Patent ID: 8470493
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: B33Y,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell device comprising: a ceramic support structure having a length in an x direction from a first end to a second end, a width in a y direction from a first side to a second side, and a thickness in a z direction from a top surface to a bottom surface, wherein the length is greater than the width or thickness whereby the x direction of the ceramic support structure is a dominant direction of thermal expansion; a reaction zone positioned along a first portion of the length spaced from the first end and having at least one active layer therein within the ceramic support structure comprising an electrolyte separating a first electrode from an opposing second electrode, an active first gas passage adjacent the first electrode, and an active second gas passage adjacent the second electrode, wherein each of the active first and second gas passages has a thickness in the z direction, and wherein the active first gas passage comprises a plurality of first sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction; a first artery flow passage extending from the first end in the x direction and into the reaction zone and having a thickness in the z direction, the first artery flow passage fluidicly coupled to each of the plurality of first sub-passages, wherein the plurality of first sub-passages extend from the first artery flow passage in the y direction toward at least one of the first or second sides and wherein the thickness of the first artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of each of the plurality of first sub-passages of the active first gas passage.