Guide device, polar separator, and associated fuel cell

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide (50H) for a receiving location (40H) of a polar plate (10), the guide (50H) comprising: added injection walls (52A) for forming an added injection field (37H), so as to delimit added injection channels (57A) for guiding an injected portion of a functional fluid, added routing walls (52H) for forming an added routing field (39H), so as to delimit added routing channels (57H) for guiding a routed portion of the functional fluid, and an anchoring mat (51H) to which each added routing wall (52H) and each added injection wall (52A) is connected, such that the added routing walls (52H), the added injection walls (52A) and the anchoring mat (51H) together form a single monolithic piece made of seal material.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Guide, polar separator and associated fuel cell

[0002] The present invention relates to a guide for a polar separator of an electrochemical cell, a polar separator comprising such a guide, and a fuel cell comprising such a polar separator.

[0003] JP5112004B2 describes a fuel cell comprising an electrolyte-electrode structure having a pair of electrodes arranged on either side of an electrolyte. The electrolyte-electrode structure is stacked with a metallic separator and includes a fluid flow path for circulating a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas, and a coolant in the plane direction of the metallic separator, and a fluid distribution orifice for supplying the fluid in the direction of the stack. The metallic separator is provided with a plurality of elastomeric wall elements arranged between the fluid flow path and the fluid distribution orifice. A through-groove connecting the fluid flow path and the distribution orifice is formed between the elastomeric wall elements.

[0004] These wall elements, which ensure proper admission or evacuation of the fluid from or to the distribution orifice, do not also ensure proper distribution of the fluid towards the flow path, occupying a large area on the separator, while the distribution orifice is of a smaller width.

[0005] One aim of the invention is therefore to propose a new guide for polar separator which, while simplifying the manufacture of the polar separator, allows both an injection of the functional fluid from or to the distribution orifice and a distributed routing of this functional fluid from or to a circulation field of the polar separator.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a guide for a polar separator of an electrochemical cell, the guide being configured to be received at a receiving location belonging to a plate face of a polar plate belonging to the polar separator, the guide comprising:

[0007] - attached injection walls, to form an attached injection field on the plate face, the attached injection walls being arranged side-by-side along a surface plane, so as to delimit attached injection channels, the attached injection channels being arranged side-by-side along the surface plane, each attached injection channel being delimited between, and by, two of said attached injection walls to guide an injected portion of a functional fluid, each attached injection wall comprising: • an application surface, which is coplanar with the surface plane and through which the attached injection wall is designed to bear against a first receiving surface belonging to the receiving location, when the guide is received at the receiving location, and

[0008] • an internal injection end, each reported injection channel comprising an internal injection inlet bordered by two of the internal injection ends.

[0009] The guide also includes:

[0010] - added conveying walls, to form an added conveying field on the plate face, the added conveying walls being arranged side-by-side along the surface plane, so as to delimit added conveying channels, the added conveying channels being arranged side-by-side along the surface plane, each added conveying channel being delimited between, and by, two of said added conveying walls to guide a conveyed portion of the functional fluid, each added conveying wall comprising:

[0011] • an application surface, which is coplanar with the surface plane and through which the attached conveying wall is designed to bear on a second receiving surface belonging to the receiving location, when the guide is received at the receiving location, and

[0012] • an internal delivery end, facing the internal injection ends, each reported delivery channel comprising an internal delivery inlet bordered by two of the internal delivery ends; and

[0013] - an anchoring mat, to which each added conveying wall and each added injection wall is connected, so that the added conveying walls, the added injection walls and the anchoring mat together form a single monolithic piece of joint material, the anchoring mat extending beyond the surface plane from the added conveying walls and the added injection walls, so that said anchoring mat can be housed in an anchoring cavity belonging to the receiving location, formed in a hollow from the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, thus anchoring the guide to the receiving location when the guide is received on the receiving location.

[0014] One idea underlying the invention is to form, using the same guide made of sealing material, both an injection field and a delivery field. When the distribution orifice is a functional fluid inlet orifice, the injection field aims to ensure the injection of the functional fluid from the distribution orifice to the delivery field, while the delivery field aims to ensure a distributed distribution of the functional fluid to the circulation field, in which the functional fluid performs its main function, either electrochemical reaction or cooling of the electrochemical cell.When the distribution port is a functional fluid discharge port, the added conveying field is designed to collect the functional fluid from the circulation field and guide it to the added injection field, while the added injection field is designed to efficiently discharge the functional fluid through the distribution port. The guide is easy to manufacture and robust once installed on the pole plate, thanks to the anchoring mat that is common to both the added injection walls and the added conveying walls. Furthermore, manufacturing the added injection and conveying walls from a jointing material allows for easy and precise geometries, particularly regarding the spacing and width of the walls.

[0015] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the invention comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations.

[0016] Preferably, the internal routing ends of each of the added routing walls are aligned along an internal routing axis, parallel to the surface plane.

[0017] Preferably, the internal injection ends of each of the added injection walls are aligned along an internal injection axis, parallel to the surface plane.

[0018] Preferably, the internal routing axis is parallel to, and preferably distant from, the internal injection axis.

[0019] Preferably, the anchoring mat includes a conveying anchor strip and an injection anchor strip, housed in the anchoring cavity when the guide is received at the receiving location.

[0020] Preferably, each internal conveying end is arranged on the conveying anchor strip, so as not to come into contact with the second receiving surface when the guide is received at the receiving location.

[0021] Preferably, each internal injection end is arranged on the injection anchor strip, so as not to bear on the first receiving surface when the guide is received at the receiving location, the conveying anchor strip running alongside the injection anchor strip.

[0022] Preferably, the injection anchoring strip includes a first part, which is paralleled by the conveying anchoring strip, where the internal injection ends arranged on the first part of the injection anchoring strip face the internal conveying ends arranged on the conveying anchoring strip.

[0023] Preferably, the injection anchor strip includes a second part, which is not paralleled by the routing anchor strip, where the internal injection ends arranged on the second part of the injection anchor strip do not face any internal routing end of the guide.

[0024] The invention also relates to a polar separator, comprising the guide as defined above, and a polar plate, in which:

[0025] - the polar plate, comprises the plate face, parallel to the surface plane, and a distribution orifice passing through the polar plate from the plate face, the plate face comprising:

[0026] • a field of circulation,

[0027] • an injection rim, delimiting the distribution orifice, and

[0028] • the receiving location, connecting the injection rim to the circulation field and comprising the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, coplanar with the surface plane, and the anchoring cavity, formed in a hollow beyond the surface plane from the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, the first receiving surface connecting the injection rim to the anchoring cavity and the second receiving surface connecting the anchoring cavity to the circulation field; and

[0029] - the guide is received at the receiving location so as to form the reported injection field and the reported routing field, in that:

[0030] • The anchoring mat is housed in the anchoring cavity, thus anchoring the guide to the receiving location,

[0031] • The added conveying walls are supported on the second receiving surface via their application surface to form the added conveying field, connecting the added injection field to the circulation field, so that the added conveying channels ensure the guidance of the conveyed portions of the functional fluid from the added injection field to the circulation field or from the circulation field to the added injection field, and

[0032] • The added injection walls are supported on the first receiving surface via their application surface to form the added injection field, connecting the injection rim to the added delivery field, so that each added injection channel bordered by two of the internal injection ends facing the internal delivery ends ensures the guidance of the injected portions of the functional fluid from the injection rim to the added delivery field, or vice versa.

[0033] Preferably the plate face includes an integrated conveying field, connecting the reported injection field to the circulation field and comprising integrated conveying walls, which are arranged side-by-side along the surface plane, so as to delimit integrated conveying channels, each integrated conveying channel being delimited between, and by, two of said integrated conveying walls and ensuring guidance of a respective conveyed portion of the functional fluid from the reported injection field to the circulation field or vice versa, in bypass with respect to the conveyed portions guided by the reported conveying field.

[0034] Preferably, the second receiving surface connects the anchoring cavity to the traffic field next to the integrated routing field.

[0035] Preferably, the reported conveying field connects the reported injection field to the circulation field next to the integrated conveying field.

[0036] Preferably, perpendicular to the surface plane, the anchoring mat is entirely received in the anchoring cavity so as not to protrude from the surface plane, except at some of the internal injection inlets.

[0037] Preferably, the polar separator further includes a seal, which is received on the plate face, forming a main closed loop around the circulation field, the receiving location and the guide, in order to keep the functional fluid flowing along the plate face inside the main closed loop.

[0038] Preferably, the guide belongs to the seal, the guide being attached to the main closed loop via a tab belonging to the seal, the seal constituting a single monolithic piece of seal material, including both the guide and the main closed loop.

[0039] Preferably, the injection rim includes a row of injection ports, so that the functional fluid flowing on the surface of the plate face via the injection rim passes through the pole plate via the injection ports to reach the distribution port, or so that the functional fluid flowing in the distribution port passes through the pole plate via the injection ports to reach the plate face, at the injection rim.

[0040] Preferably, the main closed loop includes a rim portion received on the injection rim, between the distribution orifice and the row of injection orifices, such that the distribution orifice is outside the main closed loop and the row of injection orifices is within the main closed loop. Preferably, the anchoring cavity is arranged between the row of injection orifices and the circulation field.

[0041] Preferably, the added injection field is arranged along the row of injection ports, between the row of injection ports and the added delivery field, so that each added injection channel bordered by two of the internal injection ends facing the internal delivery ends ensures guidance of the respective injected portion of the functional fluid from the injection ports to the added delivery field, or vice versa.

[0042] The invention also relates to a fuel cell, comprising electrochemical cells, at least one of the electrochemical cells comprising:

[0043] - the polar separator as defined above, constituting a first polar separator;

[0044] - a second polar separator; and

[0045] - a membrane-electrode assembly, comprising an exchange zone which includes a proton exchange membrane;

[0046] electrochemical cell in which the first polar separator, the membrane-electrode assembly and the second polar separator are superimposed in a stacking direction, such that the membrane-electrode assembly is interposed between the first polar separator and the second polar separator, the circulation field of the polar plate of the first polar separator being in contact with the exchange zone in the stacking direction.

[0047] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0048] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0049] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an electrochemical cell belonging to the fuel cell of Figure 1.

[0050] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a partial front view of a polar separator, showing one face of a plate belonging to a polar plate.

[0051] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a view of a detail of figure 3 according to frame IV.

[0052] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4, where only the polar plate is shown.

[0053] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 includes a view (A) which is a partial section along line Vla-Vla of Figure 5, a view (B) which is a partial section along line Vlb-Vlb of Figure 3 and a view (C) which is a partial section along line VIc-VIc of Figure 3. [Fig. 7] Figure 7 includes a view (A) which is a partial section along line VIla-Vlla of Figure 3 and a view (B) which is a partial section along line Vllb-Vl Ib of Figure 3.

[0054] FUEL CELL 1 AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS 4

[0055] Figure 1 shows a fuel cell 1, comprising a stack 2 of electrochemical cells 4, and two terminal plates 3. The fuel cell 1 is preferentially intended to equip a vehicle, in particular to electrically power an electric motor intended for the traction or propulsion of the vehicle, directly or indirectly (i.e. via a battery).

[0056] Stack 1 defines a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y, and a stacking direction Z. As illustrated, each of these directions X, Y, and Z is oriented, meaning it points in a direction symbolized by an arrow in the figures. These directions are perpendicular to each other and distinct. Preferably, the transverse direction Y points upwards when the stack is in use.

[0057] Stack 2 is interposed between the two end plates 3 along the stacking direction Z and is sandwiched between said end plates 3. Stack 2 is supplied, advantageously via one of the end plates 3, with a primary reactive fluid, a secondary reactive fluid, and preferably a cooling fluid. Each of these fluids is a functional fluid. The primary and secondary reactive fluids react chemically within each cell 4 of stack 2 to generate electricity. The primary and secondary reactive fluids, now laden with reaction products, and the cooling fluid heated by stack 2, are also discharged from stack 2, for example, via the same end plate 3.

[0058] The primary reactive fluid can be an anodic fluid, preferably a hydrogen-containing gas. The secondary reactive fluid can be a cathodic fluid, preferably an oxygen-containing gas, such as air. Alternatively, the primary reactive fluid is the cathodic fluid while the secondary reactive fluid is the anodic fluid. The cooling fluid is advantageously a coolant.

