Patent ID: 6444342
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A solid oxide fuel cell generator comprising:hollow, tubular fuel cells with interior air electrodes; an oxidant plenum having as its lower enclosure, a lower enclosing insulation member; a chamber below the oxidant plenum operating as a combustion/preheater chamber or a vitiated oxidant exhaust chamber; and oxidant feed tubes; where the enclosing insulation member contains a plurality of holes, and supports the oxidant feed tubes which pass from the oxidant plenum, through the chamber below the oxidant plenum and into the center of the fuel cells through the holes in the enclosing insulation member; where the lower enclosing insulation member holes are from 20% to 30% larger than the outside diameter of the oxidant feed tubes; and where a separate gasket around the top portion of the oxidant feed tubes and on top of the enclosing insulation member has a tight fit with the oxidant feed tube and centers the oxidant feed tubes within the fuel cells.