Bloom Energy Corporation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150288220 | Parallel Control of Multiple Uninterruptable Power Modules ("UPMs") - Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable parallel control of multiple uninterruptable power modules (“UPMs”) connecting multiple power sources to a bus in parallel. A UPM may be comprised of at least one controller coupled to at least one inverter, and the UPM may be configured to convert the DC voltage output from a DC source to an AC voltage, such as an AC voltage suitable for output to an AC bus. A UPM may receive a power sharing command and control its at least one inverter based at least in part on the received power sharing command to output a voltage to a bus. | 10-08-2015 |
20150244011 | Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) Analyzer And Method of Using Thereof - Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a hardware and software architecture enabling electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (“EIS”) to be performed on multiple electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, at the same time without human interaction with the electrochemical devices. In an embodiment, a matrix switch may connect each cell of a fuel cell stack individually to an EIS analyzer enabling EIS to be performed on any fuel cell in the fuel cell stack. In a further embodiment, the EIS analyzer may be a multi-channel EIS analyzer, and the combination of the matrix switch and multi-channel EIS analyzer may enable EIS to be performed on multiple fuel cells simultaneously | 08-27-2015 |
20140342267 | Corrosion Resistant Barrier Layer for a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack and Method of Making Thereof - A method of forming diffusion barrier layer includes providing an interconnect for a fuel cell stack, forming a glass barrier precursor layer over a Mn and/or Co containing electrically conductive contact layer on the interconnect, and heating the barrier precursor layer to precipitate crystals in the barrier precursor layer to convert the barrier precursor layer to a glass ceramic barrier layer. | 11-20-2014 |
20140332145 | Methods and Devices for Printing Seals for Fuel Cell Stacks - Various embodiments include a fuel cell stack seal application method including the step of applying a seal paste to a fuel cell, placing the fuel cell in a fuel cell stack, and thermally treating the fuel cell stack to set the seal paste into a seal. Further embodiments include applying the seal paste to an interconnect using stencil printing. | 11-13-2014 |
20140272612 | FUEL CELL MECHANICAL COMPONENTS - A modular fuel cell system includes a metal base, a plurality of power modules arranged in a row on the base, a fuel processing module and a power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each of the plurality of power modules includes a separate cabinet comprising at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the fuel processing and the power conditioning modules through the base. | 09-18-2014 |
20140272114 | Abrasion Resistant Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrode Ink - A method for forming a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes co-firing the anode and cathode electrode layers, which involves placing an unfired anode onto a surface during the cathode print cycle. To avoid damage to the electrolyte and cathode production cycle by the green anode ink, an abrasion resistant ink is used to print the anode electrode layer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140242495 | Anode with Remarkable Stability Under Conditions of Extreme Fuel Starvation - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode having a first region located adjacent to a fuel inlet and a second region located adjacent to a fuel outlet. The anode electrode includes a cermet having a nickel containing phase and a ceramic phase. The first region of the anode electrode contains a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second region of the anode electrode. | 08-28-2014 |
20140242492 | Fuel Cell Stack Compression Devices and Methods - A spring compression assembly is configured to apply a load to a stack of electrochemical cells. The assembly includes a ceramic leaf spring, a tensioner configured to apply pressure to a first side of the spring and a bottom plate located on a second side of the spring opposite the first side of the spring. The bottom plate is configured to transfer a load from the spring to the stack of electrochemical cells. | 08-28-2014 |
20140213426 | Seal Compositions, Methods, and Structures for Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - A seal composition includes a first alkaline earth metal oxide, a second alkaline earth metal oxide which is different from the first alkaline earth metal oxide, aluminum oxide, and silica in an amount such that molar percent of silica in the composition is at least five molar percent greater than two times a combined molar percent of the first alkaline earth metal oxide and the second alkaline earth metal oxide. The composition is substantially free of boron oxide and phosphorus oxide. The seal composition forms a glass ceramic seal which includes silica containing glass cores located in a crystalline matrix comprising barium aluminosilicate, and calcium aluminosilicate crystals located in the glass cores. | 07-31-2014 |
