Fuel cell system and vehicle with fuel cell system

Abstract

The technology disclosed herein relates to a fuel cell system (10) comprising: a fuel cell (14) with a cathode (15) and an anode (16), a cathode inlet path (30) for directing cathode gas into the cathode (15), a cathode exhaust path (31) for directing cathode exhaust from the cathode (15), a gas treatment arrangement (40) for changing the gas properties of the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path (30) and / or the cathode exhaust in the cathode exhaust path (31), and a bypass arrangement (50) for diverting the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path (30) and / or for diverting the cathode exhaust in the cathode exhaust path (31), wherein at least a part of the bypass arrangement (50) is designed as an integral component of at least a part of the gas treatment arrangement (40). The disclosed technology further relates to a vehicle (100) with the proposed fuel cell system (10).

Description

[0001] The present technology relates to a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell with an anode and a cathode, a cathode inlet path for conducting cathode gas into the cathode, a cathode exhaust path for conducting cathode exhaust from the cathode, a gas treatment arrangement for modifying the gas properties of the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path and / or the cathode exhaust in the cathode exhaust path, and a bypass arrangement for diverting the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path and / or the cathode exhaust in the cathode exhaust path. The technology disclosed herein further relates to a vehicle with a fuel cell system.

[0002] Fuel cell systems typically comprise a fuel cell with an anode and a cathode. Furthermore, these systems each comprise an anode subsystem and a cathode subsystem. Typical functional components of a cathode subsystem are a compressor for compressing a cathode gas, a charge air cooler for cooling the compressed cathode gas, a humidifier for humidifying the cooled cathode gas, and a turbine for expanding cathode exhaust gas from the cathode and for driving the compressor. Furthermore, bypass devices are known by means of which cathode gas on its way to the cathode and cathode exhaust gas from the cathode can be selectively bypassed around selected functional components.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that can be operated more efficiently and a vehicle with such a fuel cell system.

[0004] The above object is achieved by the patent claims. In particular, the above object is achieved by the fuel cell system according to claim 1 and the vehicle according to the dependent claim. Further advantages of the technology disclosed herein emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the figures. Features described in connection with the fuel cell system also apply in connection with the vehicle, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects, reference is and / or can always be made to each other.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present technology, a fuel cell system is proposed comprising a fuel cell with a cathode and an anode, a cathode inlet path for conducting cathode gas into the cathode, and a cathode exhaust path for conducting cathode exhaust from the cathode. The fuel cell system further comprises a gas treatment arrangement for modifying the gas properties of the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path and / or the cathode exhaust in the cathode exhaust path. The gas treatment arrangement comprises a compressor for compressing the cathode gas, a charge air cooler for cooling the compressed cathode gas from the compressor, a humidifier for humidifying the cooled cathode gas from the charge air cooler and for drying the cathode exhaust from the fuel cell, and a turbine for expanding the dried cathode exhaust from the humidifier.Furthermore, the fuel cell system comprises a bypass arrangement for diverting the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path and / or for diverting the cathode exhaust gas in the cathode exhaust path. At least a portion of the bypass arrangement is configured as an integral component of at least a portion of the gas treatment arrangement.

[0006] Within the scope of these developments, the integration potential of functional components in the fuel cell system, and particularly in the cathode subsystem, was recognized. In particular, it was recognized that fuel cell systems can be operated even more efficiently through high integration of the bypass arrangement and / or functional components of the bypass arrangement into the gas treatment arrangement and / or into functional components of the gas treatment arrangement. Integrating the bypass arrangement into the gas treatment arrangement also allows for space optimization in various spatial directions. Fewer individual components also mean fewer interfaces and consequently a better topology, thereby achieving improved space utilization. The more compact design allows the fuel cell system to be installed and / or used relatively flexibly in different vehicle types.Furthermore, the proposed fuel cell system requires relatively few and short piping lines between the individual assemblies, which prevents or at least reduces unwanted condensate formation. Reducing the number of individual components simplifies the logistics for manufacturing the fuel cell system. Furthermore, reducing the number of required individual components also reduces the number of necessary quality checks, thereby reducing the duration of the overall quality check and / or allowing the duration of individual quality check steps to be extended without increasing the duration of the overall quality check. Furthermore, integrating various individual components into fewer combined components enables a more assembly-friendly design and acoustic optimization for the entire assembly.A few combination components can also be designed with improved flow behavior, so that energy losses during operation of the fuel cell system can be reduced and consequently the range of a vehicle with a fuel cell electric drive can be increased.

