Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for storing and restoring electrical energy comprising a chamber (100) in which water electrolysis means (110), a fuel cell (120), and monitoring/control means (130) for monitoring the operation of said device (10) in the fuel cell mode or the electrolyzer mode are arranged. Connection means (141) enable said chamber (110) to be connected to storage means (210) for storing dihydrogen (H2), which are outside of said chamber (110).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a state of health of an electrochemical device in particular having improved reliability. Said method in particular consists of: applying (10) to said electrochemical device an input signal comprising electrical excitations of different categories, and measuring an output signal (20) including the response signals to each electrical excitation; estimating (41) at least one first parameter from an electrical excitation belonging to a first category and the corresponding response signal; estimating (43) said at least one physicochemical parameter representative of the physicochemical behavior of the device from an electrical excitation of a different category, of the corresponding response signal and said first estimated parameter; estimating (50) said state of health of the electrochemical device as deviation between the previously estimated value of the physicochemical parameter and a reference value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for more precisely characterizing an electrical system by impedance spectrometry. The method consists of applying an input signal to the electrical system that comprises a sequence of sinusoidal perturbations, so as to scan a primary series (A) of frequencies; measuring an output signal of the electrical system in response to the input signal for each of the applied perturbations; and estimating a characteristic size of the impedance of the electrical system for each of the applied perturbations; wherein the perturbations of the sequence are applied so as to scan, turn by turn, a plurality of sub-series (A1, . . . , An) of frequencies resulting from the primary series (A), each sub-series of the plurality being interlaced with at least one other sub-series of the same plurality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for storing and restoring electrical energy comprising a chamber (100) in which water electrolysis means (110), a fuel cell (120), and monitoring/control means (130) for monitoring the operation of said device (10) in the fuel cell mode or the electrolyzer mode are arranged. Connection means (141) enable said chamber (110) to be connected to storage means (210) for storing dihydrogen (H2), which are outside of said chamber (110).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for more precisely characterizing an electrical system by impedance spectrometry. Said method consists of: applying an input signal to said electrical system that comprises a sequence of sinusoidal perturbations, so as to scan a primary series (A) of frequencies; measuring an output signal of said electrical system in response to said input signal for each of said applied perturbations; and estimating a characteristic size of the impedance of said electrical system for each of said applied perturbations; characterized in that the perturbations of said sequence are applied so as to scan, turn by turn, a plurality of sub-series (A1, . . . , An) of frequencies resulting from said primary series (A), each sub-series of said plurality being interlaced with at least one other sub-series of the same plurality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a state of health of an electrochemical device in particular having improved reliability. Said method in particular consists of: applying (10) to said electrochemical device an input signal comprising electrical excitations of different categories, and measuring an output signal (20) including the response signals to each electrical excitation; estimating (41) at least one first parameter from an electrical excitation belonging to a first category and the corresponding response signal; estimating (43) said at least one physicochemical parameter representative of the physicochemical behavior of the device from an electrical excitation of a different category, of the corresponding response signal and said first estimated parameter; estimating (50) said state of health of the electrochemical device as deviation between the previously estimated value of the physicochemical parameter and a reference value.

Abstract: The tightening clamps are multifunctional and ensure the transmission of the electric current generated by the fuel cell stack, the insulation of the different ducts and passage openings of the operation fluid of the fuel cell stack, and the tightening of the stack itself. Each clamp comprises a single part, the upper surface and the side surfaces of which, except for the conductors, are coated with an insulating material. Similarly, the supply and discharge openings (23) are also insulated. However, the tightening surface (29) is at least coated with a conductive deposit on a predetermined area corresponding to the conducting areas of the upper surface of the end of the stack. The invention can be used in PEM (“Proton Exchange Membrane”) fuel cells.

Abstract: The bipolar plate is thinner because it includes in a single plane all of the channels (21) for circulation of the oxidiser, the fuel and the coolant fluid (41). The feed plate, which is preferably made of a composite material, has on each of its faces (1A, 1B) a network of channels for the circulation either of oxidiser or fuel, which are supplied through feed apertures (2, 3) passing through the plate. Refrigeration is achieved by means of feed apertures (4) feeding into one or more refrigeration channels (41) positioned between the parts of the circulation channels (21) for the oxidiser or the fuel. Possible through passages (43) allow these different channels to pass from one face to the other so as to organise the circulation and the removal of these three fluids. It is thus possible to distribute the oxidiser and the fuel to both sides of the plate, while also arranging its refrigeration. Application to fuel cells of average and high power.

Abstract: The bipolar plate is thinner because it includes in a single plane all of the channels (21) for circulation of the oxidiser, the fuel and the coolant fluid (41). The feed plate, which is preferably made of a composite material, has on each of its faces (1A, 1B) a network of channels for the circulation either of oxidiser or fuel, which are supplied through feed apertures (2, 3) passing through the plate. Refrigeration is achieved by means of feed apertures (4) feeding into one or more refrigeration channels (41) positioned between the parts of the circulation channels (21) for the oxidiser or the fuel. Possible through passages (43) allow these different channels to pass from one face to the other so as to organise the circulation and the removal of these three fluids. It is thus possible to distribute the oxidiser and the fuel to both sides of the plate, while also arranging its refrigeration. Application to fuel cells of average and high power.

Abstract: The two-pole plate is relatively lightweight and can be manufactured quickly and easily. It consists of a skeleton made with two thin plates (30) spaced by blocks (34, 45) between which a cooling fluid circulates. The fuel and oxidant manifolds supply the circulation channels (21I) machined by water jet in supply plates (20I, 20S) made of conducting composite, through the supply channels (33). These plates are bonded with a conducting glue onto the thin plates (30). Application to fuel cells.