20140195031 | Serialization of Fuel Cell Components - Systems and methods for fuel cell stack part serialization and tracking. In an embodiment, a barcode may be applied to a fuel cell stack part which may identify the fuel cell stack part. In an embodiment, the barcode may be applied as ink on a green fuel cell stack part prior to sintering. In an embodiment, a portion of a fuel cell stack part may be imaged and pattern recognition techniques may be utilized to identify the fuel cell stack part based on the unique features of fuel cell stack part. In an embodiment, portion of a fuel cell stack part may be measured to generate one or more series of unique volume/area values and one or more series of unique volume/area values may be utilized to identify the fuel cell stack part. | 07-10-2014 |
20140193317 | Methods of Recovering Scandium from Titanium Residue Streams - A method for selectively removing scandium from a scandium-containing feed solution includes contacting the scandium-containing feed solution with a solvent stream in plural stages using cross current extraction, in which the solvent is loaded with at least a portion of the scandium from the feed solution, and/or ion exchange, and separating the loaded solvent from remaining scandium-containing feed solution. | 07-10-2014 |
20140193064 | Optical Measurement Method and Apparatus for Fuel Cell Components - Methods and systems for measuring a property of a component of a fuel cell system include performing a three-dimensional optical scan of at least a portion of a surface of the component to produce a three-dimensional representation of the topography of the at least a portion of the surface and measuring at least one property of the component based on the three-dimensional representation. Further embodiments include systems and methods for measuring dimensions of a fuel cell component using a line scan imaging device and/or a matrix camera. | 07-10-2014 |
20140178786 | SOFC HOT BOX COMPONENTS - Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components. | 06-26-2014 |
20140170516 | INCREASING THERMAL DISSIPATION OF FUEL CELL STACKS UNDER PARTIAL ELECTRICAL LOAD - A method of operating a high temperature fuel cell system containing a plurality of fuel cell stacks includes operating one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks at a first output power while operating another one or more of the plurality of the fuel cell stacks at a second output power different from the first output power. | 06-19-2014 |
20140162162 | Fuel Cell System Hot Box Insulation - A method of insulating a base portion of a fuel cell system including pouring an insulation that can be poured to fill at least 30 volume % of a base portion cavity of the fuel cell system housing through an opening in a sidewall of the housing. The base portion cavity of the housing is located between a bottom wall of the housing and a stack support base plate located in the housing. The stack support base plate supports one or more columns of fuel cell stacks. | 06-12-2014 |
20140162158 | FUEL CELL BYPASS DIODE STRUCTURES AND ATTACHMENT METHODS - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load. | 06-12-2014 |
20140162155 | DERIVATION OF CONTROL PARAMETERS OF FUEL CELL SYSTEMS FOR FLEXIBLE FUEL OPERATION - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization. | 06-12-2014 |
20140147766 | Hermetic High Temperature Dielectric Conduit Assemblies - A conduit assembly for a fuel cell system includes a dielectric tube comprising a first end and a second end, a first metal tube including a first lip coupled to the first end of the dielectric tube, a first dielectric ring coupled to the first lip of the first metal tube, a second metal tube including a second lip coupled to the second end of the dielectric tube, and a second dielectric ring coupled to the second lip of the second metal tube. | 05-29-2014 |
20140141344 | Doped Scandia Stabilized Zirconia Electrolyte Compositions - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrolyte composition includes zirconia stabilized with scandia, and at least one of magnesia, zinc oxide, indium oxide, and gallium oxide, and optionally ceria in addition to the oxides above. | 05-22-2014 |
20140127604 | INTERCONNECT AND END PLATE DESIGN FOR FUEL CELL STACK - Various embodiments include interconnects and/or end plates having features for reducing stress in a fuel cell stack. In embodiments, an interconnect/end plate may have a window seal area that is recessed relative to the flow field to indirectly reduce stress induced by an interface seal. Other features may include a thicker protective coating and/or larger uncoated area of an end plate, providing a recessed portion on an end plate for an interface seal, and/or recessing the fuel hole region of an interconnect relative to the flow field to reduce stress on the fuel cell. Further embodiments include providing intermittent seal support to minimize asymmetric seal loading and/or a non-circular seal configuration to reduce stress around the fuel hole of a fuel cell. | 05-08-2014 |
