Abstract: A bipolar plate, including conductive sheets, and in which flow channels are made between the conductive sheets and are in communication with a coolant inlet and outlet manifolds. An outer face of a conductive sheet includes first ribs delimiting reactant flow channels, and a second rib extending on the side of the reactant flow channels. A sealing gasket extends at least partially on the second rib. The outer face of the conductive sheet further includes third ribs extending between a first rib and the second rib, between which an alternation of third ribs and of indentation is formed. The sheets are in contact at the level of indentations, and respective passages are formed under the third ribs.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a bipolar plate. The membrane electrode assembly includes a proton exchange membrane and first and second electrodes. The bipolar plate includes conductive sheets, coolant flow channels are made between the conductive sheets. An outer face of a conductive sheet includes reactant flow channels and a first rib extending on the side of the reactant flow channels. A gasket extends on the first rib. The bipolar plate includes an intermediate zone extending between the first rib and the first electrode, a first band in which the sheets have complementary shapes nested one in the other over the entire length of a coolant flow channel, and a second band in which a sheet includes reliefs in contact with the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A bipolar plate, including conductive sheets. An outer face of one of the conductive sheets includes first ribs, a second rib, and third ribs. The first ribs delimit fuel flow channels and the second rib extends on the side of the reactant flow channels, on which a gasket extends. Between a first rib and the second rib, the third ribs extend and an alternation of third ribs and of indentations is formed. The height between the third ribs and the indentations are at least equal to 75% of the total height of the flow channels. An outer face of the other of the conductive sheets includes fourth ribs and fifth ribs. The fourth ribs delimit oxidant flow channels. The fifth rib extends plumb with the second rib and a gasket extends along the fifth rib.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a spatial distribution (Rx,yf) of a parameter of interest (R) representative of the electrical power production of an electrochemical cell, comprising steps in which a spatial distribution (Rx,yf) of the parameter of interest (R) is determined depending on the spatial distribution (Qx,ye) of a second thermal quantity (Qe) estimated beforehand from the spatial distribution (Tx,yc) of a set-point temperature (Tc) and from the spatial distribution (Dx,yr) of a first thermal quantity (Dr).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a spatial distribution (Rhx,yf) of a parameter of interest (Rh) representative of heat removal within a bipolar plate of an electrochemical cell, wherein a spatial distribution (Rhx,yf) of the parameter of interest (Rh) is determined depending on the spatial distribution (Dx,ye) of a second thermal quantity (De) estimated beforehand from the spatial distribution (Tx,yc) of a set-point temperature (Tc) and from the spatial distribution (Qx,yr) of a first thermal quantity (Qr).

Abstract: A method for determining a spatial distribution (Rcx,yf) of a parameter of interest (Rc) representative of a contact resistance between a bipolar plate and an adjacent electrode of an electrochemical cell, in which a spatial distribution (Rcx,yf) of the parameter of interest (Rc) is determined depending on the spatial distribution (Qx,ye) of a second thermal quantity (Qc) estimated beforehand from the spatial distribution (Tx,yc) of a set-point temperature (Tc) and from the spatial distribution (Dx,yr) of a first thermal quantity (Dr).

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of electrochemical cells (10A, 10B), divided up into at least two groups (A, B), each cell comprising a distribution circuit for a reactive species, and each group of cells comprising a separate supply collector (2A; 2B). At least one cell (10B) comprises a homogenization compartment (60B) comprising: a plurality of longitudinal conduits (61B) designed to receive the flow of the reactive species coming from the supply collector (2B) of the corresponding group and to distribute it over the inlet (51B) of the distribution circuit for the cell; and, a transverse conduit (62B) for homogenization connecting the longitudinal conduits (61B) to one another in a fluid sense.

Abstract: A process for supplying a fuel cell with reactive species, including a stack of electrochemical cells divided into N different groups, wherein a plurality of steps of selectively supplying the N groups of cells with reactive species are carried out, following each of the supply steps, a step of purging the N groups of cells is carried out.

Abstract: A tank intended for the storage of hydrogen by absorption into material, including a first part and a second part, each of the first and second parts including a barrel, closed at one first longitudinal end by a substantially hemispherical part, the two parts being joined by the second open longitudinal end of the barrel by an assembly plate, the above-mentioned tank including two heat exchangers, each being contained in one of the two parts and intended to be under the same hydrogen pressure, the above mentioned tank also having apparatus of supply and evacuation of heat transfer medium circulating in the above mentioned heat exchangers integrated in the assembly plate, and apparatus of supply and collection of hydrogen.

Abstract: A flow-guiding plate for a fuel cell, including a conductive sheet including a relief: defining alternating flow channels on first and second faces, two successive channels on the first face being separated by walls; defining first and second access holes at ends of each of the flow channels on the second face and of a first group of flow channels on the first face; defining a flow restriction in each flow channel of a second group of flow channels on the first face, the cross-section of the flow restrictions being smaller than the cross-section of the access holes to the flow channels of the first group, the first face including alternating flow channels of the first group and alternating flow channels of the second group.

