Current collector for fuel cell systems
A current collector for a fuel cell stack includes a first member configured for coupling to a fuel cell stack, the first member comprising a generally planar portion and a tubular portion having an open end. The current collector also includes a flexible member coupled to the first member. At least a portion of the flexible member is received in the open end of the tubular portion and the first member and the flexible member provide a conductive path for current generated by the fuel cell stack.
1 . A current collector for a fuel cell stack comprising:
a first member configured for coupling to a fuel cell stack, the first member comprising a generally planar portion and a tubular portion having an open end; and
a flexible member coupled to the first member, at least a portion of the flexible member received in the open end of the tubular portion;
wherein the first member and the flexible member provide a conductive path for current generated by the fuel cell stack.
2 . The current collector of claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises at least one aperture configured to receive a fastener for coupling the first member to the fuel cell stack.
3 . The current collector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is coupled to the first member by a weld.
4 . The current collector of claim 1 , wherein the first member and the flexible member are formed from high temperature metal alloys.
5 . The current collector of claim 1 , wherein the first member is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of Inconel alloys, and the flexible member is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of Inconel alloys.
6 . The current collector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member comprises a braided strand of wires.
7 . The current collector of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member and the flexible member are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a nickel-chromium-aluminum-iron alloy and a nickel-chromium-tungsten-molybdenum alloy.
8 . A power lead for a fuel cell system comprising:
a flexible cable; and
a member configured for coupling to a fuel cell stack, the member including an opening for receiving the flexible cable;
wherein a portion of the flexible cable is provided in the opening and connected to the member.
9 . The power lead of claim 8 , wherein the member comprises a generally planar portion having a plurality of apertures provided therein for coupling the member to a fuel cell stack.
10 . The power lead of claim 8 , wherein the flexible cable and the member are formed of an electrically conductive high temperature metal alloy.
11 . The power lead of claim 8 , wherein the flexible cable is a braided strand of wires.
12 . The power lead of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the flexible cable is connected to the member by a weld in the opening.
13 . The power lead of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the flexible cable and the member configured for coupling to a fuel cell stack comprise a material selected from the group consisting of an Inconel alloy, a nickel-chromium-aluminum-iron alloy, a nickel-chromium-tungsten-molybdenum alloy, and combinations thereof.
14 . A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell stack; and
a current collector comprising a first portion coupled to the fuel cell stack and a flexible cable coupled to and extending from the first portion, the current collector providing a conductive path for electrical current.
15 . The fuel cell system of claim 14 , wherein the fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of high temperature fuel cells.
16 . The fuel cell system of claim 15 , wherein the fuel cells are selected from solid oxide fuel cells and molten carbonate fuel cells.
17 . The fuel cell system of claim 14 , wherein the flexible cable is coupled to the first portion by a weld.
18 . The fuel cell system of claim 14 , wherein the first portion comprises a planar member and a hollow member coupled to the planar member, and wherein a portion of the flexible cable is received within the hollow member.
19 . The fuel cell system of claim 18 , wherein the hollow member provides for any bending motion to be moved away from the location where the planar member is connected to the fuel cell stack and into a bulk of the flexible cable.
20 . The fuel cell system of claim 18 , wherein the planar member comprises at least one aperture for facilitating the coupling of the first portion to the fuel cell stack.
21 . The fuel cell system of claim 18 , wherein the planar member comprises at least one aperture for facilitating the coupling of the first portion to the fuel cell stack.
22 . The fuel cell system of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the current collector comprises a material selected from the group consisting of an Inconel alloy, a nickel-chromium-aluminum-iron alloy, a nickel-chromium-tungsten-molybdenum alloy, and combinations thereof.
23 . The fuel cell system of claim 14 , wherein the first portion is coupled to an end plate of the fuel cell stack in a hot zone of the system and a free end of the flexible cable is electrically connected to a terminal block or to power conditioning equipment outside the hot zone.