Solid oxide fuel cell having a monolithic heat exchanger and method for managing thermal energy flow of the fuel cell
US6551734B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermal energy management system for solid oxide fuel cells includes a monolithic small cell extrusion type heat exchanger coupled to an SOFC stack. In operation, a flow of air having a selected temperature is passed through the heat exchanger cells and thermal energy flowing into and out of the SOFC stack is managed primarily by radiation coupling between the SOFC stack and the heat exchanger. The system further provides management of the temperature distribution around the SOFC to meet outer skin temperature design targets and to control the inlet gas temperatures for the SOFC. The system provides a compact, efficient method for SOFC thermal energy management and is particularly well suited for transportation applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.