20140127603 | INTERCONNECT AND END PLATE DESIGN FOR FUEL CELL STACK - Various embodiments include interconnects and/or end plates having features for reducing stress in a fuel cell stack. In embodiments, an interconnect/end plate may have a window seal area that is recessed relative to the flow field to indirectly reduce stress induced by an interface seal. Other features may include a thicker protective coating and/or larger uncoated area of an end plate, providing a recessed portion on an end plate for an interface seal, and/or recessing the fuel hole region of an interconnect relative to the flow field to reduce stress on the fuel cell. Further embodiments include providing intermittent seal support to minimize asymmetric seal loading and/or a non-circular seal configuration to reduce stress around the fuel hole of a fuel cell. | 05-08-2014 |
20140127602 | INTERCONNECT AND END PLATE DESIGN FOR FUEL CELL STACK - Various embodiments include interconnects and/or end plates having features for reducing stress in a fuel cell stack. In embodiments, an interconnect/end plate may have a window seal area that is recessed relative to the flow field to indirectly reduce stress induced by an interface seal. Other features may include a thicker protective coating and/or larger uncoated area of an end plate, providing a recessed portion on an end plate for an interface seal, and/or recessing the fuel hole region of an interconnect relative to the flow field to reduce stress on the fuel cell. Further embodiments include providing intermittent seal support to minimize asymmetric seal loading and/or a non-circular seal configuration to reduce stress around the fuel hole of a fuel cell. | 05-08-2014 |
20140106247 | Energy Load Management System - A system and method for controlling a fuel cell system. An anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) receives air and fuel exhaust streams from one or more fuel cell stacks of the fuel cell system. The one or more fuel cell stacks provide current to one or more loads. An ATO temperature signal is used to control at least one of a fuel inlet flow to the one or more fuel cell stacks or the current provided to the one or more loads. | 04-17-2014 |
20140093802 | FUEL CELL MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM - A method of controlling a fuel cell system includes applying alternating current (AC) signals to an individual fuel cell. The AC signals have a plurality of different frequencies. A voltage across the individual fuel cell is determined at each of the plurality of different frequencies. An impedance characteristic of the individual fuel cell is determined based at least in part on the voltage across the individual fuel cell at each of the plurality of different frequencies. The individual fuel cell is controlled based at least in part on the impedance characteristic. | 04-03-2014 |
20140089055 | Fuel Cell Fleet Optimization - A fuel cell fleet has a plurality of fuel cell systems each connected to a data server. The data server may be configured to obtain operational data from of the plurality of fuel cell systems. An efficiency controller operably connected to the data server and is configured to predict an efficiency and a power output of the fleet from the operational data and optimize the efficiency of the fleet to minimize the fleet fuel consumption while maintaining a desired fleet output power. The efficiency may be determined by a ratio of the fleet output current or output power to the fleet fuel consumption. | 03-27-2014 |
20140087286 | Systems and Methods for Bypassing Fuel Cells - Embodiment methods for bypassing a fuel cell in a fuel cell stack include identifying a fuel cell to bypass and connecting a conductive bypass to the fuel cell stack such that the bypass electrically connects a first interconnect in the fuel cell stack and a second interconnect in the fuel cell stack and electrically bypasses the identified fuel cell. Further embodiment methods include applying a conductive sealing material to the fuel cell stack such that the conductive sealing material seals a cathode inlet or outlet of the identified fuel cell and such that the conductive sealing material electrically bypasses the identified fuel cell. | 03-27-2014 |
20140072889 | Ammonia Fueled SOFC System - Systems and methods are provided in which ammonia is used as a fuel source for solid oxide fuel cell systems. In the various aspects a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled through one or more separation or conversion devices to create a purified recycled fuel exhaust stream that is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. In various aspects a nitrogen separator may remove nitrogen from the recycled fuel cell stack exhaust stream, a water separator may remove water from the recycled fuel cell stack exhaust stream, and/or an ammonia reactor and hydrogen separator may be used to condition the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. In a further aspect a molten carbonate fuel cell and/or Sabatier reactor may be used to condition the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. | 03-13-2014 |
