Abstract: A system for information exchange comprises a vehicle electronics data broker gateway for exchanging information between vehicle electronics certified applications and uncertified applications. The data broker gateway comprises configuration files generated with a dedicated modeling tool; a source selection module operative to seamlessly choose a best data source; a source abstraction and data collection module operative to receive data from the data source; a data conversion module operative to convert the data received into a standard format; a data cache operative to store the data received before transmitting the data; and a client abstraction and data dispatch module operative to transmit the data to the client. The data broker gateway also includes a data pre-fetch module comprising a rule based engine operative to determine a time to pre-fetch data based on pre-defined rules; and a machine learning based engine operative to learn data fetching conditions for a given data source.

Abstract: A system for information exchange comprises a vehicle electronics data broker gateway for exchanging information between vehicle electronics certified applications and uncertified applications. The data broker gateway comprises configuration files generated with a dedicated modeling tool; a source selection module operative to seamlessly choose a best data source; a source abstraction and data collection module operative to receive data from the data source; a data conversion module operative to convert the data received into a standard format; a data cache operative to store the data received before transmitting the data; and a client abstraction and data dispatch module operative to transmit the data to the client. The data broker gateway also includes a data pre-fetch module comprising a rule based engine operative to determine a time to pre-fetch data based on pre-defined rules; and a machine learning based engine operative to learn data fetching conditions for a given data source.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for facilitating communications between certified on-board avionics control functions and one or more uncertified remote client applications. The system includes an avionics data access function (ADAF), which acts as a multi-mode data acquisition agent for the onboard avionics control functions and serves the requests from the remote client applications. In some cases, ADAF comprises a separate space- and time-partitioned module, which handles retrieving data from the onboard avionics and transmitting the data to the remote client application(s) in the appropriate format.

Abstract: Systems are provided for providing distributed flight management capability for flight management systems (FMS) of a fleet of aircraft. The system comprises an FMS located on board and electronically integrated into the avionics system of each of the aircraft in the fleet. The system also has a digital twin FMS that contains identical software components and capabilities of the FMS. The digital twin FMS is located off board the aircraft and is in communication with each of the FMSs via a digital communications link. The digital twin FMS is configured to provide pre-flight planning for each aircraft that is dispatched to each FMS via the digital communications link.

Abstract: A system for information exchange comprises a vehicle electronics data broker gateway for exchanging information between vehicle electronics certified applications and uncertified applications. The data broker gateway comprises configuration files generated with a dedicated modeling tool; a source selection module operative to seamlessly choose a best data source; a source abstraction and data collection module operative to receive data from the data source; a data conversion module operative to convert the data received into a standard format; a data cache operative to store the data received before transmitting the data; and a client abstraction and data dispatch module operative to transmit the data to the client. The data broker gateway also includes a data pre-fetch module comprising a rule based engine operative to determine a time to pre-fetch data based on pre-defined rules; and a machine learning based engine operative to learn data fetching conditions for a given data source.

