IP Library Granted Patent US 8,986,905
Granted Patent B2
US 8,986,905 · App. 12/268,585 · Granted Mar 24, 2015

Fuel cell interconnect

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,986,905
App. No.
12/268,585
Granted
Mar 24, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fuel cell interconnect includes a first side containing a first plurality of channels and a second side containing a second plurality of channels. The first and second sides are disposed on opposite sides of the interconnect. The first plurality of channels are configured to provide a serpentine fuel flow field while the second plurality of channels are configured to provide an approximately straight air flow field.

Claims (24)

1. A fuel cell interconnect, comprising:

a first side comprising a first plurality of ribs and a first plurality of channels;

a second side comprising a second plurality ribs and a second plurality of channels;

a fuel inlet opening located adjacent to a first edge of the first side; and

a fuel outlet opening located adjacent to a second edge of the first side opposite the first edge, wherein a width of the first side is defined between the first edge and the second edge;

wherein:

the first and second sides are disposed on opposite sides of the interconnect,

the first plurality of channels are configured to provide a serpentine fuel flow field comprising multiple serpentine passages, wherein the serpentine fuel flow field comprises a fuel flow path which extends approximately directly from the fuel inlet opening to a middle portion of the first side, and which continues from the middle portion to first and second peripheral portions on a respective left half and a right half of the first side, wherein the middle portion is located between the first and second peripheral portions and the flow path passes across at least approximately 50% of the width of the first side before reaching the first and second peripheral portions, and

the second plurality of channels are configured to provide an air flow field.

2. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of channels are configured to provide an approximately straight air flow field.

3. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 1 , wherein the multiple serpentine passages are essentially continuous and uninterrupted from the fuel inlet opening to the fuel outlet opening.

4. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 1 , wherein the fuel flow path first extends at least 50% of the width of the first side from the fuel inlet opening and across the middle portion of the first side.

5. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 4 , wherein the fuel flow path continues from the first and second peripheral portions of the first side to the fuel outlet opening.

6. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 1 , wherein the fuel flow path continues from the first and second peripheral portions of the first side back towards the middle of the first side.

7. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 6 , wherein the fuel flow path continues from the middle of the first side towards the fuel outlet opening.

8. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 1 , wherein the first side is coated with a fuel reformation catalyst.

9. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 1 , wherein the fuel flow path does not directly extend from the fuel inlet opening to the first and second peripheral portions of the first side.

10. A fuel cell stack, comprising:

a plurality of fuel cells, and

a plurality of interconnects of claim 1 located between the plurality of fuel cells.

11. The stack of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fuel cells comprise solid oxide fuel cells.

12. The stack of claim 11 , wherein the solid oxide fuel cells comprise internal reformation type fuel cells and further comprising a fuel reforming catalyst located adjacent to least the middle portion of the first side of the interconnect in the fuel cell stack.

13. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 1 , wherein both the fuel inlet opening and the fuel outlet opening are located approximately halfway between the first and second peripheral portions on the respective left half and right half of the first side.

14. The fuel cell interconnect of claim 13 , wherein the fuel flow path between the fuel inlet opening and the fuel outlet opening extends from approximately halfway between the first and second peripheral portions to the first and second peripheral portions, and from the first and second peripheral portions to approximately halfway between the first and second peripheral portions.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047686/0121 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2015
From: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037301/0093 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 29, 2009
From: MCELROY, JAMES F.; GOTTMANN, MATTHIAS; COUSE, STEPHEN
To: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023711/0444 →