Barrier air supply and purge supply of fuel cell system through air reservoir

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for protecting a fuel cell system (5), in particular switched off, comprising: determining (S20) state data, the state data describing influencing factors of moisture condensation in the fuel cell system; on the basis of the status data, barrier air is provided (S40 ') in at least a portion of the fuel cell system (5) and / or at least a portion of the fuel cell system (5) is purged (S40) by means of a gas from a pressure vessel of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for protecting a shut-down fuel cell system, a system for monitoring the purging of a part of a fuel cell system and / or the provision of barrier air in a part of a fuel cell system, and a computer program or a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] In a fuel cell system, condensate or condensed water usually forms in a part of the fuel cell system under certain conditions. The fuel cell system is usually arranged to remove condensate or condensed water from the fuel cell system which occurs during operation of the fuel cell system. In particular, when a vehicle operated with a fuel cell or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is switched off, in particular when a part of the fuel cell system is shut down or deactivated, the fuel cell system is usually no longer able to remove condensate or condensed water. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is, in particular, mainly to improve the reliability of the fuel cell system, in particular when the fuel cell of the fuel cell system, a majority of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system, or a fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) having a fuel cell system is shut down, in particular at least a part of the fuel cell system, in particular a majority of the fuel cell system is shut down.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the teaching of the independent claim. Various embodiments and developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the solution proposed herein relates to a method for protecting a fuel cell system, in particular for protecting a shut-down fuel cell system. In some embodiments of the invention, the method comprises determining state data. In some embodiments, the state data describes a state, in particular an external state, of at least a portion of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a barrier air in the at least a portion of the fuel cell system and / or purging the at least a portion of the fuel cell system based on the state data.

[0006] Various exemplary embodiments of the method are described below, which, unless expressly excluded or technically infeasible, can each be combined arbitrarily with one another and with other aspects of the inventive solution described further on.

[0007] In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining fuel cell system data. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system data describes a state, in particular an internal state, of at least a portion of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the provision of barrier air in at least a portion of the fuel cell system and / or the purging of at least a portion of the fuel cell system is based, in particular additionally based, on the fuel cell system data.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method includes providing barrier air in at least a portion of the fuel cell system and / or purging at least a portion of the fuel cell system based on the status data and / or the fuel cell system data.

[0009] In some embodiments, the provision and / or purging of barrier air is performed by means of gas from a pressure vessel, in particular from a compressed air storage device or a compressed air tank. In some embodiments, the provision and / or purging of barrier air is performed by means of gas from a pressure vessel, in particular from a compressed air storage device or a compressed air tank, additionally or alternatively, in particular using gas from a pressure vessel in a fuel cell system, in particular a vehicle and / or FCEV with a fuel cell system, which is usually used for tasks other than purging and / or providing. In one embodiment, the pressure vessel is at least (in addition to other and / or common uses of the pressure vessel) additionally used to provide barrier air and / or for purging with the aid of barrier air, in particular with the aid of gas, or the pressure vessel is a pressure vessel designed for this purpose. In one embodiment, a pressure vessel that is only used for purging and / or providing barrier air with the aid of gas is not used, or a pressure vessel designed only for this purpose is not used. In one embodiment, the pressure vessel is configured to be additionally used for the barrier air provision and / or purging described herein.

[0010] In some embodiments, the method comprises: shutting down the fuel cell system, in particular shutting down (“Shutdown”) a (sub)system of the fuel cell system, so that the fuel cell system is in a stationary state or “shutdown” state. In some embodiments, the method comprises: determining whether the fuel cell system is shut down, in particular determining whether a part of the fuel cell system is deactivated, in particular whether it corresponds to a fuel cell system state that is (usually) regarded or considered as “shutdown”. In some embodiments, the determination of the state data and / or the determination of the fuel cell system data is performed after the fuel cell system is shut down, in particular as long as the fuel cell system is in the shut down state. In particular, in some embodiments, the determination of the state data may include: determining the “shutdown” state of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, “shutdown” as used herein may be understood as meaning that the fuel cell system is no longer able to provide (dry) air, in particular (dry) gas, in particular no longer able to protect all or at least some parts from the formation of condensate, in particular by an air flow and / or a gas flow flowing through at least a part of the fuel cell system.