20140065508 | INTERCONNECT FOR FUEL CELL STACK - Various embodiments include fuel cell interconnects having a fuel distribution portion having an inlet opening, a fuel collection portion having an outlet opening, and a primary fuel flow field containing channels, wherein the fuel distribution portion comprises at least one raised feature defining a fuel distribution flow path, and the fuel distribution flow path is not continuous with the channels in the primary fuel flow field. The at least one raised feature may include, for example, a network of ribs and/or dots. Further embodiments include interconnects having a fuel distribution portion with a variable surface depth to provide variable flow restriction and/or a plenum with variable surface depth and raised a raised relief feature on the cathode side, and/or varying flow channel depths and/or rib heights adjacent a fuel hole. | 03-06-2014 |
20140065499 | AMMONIA OR HYDRAZINE INJECTION INTO FUEL CELL SYSTEMS - A fuel cell system includes a controller, a fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit operatively connected to the fuel cell stack, the fuel inlet conduit adapted to receive fuel from a fuel supply, a recycling conduit operatively connecting the fuel cell stack to the fuel inlet conduit, the recycling conduit adapted to recycle a portion of a fuel exhaust stream from the fuel cell stack to the fuel inlet conduit, and an ammonia or hydrazine storage vessel operatively connected to the fuel inlet conduit via a valve coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the valve to provide ammonia or hydrazine from the ammonia or hydrazine storage vessel into the fuel inlet conduit upon detecting a change in the fuel from the fuel supply. | 03-06-2014 |
20140057188 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM CONTAINING ANODE TAIL GAS OXIDIZER AND HYBRID HEAT EXCHANGER / REFORMER - A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst. The fuel heat exchanger is connected to the fuel inlet conduit and to at least one fuel cell system exhaust conduit which in operation provides a high temperature exhaust stream to the fuel heat exchanger. The fuel heat exchanger is thermally integrated with an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) exhaust conduit such that in operation an ATO exhaust stream in the ATO exhaust conduit heats a fuel inlet stream passing through the heat exchanger. | 02-27-2014 |
20140057184 | Systems and Methods for Suppressing Chromium Poisoning in Fuel Cells - A fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells, an incoming oxidizing gas flow path configured to deliver an oxidizing gas to the plurality of fuel cells, and a chromium-getter material located in the incoming oxidizing flow path. A fuel cell includes an electrolyte, a cathode electrode on a first side of the electrolyte, an anode electrode on a second side of the electrolyte, and a chromium-getter material on the cathode electrode. | 02-27-2014 |
20140051010 | Phase Stable Doped Zirconia Electrolyte Compositions with Low Degradation - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode. The electrolyte and/or electrode composition includes zirconia stabilized with (i) scandia, (ii) ceria, and (iii) at least one of yttria and ytterbia. The composition does not experience a degradation of ionic conductivity of greater than 15% after 4000 hrs at a temperature of 850° C. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049206 | Fuel Cell System for Charging an Electric Vehicle - A method for charging electric vehicles includes receiving information regarding an electric vehicle. At least a portion of the information is received through a vehicle interface configured to place a battery of the electric vehicle into electrical communication with a fuel cell system. A charge is delivered from the fuel cell system to the battery of the electric vehicle through the vehicle interface without use of a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) converter. The charge is delivered based at least in part on the information. | 02-20-2014 |
20140004448 | Methods of Refurbishing Components of a Fuel Cell Stack | 01-02-2014 |
20140004433 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH QUICK CONNECT COMPONENTS | 01-02-2014 |
20130327470 | DOT PATTERN CONTACT LAYER - A fuel cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte, and an electrically conductive first dot pattern contact layer disposed on the first electrode. The first dot pattern contact layer includes a plurality of discrete protrusions. | 12-12-2013 |
20130309597 | METHOD FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL FABRICATION - A method of making a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes forming a first sublayer of a first electrode on a first side of a planar solid oxide electrolyte and drying the first sublayer of the first electrode. The method also includes forming a second sublayer of the first electrode on the dried first sublayer of the first electrode prior to firing the first sublayer of the first electrode, firing the first and second sublayers of the first electrode during the same first firing step, and forming a second electrode on a second side of the solid oxide electrolyte. | 11-21-2013 |
20130269436 | Flaw Detection Method and Apparatus for Fuel Cell Components - Various embodiments provide systems and methods for detecting defects in components of a fuel cell. Embodiment methods and systems include directing acoustic energy into the component, detecting acoustic energy from the component, analyzing a characteristic of the detected acoustic energy, and based on the analyzing, determining the presence or absence of a defect in the component. | 10-17-2013 |
