# US 2024/0204221 A1 · Air-supply device, fuel-cell system and vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0204221 A1 - Document ID: US20240204221A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/555,936 - Filed: 2022-05-06 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2021-05-07 - Assignees: Cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG - Applicants: Cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG - Inventors: Michael PROCTER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240204221A1 ## CPC - H01M 8/04111: using a compressor turbine assembly - H01M 8/04097: {with recycling of the reactants (H01M8/04119, H01M8/04104 take precedence)} - H01M 8/04201: {Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes} - H01M 8/249: comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies - H01M 8/04014: Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants - H01M 2250/20: Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane - Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The invention relates to an air-supply device for fuel-cell systems with two-stage compression. The invention is characterized in that for supplying to fuel-cell stacks electrically connected in parallel, a turbocompressor which is mechanically coupled to an exhaust-air turbine for the respective fuel-cell stack is provided for each of the fuel-cell stacks, wherein at least one electrically driven flow compressor, which respectively provides at least two of the turbocompressors with air in parallel, is provided upstream of the respective turbocompressor in the direction of flow of the compressed air. A fuel-cell system with at least two fuel-cell stacks comprises such an air-supply and can be used for example in a vehicle, in particular in a commercial vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air-supply device for fuel-cell systems with two-stage compression, characterized in that for supplying fuel-cell stacks electrically connected in parallel, a turbocompressor which is mechanically coupled to an exhaust-air turbine for the respective fuel-cell stack, is provided for each of the fuel-cell stacks, wherein at least one electrically driven flow compressor which respectively provides at least two of the turbocompressors with air in parallel, is provided upstream of the respective turbocompressor in the direction of flow of the compressed air. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The air-supply device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the exhaust-air turbines comprises a variable turbine guide grille. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The air-supply device according to claim 1, wherein each of the exhaust-air turbines comprises a variable turbine guide grille. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The air-supply device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one variable turbine guide grille and a drive motor of the flow compressor are controlled via a common control. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The air-supply device according to claim 1. wherein one flow compressor and exactly two turbocompressors are provided. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The air-supply device according to claim 1, wherein a respective intercooler is arranged in the flow direction downstream of the respective turbocompressor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A fuel-cell system comprising at least two fuel-cell stacks and an air-supply device according to claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A vehicle comprising at least one fuel-cell system according to claim 7. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein it being designed as a commercial vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The air-supply device according to claim 2, wherein each of the exhaust-air turbines comprises a variable turbine guide grille. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The air-supply device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one variable turbine guide grille and a drive motor of the flow compressor are controlled via a common control. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The air-supply device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one variable turbine guide grille and a drive motor of the flow compressor are controlled via a common control. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The air-supply device according to claim 2, wherein one flow compressor and exactly two turbocompressors are provided. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) The air-supply device according to claim 3, wherein one flow compressor and exactly two turbocompressors are provided. ### Claim 15 (depends on 4) The air-supply device according to claim 4, wherein one flow compressor and exactly two turbocompressors are provided. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The air-supply device according to claim 2, wherein a respective intercooler is arranged in the flow direction downstream of the respective turbocompressor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 3) The air-supply device according to claim 3, wherein a respective intercooler is arranged in the flow direction downstream of the respective turbocompressor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 4) The air-supply device according to claim 4, wherein a respective intercooler is arranged in the flow direction downstream of the respective turbocompressor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 5) The air-supply device according to claim 5, wherein a respective intercooler is arranged in the flow direction downstream of the respective turbocompressor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 2) A fuel-cell system comprising at least two fuel-cell stacks and an air-supply device according to claim 2.