Fuel cell device and system
US8278013B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems, methods of using fuel cell devices and systems, and methods of making fuel cell devices. According to certain embodiments, the fuel cell devices may include an elongate substrate, such as a rectangular or tubular substrate, the length of which is the greatest dimension such that the coefficient of thermal expansion has only one dominant axis that is coextensive with the length. In addition, or in accordance with other certain embodiments, a reaction zone is positioned along a first portion of the length for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone is positioned along a second portion of the length for operating at a temperature below the operating reaction temperature. There are one or more fuel passages in the elongate substrate, each having an associate anode, and one or more oxidizer passages in the elongate substrate, each having an associate cathode. In some embodiments, the passages are formed by sacrificial organic materials that are melted or baked out of the structure and/or by removable structures that are pulled out after lamination. Bake-out paths may also be used t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.