[0007] The cathode gas can be understood as an oxidizing agent, in particular air and / or an oxygen-containing gas. The cathode exhaust gas can be understood as a gas used in the cathode and discharged from there. The cathode exhaust gas can contain a moisture content, which can be at least partially separated by a water separator in the cathode exhaust gas path.

[0008] The fuel cell system is preferably configured for mobile applications such as vehicles, in particular for providing energy for at least one drive unit such as an electric motor for propulsion of the vehicle. The fuel cell is preferably configured in the form of a fuel cell stack with multiple fuel cell units, each having an anode and a cathode. An anode can therefore be understood as an anode side, and a cathode can be understood as a cathode side. In its simplest form, the fuel cell is an electrochemical energy converter that converts fuel and oxidant into reaction products, thereby producing electricity and heat. The anode and cathode can be separated from one another by an ion-selective or ion-permeable separator.

[0009] The cathode inlet path and / or the cathode exhaust path may each comprise a plurality of interconnected and / or spaced-apart pipes. The gas treatment arrangement and / or the bypass arrangement may each be considered as a component of the cathode inlet path and / or the cathode exhaust path.

[0010] The compressor can be mechanically connected to the turbine. The compressor can increase the gas pressure of the supplied cathode gas by compressing the cathode gas. The turbine can utilize the pressure drop of the cathode exhaust gas to generate mechanical energy, which can be used to drive the compressor and other auxiliary units of the fuel cell system. The charge air cooler can cool the compressed cathode gas before it is fed into the cathode, thereby increasing the density of the cathode gas and enabling a higher oxygen supply to the fuel cell. The humidifier can be configured to increase the moisture content of the cathode gas by introducing water and / or water vapor into the cathode gas stream, in particular using the cathode exhaust gas.

[0011] Branching off the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path can be understood as the cathode gas being branched off from a main path into a secondary path within the cathode inlet path, wherein the secondary path, in particular after bypassing at least one functional component in the cathode inlet path, flows back into the main path. Branching off the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path can further be understood as the cathode gas being branched off from a position within the cathode inlet path into a main and / or secondary path of the cathode exhaust gas path.

[0012] Accordingly, branching the cathode exhaust gas in the cathode exhaust gas path can be understood as the cathode exhaust gas being branched from a main path into a secondary path within the cathode exhaust gas path, wherein the secondary path, in particular after bypassing at least one functional component in the cathode exhaust gas path, flows back into the main path of the cathode exhaust gas path. Branching the cathode exhaust gas in the cathode exhaust gas path can further be understood as the cathode exhaust gas being branched from a position within the cathode exhaust gas path into a main and / or secondary path of the cathode inlet path, i.e., being recirculated into the cathode inlet path.

[0013] The fact that at least part of the bypass arrangement is designed as an integral component of at least part of the gas treatment arrangement can be understood to mean that at least one functional component of the bypass arrangement and / or at least part of a functional component of the bypass arrangement is designed as an integral component of at least one functional component of the gas treatment arrangement and / or of at least part of a functional component of the gas treatment arrangement. The fact that at least part of the bypass arrangement is designed as an integral component of at least part of the gas treatment arrangement can further be understood to mean that at least part of the bypass arrangement is designed as a monolithic component of at least part of the gas treatment arrangement and / or that the at least one part of the bypass arrangement can be integrally connected to the at least one part of the gas treatment arrangement.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the present technology, the gas treatment arrangement comprises a housing, wherein the compressor and / or the turbine are at least partially configured as an integral component of the housing. In this case, the bypass arrangement comprises a cathode gas bypass configured to direct the cathode gas from the cathode inlet path downstream of the compressor and upstream of the charge air cooler directly into the cathode exhaust path downstream of the humidifier and upstream of the turbine. This means that the cathode gas is not directed into the charge air cooler, but rather directly into the cathode exhaust path at a position downstream of the humidifier and upstream of the turbine. The cathode gas bypass can be at least partially configured as an integral component of the housing.It has been recognized that the cathode gas bypass, the compressor, and / or the turbine can be configured and / or positioned in a common housing. The common housing can be understood as a monolithic housing or a monolithic part of a housing that forms at least part of the respective functional component. For example, the common housing can form a compressor housing, a bypass channel of the cathode gas bypass, and a turbine housing. This means that the compressor housing, the turbine housing, and at least part of the cathode gas bypass can be configured as an integral and / or monolithic component of the housing. The proposed integration can reduce the risk of icing in the area of ​​the compressor and / or the turbine, since valve heating by heated cathode gas from the compressor can be utilized.In addition, an improvement in response time in different operating states of the fuel cell system and a reduction in pressure losses in the compressor area can be achieved.

