Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a first fuel cell tube, a second fuel cell tube, and an interconnect member. The first fuel cell tube further includes an active area having a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series, a first cathode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube inlet and a first anode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube outlet. The second fuel cell tube includes a second fuel cell tube comprising an active area having a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series, a second anode lead disposed between a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube inlet and a second cathode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube outlet.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a manifold member comprising a plurality of openings. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a plurality of fuel cell tube units. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a fuel cell tube unit to manifold interconnect member providing a fluid flow channel between the manifold member and the plurality of tubes, wherein the fuel cell tube unit to manifold interconnect member comprises a polymer material.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell tube, a flame tip protection member and a current conduction member. The first fuel cell tube has a flame end. The flame end has exit opening. The fuel cell tube is configured to deliver combustible gas to the flame tip region generating a flame kernel. The flame protection member is configured to inhibit at least one of mass transfer and heat transfer between the fuel cell tube and the flame tip region. The current conduction member is disposed through the exit opening of the flame end of the first fuel cell tube.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a plurality of fuel cell tubes. Each fuel cell includes an active area and an anode outer surface disposed downstream the active area. The solid oxide fuel cell tube further includes an interconnect member disposed circumferentially around the fuel cell tube electrically contacting the anode outer surface.

Abstract: A method for managing power flow within an aerial vehicle includes determining a fuel cell power limit and a battery energy reserve. The method further includes determining a flight operation power requirement. The method further includes determining priority levels of secondary operations and providing power for secondary operations based on the priority levels.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle is configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode. A method for controlling the aerial includes providing a base fuel cell upper power limit. The method further includes controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode. The method further includes operating the fuel cell above the base upper fuel cell power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode.

Abstract: In one aspect there is disclosed a solid oxide fuel cell including an insulating housing. A plurality of interconnected cells defining a stack are disposed within the housing. Each of the fuel cells includes an anode and a cathode. A bypass circuit is positioned outside of the housing and is coupled between the anode and the cathode of at least a portion of the plurality of cells allowing modification of an interconnection between the cells.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system including measuring an open circuit voltage of a fuel cell. The method further includes determining an air actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the air actuator based on the air actuator control signal. The method further includes determining a fuel actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the fuel actuator based on the fuel actuator control signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system is described in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The method includes measuring an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes determining an air actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the air actuator based on the air actuator control signal. The method further includes determining a fuel actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the fuel actuator based on the fuel actuator control signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is disclosed a power management device that includes a housing, at least one input port, and at least one output port. Also included is a CPU and a user interface. Electrical circuitry connects the ports, CPU and user interface. The CPU includes a real-time operating system and programs actively controlling a power usage.

Abstract: In one aspect there is disclosed a solid oxide fuel cell including an insulating housing. A plurality of interconnected cells defining a stack are disposed within the housing. Each of the fuel cells includes an anode and a cathode. A bypass circuit is positioned outside of the housing and is coupled between the anode and the cathode of at least a portion of the plurality of cells allowing modification of an interconnection between the cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack configured to input raw fuel from a fuel source to produce electrical energy includes a fuel cell comprising an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The anode defines an anode chamber, and a hydrogen separation member is disposed within the anode chamber. The hydrogen separation member has a first side and a second side. The first side of the hydrogen separation member defines a raw fuel chamber. The hydrogen separation member transfer hydrogen between the first side and the second side to provide hydrogen fuel to the anode of the fuel cell, while inhibiting the transportation of gas molecules between the first side and the second side.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system includes monitoring a signal indicative of a water level within the fuel cell system. The method further includes determining an anode air flow rate based on the monitored signal indicative of water level. The method further includes controlling the anode air actuator based on the determined anode air flow rate.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes an electrochemical fuel cell, a fuel reformer and a hydrogen separation member. The electrochemical fuel cell includes a fuel electrode electrochemically generating water from hydrogen fuel and oxygen ions. The fuel reformer configured to receive a raw fuel stream and to react raw fuel and recycled water to form hydrogen fuel and exhaust gases. The hydrogen separation member is configured to separate hydrogen fuel from the exhaust gases such that the hydrogen fuel transported through the hydrogen separation member is routed from the hydrogen separation member to the fuel electrode. The hydrogen separation member partially defines a water recycle conduit configured to route water to the raw fuel stream upstream the fuel reformer.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprises a tube forming an anode, electrolyte and cathode, and a catalytic substrate is positioned within the tube. Such solid oxide fuel cells are highly compact and lightweight, and can be used in portable applications.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a tube, a spacer element, a catalytic substrate and an anode current collector. The solid oxide fuel cell further includes a spacer element disposed within the tube. The solid oxide fuel cell further includes a catalytic substrate disposed within the anode current collector electrically contacting the anode of the tube and providing an electrical current path inside the tube past the catalytic substrate to the inlet opening.

Abstract: A reaction product control system for a fuel cell that includes a controller and a fuel mass flow sensor linked with the controller. An oxidant mass flow sensor is also linked with the controller. Fuel and oxidant control devices are linked with the controller. A fuel and oxidant react to form a reaction product. The fuel mass flow sensor is calibrated for a fuel at an oxidant flow rate and the controller then automatically adjusts the fuel control device when the fuel changes composition to produce the desired reaction product.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a voltage providing member configured to provide a non-zero reference voltage to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell stack subunits electrically coupled in series electrical connections and a plurality of field effect transistor assemblies. The field effect transistor assemblies include a switch member. Each field effect transistor assemblies is coupled to one of the fuel cell stack subunits and comprises a ground lead, a positive lead, a negative lead, and a bypass lead, a voltage between the ground lead and at least one of the positive lead and the negative lead providing an operating voltage for operating the switching member.

Abstract: In one aspect there is disclosed a solid oxide fuel cell including an insulating housing. A plurality of interconnected cells defining a stack are disposed within the housing. Each of the fuel cells includes an anode and a cathode. A bypass circuit is positioned outside of the housing and is coupled between the anode and the cathode of at least a portion of the plurality of cells allowing modification of an interconnection between the cells.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is disclosed a power management device that includes a housing, at least one input port, and at least one output port. Also included is a CPU and a user interface. Electrical circuitry connects the ports, CPU and user interface. The CPU includes a real-time operating system and programs actively controlling a power usage.