Method and device for improving the service life of a fuel cell at transitions in operation

US8563187B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Frank Baumann · Hayward, US
• Florian Wahl · Lohr, DE
• Arthur Schaefert · Bühl, DE
• Sebastian Maass · Renningen, DE
• Jens Intorp · Stuttgart, DE
• Gunter Wiedemann · Ludwigsburg, DE
• Wolfgang Friede · Ludwigsburg, DE
• Uwe Limbeck · Tauberbischofsheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 21, 2009
• Grant date: Oct 22, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 17, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The subject of the present invention relates to a method and a protector for reducing degradation of fuel cell systems at transitions in operation, in particular at electrodes or catalysts in a combustion chamber of a stack of a PEM fuel cell system in startup and shutoff events of the fuel cell system. A switchable material delivery device is provided for varying a delivery of material to the fuel cell system, so that a transition from a first state of the fuel cell system to a second state of the fuel cell system can be initiated, such that a potential difference between different electrodes can be effected. At least one reducing mechanism is provided for reducing the potential difference between the different electrodes during the transition, in which the reducing mechanism includes at least one compensating device for an unequal gas distribution by reducing the proportions causing degradation, to reduce degradation. The compensation device includes at least one short-circuiting unit, with which the different electrodes can be short-circuited, in order to reduce the potential difference.