Conductive part for interconnection of high temp. fuel cells - comprises sheet metal folded to form sepg. wall and contact area for fuel electrode of one cell and oxygen-electrode of another cell

摘要

The part (4) has to conduct current between 2 adjacent solid electrolyte, high temp., fuel-cells which have a flat shape and are arranged in a stack. The fuel cells consist of a solid electrolyte membrane (1), an oxygen electrode (2) and a fuel-electrode (3). The part (4) connects dissimilar electrodes of 2 adjacent cells, forming a conductive hermetic, separating wall (5) between flows of the fuel and of the oxygen medium. The feature is that the part (4) consists of a single sheet of metal which has been folded more than once in such a way that the central part forms the separating wall (5) and the other parts are springy current collectors (6,7) with multiple contacts on the electrodes due to the presence of folds and raised dents. The collectors pref. extend over the entire electrode surface. They may be of any form, i.e. triangular, square, rectangular, interdigitated and consist of 2 parts which butt onto each other above each electrode and each cover half the electrode area. USE/ADVANTAGE - The part (4) can be formed in a simple operation, gives a good electrical contact at a temp. of up to 1000 deg. C and has a high conductivity. It can be used both in reducing and in oxidising ambients. The part has a low cost, can be made reproducibly and can be easily exchanged.