[0059] The stack 2 can include several hundred electrochemical cells 4. As shown in Figure 2, each electrochemical cell 4 comprises, successively along the stacking direction Z, a polar separator 5, a membrane-electrode assembly 90, and a second polar separator 105.

[0060] Within each cell 4, a chemical reaction occurs between the primary and secondary reactive fluids, creating an electrical potential difference between the polar separator 5 and the second polar separator 105. Here, for each cell 4, the polar separator 5 is an anodic separator while the second polar separator 105 is a cathodic separator, but the reverse could be expected.

[0061] MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY 90

[0062] The membrane-electrode assembly 90 has a general plate shape, extending along a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction Z. The membrane-electrode assembly 90 is superimposed with the polar separator 5 of the same cell 4, along the stacking direction Z; that is, the membrane-electrode assembly 90 and the polar separator 5 are stacked along the Z direction, specifically with their respective contours overlapping. Thus superimposed, the membrane-electrode assembly 90 is arranged in the stacking direction Z relative to the polar separator 5. The second polar separator 105 is superimposed with the membrane-electrode assembly 90 of the same cell 4 along the stacking direction Z; that is, the membrane-electrode assembly 90 and the second polar separator 105 are stacked along the Z direction, specifically with their respective contours overlapping.Thus superimposed, the second polar separator 105 is arranged in the stacking direction Z with respect to the membrane-electrode assembly 90 and with respect to the polar separator 5 of the same cell 4. In other words, for each cell 4, the membrane-electrode assembly 90 is interposed between the polar separator 5 and the second polar separator 105 along the Z direction. Moreover, the second polar separator 105 of a previous cell 4 of the stacking 2 is superimposed with the separator 5 of the next cell 4, along the stacking direction Z, and so on.

[0063] The membrane-electrode assembly 90 has a face 91, turned in the opposite direction to the stacking direction Z towards the immediately adjacent polar separator 5, belonging to the same cell 4. The membrane-electrode assembly 90 has a face 92, turned along the Z direction towards the immediately adjacent second polar separator 105.

[0064] The membrane-electrode assembly 90 comprises a peripheral zone 97 and an exchange zone 93, surrounded by the peripheral zone. Face 91 is formed by the peripheral zone 97 and the exchange zone 93. Face 92 is also formed by the peripheral zone 97 and the exchange zone 93, on the opposite side along the Z direction.

[0065] Preferably, the membrane-electrode assembly 90 is symmetrical in shape around an axis of symmetry parallel to the Z direction.

[0066] The exchange zone 93, also called the active zone, comprises a proton exchange membrane, which is advantageously covered, on the side of face 91, by a gas diffusion layer, and on the side of face 92, by another gas diffusion layer belonging to the exchange zone 93. The membrane is thus interposed between the two gas diffusion layers. Preferably, the entire area of ​​the exchange zone 93, or almost the entire area, is occupied by the proton exchange membrane.

[0067] The peripheral zone 97 forms an outer contour of the assembly 90. The peripheral zone 97 is coplanar with the exchange zone 93, in particular with the membrane, extending in a plane perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0068] The peripheral zone 97 can be made of the same material as the proton exchange membrane, extending the membrane beyond the gas diffusion layers if they are present, so that the peripheral zone 97 is not covered by the gas diffusion layers. Alternatively, the peripheral zone 97 consists of a retaining frame, which surrounds the membrane on its entire perimeter and is assembled with the membrane. The retaining frame is, for example, formed by two superimposed polymer films along the Z-stack direction. The gas diffusion layers, if present, can locally cover the retaining frame, i.e., extend slightly beyond the membrane, at the boundary between the membrane and the retaining frame.

[0069] The membrane-electrode assembly 90 also includes distribution ports 95H, 96H, 950, 960, 950 and 960, provided through the peripheral zone 97. Each port 95H, 96H, 950, 960, 95C and 96C connects face 91 to face 92.

[0070] Port 95H is a feed port belonging to a feed gallery formed through stack 2 along the Z direction and configured to be traversed, along the Z direction, by the primary reactive fluid to feed stack 2. As such, port 95H itself is traversed by the primary reactive fluid. Port 96H is a discharge port belonging to a discharge gallery formed through stack 2 along the Z direction and configured to be traversed, along the Z direction, by a mixture of primary reactive fluid and reaction products from stack 2. As such, port 96H itself is traversed by the mixture. Ports 95H and 96H are located on either side of the exchange zone 93.

[0071] Port 950 is a feed port, belonging to a feed gallery formed through stack 2 along the Z direction and configured to be traversed, along the Z direction, by the secondary reactive fluid to feed stack 2. As such, port 950 is itself traversed by the secondary reactive fluid. Port 960 is a discharge port, belonging to a discharge gallery formed through stack 2 along the Z direction and configured to be traversed, along the Z direction, by a mixture of secondary reactive fluid and reaction products from stack 2. As such, port 960 is itself traversed by the mixture. Ports 950 and 960 are located on either side of the exchange zone 93.

[0072] Port 950 is a supply port, belonging to a supply gallery formed through stack 2 along the Z direction and configured to allow the cooling fluid to flow through it in the Z direction to supply stack 2. As such, port 950 itself is traversed by the cooling fluid. Port 960 is a discharge port, belonging to a discharge gallery formed through stack 2 along the Z direction and configured to allow the cooling fluid from stack 2 to flow through it in the Z direction. As such, port 960 itself is traversed by the cooling fluid. Ports 950 and 960 are located on either side of the heat exchange zone 93.

[0073] POLAR SEPARATORS 5, 105

[0074] The second polar separator 105 comprises a plate face 1110, through which it is superimposed on the membrane-electrode assembly 90, against the face 92, and an opposite plate face 1110. The faces 1110 and 1110 are opposite and perpendicular to the Z direction. The second polar separator 105 includes distribution ports 115H, 116H, 1150, 1160, 1150, and 1160, each distribution port passing through the separator 105, connecting plate face 1110 to plate face 1110. Ports 115H, 116H, 1150, 1160, 1150, and 1160 are respectively superimposed with ports 95H, 96H, 950, 960, 950, and 960 of the membrane-electrode assembly 90 along the Z direction, to extend the galleries formed by ports 95H, 96H, 950, 960, 950, and 960 and be traversed by the same functional fluids.

[0075] The polar separator 5, includes a polar plate 10, with a plate face 11 H, rotated along the Z direction and shown in more detail in figures 3 to 5. The polar plate 10 includes a plate face 110 opposite to the plate face 11 H.

[0076] Preferably, the polar separator 5, or at least the polar plate 10, is symmetrical in shape around an axis of symmetry parallel to the Z direction.

[0077] Preferably, the pole plate 10 is formed in one piece from a sheet or plate. The pole plate 10 is advantageously made of an electrically conductive metal, such as titanium or stainless steel, but may alternatively be made of graphite. Preferably, the pole plate 10 is entirely obtained by stamping the sheet or plate. Alternatively, or in addition, the plate 10 may be machined. The plate face 11H extends, overall, along a surface plane P11H, shown in the partial sections of Figures 6 and 7, and is perpendicular to the Z direction. The plate face 11C extends, overall, along a surface plane P11C, shown in the partial sections of Figures 6 and 7, and is perpendicular to the Z direction and parallel to the plane P11H.

[0078] As shown in particular in Figure 2, the polar plate 10 comprises distribution ports 15H, 16H, 15C, 16C, 150 and 160, each distribution port passing through the plate 10, connecting the plate face 11H to the plate face 11C. In particular, each port 15H, 16H, 15C, 16C, 150 and 160 connects a peripheral area 23H belonging to the face 11H to a corresponding peripheral area belonging to the face 11C. Preferably, the ports 15H, 15C and 150 are arranged at one end of the plate 10 along the X direction, while the ports 16H, 16C and 160 are arranged at an opposite end. Port 15C is preferably located between ports 15H and 150, along the Y direction. Port 15H is preferably positioned in the Y direction relative to ports 15C and 150. Port 16C is preferably located between ports 160 and 16H, along the Y direction.Port 160 is preferentially positioned in the Y direction relative to ports 160 and 16H.

[0079] The orifices 15H, 16H, 150, 160, 150 and 160 are respectively superimposed with the orifices 95H, 96H, 950, 960, 950 and 960 of the membrane-electrode assembly 90 along the Z direction.

[0080] Port 15H is a feed port, belonging to the same feed gallery as port 95H. As such, port 15H is itself traversed by the primary reactive fluid. Port 16H is a discharge port, belonging to the same discharge gallery as port 96H. As such, port 16H is itself traversed by the mixture.

[0081] Port 150 is a feed port, belonging to the same feed gallery as port 950. As such, port 150 is itself traversed by the secondary reactive fluid. Port 160 is a discharge port, belonging to the same discharge gallery as port 960. As such, port 160 is itself traversed by the mixture.

[0082] Alternatively, the cathodic fluid, i.e., air, is supplied through port 160, and port 150 is an exhaust port. In other words, ports 150 and 160 can be used interchangeably for supplying or exhausting gases.

[0083] Port 150 is a supply port, belonging to the same gallery as port 950. As such, port 150 itself carries the cooling fluid. Port 16C is a drain port, belonging to the same drain gallery as port 96C. As such, port 16C itself carries the cooling fluid.

[0084] Alternatively, the coolant is supplied via port 16C and port 15C is a drain port. In other words, ports 15C and 16C can be used interchangeably for supplying or draining coolant.

[0085] The polar plate 10 is described here in more detail with regard to the plate face 11H. As shown in figure 2, the plate face 11H is opposite the face 91 of the membrane-electrode assembly 90 of the same cell 4 of the stack 2.

[0086] On the side of the plate face 11 H, the polar plate 10 mainly comprises a circulation field 20H, two conveying fields 21H and 22H, two injection fields 37H and 38H, the aforementioned peripheral zone 23H, a joint 24H and two injection edges 25H and 26H. Advantageously, two anchoring cavity backs 27H and 28H may be provided.

[0087] The peripheral zone 23H is formed directly by the face 11H of the polar plate 10. The peripheral zone 23H encloses the circulation field 20H, the conveying fields 21H and 22H, the injection fields 37H and 38H, and the injection edges 25H and 26H. The peripheral zone 23H has a frame-like shape, forming a closed loop that completely forms a peripheral contour of the face 11H and the plate 10, for example, with a generally rectangular shape.

[0088] The 20H circulation field is preferably arranged in the center of face 11H. Along the X direction, the 20H circulation field is arranged between the 21H and 22H routing fields, located at opposite ends of the 20H circulation field. The 20H field thus connects the 21H and 22H fields.

[0089] Along the X direction, the delivery field 21H is arranged between the circulation field 20H and the orifices 15H, 15C and 150. Along the X direction, the injection field 37H is arranged between the orifice 15H and the circulation field 20H. In particular, the circulation field 20H begins at one end of the routing field 21H. The end of the routing field 21H on this side extends along an axis Y21H, called the "external routing axis", parallel to the plane P11H and preferably parallel to the Y direction. The injection field 37H begins at an opposite end of the routing field 21H. The end of the routing field 21H on this side extends along an axis R21H, called the "internal routing axis", parallel to the plane P11H and preferably oblique to the X and Y directions.The end of the injection field 37H on this side extends along an axis R37H, called the "internal injection axis," parallel to the plane P11H and preferably oblique to the X and Y directions. Preferably, the axes R37H and R21H are parallel and separated, with the axis R37H in the X direction relative to the axis R21H. At an opposite end of the injection field 37H, the injection rim 25H, belonging to the peripheral zone 23H, connects the orifice 15H to the injection field 37H. Preferably, this other end of the injection field 37H is also parallel to the axis R37H. The injection rim 25H extends to the orifice 15H; that is, the rim 25H delimits the orifice 15H for part of the contour of the orifice 15H. The cavity back 27H is positioned so as to be adjacent to the delivery field 21H and the orifices 15C and 150, being surrounded by the delivery field 21H and the orifices 15C and 150.

