Abstract:
In assembling an SOFC fuel cell stack from a plurality of cassettes, the mounting plate of one cassette is attached to, and insulated from, the separator plate of the next-adjacent cassette by a peripheral dielectric seal consisting of a ceramic coating and a metal braze. Materials suitable for the ceramic coating include yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ), zirconia toughened alumina, magnesium silicates such as the mineral forsterite, magnesium aluminates, magnesium aluminosilicates and lanthanum zirconate. The ceramic coating may be applied to the cassette's outer surface in known fashion as by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, and various methods of plasma spray. An underlayer of alumina may also be used to provide a redundant layer of electrical insulation.
Abstract:
A solid-oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells connected in series and disposed as two stacks side-by-side in head-to-tail configuration, connected in series across one end and having cathode and anode current collectors mounted side-by-side on a stack base at the other end. Each current collector is a flat plate extending from the stack footprint. Surrounding the stacks is a cover-sealing flange so formed that when the cover is in place a thermal jacket is formed around the stacks. The current collectors are electrically insulated from the sealing flange and cover by a gasket, and extend outwards from the flange for electrical attachment to a load. This arrangement permits the stacks to be fully assembled and the stack cover secured and sealed in place without need for passing electrical leads through openings in the cover which must be subsequently sealed.
Abstract:
A solid-oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells connected in series and disposed as two stacks side-by-side in head-to-tail configuration, connected in series across one end and having cathode and anode current collectors mounted side-by-side on a stack base at the other end. Each current collector is a flat plate extending from the stack footprint. Surrounding the stacks is a cover-sealing flange so formed that when the cover is in place a thermal jacket is formed around the stacks. The current collectors are electrically insulated from the sealing flange and cover by a gasket, and extend outwards from the flange for electrical attachment to a load. This arrangement permits the stacks to be fully assembled and the stack cover secured and sealed in place without need for passing electrical leads through openings in the cover which must be subsequently sealed.
Abstract:
A minimum joint thickness can be assured by incorporating beads or particles having a diameter corresponding to the joint thickness desired and which are infusible at the brazing temperature. Preferably such particles are formed of high-melting metals, metal oxides, ceramics, or cermets and are mixed into the alloy paste prior to fusing. In a preferred embodiment, the particle-containing paste is mixed with a non-flux carrier to facilitate application to the elements to be brazed. Exemplary application methods may include painting, rolling, screening, or extrusion dispensing. Brazing alloys in accordance with the invention are useful in bonding ceramics to ceramics, ceramics to metals, and metals to metals.
Abstract:
A solid-oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells connected in series and disposed as two stacks side-by-side in head-to-tail configuration, connected in series across one end and having cathode and anode current collectors mounted side-by-side on a stack base at the other end. Each current collector is a flat plate extending from the stack footprint. Surrounding the stacks is a cover-sealing flange so formed that when the cover is in place a thermal jacket is formed around the stacks. The current collectors are electrically insulated from the sealing flange and cover by a gasket, and extend outwards from the flange for electrical attachment to a load. This arrangement permits the stacks to be fully assembled and the stack cover secured and sealed in place without need for passing electrical leads through openings in the cover which must be subsequently sealed.