Sealing air and purge supply in a fuel cell system via an air reservoir

Abstract

Disclosed is a method (100) for securing a fuel cell system (5), in particular a shut-down fuel cell system (5), involving ascertaining (S20) status data, said status data describing an influence factor for condensation of moisture in the fuel cell system; and on the basis of the status data, providing (S40') sealing air in the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) and / or purging (S40) the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) using a gas from a pressure tank in the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Sealing air and purge supply of a fuel cell system via an air reservoir

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for securing a switched-off fuel cell system, a system for monitoring, purging a part of a fuel cell system and / or providing sealing air in a part of the fuel cell system, and a computer program or computer program product.

[0003] Under certain conditions, condensate or condensation typically forms in fuel cell system components. These fuel cell systems are typically designed to remove condensate or condensation that occurs during operation of the fuel cell system. Typically, fuel cell systems are no longer capable of removing condensate or condensation, especially when the fuel cell-powered vehicle or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is switched off, and especially when components of the fuel cell system are shut down or deactivated.

[0004] The object of the present invention is, in particular among other things, to improve the reliability of a fuel cell system, in particular when one fuel cell of the fuel cell system, a majority of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system or a fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) comprising the fuel cell system is switched off, in particular at least a part, in particular a majority, of the fuel cell system is shut down.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the teaching of the independent claims. Various embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the solution presented here relates to a method for securing a fuel cell system, in particular for securing a shut-down fuel cell system. In some embodiments of the invention, the method comprises determining status data. In some embodiments, the status data describe a, in particular external, status of at least one part of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing sealing air in at least one part of the fuel cell system and / or purging the at least one part of the fuel cell system based on the status data.

[0007] In the following, various exemplary embodiments of the method are described, each of which, unless expressly excluded or technically impossible, can be combined with each other as well as with the other aspects of the present solution described.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining fuel cell system data. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system data describe a, in particular internal, state of at least one part of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the provision of sealing air in at least one part of the fuel cell system and / or purging of at least one part of the fuel cell system is based, in particular additionally, on the fuel cell system data.

[0009] In some embodiments, the method comprises providing sealing air in 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 and / or the fuel cell system data.

[0010] In some embodiments, the provision of sealing air and / or purging by means of a gas is carried out from a pressure vessel, in particular from a compressed air reservoir or compressed air tank. In some embodiments, the provision of sealing air and / or purging by means of a gas is carried out additionally or alternatively from a pressure vessel, in particular from a compressed air reservoir or compressed air tank, in particular from a pressure vessel that is usually used for a task other than purging and / or providing in fuel cell systems, in particular in vehicles with fuel cell systems and / or FCEVs. In one embodiment, the pressure vessel is used at least additionally (to its other and / or usual uses) for providing sealing air and / or for purging by means of sealing air, in particular by means of a gas, or the pressure vessel is designed for this purpose.In one embodiment, no pressure vessel is used which is used or is only designed for providing sealing air and / or purging by means of a gas. In one embodiment, the pressure vessel is additionally configured for providing sealing air and / or purging as described herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises switching off the fuel cell system, in particular switching off (“shutdown”) the (sub-)systems of the fuel cell system, so that the latter is in a rest state or a “switched off” state. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining whether the fuel cell system is switched off, in particular determining whether those parts of the fuel cell system are deactivated, in particular corresponding to a state of the fuel cell system which is (usually) regarded or is deemed to be “switched off”.In some embodiments, the determination of state data and / or the determination of fuel cell system data is carried out after the fuel cell system has been switched off, in particular as long as the fuel cell system is in a switched-off state. In particular, in some embodiments, the determination of state data may comprise determining a "switched-off" state of the fuel cell system. "Switched off" as used herein may, in some embodiments, be understood to mean that the fuel cell system is no longer able to provide (dry) air, in particular (dry) gas, and in particular is no longer able to protect all or at least some parts from condensate formation, in particular by an air and / or gas flow through at least part of the fuel cell system.

