Patent ID: 6974646

Claim:
A fuel cell system for generating electric power by combination of oxygen with hydrogen-containing fuel, comprising: a) a plurality of individual fuel cells organized into at least one fuel cell stack assembly including a plurality of cathodes and anodes; b) a reformer for reforming hydrocarbons to provide said fuel; c) an air supply system for supplying said oxygen in the form of air; d) an integrated fuel/air manifold for receiving said fuel from said reformer, conveying said fuel to said anodes, and returning said fuel as tail gas from said anodes, and for receiving said air from said air supply system, conveying said air to said cathodes, and returning said air from said cathodes; e) a structural enclosure for housing said fuel cells, said reformer, said air supply system, and said manifold; f) a control system for controlling operating parameters and conditions in said fuel cell system, wherein said control system includes a power conditioner, and wherein said control system also is disposed within said structural enclosure; and wherein said fuel cell system further comprises a thermal enclosure within said structural enclosure, said thermal enclosure enclosing said fuel cells, said manifold, and a portion of said reformer, and said control system being outside said thermal enclosure.