[0011] In some embodiments, "gas" is to be understood here as a fluid, more particularly as a pure gas or a gas mixture. In some embodiments, "gas" is to be understood here as an inert fluid, particularly an inert gas or an inert gas mixture. In some embodiments, "gas" is to be understood here as a fluid with a relative humidity of less than 2%, a dry gas or dry air, particularly a fluid with trace humidity / trace moisture of less than 200 ppm or less than 60 ppm.

[0012] In some embodiments, it is thus advantageously possible to prevent the penetration of (condensed) water and thus in particular prevent faults in the high-voltage system of the fuel cell system, HV (high voltage) insulation faults and / or corrosion in the system, in particular by "purging" condensate or condensate accumulations, in particular by "purging" humid air and / or gases with a high moisture content. In some embodiments, this can advantageously be achieved without starting up parts of the fuel cell system or the (entire) fuel cell system.

[0013] In some embodiments, the state data include or describe at least one of the following values: the service life of the fuel cell system; the activation state of the fuel cell system, in particular whether the fuel cell system is turned off; the wind direction, in particular the wind direction relative to the main axis of the fuel cell system; the parking position of the fuel cell system, in particular the GPS position; in particular the external temperature and the external temperature variation curve at the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the state data may also include or describe other values, in particular publicly available values, in particular from (public) weather databases and / or weather forecasts, in particular at the determined "parking" position of the fuel cell system. In other words, in some embodiments, at least part of the state data is obtained from an external data source, in particular using an online available data source, in particular data at or relative to the location of the fuel cell system, in particular data from a meteorological service station, such as in particular temperature data, wind speed and / or wind direction data, and further in particular predictions of said data.

[0014] In some embodiments, it is thereby advantageously possible to determine or be able to determine a current state and / or a future state of the fuel cell system, in particular a corresponding state value, in particular at the (current) position of the fuel cell system. In other words, in some embodiments, it is advantageously possible to determine a prediction of the state of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the prediction can be used to determine (in particular based on the state data and / or fuel cell system data) whether condensate or condensed water is expected to form for at least a part of the fuel cell system, in particular whether the formed condensate will freeze, or whether the probability of the formed condensate freezing is higher than a predetermined probability.

[0015] In some embodiments, the determination of state data and / or the determination of fuel cell system data comprises: predicting the evolution of values ​​of these data.

[0016] Advantageously, therefore, the actual state of the fuel cell system can be supplemented or augmented by a prediction of the actual state of the fuel cell system.

[0017] In some embodiments, determining the state data includes: combining multiple state data, in particular deriving or calculating a prediction of at least one of the values ​​(described by the state data); and / or using a mathematical model, artificial intelligence or a lookup table (English: Lookup Table) to use the determined value to determine the state of the fuel cell system or predict the state of the fuel cell system, in particular to determine whether the fuel cell system is or will be under conditions that cause or may cause condensate to form.

[0018] In some embodiments, it is thereby advantageously possible to determine whether the fuel cell system has been switched off, in particular whether the fuel cell system has been shut down. In other words, in some embodiments, it is possible to determine with the aid of the status data whether the fuel cell system, in particular parts of the fuel cell system, is or will be exposed to environmental conditions that cause or may cause condensate or condensed water to freeze.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fuel cell system data includes or describes at least one of the following values: the moisture content, in particular the relative humidity, of at least a portion of the fuel cell system; the condensate formation and / or the amount of condensate in at least a portion of the fuel cell system; the temperature of at least a portion of the fuel cell system and the temperature variation curve of at least a portion of the fuel cell system.

[0020] In one embodiment, it is thereby advantageously possible to take into account or take into account different cooling properties of various components of the fuel cell system and / or to improve or improve the purging of components of the fuel cell system as a function of their cooling properties.

[0021] In some embodiments, the purging is performed by means of a gas, in particular by means of compressed air and / or by means of hydrogen and / or by means of an inert gas, in particular nitrogen or argon. In some embodiments, a "barrier air" is provided by means of a gas, in particular by means of compressed air and / or hydrogen, and / or a gas, in particular an inert gas, in particular nitrogen or argon. Thus, in some embodiments, it is advantageously possible to prevent the freezing of parts of the fuel cell system in which condensate may form, in particular at low external temperatures (at or below the freezing point). The term "barrier air" as used herein is preferably to be understood as a fluid, a fluid mixture, in particular a gas or a gas mixture. "Barrier air" is preferably to be understood as not limiting in generality, in particular "barrier air" should not be limited to "air" in the popular sense.

