Rotor for a fan for a fuel cell assembly for a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, fan, fuel cell assembly and vehicle

Abstract

A rotor (9) for a fan (1) for a fuel cell assembly (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a utility vehicle (200b); wherein the rotor (9) has a motor shaft (7) with at least one bearing seat (7a) for an air bearing (18, 19) for rotatably mounting the motor shaft (7); the rotor (9) has a retainer (13) which is rotationally rigidly connected to the motor shaft (7) and has at least one permanent magnet element (9a), which is held in the retainer (13); and the rotor (9) has a heating component (30) arranged on the retainer (13); wherein the heating component (30) consists of a first material (M1) and the retainer (13) consists of a second material (M2), which is different from the first material (M2), wherein the first material (M1) is electrically conductive; and the first material (M1) and the second material (M2) are both non-magnetic.

Description

[0001] Rotor for a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, blower, fuel cell arrangement, vehicle

[0002] The disclosure relates to a rotor for a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. The disclosure also relates to a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, comprising a fuel cell stack that can be supplied with a gas mixture on the anode side and a blower, and a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, comprising a fuel cell arrangement.

[0003] Such blowers for fuel cell arrays are known from the prior art. A fuel cell array of this type comprises a fuel cell system with galvanic cells that can be used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy is generated from a so-called fuel cell reaction, a chemical reaction between a supplied fuel, for example hydrogen, and an oxidant, usually oxygen. To increase energy yield, several cells or fuel cells can be combined to form a fuel cell stack. In addition to the fuel cell stack, the fuel cell array typically includes other components, such as a compressor for supplying the fuel cell stack with the oxidant, for example air, on the cathode side.

[0004] For fuel cell systems, especially for mobile applications with different operating points, such as vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, it is useful to incorporate recirculation of a gas mixture containing the fuel in the anode path. The aim is to return fuel not consumed through chemical reactions, especially electrolysis, to the system, to remove harmful gases, such as nitrogen (also known as "purging"), and / or to allow purging of the fuel cell stack to prevent and / or remove liquid and / or water accumulation.

[0005] Recirculation can be implemented passively and / or actively. Active recirculation means that a blower is used to circulate the fuel or gas mixture within the anode path according to the operating points and other requirements.

[0006] The design of a recirculation blower, i.e., a blower for recirculation in the anode path, is challenging because hydrogen, nitrogen, and moisture are challenging features of the gas mixture that require special measures regarding tightness, robustness, and service life.

[0007] Furthermore, especially at colder temperatures, i.e., below 0°C, the water in the recirculation fan can freeze. This can lead to ice formation, which can impair the function of the recirculation fan and also contribute to damage to its components. Bearings, and especially air bearings or foil bearings, can be damaged by icing.

[0008] DE 102020208 178 A1 relates to a method for heating a fuel cell system, in particular a component and / or a section of the fuel cell system, using at least one electric heating element. A heating element made of a ferrite material or a ferrite mixture is used, and an upper temperature limit is set via the Curie temperature of the ferrite material or ferrite mixture. Eddy currents can be inductively coupled into the heating element by means of a magnetic coil arranged on the heating element. The magnetic coil can be connected to a rotating-field-driven component of the fuel cell system. An anode gas recirculation fan can be used as a rotating-field-driven component. However, this requires the installation of an additional magnetic coil, which can be complex and / or expensive.Such a heating element would, for example, lead to a reduction in the effectiveness of the permanent magnet elements in a permanent magnet synchronous machine, and thus to a reduction in performance.

[0009] DE 102018204713 A1 discloses a side channel compressor for a fuel cell system for conveying and / or compressing a gas, in particular hydrogen, with a housing and a drive, wherein the housing has a housing upper part and a housing lower part, with a compressor chamber extending around a rotating axis in the housing, which has at least one rotating side channel, with a compressor wheel located in the housing, which is rotatably arranged about the rotating axis and is driven by the drive, wherein the compressor wheel has blades arranged on its circumference in the area of ​​the compressor chamber and with a gas inlet opening and a gas outlet opening formed on the housing, which are fluidically connected to each other via the compressor chamber, in particular the at least one side channel.The drive is designed as an axial-field electric motor comprising a stator and a rotor. Both the stator and rotor are disk-shaped and rotate around the axis of rotation, with the stator positioned alongside the rotor in the direction of the axis. This allows the stator to be energized without generating a rotating magnetic field between the stator and rotor, resulting in little to no rotation of the rotor around the axis. During brief energization of the stator coils, the stator heats up, primarily due to the resulting power loss, which is released as heat energy. This heat energy then spreads from the stator to the other components of the side-channel compressor. The heat energy transfer occurs in a single direction, flowing into the area between the compressor wheel and the housing, where ice bridges have formed.

