Abstract: A reactor system is integrated internally within an anode-side cavity of a fuel cell. The reactor system is configured to convert higher hydrocarbons to smaller species while mitigating the lower production of solid carbon. The reactor system may incorporate one or more of a pre-reforming section, an anode exhaust gas recirculation device, and a reforming section.

Abstract: Various aspects of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology are described. One specific application includes a seal for connecting an outer surface of a fuel cell to a cell manifold that supports the fuel cell and delivers a fuel mixture to an inside portion of the fuel cell. The seal also separates the fuel mixture from the outer surface at the seal. And the seal is electrically conductive to allow flow of electric current between the outer surface and the cell manifold.

Abstract: A system and method for electrically interconnecting a plurality of fuel cells to provide dense packing of the fuel cells. Each one of a plurality of fuel cells has a plurality of discrete electrical connection points along an outer surface. Electrical connections are made directly between the discrete electrical connection points of adjacent fuel cells so that the fuel cells can be packed more densely. Fuel cells have at least one outer electrode and at least one discrete interconnection to an inner electrode, wherein the outer electrode is one of a cathode and an anode and wherein the inner electrode is the other of the cathode and the anode. In tubular solid oxide fuel cells the discrete electrical connection points are spaced along the length of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A reactor system is integrated internally within an anode-side cavity of a fuel cell. The reactor system is configured to convert higher hydrocarbons to smaller species while mitigating the lower production of solid carbon. The reactor system may incorporate one or more of a pre-reforming section, an anode exhaust gas recirculation device, and a reforming section.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) mountable within a vehicle receives input power and produces a first output in response to the received input power even in the absence of the input power. A detector is coupled to the UPS and detects a situation parameter associated with the vehicle and/or the UPS. The detected situation parameter is either an incline angle relative to a reference plane, an applied force, an acceleration or a vibration. The first output of the UPS is then modified as a function of the detected situation parameter with respect to either a threshold value or a range of values.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell involves forming a tubular anode comprising an electrolyte substance and an oxide of an electrochemically active metallic substance without a distinct pore forming substance, sintering the tubular anode, forming an electrolyte onto the sintered anode, forming a cathode onto the electrolyte, and after forming the electrolyte and the cathode, reducing the oxide of the electrochemically active substance in the sintered anode to form pores in the anode.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell involves forming a tubular anode comprising an electrolyte substance and an oxide of an electrochemically active metallic substance without a distinct pore forming substance, sintering the tubular anode, forming an electrolyte onto the sintered anode, forming a cathode onto the electrolyte, and after forming the electrolyte and the cathode, reducing the oxide of the electrochemically active substance in the sintered anode to form pores in the anode.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell comprises, in one embodiment according to the invention: forming a plastic mass comprising a mixture of an electrolyte substance and an electrochemically active substance; extruding the plastic mass through a die to form an extruded tube; and sintering the extruded tube to form a tubular anode capable of supporting the solid oxide fuel cell. The process may further comprise, after sintering the extruded tube, layering an electrolyte onto the tubular anode; and, after layering the electrolyte, layering a cathode onto the electrolyte. In a further related embodiment, the process further comprises co-extruding more than one anode layer to form the tubular anode. Each of the anode layers may comprise a ratio of electrochemically active substance to electrolyte substance, with such ratios being higher for layers that are layered further from a surface of the anode that contacts a fuel gas than for layers that are layered closer to the fuel gas.

Abstract: In one disclosed embodiment according to the invention, a fuel cell system for generating electrical power comprises: an open-ended tubular solid oxide fuel cell; a first fuel injector tube extending from a first fuel plenum chamber through one open end of the fuel cell; and a second fuel injector tube extending from a second fuel plenum chamber through another open end of the fuel cell; wherein the first and second fuel injector tubes form a gap within the fuel cell from which a hydrogen-containing fuel gas may flow towards the open ends of the fuel cell. Further related systems and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A small scale ceramic fuel cell system to which fuel gas is supplied through an injector which draws ambient air into the system. The air/fuel gas mixture is passed through a catalytic oxidation device which is thereby heated and heats a fuel cell. Air and fuel gas react at the fuel cell to generate an electrical output.

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus for generating electrical power has, according to one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells contained in a reaction chamber. The fuel cells are secured at one end thereof in a manifold block, the other ends thereof passing freely through apertures in a baffle plate to reside in a combustion chamber. Reaction gases are supplied to the insides of the tubular fuel cells from a plenum chamber below the manifold block and to the reaction chamber surrounding the outsides of the fuel cells through an annular inlet path, which may include a reformation catalyst. The gases inlet path to the plenum chamber, and the annular inlet path surround the reaction chamber, are both in heat conductive relation with the reaction chamber and the combustion chamber, and raise the gases to formation and reaction temperatures as appropriate.

Abstract: A strain-matched hub for a motor/generator. The motor/generator preferably includes a cylindrical rotor surrounding a stator, and of larger diameter than a shaft. The hub, formed of a single material, connects the shaft to the rotor assembly, and contains a fastener circle whose expansion is matched to the rotor's expansion, in operation. Like the rotor, the hub's fastener circle expands uniformly around the fastener circle's circumference.

Abstract: A strain-matched hub for a motor/generator. The motor/generator preferably includes a cylindrical rotor surrounding a stator, and of larger diameter than a shaft. The hub, formed of a single material, connects the shaft to the rotor assembly, and contains a fastener circle whose expansion is matched to the rotor's expansion, in operation. Like the rotor, the hub's fastener circle expands uniformly around the fastener circle's circumference.

Abstract: A small scale ceramic fuel cell system to which fuel gas is supplied through an injector which draws ambient air into the system. The air/fuel gas mixture is passed through a catalytic oxidation device which is thereby heated and heats a fuel cell. Air and fuel gas react at the fuel cell to generate an electrical output.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a capacitor body containing capacitive conductive plates. The capacitor body has a first end and a second opposing end, such as the opposite ends of a cylindrical body. A conductive shell is disposed around the capacitor body. The conductive shell has a first end conductively connected to a first one of the conductive plates at the first end of the capacitor body. The conductive shell also has flexible conductive members disposed at a second end adjacent to the second end of the capacitor body. The flexible conductive members extend away from the capacitor body so as to be brought into conductive contact with a conductive surface against which the capacitor is to be mounted in use, such as an upper layer of a multi-layer bus. One capacitor mounting arrangement uses the above capacitor with a multi-layer DC bus structure. In another mounting arrangement, a resilient conductive gasket is disposed between the hard edge of a capacitor shell and a surface of a bus structure.

Abstract: A strain-matched hub for a motor/generator. The motor/generator preferably includes a cylindrical rotor surrounding a stator, and of larger diameter than a shaft. The hub, formed of a single material, connects the shaft to the rotor assembly, and contains a fastener circle whose expansion is matched to the rotor's expansion, in operation. Like the rotor, the hub's fastener circle expands uniformly around the fastener circle's circumference. Typically, a ring of keystone-shaped metal elements fits the hub to the rotor. The hub attaches to the keystone-shaped elements with a plurality of bolts or other fasteners, and the keystone-shaped elements fit to the rotor. The hub is formed of a single material and contains a plurality of spokes, each spoke positioned along a radius from the center of the hub to the center of a bolt. Each spoke is shaped to fit between two pairs of tangent-joined circles.