Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided including a fuel cell stack including at least one fuel cell, a first compression plate disposed adjacent the fuel cell stack, a second compression plate disposed adjacent the fuel cell stack, and a compression enclosure apparatus. The compression enclosure apparatus comprises a unitary main body having first and second fastening points and an intermediate portion, wherein the first fastening point and the second fastening point are coupled to the first compression plate and the intermediate portion is disposed adjacent the second compression plate. The fuel cell system minimizes a number of components required to retain compression of the fuel cell stack, minimizes a mass of the fuel cell system, and simplifies a design of the fuel cell system. Also provided is a method for assembling the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid oxide electrochemical device comprising disposing electrolyte between a first electrode and a second electrode, applying a bonding agent between the first electrode and a first interconnect, applying a sealing agent between the first electrode and the first interconnect, disposing a second interconnect adjacent to the second electrode, heating the first interconnect, the first electrode, the electrolyte, the second electrode, the second interconnect, the bonding agent, and the sealing agent to at least one intermediate temperature for at least one intermediate length of time, and then to a curing temperature, for a curing time, effective to bond and seal the first electrode to the first interconnect, wherein the at least one intermediate temperature is less than the curing temperature.

Abstract: A cassette for a high-temperature fuel cell stack, comprising at least one fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, and a metal cell frame which surrounds the fuel cell peripherally, wherein the metal cell frame has two sections, these being an inner thin compensating frame that contacts the fuel cell and a thicker, rigid outer frame which is provided for contacting the interconnector. The inner compensating frame comprises a peripheral bead at room temperature, which entirely disappears at temperatures between 980° C. and 1100° C., as a result of the prevailing stresses. The bead has special relief functions. It is significant that this special function of the formed bead is exclusively achieved by way of the warping in the compensating metal sheet or the compensating film, and is formed solely by way of the joining sequence applied, which is to say only in combination with the joining process employed.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus comprising a plurality of planar fuel cell assemblies is disclosed. Each planar fuel cell assembly comprises two fuel cell members, a channel-forming member interposed between the two fuel cell members and defining a first channel for flowing a fluid fuel along with the two fuel cell members, and a coupling member to be coupled with an adjacent planar fuel cell assembly to define a second channel for flowing an ambient air, wherein the coupling member has a plurality of openings for flowing the ambient air therethrough.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack is provided. The method provides forming an inspectable preassembly of multiple fuel cell assemblies that may be termed a pseudostack. Each fuel cell in the pseudostack has permanent electrical interconnections and sealing connections on only one of the two electrodes, namely an anode layer or a cathode layer. For example, an anode interconnect may be firmly attached to the anode layer by means of a bonding agent and a sealing agent used to seal passages on the anode layer of the fuel cell. Alternatively, seals and permanent electrical connections may be made on the cathode layer of the fuel cell, and not on the anode layer.

Abstract: An anode support for supporting an anode electrode in a fuel cell assembly in which the anode support has a first support member formed of a porous non-wettable material and a second support member abutting and joined with the second member and having a plurality of through openings. Also disclosed is a bipolar separator having an electrolyte barrier over predetermined limited portions of its outer surface so as to prevent or retard electrolyte creeping.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an electricity generating element, which generates electrical energy through a reaction of a fuel and oxygen. The electricity generating element includes a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), a first separator positioned at a first side of the MEA and having a heat sink element positioned therein for dissipating heat generated through the reaction of the fuel and oxygen, and a second separator positioned at a second, opposite side of the MEA.

Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell seal assembly includes a first layer, a second layer; and a third layer that limits movement of hydrogen, oxygen, or both between the first layer and the second layer within a fuel cell.