[0022] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fuel cell system is on the cathode side of the fuel cell system or is the cathode branch of the fuel cell system, or at least a portion of the fuel cell system is on the anode side of the fuel cell system or is the anode branch of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the purging or provision of barrier air is performed on the cathode side or in the cathode branch by means of compressed air, in particular an inert gas, in particular nitrogen, and the purging or provision of barrier air is performed on the anode side or in the anode branch by means of hydrogen and / or by means of an inert gas, preferably by means of hydrogen.

[0023] In some embodiments, it is thereby advantageously possible to purge fuel cell system parts in a manner adapted to their properties with a gas adapted to these properties, or to provide or be able to provide a corresponding barrier air.

[0024] In some embodiments, the purging of at least part of the fuel cell system or the provision of barrier air in at least part of the fuel cell system is performed by means of a controllable, in particular adjustable, valve control device, wherein the valve control device has at least one valve.

[0025] In some embodiments, it is thereby advantageously possible to purge individual parts of the fuel cell system individually or to supply individual parts of the fuel cell system with barrier air individually, in particular in parallel and / or sequentially.

[0026] In some embodiments, the method is performed at a predetermined time after the fuel cell system is shut down and / or at predetermined (time) intervals. Alternatively or additionally, the method is performed randomly or continuously.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method includes: repeating the steps described herein, in particular in some embodiments, repeatedly determining status data and / or determining fuel cell system data and providing blocking air or performing a purge based on the status data and / or fuel cell system data, in particular as long as the fuel cell system is shut down.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method is performed without starting the (entire) fuel cell system, in particular without starting or putting into operation an electric turbocharger of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, this advantageously limits or avoids the generation of (loud) noise due to starting the entire system, which can startle or irritate people in the environment. More specifically, in some embodiments, in situations where there is a risk of icing, it can be avoided that the fuel cell system must be "woke up" in order to be able to purge at least a part of the fuel cell system and / or to provide it with insulating air. In some embodiments, the method is performed when the fuel cell system is shut down, in particular in partial operation and / or in an operating state in which the formation of condensate in at least a part of the system is not (any longer) prevented.

[0029] In some embodiments, the fuel cell system is a mobile fuel cell system, in particular a fuel cell system that at least partially runs a vehicle or at least partially provides electrical energy and / or heat to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the term "vehicle" should be understood in particular as a fuel cell system that is designed to be mobile, in particular at least partially used to move the vehicle forward, or at least participates in generating energy for moving the vehicle forward and / or current or energy supply for the vehicle, in particular as an "auxiliary power unit" (APU) or the like. In some embodiments, "vehicle" should be understood as a mobile vehicle and / or a mobile transport vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, a truck (LKW), a car, a ship or an aircraft, in particular an aircraft (in particular an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle) or an eSTOL (electric short take-off and landing vehicle)) or a rotorcraft. In some embodiments, the method includes: shutting down the vehicle, in particular shutting down ("Shutdown") the system of the vehicle, so that the vehicle is in a stationary state or a "shutdown" state. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining whether the vehicle is switched off, in particular determining whether parts of the vehicle and / or parts of the fuel cell system are deactivated, in particular corresponding to a vehicle state which is (usually) regarded as “switched off”. In some embodiments, the determination of the status data and / or the determination of the fuel cell system data is performed after the vehicle is switched off, in particular as long as the vehicle is in the switched off state. In some embodiments, the determination of the status data may in particular comprise determining the “switched off” state of the vehicle.

[0030] A second aspect of the solution proposed herein relates to a system for monitoring the purging of at least a portion of a fuel cell system and / or the provision of barrier air in at least a portion of a fuel cell system, in particular at least a portion of a fuel cell system of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system is configured to perform the method described herein.