[0090] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the conveying field 21H is, in its first part, formed by a separate conveying field 39H and, in its second part, by an integrated conveying field 70H. The separate conveying fields 39H and 70H are arranged side by side, each connecting the circulation field 20H to the injection field 38H. The function of these separate conveying fields 39H and 70H is, in particular, to convey fluid from the injection field 37H to the circulation field 20H as homogeneously as possible. The separate conveying field 39H is delimited, along the X direction, by the circulation field 20H, where the end of the field 39H extends along the Y21H axis. The reported routing field 39H is delimited, in the opposite direction to the X direction, by the injection field 37H, where the end of the field 39H advantageously extends along the axis R21H.The reported delivery field 39H is delimited, along the Y direction, by the integrated delivery field 70H and a main closed loop 31H of the joint 24H, described below. The integrated delivery field 70H is delimited, along the X direction, by the circulation field 20H, where the end of field 70H extends along the Y21H axis, i.e., in line with the end of field 39H. The integrated delivery field 70H is delimited by the injection field 37H, where the end of field 70H advantageously extends along the R21H axis, in line with the end of field 39H along this R21H axis. Following the Y direction, the integrated delivery field 70H is delimited by the cavity back 27H and by the added delivery field 39H. The delivery fields 39H and 70H therefore connect the circulation fields 20H and the injection field 37H by being arranged next to each other.

[0091] Symmetrical arrangements to those of the 21H and 37H injection fields apply to the 22H and 38H injection fields. Specifically, along the X direction, the 22H flow field is arranged between the 20H circulation field and the orifices 16H, 16C, and 160. Along the X direction, the 38H injection field is arranged between the 20H circulation field and the orifice 16H. Specifically, the 20H circulation field terminates at one end of the 22H flow field. The 38H injection field begins at the opposite end of the 22H flow field. At one opposite end of the injection field 38H, the injection rim 26H, belonging to the peripheral zone 23H, connects the delivery field 22H to the orifice 16H. The injection rim 26H extends to the orifice 16H, that is to say that the rim 26H delimits the orifice 16H, for part of the contour of the orifice 16H.The cavity back 28H is arranged so as to be adjacent to the routing field 22H and to the ports 16C and 160. The routing field 22H advantageously comprises a reported routing field and an integrated routing field, symmetrically to that described by the routing field 21.

[0092] Each injection rim 25H and 26H is preferably formed directly by the face 11H. Preferably, each injection rim 25H and 26H includes a row of injection ports connecting the faces 11H and 11C. Preferably, each injection rim 25H and 26H extends along the plane P11H, at least at the location of the injection ports, and preferably from each injection port to the adjacent injection field 37H or 38H.

[0093] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the injection rim 25H comprises injection orifices 29H, for example arranged in a row extending along the distribution orifice 15H. The row of orifices 29H extends along an axis R29H, which is parallel to the plane P11H and advantageously oblique to the X and Y directions. Preferably, the axis R29H is parallel to the axis R37H. Along the X direction, the injection orifices 29H are arranged between the injection field 37H and the orifice 15H. The injection field 37H, in turn, is arranged along the row of injection orifices 29H, along the axis R29H. The injection field 37H is arranged between the orifice row 29H and the routing field 21H, so as to connect them. In particular, the injection field 37H connects the orifice row 29H to both the integrated routing field 70H and the added routing field 39H.The injection ports of the injection rim 26H are arranged similarly along the distribution port 16H. The injection field 38H thus connects these injection ports to the delivery field 22H.

[0094] The polar separator 5 is configured so that the primary reactive fluid flowing in orifice 15H is admitted between face 11H and face 91 via the injection rim 25H, and then discharged through orifice 16H via the injection rim 26H. In doing so, the primary reactive fluid flows along face 11H, successively along the injection rim 25H, the injection field 37H, the conveying field 21H, the circulation field 20H, the conveying field 22H, the injection field 38H and the injection rim 26H. While flowing along the injection field 37H, the primary reactive fluid is divided into several portions of primary fluid, called "injected portions", each guided in parallel by the injection field 37H.

[0095] As it flows along the conveying field 21H, the primary reactive fluid is divided into portions of the primary reactive fluid, called "conveyed portions," some of which are guided by the reported conveying field 39H and others by the integrated conveying field 70H. The conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid guided by field 39H do not pass through field 70H and vice versa; that is, fields 39H and 70H are in parallel with each other.

[0096] The primary reactive fluid admitted onto the surface of the plate face 11 H from the orifice 15H, first flows along the face 11 C, from the orifice 15H to the orifices 29H, then passes through the plate 10 via the orifices 29H to reach the face 11 H at the injection rim 25H, then to reach the injection field 37H from the injection rim 25H, then the conveying field 21 H from the injection field 37H. The primary reactive fluid to be evacuated from face 11H to orifice 16H, reaches the injection field 38H from the delivery field 22H, then the injection rim 26H, then passes through the injection orifices of the rim 25H to go from face 11H to face 11C, then is evacuated through orifice 16H on the side of face 11C.

[0097] 24H SEALING OF THE POLAR SEPARATOR 5

[0098] The seal 24H, shown in dashed lines in Figure 2 and illustrated in more detail in Figures 3 to 5, is received on the plate face 11H, specifically on the peripheral area 23H. Preferably, over the entire portion of the peripheral area 23H receiving the seal 24H, said seal 24H is received on a surface of the peripheral area 23H that extends along the face plane P11H. The seal 24H protrudes from the face plane P11H in the Z direction. Along the Z direction, the seal 24H comes into contact with the face 91 of the membrane-electrode assembly 90, specifically with the peripheral area 97. The seal 24H thus delimits areas sealed against functional fluids between the faces 11H and 91, preventing said functional fluids from escaping peripherally.

[0099] The 24H seal is preferably formed from a single piece. The 24H seal is made of a sealing material, i.e., for example, an elastomer. The 24H seal is preferably obtained by overmolding said 24H seal directly onto face 11H, or alternatively onto face 91. Alternatively, the 24H seal can be manufactured separately and then attached to face 11H, or alternatively onto face 91. The 24H seal comprises a main closed loop 31H, formed on face 11H, or, at the very least, interposed between face 11H and face 91. The main closed loop 31H serves to keep the primary reactive fluid flowing along face 11H within the main closed loop 31H, between faces 11H and 91. On the side of face 11H, the main closed loop 31H surrounds at least the circulation field 20H, the injection fields 37H and 38H, and the delivery fields 21H and 22H.On the side of face 91, the closed loop surrounds the exchange zone 93.

[0100] It is advantageously provided that the orifices 15H, 15C, 150, 16H, 160 and 160 are arranged outside the main closed loop 31 H, as shown in figures 2 to 4, insofar as the injection rims 25H and 26H have injection orifices such as the orifices 29H. Similarly, the orifices 95H, 950, 950, 96H, 960, and 960 are arranged outside the main closed loop 31H. As shown for the injection orifices 29H in Figure 4, the injection orifices of the injection rims 25H and 26H are arranged inside the main closed loop 31H. Consequently, all the primary reactive fluid circulating on the surface of face 11H is surrounded by the main closed loop 31H, preventing said primary reactive fluid from escaping to the periphery of face 11H. More precisely, the main closed loop 31H comprises, for each injection rim 25H and 26H, a respective rim portion.For the injection rim 25H, it is a portion of the rim 32H shown in Figure 4. Each rim portion is received on the plate face 11H, just like the rest of the main closed loop 31H. The rim portion 32H is received on the injection rim 25H, between the distribution port 15H and the row of injection ports 29H, in order to separate the port 15H from the ports 29H. The port 15H is therefore outside the main closed loop 31H, and the ports 29H are inside the closed loop. Preferably, the rim portion 32H is parallel to the axis R29H. Similarly, the other rim portion is received on the injection rim 26H, between the distribution orifice 16H and the row of injection orifices on this injection rim 26H, in order to separate the orifice 16H from said injection orifices. The orifice 16H is therefore outside the main closed loop 31H and the injection orifices of the rim 26H are inside the closed loop.

[0101] Preferably, the 24H seal comprises secondary closed loops, each surrounding one of the distribution ports and received on the plate face 11H. Each secondary closed loop contacts the face 91 in the Z direction, so as to be interposed between the face 11H and the face 91. Preferably, each secondary loop is formed as a single unit with the main closed loop 31H. Preferably, each port 15H, 15C, 150, 16H, 16C, and 160 is surrounded by a respective secondary closed loop belonging to the 24H seal. Since each secondary loop is also in contact with the face 91, each port 95H, 95C, 950, 96H, 96C, and 960 is also surrounded by one of the respective secondary loops. Each secondary loop therefore connects, along the Z direction, one of the orifices 15H, 15C, 150, 16H, 16C and 160 to the orifice 95H, 95C, 950, 96H, 96C or 960 which is superimposed on it, to form the corresponding gallery.Each secondary loop thus ensures that the functional fluid circulating in the gallery concerned does not escape out of cell 4, nor into the interior of the main closed loop 31 H, except in the presence of one of the injection rims, as is the case for orifices 15H and 16H.

[0102] As shown in Figure 3, in particular, a secondary closed loop 33H surrounds the orifice 15H, a secondary closed loop 33C surrounds the orifice 15C, and a secondary closed loop 330 surrounds the orifice 150. As shown in Figure 3, the secondary closed loops 33H, 33C, and 330 and the primary closed loop 31H advantageously share common parts. For example, the primary closed loop 31H and the secondary loop 33H share the rim portion 32H. The same considerations apply to the secondary loops surrounding the orifices 16H, 16C, and 160, respectively.

[0103] Preferably, no part of the 24H seal subdivides the closed loop(s) into several closed loops formed by the 24H seal.

[0104] 20H CIRCULATION FIELD OF THE POLAR SEPARATOR 5

[0105] Preferably, the traffic area 20H is formed directly by the plate face 11H. Preferably, the traffic area 20H has a general rectangular shape along the X and Y directions. The traffic area 20H includes walls, which are raised along the Z direction relative to the face plane P11H. Preferably, each wall of the traffic area 20H connects the two ends of the traffic area 20H along the X direction, that is, it extends from area 21H to area 22H. The walls are arranged side-by-side so as to delimit channels between them, each channel being located between two successive walls. Between two successive walls, the channel is delimited by a channel bottom formed by the face 11H, preferably offset in the opposite direction of the Z axis relative to the face plane P11H. Each channel connects area 21H to area 22H.Preferably, the 20H traffic area is formed by stamping the plate 10, the stamping allowing the walls and channels to be obtained in relief.

[0106] Following the Z direction, the circulation field 20H, in particular each wall, comes to rest against the exchange zone 93 of the membrane-electrode assembly 90, being superimposed with the exchange zone 93. Preferably, the circulation field 20H is in rest against the exchange zone 93 over its entire surface, or the exchange zone 93 is in rest against the circulation field 20H over its entire surface.

[0107] The primary reactive fluid flowing along face 11H is admitted along circulation field 20H from delivery field 21H and flows to the opposite end of circulation field 20H via the channels of said circulation field 20H, being guided by said channels and distributed over said channels. At the opposite end of circulation field 20H, the primary reactive fluid is admitted into delivery field 22H. During its flow along field 20H, the primary reactive fluid comes into contact with the exchange zone 93, where the reaction occurs across the proton exchange membrane, generating an electrical potential difference between separators 5 and 105.

[0108] INTEGRATED 70H FEEDBACK FIELD OF THE POLAR SEPARATOR 5

[0109] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the integrated conveying field 70H comprises walls 72H, referred to as "integrated conveying walls." The walls 72H are arranged side-by-side along the surface plane P11 H, so as to delimit channels 77H, referred to as "integrated conveying channels." Each integrated conveying channel 77H is delimited between, and by, two of these walls 72H. Each channel 77H guides one of the respective conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid from the reported injection field 37H to the circulation field 20H.This circulation of the transported portions guided by the integrated routing field 70H is carried out in bypass with respect to the transported portions guided by the reported routing field 39H, that is to say that the transported portions circulating in the integrated routing field 70H do not circulate in the reported routing field 39H and that the transported portions circulating in the reported routing field 39H do not circulate in the integrated routing field 70H.

[0110] In particular, the 72H walls are arranged side-by-side and spaced apart along the surface plane P11H, distributed transversely with respect to the R21H axis. Each 72H wall connects the injection field 37H to the circulation field 20H. As seen in view B of Figure 6, along the Z direction, each 72H wall projects from the P11H plane and is connected to the others by a portion of the plate face 11H, namely the receiving surface 41H, which is coplanar with the P11H plane and forms the bottom of the relevant channel 77H. Along the Z direction, each 72H wall may abut the face 91, specifically the peripheral zone 97, preferably along the entire length of the 72H wall. The integrated conveying channels 77H are therefore also delimited, along the Z direction, by the face 91. Preferably, the walls 72H are not in contact with the exchange zone 93.

