Fuel Cell System

The invention relates to a fuel cell system having a first system component and at least a second system component, which is connected to the first system component via a connection path.

A fuel cell stack with a number of individual fuel cells is known from DE 10 2004 060 526 A1 , wherein a fuel cell stack comprises end plates, which comprise port elements for the supply and discharge of all operating media.

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a known fuel cell system 1 with a number of subcomponents. The fuel cell system 1 comprises a first system component 2 and a second system component 3 separate therefrom. The two system components 2 and 3 are connected together via a first connection path 4 and a second connection path 5. The two connection paths 4 and 5 are designed to convey operating media, for example fuel, oxidizing agent and/or coolant. The second system component 3 comprises a plurality of sub-components 8, 9 and 10, which are in turn connected together.

These sub-components 8 to 10 are arranged in the system component 2 in such a way that an outlet 6 of the first connection path 4 is arranged very unfavorably relative to the inlet 7 of the first system component 2, in that it is oriented in the opposite direction. As a result of this configuration, the outlet 6 thus virtually faces away from the second system component 2, such that the connection path 4 is relatively long and designed with a plurality of bends outside the system component 3. This entails a very complex configuration of the connection path 4 with a plurality of pipes and/or hoses and, moreover, the installation space for the fuel cell system has to be relatively large in size.

This ultimately results in a complex module design or system design, which results in a relatively high fuel cell system weight and relatively high costs.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell system in which a connection path between two system components may be improved, in particular with regard to a reduction and simplification of the structure and economies of installation space. This object is achieved by a fuel cell system which comprises the features as claimed in claim 1.

A fuel cell system according to the invention comprises a first system component and at least a second system component separate from the first system component. The two system components are connected together via at least one connection path. The two system components are arranged in such a way that the connection path has a non- rectilinear course, a connection part of non-rectilinear construction being associated with the connection path. The connection part constituting a non-rectilinear portion of the connection path is arranged at least in part in one of the system components. Such an arrangement makes possible an installation space-optimized design, which, moreover, also makes possible a simpler and less complex design of the connection path. In particular, in this way the installation spaces to be made available outside the system components may be made smaller in this configuration with regard to the connection paths and in general the complexity of the connection path outside the system components may be reduced. In this connection, it is thus possible to reduce the complexity of the hoses and pipes associated with the connection path, whereby a cost reduction may be achieved in addition to a weight saving.

Preferably, the system components are arranged relative to one another and the connection part is arranged in a system component in such a way that an outlet of the connection path on one system component is arranged in line with or axially relative to an inlet of the connection path on the other system component. As a result of this configuration, the connection path may be rectilinear outside the system components, whereby here too minimal installation space and markedly reduced complexity may be guaranteed.

Preferably, the connection part is incorporated into the system component. As a result of this configuration, a particularly compact and also mechanically stable configuration may be ensured.

Preferably, at least one non-rectilinear connection part is arranged in each of the two system components.

In principle, as a result of the arrangement of a non-rectilinear connection part and thus of a bend in a system component, in particular incorporation thereof into the system component, an interface may be produced between the system components, which makes possible a module-type structure, corresponding to a building-block system, for a fuel cell system with such system components. Precisely fitting interfaces may be achieved in this way and standard interfaces may even be made possible. This embodiment may also make it possible to omit pipes and other hoses for connection paths, since the precisely fitting interfaces of the components may even be configured in such a way that these system components can be connected directly together.

The system components may preferably be connected directly together without an intermediate element by means of their arrangement and by means of the positioning of the connection part in a system component. In this way too, the modular structure and the overall system may be simplified. Not least, the components or the modules may be arranged in such a way that minimal paths between them may thereby be obtained.

The system components may be arranged with their inlets and outlets such that they are in line and there is thus no axial misalignment. Provision may also be made for such arrangements to be designed in such a way that inlets and outlets are arranged at an angle of less than or equal to 90°. Provision may also be made for such arrangements to be designed in such a way that they adjoin structural elements at different levels, such that the bends or non-rectilinear connection parts may be specifically positioned in the components.

Preferably, the connection path between the system components is designed to convey an operating medium for the fuel cell system. In particular, provision may be made for a fuel or an oxidizing agent or a coolant to be conveyed between the system components via a connection path.

These system components are designed in particular to be at least functionally different. For instance, provision may be made for the system components to take the form on the one hand for example of a fuel cell stack and on the other hand for example of a compressor or an expander or a separator or a heat exchanger or a blower or some other component of a fuel cell system which is conventionally used in a fuel cell system.