20130253716 | Fuel Cell Power for Data Center Uses - Systems and methods include a power module comprising at least one fuel cell generator for powering a load, and a bypass mechanism having a first, normally-open fast-acting switch that closes in 1-250 msec, and a second, normally-open switch in parallel with the first switch, the bypass mechanism being electrically connected between the load and a second power source, such as a grid source, where the first switch is configured to close in response to a fault event such that when the first switch is closed power to the load is provided from the second power source through the first switch, and the second switch closes after a predetermined time such that power to the load from the second source is provided through the second switch. Additional methods and systems include providing power to a plurality of loads using fuel cell power generators. | 09-26-2013 |
20130252119 | Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Heat Treatment Methods and Apparatus - Systems and methods are provided for fuel cell stack heat treatment. An eductor may be used to recycle air into the air inlet stream or to recycle fuel into the fuel inlet stream. An eductor may also be used to exhaust air away from the furnace. The stack heat treatment may include stack sintering or conditioning. The conditioning may be conducted without using externally supplied hydrogen. | 09-26-2013 |
20130230792 | Coatings for Metal Interconnects to Reduce SOFC Degradation - A method of coating an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell includes providing an interconnect including Cr and Fe, and coating an air side of the interconnect with a manganese cobalt oxide spinel coating using a plasma spray process. | 09-05-2013 |
20130230644 | Coatings for SOFC Metallic Interconnects - Various methods of treating a chromium iron interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell stack and coating the interconnect with a ceramic layer are provided. | 09-05-2013 |
20130230072 | Flaw Detection Method and Apparatus for Fuel Cell Components - Various embodiments provide systems and methods for detecting defects in components of a fuel cell. Embodiment methods and systems for detecting a defect in an interconnect for a fuel cell system include thermally exciting the interconnect using optical radiation and/or inductive stimulation, detecting a thermal response of the interconnect, and based on the thermal response, determining the presence or absence of a defect in the interconnect, such as a lateral or through crack in the interconnect. | 09-05-2013 |
20130224618 | MULTI-STREAM HEAT EXCHANGER FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A multi-stream heat exchanger includes at least one air preheater section, at least one cathode recuperator section, and at least one anode recuperator section, wherein each section is a plate type heat exchanger having two major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of risers through at least some of the plates, and a plurality of flow paths located between plates. The cathode recuperator section is located adjacent to a first edge surface of the anode recuperator, and the air preheater section is located adjacent to a second edge surface of the anode recuperator section. | 08-29-2013 |
20130216927 | Methods and Systems for Fuel Cell Stack Sintering and Conditioning - Systems and methods for sintering and conditioning fuel cell stacks utilizing channel guides, baffles, and internal compression systems are provided. Sintering and conditioning may be performed utilizing a fuel cell column cartridge assembly and fuel cell stacks may be sintered and conditioned at the system level during the same annealing cycle on the same support. | 08-22-2013 |
20130163193 | Method of Operating an Energy Center - Methods are provided for creating and operating data centers. A data center may include an information technology (IT) load and a fuel cell generator configured to provide power to the IT load. | 06-27-2013 |
20130163192 | Energy Center - Systems are provided for creating and operating data centers. A data center may include an information technology (IT) load and a fuel cell generator configured to provide power to the IT load. | 06-27-2013 |
20130130154 | Fuel Cell Interconnect Heat Treatment Method - Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack include placing a compressed metal powder interconnect on a porous support, and sintering the interconnect in the presence of a non-oxidizing gas. The method may further include placing the sintered interconnect on a porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of flowing air, or placing the sintered interconnect on a dense, non-porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of a gas comprising pure oxygen or an oxygen/inert gas mixture that is substantially nitrogen-free. | 05-23-2013 |