[0111] Each wall 72H comprises a main section 80H, referred to as the "integrated main delivery section," an end 81H, referred to as the "integrated internal delivery end," and an end 82H, referred to as the "integrated external delivery end." The main section 80H connects the end 81H to the end 82H, preferably without interruption, and preferably such that the wall 72H is unbranched from the end 81H to the end 82H. In other words, the main section 80H terminates at the end 81H and the end 82H, opposite each other. The end 81H is directed toward the distribution port 15H, so as to face the injection field 37H, preferably without any intermediary. The 82H end is directed towards the 20H traffic field, so as to face the 20H traffic field, preferably without intermediary.

[0112] The ends 81H are preferably arranged to be aligned along the internal routing axis R21H. Preferably, the ends 82H are arranged to be aligned along the Y21H axis. This allows for a homogeneous distribution of the functional fluid flow while optimizing the available space in the routing field 21H.

[0113] Each 77H channel includes a 78H input, called the "integrated internal routing input", a 79H input, called the "integrated external routing input" and an intermediate 85H portion, called the "integrated intermediate routing portion".

[0114] Each inlet 78H is bordered by two of the ends 81H. Between the ends 81H, the inlet 78H is also delimited by the portion of the plate face 11H that connects the walls 72H delimiting the relevant channel 77H. Preferably, each inlet 78H, or most of the inlets 78H, faces the injection field 37H. Each inlet 79H is bordered by two of the ends 82H. Between the ends 82H, the inlet 79H is also delimited by the portion of the plate face 11H that connects the walls 72H delimiting the relevant channel 77H. Preferably, each inlet 79H, or most of the inlets 79H, faces the circulation field 20H. The intermediate section 85H connects entrance 78H to entrance 79H, preferably in a non-branching manner, being bordered by the main parts 80H of the walls 72H. In other words, the intermediate section 85H ends at entrances 78H and 79H.Between the main parts 80H, the intermediate portion 85H is also delimited by the portion of the plate face 11 H which connects the walls 72H delimiting the channel 77H concerned.

[0115] In operation, the portion of the primary reactive fluid conveyed by channel 77H is admitted into channel 77H at inlet 78H from the injection field 37H, flows along the intermediate portion 85H, and is discharged to the circulation field 20H via inlet 79H. The walls 72H thus serve to guide the conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid. In particular, the main part 80H of the walls 72H guides the fluid from inlet 78H to inlet 79H. The primary reactive fluid, thus guided by the field 70H, flows from the distribution orifice 15H to the circulation field 20H, circulating on the surface of face 11H, after passing through the injection orifices 29H, via the injection rim 25H, and through the injection field 37H.

[0116] Regarding the other integrated conveying field, belonging to conveying field 22H, each integrated conveying channel ensures the guidance of one of the respective conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid from the circulation field 20H to the injection field 38H. Apart from this difference in the direction of flow, preferably, the same provisions as for conveying field 70H apply symmetrically.

[0117] Preferably, from end 81H to end 82H, the wall 72H has a constant height, measured along the Z direction. Advantageously, for each wall 72H, end 81H, the main section 80H, and end 82H are of equal width, the width being measured parallel to plane P11H and transversely to wall 72H. It follows that each internal conveyance inlet 78H, delimited by the internal ends 81H of these conveyance walls 72H, has a cross-section equal to the cross-section of the intermediate conveyance section 85H, the cross-section being measured perpendicular to the wall bordering the measured channel and parallel to the Z direction.

[0118] Preferably, for all 72H walls, the ends 81H and 82H and the main part 80H are of equal width in that, for each of the two opposite sides of the 72H wall considered, the ends 81H and 82H are aligned with the main part 80H, that is to say do not protrude transversely from it.

[0119] Preferably, the walls 72H are designed to be straight from end 81H to end 82H and parallel to each other, so that the channels 77H are each straight and of constant width. This helps to limit the fluidic disturbances that would be induced by any change in the width of the channels 77H.

[0120] Preferably, the ends 81H, 82H and the main part of each wall 72H are of the same width as the ends 81H, 82H and the main part of the other walls 72H. By "width" is meant a dimension measured along the plane P11H perpendicular to the wall 72H.

[0121] Preferably, for the integrated conveying field 70H, the inlets 78H and 79H and the intermediate portion 85H of the same channel 77H are of the same width. Preferably, the inlets 78H and 79H and the intermediate portion 85H of the channel 77H closest to the conveying field 39H are narrower than the inlets 78H and 79H and the intermediate portion 85H of the channel 77H furthest from the conveying field 39H. Preferably, a gradual increase in channel width is provided, starting from the channel 77H closest to the field 39H and extending to the furthest channel 77H. "Width" means a dimension measured along plane P11H perpendicular to one of the walls 72H bordering the measured channel 77H.This gradual increase in the width of the 77H channels advantageously ensures the most homogeneous distribution possible of the primary reactive fluid in the 20H circulation field, the shorter 77H channels being less wide than the longer 77H channels.

[0122] 40H RECEPTION LOCATION AND 50H POLAR SEPARATOR GUIDE

[0123] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the attached delivery field 39H and the injection field 37H, referred to as the "attached injection field," are formed partly by a receiving location 40H formed by the plate face 11H, i.e., formed directly by the plate 10, and partly by a guide 50H, which is a separate part of the plate 10, attached or applied to the plate face 11H, specifically received at the receiving location 40H. The receiving location 40H is more clearly visible in Figure 5, where the joint 24H, including the guide 50H, is omitted. Preferably, the receiving location 40H is formed entirely by the face 11H.

[0124] The receiving location 40H includes a second receiving surface 41H, an anchoring cavity 42H and a first receiving surface 46H, which are formed directly by the face 11H.

[0125] The receiving location 40H connects the injection rim 25H, along its entire length or along the entire row of injection ports 29H, to the circulation field 20H, but only across a portion of the circulation field 20H's width in the Y direction. The remaining portion of the circulation field 20H's width is served by the integrated delivery field 70H. Location 40H is also bounded by the integrated delivery field 70H and the main closed loop 31H. In other words, location 40H occupies the entire area of ​​the extended delivery field 39H and the extended injection field 37H.

[0126] As seen in view A of Figure 6, the receiving surfaces 41H and 46H extend along, i.e., are coplanar with, the surface plane P11H. Preferably, the receiving surfaces 41H and 46H are entirely planar along the surface plane P11H. The receiving surfaces 41H and 46H are thus advantageously coplanar with the bottom of the circulation field channels 20H, unless the bottom of the circulation field channels 20H is recessed relative to the surface plane P11H. The receiving surfaces 41H and 46H are advantageously coplanar with the injection rim 25H, preferably at least for those portions of the injection rim 25H that connect the injection field 37H to the orifices 29H. The receiving surfaces 41H and 46H are advantageously coplanar with the peripheral zone 23H, preferably at least with the parts of the peripheral zone 23H on which the joint 24H is applied.This coplanar arrangement of the receiving surfaces 41 H and 46H advantageously facilitates the formation of the guide 50H directly on the face 11 H, in particular by overmolding, in particular simultaneously with the overmolding of the seal 24H if the seal 24H is also overmolded.

[0127] As seen in Figures 4 and 5, along plane P11H, cavity 42H advantageously connects surface 46H to surface 41H, such that it is bordered on both sides by surfaces 46H and 41H. Cavity 42H is therefore arranged between surfaces 46H and 41H. Cavity 42H is arranged between the row of injection ports 29H and the flow field 20H. More broadly, cavity 42H is arranged between port 15H and the flow field 20H. As seen in view A of Figure 6, the anchoring cavity 42H is formed in a hollow from surfaces 41H and 46H, in the opposite direction to the Z-axis. In other words, cavity 42H is hollow beyond plane P11H. Preferably, the cavity 42H includes a bottom 45H, which is preferably flat, parallel to the plane P11H and which extends over almost the entire area of ​​the cavity 42H in projection into the plane P11H.The P11C plane is preferentially arranged between the 45H bottom and the P11H plane, along the Z direction, as seen in Figure 6. The 42H cavity is therefore advantageously deeper than the thickness of the polar plate 10.

[0128] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in the opposite direction to X, the receiving surface 41H extends to the traffic area 20H, preferably over the portion of the traffic area 20H's width not occupied by the routing area 70H. Along the X direction, the receiving surface 41H extends to the anchoring cavity 42H over a portion of the anchoring cavity's width along the Y direction. Along the X direction, the area 70H extends to the other portion of the anchoring cavity's width. In the opposite direction to Y, the receiving surface 41H advantageously extends to the routing area 70H, preferably over the entire length of the area 70H. In other words, the receiving surface 41 H connects the anchoring cavity 42 H to the circulation field 20 H next to the integrated routing field 70 H. The receiving surface 41 H is entirely located within the main closed loop 31 H.As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in the opposite direction to X, the receiving surface 46H extends to the cavity 42H, preferably across the entire width of the cavity 42H along the Y direction. Along the X direction, the receiving surface 46H extends to the injection rim 25H, preferably across the entire width of the injection rim 25H measured along the Y direction, or at least across the entire width of the row of injection orifices 29H, measured along the Y direction. Along the Y direction, the receiving surface 46H connects one part of the main closed loop 31H to another, on either side of the row of orifices 29H. The orifices 29H are thus framed by the rim part 32H of the main closed loop 31 H and by the receiving surface 46H along the Y direction. The receiving surface 46H is entirely disposed inside the main closed loop 31 H.

[0129] The anchoring cavity 42H advantageously has, on the injection rim side 25H, an edge 43H, with the surface 46H being contiguous to the cavity 42H along the edge 43H, and, on the circulation field side 20H, an edge 44H, with the surface 41H being contiguous to the cavity 42H along the edge 44H. The edges 43H and 44H delimit the cavity 42H, connecting the bottom 45H to the surfaces 46H and 41H respectively, along the Z direction. The edges 43H and 44H delimit the cavity 42H from each other, along the X direction. Preferably, the edge 43H is straight and parallel to the axis R37H. The 44H edge is preferentially tiered, comprising, along the entire 70H routing field, a part coaxial with, or parallel and close to, the R37H axis, and comprising, along the entire 39H routing field, a part parallel to the R37H axis and further away from the R37H axis.

[0130] Preferably, the location 40H is formed by stamping the plate 10, advantageously at the same time as the stamping forms other parts of the plate 10, such as the field 20H, but also any integrated routing field, in particular the integrated routing field 70H. In particular, in the case of stamping, so that the plate 10 forms the cavity 42H, formed in relief by the face 11H, the plate 10 also preferably forms, correspondingly, an anchoring cavity back 27C, formed in relief by the face 11C, in the opposite direction to the Z direction. The back 27C is visible in view (A) of Figure 6. The back 27C has the same shape as the cavity 42H, in negative, that is to say in relief rather than in relief. The back of the anchoring cavity 27C protrudes, in the opposite direction to the Z direction, relative to the surface plane P11C.The back 27H, which is, for example, the result of an anchoring cavity formed in a recess on face 11C, is arranged on face 11H in an area that does not interfere with the functional elements of face 11H, as described above. Indeed, the functional fluid is thus not disturbed by the presence of this back 27H since it is located in an area not reached by said functional fluid. The guide 50H is complementary to the receiving location 40H and is configured to be received at the receiving location 40H as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Similarly, the receiving location 40H is complementary to the guide 50H and is designed to receive the guide 50H. The pole plate 10 and the guide 50H are therefore linked and represent a common inventive concept of forming the reported delivery field 39H and the reported injection field 37H. The 50H guide is surrounded by the main closed loop 31H.

[0131] The 50H guide is formed in one piece, i.e., monolithically. The 50H guide is made of a sealing material, for example an elastomer, preferably the same sealing material as the 24H seal.

[0132] The 50H guide includes a 51H anchoring mat, 52H walls, known as "replaced conveying walls" and 52A walls, known as "replaced injection walls", which form a single monolithic piece, i.e. that the 51H mat and the 52H and 52A walls came from the same material as each other. Each wall 52A and 52H is connected to the conveyor belt 51H, by being directly connected to the conveyor belt 51H. At least three walls 52H and at least three walls 52A are provided for the same conveyor belt 51H, preferably at least eight walls 52H and at least eight walls 52A for the same conveyor belt 51H. In combination with the receiving location 40H, the walls 52A form the added injection field 37H and the walls 52H form the added delivery field 39H, on the plate face 11H, as explained below.

