Patent ID: 7807315

Claim:
A fuel cell system for generating electrical energy, mechanical energy and water, the fuel cell system comprising: a shaft; a fuel cell connected to the shaft so as to be rotatable; a motor including an armature non-positively connected to the shaft, a compressor including a displacement device non-positively connected to the shaft; a water pump connected to the shaft; a first non-positive connection in the shaft between the fuel cell and the motor, the first non-positive connection including a first clutch and a first torque converter, wherein by way of the first non-positive connection energy is transferable from the motor to the fuel cell so that the fuel cell can be made to rotate; a second non-positive connection in the shaft between the motor and the water pump, the second non-positive connection including a second clutch and a second torque converter, wherein by way of the second non-positive connection energy from the motor can be transmitted to the water pump so that the water pump is drivable; wherein the compressor is designed to provide compressed air to a cathode side of the fuel cell; wherein the water pump returns a condensate from cathode exhaust air of the fuel cell for further utilization by the fuel cell, or removes said condensate from the fuel cell system; and wherein water generated in an electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell on the cathode side of the fuel cell is extracted by both a centrifugal force from rotation of the fuel cell and a conveying force resulting from an air stream generated by the compressor.