Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transfer of water and heat between a first and a second air flow. The inventive device consists of a stack of at least two transfer sub-assemblies having a lamellar configuration, each sub-assembly comprising a two-layer transfer structure with hydrophilic porous materials (3, 4), which is disposed between a first structure for the distribution of the first air flow (1) and a second structure for the distribution of the second air flow (2).

Abstract: The invention concerns an elastomer seal (3) arranged in a generally rectangular groove of a bipolar plate (1), comprising in at least two opposite corners one first loop (6) urged to be attached on a corner pin (7) of the plate (1) and at least a second loop (8) designed to be urged to be attached, when the two plates are assembled enclosing between them an exchanging membrane, to a corner pin of the other polar plate. The seal further comprises studs (10) received in recesses of the plate and forms projecting lugs (11) for crimping the terminals of electronic components. The invention is applicable to the production of fuel cells.

Abstract: A thermodynamic machine is made up of at least one assembly of two elementary Stirling cycle machines symmetrically formed in one or more cylindrical bodies with the same axis, each elementary machine including first and second compression/expansion chambers, a regenerator separating the first and second chambers and first and second outer walls intended for sealing the volume of the first and second chambers respectively, the regenerator and the first and second outer walls of one elementary machine being rigidly connected to the same elements of the other elementary machines.

Abstract: A thermodynamic machine includes at least one chamber in which an isothermal expansion and/or compression is to be carried out, said chamber being longitudinally defined by first and second walls that are mobile relative to each other. The chamber is divided by partitions extending longitudinally from each of the first and second walls, the partitions being interleaved within each other, and the distance between the partitions extending from a same wall being such that the ratio between the distance squared and the cycle duration of the thermodynamic machine is lower than the average thermal diffusivity of the gas contained in the chamber.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a group of electrochemical cells (C1, . . . , Ci, . . . , Cn) arranged in series, wherein each cell (Ci) is provided for outputting a DC voltage (Vi) greater than a minimum value (Vmin). According to the invention, said monitoring system includes a corresponding set of n electronic components (D1, . . . , Di, . . . , Dn) arranged in series, wherein each component (Di) is biased by the DC voltage (Vi) of a corresponding cell (Ci) by means of a low-frequency connecting element (Li), and has a conductivity threshold voltage (Vs) no lower than said minimum value (Vmin); and a means (D) for measuring a high-frequency conductivity parameter of all of said components. The system is useful in fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns an elastomer seal (3) arranged in a generally rectangular groove of a bipolar plate (1), comprising in at least two opposite corners one first loop (6) urged to be attached on a corner pin (7) of the plate (1) and at least a second loop (8) designed to be urged to be attached, when the two plates are assembled enclosing between them an exchanging membrane, to a corner pin of the other polar plate. The seal further comprises studs (10) received in recesses of the plate and forms projecting lugs (11) for crimping the terminals of electronic components. The invention is applicable to the production of fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to an uninterrupted power supply circuit starting from an alternating current source (10) comprising a fuel cell back-up system (50; 50?), characterized in that the back-up system comprises: a fuel cell (52); a battery (51) for starting the fuel cell (52) joined to said alternating current source on an input terminal (501) of the back-up system (50, 50?), said starting battery (51) and fuel cell (52) being connected in parallel to an output terminal (502) of the system (50, 50?) that is distinct from the input terminal.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a group of electrochemical cells (C1, . . . , Ci, . . . , Cn) arranged in series, wherein each cell (Ci) is provided for outputting a DC voltage (Vi) greater than a minimum value (Vmin). According to the invention, said monitoring system includes a corresponding set of n electronic components (D1, . . . , Di, . . . , Dn) arranged in series, wherein each component (Di) is biased by the DC voltage (Vi) of a corresponding cell (Ci) by means of a low-frequency connecting element (Li), and has a conductivity threshold voltage (Vs) no lower than said minimum value (Vmin); and a means (D) for measuring a high-frequency conductivity parameter of all of said components. The system is useful in fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for monitoring ventilation in a duct (3) by inserting therein a secondary fan (5) have a low self-contained rotation speed, which method comprises a step of continually measuring an image value (vi) of the current flowing through the motor in order to compare same with a predetermined value and generate a correction signal. The method is particularly useful for ventilating a chamber (2) containing a PEM fuel cell (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transfer of water and heat between a first and a second air flow. The inventive device consists of a stack of at least two transfer sub-assemblies having a lamellar configuration, each sub-assembly comprising a two-layer transfer structure with hydrophilic porous materials (3, 4), which is disposed between a first structure for the distribution of the first air flow (1) and a second structure for the distribution of the second air flow (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of protecting a fuel cell (12) comprising elementary cells, whereby said cell is supplying electric power in response to a power demand. Moreover, a booster circuit (30) is adapted to supply complementary electric power in order to assist the fuel cell. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: determining a parameter that is representative of the minimum voltage from among the voltages at the terminals of each elementary cell; and controlling the complementary electric power supplied by the booster circuit, such that the minimum voltage remains above a determined threshold. The invention also relates to a fuel cell booster device.