[0010] To heat a bearing, for example, the generated heat must be transported to the bearing. According to DE 102018204713 A1, the heat would have to be conducted from the stator to the bearing, possibly via a housing or part thereof, using thermal conduction. However, this heat transfer path is comparatively long, and a relatively large amount of heat would have to be generated due to the heat capacity of the stator and the housing. Alternatively, other heat transfer mechanisms can be considered, such as convection or advection, but these are practically insufficient for transporting enough heat.

[0011] Against the background of this prior art, one objective of the present disclosure is to provide a blower for a fuel cell arrangement of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, which is suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the aforementioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, it is the objective of the disclosure to enable improved heating of, in particular, a bearing of a blower.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0013] The problem is then solved according to one aspect of the disclosure by a rotor for a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle; wherein the rotor has a motor shaft with at least one bearing seat for an air bearing for rotatably mounting the motor shaft; the rotor has a holding device non-rotatably connected to the motor shaft with at least one permanent magnet element held within the holding device; and the rotor has a heat sink arranged on the holding device; the heat sink is made of a first material and the holding device is made of a second material different from the first material, wherein the first material is electrically conductive; and the first material and the second material are each non-magnetic.

[0014] It has been recognized that a characteristic of air bearings, particularly foil bearings, is that they may not be able to rotate the motor shaft at temperatures below 0°C. This is because the combination of the relatively low temperature, condensation, and the presence of liquid water can lead to icing. Initiating rotor rotation under such conditions can damage the air bearings.

[0015] Therefore, it is proposed that the heat sink, made of electrically conductive material, be provided on and / or within the rotor, while the mounting device and the heat sink itself are non-magnetic. Due to the heat sink's electrical conductivity, eddy currents and / or hysteresis losses can be selectively generated in the heat sink, and thus in the rotor, by applying electrical energy to the stator. This allows electrical energy to be converted directly into heat at and / or within the rotor, thereby generating heat at and / or within the rotor. The heat can be efficiently transferred from the heat sink to the bearing seats, and thus to the air bearings, via thermal conduction over a relatively short distance along the motor shaft. The generated heat can thus be introduced into the air bearing effectively, reliably, and quickly to prevent potential icing.

[0016] The arrangement of the permanent magnet elements, or one or more permanent magnets, allows the rotor to be used in a drive designed as a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). The holding device, made of a second non-magnetic material, ensures that the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet elements remains largely unaffected, thus preventing a reduction in the blower's performance.

[0017] The disclosure enables the rotor to be heated by induction in the heat sink via a drive designed as a permanent magnet synchronous machine. The stator of the drive can generate an oscillating torque, which depends on, and is proportional to, the current applied to the stator. However, at higher frequencies, this torque alternates so rapidly between positive and negative values ​​that, depending on the frequency, the rotor's moment of inertia, and / or other losses, only negligible rotation of the rotor results, thus preventing damage to the air bearings. In other words, a mechanical component of a device is provided that can convert electrical energy into heat, which is then used to protect or conserve other components of the device.In particular, a device with a heating element is provided to preheat components set up for rotation before rotation.

[0018] Optionally, the second material can be electrically conductive or electrically insulating. A difference in electrical conductivity between the optionally non-conductive and / or less conductive mounting device and the heat sink can cause electromagnetic fields to be coupled into the heat sink, generating heat there. Alternatively, the electrical conductivity of the first and second materials can be the same, in which case the mounting device and the heat sink are electrically insulated from each other. The arrangement and / or geometry of the mounting device and the heat sink can then be designed for the most efficient heat generation possible.

[0019] Optionally, the relative magnetic permeability of the first material and / or the second material is less than 2. A relative magnetic permeability of 2, as defined in the disclosure, can define a boundary between magnetic and non-magnetic. The heat sink and / or the holding device can be non-magnetic. Ferrite or iron can be considered a magnetic material, while, for example, aluminum and copper are non-magnetic materials.

