Abstract: A fuel cell comprising alternating bipolar modules and membrane-electrode assemblies so as to form a stack comprising at least one electrochemical cell. Each bipolar module comprising at least a first main channel for the circulation of an oxidising fluid, a second main channel for the circulation of a reducing fluid and a third main channel for the circulation of a heat-transfer fluid. The fuel cell comprises at least one heating module, comprising at least one auxiliary channel comprising a catalyst chemical element, the auxiliary channel being configured to circulate a mixture of oxidising fluid and reducing fluid so as to generate heat upon reaction of the oxidising fluid, the reducing fluid and the catalyst chemical element. The auxiliary channel is formed by positioning a spacer plate between two plates.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising an upper plate and a lower plate, a stack of energy cells, the stack being disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate, the stack being divided into a plurality of energy cell stages, a plurality of collectors separating each energy cell stage, three inlet vents extending from the lower plate to the upper plate, over the entire height of the stack of energy cells, the three inlet vents being configured to respectively provide the energy cells with heat transfer fluid, comburent fluid and liquid fuel, and a movable piston is disposed in each of the inlet vents, each piston being configured so that its position in the inlet vent selectively opens one or more of the fluid ducts of one or more energy cell stages, and wherein each piston is driven independently of the other pistons.

Abstract: Fuel cell including a stack of membrane/electrodes assemblies, an inlet end plate and an outlet end plate, n intermediate plates disposed in the stack between the inlet and outlet end plates to form n+1 sub-stacks of the stack, n being greater than or equal to 1. The fuel cell may include ducts for circulating a heat transfer fluid, an oxidant and a fuel passing in the inlet and outlet end plates and the n intermediate plates, valves that may control the heat transfer fluid in the circulation ducts, and valves that may control the heat transfer fluid, the oxidant, and the fuel in the circulation ducts of the n intermediate plates and may be configured to allow circulation of the heat transfer fluid, the oxidant, and the fuel in m sub-stacks of the stack, m being greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to n.

Abstract: An aircraft pylon comprising a primary structure and a pipe segment having an internal duct positioned inside at least one structural tube primary structure. This solution makes it possible to reduce the crowding outside the structural tubes of the primary structure, makes it easier to integrate other equipment inside the pylon, and may help to improve the aerodynamic performance of the pylon by reducing its cross section.

Abstract: A system for generating an inert fluid, the system being carried on board an aircraft, the generation system including a plurality of devices configured each, in succession, to execute a separation of components of a primary fluid initially collected in the form of compressed hot air, the system including at least one heat exchanger configured to execute a separation of components, by change of phase of a component of the primary fluid, executing a cooling of the primary fluid using liquid hydrogen, supplied with liquid hydrogen collected from a tank of the aircraft. It is thus possible to generate an inert gas without requiring membrane separation of the nitrogen and the oxygen, and while at the same time making it easier to warm the liquid hydrogen stored and used in the aircraft as a source of energy.

Abstract: An aircraft pylon comprising a primary structure and a pipe segment having an internal duct positioned inside at least one structural tube primary structure. This solution makes it possible to reduce the crowding outside the structural tubes of the primary structure, makes it easier to integrate other equipment inside the pylon, and may help to improve the aerodynamic performance of the pylon by reducing its cross section.

Abstract: A connection system comprising: a dispensing member; a receiving member; first sealing means and second sealing means arranged at the interface between the dispensing member and the receiving member to enable redundant leak-tight engagement between the dispensing member and the receiving member; a control chamber defined between the first sealing means and the second sealing means; and means for measuring the current pressure in the control chamber so as to detect a gas leak.

Abstract: A fuel cell, in particular for an aeronautical application, comprising a central module comprising a plurality of cells for generating electricity, a first end plate and a second end plate, at least one of the end plates comprising at least one outlet pipe. The fuel cell comprises a pressure-regulating device fluidly connected to the outlet pipe, the pressure-regulating device comprising at least one arm fluidly connected to the outlet pipe, at least one member for opening/closing the arm, at least one member for measuring the pressure in the outlet pipe and at least one member for controlling the opening/closing member according to the measured pressure.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a stack which comprises a plurality of cells, each cell comprising a plurality of fluid flow openings aligned in parallel to form a plurality of fluid flow lines in the stack, two end plates placed at the ends of the stack and at least one traction member connecting the end plates to each other in order to compress the stack, the traction member being mounted in a fluid flow line of the stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell comprising a plurality of modules mounted in series with one another so as to form a peripheral structure, each module comprising two end members and a stack of electrochemical cells mounted between two end members, each end member including a mounting face in contact with one of the ends of a stack and an interface face in contact with another interface face of another end member, the mounting face and the interface face being angularly spaced apart by an angle (?) which is between 0.5°and 60°.