[0015] Furthermore, in a fuel cell system according to the present technology, it is possible for the gas treatment arrangement to comprise a housing, wherein the compressor and / or the turbine are at least partially configured as an integral component of the housing. In this case, the bypass arrangement comprises a cathode gas bypass configured to direct the cathode gas from the cathode inlet path downstream of the compressor and upstream of the charge air cooler into the cathode exhaust gas path downstream of the humidifier and downstream of the turbine. This means that the cathode gas is not directed into the charge air cooler, but rather directly into the cathode exhaust gas path at a position downstream of the humidifier and downstream of the turbine. The cathode gas bypass can be at least partially configured as an integral component of the housing.As already mentioned above, it has been recognized that the cathode gas bypass, the compressor, and the turbine can be designed and / or positioned in a common housing to achieve the aforementioned advantages. Here, the common housing can also be understood as a monolithic housing or a monolithic part of a housing that forms at least part of the respective functional component. Within the scope of the proposed technology, it is possible for the cathode gas to be guided through the cathode gas bypass downstream of the humidifier and / or upstream of the humidifier into the cathode exhaust gas path. In addition to the alternatives mentioned, combined integration into a common housing is also possible, in which the cathode gas can be guided into the cathode exhaust gas path optionally upstream and / or downstream of the turbine by means of the cathode gas bypass.

[0016] Furthermore, in a fuel cell system according to the present technology, it is possible for the bypass arrangement to have a first humidifier bypass configured in the cathode inlet path downstream of the charge air cooler to bypass the humidifier function of the humidifier in the cathode inlet path. The bypass arrangement also has a first three-way valve on the humidifier bypass and on the humidifier in the cathode inlet path, by which the cathode inlet path into the first humidifier bypass and / or into the humidifier can be opened or closed. The charge air cooler, the first humidifier bypass, and / or the humidifier are configured to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. This means that the charge air cooler, the first humidifier bypass, and / or the humidifier can be configured at least partially as a common and / or integral unit. This makes it easy to provide a fully controllable humidifier.The first three-way valve can be used as a blocking means for blocking the cathode inlet path upstream of the first three-way valve and thus directly upstream of the humidifier at the humidifier, directly upstream of the first humidifier bypass at the first humidifier bypass, directly downstream of the humidifier at the humidifier, and / or directly downstream of the first humidifier bypass at the first humidifier bypass in the cathode inlet path. If no more cathode gas or oxygen is to be supplied to the cathode, the first three-way valve can be set to a corresponding blocking state to prevent cathode gas from being supplied to the cathode. Furthermore, relatively short line paths can be enabled in the cathode inlet path, and particularly in the area of ​​the humidifier and the charge air cooler. A relatively compact design of the fuel cell system can be achieved accordingly.The fact that the charge air cooler, the first humidifier bypass, the first three-way valve and / or the humidifier are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another can further be understood to mean that parts of the charge air cooler, parts of the first humidifier bypass and / or parts of the humidifier are connected directly to one another and / or directly onto one another in a force-fitting, form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. Furthermore, it is possible for the charge air cooler, the first humidifier bypass and / or the humidifier to be designed at least partially as a one-piece unit. For example, a first valve connection of the first three-way valve can be positioned and / or fastened directly to a line connection of the humidifier and a second valve connection of the first three-way valve can be positioned and / or fastened directly to the first humidifier bypass.The first humidifier bypass can be configured to direct the cathode gas past the humidifier and / or past the humidifier function and then to the cathode and / or directly to the cathode, i.e., without any additional functional components in the cathode inlet path. Bypassing the humidifier function can be understood to mean that the cathode gas can also be directed through the humidifier housing via the humidifier bypass, as long as design measures ensure that no or only reduced humidification of the cathode gas occurs. The three-way valve can be understood to mean a three-way cock through which gas from one line can be selectively directed into at least one of two connecting lines on the humidifier and the first humidifier bypass.The three-way valve can also be understood as a three-way valve through which gas from two lines, for example from the humidifier and from the first humidifier bypass, can be forwarded either combined or individually into a connecting line, for example in the direction of the cathode.

