Abstract: A fuel cell includes a chromium-containing metal support, a ceramic electrode layer on the metal support and an electroconductive ceramic layer between the chromium-containing metal support and the ceramic electrode layer. The electroconductive ceramic layer includes a ceramic material selected from lanthanum-doped strontium titanate and perovskite oxides.

Abstract: A seal is provided for use in a solid oxide fuel cell, wherein the seal is formed of alternating adjacent layers of a fiber tow material and a foil material. A solid oxide fuel cell stack is also disclosed and is formed of repeating cell units, each cell unit having a plurality of fuel cell stack components defining opposed component surfaces, and the seal as described above positioned between the opposed component surfaces. A process is also provided for manufacturing a composite seal for a solid oxide fuel cell, and the process including the steps of: (a) feeding a quantity of spooled fiber tow material through an inert bonding agent to form a coated fiber tow material; (b) winding the coated fiber tow material about a mandrel to form a wound layer of fiber tow material; (c) feeding a quantity of spooled foil material about the wound layer of fiber tow material to form a wound layer of foil material; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) until forming a composite seal having desired thickness and width.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes first and second solid oxide fuel cell components and a self-healing glass between the components. The glass seal includes 35-60 wt % alkaline earth oxide, 2-15 wt % boron oxide, and 25-62 wt % silicone oxide.

Abstract: A power system for an aircraft includes a solid oxide fuel cell system which generates electric power for the aircraft and an exhaust stream; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the exhaust stream of the solid oxide fuel cell to a heat requiring system or component of the aircraft. The heat can be transferred to fuel for the primary engine of the aircraft. Further, the same fuel can be used to power both the primary engine and the SOFC. A heat exchanger is positioned to cool reformate before feeding to the fuel cell. SOFC exhaust is treated and used as inerting gas. Finally, oxidant to the SOFC can be obtained from the aircraft cabin, or exterior, or both.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a ceramic electrode, a metallic interconnect, and a ceramic bond material that bonds the ceramic electrode and the metallic interconnect together. The ceramic material includes manganese-cobalt-oxide that is electrically conductive such that electric current can flow between the ceramic electrode and the metallic interconnect.

Abstract: A regenerative elevator system operates in three modes: motoring, idle and regeneration. During the regeneration mode, the elevator motor operates as a generator, and electrical energy is stored in an energy storage system for later use. The energy storage system may be located in a machine room or hoistway where temperature can vary widely. A thermoelectric thermal management system provides thermoelectric cooling or heating to maintain the energy storage system within a desired operating temperature range.

Abstract: An assembly for preventing a fire resulting from the outgassing of a lithium battery in an electronic door lock includes a lithium battery, a circuit board, and a thermal insulation. The lithium battery and circuit board are housed within the electronic door lock. The thermal insulation is arranged between a door interfacing side of the electronic door lock and either or both of the circuit board and lithium battery. Another thermal management technique for preventing fire resulting from the outgassing of a lithium battery in an electronic door lock is achieved by using a battery cover that is selectively movable away from the circuit board or ignition source in response to temperature rise to ensure the lithium battery does not reach a critical temperature that may cause outgassing in close proximity to the ignition source.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system incorporates thermoelectric devices (TE Devices) for electrical power generation adjacent a flow path heat exchanger (HEX) adjacent to a vehicle flowpath structure such as a scramjet flow path to take advantage of the waste heat, high thermal gradients, and available, unused volume. A thermally conductive material communicates thermal energy from a vehicle external skin structure to the TE Device while a thermally conductive compliant material allows the TE Device to “float” with minimal mechanical stress.

Abstract: A system and method satisfies temperature and pressure requirements of solid oxide fuel cell system 10 in a manner that increases the overall efficiency and decreases the overall weight of system 10. The system and method include a secondary blower 30 for boosting air stream pressure level sufficient for operation of a reformer 12 that is designed to minimize pressure drop; an integrated heat exchanger 18 for recovering heat from exhaust 36 and comprising multiple flow fields 18A, 18B, 18C for ensuring inlet temperature requirements of a solid oxide fuel cell 14 are met; and a thermal enclosure 46 for separating hot zone 48 components from cool zone 50 components for increasing thermal efficiency of the system and better thermal management.