[0020] Optionally, the electrical conductivity of the first material is greater than or equal to 10. A5 S / m. This allows for sufficient heat generation in the heat sink. For example, the first material is copper and / or aluminum. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical conductivity of the first material is greater than that of the second material. In particular, the second material can be a non-conductive or poorly conductive material. Optionally, the heat sink has a first circumferential section, a second circumferential section spaced along the axis from the first circumferential section, and at least one longitudinal section extending parallel to the axis between the first circumferential section and the second circumferential section. It has been found that such an arrangement can promote the effective coupling and conversion of electromagnetic energy in the heat sink.Furthermore, the permanent magnet elements remain so unaffected that only minimal losses occur through the heat sink during normal operation when the rotor is driven. Optionally, the heat sink has at least two longitudinal sections; the heat sink has openings arranged between pairs of longitudinal sections; and the number of openings corresponds to the number of longitudinal sections. The circumferential sections improve heat transfer at the ends of the heat sink, which are optionally formed by the circumferential sections. This allows the heat transfer to be achieved particularly close to the bearing seats without significantly impairing the drive's performance during normal operation.

[0021] Optionally, at least two longitudinal sections are arranged with a uniform circumference. This uniform distribution of the longitudinal sections ensures uniform heating. Furthermore, this uniform distribution results in smooth running characteristics.

[0022] The heat sink can optionally be designed as a slotted metal sleeve, a cage, and / or partially or completely as a hollow cylinder. In the case of the metal sleeve, the openings can form the slots. The heat sink designed as a cage or mesh can result in a structure similar to a squirrel cage rotor, which is used in induction machines to induce a rotor voltage and thus a rotating magnetic field when the rotor rotates. Here, the metal sleeve and / or the optional copper cage is used for heating in a permanent magnet synchronous machine without rotation. Optionally, the heat sink is arranged radially outside the permanent magnet element. This allows for an efficient arrangement of the heat sink and the permanent magnet element(s). An electric field generated by the stator couples first into the heat sink, where the field can generate heat.

[0023] Optionally, the mounting device and the heat sink are bonded together and / or designed as a single composite component. A bonded connection between the mounting device and the heat sink allows the heat sink to be reliably held in place by the mounting device, while simultaneously ensuring effective heat transfer from the heat sink to the mounting device and thus to the motor shaft and bearing seats. The same applies to a composite component. A composite component can also facilitate efficient rotor assembly and be particularly space-saving.

[0024] Optionally, the heat sink can be manufactured as a single piece. This allows for a cost-effective provision of a suitable heat sink for coupling electromagnetic radiation and generating heat.

[0025] In other words, the rotor utilizes losses due to eddy currents and / or remagnetization through the use of the optional copper heating element, particularly through the various electromagnetic properties of the heating element and its mounting, as well as through high-frequency currents that can be applied to the stator. The excitation frequency can influence electromagnetic losses in the heating element, depending on its geometry and properties. Applying this current to the stator can thus be used to heat the bearing seats and, consequently, the air bearings, if the blower is to be started at relatively low temperatures.

[0026] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided; wherein the blower for recirculating a gas mixture used for the operation of the fuel cell arrangement comprises a drive motor with a rotor defining an axis according to the disclosure and a stator arranged radially outside the rotor for generating an electromagnetic field.

[0027] Optionally, the blower and / or the blower rotor may have one or more of the features described as optional and / or advantageous with regard to the rotor in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0028] The blower can be used to recirculate a gas mixture associated with an anode region of the fuel cell assembly. The gas mixture can contain hydrogen as fuel. It can also contain other components, particularly those resulting from the reaction of hydrogen in the anode region of the fuel cell assembly. The gas mixture can contain water, which is also a byproduct of the hydrogen reaction. The gas mixture can be passed through the anode region of the fuel cell assembly.

[0029] The blower can be equipped with a drive designed as a media-gap motor. In this case, the medium conveyed by the blower, in particular the gas mixture used in the fuel cell arrangement, can be conveyed through an annular channel.

[0030] The blower impeller, coupled to the motor shaft, is designed to convey the gas mixture when the impeller rotates. The blower impeller may have an arrangement of blades distributed around its circumference. Rotation of the blower impeller conveys the gas mixture, acting as a pump. The blower impeller can convey the gas mixture radially due to its rotation.