[0133] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7, the mat 51 H is housed in the anchoring cavity 42 H, preferably so as to completely fill the anchoring cavity. Thanks to the mat 51 H, the guide 50 H is securely anchored to the receiving location 40 H of the plate 10, at least along the plane P11 H.

[0134] The anchoring mat 51 H preferably has a shape complementary to that of the cavity 42H. In particular, as shown in Figure 7, the anchoring mat 51 H has a bottom wall 56H that conforms to the shape of the bottom 45H of the cavity 42H. Preferably, the bottom wall 56H is parallel to the plane P11H. The plane P11C is preferably interposed between the bottom wall 56H of the mat 51 H and the plane P11H.

[0135] In particular, the anchoring mat 51 H has edge walls that conform to the edges 43H and 44H of the cavity 42H, respectively. The edge walls of the mat 51 H extend transversely with respect to the walls 52H and 52A. Specifically, these edge walls extend along the Z direction from the bottom wall 56H, at least as far as the surface plane P11H. The edge walls of the anchoring mat 51 H delimit the mat 51 H from each other, along the X direction. Preferably, the edge wall adjacent to the edge 43H is straight and parallel to the axis R37H. Preferably, the edge wall adjoining the edge 44H is stepped, including, along the entire 70H routing field, a part coaxial with, or parallel and close to, the R37H axis, and including, along the entire 39H routing field, a part parallel to the R37H axis and further away from the R37H axis.

[0136] The anchoring mat 51H preferably comprises a surface wall 53H, which is preferably planar and advantageously coplanar with plane P11H, as shown in Figure 7; that is, it is coplanar with the receiving surfaces 41H and 46H. The surface wall 53H is opposite the bottom wall 56H of the mat 51H along the Z direction and is connected to the bottom wall 56H by the edge walls of the mat 51H. Consequently, the anchoring mat 51H advantageously fills the cavity 42H such that the mat 51H extends the receiving surfaces 41H and 46H to the location of the cavity 42H. In this case, the mat 51H is advantageously entirely contained within the anchoring cavity 42H so as not to protrude beyond the surface plane P11H. This advantageously avoids disturbing the flow of the functional fluid and does not reduce its cross-sectional area.The walls 52A and 52H, for their part attached to the mat 51 H, project from the mat 51 H, in particular from the surface wall 53H, along the Z direction.

[0137] Alternatively, it could be foreseen that all or part of the carpet 51 H extends beyond the plane P11H along the Z direction, i.e., protrudes from the cavity 42H.

[0138] Preferably, the mat 51 H is thicker, along the Z direction, than the sheet or plate constituting the plate 10, the thickness of the mat being measured parallel to the Z direction, from the bottom wall 56H to the surface wall 53H.

[0139] Preferably, the anchor mat 51 H includes a conveying anchor strip 55H and an injection anchor strip 54H, housed in the anchor cavity 42H when the guide 50H is received at the receiving location 40H.

[0140] The injection anchor strip 54H runs along the edge 43H along its entire length. The anchor strip 54H is advantageously parallel to the axis R37H. The conveying anchor strip 55H runs along the edge 44H for a portion of its length, starting from one end of the edge 44H on the side of the conveying field 39H. The conveying anchor strip 55H is advantageously parallel to the axis R37H. The conveying anchor strip 55H runs alongside the injection anchor strip 54H, i.e., it is parallel and adjacent to the injection anchor strip 54H, but only for a portion 54A of the injection anchor strip 54H. For this part 54A of the injection anchor strip 54H, the conveying anchor strip 55H is arranged between the strip 54H and the edge 44H. For another part 54B of the injection anchor strip 54H, the anchor strip 54H extends along both the edges 43H and the edge 44H, so as to connect said edges 43H and 44H.In other words, the first part 54A of band 54H is bordered by band 55H while the second part 54B of band 54H is not bordered by band 55H.

[0141] Preferably, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the guide 50H belongs to the seal 24H, in that the guide 50H is attached to a portion of the seal 24H, preferably to the main closed loop 31H, by means of two tabs 69H. The tabs 69H also belong to the seal 24H. Each tab 69H is formed from the same seal material as the rest of the seal 24H, including the guide 50H. Thus, the seal 24H, including in particular the main closed loop 31H and the guide 50H, is monolithic and formed as a single unit. It is therefore particularly advantageous to form both the guide 50H and the main closed loop 31H in a single in-situ overmolding, within the same overmold, directly onto the plate 10.Alternatively, if the 24H seal is initially a separate part from the plate 10 and is subsequently attached, the 50H guide is already attached to the main closed loop 31H, which facilitates the relative positioning of these parts when the 24H seal is affixed to the plate 10. Alternatively, a single tab 69H can be provided to connect the 50H guide to the main closed loop 31H. Alternatively, the 50H guide and the 24H seal are separate parts, and the 69H tab is not provided. This can be advantageous for making the 24H seal manufactured independently of the 50H guide.

[0142] FIELD OF ROUTING REPORTED 39H FROM THE POLAR SEPARATOR

[0143] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the conveying field 39H comprises the walls 52H belonging to the guide 50H. Each wall 52H connects the injection field 37H to the circulation field 20H, extending along the conveyor belt 51H and then the receiving surface 41H. The walls 52H are attached to the conveyor belt 51H, so that they are connected to each other by said belt 51H. The walls 52H are arranged side-by-side and spaced apart along the surface plane P11H, so as to delimit between them channels 57H, referred to as "conveying channels". Each conveying channel 57H is delimited between, and by, two of said walls 52H. Each channel 57H ensures the guidance of one of the respective transported portions of the primary reactive fluid from the reported injection field 37H to the circulation field 20H.This circulation of the transported portions guided by field 39H takes place in a bypass with respect to the transported portions guided by the integrated transport field 70H, as explained above.

[0144] In particular, the 52H walls are arranged side-by-side and spaced apart along the surface plane P11H, distributed transversely with respect to the R21H axis. Each 52H wall connects the injection field 37H to the circulation field 20H. As seen in view C of Figure 6, along the Z direction, each 52H wall projects from the P11H plane. Except for their connection to the anchor mat 51H, the 52H walls of the guide 50H are separated from each other. However, when the guide 50H is in place at location 40H, the 52H walls are connected to each other by a portion of the plate face 11H that is coplanar with the P11H plane, which forms the bottom of the relevant channel 57H. The 57H channels are also delimited, along the Z direction, by the face 91, in particular by the peripheral zone 97, against which the 52H walls are possibly supported along the Z direction, preferably over the entire length of the 52H walls.Preferably, the 52H walls are not in contact with the exchange zone 93.

[0145] Each wall 52H comprises a main section 60H, referred to as the "main conveying section," an end 61H, referred to as the "inner conveying end," and an end 62H, referred to as the "outer conveying end." The main section 60H connects the end 61H to the end 62H, preferably without interruption, and preferably such that the wall 52H is unbranched from the end 61H to the end 62H. In other words, the main section 60H terminates at the end 61H and the end 62H, opposite each other. The end 61H is directed toward the distribution orifice 15H, so as to face the injection field 37H, preferably without any intermediary. The 62H end is directed towards the 20H traffic field, so as to face the 20H traffic field, preferably without intermediary.

[0146] The 61H ends are preferably arranged to be aligned along the internal routing axis R21H. Preferably, the 62H ends are arranged to be aligned along the Y21H axis. This allows for a homogeneous distribution of the functional fluid flow while optimizing the available space in the routing field 21H.

[0147] As shown in view C of Figure 6, each wall 52H comprises an application surface 63H. Along the Z direction, the application surface 63H is opposite the apex surface by which the walls 52H may be supported against face 91. Each wall 52H is supported against the receiving surface 41H, in the opposite direction to the Z direction, via the application surface 63H, preferably over its entire surface. Therefore, the application surface 63H is coplanar with plane P11H over its entire area. The application surface 63H extends from the end 62H, over a portion of the main section 60H, to the edge wall of the mat 51H facing field 20H, i.e., to the edge 44H.In other words, each end 62H is designed to bear on the receiving surface 41H via the application surface 63H when the guide 50H is received at the receiving location 40H. In other words, each end 62H is arranged, in projection onto the surface plane P11H, beyond the anchoring mat 51H, and includes a portion of the application surface 63H, through which the end 62H and a portion of the main part 60H bear on the receiving surface 41H.

[0148] The other portion of the main section 60H and the end 61H do not have an application surface 63H and extend in the Z direction from the mat 51H. In other words, each end 61H is arranged on the anchoring mat 51H. This means that each end 61H is arranged, in projection onto the surface plane P11H, within the anchoring mat 51H. Consequently, the ends 61H do not bear on the receiving location 40H, specifically on the receiving surface 41H, when the guide 50H is received at the receiving location 40H. More precisely, preferably, each end 61H is arranged on the conveying anchoring strip 55H, with none arranged on the injection anchoring strip 54H. In any case, it is advantageously through the ends 61 H that the walls 52H are connected to the carpet 51 H.Therefore, the carpet 51 H protrudes from the walls 52H in the opposite direction to the Z direction, to extend beyond the plane P11H and even beyond the plane P11C.

[0149] Each 57H channel includes an 58H input, called the "reported internal routing input", an 59H input, called the "reported external routing input" and an intermediate portion 65H, called the "reported intermediate routing portion".

[0150] Each inlet 58H is bordered by two of the ends 61H. Between the ends 61H, the inlet 58H is also delimited by the surface wall 53H of the mat 51H that connects the walls 52H delimiting the channel 57H in question. Preferably, each inlet 58H, or most of the inlets 58H, faces the injection field 37H. Each inlet 59H is bordered by two of the ends 62H. Between the ends 62H, the inlet 59H is delimited by the portion of the plate face 11H that connects the walls 52H delimiting the channel 57H in question. Preferably, each inlet 59H, or most of the inlets 59H, faces the circulation field 20H. The intermediate section 65H connects entrance 58H to entrance 59H, preferably in a non-branching manner, being bordered by the main parts 60H of the walls 52H. In other words, the intermediate section 65H ends at entrances 58H and 59H.Between the main sections 60H, the intermediate portion 65H is also delimited by the portion of the plate face 11H that connects the walls 52H delimiting the channel 57H in question. Preferably, from end 61H to end 62H, wall 52H has a constant height, measured along the Z direction.

[0151] During operation, the portion of the primary reactive fluid conveyed by channel 57H, delimited by walls 52H, enters channel 57H at inlet 58H from injection field 37H, flows along the intermediate section 65H, and is discharged to the circulation field 20H via inlet 59H. The walls 52H thus serve to guide the conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid. In particular, the main section 60H of the walls 52H guides the fluid from inlet 58H to inlet 59H. The primary reactive fluid, thus guided by the conveying field 39H, flows from the distribution orifice 15H to the circulation field 20H, circulating on the surface of the face 11H, after passing through the injection orifices 29H, via the injection rim 25H and via the injection field 37H.

[0152] Preferably, the integrated 70H conveyance field comprises three or more 72H walls, and the reported 39H conveyance field comprises three or more 52H walls. Preferably, the number of integrated 72H conveyance walls in the integrated 70H conveyance field is less than 5.0 times, preferably 3.0 times, the number of reported 52H conveyance walls in the reported 39H conveyance field, and greater than 0.2 times, preferably 0.3 times, the number of reported 52H conveyance walls in the reported 39H conveyance field. In this case, six 72H walls and nine 52H walls are planned.

[0153] Regarding the other conveying field, belonging to conveying field 22H, each conveying channel guides one of the respective conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid from circulation field 20H to injection field 38H. Apart from this difference in the direction of flow, preferably, the same provisions as for conveying field 39H apply symmetrically.

[0154] Preferably, the intermediate portion 65H of the channel 57H furthest from the integrated conveying field 70H has a narrower width than the intermediate portion 65H of the channel 57H closest to the integrated conveying field 70H. Preferably, a gradual increase in the width of the channels 57H is provided, starting from the channel 57H furthest from the field 70H to the channel 57H closest to the integrated field 70H. "Width" is understood to mean a dimension measured along the plane P11H perpendicular to one of the walls 52H bordering the measured channel 57H. This gradual increase in the width of the channels 57H advantageously ensures the most homogeneous distribution possible of the primary reactive fluid in the circulation field 20H, with the shorter channels 57H being narrower than the longer channels 57H.

