Patent ID: 8921006

Claim:
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a vertically standing tubular first fuel cell; a vertically standing tubular second fuel cell shaped similarly to and disposed adjacent to the first fuel cell; and vertically spaced upper and lower current collectors attached to the first and second fuel cells to electrically connect the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell to each other; wherein the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell each comprises (i) a first electrode formed on an interior side of the respective fuel cells through which a first gas flows, (ii) a second electrode of a polarity different from the first electrode, the second electrode being formed on an exterior side of the respective first and second fuel cells along which a second gas flows, (iii) an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and (iv) vertically spaced upper and lower first electrode terminals formed on the exterior side of the respective first and second fuel cells in electrical contact with the first electrode of the respective first and second fuel cells, wherein the upper and lower current collectors being attached to the first and second fuel cells each comprise (a) first and second gripping portions vertically offset from each other and horizontally spaced apart from each other at an interval at which the first and second fuel cells are disposed, and (b) a connecting portion electrically connecting the first and second gripping portions to each other, wherein the first and second gripping portions each comprise a pair of holding strips generally horizontally spaced apart to face each other, the holding strips of the pairs all extending from the connecting portion in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane going through both first and second fuel cells, and wherein the first and second gripping portions of the upper current collector each hold one of the first and second fuel cells between its holding strips to conduct electrical current between the second electrode of the first fuel cell and the upper first electrode of the second fuel cell, and the first and second gripping portions of the lower current collector each hold one of the first and second fuel cells between its holding strips to conduct electrical current between the second electrode of the first fuel cell and the lower first electrode of the second fuel cell.