[0031] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided, comprising a fuel cell stack that can be supplied with a gas mixture on the anode side and a blower according to the disclosure. Optionally, the blower has one or more features described as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0032] The blower can be connected via appropriate piping within the fuel cell assembly to one or more fuel cell modules or fuel cell stacks in such a way that the blower can guide the gas mixture through the anode area of ​​the fuel cell assembly. The blower can also be connected to a fuel source or fuel storage system, which allows the fuel content of the recirculated gas mixture to be adjusted.

[0033] The blower can be connected to a fuel cell module via a piping system within the fuel cell assembly. The blower can be designed to recirculate hydrogen-containing gas within the fuel cell assembly. In particular, the recirculation of the hydrogen-containing gas can be configured for the anode side of the fuel cell assembly. The blower can be controlled as needed via a control unit, which can take into account the operating state of the fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly can also include several blowers of the type described above, which are integrated into the fuel cell assembly via corresponding piping systems.

[0034] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided, comprising a fuel cell arrangement as described in the disclosure. Optionally, the blower and / or the fuel cell arrangement has one or more features described as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0035] The blower and / or fuel cell assembly can be used in a mobile application. Specifically, the blower and / or fuel cell assembly can be used in an electric vehicle, where the electrical power is generated by the fuel cell assembly and can optionally be supplied to a buffer battery or traction battery. Alternatively, the fuel cell assembly with the blower can be used in a stationary application. The blower can also be used to provide a gas flow in other applications.

[0036] In particular, the blower can be used to achieve a flow through the cathode side of the fuel cell assembly.

[0037] Further features of the disclosure and its technical effects will become apparent from the figures and the description of the preferred embodiments shown in the figures.

[0038] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, according to one aspect of the disclosure;

[0039] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a stator and components of a rotor;

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a stator and components of a rotor according to one aspect of the disclosure;

[0041] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a heat sink of a rotor according to one aspect of the disclosure;

[0042] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a heat sink of a rotor according to one aspect of the disclosure; and

[0043] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a heat sink of a rotor according to one aspect of the disclosure.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b, according to one aspect of the disclosure.

[0045] Vehicle 200a, in particular commercial vehicle 200b, is hereinafter referred to as vehicle 200a, 200b. Vehicle 200a, 200b is, for example, a land vehicle or a watercraft.

[0046] The vehicle 200a, 200b comprises a fuel cell assembly 205, an energy storage device 260, and an electric main drive 250. The fuel cell assembly 205 is configured to supply electrical energy 65 to the energy storage device 260. The energy storage device 260 is, for example, a rechargeable energy storage device 260 and serves as a buffer battery for storing electrical energy 65. The energy storage device 260 is also referred to as a traction battery. The energy storage device 260 is connected to the electric main drive 250 to supply the electric main drive 250 with electrical energy 65 so that the electric main drive 250 can propel the vehicle 200a, 200b.

[0047] The fuel cell assembly 205 comprises a blower 1, a compressor 210, a fuel cell system 204 or a fuel cell stack 206 and optionally an expander 270. The fuel cell stack 206 has a cathode 207 and an anode 208.

[0048] The blower 1 of the present embodiments is used in a fuel cell arrangement 205 in which hydrogen-containing gas is circulated as a gas mixture 40 and reacts electrochemically to generate electrical energy 65. In particular, the blower 1 described here is used to purge an anode region of the fuel cell stack 206 and / or to ensure a predetermined composition of the gas mixture 40 located in the anode region. More precisely, the hydrogen-containing gas mixture 40 becomes enriched with nitrogen due to the reaction. The composition of the gas mixture 40 is not directly determined by the recirculation blower itself, but can be adjusted by purging, by releasing nitrogen from the gas mixture 40. The blower 1 is configured to supply the anode 208 with the gas mixture 40 and thus with the fuel.

[0049] Several of the blowers 1 described above can be used in the fuel cell assembly 205. Furthermore, the fuel cell assembly 205 generally includes a control unit (not shown) which, among other things, controls the operation of the blower 1. This includes controlling the speed of the blower 1, which allows the blower output to be adjusted. In addition, the operating state of the fuel cell assembly 205 is taken into account to determine whether or not operation of the blower 1 is necessary.