[0155] Preferably, at least one of the added 57H conveying channels is narrower than the narrowest of the integrated 77H conveying channels. In other words, the width of this 57H channel is less than the narrowest of the integrated 77H conveying channels. Preferably, most of the 57H channels are narrower than the 77H channels, as can be seen in particular in Figure 4. Using added 52H walls makes it easier to achieve particularly thin walls that are closely spaced, thanks to the manufacturing process, especially overmolding, compared to integrated 72H walls, whose manufacturing process may require them to be wider and further apart, particularly through stamping.The difference in width planned for the conveying channels advantageously allows the flow rates of the conveyed portions to be balanced from one end to the other of the conveying field 21 H in order to obtain a good distribution of the primary reactive fluid flow in the circulation field 20H, along the Y direction.

[0156] Some of the 52H walls constitute a first group G1H of conveyance walls. Preferably, the 52H conveyance walls in the first group G1H are consecutive, meaning that no other conveyance walls are interposed between the 52H walls of the first group G1H. The remaining 52H walls and the 72H walls constitute a second group G2H of conveyance walls. Preferably, the 52H and 72H conveyance walls of the second group G2H are consecutive, meaning that no other conveyance walls are interposed between the 52H and 72H walls of the second group G2H. The 52H walls belong either to the first group G1H or to the second group G2H. The first group G1H and the second group G2H of conveying walls are arranged side by side, so as to each occupy a distinct area of ​​the face of plate 11 H, the two areas thus occupied being advantageously contiguous.Preferably, the first group G1H consists of 52H walls that are shorter than the 52H and 72H walls of the second group G2H. Preferably, the first group G1H is arranged in the Y direction relative to the second group G2H. Each group G1H and G2H comprises several conveying walls, preferably more than three for each group G1H and G2H. Preferably, the number of conveying walls in the first group G1H is greater than 0.1 times the number of conveying walls in the second group G2H, and less than 1.0 times the number of conveying walls in the second group G2H. In this example, six 52H added conveyance walls are planned for the first group G1 H and nine 52H added or 72H integrated conveyance walls are planned for the second group G2H, including, for example, three 52H added walls and six 72H integrated walls.

[0157] Preferably, each inlet 58H, delimited by the internal ends 61H of these walls 52H of the first group G1H, has a reduced cross-section compared to the cross-section of the intermediate portion 65H. The cross-section is measured in a plane parallel to the Z direction and perpendicular to one of the walls 52H delimiting the channel 57H thus measured. In other words, the inlet 58H of these channels 57H is contracted relative to the intermediate portion 65H. To this end, it is preferably provided that, for each wall 52H of this first group G1H of walls 52H, the internal conveying end 61H has a width increased compared to the width of the main conveying section 60H. The width is measured perpendicular to the wall 52H in question, parallel to the plane P11H.Consequently, the internal conveyance entrance 58H, delimited by this enlarged internal end 61H, is of reduced width compared to the width of the intermediate conveyance portion 65H. Here too, the width is measured parallel to plane P11H, perpendicular to the wall 52H considered, delimiting this channel 57H.

[0158] This locally reduced cross-section at the ends 61H of the walls 52H of the first group G1H creates a sudden pressure drop for the conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid flow, which is not present in the channels of the second group G2H. This ensures a good distribution of the primary reactive fluid flow in the different channels of the conveying field, and therefore, in the circulation field 20H. It is primarily the shorter channels that have a reduced cross-section. Indeed, shorter channels, without a reduced cross-section, would result in a lower pressure drop than longer channels. This local pressure drop balances the flow rates of the conveyed portions, leading to the most homogeneous possible distribution of the reactive fluid flow in the circulation field 20H, along the Y direction, and thus the most homogeneous electrochemical reaction possible.

[0159] Preferably, for all the walls 52H of the first group G1H, or at least for some of them, the internal conveying end 61H is widened relative to the main part 60H in that, on one side 66H of the wall 52H, the internal end 61H projects transversely from the main part 60H, i.e., it extends laterally, and in that, on an opposite side 67H of the wall 52H, the internal end 61H is aligned with the main part 60H, i.e., it does not extend beyond it. It is understood that the end 61H projects along plane P11H on the side 66H, in particular along axis R21H, and does not extend along plane P11H on the side 67H, in particular along axis R21H in the opposite direction. Each flank 66H and 67H extends along the Z direction. Preferably, flank 66H, where end 61H is projecting, is turned towards the integrated routing field 70H.At end 61H, sides 66H and 67H connect surface wall 53H to top face of wall 52H. At end 62H, sides 66H and 67H connect application face 63H to top face of wall 52H.

[0160] In other words, at end 61H, wall 52H of the first group G1H has an "L" shape when projected onto plane P11H. This particular geometry allows for a particularly high pressure drop without complicating the manufacturing process of the walls 52H, which can be produced, for example, by overmolding. For the walls 52H of the first group G1H, the outer end 62H is advantageously the same width as the main section 60H. Consequently, the cross-section of the inlet 59H and the intermediate portion 65H are advantageously the same width and cross-section, with respect to the channels 57H delimited by the walls 52H of the first group G1H. Here too, it is assumed that the cross-section and width are measured perpendicular to the wall 52H bordering the measured channel 57H, parallel to the Z direction.

[0161] It is therefore advantageous to avoid creating a local pressure loss at the end 62H, so as not to create turbulence for the primary reactive fluid flow at the end of the circulation field 20H and thus allow the most homogeneous electrochemical reaction possible along the X direction.

[0162] It is advantageously anticipated that the 52H walls of the first group G1 H are not straight, but delimit channels that are more tortuous than the channels delimited by the walls of the second group G2H. For example, the 52H walls are bent to delimit bent 57H channels.

[0163] For the 52H walls of the second group G2H, the considerations are the same as those described for the 72H walls, also belonging to the second group G2H.

[0164] For the second group G2H, the end 61H, the main part 60H, and the end 62H are advantageously of equal width, the width being measured parallel to the plane P11H and transversely to the wall 52H. It follows that each internal conveyance entrance 58H, delimited by the internal ends 61H of these conveyance walls 52H of the second group G2H, has a cross-section equal to the cross-section of the intermediate conveyance portion 65H.

[0165] Preferably, for all the 52H walls of the second group G2H, the ends 61 H and 62H and the main part 60H are of equal width in that, for each of the two opposite sides 66H and 67H of the 52H wall in question, the ends 61 H and 62H are aligned with the main part 60H, that is to say, do not protrude transversely from it.

[0166] It is also preferentially planned that the walls 52H of the second group G2H are straight from end 61H to end 62H and parallel to each other, so that the channels 57H are each straight and of constant width. This helps to limit the fluidic disturbances that would be induced by any change in the width of the channels 57H.

[0167] Among the integrated 72H conveyance walls, there is a special integrated 72H conveyance wall, called the "last integrated conveyance wall", which borders the integrated conveyance field 70H on the side of the added conveyance field 39H, i.e. in the Y direction. Similarly, among the added conveyance walls 52H, there is a special added conveyance wall 52H, called the "last added conveyance wall", which borders the added conveyance field 39H on the side of the integrated conveyance field 70H, i.e. in the opposite direction to the Y direction. Preferably, these two special conveyance walls 52H and 72H both belong to the first group G1H.The last integrated conveying wall 72H and the last added conveying wall 52H define a channel 77M, called the "mixed channel," which guides one of the conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid from the injection rim 25H to the circulation field 20H. Like channels 77H and 57H, the mixed channel comprises an internal conveying inlet, an external conveying inlet, and an intermediate section. The width of the mixed channel 77M is equal to that of the adjacent channels 77H and 57H, or between the widths of the adjacent channels 77H and 57H, preferably from the internal conveying inlet of the mixed channel 77M to the other.The description given above of channels 77H and 57H delimited by walls 72H and 52H of the first group G1 H applies to channel 77M, except that channel 77M is delimited by both the last integrated routing wall 72H and the last reported routing wall 52H, rather than by two walls 72H or two walls 52H.

[0168] INJECTION FIELD REPORTED 37H FROM THE POLAR SEPARATOR

[0169] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the added injection field 37H includes the walls 52A belonging to the guide 50H, i.e., other added walls forming another added field on the plate face 11H, relative to the added walls 52H. Each wall 52A connects the injection rim 25H, either to the integrated delivery field 70H, or to the added delivery field 39H. For this purpose, the walls 52A extend along the receiving surface 46H and then along the conveyor belt 51H. The walls 52A are attached to the conveyor belt 51H so that they are connected to each other by said belt 51H. The walls 52A are arranged side-by-side and spaced apart along the surface plane P11H, so as to delimit between them channels 57A, called "added injection channels". Each added injection channel 57A is delimited between, and by, two of said walls 52A.Each channel 57A ensures the guidance of one of the respective injected portions of the primary reactive fluid from the rim 25H to the delivery field 21H.

[0170] In particular, the 52A walls are arranged side-by-side and spaced apart along the surface plane P11H, distributed transversely with respect to the axis R37H. Each 52A wall connects the rim 25H to the integrated conveying field 70H or to the added conveying field 39H. As can be seen in views A and B of Figure 7, along the Z direction, each 52A wall projects from the plane P11H. Except for their connection to the anchor mat 51H, the 52A walls of the guide 50H are separated from each other. However, the walls 52A, when the guide 50H is in place on the location 40H, are connected to each other by a part of the face of plate 11 H, namely the receiving surface 46H, which is coplanar to the plane P11H, which forms the bottom of the channel 57A concerned.The channels 57A are also delimited, along the Z direction, by the face 91, in particular by the peripheral zone 97, against which the walls 52A are supported along the Z direction, preferably over the entire length of the walls 52A. Preferably, the walls 52A are not in contact with the exchange zone 93.

[0171] Each wall 52A comprises a main section 60A, referred to as the "main injection section," an end 61A, referred to as the "inner injection end," and an end 62H, referred to as the "outer injection end." The main section 60A connects end 61A to end 62A, preferably without interruption, and preferably such that the wall 52A is unbranched from end 61A to end 62A. In other words, the main section 60A terminates at end 61A and end 62A, opposite each other. End 61A is directed toward the circulation field 20H, so as to face the delivery field 21H, preferably without any intervening or obstructing elements. The 62H end is directed towards the injection rim 25H, so as to face the orifices 29H, preferably without intermediary.More specifically, some of the ends 61 A face the ends 61 H of the added delivery field 39 H, and other ends 61 A face the ends 81 H of the integrated delivery field 70 H. The ends 61 A are close to the ends 61 H and 81 H, and preferably face them without obstruction. The walls 52 A thus guide the injected portions of primary reactive fluid from the injection field 37 H to the delivery field 21 H, in particular to the integrated delivery field 70 H and to the added delivery field 39 H.

[0172] The ends 61A are preferably arranged to be aligned along the internal injection axis R37H. Preferably, the ends 62A are arranged to be aligned along an axis parallel to the axis R37H.

[0173] Each wall 52A includes an application surface 63A, not visible in the figures, but whose location is shown in views A and B of Figure 7. Along the Z direction, the application surface 63A is opposite the vertex surface by which the walls 52A may be supported against the face 91. Each wall 52A is supported against the receiving surface 46H, in the opposite direction to the Z direction, via the application surface 63A, preferably over the entire application surface 63A. Consequently, the application surface 63A is coplanar with the plane P11H, over the entire area of ​​the application surface 63A. The application surface 63A extends from the end 62A, over part of the main part 60A, to the edge wall of the mat 51 H oriented towards the rim 25H, i.e. to the edge 43H.In other words, each end 62A is designed to bear on the receiving surface 46H via the application surface 63A when the guide 50H is received at the receiving location 40H. In other words, each end 62A is arranged, in projection onto the surface plane P11H, beyond the anchoring mat 51H, and includes a portion of the application surface 63A, through which the end 62A and a portion of the main part 60A bear on the receiving surface 46H.

