Abstract: A fuel cell assembly of one or more fuel cell bundles, wherein each fuel cell bundle comprises an array of elongated tubular fuel cells, comprising: an oxidant supply system; a fuel supply system; a fuel reformation system; and a support structure for integrating as a bundle said elongated tubular fuel cells, said oxidant supply system, said fuel supply system, and said fuel reformation system; a first row of spaced apart, elongated tubular fuel cells; wherein said support structure comprises: a base plate; a plurality of upper insulation end pieces (UIEPs) surrounding a top of the fuel cell assembly to produce a top assembly, wherein each upper insulation end piece has a top surface, a side portion and a beveled portion disposed between the top surface and the side portion to produce a beveled shoulder around the top assembly; a top clamp having a beveled inner surface complementary to the beveled shoulder that interfaces against a plurality of pivot pads disposed on the beveled shoulder when the top clamp i

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising: a plurality of fuel cell bundles, each fuel cell bundle comprising: an array of elongated tubular fuel cells comprising a plurality of rows of spaced apart, elongated tubular fuel cells; a plurality of elongated electrical connectors each having a first contact for coupling with a first fuel cell and a second contact for coupling with a second fuel cell and wherein each of said electrical connectors is disposed between at least two of said elongated tubular fuel cells; an oxidant supply system; a fuel supply system; and a support structure for integrating as a bundle said fuel cells, said oxidant supply system and said fuel supply system, wherein said support structure comprises an elongated tubular fuel cell support/spacer plate and an oxidant feed tube support/spacer plate; wherein the elongated tubular fuel cell support/spacer plate is spaced from and connected to the oxidant feed tube support/spacer plate by one or more first pin-in-sleeve combinations each of which is con

Abstract: A multi-function bundle having all of the basic support functions integrated therein can be used as a basic building block component, for example, in a fuel cell engine. The multi-function bundle is modular, easy to assemble, and able to withstand the physical and thermal shocks encountered in mobile applications. The multi-function bundle utilizes fully distributed fuel and oxidant supply systems which help to reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. The multi-function bundle may be comprised of a plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant supply system, a fuel supply system and a support structure which integrates the fuel cells, oxidant supply system, and fuel supply system into a single unit. The oxidant and fuel supply systems may be fully distributed. The fuel supply system may include one or more fuel feed tube assemblies which allow distributed internal fuel reformation and reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising: a plurality of fuel cell bundles, each fuel cell bundle comprising: an array of elongated tubular fuel cells comprising a plurality of rows of spaced apart, elongated tubular fuel cells; a plurality of elongated electrical connectors each having a first contact for coupling with a first fuel cell and a second contact for coupling with a second fuel cell and wherein each of said electrical connectors is disposed between at least two of said elongated tubular fuel cells; an oxidant supply system; a fuel supply system; and a support structure for integrating as a bundle said fuel cells, said oxidant supply system and said fuel supply system, wherein said support structure comprises an elongated tubular fuel cell support/spacer plate and an oxidant feed tube support/spacer plate; wherein the elongated tubular fuel cell support/spacer plate is spaced from and connected to the oxidant feed tube support/spacer plate by one or more first pin-in-sleeve combinations each of which is con

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly of one or more fuel cell bundles, wherein each fuel cell bundle comprises an array of elongated tubular fuel cells, comprising: an oxidant supply system; a fuel supply system; a fuel reformation system; and a support structure for integrating as a bundle said elongated tubular fuel cells, said oxidant supply system, said fuel supply system, and said fuel reformation system; a first row of spaced apart, elongated tubular fuel cells; wherein said support structure comprises: a base plate; a plurality of upper insulation end pieces (UIEPs) surrounding a top of the fuel cell assembly to produce a top assembly, wherein each upper insulation end piece has a top surface, a side portion and a beveled portion disposed between the top surface and the side portion to produce a beveled shoulder around the top assembly; a top clamp having a beveled inner surface complementary to the beveled shoulder that interfaces against a plurality of pivot pads disposed on the beveled shoulder when the top clamp i

Abstract: A multi-function bundle having all of the basic support functions integrated therein can be used as a basic building block component, for example, in a fuel cell engine. The multi-function bundle is modular, easy to assemble, and able to withstand the physical and thermal shocks encountered in mobile applications. The multi-function bundle utilizes fully distributed fuel and oxidant supply systems which help to reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. The multi-function bundle may be comprised of a plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant supply system, a fuel supply system and a support structure which integrates the fuel cells, oxidant supply system, and fuel supply system into a single unit. The oxidant and fuel supply systems may be fully distributed. The fuel supply system may include one or more fuel feed tube assemblies which allow distributed internal fuel reformation and reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells.