[0031] It is thereby advantageously possible in some embodiments, in particular when the fuel cell system and / or a vehicle having a fuel cell system does not have the system described herein, and in particular under conditions which would normally lead to condensate freezing or increased condensate formation, in particular under conditions which would (usually) lead to condensate causing malfunctions in the fuel cell system if the condensate could not or could not be removed.

[0032] The features and advantages explained in relation to the first aspect of the invention also apply correspondingly to the other aspects of the invention.

[0033] Preferably, the method according to the first aspect is designed to be performed with the aid of the system according to the invention according to the second aspect, in particular the system embodiment described herein. Preferably, the system according to the invention is designed to perform the method according to the first aspect, in particular the method embodiment described herein.

[0034] In some embodiments, the system, in particular the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle with the fuel cell system has a pressure vessel or a compressed air storage or a compressed air tank, in particular with an additional or extended pressure vessel. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel is configured, in particular additionally configured, for purging at least a portion of the fuel cell system with gas in an adjustable manner or supplying barrier air to at least a portion of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, "additionally" as used herein may relate to such a pressure vessel in a vehicle, which is generally used for pressurization of brakes, etc., and is not configured for purging and / or providing barrier air. In some embodiments, the system has at least one adjustable valve (using a valve control device) for this purpose, and the valve is configured to regulate the gas flow from the pressure vessel. In some embodiments, the system, in particular the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle with the fuel cell system has a compressed air storage, in particular an extended compressed air storage, in particular an extended compressed air storage relative to a vehicle without the system described herein, and further in particular a vehicle without a system configured to perform the method described herein.

[0035] This advantageously enables the purging of system parts or the provision of barrier air in system parts to be performed independently, in particular without having to activate the fuel cell system part, in particular without having to activate the entire fuel cell system. In one embodiment, the fuel cell system can advantageously remain in a stopped state, in particular the system can advantageously (nevertheless) be purged or provided with barrier air.

[0036] In some embodiments, the system has a plurality of valves, in particular a plurality of adjustable valves, in particular a valve adjustable by a valve control device. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of valves is respectively connected to a motor housing and / or a turbine side of an electric turbocharger (English: Electric Turbo Charger; ETC), a valve of an anode separator / anode knock-out (English: Anode knock-out, AKO), in particular a drain valve (English: Drain-Valve), in particular to purge said parts or provide barrier air in said parts, in particular so that the connection between the pressure vessel and the corresponding part of the fuel cell system is affected by the valve, in particular regulated by the valve. In some embodiments, at least one of the multiple valves is respectively connected to a purge valve (English: Purge-Valve) of the anode separator, further, in particular, a subsequent anode separator collecting line and / or an anode separator heating line to an exhaust pipe (English: Exhaust pipe), in particular, a cathode separator / cathode separator (English: Cathode Knock Out; CKO) in an air processing unit (English: Air processing unit; APU) of the fuel cell system, in particular, a drain valve (English: Drain-Valve) of the cathode separator, and further, in particular, a subsequent cathode separator heating line to the exhaust pipe, in particular, to purge the said parts or provide barrier air in the said parts, in particular, so that the connection between the pressure vessel and the corresponding part of the fuel cell system is affected by the valve, in particular, regulated by the valve. In some embodiments, at least one of the multiple valves is respectively connected to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, the anode side of the fuel cell stack and / or the hydrogen recirculation blower (HRB), especially the hydrogen recirculation blower of the anode feed unit (AFU) of the fuel cell system, especially for purging the said parts or providing barrier air in the said parts, especially so that the connection between the pressure vessel and the corresponding part of the fuel cell system is affected by the valve, especially regulated by the valve.

[0037] In some embodiments, it is thus advantageously possible that a part of the fuel cell system, in particular the part of the fuel cell system, is purged and / or supplied with barrier air individually, in particular when a predetermined value for the fuel cell system part is undershot or exceeded, according to fuel cell system data, in particular according to its (individualized) cooling performance, in particular its temperature profile and / or its current temperature, according to the amount of condensate or condensed water present in this part, according to the degree of humidity present in this part, and / or according to status data (as described herein). In some embodiments, it is thus advantageously possible to protect the fuel cell system, in particular to facilitate the start-up of the fuel cell system, to prevent or prevent faults in the fuel cell system, in particular HV (high voltage) faults, and / or to (completely) achieve or enable the start-up of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the term "under" may refer to being under a predetermined value, in particular a predetermined value for temperature, temperature prediction, etc. In some embodiments, the term "exceeding" may refer to exceeding a predetermined value, in particular a condensate content, a (relative) humidity, a water content, a cooling rate, etc.