[0017] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present technology, it is possible for the bypass arrangement to have a second humidifier bypass in the cathode exhaust path downstream of the cathode and upstream of the humidifier for bypassing the humidification function of the humidifier in the cathode exhaust path. The bypass arrangement can also have a second three-way valve on the second humidifier bypass and on the humidifier in the cathode exhaust path for opening or closing the cathode exhaust path into the second humidifier bypass and / or into the humidifier. The second humidifier bypass, the second three-way valve, and / or the humidifier can be designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. This means that the second humidifier bypass, the second three-way valve, and / or the humidifier can be designed at least partially as a common and / or integral unit. This can improve the controllability of the humidifier.The second three-way valve can be used as a blocking means for blocking the cathode exhaust gas path upstream of the second three-way valve and thus directly upstream of the humidifier on the humidifier, directly upstream of the second humidifier bypass on the second humidifier bypass, directly downstream of the humidifier on the humidifier, and / or directly downstream of the second humidifier bypass on the second humidifier bypass in the cathode exhaust gas path. If no more cathode gas is to be supplied to the humidifier from the cathode and / or if, as far as possible, no more cathode exhaust gas is to be conducted from the cathode, the second three-way valve can be set to a corresponding blocking state to prevent the supply of cathode exhaust gas to the humidifier. Furthermore, relatively short line paths can be enabled in the cathode exhaust gas path, and especially in the area of ​​the humidifier. Accordingly, a relatively compact design of the fuel cell system can be achieved with ease.The fact that the second humidifier bypass, the second three-way valve and / or the humidifier are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another can further be understood to mean that parts of the second humidifier bypass, the second three-way valve and / or the humidifier are directly connected to one another and / or to one another in a force-fitting, form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. Furthermore, it is possible for the second humidifier bypass, the second three-way valve and / or the humidifier to be designed at least partially as a one-piece unit. For example, a first valve connection of the second three-way valve can be positioned and / or fastened directly to a line connection of the humidifier and a second valve connection of the second three-way valve can be positioned and / or fastened directly to the second humidifier bypass.The second humidifier bypass may be configured to direct the cathode gas past the humidifier and / or past the humidifier function and then to the turbine and / or via a water separator downstream of the humidifier to the turbine.

[0018] Furthermore, in a fuel cell system according to the present technology, it is possible for the charge air cooler and the humidifier to be integrated into one another and / or directly adjacent to one another. Tests conducted as part of the present development have shown that an integral design of the charge air cooler together with the humidifier can achieve energy-related advantages, particularly in the operation of the humidifier. The charge air cooler and the humidifier can be integrated, for example, in such a way that a humidifier housing of the humidifier and a cooler housing of the charge air cooler are mechanically directly connected to one another, in particular by means of a direct form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-fitting connection.In this case, for example, no separate gas line is required between the humidifier housing and the cooler housing, which would have to be installed as a separate component between the two housings and / or between the humidifier and the charge air cooler.

[0019] Furthermore, it is possible for the bypass arrangement in a fuel cell system according to the present technology to have a cathode gas bypass for conducting the cathode gas from the charge air cooler into the cathode exhaust path downstream of the turbine, wherein the cathode gas bypass, the charge air cooler, and / or the humidifier are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. Tests within the scope of the present development have shown that such a cathode gas bypass is not only possible, but can also lead to a compact and surprisingly efficient operation of the fuel cell system. The charge air cooler and / or the humidifier can, for example, be designed to be integrated such that a humidifier housing of the humidifier and a cooler housing of the charge air cooler are mechanically directly connected to one another, in particular directly connected to one another in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner.Furthermore, it is possible for the humidifier housing and the cooler housing to each be designed as a partial housing of a monolithic and / or one-piece overall housing.

[0020] Furthermore, in the fuel cell system disclosed here, it is possible for the bypass arrangement to have a cathode gas bypass for conducting the cathode gas from the charge air cooler into the cathode exhaust path downstream of the humidifier and upstream of the turbine, wherein the cathode gas bypass, the charge air cooler, and / or the humidifier are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. Here, too, it has been found within the scope of the present development that such a cathode gas bypass is not only possible, but can also lead to a compact and surprisingly efficient operation of the fuel cell system. The charge air cooler and / or the humidifier can also be designed to be integrated in such a way that a humidifier housing of the humidifier and a cooler housing of the charge air cooler are mechanically directly connected to one another, in particular directly connected to one another in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner.Furthermore, it is also possible here that the humidifier housing and the cooler housing are each designed as a partial housing of a monolithic and / or one-piece overall housing.

