Motor vehicle having a fuel cell

• US 9,643,492 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2015
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Buchner, Andreas, Bauer, Michael, Haase, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US14/807,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20150328984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 74 1582, 701102
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2025/005 driven by electric motors forming part of the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/00 Auxiliary drives B60K16/00 takes precedence; arrangements of tyre-inflating pumps mounted on vehicles B60C23/10; driving tyre-inflating pumps B60C; driving engine auxiliaries F02B
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/32 characterised by the fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04111 using a compressor turbine assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• 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

In a motor vehicle having a fuel cell, an air compressor provides input air under pressure at the fuel cell and an electric drive motor for driving the motor vehicle, which drive motor can be supplied with electric current by the fuel cell for that purpose, wherein the air compressor is driven by the drive motor.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising:

a fuel cell;

an air compressor configured to provide intake air under pressure to the fuel cell; and

an electric drive motor configured to drive the motor vehicle, wherein the electric drive motor is supplied with electric current by the fuel cell, and wherein the air compressor is driven by the electric drive motor,

wherein the drive motor is connected to the air compressor by way of a torque-transmitting coupling.

2. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque-transmitting coupling is designed with a switchable gear mechanism which can be switched into two stages.

3. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switchable gear mechanism can be coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to a drive axle of the motor vehicle.

4. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switchable gear mechanism can be coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to an air expander configured to discharge waste air under pressure from the fuel cell.

5. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switchable gear mechanism can be coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to an air expander configured to discharge waste air under pressure from the fuel cell.

6. A method for operating a fuel cell in a motor vehicle, comprising the acts of:

providing intake air under pressure to the fuel cell by way of an air compressor;

supplying an electric drive motor with electric current by the fuel cell;

driving the motor vehicle by way of an electric drive motor;

driving the air compressor by the electric drive motor; and

connecting the drive motor to the air compressor by way of a torque-transmitting coupling.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the torque-transmitting coupling is configured with a switchable gear mechanism which is switched into two stages.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switchable gear mechanism is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to a drive axle of the motor vehicle.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the switchable gear mechanism is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to an air expander configured to discharge waste air under pressure from the fuel cell.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switchable gear mechanism is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to an air expander configured to discharge waste air under pressure from the fuel cell.