[0011] In some embodiments, "gas" herein refers in particular to a fluid, more particularly a pure gas or a gas mixture. In some embodiments, "gas" refers to an inert fluid, in particular an inert gas or inert gas mixture. In some embodiments, "gas" refers to a fluid with a relative humidity of less than 2%, dry gas, or dry air, in particular a fluid with a trace humidity of less than 200 ppm or less than 60 ppm.

[0012] Advantageously, in some embodiments, in particular by "flushing out" condensate or condensate accumulations, in particular by "flushing out" moist air and / or gas with a high moisture content, this can prevent the penetration of (condensed) water and thus, in particular, a fault in the high-voltage system of the fuel cell system, HV insulation faults, and / or corrosion in the system. Further advantageously, in some embodiments, this can be done without starting up parts or the (entire) fuel cell system. In some embodiments,The status data describe at least one value from the group of the service life of the fuel cell system, an activation state of the fuel cell system, in particular whether the fuel cell system is switched off or not, a wind direction, in particular a wind direction relative to the main axis of the fuel cell system, a parking position of the fuel cell system, in particular a GPS position, an outside temperature, and an outside temperature profile, in particular at the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, other values, in particular publicly available values, in particular from (public) databases on the weather and / or weather forecasts, in particular at a determined "parking" position of the fuel cell system, can also be included or described by the status data.In other words, in some embodiments, at least part of the status data is determined from an external data source, in particular a data source provided online is used, in particular data from a weather service, such as in particular temperature data, data on wind speed and / or wind direction, further in particular forecasts for the said data, in particular at the position of the fuel cell system or at the position of the fuel cell system.

[0013] Advantageously, in some embodiments, this can make it possible for a current state and / or a future state, in particular a corresponding value for a state, of the fuel cell system, in particular at its (current) position, to be determined or to be determined. In other words, in some embodiments, this can advantageously be used to determine a prognosis for the state of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the prognosis can be used to determine (in particular based on the state data and / or the fuel cell system data) whether the formation of condensate or condensate water, in particular freezing of the formed condensate, is to be expected for at least one part of the fuel cell system or whether the probability of the formed condensate freezing is higher than a predetermined probability.

[0014] In some embodiments, determining state data and / or determining fuel cell system data comprises predicting the development of the values ​​of these data.

[0015] Advantageously, in addition to an actual state of the fuel cell system, the prediction of an actual state of the fuel cell system can be supplemented or is supplemented thereby. In some embodiments, the determination of state data comprises combining a plurality of state data, in particular deriving or calculating forecasts for at least one of the values ​​(described by the state data) and / or using the determined values ​​with a mathematical model, artificial intelligence, or a lookup table to determine a state of the fuel cell system or a forecast of the state of the fuel cell system, in particular to determine whether the fuel cell system is or will be exposed to conditions that lead or could lead to condensate freezing.

[0016] Advantageously, in some embodiments, it can be determined whether the fuel cell system has been shut down, in particular whether the fuel cell system has been shut down. In other words, in some embodiments, the status data can be used to determine whether the fuel cell system, in particular its parts, is or will be exposed to environmental conditions that could trigger or trigger the freezing of condensate or condensate water.

[0017] In some embodiments, the fuel cell system data comprise or describe at least one value from the group of: moisture content of at least one part of the fuel cell system, in particular a relative humidity, condensate formation and / or condensate quantity in the at least one part of the fuel cell system, temperature of the at least one part of the fuel cell system and temperature profile of the at least one part of the fuel cell system.

[0018] Advantageously, in one embodiment, this makes it possible for the different cooling behavior of the various components of the fuel cell system to be or can be taken into account and / or for purging of the components of the fuel cell system to be or can be improved in accordance with their cooling behavior.

