Solid electrolyte fuel cell with temperature regulation has thermally conducting supports of varying conductivity removing and dissipating excess heat

摘要

The fuel cell comprises a support (2) formed as a conduit with a polygonal section enclosing a fuel channel. Connection elements provide heat dissipation. Each connection element conducts heat well at high temperature, but less well at low temperature, allowing the cell to warm up quickly and then attain its operating temperature. The fuel cell comprises a support (2) with an anode (3), a cathode (4) and a solid electrolyte membrane (5) between the anode and the cathode. The support (2), made of silicon, a plastic or a ceramic, is a conduit with a polygonal section enclosing a fuel channel. The structure for heat dissipation comprises the connection elements (8) linking to the two electrodes. Each connection element is strongly for heat energy at high temperature, but far less good at conducting heat at low temperature. This allows the cell to warm up quickly and then attain its level of good efficiency for operation. The ends of the connection elements are linked to a cold source, and the material of the connector may be a memory alloy.