20130130152 | Fuel Cell Interconnects and Methods of Fabrication - An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first plurality of ribs extending from a first major surface of the interconnect and defining a first plurality of gas flow channels between the ribs, the ribs extending between a first rib end and a second rib end and having a tapered profile in a vertical dimension, perpendicular to the first major surface of the interconnect, proximate at least one of the first rib end and the second rib end, wherein the ribs comprise a flat upper surface and rounded edges between the flat upper surface and the adjacent gas flow channels, the rounded edges having a first radius of curvature, and wherein the gas flow channels comprise a rounded surface having a second radius of curvature, different from the first radius of curvature. | 05-23-2013 |
20130130146 | Multi-Layered Coating Providing Corrosion Resistance to Zirconia Based Electrolytes - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack including a plurality of SOFCs and a plurality of interconnects. Each interconnect is located between two adjacent SOFCs, and each interconnect contains a Mn or Co containing, electrically conductive metal oxide layer on an air side of the interconnect. The SOFC stack also includes a barrier layer located between the electrically conductive metal oxide layer and an adjacent SOFC. The barrier layer is configured to prevent Mn or Co diffusion from the electrically conductive metal oxide layer to the adjacent SOFC. | 05-23-2013 |
20130129557 | Method of Making Fuel Cell Interconnect Using Powder Metallurgy - Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack that include the steps of providing a metal powder, and rapidly compressing the metal powder, such as with a combustion-driven compaction apparatus, in a lubricant-free and/or sub-atmospheric environment to form the interconnect. The interconnect may have sufficient strength and density such that the interconnect may be incorporated into a fuel cell stack without performing a separate sintering and/or an oxidation step following the compressing. | 05-23-2013 |
20130108936 | SOFC SYSTEM WITH SELECTIVE CO2 REMOVAL | 05-02-2013 |
20130069663 | Crack Detection in Ceramics Using Electrical Conductors - Various embodiments provide methods and systems for detecting cracks in ceramic electrolytes using electrical conductors. A method for testing an electrolyte material, such as a ceramic electrolyte material for use in a solid oxide fuel cell device, includes providing a conductive path on the electrolyte material, electrically connecting a probe across the conductive path, and measuring a value associated with the conductive path to determine the presence or absence of a crack in the material. | 03-21-2013 |
20130029245 | MEASUREMENT DEVICE FOR MEASURING VOLTAGES ALONG A LINEAR ARRAY OF VOLTAGE SOURCES - A measurement device for measuring voltages along a linear array of voltage sources, such as a fuel cell stack, includes at least one movable contact or non-contact voltage probe that measures a voltage of an array element. | 01-31-2013 |
20130011757 | Fuel Cell System Containing Anode Tail Gas Oxidizer and Hybrid Heat Exchanger/Reformer - A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst. The fuel heat exchanger is connected to the fuel inlet conduit and to at least one fuel cell system exhaust conduit which in operation provides a high temperature exhaust stream to the fuel heat exchanger. The fuel heat exchanger is thermally integrated with an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) exhaust conduit such that in operation an ATO exhaust stream in the ATO exhaust conduit heats a fuel inlet stream passing through the heat exchanger. | 01-10-2013 |
20130009481 | Integrated Fuel Cell System with Auxiliary Power Delivery - A method of providing electrical power using a split bus configuration includes receiving a first direct current at a positive bus of a split bus, where the first direct current originates from a first fuel cell segment. A second direct current is received at a negative bus of the split bus, where the second direct current originates from a second fuel cell segment. A third direct current is also received at the split bus such that a combined direct current is formed including the first direct current, the second direct current, and the third direct current. The third direct current originates from an alternative direct current (DC) source. The combined direct current is provided to an inverter such that an alternating current is generated for a load. | 01-10-2013 |
20120326668 | ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING USING FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A battery charging station receives power from two or more sources and supplies power to charge batteries of electric vehicles and devices. | 12-27-2012 |
20120326516 | Fuel Cell Power Generation System with Isolated and Non-Isolated Buses - A fuel cell system provides isolation of one or more DC buses which supply power to a DC IT load from AC noise generated by AC inverters or the AC grid using one or more isolating DC/DC converters. | 12-27-2012 |
20120326504 | B-Side Feed for Critical Power Applications - A method of providing power to a load, such as an IT load, includes generating an output power using at least one power module comprising at least one fuel cell segment, providing a first portion of the output power through a grid to an A-side power feed of the load, and providing a second portion of the output power to a B-side power feed of the load. | 12-27-2012 |