Abstract: A plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells are embedded in a solid phase porous foam matrix that serves as a support structure for the fuel cells. The foam matrix has multiple regions with at least one property differing between at least two regions. The properties include porosity, electrical conductivity, and catalyst loading.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells each comprising concentric inner and outer electrode layers sandwiching a concentric electrolyte layer. The fuel cells extend in the same direction and are arranged in a cluster with at least one fuel cell having an electrolyte layer with a different composition and different maximum operating temperature than another fuel cell in the cluster. The fuel cell having the electrolyte layer with a higher maximum operating temperature is located closer to the core of the cluster than the fuel cell having the electrolyte layer with a lower maximum operating temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack and a heat exchanger wrapped around the stack. The fuel cell stack comprises a fuel cell that operates at high elevated temperatures, such as a solid oxide fuel cell; the fuel cell can have a tubular configuration and comprise a pair of concentrically arranged electrode layers sandwiching a concentrically arranged electrolyte layer. The heat exchanger wraps around the fuel cell stack and comprises a flexible, thermally conductive first layer and an overlapping flexible, thermally conductive second layer spaced from the first layer. The first and second layers define adjacent annular oxidant supply and oxidant exhaust channels when wrapped around the stack.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stack comprising a continuous solid-phase matrix and tubular fuel cells embedded in the matrix. Each fuel cell comprises an inner electrode layer, an outer electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the inner and outer electrode layers. The matrix is sufficiently porous to allow a first reactant to flow through the matrix and to the outer electrode of each fuel cell, and have sufficient mechanical strength to support the fuel cells in the stack. The fuel cells are embedded such that a second reactant may be flowed through the inside of each tubular fuel cell and to the inner electrode thereof. Alternatively, a stack of tubular separation membranes or a stack of tubular membrane reactors may be embedded in the matrix. The matrix material may comprise solid state foam, metal filament, or metal, cermet, or ceramic wool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell system comprising at least one longitudinally extending tubular solid oxide fuel cell and a longitudinally extending heater mounted in thermal proximity to the fuel cell to provide heat to the fuel cell during start up and during operation as needed. The heater and fuel cell can be encased within a tubular thermal casing; the inside of the casing defines a first reactant chamber for containing a first reactant, such as oxidant. The fuel cell comprises a ceramic solid state electrolyte layer and inner and outer electrode layers concentrically arranged around and sandwiching the electrolyte layer. The outer electrode layer is fluidly communicable with the first reactant, and the inner electrode layer is fluidly isolated from the first reactant and fluidly communicable with a second reactant, such as fuel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal-supported tubular micro-solid oxide fuel cell, and a fuel cell made from such method. The method comprises the steps of coating a wooden substrate member with a conductive substrate layer, coating the substrate layer with an inner electrode layer, coating the inner electrode layer with an electrolyte layer, drying and sintering the coated substrate member such that the substrate member combusts, coating the electrolyte layer with an outer electrode layer, and then drying and sintering the layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell system comprising at least one longitudinally extending tubular solid oxide fuel cell and a longitudinally extending heater mounted in thermal proximity to the fuel cell to provide heat to the fuel cell during start up and during operation as needed. The heater and fuel cell can be encased within a tubular thermal casing; the inside of the casing defines a first reactant chamber for containing a first reactant, such as oxidant. The fuel cell comprises a ceramic solid state electrolyte layer and inner and outer electrode layers concentrically arranged around and sandwiching the electrolyte layer. The outer electrode layer is fluidly communicable with the first reactant, and the inner electrode layer is fluidly isolated from the first reactant and fluidly communicable with a second reactant, such as fuel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising an outer tubular solid oxide fuel cell, a solid phase porous matrix located inside the outer fuel cell and attached to its inner electrode layer, and at least one inner tubular solid oxide fuel cell embedded in the matrix. The outer fuel cell has an inner electrode layer configured to receive a first reactant fluid, an outer electrode layer configured to receive a second reactant fluid, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers. The inner fuel cell has an outer electrode layer configured to receive the first reactant fluid, an inner electrode layer configured to receive the second reactant fluid, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the inner and outer electrode layers. The matrix has sufficient mechanical strength to support the inner fuel cell and sufficient porosity to enable the first reactant fluid to flow through the matrix to the inner and outer fuel cell respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack and a heat exchanger wrapped around the stack. The fuel cell stack comprises a fuel cell that operates at high elevated temperatures, such as a solid oxide fuel cell; the fuel cell can have a tubular configuration and comprise a pair of concentrically arranged electrode layers sandwiching a concentrically arranged electrolyte layer. The heat exchanger wraps around the fuel cell stack and comprises a flexible, thermally conductive first layer and an overlapping flexible, thermally conductive second layer spaced from the first layer. The first and second layers define adjacent annular oxidant supply and oxidant exhaust channels when wrapped around the stack.

Abstract: A plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells are embedded in a solid phase porous foam matrix that serves as a support structure for the fuel cells. The foam matrix has multiple regions with at least one property differing between at least two regions. The properties include porosity, electrical conductivity, and catalyst loading.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite coating for protection of metal, glass and ceramic substrates and a method of producing same. The coating process consists of: depositing a ceramic porous coating made of a ceramic filler and a binding phase consisting of a finely divided glass and a ceramic sol; sintering the coating by a heat treatment up to 700° C.; and, optionally sealing the porous ceramic coating with an inorganic sealant or an organic sealant, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells each comprising concentric inner and outer electrode layers sandwiching a concentric electrolyte layer. The fuel cells extend in the same direction and are arranged in a cluster with at least one fuel cell having an electrolyte layer with a different composition and different maximum operating temperature than another fuel cell in the cluster. The fuel cell having the electrolyte layer with a higher maximum operating temperature is located closer to the core of the cluster than the fuel cell having the electrolyte layer with a lower maximum operating temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising an outer tubular solid oxide fuel cell, a solid phase porous matrix located inside the outer fuel cell and attached to its inner electrode layer, and at least one inner tubular solid oxide fuel cell embedded in the matrix. The outer fuel cell has an inner electrode layer configured to receive a first reactant fluid, an outer electrode layer configured to receive a second reactant fluid, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers. The inner fuel cell has an outer electrode layer configured to receive the first reactant fluid, an inner electrode layer configured to receive the second reactant fluid, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the inner and outer electrode layers. The matrix has sufficient mechanical strength to support the inner fuel cell and sufficient porosity to enable the first reactant fluid to flow through the matrix to the inner and outer fuel cell respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal-supported tubular micro-solid oxide fuel cell, and a fuel cell made from such method. The method comprises the steps of coating a wooden substrate member with a conductive substrate layer, coating the substrate layer with an inner electrode layer, coating the inner electrode layer with an electrolyte layer, drying and sintering the coated substrate member such that the substrate member combusts, coating the electrolyte layer with an outer electrode layer, and then drying and sintering the layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stack comprising a continuous solid-phase matrix and tubular fuel cells embedded in the matrix. Each fuel cell comprises an inner electrode layer, an outer electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the inner and outer electrode layers. The matrix is sufficiently porous to allow a first reactant to flow through the matrix and to the outer electrode of each fuel cell, and have sufficient mechanical strength to support the fuel cells in the stack. The fuel cells are embedded such that a second reactant may be flowed through the inside of each tubular fuel cell and to the inner electrode thereof. Alternatively, a stack of tubular separation membranes or a stack of tubular membrane reactors may be embedded in the matrix. The matrix material may comprise solid state foam, metal filament, or metal, cermet, or ceramic wool.