[0019] In some embodiments, purging is carried out by means of 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, the provision of “sealing air” is carried out by means of 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. Further advantageously, in some embodiments, this can prevent parts of the fuel cell system in which condensate can form from freezing, in particular at low outside temperatures (at or below freezing point). The term “sealing air,” as used herein, should preferably be understood as a fluid, fluid mixture, in particular gas or gas mixture. “Sealing air” is preferably to be understood without restriction of generality; in particular, “sealing air” is not limited to “air” in the colloquial sense.

[0020] In some embodiments, the at least one part of the fuel cell system is located on a cathode side of the fuel cell system or a cathode branch of the fuel cell system, or on an anode side of the fuel cell system or an anode branch of the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the purging or the provision of sealing air on the cathode side or in the cathode branch is carried out using compressed air, an inert gas, in particular nitrogen, and on an anode side or in the anode branch using hydrogen and / or an inert gas, preferably hydrogen.

[0021] Advantageously, in some embodiments, this makes it possible for the parts of the fuel cell system to be flushed with a gas that is suitable for their properties, or for appropriate sealing air to be provided.

[0022] In some embodiments, the purging of at least one part of the fuel cell system or the provision of sealing air in at least one part of the fuel cell system is carried out by means of a controllable, in particular by means of a controllable, valve control, wherein the valve control has at least one valve.

[0023] Advantageously, in some embodiments, this makes it possible for different parts of the fuel cell system to be or are individually purged or for different parts of the fuel cell system to be or are individually supplied with sealing air, in particular in parallel and / or sequentially.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method is performed at a predetermined time after the fuel cell system has been shut down and / or at a predetermined (time) interval. Alternatively or additionally, the method is performed (time-randomly) or continuously. In some embodiments, the method comprises repeating the steps described herein; in particular, in some embodiments, determining status data and / or determining fuel cell system data and providing sealing air or purging based on the status data and / or the fuel cell system data is repeated, in particular as long as the fuel cell system is shut down.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method is carried out without starting the (entire) fuel cell system, in particular without starting or commissioning an electric turbocharger of the fuel cell system. Advantageously, in some embodiments, this can limit or prevent (significant) noise generation caused by starting the entire system, as well as the potential for surprise or irritation of people in the vicinity caused by this noise. Rather, in some embodiments, in the event of a risk of freezing, it can be avoided that the fuel cell system must be "woken up" in order to purge at least part of the fuel cell system and / or to provide sealing air for this part.In some embodiments, the method is carried out when the fuel cell system is shut down, in particular is in partial operation and / or in an operating state that can no longer prevent the formation of condensate in at least parts of the system.

[0026] In some embodiments, the fuel cell system is a mobile fuel cell system, in particular a fuel cell system that at least partially operates a vehicle or at least partially supplies electrical energy and / or heat to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the term "vehicle" is to be understood in particular such that the fuel cell system is designed to be mobile, in particular serves at least partially to propel the vehicle or is at least involved in generating the energy for propulsion of the vehicle and / or is used to supply electricity or energy to the vehicle, in particular as an "auxiliary power unit" (APU) or the like.In some embodiments, “vehicle” is understood to mean a mobile means of transport and / or mobile means of transportation, in particular a commercial vehicle, a truck, a passenger car, a ship or an aircraft, in particular an aircraft, in particular an eVTOL or eSTOL, or a gyroplane, in particular with a fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the method comprises switching off the vehicle, in particular switching off (“shutdown”) the systems of the vehicle so that the vehicle is in a rest state or a “switched off” state. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining whether the vehicle is switched off, in particular determining whether those parts of the vehicle and / or those parts of the fuel cell system are deactivated, in particular corresponding to a state of the vehicle that is (usually) regarded as “switched off”.In some embodiments, the determination of state data and / or the determination of fuel cell system data is performed after the vehicle has been shut down, in particular while the vehicle is in a shut-down state. In particular, in some embodiments, the determination of state data may include determining a "shut-down" state of the vehicle.

[0027] A second aspect of the solution presented here relates to a system for monitoring, purging at least a portion of a fuel cell system, and / or providing sealing air in at least a portion of the fuel cell system, in particular a fuel cell system of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system is configured to carry out a method described herein.