[0038] The system and / or measures in the sense of the present invention can be implemented with hardware technology and / or software technology, in particular with at least one processing unit, in particular a digital processing unit, in particular a microprocessor unit (CPU), a graphics card (GPU), etc., which is preferably connected to a memory system and / or a bus system for data or signals, and / or with one or more programs or program modules. The processing unit can be designed to process commands implemented as programs stored in the memory system, obtain input signals from a data bus, and / or output output signals to the data bus. The memory system can have one or more, in particular different storage media, in particular optical, magnetic, solid-state and / or other non-volatile media. The program can be implemented so that it embodies or can implement the method described herein, so that the processing unit can implement the steps of this method and can thus in particular operate or monitor, in particular protect the fuel cell system.

[0039] In some embodiments, the system has means for determining status data, means for determining fuel cell system data, and means for providing barrier air and / or means for purging at least a portion of the fuel cell system.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method is performed only with the use of the system described herein, in particular the pressure vessel and the means for acquiring status data, the means for acquiring fuel cell system data and the means for providing barrier air or the means for purging, in particular without the use of the following systems, devices, modules, etc., which are active or activated when the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle with the fuel cell system is not shut down but in particular started. In some embodiments, the means for providing barrier air and / or the means for purging are at least one processing unit, in particular a valve control device, which is configured to open and / or close at least one valve, in particular when the value of the determined status data and / or fuel cell system data exceeds a predetermined value or falls below a predetermined value. In some embodiments, at least one processing unit, in particular a valve control device, is integrated into at least one valve or is located outside the valve, in particular a processing unit configured to adjust at least one valve.

[0041] In one embodiment, the computer program product may have, in particular, be, in particular, a computer-readable and / or non-volatile storage medium for storing a program or instructions, or the storage medium has a program stored thereon or instructions stored thereon. In one embodiment, the execution of the program or instructions by a system or control device, in particular a computer, or a device consisting of multiple computers, causes the system or control device, in particular the computer or the multiple computers, to implement one or more of the methods described herein or their steps, or the program or instructions are provided for this purpose.

[0042] The computer program can be stored in particular on a non-volatile data carrier. Preferably, the data carrier is a data carrier in the form of an optical data carrier or a flash memory module. This can be advantageous if the computer program itself should be sold independently of the processor platform (on which one or more programs can be executed). In another embodiment, the computer program can exist as a data file on a data processing unit, in particular a server, and can be downloaded via a data connection, such as the Internet or a dedicated data connection (such as a proprietary network or a local area network). In addition, the computer program can have a plurality of separate program modules that act together. These modules can be configured in particular or can be used to be executed in a distributed computing (English: "Distributed computing") manner on different devices (computers or processor units) that are geographically separated from each other and connected to each other via a data network.

[0043] Accordingly, the system can have a program memory in which the computer program is stored. Alternatively, the system can also be configured to access an external computer program, for example available on one or more servers or other data processing units, via a communication connection, in particular to exchange data therewith, which are used during the execution of the method or the computer program or are outputs of the computer program.

[0044] In one embodiment, one or more steps, in particular all steps of the method are performed completely or partially automatically, in particular by a control device or its component(s). Within the scope of the invention, it is also included here to perform the method steps described above in another order and / or to combine the method steps and / or to integrate one method step into another method step.

[0045] The terms "comprises," "comprising," "containing," "having," "having," "with," or any other variations thereof as may be used herein are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. That is, for example, a method or apparatus comprising or having a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may contain other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such method or apparatus.

[0046] In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or rather than an exclusive "or". For example, condition A or B is satisfied by one of the following conditions: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0047] The terms "a" and "an" as used herein are defined as meaning "one or more." The terms "another" and "other" and any other variations thereof should be understood to mean "at least one additional."

