Retractable air supply connector system for a fuel cell assembly

摘要

In a retractable air supply connection system for air supply lines extending between a blower supply plenum and hot zone components of a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, each such hot zone component is provided with a socket for receiving a retractable connector. Each connector has first and second concentric expandable bellows connected between the plenum and a nipple element having a central passage and nipple for mating with the socket. The inner bellows is coaxial with the socket element and is connected to an individual supply port in the plenum for the particular hot zone component. The outer bellows is connected to the main blower output. A return spring between the hot zone component and the nipple element urges the nipple element from the socket to disconnect the supply line from the hot zone by collapsing the outer bellows to break the conductive heat path when the blower is inoperative.