[0021] In a fuel cell system according to the present technology, the bypass arrangement can further comprise a water separator, wherein the water separator is positioned in the cathode exhaust path downstream of the humidifier, and wherein the water separator and the humidifier are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly adjacent to one another. In this way, unwanted condensate in the cathode exhaust path downstream of the humidifier and upstream of the turbine can be prevented or reduced in a simple and efficient manner. The water separator and the humidifier can be designed to be integrated such that a humidifier housing of the humidifier and a separator housing of the water separator are mechanically directly connected to one another, in particular directly connected to one another in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner.Furthermore, it is possible for the humidifier housing and the separator housing to each be designed as a partial housing of a monolithic and / or one-piece overall housing.

[0022] A further aspect of the present technology relates to a vehicle having a fuel cell system as described above and at least one electric motor for driving the vehicle, wherein the fuel cell system is configured to supply power to the at least one electric motor. The vehicle thus offers the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to the fuel cell system. The vehicle can be understood to mean a motor vehicle such as a motor-driven two-wheeler, a car, or a truck. The vehicle can also be understood to mean a road vehicle, an aircraft, a watercraft, a rail vehicle, a spacecraft, or a robot. The vehicle can also be understood to mean a purely electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle, which, in addition to the at least one electric motor, has an internal combustion engine for driving the vehicle.

[0023] Further variations and possibilities emerge from the following description of various embodiments, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and / or advantages arising from the claims, the description, or the figures, including structural details and spatial arrangements, may be significant both individually and in various combinations.

[0024] They show schematically: Fig. 1 a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present technology, Fig. 2 Details of the first embodiment, Fig. 3 a fuel cell system according to a second embodiment of the present technology, Fig. 4 Details of the second embodiment, Fig. 5 shows a fuel cell system according to a third embodiment of the present technology, Fig. 6 a fuel cell system according to a fourth embodiment of the present technology, Fig. 7 shows a fuel cell system according to a fifth embodiment of the present technology, Fig. 8 a vehicle with a fuel cell system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a fuel cell system 10 according to a first embodiment. The illustrated fuel cell system 10 comprises a fuel cell 14 with a cathode 15 and an anode 16, a cathode inlet path 30 for conducting cathode gas into the cathode 15, and a cathode exhaust path 31 for conducting cathode exhaust gas out of the cathode 15.

[0027] The fuel cell system 10 has a gas treatment arrangement 40 for modifying the gas properties of the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path 30 and the cathode exhaust gas in the cathode exhaust gas path 31. The gas treatment arrangement 40 comprises several separately positioned functional components. The gas treatment arrangement 40 shown has a compressor 11 for compressing the cathode gas, a charge air cooler 12 for cooling the compressed cathode gas from the compressor 11, a humidifier 13 for humidifying the cooled cathode gas from the charge air cooler 12 and for drying the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 14, and a turbine 18 for expanding the dried cathode exhaust gas from the humidifier and for supporting the turbine drive. Directly downstream of the charge air cooler 12, a valve 33 is positioned in the cathode inlet path 30 in order to control or regulate a gas flow from the charge air cooler 12 to the humidifier 13 in the cathode inlet path 30.to control and / or regulate. Directly downstream of the humidifier 13, a valve 36 is positioned in the cathode exhaust path 31 to control a gas flow from the humidifier 13 to the turbine 18 in the cathode exhaust path 31. By means of these two valves 33, 36, the cathode inlet path 30 and the cathode exhaust path 31 can be blocked when the fuel cell system 10 is shut down or is to be shut down. If the valve 33 is switched to a blocking state, cathode gas, and in particular oxygen, is prevented from reaching the cathode 15. A water separator 17 is positioned in the cathode exhaust path 31, directly downstream of the cathode 15. A flushing line 28 is connected to the water separator 17, via which condensed water can be directed around the humidifier 13 and the turbine 18 into the cathode exhaust gas path 31 downstream of the turbine 18.A valve 35 is positioned in the purge line 28 to control the fluid flow through the purge line 28. The purge line 28 can be considered part of the cathode exhaust path 31. Like the valve 33 in the cathode inlet path 30 upstream of the humidifier 13 and the valve 36 in the cathode exhaust path 31 downstream of the humidifier 13, the valve 35 in the purge line 28 is configured to be switched to a blocking state when the fuel cell system 10 is shut down or is to be shut down.

