Patent ID: 7014934

Claim:
A fuel cell assembly, comprising: a plurality of flat tubes each having first and second anode-electrolyte-cathode surfaces, an interior passageway through which a first process gas may flow over said first surface, a gas inlet opening at one extremity thereof for allowing said first process gas to enter said passageway, and a gas outlet opening at the opposite extremity thereof for allowing said first process gas to exit said passageway, said tubes being arranged in parallel, spaced apart relationship to each other with gas flow channels therebetween for directing a flow of a second process gas over said second surface of said tubes; a gas tight seal on each of the opposite extremities of said tubes adjacent each of said inlet and said outlet openings for sealing said tube extremities from said gas flow channels; and wherein each of said tubes includes a through hole in at least one extremity thereof, said at least one through hole communicating with at least one of said gas inlet opening and said gas outlet opening.