Abstract: A mixed conducting ceramic element comprises a plurality of tubes each having interior and exterior surfaces, a closed end and an open end. A tube support member receives the open ends of the tubes. The ceramic element has a general composition of AxA?x?A?x?ByB?y?B?y?O3-z, where A, A? and A? are selected from Group II elements or the Lanthanoids, and B, B? and B? are selected from the d-block transition metals, and wherein 0<x?1, 0<x??1, 0<x??1, 0<y?1, 0<y??1, 0<y??1, x+x?+x??1, y+y?+y??1, and z is selected so that the resultant composition is charge neutral. The ceramic element can be a composite consisting of two or more component materials, wherein one component is predominantly an electronic conductor and another is predominantly an ionic conductor. The ceramic element may also be a composite material containing at least one component material having a chemical composition of AxA?x?A?x?ByB?y?B?y?O3-z.

Abstract: A mixed conducting ceramic element comprises a plurality of tubes each having interior and exterior surfaces, a closed end and an open end. A tube support member receives the open ends of the tubes. The ceramic element has a general composition of AxA?x?A?x?ByB?y?B?y?O3?z, where A, A? and A? are selected from Group II elements or the Lanthanoids, and B, B? and B? are selected from the d-block transition metals, and wherein 0<x?1, 0<x??1, 0<x??1, 0<y<1, 0<y??1, 0<y??1, x+x?+x??1, y+y?+y??1, and z is selected so that the resultant composition is charge neutral. The ceramic element can be a composite consisting of two or more component materials, wherein one component is predominantly an electronic conductor and another is predominantly an ionic conductor. The ceramic element may also be a composite material containing at least one component material having a chemical composition of AxA?x?A?x?ByB?y?B?y?O3?z.

Abstract: An electronic controller (16) controls the operation of an electrochemical oxygen generating system (14) producing a desired gas. The product gas is fed to a storage unit (12) or a regulator (28) and pulsing valve (28) controlling the gas flow to a user. A two-stage system (180) combines a low pressure 100 and a high pressure (150) gas generating subsystems. The low pressure subsystem (100) uses IMAT's (106) to pump oxygen from ambient air to generate a low-pressure. The high pressure subsystem (150) uses IMAT's (160) to pump oxygen to high-pressure oxygen storage devices (194).

Abstract: Particle migration, such as silver electro-migration, on a flat ceramic surface is effectively eliminated by an upward vertical barrier formed on the surface or a groove formed in the surface between two silver conductors.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film electrochemical apparatus is disclosed. A near net shape ceramic element is molded including a planar base region and a plurality of tubular regions. The planar base region is infiltrated with a non-conductive material. Each of the tubular regions is infiltrated with a porous conductive material. A porous catalytic electrode material is applied onto the infiltrated regions to form one of a cathodic and anodic surface. A ceramic electrolyte coating is deposited onto the porous catalytic electrode material. A porous catalytic electrode material is applied onto the deposited ceramic electrolyte coating. A porous conductive material is deposited onto the porous catalytic electrode to form the other of the cathodic and anodic surface.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (18) for generating a desired gas of the type includes an ionically conductive electrolyte layer (20), a porous electrode layer (22), and a current collector layer (16) that has a high electrical conductivity and is porous to a desired gas (24) generated by the electrochemical device (18). The current collector layer (16) is substantially formed as a film comprised of a layer of spherical refractory material objects (26) having a conductive coating (12) of a precious metal. The coated spherical objects (26) have a desired diameter (28) making them suitable for forming into the film.

Abstract: A porous ceramic substrate structure (10) having an interior portion (12) formed with an outer surface (14) is porous to at least one selected gas (16). A first ceramic coating layer (18) is applied to the outer surface (14) of the ceramic substrate structure (10) in a suspension state. The first ceramic coating suspension (20) has a desired level of viscosity for application to the substrate and is formed with a ceramic electrolyte powder and at least one organic additive. A second ceramic coating layer (22) is applied to the outer surface (14) following application of the first coating (18). The second coating (22) is initially applied after the first coating (18) and in a suspension state. The ceramic layers (18 and 22) substantially prevent gas leakage through the outer surface (14).

