Method for operating a fuel cell arrangement and a corresponding fuel cell arrangement

A fuel cell arrangement operable in at least a first mode of operation, the fuel cell arrangement comprising:

• a circuit;
• a fuel cell for providing electrical energy in the circuit;
• at least one fuel cell auxiliary unit;
• a DC-DC converter that electrically connects the fuel cell to the circuit;
• and
• a battery electrically connected to the circuit, wherein the fuel cell arrangement is configured to:
• operate the fuel cell auxiliary unit with electrical energy drawn from the battery in order to place the fuel cell into operation;
• and
• after placement of fuel cell into operation, electrically disconnect the battery from the circuit and operate the DC-DC converter in a non-clocked mode.

A method, comprising:

• operating a fuel cell arrangement in at least one of a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation, wherein:
• operating the fuel cell arrangement in the first mode of operation includes:
• providing electrical energy in a circuit via a fuel cell;
• electrically connecting the circuit to the fuel cell via a DC-DC converter;
• electrically connecting a battery to the circuit;
• operating a fuel cell auxiliary unit by supplying electrical energy from the battery in order to place the fuel cell into operation;
• after placement of the fuel cell into operation:
• electrically disconnecting the battery from the circuit;
• and
• operating the DC-DC converter in a non-clocked mode;
• and
• operating the fuel cell arrangement in the second mode of operation includes:
• providing electrical energy in the circuit via the fuel cell;
• electrically connecting the circuit to the fuel cell via the DC-DC converter;
• electrically connecting the battery to the circuit;
• operating the fuel cell auxiliary unit by supplying electrical energy from the battery in order to place the fuel cell into operation;
• after placement of the fuel cell into operation:
• at least one of electrically disconnecting the battery from the circuit or maintaining electrical connection of the battery with the circuit;
• and
• operating the DC-DC converter in a clocked mode.