Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080220301 | FUEL CELL INCLUDING BYPASS CIRCUIT FOR INTERCONNECTING FUEL CELLS - 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. | 09-11-2008 |
20090274937 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH CIRCUIT MODULES - 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. | 11-05-2009 |
20090291333 | REACTION PRODUCT CONTROL SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR CONTROLLING A REACTION PRODUCT IN A FUEL CELL - 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. | 11-26-2009 |
20100075192 | CURRENT COLLECTOR FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL TUBE WITH INTERNAL FUEL PROCESSING - 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. | 03-25-2010 |
20100183929 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING A WATER BASED FUEL REFORMER - 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. | 07-22-2010 |
20100183930 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A WATER BASED FUEL REFORMER - 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. | 07-22-2010 |
20100183937 | Fuel cell system having a hydrogen separation member - 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. | 07-22-2010 |
20100304253 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM UTILIZING A FUEL CELL SENSOR - 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. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304254 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL CELL UTILIZING A FUEL CELL SENSOR - 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. | 12-02-2010 |
20110003219 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL INCLUDING BYPASS CIRCUIT - 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. | 01-06-2011 |
20110071706 | METHOD FOR MANAGING POWER AND ENERGY IN A FUEL CELL POWERED AERIAL VEHICLE BASED ON SECONDARY OPERATION PRIORITY - 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. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071707 | Method for Managing Power Boost in a Fuel Cell Powered Aerial Vehicle - 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. | 03-24-2011 |
20110189572 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH FLAME PROTECTION MEMBER - 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. | 08-04-2011 |
20110189578 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING A RESILIENT MANIFOLD INTERCONNECTING MEMBER - 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. | 08-04-2011 |
20110189587 | Interconnect Member for Fuel Cell - 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. | 08-04-2011 |
20110195333 | FUEL CELL STACK INCLUDING INTERNAL REFORMING AND ELECTROCHEMICALLY ACTIVE SEGEMENTS CONNECTED IN SERIES - A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a solid oxide fuel cell tube and a reformer inside the tube. The tube includes a plurality of electrochemical cells electrically connected in series. Each electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte disposed between an interior anode and an exterior cathode. The fuel reformer is configured to convert a hydrocarbon fuel to a fuel cell fuel comprising hydrogen such that hydrogen is provided to an anode of the solid oxide fuel tube. | 08-11-2011 |
20110195334 | FUEL CELL STACK INCLUDING INTERCONNECTED FUEL CELL TUBES - 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. The interconnect member electrically connecting one of the first anode lead to the second cathode lead and the first cathode lead to the second anode lead. | 08-11-2011 |
20110262819 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL MODULE WITH CURRENT COLLECTOR - A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube defining a fuel cell tube inner chamber. The fuel cell tube includes a fuel cell tube inlet, a fuel cell tube outlet, an active portion, and an inner current carrier. Oxidizing fluid and reducing fluid react with the active portion to generate an electromotive force. The active portion includes an inner electrode; an outer electrode; and an electrolyte disposed between the inner electrode and the outer electrode. The inner current carrier is disposed between the tube inlet and the active portion. The inner current carrier has a temperature gradient when the active portion is at an active portion steady-state operating temperature. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a fuel feed tube routing fuel through the fuel cell tube inlet to the fuel cell tube inner chamber. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes an anode current collector electrically connected to the inner current carrier between the active portion and the fuel cell tube inlet. | 10-27-2011 |
20120021314 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL WITH INTERNAL REFORMING MEMBER - A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube defining a fuel cell tube inner chamber. The fuel cell tube includes a fuel cell tube inlet, a fuel cell tube outlet, and an active portion comprising an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer. The active portion is configured to react an oxidizing fluid and a reducing fluid to generate an electromotive force. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes an internal reforming member disposed within the fuel cell tube, the internal reforming member being configured to receive raw fuel and convert raw fuel to reformed fuel. The solid fuel cell tube further includes an anode current collector disposed within the fuel cell tube, the anode current collector connected to the anode layer of the anode current collector and providing support to the internal reforming member such that the internal reforming member retains a desired position within the fuel cell tube. | 01-26-2012 |
20120077099 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL WITH MULTIPLE FUEL STREAMS - Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell including an electrochemical cell, a first fuel reformer, and a first feed tube. The electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode at least partially defines an anode chamber. The anode is configured to convert a reformed fuel to an exhaust fluid comprising water. The fuel reformer is configured to receive raw fuel and to convert raw fuel to reformed fuel. The fuel reformer is disposed within the anode chamber. The first feed tube is disposed within the anode chamber. The first feed tube is configured to route raw fuel downstream the first fuel reformer such that raw fuel reacts with water of the exhaust fluid. | 03-29-2012 |
20120321974 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL CELL UTILIZING A FUEL CELL SENSOR - A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube comprising an inner anode, an outer cathode, and an electrolyte disposed between the inner anode and the outer cathode. The inner anode includes a plurality of hollow rod current conducting members embedded in a bulk anode. | 12-20-2012 |
20130236806 | INTERCONNECT MEMBER FOR FUEL CELLS - A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell tubes, each fuel cell tube being configured to input fuel at an inlet opening and output exhaust at an exhaust opening. The fuel cell system further includes a current collecting, system comprising an interconnect member disposed through the exhaust opening. The interconnect member electrically connects an inner electrode of a first fuel cell tube to an electrode of a second fuel cell tube. | 09-12-2013 |
20130256388 | METHOD OF FORMING A SOLID OXIDE TUBE COUPLED TO A CURRENT COLLECTOR - A method for forming a solid oxide fuel cell brazed to a current collector includes heating the solid oxide fuel cell, the current collector, and a primary brazing slurry above a brazing temperature and subsequently cooling the solid oxide fuel cell, the current collector and the primary brazing slurry below the brazing temperature. The method further includes heating the solid oxide fuel cell, the current collector and the secondary brazing slurry above the brazing temperature and subsequently cooling the solid oxide fuel cell primarily brazed to the current collector and the secondary brazing slurry below the brazing temperature. | 10-03-2013 |