[0028] The gas treatment assembly 40 has a housing 19, wherein the compressor 11 and the turbine 18 are configured as an integral part of the housing 19. More specifically, the housing 19 forms a compressor housing for the compressor 11 and a turbine housing for the turbine 18. In other words, the housing 19 forms a common housing 19 for the compressor 11 and the turbine 18.

[0029] The fuel cell system 10 shown also includes a bypass arrangement 50 for diverting the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path 30 and for diverting the cathode exhaust gas in the cathode exhaust gas path 31. The bypass arrangement 50 includes a cathode gas bypass 20a, through which cathode gas from the cathode inlet path 30 can be directed from a position downstream of the compressor 11 and upstream of the charge air cooler 12 directly into the cathode exhaust gas path 31 downstream of the humidifier 13 and upstream of the turbine 18. A cathode gas bypass valve 21 is positioned in the cathode gas bypass 20a for opening and closing the cathode gas bypass 20a. The cathode gas bypass 20a is configured as an integral component of the housing 19. The bypass arrangement 50 also includes a first humidifier bypass 24 in the cathode inlet path 30 downstream of the charge air cooler 12 to direct the cathode gas past the humidifier 13.A valve 34 is positioned in the first humidifier bypass 24 to control the gas flow through the first humidifier bypass 24.

[0030] In Fig. 2, the housing 19 including the components integrated therein is shown in further detail and still symbolically. As in Fig. 2, the compressor 11, the turbine 18 and the cathode gas bypass 20a are integrated with each other by the housing 19. The Fig. The cathode gas bypass valve 21 shown in Figure 2 in the form of a throttle valve is to be understood symbolically.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a fuel cell system 10 according to a second embodiment. Fig. The fuel cell system 10 shown in Figure 3 differs from the fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment in particular in that the cathode gas bypass 20b is configured to guide the cathode gas from the cathode inlet path 30 downstream of the compressor 11 and upstream of the charge air cooler 12 into the cathode exhaust gas path 31 downstream of the humidifier 13 and downstream of the turbine 18. In Fig. 4 this configuration is shown in further detail.

[0032] In Fig. 5 shows a fuel cell system 10 according to a third embodiment. Fig. The fuel cell system 10 shown in Figure 5 differs from the first two embodiments in particular in that a first three-way valve 25 of the bypass arrangement 50 is positioned at the inlet of the first humidifier bypass 24 in order to direct, or not direct, or block the cathode gas from there into the first humidifier bypass 24 or into the humidifier 13. In the example shown, the charge air cooler 12, the first humidifier bypass 24, the first three-way valve 25, and the humidifier 13 are installed directly next to one another and are designed to be integrated accordingly. More precisely, the first three-way valve 25 is installed directly between the charge air cooler 12 and the humidifier 13 and directly on the first humidifier bypass 24. No additional and / or separate line sections are installed between the respective functional components.The first humidifier bypass 24 is installed directly on a pipe section of a humidifier housing of the humidifier 13, wherein the pipe section is an integral and / or monolithic component of the humidifier housing.

[0033] Furthermore, the bypass arrangement 50 has a second humidifier bypass 26 in the cathode exhaust path 31 downstream of the cathode 15 and upstream of the humidifier 13, in order to direct the cathode exhaust gas in the cathode exhaust path 31 past the humidifier 13. At an outlet region of the second humidifier bypass 26 and directly at the humidifier 13 downstream of the humidifier 13, the bypass arrangement 50 has a second three-way valve 27 in order to be able to direct the cathode exhaust gas selectively into the second humidifier bypass 26 or into the humidifier 13. If the second three-way valve 27 is set to a blocking state, no more cathode exhaust gas is directed through the humidifier 13, and no more cathode exhaust gas is directed through the second humidifier bypass 26. The water separator 17 is installed in the cathode exhaust path 31 directly downstream of the second three-way valve 27.Accordingly, the water separator 17, the second three-way valve 27, and the humidifier 13 are installed directly adjacent to one another and designed to be integrated accordingly. More precisely, the water separator 17 is installed directly on the second three-way valve 27, and the second three-way valve 27 is installed directly on the water separator 17 and directly on the humidifier 13. Via the second humidifier bypass 26, the cathode exhaust gas can be directed directly into the integration area, in which the water separator 17 is integrated with the second three-way valve 27. This can be achieved by a suitable channel and / or valve structure. For example, an integrated channel opening can be configured on the water separator 17 and / or the humidifier 13, to which corresponding channels of the second three-way valve 27 extend. The first three-way valve 25 and the second three-way valve 27 can each be understood as a blocking means.The first three-way valve 25 can be used as a blocking means for blocking the cathode inlet path 30 upstream of the first three-way valve 30. This means that if no more cathode gas or oxygen is to be supplied to the cathode 15, the first three-way valve 25 can be set to a corresponding blocking state to prevent a cathode gas supply to the cathode 15. In other words, the cathode gas line into the humidifier 13 and into the first humidifier bypass 14 is blocked by the first three-way valve 25. The second three-way valve 27 can be used as a blocking means for blocking the cathode exhaust gas path 31 upstream of the second three-way valve 27. This means that if cathode gas is no longer to be supplied to the humidifier 13 from the cathode 15, the second three-way valve 27 can be set to a corresponding blocking state to prevent cathode exhaust gas from being supplied to the humidifier 13 and to the second humidifier bypass 26.If the first three-way valve 25 and the second three-way valve 27 are in the off state, cathode gas circulation through the cathode 15 and / or cathode gas and cathode exhaust gas flow through the cathode subsystem is prevented. This is particularly the case when the operation of the fuel cell system 10 is to be interrupted or terminated.