Preferably, the connection path is rectilinear outside the system components. Provision may also be made for the connection path to be non-rectilinear outside the system components at least in places.

It has proven particularly preferable for the fuel cell system to take the form of a mobile fuel cell system and in particular to be arranged in a vehicle. The fuel cell system may comprise a fuel cell stack preferably with a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells preferably taking the form of PEM fuel cells. In such a configuration, hydrogen or hydrogen- containing gas may be conveyed as fuel via a connection path. Air or oxygen-containing gas for example may be conveyed as the oxidizing agent.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to schematic drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a fuel cell system from the prior art; and

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a fuel cell system according to the invention.

In the figures, elements which are the same or have the same function are provided with the same reference signs.

Fig. 2 shows a fuel cell system 1', which is constructed as a mobile fuel cell system and is arranged in a vehicle. The fuel cell system 1' comprises a first system component 2' and a second system component 3", which are designed to be at least functionally different and are arranged separately from one another. The first system component 2' may for example be a fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cells. The second system component 3' may be designed for example to convey an operating medium or to provide an operating medium which is to be conveyed to the first system component 2". The second system component 3 ¹ may in particular comprise for this purpose one or more sub-components 8,

9 and 10, which are designed to convey an operating medium via a first connection path 4 ¹ to the first system component 2' and to convey a further medium from the first system component 2 ¹ to the second system component 3' via a second connection path 5'.

The sub-components 8, 9 and 10 are arranged in the second system component 3 ¹ at a specific location and in a functionally optimized manner such that the design and configuration at least of the first connection path 4' may be minimal and as uncomplex as possible. In this connection, the first connection path 4' comprises a non-rectilinear connection part 13, which is incorporated into the second system component 3'. This connection part 13 is designed, in connection with the arrangement of the two system components 2 ¹ and 3 ¹ relative to one another and also with regard to the positioning of the sub-components 8, 9 and 10 in the second system component 3', in such a way that the outlet 6' of the second system 3' is arranged in line with and thus axially relative to the inlet T of the first system component 2'. In the exemplary embodiment, the connection path 4' is thus substantially rectilinear outside the two system components 2' and 3'.

The second connection path 5' leads out of the first system component 2 ¹ at the outlet 11 thereof and leads into the second system component 3' at the inlet 12 thereof. As is clear from the illustration according to Fig. 2, the second connection path 5' is of partially non- rectilinear design outside the two system components 2' and 3'.

Here too, provision may be made for a non-rectilinear connection part to be incorporated into the second system component 3', such that the second connection path 5 ¹ is also of rectilinear construction outside the two system components 2 ¹ an d 3 ¹ .

Provision may also be made for the first system component 2' to have arranged within it at least one connection part which is of non-rectilinear construction and opens at the inlet T or at the outlet 11.

In the illustration according to Fig. 2, the system components 2' and 3' are arranged in such a way that the connection path 4 ¹ , which also includes the connection part 13, comprises a non-rectilinear course, and the non-rectilinear connection part 13 forms the non-rectilinear portion of the connection path 4', which is incorporated into the system component 3'.

In the embodiment shown, the system components 2' and 3' are positioned in such a way that the rectilinear portion of the connection path 4" is also formed by a hose or a pipe. It is also possible in this connection that, with precisely such an arrangement in which the outlet 6' of the second system component 3' and the inlet T of the first system component 2' are arranged in line with one another, a direct connection, without an intermediate element, is obtained between these two system components 2' and 3', such that the connection path 4' does not comprise any pipes or hoses outside the system components 2 ¹ and 3'.

Provision may also be made for the connecting lines to be of direct construction between the components 3' and 2' and in particular to extend in a rectilinear manner. In such an embodiment, a connection path would then pass between the component 10 and the component 2' in a rectilinear manner and without any bend between these two elements. An element 13 would then be of rectilinear construction and associated with the connection path 4'. The same may additionally or separately also be provided in relation to the connection between the components 9 and 2 ¹ , such that a direct, rectilinear connection path is also provided there.

List of reference signs

1 Fuel cell system

2, 2 ¹ First system component

3, 3 ¹ Second system component

4, 4'; 5, 5' Connection paths

6, 6 ¹ Outlets

7, T Inlets

8, 9, 10 Sub-components

11 Outlet

12 Inlet

13 Connection part