Method for connecting tubular solid oxide fuel cells and interconnects for same
An interconnect for electrically connecting a first and second cell of a tubular fuel cell bundle having a body with an anode contact and a cathode contact extending therefrom. The anode contact is formed to follow a contour of an anode portion of the first cell. The cathode contact is formed to follow a contour of a cathode portion of the second cell. A contact aid may be applied to the anode contact and/or cathode contact for securing the contact to the respective portion of the fuel cell bundle. The interconnect preferably completes a series connection between the first and second cells.
1 . An interconnect for electrically connecting a first and second cell of a tubular fuel cell bundle comprising:
a body;
an anode contact extending from the body and formed to follow a contour of an anode portion of the first cell; and
a cathode contact extending from the central body and formed to follow a contour of a cathode portion of the second cell, such that upon disposing the interconnect on the first and second cells, the interconnect completes a series connection between the first and second cells.
2 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the body is a substantially rectangular plate.
3 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the body, anode contact and cathode contact are made from material selected from the group consisting of nickel, silver, copper and combinations thereof.
4 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the body has a step from which the cathode contact extends.
5 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the anode and cathode contacts have a semi-circular shape.
6 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the anode contact and the cathode contact form arcs spaced such that the two cells are urged together to create a retentive force on the interconnect.
7 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the anode contact and the cathode contact form arcs spaced such that the two cells are urged apart to create a retentive force on the interconnect.
8 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , further including a contact aid for improving the electrical conductance between the interconnect and at least one of the cells.
9 . An interconnect as recited in claim 8 , wherein the contact aid is selected from a group consisting of braze alloys, braze metals, solders, conductive pastes and combinations thereof.
10 . An interconnect as recited in claim 9 , wherein the contact aid is a silver/copper alloy or a thick silver film paste.
11 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the anode portion includes an anode and a sleeve disposed against the anode and extending from the anode for coupling to the anode contact.
12 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the anode portion includes a current collector that couples to the anode contact.
13 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the body, the anode contact and the cathode contact are preformed from a sheet of nickel, copper, silver or alloys or combinations thereof.
14 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the anode contact substantially forms a tubular portion depending from the body.
15 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the anode portion includes a sleeve disposed against the anode portion and extending from the anode portion for coupling to the anode contact.
16 . An interconnect as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cathode portion includes a current collector that couples to the cathode contact.
17 . An interconnect for electrically connecting a first and second cell of a fuel cell comprising:
a body;
an anode contact extending from the body and formed to follow a contour of an anode of the first cell; and
a cathode contact extending from the central body and formed to follow a contour of an cathode of the second cell,
wherein the body, the anode contact and the cathode contact are configured and arranged to create a retentive force and complete a series connection when the interconnect is disposed between the first and second cells.
18 . An interconnect as recited in claim 17 , further comprising first means for securing the anode contact to the anode and second means securing the cathode contact to the cathode.
19 . An interconnect as recited in claim 17 , wherein the first and second means are selected from the group consisting of a braze, a conductive gel, an adhesive, solder, a mechanical crimp, a crimp ring and combinations thereof.
20 . A method for electrically coupling a first and a second cell of a fuel cell, each cell being tubular and having an anode and a cathode, the method comprising the steps of:
preforming an interconnect having a body, a cathode contact extending from the body and an anode contact extending from the body;
coating the cathode and anode contacts with a braze;
disposing the interconnect between the cells; and
heating the assembly such that the cathode contact is brazed to the cathode and the anode contact is brazed to the anode.
21 . A method for electrically coupling a first and a second cell of a fuel cell, each cell being tubular and having an anode and a cathode, the method comprising the steps of:
preforming an interconnect having a body, a cathode contact extending from the body and an anode contact extending from the body;
coating the cathode and anode contacts with a conductive metal or ceramic coating containing small conductive particles;
disposing the interconnect between the cells; and
heating the assembly such that said particles sinter and form a bond between the interconnect and said anode and between the interconnect and said cathode.