Patent ID: 6508925
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: C25D,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of electrolytically coating a metal deposit on the interconnection of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell comprising:(A) providing an axially elongated, tubular, hollow fuel cell comprising an outer fuel electrode, an inner air electrode and a solid electrolyte therebetween where the electrolyte defines an elongated exposed radial segment, said segment containing an electrically conductive interconnect material; (B) contacting the inside of the fuel cell with a cathode material without use of any liquid medium inside the fuel cell; (C) passing electrical current through a rotating brush applicator which contains liquid electrolyte solution containing a metal desired to be deposited on the interconnect material; (D) passing electric current from the rotating brush applicator, to the cathode inside of the fuel cell and contacting the interconnect with the electrolyte containing rotating brush applicator and coating all of the interconnect surface with electrolyte solution, so that the passage of electric current will cause metal from the electrolyte solution to coat the surface of the interconnect, where a moveable carriage supports the fuel cell and where the brush applicator is automatically rotated by a stationary motor to coat the interconnect surface.