[0048] The terms "configured to" or "set to" fulfill a certain function (and its corresponding variants) as may be used herein are to be understood as meaning that the relevant device or its components are already present in the following design or setting scheme, in which the device or its components can realize the function or the device or its components can at least be set - that is, configured - to realize the function after the corresponding setting. In this case, the configuration can be achieved, for example, by correspondingly setting process parameters or adjusting switches or the like for activating or deactivating functions or settings. In particular, the device can have a plurality of predetermined configurations or operating modes, so that the configuration can be carried out by selecting one of these configurations or operating modes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Further advantages, features and application possibilities of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0050] in:

[0051] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0052] Figure 2 A flow chart is shown for illustrating a preferred specific embodiment of the method according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In the figures, the same reference numerals represent the same, similar or corresponding elements. The elements shown in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale. On the contrary, the individual elements shown in the figures are drawn so that those skilled in the art can understand their functions and general use. Unless otherwise clearly stated, the connections and couplings between the individual functional units and elements shown in the figures can also be implemented as indirect connections or couplings. The functional units can especially be implemented as hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0054] Figure 1 A system 1 having a fuel cell system 5 is schematically shown. The system 1 has valves V1 to Vn, which are respectively connected to a part of the fuel cell system 5. In addition, the system 1 has a pressure vessel 10, which is connected to the parts of the fuel cell system 5 via the valves V1 to Vn in such a way that the valves V1 to Vn provide a certain amount of compressed air from the pressure vessel 10, in particular regulate or are designed to regulate the compressed air flow to a part of the fuel cell system 5, and / or provide or are configured to provide a certain amount of compressed air from the pressure vessel 10, in particular as barrier air in a part of the fuel cell system of the fuel cell system 5 connected via corresponding valves V1 to Vn. Figure 1 In , the valve V1 is arranged to purge at least a part of the fuel cell system 5 (here exemplarily at least a part of the electric turbocharger ETC) or to provide it with barrier air. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the valve V2 is arranged to purge at least a part of the fuel cell system 5 (here, exemplarily at least a part of the anode separator AKO) or to provide it with barrier air. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the valve V3 is configured to purge at least a portion of the fuel cell system 5 (here exemplarily at least a portion of the air handling unit APU) or to provide barrier air thereto. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the valve V4 is configured to purge at least a portion of the fuel cell system 5 (here exemplarily at least a portion of the fuel cell stack module (English: stack assembly module; SAM)) or to provide barrier air thereto. Figure 1In some embodiments, the system 1 includes a plurality of valves, such as in Figure 1 In the example shown by the reference symbol Vn. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the valve Vn is arranged to purge at least a part of the fuel cell system 5 (here exemplarily at least a part of the anode supply unit AFU) or to provide barrier air thereto. Figure 1 2 shows a fuel cell port FCI, which in particular (in some embodiments) can be used to determine fuel cell system data, in particular is configured for this purpose, in particular is connected in data communication with the fuel cell system data.

[0055] Figure 2 A method 100 for protecting a fuel cell system 5 of a vehicle is schematically shown. The method 100 includes: shutting down the fuel cell system S10 or determining whether the fuel cell system is shut down; determining state data S20; and determining fuel cell system data S30. In some embodiments, this may include: determining a temperature S20' and / or determining a relative humidity S30', which may be Figure 2 Based on the (determined) state data and the (determined) fuel cell system data, if the determined state data and / or the determined fuel cell system data are below or exceed a (predetermined) value, at least a portion of the fuel cell system is purged S40, and in some embodiments, barrier air is provided in at least a portion of the fuel cell system S40'. Purging and / or providing barrier air may be performed depending on the portion of the fuel cell system, which may be Figure 2 This is shown by way of example by the dashed line at S40 ′. Furthermore, the method can be repeated as many times as desired (shown here by dashed arrows), in particular as long as the fuel cell system is switched off.