Abstract: A multi-function bundle having all of the basic support functions integrated therein can be used as a basic building block component, for example, in a fuel cell engine. The multi-function bundle is modular, easy to assemble, and able to withstand the physical and thermal shocks encountered in mobile applications. The multi-function bundle utilizes fully distributed fuel and oxidant supply systems which help to reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. The multi-function bundle may be comprised of a plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant supply system, a fuel supply system and a support structure which integrates the fuel cells, oxidant supply system, and fuel supply system into a single unit. The oxidant and fuel supply systems may be fully distributed. The fuel supply system may include one or more fuel feed tube assemblies which allow distributed internal fuel reformation and reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells.

Abstract: A multi-function bundle having all of the basic support functions integrated therein can be used as a basic building block component, for example, in a fuel cell engine. The multi-function bundle is modular, easy to assemble, and able to withstand the physical and thermal shocks encountered in mobile applications. The multi-function bundle utilizes fully distributed fuel and oxidant supply systems which help to reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. The multi-function bundle may be comprised of a plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant supply system, a fuel supply system and a support structure which integrates the fuel cells, oxidant supply system, and fuel supply system into a single unit. The oxidant and fuel supply systems may be fully distributed. The fuel supply system may include one or more fuel feed tube assemblies which allow distributed internal fuel reformation and reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells.

Abstract: A multi-function bundle having all of the basic support functions integrated therein can be used as a basic building block component, for example, in a fuel cell engine. The multi-function bundle is modular, easy to assemble, and able to withstand the physical and thermal shocks encountered in mobile applications. The multi-function bundle utilizes fully distributed fuel and oxidant supply systems which help to reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. The multi-function bundle may be comprised of a plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant supply system, a fuel supply system and a support structure which integrates the fuel cells, oxidant supply system, and fuel supply system into a single unit. The oxidant and fuel supply systems may be fully distributed. The fuel supply system may include one or more fuel feed tube assemblies which allow distributed internal fuel reformation and reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for directly powering a unipolar electric motor with direct current (DC) power includes a control mechanism, and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a fuel input and an oxidizer input. The control mechanism may control the fuel input and the oxidizer input. The fuel input may utilize a hydrocarbon fuel or, alternatively, an arbitrary mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The electric motor may have a field excitation current and the control mechanism may further control the field excitation current. Alternatively, an apparatus may power a vehicle, such as a ship or automobile, and may include an electric motor for powering the vehicle, a fuel cell for providing fuel cell power, a turbine-generator for providing turbine-generator power, and a control mechanism. The electric motor may include a motor power input. The fuel cell may include a fuel input, a fuel cell oxidizer input, a thermal exhaust output, and a fuel cell power output.

Abstract: A submersible electric propulsion motor includes a sealed cylindrical stator housing defining a central flow passage and a cylindrical rotor core disposed within the stator housing passage such that the stator housing encompasses the rotor core. The rotor core defines a center flow opening which communicates with inlet and outlet ends of the stator housing passage. The motor also includes a propulsion propeller having a plurality of radial blades and a central cylindrical hub. The propeller is disposed within and across the rotor core opening with its periphery being rigidly connected to the rotor core. A support structure has end portions disposed at and rigidly attached to the stator housing inlet and outlet ends, and an axial portion which extends axially through the stator housing passage and rotor core opening and is rigidly attached to the radial portions.

Abstract: Apparatus which penetrates a hole through an ice cap from the water beneath the ice cap. A positively buoyant unit containing water under high pressure discharges the water through a nozzle causing erosion of the ice. The nozzle is connected to a telescopic tube arrangement the total length of which is at least equal to the ice thickness so that when penetration is made the tube arrangement can act as an antenna for a surveillance sensor package carried by the unit.

Abstract: Switching apparatus for very high currents utilizes the magneto hydrodyna pinch effect to interrupt a liquid metal column that occupies the gap between a pair of spaced conductors maintained apart by an insulating sleeve. The on/off condition of the switching apparatus is controlled by regulating the relationship between the fluid pressure within the sleeve and P.sub.p, the MHD pinch pressure.

Abstract: Damping material is disposed on the trailing distal edge of a monolithic brush to enhance the brush's vibration stability. The dampening material is preferably an elastomer such as neoprene and extends along the side of the brush which contains the trailing edge of the contact surface a distance substantially greater than the thickness of the damping material.