Abstract: A mobile system for generating electricity, in particular for an aircraft, said generator system comprising a dioxygen source, a dihydrogen source and a fuel cell generating electricity from dioxygen and dihydrogen. The generator system comprises an aircraft container that is configured to be carried in an aircraft and in which the sources and said fuel cell are mounted, the generator system including an electrical connection module electrically connected to the fuel cell and including an electrical connection output port that is configured to be electrically connected to an aircraft so as to supply it with electricity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell (10) comprising a membrane electrode assembly (16) and two gas diffusion layers (14) co-operating with the assembly to form a unit cell (12). The fuel cell (10) also has a two-phase thermal diffuser (24) having a condensation zone and an evaporation zone, the evaporation zone being arranged between the bipolar plates (14) of two adjacent unit cells (12). The two-phase thermal diffuser (24) also has a heating element arranged in the condensation zone. The invention also provides a system comprising the fuel cell and a controller, and it also provides a method of regulating the temperature of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell, in particular for an aeronautical application, comprising a central module comprising a plurality of cells for generating electricity, a first end plate and a second end plate, at least one of the end plates comprising at least one outlet pipe. The fuel cell comprises a pressure-regulating device fluidly connected to the outlet pipe, the pressure-regulating device comprising at least one arm fluidly connected to the outlet pipe, at least one member for opening/closing the arm, at least one member for measuring the pressure in the outlet pipe and at least one member for controlling the opening/closing member according to the measured pressure.

Abstract: A bipolar plate (20) for making a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell stack, said bipolar plate (20) being made up of metal sheets that are shaped and assembled together in such a manner as to define primary fluid-flow channels (24) and secondary fluid-flow channels (25) that are arranged in alternation, said primary channels (24) being formed between said assembled-together sheets; the bipolar plate (20) being characterized in that it includes mechanical reinforcement (35) made out of metal material arranged in a reinforcing duct (30) of the bipolar plate (20), said metal reinforcement (35) being configured in such a manner as to oppose a compression force applied to the bipolar plate (20), said bipolar plate (20) further including a source of electricity adapted to feed electric current to the mechanical reinforcement (35) and thereby give off heat by the Joule effect.

Abstract: A connection system comprising: a dispensing member; a receiving member; first sealing means and second sealing means arranged at the interface between the dispensing member and the receiving member to enable redundant leak-tight engagement between the dispensing member and the receiving member; a control chamber defined between the first sealing means and the second sealing means; and means for measuring the current pressure in the control chamber so as to detect a gas leak.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell (10) comprising a membrane electrode assembly (16) and two gas diffusion layers (14) co-operating with the assembly to form a unit cell (12). The fuel cell (10) also has a two-phase thermal diffuser (24) having a condensation zone and an evaporation zone, the evaporation zone being arranged between the bipolar plates (14) of two adjacent unit cells (12). The two-phase thermal diffuser (24) also has a heating element arranged in the condensation zone. The invention also provides a system comprising the fuel cell and a controller, and it also provides a method of regulating the temperature of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A bipolar plate (20) for making a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell stack, said bipolar plate (20) being made up of metal sheets that are shaped and assembled together in such a manner as to define primary fluid-flow channels (24) and secondary fluid-flow channels (25) that are arranged in alternation, said primary channels (24) being formed between said assembled-together sheets; the bipolar plate (20) being characterized in that it includes mechanical reinforcement (35) made out of metal material arranged in a reinforcing duct (30) of the bipolar plate (20), said metal reinforcement (35) being configured in such a manner as to oppose a compression force applied to the bipolar plate (20), said bipolar plate (20) further including a source of electricity adapted to feed electric current to the mechanical reinforcement (35) and thereby give off heat by the Joule effect.