Patent · US Expired

Solid oxide fuel cells with novel internal geometry

US6998187B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
5References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 3, 2004
Grant dateFeb 14, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 3, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Fuel electrode-anode supported type solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) comprise novel fuel electrode design with improved mechanical and electrochemical properties. The novel supporting anodes comprise a plurality of internal longitudinal elevations or bosses projecting inwardly into the central bore of the tubular body for structural reinforcement of the entire cell, increasing electrode surface area, optimizing the anode electronic conductivity, and facilitating the mounting of the cell into a SOFC assembly system (e.g., cell stack). The SOFCs of the invention contemplate a range of tubular configurations, including cylindrical and polygonal shapes having at least three surfaces. Low-cost manufacturing routes are also disclosed, whereby the protruding bosses in the anode support do not require additional processing steps compared to conventional forming techniques.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.