[0056] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been described above, it should be noted that there are many variations. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described represent only non-limiting examples and are not intended to limit the scope, application possibilities, or configuration of the apparatus and methods described herein. On the contrary, the above description provides guidance for those skilled in the art to implement at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein it should be understood that various changes may be made in the working mode and the arrangement of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the subject matter correspondingly identified in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0057] List of reference numerals:

[0058] 1 System

[0059] 5. Fuel Cell System

[0060] 10Pressure vessels / compressed air storage

[0061] V1 to Vn valves

[0062] APU Air Handling Unit

[0063] AFU Anode Feed Unit

[0064] AKO Anode Separator

[0065] CKO cathode separator

[0066] ETC Electric Turbocharger

[0067] FCI Fuel Cell Ports

[0068] SAM fuel cell module

[0069] 100 Methods

[0070] S10 shutdown

[0071] S20 confirms the status data

[0072] S20' Determine the temperature

[0073] S30 Determine the fuel cell system data

[0074] S30' Determine relative humidity

[0075] S40 Purge

[0076] S40' provides barrier air.

Claims

1. A method (100) for protecting a fuel cell system (5), in particular a shut-down fuel cell system, the method comprising: - determining (S20) status data, wherein the status data describes factors influencing moisture condensation in the fuel cell system; and - Based on the status data, barrier air is provided (S40') in at least a part of the fuel cell system (5) and / or at least a part of the fuel cell system (5) is purged (S40) with the aid of gas from a pressure vessel of the vehicle, the pressure vessel being additionally configured for this purpose.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The method comprises: Determining (S30) fuel cell system data of the at least a portion of the fuel cell system of the fuel cell system (5), wherein the fuel cell system data describes a state of the at least a portion of the fuel cell system of the fuel cell system (5); Based on the fuel cell system data, barrier air is provided (S40') in at least a portion of the fuel cell system (5) and / or at least a portion of the fuel cell system (5) is purged (S40) by means of gas from a pressure vessel of the vehicle.

3. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The status data includes at least one of the following values: the service life of the fuel cell system; the wind direction; the location; the external temperature and the external temperature variation curve, and / or The fuel cell system data comprises at least one of the following values: the moisture content of at least a portion of the fuel cell system of the fuel cell system (5); the condensate formation and / or the amount of condensate in at least a portion of the fuel cell system of the fuel cell system (5); the temperature of at least a portion of the fuel cell system of the fuel cell system (5) and the temperature profile of at least a portion of the fuel cell system of the fuel cell system (5).

4. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The purging and / or provision of the barrier atmosphere is carried out by means of a gas, in particular by means of hydrogen and / or by means of compressed air, in particular by means of an inert gas, in particular by means of nitrogen or argon.

5. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) is a cathode branch which is purged and / or supplied with a gas, in particular with an inert gas and / or with compressed air; or The at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) is an anode branch of the fuel cell system (5) which is purged and / or supplied with an inert gas and / or hydrogen.

6. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The purging (S40) of at least a part of the fuel cell system (5) or the provision (S40') of barrier air in at least a part of the fuel cell system (5) is performed with the aid of a controllable, in particular adjustable valve control device having at least one valve (V1; Vn), in particular by controlling, in particular regulating, in particular opening or closing the at least one valve.

7. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least a portion of the status data is obtained from an external data source.

8. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method (100) is performed at a predetermined time after the vehicle is switched off and / or the method is performed at predetermined time intervals.

9. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method (100) comprises, on the one hand, repeated determination and, on the other hand, repeated flushing and / or providing.

10. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method (100) is performed when the fuel cell system (5) is switched off or when the fuel cell system (5) is in partial operation.

11. A system (1) for monitoring the purging (S40) of at least a part of a fuel cell system (5) and / or the provision (S40') of barrier air in a part of a fuel cell system (5), the system being configured to perform a method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The system (1) comprises a pressure vessel (10), which is configured, in particular additionally configured, in particular by means of a valve control device, to purge (S40) at least a part of the fuel cell system (5) with gas or to supply (S40') insulating air to at least a part of the fuel cell system (5).

13. System (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The system (1), in particular the valve control device, has a plurality of valves (V1; Vn), which are arranged in a flow connection between a pressure vessel (10) and at least a part of the fuel cell system (5), and the system (1), in particular the valve control device, is also configured to influence, in particular regulate, the amount of gas.

14. A computer program or a computer program product, wherein: A computer program or a computer program product comprises instructions, which are in particular stored on a computer-readable and / or non-volatile storage medium, and which, when executed by one or more computers or by a system (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, cause the one or more computers or the system (1) to perform a method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images