[0050] The compressor 210 is configured to supply an airflow to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack 206, i.e., to the cathode 207. For this purpose, the compressor 210 is configured to be powered by electrical energy 65 in order to draw in air, compress it, and supply it to the fuel cell stack 206 as supply air 240. The expander 270 is configured to be supplied with exhaust air 245 from the fuel cell stack 206 in order to convert energy from the exhaust air 245 into electrical energy 65.

[0051] The blower 1 has a drive (not shown) comprising a motor shaft 7, a stator 8, and a rotor 9. Components of the drive are described with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a stator 8 and components of a rotor 9. The stator 8 and the components of the rotor 9 are designed according to the prior art. Figure 2 is subdivided into two sections (A) and (B), with section (A) showing the stator 8 and the components of the rotor 9, and section (B) showing components of the rotor 9 that can be connected to a motor shaft 7 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0053] The stator 8 and the rotor 9 are components of a permanent magnet synchronous machine. The stator 8 is designed to be energized with an electric current to generate a rotating magnetic field. This eliminates the need for a separate excitation device for the rotor.

[0054] The rotor 9 has a motor shaft 7 with two bearing seats 7a, each for an air bearing 18, 19, for rotatable mounting of the motor shaft 7. The rotor 9, or rather the motor shaft 7, can thus be mounted for rotation about an axis A. The rotor 9 has a holding device 13, which is non-rotatably connected to the motor shaft 7 and has at least one permanent magnet element 9a arranged within the holding device 13. The permanent magnet element 9a provides permanent excitation and, through interaction with the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator 8, can produce a torque acting on the rotor 9.

[0055] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a stator 8 and components of a rotor 9 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The stator 8 and the rotor 9 according to Figure 8 are provided for a blower 1 for a fuel cell arrangement 205 for a vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b. Such a fuel cell arrangement 205 and such a vehicle 200a, 200b are described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 3 is described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 3 is subdivided into two sections (A) and (B), wherein section (A) shows the stator 8 and the components of the rotor 9, and section (B) shows components of the rotor 9 that can be connected to a motor shaft 7 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0056] The stator 8 and the rotor 9 are components of a permanent magnet synchronous machine. The stator 8 is designed to be energized with an electric current to generate a rotating magnetic field. This eliminates the need for a separate excitation device for the rotor.

[0057] The rotor 9 has a motor shaft 7 with two bearing seats 7a, each for an air bearing 18, 19, for the rotatable mounting of the motor shaft 7. The bearing seats 7a are designed, for example, as tapers and / or shoulders on the motor shaft 7. The bearing seats 7a are thus formed integrally with the motor shaft 7. This allows for effective heat transfer via the motor shaft 7 to the bearing seats 7a.

[0058] The air bearings 18, 19 each comprise components mounted on the bearing seats 7a and components on a rotationally fixed component (not shown) of the blower 1. The air bearings 18, 19 are designed to mount the motor shaft 7 rotatably with relatively low friction by means of an air film and / or an airflow between the components on the bearing seats 7a and the rotationally fixed components. The rotor 9, or the motor shaft 7, can thus be mounted for rotation about an axis A. The rotor 9 has a retaining device 13 rotationally connected to the motor shaft 7, with at least one permanent magnet element 9a arranged within the retaining device 13. The permanent magnet element 9a is held within the retaining device 13 by the retaining device 13. The permanent magnet element 9a achieves permanent excitation and can generate a torque acting on the rotor 9 through interaction with the rotating field generated by the stator 8.The holding device 13 consists of a second material M2. The second material M2 can be a metal, a plastic, and / or, for example, a carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The holding device 13 is designed to hold the permanent magnet element 9a on the motor shaft 7. The second material M2 is non-magnetic. With other materials, the second material M2 has a relative magnetic permeability of less than 2.

[0059] The rotor 9 has a heating element 30 arranged on the holding device 13. The heating element 30 consists of a first material M1. The first material M1 is, for example, copper. The heating element 30 is thus made of copper. This allows an electromagnetic field generated by the stator 8 to be efficiently coupled into the heating element 30. The heating element 30 is formed in one piece. The electrical conductivity of the first material M1 is optionally higher than the electrical conductivity of the second material M2. The higher electrical conductivity of the first material M1, or the heating element 30, compared to the second material M2, or the holding device 13, enables the coupling of the electromagnetic field and corresponding heating through eddy currents and / or hysteresis losses, similar to an induction cookware pot on an induction cooktop.The electrical conductivity of the first material M1 is greater than or equal to 10. A 5 S / m. Alternatively, the respective electrical conductivities of the first material M1 and the second material M2 can be equal, in which case the holding device 13 and the heating element 30 are electrically insulated from each other. The arrangement and / or geometry of the holding device 13 and the heating element 30 can be designed for the most efficient heat generation possible. The first material M1 and the second material M2 are each non-magnetic. The relative magnetic permeability of the first material M1 and the second material M2 is therefore each less than 2.

