A fuel cell stack which is amenable to simple manufacturing processes and is thermally and mechanically compliant. The fuel cell stack reduces the number of components by combing fuel cell tubes to form tube sub-assemblies, the tube sub-assemblies comprising end fittings connected to the fuel cell tubes, the end fittings provided with at least one or preferably a plurality of channels to provide equal distribution of fuel throughout the fuel cell tubes.

Systems and methods are provided for an electrode assembly. In one example, the electrode assembly includes a bipolar plate and a negative electrode spacer fixedly coupled to a surface of the bipolar plate. The negative electrode spacer may comprise an array of discrete structures protruding from the surface of the bipolar plate.

Systems and methods are provided for an electrode assembly. In one example, the electrode assembly includes a bipolar plate and a negative electrode spacer fixedly coupled to a surface of the bipolar plate. The negative electrode spacer may comprise an array of discrete structures protruding from the surface of the bipolar plate.

To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system capable of avoiding the reduction of air electrodes. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell system including: a fuel cell module, a fuel supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, an oxidant gas supply apparatus, a reformer, and a control section for controlling the extraction of power, whereby the controller having a shutdown stop circuit for executing a shutdown stop when the fuel cell stack is above the predetermined temperature, and after a shutdown stop, during a period when pressure on the fuel electrode side is sufficiently higher than pressure on the air electrode side, and no reverse flow of oxidant gas to the fuel electrode side is occurring, a temperature drop operation is executed whereby high temperature oxidant gas remaining on the oxidant gas electrode side is discharged.

To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system capable of avoiding the reduction of air electrodes. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell system including: a fuel cell module, a fuel supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, an oxidant gas supply apparatus, a reformer, and a control section for controlling the extraction of power, whereby the controller having a shutdown stop circuit for executing a shutdown stop when the fuel cell stack is above the predetermined temperature, and after a shutdown stop, during a period when pressure on the fuel electrode side is sufficiently higher than pressure on the air electrode side, and no reverse flow of oxidant gas to the fuel electrode side is occurring, a temperature drop operation is executed whereby high temperature oxidant gas remaining on the oxidant gas electrode side is discharged.

A rod assembly and method for supporting rods includes opposing end plates for supporting opposing ends of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell rods with each rod comprising a hollow gas conduit passing there through. Each rod end is supported by an annular flexure configured to provide a gas/liquid tight seal between the rod ends and the end plates. Each annular flexure includes a flexible portion surrounding the rod end such that forces imparted to either or both of the rod and the end plate act to elastically deform the annular flexure without damaging the rods. The rod assembly operates and a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) with operating temperatures of 500 to 1000 C.

A rod assembly and method for supporting rods includes opposing end plates for supporting opposing ends of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell rods with each rod comprising a hollow gas conduit passing there through. Each rod end is supported by an annular flexure configured to provide a gas/liquid tight seal between the rod ends and the end plates. Each annular flexure includes a flexible portion surrounding the rod end such that forces imparted to either or both of the rod and the end plate act to elastically deform the annular flexure without damaging the rods. The rod assembly operates and a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) with operating temperatures of 500 to 1000 C.

A fuel cell array comprising a plurality of serially connected fuel cell units. A respective fuel cell unit comprises a fuel cell and a tubular cap capped on each end of the fuel cell. The fuel cell unit further comprises an electrically conductive terminal layer forming an outermost laminate of the fuel cell in one end of the fuel cell and extending in the longitudinal direction from the one end of the fuel cell toward the other end thereof to terminate past a tubular skirt of the tubular cap to form a connection area. The terminal layer is directly laminated on the fuel electrode layer in a fuel electrode layer exposition area and directly laminated on the solid electrolyte layer in a solid electrolyte layer exposition area. The fuel cell unit further comprises a grass material forming a sealing layer circumferentially around the fuel cell to fill between the inner surface of the tubular cap and the outer surface of the fuel cell.

A fuel cell array comprising a plurality of serially connected fuel cell units. A respective fuel cell unit comprises a fuel cell and a tubular cap capped on each end of the fuel cell. The fuel cell unit further comprises an electrically conductive terminal layer forming an outermost laminate of the fuel cell in one end of the fuel cell and extending in the longitudinal direction from the one end of the fuel cell toward the other end thereof to terminate past a tubular skirt of the tubular cap to form a connection area. The terminal layer is directly laminated on the fuel electrode layer in a fuel electrode layer exposition area and directly laminated on the solid electrolyte layer in a solid electrolyte layer exposition area. The fuel cell unit further comprises a grass material forming a sealing layer circumferentially around the fuel cell to fill between the inner surface of the tubular cap and the outer surface of the fuel cell.

An oxidation gas discharging structure is applied to a fuel cell stack that includes an end plate arranged on an end of a fuel cell body. The oxidation gas inside the fuel cell body is discharged to the outside through a through hole extending through the end plate. A slope is formed on the bottom face of the through hole to rise toward the downstream side. The slope restricts condensed water from moving downstream.