[0034] Fig. 6 shows a fuel cell system 10 according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. The fuel cell system 10 shown in Figure 6 differs from the fuel cell system 10 according to the third embodiment in particular in that the charge air cooler 12 and the humidifier 13 are designed to be integrated with one another. More specifically, the charge air cooler 12 and the humidifier 13 have a common housing. In other words, a cooler housing of the charge air cooler 12 and a humidifier housing of the humidifier 13 are designed as an integral part of a common combination housing. Fig. The bypass arrangement 50 shown in Figure 6 also includes a cathode gas bypass 22a for directing the cathode gas from the charge air cooler 12 into the cathode exhaust path 31 downstream of the turbine 18. The cathode gas bypass 22a, the charge air cooler 12, and the humidifier 13 are installed directly adjacent to one another. A cathode gas bypass valve 23 is installed in the cathode gas bypass 22a to control the gas flow through the cathode gas bypass 22a.

[0035] Fig. 7 shows a fuel cell system 10 according to a fifth embodiment. Fig. The fuel cell system 10 shown in Figure 7 differs from the fuel cell system 10 according to the fourth embodiment in particular in that a cathode gas bypass 22b for directing the cathode gas into the cathode exhaust path 31 is configured downstream of the humidifier 13 and upstream of the turbine 18. Furthermore, the first three-way valve 25 is installed in the cathode inlet path 30 directly downstream of the humidifier 13, directly on the humidifier 13, and the second three-way valve 27 is installed in the cathode exhaust path 31 directly upstream of the humidifier 13, directly on the humidifier 13.

[0036] In Fig.8 shows a vehicle 100 in the form of a road vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a fuel cell system 10 as described above and two electric motors 90 for propelling the vehicle 100. The fuel cell system 10 is configured to supply power to the electric motors 90. The vehicle shown also includes a fuel tank 80 for supplying the fuel cell system 10 with fuel.

[0037] The technology disclosed here allows for further design principles in addition to the illustrated embodiments. This means that the technology should not be considered limited to the exemplary embodiments explained with reference to the figures. For example, the two three-way valves 25, 27 in the respective embodiments can also be installed at the positions of the other embodiments. For example, in the third embodiment, the first three-way valve 25 can be installed in the cathode inlet path 30 directly downstream of the humidifier 13, and the second three-way valve 27 can be installed in the cathode exhaust path 31 directly upstream of the humidifier 13. List of reference symbols 10 Fuel cell system 11 Compressor 12 intercoolers 13 humidifiers 14 Fuel cell 15 Cathode 16 Anode 17 water separators 18 turbines 19 housings 20a Cathode gas bypass 20b Cathode gas bypass 21 Cathode gas bypass valve 22a Cathode gas bypass 22b Cathode gas bypass 23 Cathode gas bypass valve 24 first humidifier bypass 25 first three-way valve 26 second humidifier bypass 27 second three-way valve 28 Flushing line 30 Cathode inlet path 31 Cathode exhaust path 33 Valve 34 Valve 35 Valve 36 Valve 40 Gas treatment arrangement 50 Bypass arrangement 80 fuel tank 90 electric motor 100 vehicles

