Erich Ramschak

Online stack monitoring tool for dynamically and stationary operated fuel cell systems

The motivation for this development of a new fuel cell stack monitoring system is to establish a much simpler, low-cost stack diagnosis unit feasible for large production volumes. In comparison to conventional cell voltage monitoring (CVM) technology, where up to several hundreds of voltage channels have to be measured, Total Harmonic Distortion Analysis (AVL THDA) significantly reduces the required wiring, contacting and instrumentation. This new approach derives information about critical cell and stack status from only the stack sum voltage. A real-time output signal then indicates whether the stack – in fact every single cell – is operating under safe and reliable conditions. The new technique also detects critical stack operating conditions during load changes, where other monitoring systems usually have difficulty in distinguishing between a change in the voltage of a single cell as a result of load changes or resulting from the occurrence of a critical cell operating status.

Automated driving with new levels at perceived safety & comfort

The document is dedicated to the functional development of advanced driver assistant systems (ADAS) and automated driving (AD) features respectively. The focus is on the importance of driving quality during automated manoeuvres and correlation to the perceived safety feeling of drivers. Further new approaches will be discussed, how this aspects can be considered in the development of ADAS / AD from application on public roads and virtual testing environment respectively.