[0174] The other portion of the main section 60A and the end 61A do not have an application surface 63A and extend in the Z direction from the mat 51H. In other words, each end 61A is arranged on the anchoring mat 51H. This means that each end 61H is arranged, in projection onto the surface plane P11H, within the anchoring mat 51H. Consequently, the ends 61A do not bear on the receiving location 40H, particularly on the receiving surface 46H, when the guide 50H is received at the receiving location 40H. More precisely, preferably, each end 61A is arranged on the injection anchoring strip 54H, with none arranged on the conveying anchoring strip 55H. In any case, it is advantageously through the ends 61 A that the walls 52A are connected to the carpet 51 H.Therefore, the carpet 51 H protrudes from the walls 52A in the opposite direction to the Z direction, to extend beyond the plane P11H and even beyond the plane P11C.

[0175] Preferably, some internal injection ends 61A are arranged on the first portion 54A of the injection anchor strip 54H. These ends 61A then face the internal routing ends 61H, arranged on the routing anchor strip 55H, which runs alongside the first portion 54A. These ends 61A do not face any of the integrated internal routing ends 81H. The other internal injection ends 61A are arranged on the second portion 54B of the injection anchor strip 54H, which is not alongside the routing anchor strip 55H. Therefore, these other internal injection ends 61A do not face any of the added internal routing ends 61H belonging to the guide 50H. These other ends 61A do, however, face the internal ends 81H.

[0176] Each channel 57A comprises an inlet 58A, referred to as the "internal added injection inlet," an inlet 59A, referred to as the "external added injection inlet," and an intermediate portion 65A, referred to as the "intermediate added injection portion." Each inlet 58A is bordered by two of the ends 61A. Between the ends 61A, the inlet 58A is also delimited by the surface wall 53H of the mat 51H that connects the walls 52A delimiting the channel 57A in question. Preferably, each inlet 58A, or most of the inlets 58A, faces the conveying field 21H, either the integrated conveying field 70H or the added conveying field 39H. Each inlet 59A is bordered by two of the ends 62A. Between the ends 62A, the inlet 59A is delimited by the portion of the plate face 11H that connects the walls 52A delimiting the channel 57A in question. Preferably, each inlet 59A, or most of the inlets 59A, faces the injection rim 25H, particularly the injection orifices 29H.The intermediate section 65A connects inlet 58A to inlet 59A, preferably in a non-branching manner, being bordered by the main sections 60A of the walls 52A. In other words, the intermediate section 65A terminates at inlets 58A and 59A. Between the main sections 60A, the intermediate section 65A is also delimited by the portion of plate face 11H that connects the walls 52A delimiting the relevant channel 57A. Preferably, from end 61A to end 62A, wall 52A has a constant height, measured along the Z direction.

[0177] During operation, the injected portion of the primary reactive fluid, guided by channel 57A and delimited by walls 52A, is admitted into channel 57A at inlet 58A from the injection rim 25H, flows along the intermediate portion 65A, and is discharged to the conveying field 21H via inlet 59A. The walls 52A thus serve to guide the injected portions of the primary reactive fluid. In particular, the main portion 60A of the walls 52A guides the fluid from inlet 58A to inlet 59A. The primary reactive fluid, thus guided by the injection field 37H, flows from the distribution orifice 15H to the conveying field 21H, circulating on the surface of face 11H, after passing through the injection orifices 29H, via the injection rim 25H.

[0178] Preferably, the reported injection field 37H comprises four or more 52A walls. In this case, fourteen 52A walls are planned.

[0179] Regarding the other injection field 38H, each injection channel guides one of the respective injected portions of the primary reactive fluid from the delivery field 22H to the injection rim 26H. Apart from this difference in the direction of flow, preferably, the same provisions as for the injection field 37H apply symmetrically.

[0180] Preferably, the 52A walls are of the same length. The length is measured along plane P11H, perpendicular to axis R37H. The two 52A walls at opposite ends of the injection field 37H are called "lateral injection walls". Advantageously, the guide 50H is connected to the joint loop 31H via the tabs 69H.

[0181] Preferably, the intermediate sections 65A of the channels 57A are of the same width throughout the injection field 37H, preferably except for the lateral walls 52A, which are wider. "Width" is defined as a dimension measured along plane P11H perpendicular to one of the walls 52A bordering the measured channel 57A. A first group G1A of injection walls 52A and a second group G2A of injection walls 52A are provided. These groups G1A and G2A do not include the lateral walls 52A. All walls 52A belong either to the first group G1A, the second group G2A, or the lateral walls. Preferably, the walls 52A of the first group G1A are consecutive, meaning that no other injection walls are interposed between the walls 52A of the first group G1A. The other 52A walls constitute a second group G2A of injection walls.Preferably, the 52A walls of the second group G2A are consecutive, meaning that no other 52A injection walls are interposed between the 52A walls of the second group G2H. The first group G1A and the second group G2A of injection walls are arranged side by side, each occupying a distinct area of ​​the plate face 11H, the two areas thus occupied being advantageously contiguous. Preferably, the first group G1A consists of 52A walls that are the same length as the 52A walls of the second group G2A, but that face 52H walls that are shorter than other 52H or 72H walls, which in turn face the 52A walls of the second group G2A. Preferably, the first group G1A is arranged in the Y direction relative to the second group G2A. Each group G1A and G2A comprises several 52A walls, preferably more than two for each group G1A and G2A.

[0182] Preferably, all the internal injection ends 61A of the first group G1A are arranged on the first portion 54A of the injection anchor strip 54H. These ends 61A of the first group G1A then face the internal routing ends 61H, particularly those of the first group G1H, arranged on the routing anchor strip 55H. The internal injection ends 61A of the second group G2A are distributed, for the most part, on the second portion 54B to face the ends 81H of the second group G2H. However, some ends 61 of the second group G2A may be on the first portion 54A to face ends 61H of the second group G2H or even of the first group G1H.

[0183] Preferably, the number of injection walls in the first group G1A is greater than 0.01 times the number of injection walls in the second group G2A, and less than 1.0 times the number of injection walls in the second group G2A. In this example, three 52A walls are planned for the first group G1A and nine 52A walls for the second group G2A.

[0184] Preferably, each inlet 58A, delimited by the internal ends 61A of these walls 52A of the first group G1A, has a reduced cross-section compared to the cross-section of the intermediate portion 65A. The cross-section is measured in a plane parallel to the Z direction and perpendicular to one of the walls 52A delimiting the channel 57A thus measured. In other words, the inlet 58A of these channels 57A is contracted relative to the intermediate portion 65A. To this end, it is preferably provided that, for each wall 52A of this first group G1A of walls 52A, the internal end 61A has a width increased compared to the width of the main portion 60A. The width is measured perpendicular to the wall 52A in question, parallel to the plane P11H. As a result, the internal inlet 58A delimited by this enlarged internal end 61A is of reduced width compared to the width of the intermediate injection portion 65A.Here too, the width is measured parallel to plane P11H, perpendicular to the wall 52A considered, delimiting this channel 57A.

[0185] This locally reduced cross-section at the ends 61A of the walls 52A of the first group G1A creates a sudden pressure drop for the conveyed portions of the primary reactive fluid flow, which is not present in the channels of the second group G2A. This ensures a good distribution of the primary reactive fluid flow in the different channels of the injection field, and therefore, in the circulation field 20H. This local pressure drop balances the flow rates of the injected portions, leading to the most homogeneous possible distribution of the reactive fluid flow in the circulation field 20H, along the Y direction, and thus the most homogeneous electrochemical reaction possible.

[0186] Preferably, for all the walls 52A of the first group G1A, or at least for some of them, the inner end 61A is widened relative to the main part 60A in that, on one side 66A of the wall 52A, the inner end 61A projects transversely from the main part 60A, i.e., it extends laterally, and in that, on an opposite side 67A of the wall 52A, the inner end 61A is aligned with the main part 60A, i.e., it does not extend beyond it. It is understood that the end 61A projects along plane P11H on the side 66A, in particular along axis R37H, and does not extend beyond plane P11H on the side 67A, in particular along axis R37H in the opposite direction. Each flank 66A and 67A extends along the Z direction. At the end 61A, flanks 66A and 67A connect the surface wall 53H to the top face of the wall 52A.At end 62A, flanks 66A and 67A connect application face 63A to the top face of wall 52A. In other words, at end 61A, wall 52A of the first group G1A has an "L" shape in projection onto plane P11 H. This particular geometry makes it possible to create a particularly high pressure drop without making the manufacturing process of walls 52A more complex, which can notably be obtained by overmolding.

[0187] Preferably, for the side walls 52A, for the side 66A or 67A turned towards the other walls 52A of groups G1A and G2A, the ends 61A and 62A and the main part 60A are aligned, as seen in Figure 4 and in view A of Figure 7.

[0188] Preferably, the inner delivery end 61H of at least a portion of the delivery walls 52H of the first group G1H faces the inner injection end 61A of at least a portion of the injection walls 52A of the first group G1A. Preferably, the inner delivery end 61H of at least a portion of the delivery walls 52H of the second group G2H faces the inner injection end 61A of at least a portion of the injection walls 52A of the second group G2A. In other words, the first group G1A faces the first group G1H and the second group G2A faces the second group G1H, at least partially. Preferably, the side 66A, where the end 61A projects transversely, is oriented in the opposite direction to the sides 66H, where the end 61H projects transversely.This increases the pressure drop during the circulation of the primary reactive fluid flow between the injection field 37H and the delivery field 39H at the first two opposing groups G1A and G1H, by creating a tortuous path from one field to the other. More generally, and preferably, for the walls 52A of the two groups G1A and G2A, the flank 66A is directed in the opposite direction to the flanks 66H.

[0189] It is further advantageously provided that, for the inlets 58A delimited by the ends 61A of the injection walls of the first group G1A, the surface wall 53H of the anchor mat 51H is locally raised so as to extend beyond the plane P11H along the Z direction, to help reduce the cross-section of the inlet 58A. This is visible in view A of Figure 7. Preferably, for the other inlets 58A, and indeed everywhere else, the surface wall 53H is coplanar with the plane P11H.

[0190] For the walls 52A of the first group G1A, the outer end 62A is advantageously the same width as the main part 60A. Consequently, the cross-section of the inlet 59A and the intermediate portion 65A are advantageously the same width and cross-section, with respect to the channels 57A delimited by the walls 52A of the first group G1A. Here too, it is provided that the cross-section and width are measured perpendicular to the wall 52A bordering the measured channel 57A, parallel to the Z direction. It is therefore advantageously provided that no local pressure drop is created at the end 62A, so as not to create turbulence for the primary reactive fluid flow on the side of the injection rim 25H and not to cause excessive pressure drop for the circulation from the distribution orifice 15H.

[0191] It is advantageously anticipated that the walls 52A of the first group G1A are straight and thus delimit straight channels 57A, except for the entrance 58A with reduced cross-section.

[0192] For the second group G2A, the end 61A, the main part 60A and the end 62A are advantageously of equal width, the width being measured parallel to the plane P11H transversely with respect to the wall 52A. It follows that each internal entrance 58A delimited by the internal ends 61 A of these injection walls 52A of the second group G2A has a cross-section equal to the cross-section of the intermediate injection portion 65A.

[0193] Preferably, for all the 52A walls of the second group G2A, the ends 61A and 62A and the main part 60A are of equal width in that, for each of the two opposite sides 66A and 67A of the wall 52A in question, the ends 61A and 62A are aligned with the main part 60A, i.e. do not protrude transversely from it.

[0194] It is also preferentially planned that the walls 52A of the second group G2A are straight from end 61A to end 62A and parallel to each other, so that the channels 57A are each straight and of constant width. This limits the fluidic disturbances that would be induced by any change in the width of the channels 57A.

[0195] Preferably, for at least one of the internal routing inlets 58H whose cross-section is reduced compared to the intermediate routing portion 65H, the cross-section of the internal routing inlet 58H is between 0.30 and 0.80 times the cross-section of the intermediate routing portion 65H.

[0196] Preferably, for at least one of the internal injection inlets 58A whose cross-section is reduced compared to the intermediate injection portion 65A, the cross-section of the internal injection inlet 58A is between 0.05 and 0.15 times the cross-section of the intermediate injection portion 65A.

[0197] Preferably, for at least one of the internal injection inlets 58A whose cross-section is reduced compared to the intermediate injection portion 65A, the cross-section of this internal injection inlet 58A is between 0.5 and 1.4 times the cross-section of at least one of the internal routing inlets 58H whose cross-section is reduced compared to the intermediate routing portion 65H. These dimensional ratios allow for a particularly optimized pressure drop.

