Abstract: A compact integrated solid oxide fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell stack, two stages of heat exchange, and a thermal enclosure. The system includes a recuperator which exchanges heat between exhaust gas, heated by oxidizing unspent gases from the fuel cell stack in a combustion chamber, and incoming oxidant to pre-heat the oxidant. The solid oxide fuel cell stack has an internal manifold which exchanges heat between incoming fuel and the preheated oxidant. System components are enclosed by thermal insulation. The system may also include a catalytic partial oxidation reformer to pre-heat the fuel during start up. The system can also include an air compressor, fuel storage tank, and pressure relief valve, providing a portable power system. The air compressor can be used to pressurize the incoming oxidant to the SOFC stack, and to pressurize the fuel storage tank using the pressure relief valve as a pressure regulator.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of planar fuel cells in a spiral configuration. The fuel cells angularly offset from one another such that immediately adjacent cells only partially overlap one another. The cells are preferably of the unitized type. A manifold assembly is operatively adjacent to the fuel cells. The manifold assembly includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold for each of the gases that are in communication with the fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layered and multifunctional cathode in solid oxide fuel cells having high conductivity, high catalytic activity, minimized coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch, excellent compatibility to other portions of the fuel cell, and reduced temperature operation. The cathode comprises a conductive layer, a catalyst layer and a graded composition layer. The conductive layer has a first density, the catalyst layer has a second density that is less than the first density, and the graded composition layer is characterized by a graded electronic conductivity and a graded ionic conductivity.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of planar fuel cells in a spiral configuration. The fuel cells angularly offset from one another such that immediately adjacent cells only partially overlap one another. The cells are preferably of the unitized type. A manifold assembly is operatively adjacent to the fuel cells. The manifold assembly includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold for each of the gases that are in communication with the fuel cells. The unitized solid oxide fuel cell comprises a first planar interconnect, a planar ceramic cell adjacent the first planar interconnect, a second planar interconnect adjacent the opposite side of the planar ceramic cell, and a plurality of gas tubes adjacent the planar ceramic cell. The gas tubes are arranged to a first configuration, a second configuration, a third configuration and a fourth configuration with a cylindrical gas tube shape and a T-shape gas tube designs.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical power system includes a solid oxide fuel cell and a turbomachine. Fuel flow to the turbomachine is increased in response to demands for boost power, whereby the turbomachine's electrical generator provides the boost power. The turbomachine supplies heated, high pressure air to the solid oxide fuel cell, bringing the solid oxide fuel cell to its required operating temperature. Waste from the solid oxide fuel cell, including exhaust air and unreacted fuel, is utilized by the turbomachine.

Abstract: A vertical MOS-FET device having a planar multicell structure which is constituted by an assembly of elementary cells of a polygonal form having a source zone, a shortcircuit region, a channel zone and a drain zone. In the space between adjoining apices of a number of elementary cells there are provided complementary elements having a construction similar to that of the previously-mentioned cells but having a polygonal form adapted to the configuration of the cells. Thus, the overall length of the channel zones per unit surface area can be optimized.