[0028] Advantageously, in some embodiments, this may enable the fuel cell system to be or remain startable, in particular under conditions that typically lead to freezing of condensate or increased formation of condensate, in particular conditions that (typically) lead to condensate triggering a fault in the fuel cell system if the condensate is not or cannot be removed, in particular if the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle with the fuel cell system does not have a system described herein.

[0029] The features and advantages explained with respect to the first aspect of the invention also apply accordingly to the further aspects of the invention.

[0030] The method according to the first aspect is preferably designed for implementation using the system according to the invention according to the second aspect, in particular an embodiment thereof described herein. The system according to the invention is preferably designed for implementation of the method according to the first aspect, in particular an embodiment thereof described herein.

[0031] In some embodiments, the system, in particular the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle with a fuel cell system, comprises a pressure vessel or compressed air reservoir or compressed air tank, in particular an additional or extended pressure vessel. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel is configured, in particular additionally configured, to purge at least part of the fuel cell system with gas or to supply at least part of the fuel cell system with sealing air, in particular in a controllable manner. "Additionally" as used herein can, in some embodiments, refer to a pressure vessel in the vehicle that is typically used for pressurizing brakes or the like, but is not configured for purging and / or providing sealing air.In some embodiments, the system comprises at least one controllable valve (with a valve controller) configured to regulate a gas flow from the pressure vessel. In some embodiments, the system, in particular the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle with a fuel cell system, comprises a compressed air reservoir, in particular an extended compressed air reservoir, particularly with respect to a vehicle that does not have a system described herein, furthermore in particular that does not have a system configured to carry out a method described herein.

[0032] This advantageously makes it possible to purge parts of the system or provide sealing air to parts of the system independently, in particular without having to activate parts of the fuel cell system, in particular without having to activate the entire fuel cell system. In one embodiment, the fuel cell system can advantageously remain in a shut-down state; in particular, the system can advantageously (nevertheless) provide purging or sealing air.

[0033] In some embodiments, the system has a plurality of valves, in particular a plurality of valves that can be controlled, in particular by means of a valve control. In some embodiments, at least one valve of the plurality of valves is connected to an engine housing and / or a turbine side of an electric turbocharger (ETC), a valve of the anode knock-out (AKO), in particular a drain valve, in particular for purging the aforementioned parts or for providing sealing air in the aforementioned parts, in particular in such a way that a connection between the pressure vessel and the respective parts of the fuel cell system is or is influenced by the valves, in particular is or is regulated.In some embodiments, at least one valve of the plurality of valves is connected to a purge valve of the anode separator, further in particular to a downstream anode separator manifold and / or heating line to the exhaust pipe, a cathode separator (Cathode Knock Out; CKO), in particular to a drain valve of the cathode separator, in particular in an air processing unit (APU) of the fuel cell system, further in particular to a downstream heating line of the cathode separator to the exhaust, in particular for purging the said parts or for providing sealing air in the said parts, in particular such that a connection between the pressure vessel and the respective parts of the fuel cell system is or is influenced by the valves, in particular is or is regulated.In some embodiments, at least one valve of the plurality of valves is connected to a fuel cell stack cathode side, a fuel cell stack anode side and / or a hydrogen recirculation blower (HRB), in particular a hydrogen recirculation blower of an anode feed unit (AFU) of the fuel cell system, in particular for purging the said parts or for providing sealing air in the said parts, in particular such that a connection between the pressure vessel and the respective parts of the fuel cell system is or is influenced by the valves, in particular is or is regulated.