[0198] MISCELLANEOUS

[0199] Forming part of the feed field 21H and the injection field as the attached fields 37H and 39H, as described previously, minimizes the impact on face 11C opposite face 11H when the functional elements of plate 10 are obtained by stamping, since the cavity 42H, which creates the back 27C, occupies a particularly small area on face 11C. The receiving surfaces 41H and 46H, on the other hand, create flat surfaces on face 11C, which can advantageously also serve as receiving surfaces for another attached guide on the side of face 11C.

[0200] The description of the injection field 37H and the routing field 21H above applies preferentially also to that of the routing field 22H and the injection field 38H and is therefore not detailed. Fields 22H and 38H are preferably identical to fields 21H and 37H, due to the central symmetry of the separator 5 with respect to an axis parallel to the Z direction. During use, the walls and channels of fields 22H and 38H operate in the opposite direction to those of the conveying field 21H and 37H, since the primary reactive fluid, as well as the reaction products formed in the circulation field 20H, flow from the circulation field 20H to the distribution orifice 16H, being guided successively via the conveying field 22H and the injection field 38H, via the rim 26H, through the injection orifices, to the orifice 16H.

[0201] As schematically shown in Figure 2, face 1110 of separator 105 has a structure and function similar to that of face 11H of separator 5, except that face 1110 guides the secondary reactive fluid and not the primary reactive fluid. Face 1110 and face 92 are supported against each other along the Z direction, being superimposed. On face 1110, the polar separator 105 includes a circulation field 1200, which is superimposed with the exchange zone 93, two conveying fields 1210 and 1220, superimposed with the peripheral zone 97, a seal 1240 and two injection rims 1250 and 1260, respectively delimiting the orifices 1150 and 1160. The orifice 1150 supplies face 1110 with the secondary reactive fluid via the rim 1250.The secondary reactive fluid from rim 1250 is guided to the circulation field 1200 via the conveying field 1210, where it participates in the electrochemical reaction by coming into contact with the exchange zone 93. The secondary reactive fluid and reaction products are then guided from the circulation field 1200 to the rim 1260 via the conveying field 1220. The secondary fluid and reaction products are finally discharged through the orifice 1160 from rim 1260. The seal 1240 is interposed between face 1110 and face 92 along the Z direction, forming a main closed loop surrounding at least the circulation field 1200 and the conveying fields 1210 and 1220, thus preventing the secondary reactive fluid from escaping to the periphery.The 1240 seal also includes secondary closed loops to prevent fluid from escaping from distribution ports that are not already surrounded by the main closed loop.

[0202] The above description concerned fields 37H, 39H and 70H to guide the circulation of the primary reactive fluid along the polar separator 5. However, it could also apply to the circulation of secondary reactive fluid or to the circulation of cooling fluid.

[0203] Any feature described above for one embodiment or variant is applicable to the other embodiments and variants described above, insofar as technically possible.

Claims

DEMANDS Guide (50H), for a polar separator (5) of an electrochemical cell (4), the guide (50H) being configured to be received at a receiving location (40H) belonging to a plate face (11H) of a polar plate (10) belonging to the polar separator (5), the guide (50H) comprising: injection walls (52A) to form an injection field (37H) on the plate face (11H), the injection walls (52A) being arranged side-by-side along a surface plane (P11H) so as to delimit injection channels (57A), the injection channels (57A) being arranged side-by-side along the surface plane (P11H), each injection channel (57A) being delimited between, and by, two of said injection walls (52A) to guide an injected portion of a functional fluid, each injection wall (52A) comprising: • an application surface (63A), which is coplanar with the surface plane (P11H) and through which the attached injection wall (52A) is designed to bear on a first receiving surface (46H) belonging to the receiving location (40H), when the guide (50H) is received on the receiving location (40H), and • an internal injection end (61 A), each reported injection channel (57 A) comprising an internal injection inlet (58 A) bordered by two of the internal injection ends (61 A); and in which the guide (50H) also includes: added conveying walls (52H), to form an added conveying field (39H) on the plate face (11H), the added conveying walls (52H) being arranged side-by-side along the surface plane (P11H), so as to delimit added conveying channels (57H), the added conveying channels (57H) being arranged side-by-side along the surface plane (P11H), each added conveying channel (57H) being delimited between, and by, two of said added conveying walls (52H) to guide a conveyed portion of the functional fluid, each added conveying wall (52H) comprising: • an application surface (63H), which is coplanar with the surface plane (P11H) and through which the attached conveying wall (52H) is designed to bear on a second receiving surface (41H) belonging to the receiving location (40H), when the guide (50H) is received on the receiving location (40H), and • an internal routing end (61H), facing the internal injection ends (61A), each reported routing channel (57H) comprising an internal routing inlet (58H) bordered by two of the internal routing ends (61H); and an anchoring mat (51 H), to which each added conveying wall (52 H) and each added injection wall (52 A) is connected, such that the added conveying walls (52 H), the added injection walls (52 A) and the anchoring mat (51 H) together form a single monolithic piece of joint material, the anchoring mat (51 H) extending beyond the surface plane (P11 H) from the added conveying walls (52 H) and the added injection walls (52 A), so that said anchoring mat (51 H) can be housed in an anchoring cavity (42 H) belonging to the receiving location (40 H), formed in a hollow from the first receiving surface (46 H) and the second receiving surface (41 H), between the first receiving surface (46 H) and the second receiving surface (41 H). H), thus anchoring the guide (50H) to the receiving location (40H) when the guide (50H) is received at the receiving location (40H).

2. Guide (50H) according to claim 1, wherein: the internal routing ends (61 H) of each of the added routing walls (52H) are aligned along an internal routing axis (R21H), parallel to the surface plane (P11 H); and the internal injection ends (61A) of each of the added injection walls (52A) are aligned along an internal injection axis (R37H), parallel to the surface plane (P11H). 3.- Guide (50H) according to claim 2, in which the internal routing axis (R21H) is parallel to, and preferably distant from, the internal injection axis (R37H).

4. Guide (50H) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the anchoring mat (51 H) comprises a conveying anchor strip (55 H) and an injection anchor strip (54 H), housed in the anchoring cavity (42 H) when the guide (50 H) is received at the receiving location (40 H); each internal conveying end (61 H) is arranged on the conveying anchor strip (55 H), so as not to bear against the second receiving surface (41 H) when the guide (50 H) is received at the receiving location (40 H); and Each internal injection end (61A) is arranged on the injection anchoring strip (54H), so as not to bear on the first receiving surface (46H) when the guide (50H) is received on the receiving location (40H), the conveying anchoring strip (55H) running alongside the injection anchoring strip (54H). Guide (50H) according to claim 4, wherein: the injection anchor strip (54H) comprises a first portion (54A), which is paralleled by the routing anchor strip (55H), where the internal injection ends (61A) arranged on the first portion (54A) of the injection anchor strip (54H) face the internal routing ends (61H) arranged on the routing anchor strip (55H); and the injection anchor strip (54H) includes a second part (54B), which is not alongside the routing anchor strip (55H), where the internal injection ends (61A) arranged on the second part (54B) of the injection anchor strip (54H) do not face any internal routing end (61H) of the guide (50H). Polar separator (5), comprising the guide (50H) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a polar plate (10), in which: The polar plate (10) comprises the plate face (11H), parallel to the surface plane (P11H), and a distribution orifice (15H) passing through the polar plate (10) from the plate face (11H), the plate face (11H) comprising: • a circulation field (8 PM), • an injection rim (25H), delimiting the distribution orifice (15H), and • the receiving location (40H), connecting the injection rim (25H) to the flow path (20H) and comprising the first receiving surface (46H) and the second receiving surface (41H), coplanar with the surface plane (P11H), and the anchoring cavity (42H), formed in a recess beyond the surface plane (P11H) from the first receiving surface (46H) and the second receiving surface (41H), the first receiving surface (46H) connecting the injection rim (25H) to the anchoring cavity (42H) and the second receiving surface (41H) connecting the anchoring cavity (42H) to the flow path (20H); and the guide (50H) is received on the receiving location (40H) so as to form the added injection field (37H) and the added delivery field (39H), in that: • the anchoring mat (51 H) is housed in the anchoring cavity (42H), thus anchoring the guide (50H) to the receiving location (40H), • the added conveying walls (52H) are supported on the second receiving surface (41H) via their application surface (63H) to form the added conveying field (39H), connecting the added injection field (37H) to the circulation field (20H), so that the added conveying channels (57H) ensure the guidance of the conveyed portions of the functional fluid from the added injection field (37H) to the circulation field (20H) or from the circulation field (20) to the added injection field (37H), and • The added injection walls (52A) are supported on the first receiving surface (46H) via their application surface (63A) to form the added injection field (37H), connecting the injection rim (25H) to the added delivery field (39H), so that each added injection channel (57A) bordered by two of the internal injection ends (61A) facing the internal delivery ends (61H) ensures the guidance of the injected portions of the functional fluid from the injection rim (25H) to the added delivery field (39H), or vice versa. Polar separator (5) according to claim 6, wherein: the plate face (11 H) includes an integrated conveying field (70H), connecting the added injection field (37H) to the circulation field (20H) and including integrated conveying walls (72H), which are arranged side-by-side along the surface plane (P11 H), so as to delimit integrated conveying channels (77H), each integrated conveying channel (77H) being delimited between, and by, two of said integrated conveying walls (72H) and ensuring guidance of a respective conveyed portion of the functional fluid from the added injection field (37H) to the circulation field (20H) or vice versa, in bypass with respect to the conveyed portions guided by the added conveying field (39H); the second receiving surface (41 H) connects the anchoring cavity (42H) to the circulation field (20H) next to the integrated conveying field (70H); and the added conveying field (39H) connects the added injection field (37H) to the circulation field (20H) next to the integrated conveying field (70H).8.- Polar separator (5) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, in which, perpendicular to the surface plane (P11H), the anchoring mat (51 H) is entirely received in the anchoring cavity (42H) so as not to protrude from the surface plane (P11H), except at some of the internal injection inlets (58A). 9.- Polar separator (5) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the polar separator (5) further comprises a seal (24H), which is received on the plate face (11 H), forming a main closed loop (31 H) around the circulation field (20H), the receiving location (40H) and the guide (50H), in order to keep the functional fluid circulating along the plate face (11 H) inside the main closed loop (31 H). 10.- Polar separator (5) according to claim 9, in which the guide (50H) belongs to the seal (24H), the guide (50H) being attached to the main closed loop (31 H) by means of a tab (69H) belonging to the seal (24H), the seal (24H) constituting a single monolithic piece of sealing material, including both the guide (50H) and the main closed loop (31 H).

11. Polar separator (5) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein: the injection rim (25H) includes a row of injection ports (29H), such that the functional fluid flowing on the surface of the plate face (11H) via the injection rim (25H) passes through the pole plate (10) via the injection ports (29H) to reach the distribution port (15H), or such that the functional fluid flowing in the distribution port (15H) passes through the pole plate (10) via the injection ports (29H) to reach the plate face (11H), at the injection rim (25H); the main closed loop (31 H) includes a rim portion (32 H) received on the injection rim (25 H), between the distribution orifice (15 H) and the row of injection orifices (29 H), such that the distribution orifice (15 H) is outside the main closed loop (31 H) and the row of injection orifices (29 H) is in the main closed loop (31 H); the anchoring cavity (42H) is arranged between the row of injection ports (29H) and the circulation field (20H); and The added injection field (37H) is arranged along the row of injection ports (29H), between the row of injection ports (29H) and the added delivery field (39H), so that each added injection channel (57A) bordered by two of the internal injection ends (61A) facing the internal delivery ends (61H) ensures guidance of the respective injected portion of the functional fluid from the injection ports (29H) to the added delivery field (39H), or vice versa. - Fuel cell (1), comprising electrochemical cells (4), at least one of the electrochemical cells (4) comprising: - the polar separator (5) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, constituting a first polar separator (5); a second polar separator (105); and a membrane-electrode assembly (90), comprising an exchange zone (93) which includes a proton exchange membrane; electrochemical cell (4) in which the first polar separator (5), the membrane-electrode assembly (90) and the second polar separator (105) are superimposed along a stacking direction (Z), such that the membrane-electrode assembly (90) is interposed between the first polar separator (5) and the second polar separator (105), the circulation field (20H) of the polar plate (10) of the first polar separator (5) being in contact with the exchange zone (93) along the stacking direction (Z).

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