Abstract: It is an object to shorten current path between an anode and a cathode in a tube type SOFC and thereby to decrease resistance. The tube type fuel cell contains a tube type electrolyte placed between an anode and a cathode, wherein an auxiliary electrode is provided over the entire region of a cell reaction region on at least one of the anode and cathode. The current path is shortened and resistance is decreased, because the anode auxiliary electrode or cathode auxiliary electrode is provided over the entire peripheral surface of the anode or cathode, and the current path in the auxiliary electrode has a greatly increased cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs one or more PTC ceramic heaters that do not need to be self-regulated, and thus will not require various control components, such as temperature sensors. The PTC ceramic heaters include a ceramic material that is designed for a particular temperature depending on the particular application. An electrical current is applied to the ceramic heater that generates heat as long as the temperature of the ceramic heater is below the designed temperature. If the ceramic heater reaches the designed temperature, then the resistance of the ceramic material goes up, and the current through the ceramic material goes down, so that the heater does not provide significant heating. Therefore, it does not need to be regulated.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells, wherein each solid oxide fuel cell comprises an electrolyte located between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a plurality of gas separators, and at least one compliant cathode contact material. The contact material may be a metallic felt, foam or mesh, an electrically conductive glass or an electrically conductive ceramic felt located between at least one of the plurality of gas separators and a cathode electrode of an adjacent solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: The collecting plate of the present invention is used in a stacked fuel cell, and comprises a collecting section and an output terminal that is electrically connected to the collecting section and has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the collecting section. For example, the output terminal is formed by bending at least part of an output terminal forming portion that is extended from the collecting section, at least one time.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a separator for fuel cells which is of improved strength and corrosion resistance and facilitates the assembling of unit cells. The separator comprises an electrically conductive resin layer formed by electrodeposition in such a way as to cover a metal substrate and a gasket component. The resin layer contains an electrically conductive material. The separator of the invention has thus an enhanced corrosion resistance, makes some considerable improvements in the assembling work efficiency of unit cells, and makes sure higher strength because of the use of the metal substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature fuel cell system including individual SOFC fuel cells which are in contact with each other to be electrically connected in parallel or in series. Contacting elements are provided, in at least one embodiment, that are suitable for the fuel cell system with a certain flexibility in addition to electrical conductivity for continuous operation. The contacting elements are provided, in at least one embodiment, between two fuel cells with an outer, metallically conductive jacket and a ceramic core. For example, ceramic felts can be enveloped by a nickel net by adequately shaping the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to stackable high-temperature fuel cells which are combined to form so-called fuel cell stacks and also can be connected to each other electrically conductively in series and/or in parallel. According to the set object, such high-temperature fuel cells are intended to form an electrically conductive connection between a cathode and an interconnector which, even at temperatures above 800° C. and also in the oxidising atmosphere prevailing during operation of fuel cells, have a sufficiently high electrical conductivity, a chemically and mechanically adequate strength or stability. The high-temperature fuel cells according to the invention are connected, on the anode-side, to a fuel supply and, on the cathode-side, to an oxidant supply. The cathode is connected electrically conductively by means of at least one resilient contact element to an interconnector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell stack having a single body support. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of single body fuel cells each including a single body support having a plurality of cylindrical supports and a connector for connecting the cylindrical supports in parallel, a unit cell having a cathode layer, an electrolyte layer and an anode layer sequentially formed on an outer surface of the single body support and a connection member protruding outward from the cathode layer on one side of an outer surface of the cathode layer and spaced apart from the anode layer, and a plurality of connection plates which are alternately stacked with the single body fuel cells and in which one surface of the connection plates is in contact with the anode layer and the other surface thereof is in contact with the connection member, wherein the connection plates are made of metal to thus obviate a need for an additional current collector and are used to collect current.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is used for a planer type fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, anodes and cathodes disposed counter to the anodes. Ends of current collectors are connected to one side of the anodes, respectively. Ends of current collectors are connected to one side of the cathodes, respectively. On a cathode side, the current collectors are provided in positions opposed respectively to the insulators provided on an anode side with the electrolyte membrane interposed in between. A cathode-side current collection and an anode-side current collector are connected by an interconnector, and adjacent cells are electrically connected in series with each other.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is disclosed, the fuel cell assembly including a pair of terminal plates, one terminal plate disposed at each end of the fuel cell assembly, a fuel cell disposed between a pair of end fuel cells and the terminal plates, and a thermally insulating, electrically conductive layer formed between the fuel cell and one of the terminal plates adapted to mitigate thermal losses from the end plate, and fluid condensation and ice formation in an end fuel cell. The end fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly have a membrane and/or a cathode having a thickness greater than an average thickness of a membrane and/or a cathode disposed in the fuel cell that may be used in conjunction with, or instead of, the insulating layer to further mitigate thermal losses from the end plate, and fluid condensation and ice formation in the end fuel cells.

