Device for supplying pressurised air to a fuel cell cathode, with optimised cooling

A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell comprising a cathode and an anode, comprising a device for supplying pressurized air to the cathode comprising:

• an air inlet pipe,
• a compressor connected to the air inlet pipe and to an inlet of the cathode, configured to receive air originating from the air inlet pipe, to compress the air originating from the air inlet pipe and to supply pressurized air to the cathode,
• a motor connected to the compressor by a transmission shaft, configured to drive the compressor and surrounded by a casing,
• an energy recovery turbine connected to an outlet of the cathode, and configured to expand the water-laden air originating from the outlet of the cathode to supply expanded air via an outlet of the turbine, referred to as water-laden exhaust air, and,
• a cooling channel connecting the outlet of the turbine and the casing of the motor, said cooling channel being configured to receive at least some of the water-laden exhaust air in the form of liquid droplets in suspension, so as to cool the motor casing and the motor with said portion of the water-laden exhaust air.