[0034] Advantageously, in some embodiments, this can make it possible for the parts of the fuel cell system, in particular the aforementioned parts of the fuel cell system, to be individually purged and / or supplied with sealing air in accordance with the fuel cell system data, in particular in accordance with their (individual) cooling behavior, in particular their temperature profile and / or their current temperature, in accordance with the amount of condensate or condensate water present in this part, in accordance with the degree of humidity prevailing in this part and / or depending on the status data (as described herein), in particular when predetermined values ​​for the parts of the fuel cell system are undershot or exceeded.Advantageously, in some embodiments, this can further secure the fuel cell system, in particular in such a way that starting the fuel cell system is made easier, errors in the fuel cell system, in particular HV errors, are prevented or can be prevented, and / or starting the fuel cell system is possible or enabled (at all). The term "undershot" can refer in some embodiments to falling below a predetermined value, in particular for a temperature, a temperature forecast, or the like. The term "exceeded" can refer in some embodiments to exceeding a predetermined value, in particular a condensate content, a (relative) humidity, a water content, a cooling rate, or the like.

[0035] A system and / or means within the meaning of the present invention can be designed in hardware and / or software, in particular at least one, in particular digital, processing unit, in particular a microprocessor unit (CPU), graphics card (GPU) or the like, preferably connected to a memory and / or bus system for data or signals, and / or one or more programs or program modules. The processing unit can be designed to execute instructions implemented as a program stored in a memory system, to detect input signals from a data bus, and / or to output output signals to a data bus. A 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 designed in such a way that it embodies the methods described here oris capable of carrying out, so that the processing unit can carry out the steps of such methods and thus in particular operate or monitor, in particular secure, a fuel cell system.

[0036] In some embodiments, the system comprises means for determining status data, means for determining fuel cell system data and means for providing sealing air and / or means for purging at least a portion of the fuel cell system.

[0037] In some embodiments, the method is carried out only using the system described herein, in particular a pressure vessel and the means for acquiring status data, the means for acquiring fuel cell system data and the means for providing sealing air or the means for purging, in particular without the use of systems, devices, modules or the like that are or will be activated when the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle with fuel cell system is not switched off, but in particular is started.In some embodiments, means for providing sealing air and / or means for purging relate to at least one processing unit, in particular a valve controller, which is configured to open and / or close the at least one valve, in particular when a determined value of the status data and / or the fuel cell system data exceeds or falls below a predetermined value. In some embodiments, the at least one processing unit, in particular the valve controller, is integrated into the at least one valve or is a processing unit external to the valve, which is configured in particular to control the at least one valve.

[0038] In one embodiment, a computer program product can comprise, in particular be, a storage medium, in particular a computer-readable and / or non-volatile one, for storing a program or instructions or with a program or instructions stored thereon. In one embodiment, execution of this program or these instructions by a system or a controller, in particular a computer or an arrangement of multiple computers, causes the system or the controller, in particular the computer(s), to carry out a method described here or one or more of its steps, or the program or the instructions are configured to do so.

[0039] The computer program can in particular be stored on a non-volatile data carrier. This is preferably a data carrier in the form of an optical data carrier or a flash memory module. This can be advantageous if the computer program as such is to be handled independently of a processor platform on which the one or more programs are to be executed. In another implementation, the computer program can be present as a file on a data processing unit, in particular on a server, and can be downloaded via a data connection, for example the Internet or a dedicated data connection, such as a proprietary or local network. In addition, the computer program can have a plurality of interacting individual program modules. The modules can in particular be configured or at least be usable in such a way that they can be used in the sense of distributed computing (DC).“Distributed computing”) are executed on different devices (computers or processor units) that are geographically separated from each other and connected via a data network.

[0040] The system can accordingly 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 with it that is used during the execution of the method or computer program or that represents outputs of the computer program.

[0041] In one embodiment, one or more, in particular all, steps of the method are carried out fully or partially automatically, in particular by the controller or its means. It is within the scope of the invention that the previously described method steps are carried out in a different order and / or that method steps are combined and / or that one method step is integrated into another method step.

[0042] The terms "comprises," "includes," "includes," "has," "has," "with," or any other variation thereof, as used herein, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method or apparatus that includes or has a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or that are inherent in such a method or apparatus.

