Method and apparatus for assembling solid oxide fuel cells
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.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Combustion Engineering, Inc., Stamford, CT (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A7192556
- Application Number:
- ON: DE89009763
- OSTI ID:
- 6296439
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Method and apparatus for assembling solid oxide fuel cells
Method and apparatus for assembling solid oxide fuel cells