Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell tube, a flame tip protection member and a current conduction member. The first fuel cell tube has a flame end. The flame end has exit opening. The fuel cell tube is configured to deliver combustible gas to the flame tip region generating a flame kernel. The flame protection member is configured to inhibit at least one of mass transfer and heat transfer between the fuel cell tube and the flame tip region. The current conduction member is disposed through the exit opening of the flame end of the first fuel cell tube.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle is configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode. A method for controlling the aerial includes providing a base fuel cell upper power limit. The method further includes controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode. The method further includes operating the fuel cell above the base upper fuel cell power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube comprising an inner anode, an outer cathode, and an electrolyte disposed between the inner anode and the outer cathode. The inner anode includes a plurality of hollow rod current conducting members embedded in a bulk anode.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack configured to input raw fuel from a fuel source to produce electrical energy includes a fuel cell comprising an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The anode defines an anode chamber, and a hydrogen separation member is disposed within the anode chamber. The hydrogen separation member has a first side and a second side. The first side of the hydrogen separation member defines a raw fuel chamber. The hydrogen separation member transfer hydrogen between the first side and the second side to provide hydrogen fuel to the anode of the fuel cell, while inhibiting the transportation of gas molecules between the first side and the second side.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes an energy conversion module and a fuel module that is detachable from the energy conversion module. The fuel module includes a fuel tank, a fuel module identification member including fuel module data and a fuel filter member. The control module is configured to access the fuel module data from the fuel module identification member. The fuel cell stack is configured to utilize the refined fuel to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube comprising an inner anode, an outer cathode, and an electrolyte disposed between the inner anode and the outer cathode. The inner anode includes a plurality of hollow rod current conducting members embedded in a bulk anode.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a tube, a spacer element, a catalytic substrate and an anode current collector. The solid oxide fuel cell further includes a spacer element disposed within the tube. The solid oxide fuel cell further includes a catalytic substrate disposed within the anode current collector electrically contacting the anode of the tube and providing an electrical current path inside the tube past the catalytic substrate to the inlet opening.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube defining a fuel cell tube inner chamber. The fuel cell tube includes a fuel cell tube inlet, a fuel cell tube outlet, an active portion, and an inner current carrier. Oxidizing fluid and reducing fluid react with the active portion to generate an electromotive force. The active portion includes an inner electrode; an outer electrode; and an electrolyte disposed between the inner electrode and the outer electrode. The inner current carrier is disposed between the tube inlet and the active portion. The inner current carrier has a temperature gradient when the active portion is at an active portion steady-state operating temperature. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a fuel feed tube routing fuel through the fuel cell tube inlet to the fuel cell tube inner chamber.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a first fuel cell tube, a second fuel cell tube, and an interconnect member. The first fuel cell tube further includes an active area having a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series, a first cathode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube inlet and a first anode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube outlet. The second fuel cell tube includes a second fuel cell tube comprising an active area having a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series, a second anode lead disposed between a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube inlet and a second cathode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube outlet.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a solid oxide fuel cell tube and a reformer inside the tube. The tube includes a plurality of electrochemical cells electrically connected in series. Each electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte disposed between an interior anode and an exterior cathode. The fuel reformer is configured to convert a hydrocarbon fuel to a fuel cell fuel comprising hydrogen such that hydrogen is provided to an anode of the solid oxide fuel tube.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a manifold member comprising a plurality of openings. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a plurality of fuel cell tube units. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a fuel cell tube unit to manifold interconnect member providing a fluid flow channel between the manifold member and the plurality of tubes, wherein the fuel cell tube unit to manifold interconnect member comprises a polymer material.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a plurality of fuel cell tubes. Each fuel cell includes an active area and an anode outer surface disposed downstream the active area. The solid oxide fuel cell tube further includes an interconnect member disposed circumferentially around the fuel cell tube electrically contacting the anode outer surface.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell tube, a flame tip protection member and a current conduction member. The first fuel cell tube has a flame end. The flame end has exit opening. The fuel cell tube is configured to deliver combustible gas to the flame tip region generating a flame kernel. The flame protection member is configured to inhibit at least one of mass transfer and heat transfer between the fuel cell tube and the flame tip region. The current conduction member is disposed through the exit opening of the flame end of the first fuel cell tube.

Abstract: A method for managing power flow within an aerial vehicle includes determining a fuel cell power limit and a battery energy reserve. The method further includes determining a flight operation power requirement. The method further includes determining priority levels of secondary operations and providing power for secondary operations based on the priority levels.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle is configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode. A method for controlling the aerial includes providing a base fuel cell upper power limit. The method further includes controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode. The method further includes operating the fuel cell above the base upper fuel cell power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell tubes and a heat recuperator. The heat recuperator is formed from sheet metal. The plurality of walls define an exhaust gas channel having an exhaust gas flowing therethrough and an oxidant channel having an oxidant flowing therethrough. The exhaust gas channel is in thermal communication with the oxidant channel such that heat is transferred between the exhaust gas and the oxidant.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel reformer configured to react a raw fuel and oxygen to produce a reformed fuel. The fuel cell system further includes a fuel cell configured to generate electricity by reacting oxygen at a first electrode and reformed fuel at a second electrode. The fuel cell system further includes a plate member at least partially defining an air chamber wall, an air chamber inlet, and an air chamber outlet. The air chamber is configured to route air to at least one of the fuel reformer and the first electrode of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes an energy conversion module and a fuel module that is detachable from the energy conversion module. The fuel module includes a fuel tank, a fuel module identification member including fuel module data and a fuel filter member. The control module is configured to access the fuel module data from the fuel module identification member. The fuel cell stack is configured to utilize the refined fuel to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel tank, a replaceable fuel filter, a fuel cell stack, and a control system. The fuel tank includes raw fuel stored therein. The replaceable fuel filter member includes a filter property indicator and is configured to receive raw fuel from the fuel tank and to refine the raw fuel to a refined fuel. The fuel cell stack is configured to receive refined fuel from the fuel filter and to utilize the refine fuel to generate electricity and a control system configured to access the filter property indicator of the fuel filter member.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprises a plurality of tubes, each having an anode, electrolyte and cathode. Anode and cathode current collectors are mounted on the tubes. The anode current collector electrically connects to the anode and can have a contact with the anode. The cathode current collector electrically connects to the cathode and can have a contact with the cathode. An electrically conductive sealant may be positioned between the anode of one tube and the cathode current collector of another tube.