Patent ID: 7718299

Claim:
A fuel cell, comprising a superposition of a plurality of elementary cells, each said elementary cell comprising a bipolar plate, each said bipolar plate comprising: a first through-hole positioned within a peripheral edge of said bipolar plate for circulating a reactive fluid; an anode compartment extending at one of two main faces of said bipolar plate; and a cathode compartment extending at the opposite main face of said bipolar plate; wherein at least one of said anode and said cathode compartments of said bipolar plates is formed completely or partially by a recessed region with respect to a corresponding main face of said bipolar plate, said recessed region being connected to the first through-hole via an intake channel for the flow of the reactive fluid into said compartment, said intake channel being recessed within a peripheral edge of said corresponding main face of said bipolar plate; and a second through-hole intended for circulating the reactive fluid, located near the first through-hole; wherein said main face of said bipolar plate opposite said face housing said recessed region comprises a recessed groove, suitable for connecting the first and second through-holes; and wherein the first through-holes of respective ones of said bipolar plates coincide to define a common collector, and wherein said second through-holes of respective ones of said bipolar plates do not coincide.