[0060] The heating element 30 has a first circumferential section 31, a second circumferential section 32 spaced apart from the first circumferential section 31 along axis A, and at least two longitudinal sections 33 extending parallel to axis A between the first circumferential section 31 and the second circumferential section 32. The first circumferential section 31 and the second circumferential section 32 are each annular or partially annular in shape. The first circumferential section 31 and the second circumferential section 32 each extend circumferentially. The first circumferential section 31 is arranged at a first end of the holding device 13, and the second circumferential section 32 is arranged at a second end of the holding device 13 spaced apart from the first end along axis A. The longitudinal sections 33 each extend parallel to axis A from the first circumferential section 31 to the second circumferential section 32.At least the two longitudinal sections 33 are arranged with uniform distribution around their circumference. The longitudinal sections 33 have identical dimensions in the circumferential direction and along axis A. The thickness of the longitudinal sections 33 can be adjusted according to manufacturing requirements in order to adapt or improve the heat generation in the heat sink 30.

[0061] The heat sink 30 has openings 34 arranged between pairs of longitudinal sections 33; the number of openings 34 corresponds to the number of longitudinal sections 33. The openings 34 extend parallel to the axis A from the first circumferential section 31 to the second circumferential section 32. The openings 34 have identical dimensions in the circumferential direction and along the axis A. Due to the arrangement of the openings 34, the circumferential sections 31, 32, and the longitudinal sections 31 relative to each other, corresponding currents flow into the longitudinal sections 31 via the circumferential sections 31, 32, causing heat input. The heat sink 30 is thus designed as a slotted metal sleeve 35 and / or as a cage 35'. The heat sink 30 is arranged radially outside the permanent magnet element 9a. For example, the heat sink 30 is applied to the holding device 13 and / or inserted into a radially outer surface of the holding device 13.The holding device 13 and the heating element 30 are materially bonded and / or formed as a composite component 36. For example, a materially bonded connection between the heating element 30 and the holding device 13 can be created by gluing and / or welding. It is also possible for the heating element 30 and the holding device 13 to be manufactured by injection molding and / or an additive manufacturing process.

[0062] The rotor 9 enables the generation of eddy currents and / or hysteresis losses in the heat element 30 without requiring additional coils and / or electronics. The cage- and / or sleeve-shaped structure allows the eddy currents to be closed within the heat element 30, where the heat is generated. The heat can be transported from the heat element 30 via the holding device 13 and the motor shaft 7 to the bearing seats 7a to heat the air bearings 18, 19 over a relatively short path.

[0063] The thermal element 30 according to Figure 3 has two longitudinal sections 33 and two openings 34. In the example shown, the longitudinal sections 33 and the openings 34 are of the same extent along the circumference. In another embodiment (not shown), the longitudinal sections 33 can be larger or smaller than the openings 34.

[0064] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a heating element 30 of a rotor 9 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Figure 4 shows an alternative of the heating element 30 to the heating element 30 according to Figure 3. The heating element 30 according to Figure 3 has four longitudinal sections 33 and four openings 34.

[0065] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a heating element 30 of a rotor 9 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Figure 5 shows an alternative of the heating element 30 to the heating element 30 according to Figures 3 and 4. The heating element 30 according to Figure 5 has six longitudinal sections 33 and six openings 34 (not all indicated). Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a heating element 30 of a rotor 9 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Figure 5 shows an alternative of the heating element 30 to the heating element 30 according to Figures 3 to 5. The heating element 30 according to Figure 8 has eight longitudinal sections 33 and eight openings 34 (not all indicated).

[0066] In other embodiments (not shown), the number of longitudinal sections 33 and openings 34 can differ from the number of heat sinks 30 shown, for example, they can be odd, particularly equal to one. The geometry of the longitudinal sections 33 can also be different, for example, curved. The heat sink 30 can also have a geometry different from that shown.

