Abstract: A flow path member includes an orifice section, a pressure regulating section, a filter section, and a distribution section joined together integrally, and these components are detachably provided between insulating seals. In the orifice section, orifice holes are formed around a fuel gas supply passage. In the pressure regulating section, a substantially ring shaped pressure regulating chamber is formed. In the filter section, a plurality of filter holes are formed. The orifice holes and the filter holes are connected through the pressure regulating chamber. In the distribution section, a plurality of distribution grooves for distributing the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas supply passage in a stacking direction to flow along a separator surface, and a circular groove for supplying the fuel gas to the filter section are formed.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells. The fuel cell stack includes a lower end plate, a load plate, and a fuel cell support member. The lower end plate is positioned at one end of the stack body in the stacking direction for placing the stack body on the lower end plate. The load plate is provided at the other end of the stack body for applying a load to the stack body in the stacking direction. The fuel cell support member is provided between the load plate and the stack body, and includes a composite layer made of alumina fiber and vermiculite.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, a reformer, and a combustor. A combustion gas path for supplying the combustion gas produced in the combustor to the heat exchanger as the heat medium is provided. The combustion gas path is provided between a space of dual walls comprising a first inner plate and a second inner plate and a first case unit and a second case unit accommodating a load applying mechanism and the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes separators. A second plate of the separator includes a second circular disk section, a second elongated plate section, and a second rectangular section. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the second circular disk section. The second rectangular section has a fuel gas inlet for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel gas channel, an outer ridge, and a fuel gas outlet for discharging the fuel gas, and a detour path forming wall bent in a V-shape toward the fuel gas inlet. A fuel gas inlet is formed in the V-shaped inner area of the detour path forming wall.

Abstract: A fuel cell of a fuel cell stack includes separators. Each of the separators includes a fuel gas supply section, a bridge, and a sandwiching section. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the center of the fuel gas supply section, and a fuel gas supply channel is formed in the bridge. A plurality of the fuel cells are stacked together to form a stack body. Side insulating members are provided in parallel with an extension line extending from the bridge, and along both of outer portions of the sandwiching section. The side insulating members suppress heat radiation from the fuel cells, and are used as a reference level for positioning the fuel cells at the time of stacking the fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fluid unit, and a load applying mechanism. The fluid unit includes a heat exchanger and a reformer provided on one side of the fuel cell stack, and the load applying mechanism is provided on the other side of the fuel cell stack. The load applying mechanism includes first and second tightening units for applying different loads to desired regions of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fluid unit, a load applying mechanism, and a casing. The casing contains the fuel cell stack, the fluid unit, and the load applying mechanism. A heat insulating member is provided between the fuel cell stack and the load applying mechanism. The heat insulating member limits heat transmission from the fuel cell stack to the load applying mechanism. The load applying mechanism includes metal springs for applying a load to the fuel cell stack in a stacking direction of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assemblies. A fuel gas supply channel formed by a channel member fixed to the separator is connected to a fuel gas inlet formed in an inner end of a trapezoidal section. Unburned hydrogen in an exhaust fuel gas consumed in the reaction at the anode, and discharged from the fuel gas channel to an oxygen -containing gas supply unit, is mixed with an oxygen-containing gas before consumption, burned, and then supplied to an oxygen-containing gas channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply unit for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell, an oxygen containing gas supply unit, which has a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas, for supplying the oxygen-containing gas heated by the heat exchanger to the fuel cell, an exhaust gas discharge unit for supplying an exhaust gas used in a generating reaction and discharged from the fuel cell, as a heating medium for heating the oxygen-containing gas to the heat exchanger, and a combustion gas supply unit, which has a combustor disposed out of a passageway of the exhaust gas discharge unit for generating a combustion gas by combusting a raw fuel with an oxygen-containing gas supplied thereto, for supplying the combustion gas, together with the exhaust gas, to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell includes a sandwiching section, first and second bridges connected to the sandwiching section, a fuel gas supply section connected to the first bridge and an oxygen-containing gas supply section connected to the second bridge. The sandwiching section sandwiches an electrolyte electrode assembly, and has a fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel separately. In the sandwiching section, a plurality of first projections are arranged in a zigzag pattern in a direction in which the first bridge extends, and the first projections at least protrude toward the fuel gas channel to contact an anode.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, a reformer, and a casing containing the fuel cell stack, the heat exchanger, and the reformer. A chamber unit is formed at an end plate of the fuel cell stack. The air heated by the heat exchanger temporarily fills the chamber unit. The heat exchanger and the reformer are directly connected to the chamber unit.

