Patent ID: 7300716

Claim:
A fuel cell system with a control unit ( 3 ) for controlling and/or regulating at least one fuel cell unit ( 1 ), whereby the fuel cell unit ( 1 ) includes at least one membrane monitored by the control unit ( 3 ), and an electrical load ( 4 ) is provided, selected from the group consisting of an electric drive motor, at least one load of a vehicle electrical system, and both, wherein the control unit ( 3 ) includes at least one additional electrical load ( 5 , 7 , 9 ) connected with the fuel cell unit ( 1 ) for an additional withdrawal from the fuel cell unit ( 1 ) by the at least one additional electrical load ( 5 , 7 , 9 ) of power to be used, which additional power withdrawal is dependent at least on the moistening of the membrane, wherein an increased electrical current is withdrawn from the fuel cell unit by the at least one additional electrical load ( 5 , 7 , 9 ) when it is determined that the degree of hydration of the membrane is relatively poor.