[0067] For example, the heat sink 30 can be configured as a mesh, cage, or grid, partially or completely as a hollow cylinder, and / or comprise a plurality of cylinders, rings, etc. The openings 34 can also have a geometry other than that shown and, for example, be parallelogram-shaped and / or form a zigzag pattern. The heat sink 30 can be arranged on the permanent magnet elements 9a, within and / or on the holding device 13, and may have uniformly or unevenly distributed sections for generating heat. Reference numerals (part of the description)

[0068] 1 blower

[0069] 7 Motor shaft

[0070] 8 Stator

[0071] 9 Rotor

[0072] 9a Permanent magnet element

[0073] 13 Holding device

[0074] 18 air bearings

[0075] 19 air bearings

[0076] 30 radiators

[0077] 31 first section

[0078] 32 second circumferential section 33 longitudinal section

[0079] 34 openings

[0080] 35 metal sleeve

[0081] 35' cage

[0082] 40 Gas mixture

[0083] 46 Fuel

[0084] 47 anode-side exhaust air

[0085] 48 Liquid

[0086] 65 electrical energy

[0087] 200a vehicle

[0088] 200b commercial vehicle

[0089] 204 Fuel cell system

[0090] 205 Fuel cell arrangement 206 Fuel cell stack

[0091] 207 Cathode 208 Anode

[0092] 240 supply air

[0093] 245 Exhaust air

[0094] 250 main drive

[0095] 260 Energy storage device

[0096] Axis

[0097] M1 first material

[0098] M2 second material

Claims

Patent claims 1. Rotor (9) for a blower (1) for a fuel cell arrangement (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b); wherein - the rotor (9) has a motor shaft (7) with at least one bearing seat (7a) for an air bearing (18, 19) for rotatable mounting of the motor shaft (7); - the rotor (9) has a holding device (13) connected to the motor shaft (7) in a rotationally fixed manner, with at least one permanent magnet element (9a) held within the holding device (13); and - the rotor (9) has a heat sink (30) arranged on the holding device (13); wherein - the heat sink (30) consists of a first material (M1) and the holding device (13) consists of a second material (M2) different from the first material (M2), wherein - the first material (M1) is electrically conductive; and - the first material (M1) and the second material (M2) are each non-magnetic.

2. Rotor (9) according to claim 1 , wherein - the relative magnetic permeability of the first material (M1) and / or the second material (M2) is less than 2.

3. Rotor (9) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the electrical conductivity of the first material (M1) greater than or equal to 10 A 5 S / m is.

4. Rotor (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the heat body (30) has a first circumferential section (31), a second circumferential section (32) spaced apart along the axis (A) from the first circumferential section (31) and at least one longitudinal section (33) extending parallel to the axis (A) between the first circumferential section (31) and the second circumferential section (32).

5. Rotor (9) according to claim 4, wherein - the heat sink (30) has at least two longitudinal sections (33); - the heat sink (30) has openings (34) arranged between pairs of longitudinal sections (33); and - the number of openings (34) corresponds to the number of longitudinal sections (33).

6. Rotor (9) according to claim 5, wherein - which at least two longitudinal sections (33) are arranged with a uniform circumference.

7. Rotor (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the heat sink (30) is designed as a slotted metal sleeve (35), as a cage (35'), and / or partially or completely as a hollow cylinder.

8. Rotor (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the heat sink (30) is arranged radially outside of the permanent magnet element (9a).

9. Rotor (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the holding device (13) and the heat sink (30) are materially bonded and / or are designed as a composite component (36).

10. Rotor (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the heat sink (30) is formed in one piece.

11. Blower (1) for a fuel cell arrangement (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b); wherein - the blower (1) for recirculating a gas mixture (40) used for the operation of the fuel cell arrangement (205) comprises a drive motor (7, 8, 9) with a rotor (9) defining an axis (A) according to one of the preceding claims and a stator (8) arranged radially outside the rotor (9) for generating an electromagnetic field.

12. Fuel cell arrangement (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), comprising an anode-side connected with a gas mixture (40) a fuel cell stack (206) and a blower (1) according to claim 11.

13. Vehicle (200a), in particular commercial vehicle (200b), comprising a fuel cell arrangement (205) according to claim 12.

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