Abstract: An oven insert (110) for a gas generating system of the type that includes heating elements, heat exchanger, a gas generating module (22), an air inlet, and a product gas outlet, includes a furnace enclosure member formed with a plurality of interior chambers. The interior chambers (112) are adapted for holding at least one gas generating module (22). The interior chambers (112) each have an opening (122) formed an exterior face (124) of the furnace enclosure member (110). The openings are spaced along a central axis (126) of the face (124) of the furnace enclosure member (110).

Abstract: An electrochemical device (18) for generating a desired gas of the type includes an ionically conductive electrolyte layer (20), a porous electrode layer (22), and a current collector layer (16) that has a high electrical conductivity and is porous to a desired gas (24) generated by the electrochemical device (18). The current collector layer (16) is substantially formed as a film comprised of a layer of spherical refractory material objects (26) having a conductive coating (12) of a precious metal. The coated spherical objects (26) have a desired diameter (28) making them suitable for forming into the film.

Abstract: A power supply (S) for a gas generating system (G) of the type including a barrier system (10) permeable to selected charged particles (12) flowing from a first side (14) to a second side (16) includes a direct current (DC) power source (18) in an electrical power circuit (20) connected across the first and second sides of the permeable barrier system (10). A plurality of resistive elements (22) are parallel connectable in the electrical circuit (20). Switches (24) selectively connect a desired resistive element (22) between the power source (18) and barrier system (10). A controller (26) activates certain switches (24) to connect a corresponding resistor (22) in the circuit (10) to controllably vary the flow of charged particles across the permeable barrier (10).

Abstract: An oven insert (110) for a gas generating system of the type that includes heating elements, heat exchanger, a gas generating module (22), an air inlet, and a product gas outlet, includes a furnace enclosure member formed with a plurality of interior chambers. The interior chambers (112) are adapted for holding at least one gas generating module (22). The interior chambers (112) each have an opening (122) formed an exterior face (124) of the furnace enclosure member (110). The openings are spaced along a central axis (126) of the face (124) of the furnace enclosure member (110).

Abstract: A porous ceramic substrate structure (10) having an interior portion (12) formed with an outer surface (14) is porous to at least one selected gas (16). A first ceramic coating layer (18) is applied to the outer surface (14) of the ceramic substrate structure (10) in a suspension state. The first ceramic coating suspension (20) has a desired level of viscosity for application to the substrate and is formed with a ceramic electrolyte powder and at least one organic additive. A second ceramic coating layer (22) is applied to the outer surface (14) following application of the first coating (18). The second coating (22) is initially applied after the first coating (18) and in a suspension state. The ceramic layers (18 and 22) substantially prevent gas leakage through the outer surface (14).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film electrochemical apparatus is disclosed. A near net shape ceramic element is molded including a planar base region and a plurality of tubular regions. The planar base region is infiltrated with a non-conductive material. Each of the tubular regions is infiltrated with a porous conductive material. A porous catalytic electrode material is applied onto the infiltrated regions to form one of a cathodic and anodic surface. A ceramic electrolyte coating is deposited onto the porous catalytic electrode material. A porous catalytic electrode material is applied onto the deposited ceramic electrolyte coating. A porous conductive material is deposited onto the porous catalytic electrode to form the other of the cathodic and anodic surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film electrochemical apparatus is disclosed. A near net shape ceramic element is molded including a planar base region and a plurality of tubular regions. The planar base region is infiltrated with a non-conductive material. Each of the tubular regions is infiltrated with a porous conductive material. A porous catalytic electrode material is applied onto the infiltrated regions to form one of a cathodic and anodic surface. A ceramic electrolyte coating is deposited onto the porous catalytic electrode material. A porous catalytic electrode material is applied onto the deposited ceramic electrolyte coating. A porous conductive material is deposited onto the porous catalytic electrode to form the other of the cathodic and anodic surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices for separating oxygen from more complex gasses such as air which contains oxygen, and delivering the separated-oxygen at an elevated pressure for use immediately, or for storage and use later. More particularly, the invention relates to solid state electrochemical devices for separating oxygen from more complex gasses to produce the desired oxygen and delivering the oxygen at elevated pressures up to and exceeding 2000 psig.