Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pouch-type secondary battery and a manufacturing method thereof including. The pouch-type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly; an electrode lead extending from an electrode tab of the electrode assembly; an upper pouch; and a lower pouch. The upper pouch and the lower pouch include a sealed area where the edges are sealed and an unsealed area. An average thickness of the sealed area of the upper pouch and an average thickness of the sealed area of the lower pouch are equal to each other, and the average thickness of the unsealed area of the upper pouch is smaller than the average thickness of the unsealed area of the lower pouch, so that even if the thickness of the lower pouch is reduced during the sealing process of heat-sealing, the sealed area of the upper and lower pouches are formed with little difference in thickness.

Abstract: A fuel-cell system is disclosed. The fuel cell system includes: a system module having one or more fuel-cell stacks, a first reformer for converting at least some of hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen, and supplying the hydrogen to the fuel-cell stacks, and a housing for receiving the fuel-cell stacks, and the first reformer therein; and a start-up module disposed outside the housing, and removably coupled to the system module, wherein the start-up module supplies hydrogen-containing fuel to the fuel-cell stacks until a temperature of the fuel-cell stack reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell module including a plurality of unit cells for generating electrical energy by using oxygen of air and hydrogen of a reformed fuel gas; a first module including a burner part which burns an unreacted fuel gas and air discharged from the fuel cell module, an air-heating part which heats air through heat exchange with a hot combustion gas and a flame generated by the burner part and supplies the heated air to the fuel cell module, and a water vapor generation part which converts water, flowing through an inner portion thereof, into water vapor through heat exchange with a hot combustion gas generated by the burner part; and a second module which mixes a fuel supplied from an external fuel supply source and water vapor supplied from a water-vapor generator part.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack array is disclosed. The fuel cell stack array includes a first fuel cell stack having a first upper frame structure formed with a first through-hole for exposing a first topmost connector layer positioned at top of a first single cell stack structure, a second fuel cell stack having a second upper frame structure formed with a second through-hole for exposing a second topmost connector layer positioned at top of a second single cell stack structure, and a first current collector electrically connecting the first and second topmost connector layers via the first and second through-holes.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed. The fuel cell system comprises: a fuel cell module including a plurality of unit cells for generating electrical energy by using oxygen of air and hydrogen of a reformed fuel gas; a first module including a burner part which burns an unreacted fuel gas and air discharged from the fuel cell module, an air-heating part which heats air through heat exchange with a hot combustion gas and a flame generated by the burner part and supplies the heated air to the fuel cell module, and a water vapor generation part which converts water, flowing through an inner portion thereof, into water vapor through heat exchange with a hot combustion gas generated by the burner part; and a second module which mixes a fuel supplied from an external fuel supply source and water vapor supplied from an water-vapor generator part, allows a water vapor reformation reaction to occur, and supplies a reformed fuel gas to the fuel cell module.

Abstract: There is provided a frame for a fuel cell. The frame include a frame body having a channel opening defined therein and a feed opening and a discharge opening defined therein, wherein the feed opening and discharge opening are spaced apart from each other with the channel opening being disposed therebetween; and a plurality of anti-deformation support structures protruding from a top face of the frame body, in a first region between the channel opening and the feed opening and in a second region between the channel opening and the discharge opening, wherein each of the plurality of anti-deformation support structures has an elliptical cross-sectional shape having a major axis and a minor axis.

Abstract: A water-vapor generating apparatus used for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel is disclosed. The water-vapor generating apparatus includes a chamber body; a partitioning member to divide a space defined in the chamber body into a water-vapor discharge space and a heating space; a tubular pipe having a first opened end in water-communication with an external water-supply apparatus and a second opened end in vapor-communication with the water-vapor discharge space, wherein the tubular pipe extends through the heating space; and a heater configured to supply thermal energy to the heating space. Such a water-vapor generating apparatus may supply water-vapor, in a stable and uniform manner, to a fuel reforming apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell stack structure. The fuel cell stack structure includes first and second cell modules and first and second separation plates. In each of the first and second cell modules, one or more fuel cells generating electricity are stacked, and each of the fuel cells includes an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer and an anode layer formed on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer, respectively, and generates electricity. The first and second separation plates are electrically connected to the first and second cell modules, respectively, and each separation plate has an air hole and a fuel hole at edges to provide an air including oxygen and a fuel gas including hydrogen to the cathode layer and the anode layer, respectively. At least one separation plate has a sealing unit for sealing the air hole and the fuel hole, and has a protruded convex at a different part from the sealing unit to improve an electrical contact with the other separation plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack array is disclosed. The fuel cell stack array includes a first fuel cell stack having a first upper frame structure formed with a first through-hole for exposing a first topmost connector layer positioned at top of a first single cell stack structure, a second fuel cell stack having a second upper frame structure formed with a second through-hole for exposing a second topmost connector layer positioned at top of a second single cell stack structure, and a first current collector electrically connecting the first and second topmost connector layers via the first and second through-holes.