Abstract: A fuel gas supply channel connecting a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas inlet are provided in a separator, a channel lid member, and a circular disk member. A filter mechanism for filtering a fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply passage to a channel unit is provided in the fuel gas supply channel. The filter mechanism has a plurality of holes, and the cross sectional area of the opening of the hole is smaller than the cross sectional area of the opening of the fuel gas inlet.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, an evaporator, a reformer, and a combustor for at least heating any of the fuel cell stack, the heat exchanger, the evaporator, and the reformer. The fuel cell module is surrounded by an inner heat insulating layer and an outer heat insulating layer. The inner heat insulating layer is used in a high temperature area, and the outer heat insulating layer is used in a low temperature area. The inner heat insulating layer contains a large amount of metal component in comparison with the outer heat insulating layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells stacked together in a stacking direction, and end plates provided at opposite ends of the fuel cells in the stacking direction. A fluid unit is provided on one side of the fuel cell stack. The fluid unit includes a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack, and a reformer for reforming a fuel to produce a fuel gas.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes electrolyte electrode assemblies and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the separators is a single plate, and includes a plurality of circular disks. First protrusions and second protrusions are provided on both surfaces of the circular disk. The first protrusions contact an anode of the electrolyte electrode assembly, and the second protrusions contact a cathode of the electrolyte electrode assembly. A channel member is provided on a surface of the separator facing the cathode. The channel member has a second bridge. When a load in a stacking direction is applied to the second bridge of the channel member, the second bridge is deformable in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A flow path member includes an orifice section, a pressure regulating section, a filter section, and a distribution section joined together integrally, and these components are detachably provided between insulating seals. In the orifice section, orifice holes are formed around a fuel gas supply passage. In the pressure regulating section, a substantially ring shaped pressure regulating chamber is formed. In the filter section, a plurality of filter holes are formed. The orifice holes and the filter holes are connected through the pressure regulating chamber. In the distribution section, a plurality of distribution grooves for distributing the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas supply passage in a stacking direction to flow along a separator surface, and a circular groove for supplying the fuel gas to the filter section are formed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply unit for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell, an oxygen containing gas supply unit, which has a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas, for supplying the oxygen-containing gas heated by the heat exchanger to the fuel cell, an exhaust gas discharge unit for supplying an exhaust gas used in a generating reaction and discharged from the fuel cell, as a heating medium for heating the oxygen-containing gas to the heat exchanger, and a combustion gas supply unit, which has a combustor disposed out of a passageway of the exhaust gas discharge unit for generating a combustion gas by combusting a raw fuel with an oxygen-containing gas supplied thereto, for supplying the combustion gas, together with the exhaust gas, to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, a reformer, and a combustor. A combustion gas path for supplying the combustion gas produced in the combustor to the heat exchanger as the heat medium is provided. The combustion gas path is provided between a space of dual walls comprising a first inner plate and a second inner plate and a first case unit and a second case unit accommodating a load applying mechanism and the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, a reformer, and a combustor. The combustor is provided around the heat exchanger. A combustion gas path for supplying a combustion gas produced in the combustor to the heat exchanger and an exhaust gas path for supplying an exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack after consumption in power generation reaction are merged at a merger section provided on an upstream side of a heat medium inlet of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assembly. Each of the separators is a single plate, and includes a plurality of circular disks. First protrusions and second protrusions are provided on both surfaces of the circular disk. The first protrusions contact the anode of the electrolyte electrode assembly, and the second protrusions contact the cathode of the electrolyte electrode assembly. A channel member is provided on a surface of the separator facing the cathode. The channel member forms a plurality of fuel gas supply channels connected between a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas inlet for supplying a fuel gas into a fuel gas flow field.