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Title: Method and apparatus for assembling solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

This invention relates generally to solid oxide fuel power generators and is particularly directed to improvements in the assembly and coupling of solid oxide fuel cell modules. A plurality of jet air tubes are supported and maintained in a spaced matrix array by a positioning/insertion assembly for insertion in respective tubes of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in the assembly of an SOFC module. The positioning/insertion assembly includes a plurality of generally planar, elongated, linear vanes which are pivotally mounted at each end thereof to a support frame. A rectangular compression assembly of adjustable size is adapted to receive and squeeze a matrix of SOFC tubes so as to compress the inter-tube nickel felt conductive pads which provide series/parallel electrical connection between adjacent SOFCs, with a series of increasingly larger retainer frames used to maintain larger matrices of SOFC tubes in position. Expansion of the SOFC module housing at the high operating temperatures of the SOFC is accommodated by conductive, flexible, resilient expansion, connector bars which provide support and electrical coupling at the top and bottom of the SOFC module housing. 17 figs.

Inventors:
;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Combustion Engineering, Inc., Stamford, CT (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6296439
Patent Number(s):
7192556
Application Number:
ON: DE89009763
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
A - HUMAN NECESSITIES A61 - MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE A61K - PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, OR TOILET PURPOSES
A - HUMAN NECESSITIES A61 - MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE A61M - DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY
DOE Contract Number:  
W-31109-ENG-38
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; FUEL CELLS; FABRICATION; CONFIGURATION; DIAGRAMS; INVENTIONS; SOLID ELECTROLYTES; TUBES; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS; ELECTROLYTES; 300501* - Fuel Cells- Design & Development

Citation Formats

Szreders, B. E., and Campanella, N. Method and apparatus for assembling solid oxide fuel cells. United States: N. p., 1988. Web.
Szreders, B. E., & Campanella, N. Method and apparatus for assembling solid oxide fuel cells. United States.
Szreders, B. E., and Campanella, N. Wed . "Method and apparatus for assembling solid oxide fuel cells". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6296439.
@article{osti_6296439,
title = {Method and apparatus for assembling solid oxide fuel cells},
author = {Szreders, B. E. and Campanella, N.},
abstractNote = {This invention relates generally to solid oxide fuel power generators and is particularly directed to improvements in the assembly and coupling of solid oxide fuel cell modules. A plurality of jet air tubes are supported and maintained in a spaced matrix array by a positioning/insertion assembly for insertion in respective tubes of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in the assembly of an SOFC module. The positioning/insertion assembly includes a plurality of generally planar, elongated, linear vanes which are pivotally mounted at each end thereof to a support frame. A rectangular compression assembly of adjustable size is adapted to receive and squeeze a matrix of SOFC tubes so as to compress the inter-tube nickel felt conductive pads which provide series/parallel electrical connection between adjacent SOFCs, with a series of increasingly larger retainer frames used to maintain larger matrices of SOFC tubes in position. Expansion of the SOFC module housing at the high operating temperatures of the SOFC is accommodated by conductive, flexible, resilient expansion, connector bars which provide support and electrical coupling at the top and bottom of the SOFC module housing. 17 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed May 11 00:00:00 EDT 1988},
month = {Wed May 11 00:00:00 EDT 1988}
}