Claims

[1] Fuel cell system (10), comprising: - a fuel cell (14) with a cathode (15) and an anode (16), - a cathode inlet path (30) for conducting cathode gas into the cathode (15), - a cathode exhaust path (31) for conducting cathode exhaust gas from the cathode (15), - a gas treatment arrangement (40) for changing the gas properties of the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path (30) and / or the cathode exhaust gas in the cathode exhaust gas path (31), wherein the gas treatment arrangement (40) comprises a compressor (11) for compressing the cathode gas, a charge air cooler (12) for cooling the compressed cathode gas from the compressor (11), a humidifier (13) for humidifying the cooled cathode gas from the charge air cooler (12) and for drying the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell (14), and a turbine (18) for expanding the dried cathode exhaust gas from the humidifier, and - a bypass arrangement (50) for branching off the cathode gas in the cathode inlet path (30) and / or for branching off the cathode exhaust gas in the cathode exhaust gas path (31), wherein - at least one part of the bypass arrangement (50) is designed as an integral component of at least one part of the gas treatment arrangement (40). [2] Fuel cell system (10) according to claim 1, wherein - the gas treatment arrangement (40) has a housing (19), - wherein the compressor (11) and / or the turbine (18) are at least partially designed as an integral part of the housing (19), - wherein the bypass arrangement (50) has a cathode gas bypass (20a) for conducting the cathode gas from the cathode inlet path (30) downstream of the compressor (11) and upstream of the charge air cooler (12) into the cathode exhaust gas path (31) downstream of the humidifier (13) and upstream of the turbine (18), - wherein the cathode gas bypass (20a) is at least partially designed as an integral component of the housing (19). [3] Fuel cell system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the gas treatment arrangement (40) has a housing (19), - wherein the compressor (11) and / or the turbine (18) are at least partially designed as an integral part of the housing (19), - wherein the bypass arrangement (50) has a cathode gas bypass (20b) for conducting the cathode gas from the cathode inlet path (30) downstream of the compressor (11) and upstream of the charge air cooler (12) into the cathode exhaust gas path (31) downstream of the humidifier (13) and downstream of the turbine (18), - wherein the cathode gas bypass (20b) is at least partially designed as an integral component of the housing (19). [4] Fuel cell system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bypass arrangement (50) comprises: - a first humidifier bypass (24) in the cathode inlet path (30) downstream of the charge air cooler (12) for bypassing the humidifier function of the humidifier (13) in the cathode inlet path (30), - a first three-way valve (25) on the first humidifier bypass (24) and on the humidifier (13) in the cathode inlet path (30) for opening or closing the cathode inlet path (30) into the first humidifier bypass (24) and / or into the humidifier (13), - wherein the charge air cooler (12), the first humidifier bypass (24), the first three-way valve (25) and / or the humidifier (13) are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. [5] Fuel cell system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bypass arrangement (50) comprises: - a second humidifier bypass (26) in the cathode exhaust path (31) downstream of the cathode (15) and upstream of the humidifier (13) for bypassing the humidifier function of the humidifier (13) in the cathode exhaust path (31), - a second three-way valve (27) on the second humidifier bypass (26) and on the humidifier (13) in the cathode exhaust path (31) for opening or closing the cathode exhaust path (31) into the second humidifier bypass (26) and / or into the humidifier (13), - wherein the second humidifier bypass (26), the second three-way valve (27) and / or the humidifier (13) are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. [6] Fuel cell system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charge air cooler (12) and the humidifier (13) are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. [7] Fuel cell system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bypass arrangement (50) has a cathode gas bypass (22a) for conducting the cathode gas from the charge air cooler (12) into the cathode exhaust gas path (31) downstream of the turbine (18), wherein the cathode gas bypass (22a), the charge air cooler (12) and / or the humidifier (13) are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. [8] Fuel cell system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bypass arrangement (50) has a cathode gas bypass (22b) for conducting the cathode gas from the charge air cooler (12) into the cathode exhaust gas path (31) downstream of the humidifier (13) and upstream of the turbine (18), wherein the cathode gas bypass (22b), the charge air cooler (12) and / or the humidifier (13) are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. [9] Fuel cell system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bypass arrangement (50) comprises a water separator (17), wherein the water separator (17) is positioned in the cathode exhaust gas path (31) downstream of the humidifier (13), and wherein the water separator (17) and the humidifier (13) are designed to be integrated into one another and / or directly onto one another. [10] Vehicle (100) comprising a fuel cell system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one electric motor (90) for driving the vehicle (100), wherein the fuel cell system (10) is configured to supply power to the at least one electric motor (90).

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