[0043] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, "or" refers to an inclusive "or" and not an exclusive "or." For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by one of the following conditions: A is true (or present) and B is false (or absent), A is false (or absent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0044] The terms "a" or "an" as used herein are defined as "one or more." The terms "another" and "another," and any other variations thereof, are defined as "at least one other."

[0045] The term “configured” or “set up” to fulfil a specific function (and respective variations thereof), as used here where appropriate, is to be understood that a relevant device or component thereof is already in a design or setting in which it can perform the function or is at least adjustable – i.e. configurable – so that it can perform the function after being set accordingly. The configuration can be carried out, for example, by appropriately setting parameters of a process sequence or of switches or the like for activating or deactivating functionalities 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.

[0046] Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures.

[0047] This shows

[0048] Figure 1 schematically shows a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0049] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0050] In the figures, like reference numerals designate like, similar, or corresponding elements. Elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Rather, the various elements shown in the figures are depicted in such a way that their function and general purpose will be understood by those skilled in the art. Connections and couplings between functional units and elements shown in the figures can also be implemented as indirect connections or couplings, unless expressly stated otherwise. Functional units can, in particular, be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0051] Figure 1 schematically shows a system 1 with a fuel cell system 5. The system 1 has valves V1 to Vn, each of which is connected to a part of the fuel cell system 5. Furthermore, the system 1 has a pressure vessel 10, which is connected to parts of the fuel cell system 5 via valves V1 to Vn, such that the valves V1 to Vn provide a quantity of compressed air from the pressure vessel 10, in particular regulate its flow to a part of the fuel cell system 5 or are designed to do so and / or provide a quantity of compressed air from the pressure vessel 10 or are configured to do so, in particular as sealing air in a part of the fuel cell system 5 connected via the respective valve V1 to Vn. Valve V1 in Figure 1 is designed to purge at least one part of the fuel cell system 5 or to provide sealing air thereto, here by way of example at least one part of the electric turbocharger ETC.Valve V2 in Figure 1 is configured to purge at least one part of the fuel cell system 5 or to provide it with sealing air, here, for example, at least one part of the anode separator AKO. Valve V3 in Figure 1 is configured to purge at least one part of the fuel cell system 5 or to provide it with sealing air, here, for example, at least one part of the air treatment unit APU. Valve V4 in Figure 1 is configured to purge at least one part of the fuel cell system 5 or to provide it with sealing air, here, for example, at least one part of the fuel cell stack assembly module (SAM). Valve V5 in Figure 1 is configured to purge at least one part of the fuel cell system 5 or to provide it with sealing air, here, for example, at least one other part of the fuel cell stack assembly (SAM).In some embodiments, the system 1 comprises a plurality of valves, as exemplified in Figure 1 by the designation Vn. In Figure 1, the valve Vn is configured to purge at least one part of the fuel cell system 5 or to provide sealing air thereto, here, for example, at least one / a part of the anode feed device AFU. Furthermore, Figure 1 shows a fuel cell interface FCI, which can be used in particular (in some embodiments) to determine fuel cell system data, is in particular configured for this purpose, and is in particular connected thereto in data communication.

[0052] Figure 2 schematically shows a method 100 for securing a fuel cell system 5 of a vehicle. The method 100 comprises switching off the fuel cell system S10 or determining whether the fuel cell system is switched off, determining status 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 is indicated in Figure 2 by the dashed lines. Based on the (determined) status data and the (determined) fuel cell system data, if a (predetermined) value for the determined status data and / or the determined fuel cell system data is undershot or exceeded, at least a portion of the fuel cell system is purged S40; in some embodiments, sealing air S40' is provided in at least a portion of the fuel cell system.Depending on the part of the fuel cell system, purging and / or sealing air can be provided, which is exemplified in Figure 2 by the dashed line at S40'. Furthermore, the method can be repeated as often as desired, in particular as long as the fuel cell system is switched off, represented here by a dashed arrow. While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described above, it should be noted that a large number of variations exist. It should also be noted that the described exemplary embodiments represent only non-limiting examples, and there is no intention to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the devices and methods described herein.Rather, the foregoing description will provide one skilled in the art with guidance for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the operation and arrangement of the elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the subject matter as defined in the appended claims, as well as their legal equivalents.