20120321975 | Method of Optimizing Operating Efficiency of Fuel Cells - A method of operating a fuel cell electrochemical system includes receiving at least one of a cost of electricity and a cost of fuel and adjusting at least one of an operating efficiency and throughput of the fuel cell based on the at least one of the received cost of electricity and the received cost of fuel. | 12-20-2012 |
20120315565 | Fuel Cell Stack Components - An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first set of gas flow channels in a first portion of the interconnect, and a second set of gas flow channels in second portion of the interconnect. The channels of the first set have a larger cross sectional area than the channels of the second set | 12-13-2012 |
20120315555 | High Temperature Fuel Cell System for Operation with Low Purity Ethanol - A fuel purification system includes a fuel cell stack and a fuel purification unit, such as a distillation unit. The fuel cell stack is adapted to provide heat to the fuel purification unit, and the fuel purification unit is adapted to provide a purified fuel to the fuel cell stack. | 12-13-2012 |
20120315509 | Fuel Cell Bypass Diode Structures and Attachment Methods - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load. | 12-13-2012 |
20120270117 | SOFC Hot Box Components - Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components. | 10-25-2012 |
20120267952 | DC Micro-Grid - Systems and methods are provided for creating and operating a Direct Current (DC) micro-grid. A DC micro-grid may include power generators, energy storage devices, and loads coupled to a common DC bus. Power electronics devices may couple the power generators, energy storage devices, and loads to the common DC bus and provide power transfer. | 10-25-2012 |
20120251914 | Derivation of Control Parameters of Fuel Cell Systems for Flexible Fuel Operation - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization. | 10-04-2012 |
20120244448 | Rapid Thermal Processing for SOFC Manufacturing - Methods of heat treating at least one component of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. The method includes heating the at least one component with a rapid thermal process, wherein the rapid thermal process heats at least a portion of the component at a rate of approximately 50° C./sec or more. | 09-27-2012 |
20120202130 | SOFC Hot Box Components - Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components. | 08-09-2012 |
20120196195 | SOFC Hot Box Components - Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components. | 08-02-2012 |
20120196194 | SOFC Hot Box Components - Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components. | 08-02-2012 |
20120189940 | Fuel Cell Mechanical Components - A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base. | 07-26-2012 |
20120178003 | SOFC Hot Box Components - Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components. | 07-12-2012 |
20120171584 | Hot Box Design with a Multi-Stream Heat Exchanger and Single Air Control - A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) which is located in a heat transfer relationship with the plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the ATO, and at least one heat exchanger located in the base. An ATO exhaust stream and an anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell stacks heat the stack fuel and air inlet streams in a multi-stream heat exchanger. | 07-05-2012 |
20120164547 | CPOX Reactor Design for Liquid Fuel and Liquid Water - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes flowing a liquid fuel and optionally liquid water in sufficient proximity to a CPOX reactor such that heat from the CPOX reactor is used to vaporize the liquid fuel and optionally the liquid water. The fuel is then provided from the CPOX reactor to a fuel cell stack. | 06-28-2012 |
20120146587 | Fuel Cell System with Grid Independent Operation and DC Microgrid Capability - A fuel cell system includes grid independent operation with DC microgrid capability. This fuel cell system has a capability of operation with and without the grid, and with DC micro-grid capability. | 06-14-2012 |
20120135337 | Non-Destructive Testing Methods for Fuel Cell Interconnect Manufacturing - Various embodiments provide methods for testing a fuel cell interconnect including the steps of providing a fuel cell interconnect and performing a non-destructive test on the fuel cell interconnect comprising at least one of detecting a magnetic response of the interconnect, calculating a volume by optically illuminating the interconnect, detecting an acoustic response of the interconnect, and detecting a thermal response of the interconnect. | 05-31-2012 |
20120098336 | Fuel Cell Control Device and Method - A method includes controlling multiple networked input-parallel/output-parallel inverters of a fuel cell system as a single inverter assembly by a master controller. A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell segments, a plurality of DC/DC converters and at least one DC/AC inverter, where an output of each of the plurality of the fuel cell segments is connected to a pair of DC/DC converters, and each of the pair DC/DC converters is connected to an opposite polarity bus being provided to the inverter. | 04-26-2012 |
