Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for forming electrode interconnect contacts for a solid-oxide fuel cell stack

US7781123B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
3References
21Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateJun 6, 2005
Grant dateAug 24, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 11, 2029

Classification

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

Abstract

An electrical interconnect for a solid-oxide fuel cell stack assembly, including a novel sintering paste and an improved manufacturing process for an anode and cathode electrical contacts is disclosed. On the anode side, the paste contains a metallic oxide such as NiO, and an amount of sacrificial pore-forming particles, such as carbon particles or polymer spheres, which are vaporized during sintering of the paste, resulting in a very porous connection having good electrical conductivity and good adhesion. A preferred level of pore-former in the paste is about 40 volume percent. On the cathode side, the paste contains a noble metal such as for example, gold, platinum, palladium or rhodium, and an amount of the sacrificial pore-forming particles. The paste may be applied to the surfaces in a grid pattern or, because the resulting contact is porous after sintering, it may be applied as a continuous layer.

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