the first and second plug-in connector elements have a device with a contact means for opening and closing a line section of a control circuit of the energy distribution network, and

wherein, when the first and second plug-in connector elements are joined to, or separated from, the switching plug-in connector element and the load plug-in connector element, respectively, the contact means close later, or open earlier, than the branch contacts, and

wherein, when the contact means are closed, the switching means is closed, and when the contact means are open, the switching means is open.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the switching means is a switch-disconnector or a power circuit-breaker.

4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the device with a contact means is a contact bridge or cable link with connector contacts which may be coupled to connector contacts in the switching plug-in connector element and the load plug-in connector element.

5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the device with a contact means is a switching device which is closed when the plug-in connector elements are joined and open when the plug-in connector elements are separated.

6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the energy distribution network further comprises:

a first control unit, adapted to monitor the contact means of the second plug-in connector element; and

a second control unit, adapted to control the switching means, wherein the first and second control units are connected via a bus.

7. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is coupled to the second control unit and is closed when the plug-in connector elements are joined.

8. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the energy distribution network further comprises an auxiliary voltage source which is coupled to an operating coil of the switching means by the second control unit when the contact means are closed.

9. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the energy generating system comprises a fuel cell having an output voltage of the same magnitude as the low-voltage of a heavy-current network.

10. The mobile device of claim 9, wherein the auxiliary voltage source has the operating voltage of an electrical network having a lower nominal voltage than the energy distribution network and comprises a storage battery.

11. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein:

the first control unit comprises a first processor, which has a first input coupled to a tap of the device of the second plug-in connector element and to the auxiliary voltage source when the contact means are closed;

the first processor is connected to the second control unit via the bus; and

the second control unit comprises a second processor, which has a second input coupled to a tap of the device of the first plug-in connector element and to the auxiliary voltage source when the contact means are closed.

12. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector elements are joined by a double mechanical interlock comprising:

a first locking mechanism, which engages after the branch contacts have joined; and

a second locking mechanism, which engages after the contact means have closed,

wherein the first locking mechanism may only be disengaged after the second locking mechanism has been disengaged.

13. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a motor vehicle.

3. The mobile device of claim wherein separating the plug-in connector elements under a load brings the mobile device to a standstill.