20120043010 | Method for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Fabrication - A method of making a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes forming a first sublayer of a first electrode on a first side of a planar solid oxide electrolyte and drying the first sublayer of the first electrode. The method also includes forming a second sublayer of the first electrode on the dried first sublayer of the first electrode prior to firing the first sublayer of the first electrode, firing the first and second sublayers of the first electrode during the same first firing step, and forming a second electrode on a second side of the solid oxide electrolyte. | 02-23-2012 |
20120028162 | Electrolyte Supported Cell Designed for Longer Life and Higher Power - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and a solid oxide electrolyte located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The cathode electrode is a porous ceramic layer infiltrated with a cathode catalyst material, and the anode electrode is a porous ceramic layer infiltrated with an anode catalyst material, and the electrolyte is a ceramic layer having a lower porosity than the anode and the cathode electrodes. A ceramic reinforcing region may be located adjacent to the riser opening in the electrolyte. | 02-02-2012 |
20120024461 | ELECTROLYTE SUPPORTED CELL DESIGNED FOR LONGER LIFE AND HIGHER POWER - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and a solid oxide electrolyte located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The cathode electrode is a porous ceramic layer infiltrated with a cathode catalyst material, and the anode electrode is a porous ceramic layer infiltrated with an anode catalyst material, and the electrolyte is a ceramic layer having a lower porosity than the anode and the cathode electrodes. A ceramic reinforcing region may be located adjacent to the riser opening in the electrolyte. | 02-02-2012 |
20110278935 | Ripple Cancellation - Systems, methods and devices for power generation systems are described. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to the architecture of power conditioning systems for use with fuel cells and methods used therein. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems usable to reduce ripple currents in fuel cells. | 11-17-2011 |
20110189567 | High Temperature Fuel Cell System and Method of Operating the Same - A high temperature fuel cell stack system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, with an improved balance of plant efficiency includes a thermally integrated reformer, combustor and the fuel cell stack. | 08-04-2011 |
20110183233 | Phase Stable Doped Zirconia Electrolyte Compositions with Low Degradation - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode. The electrolyte and/or electrode composition includes zirconia stabilized with (i) scandia, (ii) ceria, and (iii) at least one of yttria and ytterbia. The composition does not experience a degradation of ionic conductivity of greater than 15% after 4000 hrs at a temperature of 850° C. | 07-28-2011 |
20110104578 | SORFC System with Non-Noble Metal Electrode Compositions - A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell includes a ceramic electrolyte, a first electrode which is adapted to be positively biased when the fuel cell operates in a fuel cell mode and in an electrolysis mode, and a second electrode which is adapted to be negatively biased when the fuel cell operates in the fuel cell mode and in the electrolysis mode. The second electrode comprises less than 1 mg/cm | 05-05-2011 |
20110076585 | Fuel Cell Stack Compression Devices and Methods - A ceramic baffle is configured to place a load on a stack of electrochemical cells and direct a reactant feed flow stream to the stack. | 03-31-2011 |
20110053027 | Multi-Stream Heat Exchanger for a Fuel Cell System - A multi-stream heat exchanger includes at least one air preheater section, at least one cathode recuperator section, and at least one anode recuperator section, wherein each section is a plate type heat exchanger having two major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of risers through at least some of the plates, and a plurality of flow paths located between plates. The cathode recuperator section is located adjacent to a first edge surface of the anode recuperator, and the air preheater section is located adjacent to a second edge surface of the anode recuperator section. | 03-03-2011 |
20110039183 | INTERNAL REFORMING ANODE FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode having a first portion and a second portion, such that the first portion is located between the electrolyte and the second portion. The anode electrode comprises a cermet comprising a nickel containing phase and a ceramic phase. The first portion of the anode electrode contains a lower porosity and a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second portion of the anode electrode. The nickel containing phase in the second portion of the anode electrode comprises nickel and at least one other metal which has a lower electrocatalytic activity than nickel. | 02-17-2011 |
20110011362 | LOW PRESSURE HYDROGEN FUELED VEHICLE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - A hydrogen fueled vehicle includes a vehicle body, a hydrocarbon fuel tank, and a low pressure hydrogen gas storage vessel. | 01-20-2011 |