Patent ID: 8628891

Claim:
A system comprising: a plurality of tubular fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising a single fuel cell having a length, each single fuel cell comprising: an inner electrode layer comprising an electrode extending continuously along the length of each fuel cell, an electrolyte layer coaxially surrounding the inner electrode layer, and an outer electrode layer coaxially surrounding the electrolyte layer, the outer electrode layer comprising discrete outer electrodes spaced apart along the length of each fuel cell; each single fuel cell further including a plurality of discrete electrical connection points spaced at discrete locations along said length of each fuel cell between adjacent ones of the outer electrodes and between discontinuities in the electrolyte layer, each electrical connection point including an interconnection band encompassing the circumference of the fuel cell and coaxially surrounding and in electrical communication with the inner electrode to enable electrical connection to the fuel cell at any angular rotation of the fuel cell; and a current collector extending along the length of each fuel cell in electrical communication with the discrete outer electrodes and configured to directly connect electrical connection points of adjacent fuel cells to form a plurality of electrical connections directly between the discrete electrical connection points of adjacent fuel cells at the discrete locations, the current collector including a bridging connector in electrical communication with adjacent outer electrodes, the bridging connector electrically insulated from the interconnection.