Fuel device and the use thereof in a motor vehicle

US11929527B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Mahle International GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Michael Baumann · Herrenberg, DE
• Richard Bruemmer · Stuttgart, DE
• Matthias Gaenswein · Eßlingen, DE
• Sven A. Kaiser · Winnenden, DE
• Frank Von Luetzau · Winnenden, DE
• Jan Schultes · Stuttgart, DE
• Thomas Strauss · Notzingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 20, 2022
• Grant date: Mar 12, 2024
• Expiry date: Jul 20, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T90/40
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A fuel cell device of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The fuel cell device includes a fuel cell, a supply air path leading to the fuel cell for a cathode supply air flow, and an exhaust air path leading away from the fuel cell for a cathode exhaust air flow. The supply air path and the exhaust air path are routed through a humidifier that humidifies the supply air and dehumidifies the exhaust air. The exhaust air path is further routed through a water separator that removes water from the exhaust air to provide evaporation water. A heat exchanger for cooling the fuel cell is provided that has an evaporative cooler for cooling the heat exchanger. The evaporative cooler is assigned to the water separator in fluidic communication and is supplied with evaporation water by the water separator.