[0053] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0054] 1 system

[0055] 5 Fuel cell system

[0056] 10 pressure vessels / compressed air storage

[0057] Vl to Vn valve

[0058] APU air treatment system

[0059] AFU anode feeding device

[0060] AKO anode separator

[0061] CKO cathode separator

[0062] ETC electric turbocharger

[0063] FCI fuel cell interface

[0064] SAM fuel cell assembly

[0065] 100 procedures

[0066] S10 shutdown

[0067] S20 Determination of status data

[0068] S20' Determining a temperature

[0069] S30 Determination of fuel cell system data

[0070] S30' Determination of relative humidity

[0071] S40 Sinks

[0072] S40' Provision of sealing air.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Method (100) for securing a, in particular switched off, fuel cell system (5), comprising: Determining (S20) condition data, wherein the condition data describe an influencing factor for condensation of moisture in the fuel cell system; and Providing (S40') sealing air in at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) and / or purging (S40) the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) by means of a gas from a pressure vessel of the vehicle, which is additionally configured for this purpose, based on the status data.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises determining (S30) fuel cell system data of the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5), wherein the fuel cell system data describe a state of the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5); and wherein the provision (S40') of sealing air in the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) and / or purging (S40) of the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) by means of a gas from a pressure vessel of the vehicle is carried out based on the fuel cell system data.

3. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the status data comprise at least one value from the group of downtime of the fuel cell system, a wind direction, a position, an outside temperature and an outside temperature profile and / or wherein the fuel cell system data comprise at least one value from the group of: moisture content of at least a part of the fuel cell system (5), condensate formation and / or condensate quantity in the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5), temperature of the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) and temperature profile of the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5).

4. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the purging and / or the provision of sealing air is carried out by means of a gas, in particular by means of Hydrogen and / or compressed air, in particular an inert gas, in particular nitrogen or argon.

5. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) is a cathode branch and purging and / or provision takes place by means of a gas, in particular by means of an inert gas and / or by means of compressed air, or wherein the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) is an anode branch of the fuel cell system (5) and purging and / or provision takes place with an inert gas and / or hydrogen.

6. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the purging (S40) of the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) or the provision (S40') of sealing air in the at least one part of the fuel cell system (5) is carried out by means of a controllable, in particular controllable, valve control which has at least one valve (V1; Vn), in particular by controlling, in particular regulating the at least one valve, 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 part of the status data is determined from an external data source.

8. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (100) is carried out at predetermined times after the vehicle is switched off or in a predetermined time interval.

9. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (100) comprises repeating, on the one hand, the determining and, on the other hand, the rinsing and / or providing.

10. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (100) is carried out when the fuel cell system (5) is switched off or in a partial operation of the fuel cell system (5).

11. System (1) for monitoring, purging (S40) at least a part of a fuel cell system (5) and / or providing (S40') sealing air in a part of the fuel cell system (5), which is set up to carry out a method (100) according to one of the preceding claims. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the system (1) comprises a pressure vessel (10) which, in particular additionally, is configured to purge the at least part of the fuel cell system (5) with gas (S40) or to supply the at least part of the fuel cell system (5) with sealing air (S40'), in particular by means of a valve control. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims 11 or 12, wherein the system (1), in particular a valve control arrangement, comprises a plurality of valves (V1; Vn), wherein the valves (V1; Vn) are arranged in a fluid connection between the pressure vessel (10) and the at least part of the fuel cell system (5), and the system (1), in particular the valve control arrangement, is further configured to influence, in particular to regulate, a gas quantity.Computer program or computer program product, wherein the computer program or computer program product contains instructions, in particular stored on a computer-readable and / or non-volatile storage medium, which, when executed by one or more computers or by a system (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, cause the computer(s) or the system (1) to carry out a method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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