Abstract: A fuel-cell system is disclosed. The fuel cell system includes: a system module having one or more fuel-cell stacks, a first reformer for converting at least some of hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen, and supplying the hydrogen to the fuel-cell stacks, and a housing for receiving the fuel-cell stacks, and the first reformer therein; and a start-up module disposed outside the housing, and removably coupled to the system module, wherein the start-up module supplies hydrogen-containing fuel to the fuel-cell stacks until a temperature of the fuel-cell stack reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: There is provided a frame for a fuel cell. The frame include a frame body having a channel opening defined therein and a feed opening and a discharge opening defined therein, wherein the feed opening and discharge opening are spaced apart from each other with the channel opening being disposed therebetween; and a plurality of anti-deformation support structures protruding from a top face of the frame body, in a first region between the channel opening and the feed opening and in a second region between the channel opening and the discharge opening, wherein each of the plurality of anti-deformation support structures has an elliptical cross-sectional shape having a major axis and a minor axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid oxide fuel cell stack. The solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a unit cell, a cell frame configured to support an edge of the unit cell, a interconnecting member disposed under the cell frame, a sealing member disposed between the cell frame and the interconnecting member, and a spacer member configured to uniformly maintain an interval between the cell frame and the interconnecting member. The spacer member is disposed at an area between the cell frame and the interconnecting member, which is not sealed by the sealing member, and formed of a mica or insulating ceramic.

Abstract: A water-vapor generating apparatus used for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel is disclosed. The water-vapor generating apparatus includes a chamber body; a partitioning member to divide a space defined in the chamber body into a water-vapor discharge space and a heating space; a tubular pipe having a first opened end in water-communication with an external water-supply apparatus and a second opened end in vapor-communication with the water-vapor discharge space, wherein the tubular pipe extends through the heating space; and a heater configured to supply thermal energy to the heating space. Such a water-vapor generating apparatus may supply water-vapor, in a stable and uniform manner, to a fuel reforming apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a stacked structure for a fuel cell in which the plurality of fuel cells are stacked. Each of the fuel cells includes an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer and an anode layer disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer. The stacked structure includes at least one interconnector, at least one frame, and at least one complex functional part. The interconnector includes a central area electrically connected to the fuel cell, and edge area outwardly extending with respect to end portions of the fuel cell. The frame supports a side portion of the fuel cell to reinforce strength of the fuel cell supported by the interconnector. The complex functional part is disposed between the interconnector and the frame to constantly maintain an interval therebetween.

Abstract: Provided are a current collector for a fuel cell and a stack structure having the same. The fuel cell includes an electrolyte layer, and an air electrode layer and a fuel electrode layer on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer and generates electricity, and the current collector includes an even surface configured to electrically surface-contact with the air electrode layer or the fuel electrode layer; and a plurality of openings punched so that air or a fuel gas directly contacts with the air electrode layer or the fuel electrode layer.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first main body, a guide member disposed on a side surface of the first main body, and a connecting member disposed on the first main body. The second connector is configured to be combined with the first connector. The second connector includes a second main body, a fixing member disposed on a side surface of the second main body and rotatably connected to each side surfaces at an end portion of the second main body, and a connecting pad disposed on the second main body to contact with the connecting member. Thus, the first connector and the second connector may combine and separate easily, so that a damage of the connector assembly may be prevented.

Abstract: Provided is a stack structure for fuel cells. The stack structure includes a plurality of fuel cells stacked to generate electricity. The stack structure further includes an interconnector and a frame. The interconnector is divided into a central region supporting and electrically connected with the fuel cells and an edge region outwardly extending from an end of the fuel cell. The frame is disposed to support a side of the fuel cell in the edge region of the interconnector, and has a combined functional layer coated on an entire surface of the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for a solid oxide fuel cell, which electrically connects tubular solid oxide fuel cells to each other. The connector includes a conductive body part having a first electrode contact groove and a second electrode contact groove. A first electrode contact part is formed on the top surface of the body part to receive at least a portion of an exposed first electrode portion and second electrode portion of a first solid oxide fuel cell, and is electrically connected to the first electrode of the first solid oxide fuel cell. A second electrode contact part is formed at the bottom surface of the body part so as to receive at least a portion of exposed first electrode portion and second electrode portion of a second solid oxide fuel cell, and is electrically connected to the second electrode of the second solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell stack structure. The fuel cell stack structure includes first and second cell modules and first and second separation plates. In each of the first and second cell modules, one or more fuel cells generating electricity are stacked, and each of the fuel cells includes an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer and an anode layer formed on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer, respectively, and generates electricity. The first and second separation plates are electrically connected to the first and second cell modules, respectively, and each separation plate has an air hole and a fuel hole at edges to provide an air including oxygen and a fuel gas including hydrogen to the cathode layer and the anode layer, respectively. At least one separation plate has a sealing unit for sealing the air hole and the fuel hole, and has a protruded convex at a different part from the sealing unit to improve an electrical contact with the other separation plate.

Abstract: Provided is a stack structure for fuel cells. The stack structure includes a plurality of fuel cells stacked to generate electricity. The stack structure further includes an interconnector and a frame. The interconnector is divided into a central region supporting and electrically connected with the fuel cells and an edge region outwardly extending from an end of the fuel cell. The frame is disposed to support a side of the fuel cell in the edge region of the interconnector, and has a combined functional layer coated on an entire surface of the frame.