Abstract: In one aspect there is disclosed a solid oxide fuel cell including an insulating housing. A plurality of interconnected cells defining a stack are disposed within the housing. Each of the fuel cells includes an anode and a cathode. A bypass circuit is positioned outside of the housing and is coupled between the anode and the cathode of at least a portion of the plurality of cells allowing modification of an interconnection between the cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes an array of solid oxide fuel cell tubes having porous metallic exterior surfaces, interior fuel cell layers, and interior surfaces, each of the tubes having at least one open end; and, at least one header in operable communication with the array of solid oxide fuel cell tubes for directing a first reactive gas into contact with the porous metallic exterior surfaces and for directing a second reactive gas into contact with the interior surfaces, the header further including at least one busbar disposed in electrical contact with at least one surface selected from the group consisting of the porous metallic exterior surfaces and the interior surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention concerns improved configurations for a fuel cell army. The contacts for the positive electrode and the negative electrode are made outside the higher temperature active reaction space in a cooler area. Thus different more common materials are used which have a longer lifetime and have less stresses at their lower operating temperature. The invention utilizes tubular cell components connected with spines for efficient electron transfer and at least two manifolds outside the reaction zone, which may be cooled by external means. The external protruding connectors are thus at a lower operating temperature. This invention improves fuel cell life span, provides for lower cost, use of more common materials, and reduces the number thermal defects during operation.

Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly may include a proton exchange membrane (or membrane electrode assembly) that has a first major surface and a second major surface. An anode electrode, which may include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer, may also be provided. An anode gas diffusion layer secured to an anode adhesive frame may be situated between the anode electrode and the first major surface of the proton exchange membrane. A cathode electrode may, in some instances, include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer. A cathode gas diffusion layer secured to a cathode adhesive frame may be situated between the cathode electrode and the second major surface of the proton exchange membrane. In some instances a fuel cell assembly may be flexible so that the fuel cell assembly can be rolled into a rolled configuration that defines an inner cavity with open ends.