Abstract: A connecter comprises a housing having a first projection formed on an upper half of a first lateral surface over the entire width thereof between the front surface and the rear surface, and a second projection formed on a lower half of a second lateral surface opposed to the first lateral surface; a single detection terminal mounted inside the first projection, capable of connection to an electrode of a single cell contained in a fuel cell; and a detection terminal mounted in the lower half of the housing, capable of connection to the electrode of the single cell contained in the fuel cell. The detection terminals are all arranged at equal intervals.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes an anode flow board, a cathode board, an intermediate adhesive layer, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including a membrane edge, and a leak-proof adhesive layer mounted on the membrane edge, thereby preventing contact between the intermediate adhesive layer and the membrane edge. The adhesive ability of the leak-proof adhesive layer to the membrane edge is higher than that of the intermediate adhesive layer to the membrane edge. Therefore, the methanol leakage from the membrane can be avoided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack and at least one hydration sensor apparatus for measuring membrane hydration in the fuel cell stack is disclosed. The hydration sensor apparatus comprises (1) an electrically insulated sensor comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, (2) a power supply, and (3) a load resistor. The sensor, the power supply and the load resistor of the hydration sensor apparatus are electrically connected and the sensor of the hydration sensor apparatus is fluidly connected to the fuel cell stack such that, during operation of the fuel cell system, the polymer electrolyte membrane of the hydration sensor apparatus is exposed to a fuel fluid stream of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell has a structure in which generation modules are stacked. In each of the generation modules, there are cells are stacked. Each of the cells generates unitary power from fuel energy. A fuel cell system including the fuel stack operates either all or some of the generation modules in consideration of the quantity of power consumed by a load.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically conductive member for electrically connecting a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells in series and/or parallel to assemble a fuel-cell stack. The electrically conductive member according to the present invention comprises a metal sheet having a three-dimensional porous structure of a continuous skeleton. The electrically conductive member according to the present invention is three-dimensionally strong and is highly elastic and resilient. Therefore, the thickness of the electrically conductive member can be easily re-regulated in the regulation of spacing between the fuel cells. Further, even after baking or power generation, the electrically conductive member is not sintered, and separation easily takes place in the folded interface, and, thus, excellent maintainability can be realized.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack is provided. The method provides forming an inspectable preassembly of multiple fuel cell assemblies that may be termed a pseudostack. Each fuel cell in the pseudostack has permanent electrical interconnections and sealing connections on only one of the two electrodes, namely an anode layer or a cathode layer. For example, an anode interconnect may be firmly attached to the anode layer by means of a bonding agent and a sealing agent used to seal passages on the anode layer of the fuel cell. Alternatively, seals and permanent electrical connections may be made on the cathode layer of the fuel cell, and not on the anode layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a method for driving the fuel cell system are disclosed. In one aspect, the fuel cell system may include a fuel stack, a fuel supply unit, an oxidizer supply unit, a humidifying unit, and a controller configured to measure the temperature of unit cells within the fuel cell stack and configured to detect the lowest measured temperature. The fuel cell stack may include a membrane electrode assembly and a plurality of unit cells. The membrane electrode assembly may include a membrane, a cathode disposed at a first side of the membrane and an anode disposed at a second side of the membrane.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell includes a fuel cell electrolyte membrane, an anode disposed at a first side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode disposed at a second side of the electrolyte membrane, wherein the cathode has a thickness and an area, the cathode area extending in a plane substantially parallel to a major surface of the electrolyte membrane, the cathode area includes a central area and a peripheral area, the peripheral area extending to lateral edges of the cathode, the central area includes hydrophilic portions and hydrophobic portions, the peripheral area includes hydrophilic portions and hydrophobic portions, and the central area is more hydrophobic than the peripheral area.

Abstract: There are disclosed a fuel cell manufacturing device in which a time of an assembling operation of a fuel cell can be reduced, and the fuel cell. A fuel cell manufacturing device is for use in manufacturing a fuel cell having a cell component including a plurality of stacked cells, and a pressurizing component which pressurizes the cell component in a stacking direction, and the device includes a first displacement measurement section which measures a displacement in a case where a defined load is applied to the cell component, and a second displacement measurement section which measures a displacement in a case where a defined load is applied to the pressurizing component. During the assembling operation, a shim for length adjustment having a thickness corresponding to the displacements is selected, and this shim is arranged between the cell component and the pressurizing component.