Patent ID: 8163431
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. Bipolar plate for a fuel cell, comprising: a cathode bipolar half-plate and an anode bipolar half-plate which are secured in direct contact to each other, each bipolar half-plate being constituted by a respective plate which comprises, in a central portion thereof, an active zone and, in a peripheral portion thereof, a plurality of cut-outs which are intended to constitute at least two oxidant units, at least two fuel units and at least two heat-exchange fluid units, at least one of the bipolar half-plates comprising at least one connection between one of the peripheral cut-outs and the active zone of said bipolar half-plate, wherein each of the bipolar half-plates comprises a peripheral sealing rib surrounding the plurality of cut-outs, wherein the sealing rib comprises adjacent first, second and third portions along a longitudinal direction of the sealing rib, wherein the first and third portions of the sealing rib are at a first distance from the outer side of the bipolar plate, and the second portion of the sealing rib is recessed toward the central portion of the bipolar plate with respect to the first and third portions of the sealing rib, wherein the bipolar plate comprises, in a peripheral portion thereof, at least one hollow housing which opens only at an outer side of the bipolar plate, wherein an opening of the housing at the outer side of the bipolar plate extends only over a portion of a periphery of the bipolar plate, wherein the housing has an elongated shape extending from the opening along a longitudinal direction toward the second portion of the sealing rib, wherein a length of the housing is more than the first distance so that the second portion of the sealing ring partially surrounds the housing, wherein the hollow housing has a female connector portion having a substantially constant transverse cross-section along the longitudinal direction of the housing, so that the hollow housing constitutes a female connector intended to receive a connector for electrical measurement.