Abstract: A sensing apparatus comprises a sensing beam having piezo-resistive components mounted therein that output a signal as a function of a strain on the sensing beam and a main body holding the sensing beam. The sensing beam includes a gasket pattern integrated thereon to create a substantially uniform interface between the main body and the clamp.

Abstract: A sealless, planar fuel cell stack system, including a continuous bottom plate, a first permeable or interconnect layer, a continuous cell, a second permeable or interconnect layer, a continuous top plate, a fuel supply member, and an oxidant gas supply member, is provided. The fuel cell system of the present invention does not require glass-based sealants to seal its planar components. In the present system, the continuous cell of the system is supported by the first permeable layer. The second permeable layer is supported by the continuous cell. The fuel supply member supplies fuel into the first permeable layer. The fuel supply member extends between an outer edge and a center region of the first permeable layer and allows distribution of the fuel in a radial fashion. Further, the fuel supply member is connected to an external fuel manifold adjacent the outer edge. The oxidant gas supply member supplies oxidant gas into the second permeable layer.

Abstract: A composite sealant for in-situ sealing a fuel cell stack is provided. A paste of the sealant mixture is initially formed by mixing a glass precursor powder and a reacting filler material. The sealant mixture paste is applied to selected sealing locations of the fuel cell stack. The sealant mixture paste is then transformed into a composite sealant material to seal the selected sealing locations by heat treatment in air to about 900° C. The composite sealant material comprises a glass matrix phase and a reinforcing phase including a plurality of interlocked elongated single crystal grains. The reacting fillers modify the CTE and significantly improve the gap filling capacity of the composite sealant material and provide superior pressure containment capability at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method for making a glass frit paste is provided. First, nitrocellulose is dissolved in a high vapor pressure solvent of the nitrocellulose to make a solution. A portion of the solution is then mixed with alpha-terpineol to form a vehicle. Glass frit is mixed with the vehicle and then ground to form the paste. During the grinding step most of the high vapor pressure solvent evaporates. The resulting paste has a composition comprising about 0.3-12.0 wt. % nitrocellulose, about 0.5-2.0 wt. % of a high vapor pressure solvent of said nitrocellulose, about 14.0-25.0 wt. % alpha-terpineol, and the remainder glass frit.

Abstract: A radial planar fuel cell stack comprises an internal manifold having a first interior cavity and a second interior cavity. A plurality of single cells having an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer therebetween are disposed about the manifold. A manifold bracket operatively fixes the manifold to at least one of the single cells. The manifold bracket describes a channel in communication with at least one of the first and second interior cavities. A porous element is disposed in the channel and ensures uniform distribution of gases over 360°.

Abstract: A sealant for a solid oxide fuel cell comprises a glass material that acts as a matrix, with the glass material being present between about 40 to 90 wt. %. A gap-filler material is also in the sealant and selected from the group consisting of a metal material and a ceramic material, with the gap-filler material being present between about 10 to 60 wt. %. The sealant can seal a gap as large as about 3 mm.

Abstract: A method for making a glass frit paste is provided. First, nitrocellulose is dissolved in a high vapor pressure solvent of the nitrocellulose to make a solution. A portion of the solution is then mixed with alpha-terpineol to form a vehicle. Glass frit is mixed with the vehicle and then ground to form the paste. During the grinding step most of the high vapor pressure solvent evaporates. The resulting paste has a composition comprising about 0.3-12.0 wt. % nitrocellulose, about 0.5-2.0 wt. % of a high vapor pressure solvent of said nitrocellulose, about 14.0-25.0 wt. % alpha-terpineol, and the remainder glass frit.

Abstract: A method for making a glass frit paste is provided. First, nitrocellulose is dissolved in a high vapor pressure solvent of the nitrocellulose to make a solution. A portion of the solution is then mixed with alpha-terpineol to form a vehicle. Glass frit is mixed with the vehicle and then ground to form the paste. During the grinding step most of the high vapor pressure solvent evaporates. The resulting paste has a composition comprising about 0.3-12.0 wt. % nitrocellulose, about 0.5-2.0 wt. % of a high vapor pressure solvent of said nitrocellulose, about 14.0-25.0 wt. % alpha-terpineol, and the remainder glass frit.

Abstract: An improved fluid flow measuring device having more nearly linear response characteristics over a wide range of fluid flow rates measures the force exerted on a fluid flow sensing element (21, 37, 41, 47, 55, 61) located in the fluid flow. The effective area of the sensing element subjected to the fluid force decreases as the flow rate increases and increases as the flow rate decreases thereby compensating for the nonlinear relationship between fluid flow rate and the force exerted thereby. The sensing element may retract somewhat into a calm or minimal flow region (27, 35) in response to increased flow rate. The sensing element may include resilient vanes (45, 51, 52, 53, 57, 59) which bend thereby reducing their effective area in response to increased flow. The sensing element may include one or more flow passing apertures (43, 49) the size of which varies with flow rate.