Patent ID: 9184453
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell comprising: a stack of electrochemical cells and end plates applying a tightening strain onto the electrochemical cells; a thermal management system including a heat transfer fluid flow internal circuit in the stack; a heat transfer fluid flow external circuit external to the stack, the internal circuit and the external circuit being connected at least at one of the end plates, the external circuit including a first subcircuit including a heat exchanger and a second subcircuit directly connected to an inlet of the internal circuit; and a device for controlling flow of heat transfer fluid in either or both subcircuits as a function of temperature of the fluid at an outlet of the internal circuit, the control device being integrated in the end plate, the end plate including a communication passageway between the internal circuit and one of the subcircuits, the passageway being perpendicular to a plane of the end plate and a communication passageway between the internal circuit and the other subcircuit, the communication passageway extending in the plane of the end plate, the control device being a three-way valve, an inlet of the three-way valve is connected to the outlet of the internal circuit, a first outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the inlet of the first subcircuit, and a second outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the inlet of the second subcircuit.