Method for localising a gas leak in a fuel cell system
First Claim
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1. A method for localizing a gas leak in a fuel cell system having a number of fuel cells, comprising:
- supplying fuel gas to an anode gas space of the fuel cells and supplying oxidation gas to a cathode gas space of the fuel cells;
interrupting the supply of operating gas to at least one of the two gas spaces of the fuel cells;
purging the gas space of the fuel cells, from which the operating gas supply has been disconnected, with an inert gas; and
monitoring the cell voltage of the fuel cells, wherein the fuel cells are in electrical contact with a discharge resistor.
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Abstract
Undetected gas leaks in a fuel cell can lead to a fire inside the fuel cell and thus to the destruction of the fuel cell. A method is for localizing a gas leak inside a fuel cell system including a number of fuel cells. After supplying the fuel cells with the fuel gases, the fuel gas supply to at least one of the two gas chambers of the fuel cells is interrupted. The gas chamber which is separated from the fuel gas supply is rinsed with an inert gas. The fuel cells are brought into electrical contact with a discharging resistor or are already in contact therewith, and the cell voltage of the fuel cells is monitored.
14 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for localizing a gas leak in a fuel cell system having a number of fuel cells, comprising:
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supplying fuel gas to an anode gas space of the fuel cells and supplying oxidation gas to a cathode gas space of the fuel cells;
interrupting the supply of operating gas to at least one of the two gas spaces of the fuel cells;
purging the gas space of the fuel cells, from which the operating gas supply has been disconnected, with an inert gas; and
monitoring the cell voltage of the fuel cells, wherein the fuel cells are in electrical contact with a discharge resistor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for localizing a gas leak in a fuel cell system having a number of fuel cells, comprising:
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means for supplying fuel gas to a first gas space of the fuel cells and supplying oxidation gas to a second gas space of the fuel cells;
means for interrupting the supply of operating gas to at least one of the two gas spaces of the fuel cells;
means for purging the gas space of the fuel cells, from which the operating gas supply has been interrupted, with an inert gas; and
means for monitoring the cell voltage of the fuel cells, wherein the fuel cells are in electrical contact with a discharge resistor.
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23. A method for localizing a gas leak in a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cells, comprising:
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supplying fuel gas to a first gas space of the fuel cells and supplying oxidation gas to a second gas space of the fuel cells;
interrupting the supply of operating gas to at least one of the two gas spaces of the fuel cells;
purging the gas space of the fuel cells, from which the operating gas supply has been interrupted, with an inert gas; and
monitoring the cell voltage of the fuel cells, wherein the fuel cells are in electrical contact with a discharge resistor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification