Components for electrochemical devices including multi-unit device arrangements

• US 20060040167A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sofc Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Celltech Power, Inc.
• Inventors: Bai, Wei, Blake, Adam P., Tao, Tao T., Boersma, Reinder J., Shindle, Jack A., Kwa, Jason K., Bingle, Garrett F.
• Application Number:
  US11/167,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20060040167A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/454
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/42 Grouping of primary cells into batteries H01M6/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0247 characterised by the form characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0271 Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2485 Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

Systems for interconnecting two or more electrochemical devices such as fuel-to-energy conversion devices are described. A unitary manifold structure can include a manifold for delivery of a reactant gas to two or more devices, and/or electrical circuitry addressing the two or more devices. Electrical circuitry can be provided in combination with conduits for delivery of reactant gases. Inter-device connecting apparatus can define boundaries for separation of at least two reactant gases addressing the devices, and a plurality of inter-device connecting apparatuses can be interconnected themselves to form larger arrangements of essentially infinite size.

Claims

1-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A system comprising:

a plurality of interconnected fuel-to-energy conversion devices, each device including a reactant gas chamber into which at least a first reactant gas is delivered via a conduit that isolates the first reactant gas from all other fluids by which the device operates, and an exterior; and

an external environment fluidly interconnecting the exterior of each device, within which each device is exposed to a second reactant gas.

32. A system as in claim 31, wherein the a plurality of interconnected fuel-to-energy conversion devices comprises a plurality of chemical or fuel-rechargeable energy conversion units.

33. A system as in claim 31, wherein the external environment is fluidly isolated from the reactant gas chamber of each device.

34. A system as in claim 31, wherein the first reactant gas is fuel and the second reactant gas is oxidant, or the first reactant gas is oxidant and the second reactant gas is fuel.

39. A system as in claim 31, comprising:

a fuel-to-energy conversion device comprising a first end and a second end;

an anodic electrical lead addressing an anode of the device; and

a cathodic electrical lead addressing a cathode of the device;

wherein each of the anodic and cathodic electrical leads is routed to the first end of the device for connection to an external electrical circuit.

40. A system as in claim 39, wherein the fuel-to-energy conversion device is a chemical or fuel-rechargeable energy conversion unit.

41. A system as in claim 39, wherein the device is an elongated device having a longest dimension defined between the first end and the second end.

42. A system as in claim 39, comprising a plurality of the elongated fuel-to-energy conversion devices arranged in general alignment with each other, the first end of each device oriented generally in a similar direction, wherein the anodic and cathodic lead of each device is electrically connected to an anodic or cathodic lead of another device via circuitry at the first end of the device.

43. A system as in claim 42, each device comprising:

a reactant gas chamber including an inlet into which a reactant gas is introduced, an outlet from which an exhaust gas is expelled, and an exterior;

a first electrode surrounding at least a portion of the reactant gas chamber;

an electrolyte surrounding at least a portion of the first electrode; and

a second electrode surrounding at least a portion of the electrolyte, the system including an external environment fluidly interconnecting the exterior of each device, within which each device is exposed to a second reactant gas, wherein the reactant gas chamber contains either fuel or oxidant while the external environment contains oxidant or fuel, respectively, during normal device operation, wherein each of the electrical leads is in fluid communication with one of the fluid environments, but not the other.

48. A system as in claim 31, further comprising an electrical connection apparatus for use in a fuel-to-energy conversion device system, comprising

a first set of a plurality of elongated, essentially rigid, electrically-conductive elements in fixed, essentially parallel relation to each other, constructed and arranged to electrically address a set of anodes of at least a first and a second fuel-to-energy conversion device;

a second set of a plurality of elongated, essentially rigid, electrically-conductive elements in fixed, essentially parallel relation to each other, constructed and arranged to electrically address a set of cathodes of at least a third and a fourth fuel-to-energy conversion device;

an electrical connector connecting the first set of elements with the second set of elements.

49. An electrical connection apparatus as in claim 48,

wherein the electrical connector supports the first set of elements and the second set of elements in fixed, essentially parallel relation to each other, with the first set of elements extending away from the connector in a first direction and the second set of elements extending away from the connector in a second direction opposite the first direction.

50. An electrical connection apparatus as in claim 48,

wherein the first set of elements comprises more elements than the second set of elements.

51. An electrical connection apparatus as in claim 48,

wherein the first set of elements comprises one more element than the second set of elements.

35. A system comprising at least one fuel-to-energy conversion device comprising a plurality of separately-manufactured components that are not isolated conduits, interconnected at inter-component junctions, at least one junction between non-conduit components defining a portion of an oxidant-fuel barrier.

36. A system as in claim 35, comprising at least one chemical or fuel-rechargeable energy conversion unit.

37. A system as in claim 35 wherein the junction includes adhesive.

38. A system as in claim 35, further comprising at least one isolated conduit.

44-45. -45. (canceled)

46. A fuel-to-energy conversion device system comprising a plurality of interconnected, interoperative fuel-to-energy conversion devices each comprising an anode and a cathode;

and

a direct electrically-conductive pathway interconnecting the cathodes of at least a two devices with the anodes of at least two, different devices.

47. A system as in claim 46, comprising a plurality of interconnected, interoperative chemical or fuel-rechargeable energy conversion units.

52-59. -59. (canceled)