Abstract: A flow-guiding plate for a fuel cell, including a conductive sheet including a relief: defining alternating flow channels on first and second faces, two flow channels on the first face being separated by walls; defining an access hole at a first end of each of the flow channels on the second face and of a first group of flow channels on the first face; defining an access hole at a second end of each of the flow channels on the second face and of a second group of flow channels on the first face; defining a flow restriction at the second end of each of the flow channels of the first group and at the first end of each of the flow channels of the second group.

Abstract: Fuel cell batteries are provided, and in particular hydrogen fuel cell batteries composed of at least one stack of cells. The battery is divided into at least two groups of cells able to be supplied with hydrogen separately. In a first phase, only the first group of cells and not the second is supplied; unconsumed hydrogen may however flow between the two groups via at least one evacuation manifold connected to the cells of the two groups. In a second phase, the supply to the two groups is reversed, unconsumed hydrogen still being able to flow between the two groups via the evacuation manifold. In a third phase, after a series of alternations of the two first phases, the two groups are first simultaneously supplied, then a purge valve of the evacuation manifold is opened then closed.

Abstract: A fuel cell battery comprises stacked cells, comprising a superposition of plates, called bipolar plates, between which assemblies comprising both an electrolytic membrane and an electrode on each side of the membrane are placed. The plates are provided, on their periphery, with apertures serving to deliver reactive gases, and with apertures serving to evacuate reaction products, the apertures of adjacent plates being aligned in order to form supply or evacuation manifolds that pass right through the stack of cells. The apertures of the manifolds are encircled by individual ring joints that are separated from one another and separate from the bipolar plates, certain joints forming sealing joints between the aperture and a cell, and other joints forming injectors for a fluid to be delivered to a cell or to be evacuated from a cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes three membrane-electrode assemblies. and first and second bipolar metal plates interposed between the membrane-electrode assemblies. Each of the bipolar plates comprises two metal sheets facing a respective membrane-electrode assembly and fixedly attached by welds. The two metal sheets comprise successive guiding channels for guiding gas extending in a common longitudinal direction. The guiding channels are distributed in a transversal direction The welds are made in bottoms of the guiding channel and include welds of the first bipolar plate and welds of the second bipolar plate. Some of the welds of the first bipolar plate are not superimposed on the welds of the second bipolar plate and are offset longitudinally and transversally relative to the welds of the second bipolar plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid delivery head for an electrochemical cell, for example a fuel cell. The delivery head combines the inlets and outlets of the lines for delivering the fluids, notably hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen delivery line feeds an active part of the fuel cell and includes a cavity in communication with a discharge pipe via a solenoid valve. The invention performs several functions with a minimum of elements and with reduced bulk.

Abstract: A fuel cell battery comprises stacked cells, comprising a superposition of plates, called bipolar plates, between which assemblies comprising both an electrolytic membrane and an electrode on each side of the membrane are placed. The plates are provided, on their periphery, with apertures serving to deliver reactive gases, and with apertures serving to evacuate reaction products, the apertures of adjacent plates being aligned in order to form supply or evacuation manifolds that pass right through the stack of cells. The apertures of the manifolds are encircled by individual ring joints that are separated from one another and separate from the bipolar plates, certain joints forming sealing joints between the aperture and a cell, and other joints forming injectors for a fluid to be delivered to a cell or to be evacuated from a cell.

Abstract: Fuel cell batteries are provided, and in particular hydrogen fuel cell batteries composed of at least one stack of cells. The battery is divided into at least two groups of cells able to be supplied with hydrogen separately. In a first phase, only the first group of cells and not the second is supplied; unconsumed hydrogen may however flow between the two groups via at least one evacuation manifold connected to the cells of the two groups. In a second phase, the supply to the two groups is reversed, unconsumed hydrogen still being able to flow between the two groups via the evacuation manifold. In a third phase, after a series of alternations of the two first phases, the two groups are first simultaneously supplied, then a purge valve of the evacuation manifold is opened then closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell (2), which is to be implemented by means of a control computer (10) that drives the level of current generated by the cells of the fuel cell, said fuel cell including a means for tracking the temperature of the cells, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: when starting the operation of the fuel cell, if the temperature of the cells is at a sufficiently low level, particularly less than 0° C., driving a series of cycles of current intervals including, alternately for each cycle, a low non-zero current (Imin), and then a current interval comprising raising and lowering the strength of the current at programmed speeds.

Abstract: A fuel-cell stack including a stack of fuel cells with intermediate conductive bipolar plates. The bipolar plates include internal flow channels for flow of a heat-transfer fluid. The channels are connected to a circuit of a cooling system. Only some of the bipolar plates include internal flow channels that are temporarily or permanently not in service.

Abstract: Bipolar plate for a fuel cell, of the type comprising a cathode bipolar half-plate and an anode bipolar half-plate which are secured to each other, each bipolar half-plate (1) being constituted by a plate which comprises, in the central portion thereof, an active zone (2) and, at the peripheral portion thereof, a plurality of cut-outs (5) which are intended to constitute at least two oxidant units, at least two fuel units and at least two heat-exchange fluid units, at least one bipolar half-plate (1) comprising at least one connection between a peripheral cut-out (5) and the active zone (2), and comprising, at the periphery thereof, at least one hollow housing (140) which is intended to receive a connector (141) for electrical measurement.