Abstract: A gas and liquid phase separator apparatus and an apparatus for energy production based on fuel cells within the phase separator.

Abstract: The installation comprises cells which are comprised each of two anode compartments (41 and 42), a connection between the outlet (91) of the first anode compartment and the inlet (82) of the second anode compartment, a connection between the outlet (92) of the second anode compartment and the inlet (81) of the first anode compartment, a circuit (10) for supplying hydrogen to the anode circuits of the cells by two branches in parallel (111 and 112) controlled by two opening-closing members (121 and 122), elements periodically control the reversal of the condition of the members.

Abstract: Connecting structures made of a tubular metal element. The structure has a tubular metal element which is connected to the orifice of a chamber. The chamber is made of a thin metal sheet. The structure also has a duct shaped connecting member which is sealed onto the other end of the tubular metal element. The structure may be used for producing fuel cells when the plate which forms parallel channels, is a current collector with gas circulating channels in contact with a proton-exchanging membrane.

Abstract: A fuel cell pack and a power producing device based upon a fuel cell. The fuel cell is made up of a series of elementary cells and a fluid distribution system which makes it possible to feed each cell with two different fluids and to remove the fluids from the cells. The fuel cell pack is provided with a first valve system which interacts with a second valve system present in the power producing device.

Abstract: A rectilinear collector into which open the outlets of the cells and which is provided with a pressure regulator, a removal tube extending rectilinearly within the collector and connected from the outside to a recovery vat into which it opens through an outlet located at a height h relative to its axis, at least one constriction presented by the tube and calibrated such that the residual pressure downstream of the pressure regulator will be greater than that of a column of water having a height corresponding to the height h.

Abstract: The invention relates to a phase separator (12) comprising a body (20), an inlet (18) for the diphasic mixture to be separated, a gas outlet (22) and a liquid outlet (30). The inventive separator also comprises a hydrophilic structure (24) which is disposed in the body and which defines an internal space (26) and an external space (28). Moreover, the inventive separator is provided with means (34) for creating swirls in the diphasic mixture such that the liquid is recovered against the walls of the structure. The gas outlet is in communication with the internal space (26), while the liquid outlet is in communication with the external space (28).

Abstract: The device comprises two separators (20, 30) in series in the outlet portion of the hydrogen circuit each defining at least one inlet chamber (21, 31) separated, by a hydrophilic filter (22, 32), from an outlet chamber (23, 33) connected to the hydric circuit (24) of the cell. Application to air-hydrogen fuel cells.

Abstract: A device for starting up a fuel cell includes: two valves (17 and 18) mounted in the inlet and the outlet of the hydrogen circuit of the anode compartment; and a controlled bridge circuit (24) between the inlet of the hydrogen circuit to the anode compartment and either the anode compartment or the ambient.

Abstract: Fuel cell