Abstract: An example method of forming a fuel cell sheet includes flattening a screen to form a sheet that has a plurality of apertures operative to communicate a fluid within a fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator sheet and a perforated support sheet connected to the separator sheet. The perforated support sheet and separator sheet are comprised of a nickel-based alloy. A porous layer is located between the separator sheet and the support sheet and provides an electrical connection between the separator sheet and the support sheet.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell stack, includes at least two fuel cell stack components having opposed surfaces and a seal member disposed between the surfaces, wherein the seal member is a compliant seal member that is mechanically compliant in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions relative to the surfaces. The seal member is advantageously formed of one or more substantially continuous fibers. Further, preferred materials for the seal member are provided which advantageously allow for a desired level of impermeability while preventing contamination of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell seal assembly includes a first layer, a second layer; and a third layer that limits movement of hydrogen, oxygen, or both between the first layer and the second layer within a fuel cell.

Abstract: An example fuel cell repeater includes a separator plate and a frame establishing at least a portion of a flow path that is operative to communicate fuel to or from at least one fuel cell held by the frame relative to the separator plate. The flow path has a perimeter and any fuel within the perimeter flow across the at least one fuel cell in a first direction. The separator plate, the frame, or both establish at least one conduit positioned outside the flow path perimeter. The conduit is outside of the flow path perimeter and is configured to direct flow in a second, different direction. The conduit is fluidly coupled with the flow path.

Abstract: An example fuel cell repeater includes a separator plate and a frame establishing at least a portion of a flow path that is operative to communicate fuel to or from at least one fuel cell held by the frame relative to the separator plate. The flow path has a perimeter and any fuel within the perimeter flow across the at least one fuel cell in a first direction. The separator plate, the frame, or both establish at least one conduit positioned outside the flow path perimeter. The conduit is outside of the flow path perimeter and is configured to direct flow in a second, different direction. The conduit is fluidly coupled with the flow path.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a porous interconnect comprising a plurality of first wires of a first material and at least one second material combined to form a first portion defining a separator plate contact zone and a second portion defining an electrode contact zone. Various wire weave shapes and pre-buckled architectures are shown such as FIG. 7 shows a substantially trapezoidal shaped cross-section where the cathode-side interconnect (30) comprises first wires (37).

Abstract: A regenerative elevator system operates in three modes: motoring, idle and regeneration. During the regeneration mode, the elevator motor operates as a generator, and electrical energy is stored in an energy storage system for later use. The energy storage system may be located in a machine room or hoistway where temperature can vary widely. A thermoelectric thermal management system provides thermoelectric cooling or heating to maintain the energy storage system within a desired operating temperature range.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module for use in a portable power supply system. The solid oxide fuel cell module includes a housing with a walled structure defining a substantially enclosed interior cavity, wherein the housing includes an outer wall surface and inner wall surface. The solid oxide fuel cell module also includes an aperture extending through the walled surface from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface of the housing in fluid communication with the interior cavity. A tri-layer solid oxide fuel cell may be mounted to the housing and aligned to substantially cover the aperture.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system incorporates thermoelectric devices (TE Devices) for electrical power generation adjacent a flow path heat exchanger (HEX) adjacent to a vehicle flowpath structure such as a scramjet flow path to take advantage of the waste heat, high thermal gradients, and available, unused volume. A thermally conductive material communicates thermal energy from a vehicle external skin structure to the TE Device while a thermally conductive compliant material allows the TE Device to “float” with minimal mechanical stress.

Abstract: A sealant composition for use in sealing solid oxide fuel cells is provided which comprises a glass component which comprises a mixture of alkali-free inorganic oxides, and an optional filler component dispersed in the glass component, said filler component being up to 40% by weight of the composition. The glass component can include, on a mole basis, 20 to 50% BaO, 1 to 10% Y2O3, 5 to 20% B2O3, 10 to 30% SiO2, 3 to 35% MgO, 2 to 20% CaO, 1 to 10% ZnO, and 0 to 5% ZrO2, and exemplary filler components include zirconia, alumina, barium titanate, strontium titanate, and combinations thereof.