Patent ID: 8343684

Claim:
A fuel cell device comprising: a ceramic support structure having a length in an x direction from a first end to a second end, a width in a y direction from a first side to a second side, and a thickness in a z direction from a top surface to a bottom surface perpendicular to the x and y directions; a reaction zone positioned along a first portion of the length configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature, and having at least one active layer therein in the reaction zone comprising a fuel cell comprising an electrolyte separating a first electrode from an opposing second electrode, an active first gas passage adjacent the first electrode, and an active second gas passage adjacent the second electrode, wherein each of the active first gas passage and the active second gas passage have a thickness in the z direction; at least one cold zone positioned from the first end along a second portion of the length and configured to remain at a temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the reaction zone is heated; a first artery flow passage extending within the ceramic support structure from the first end in the x direction through the at least one cold zone and into the reaction zone and having a thickness in the z direction, the first artery flow passage fluidicly coupled to the active first gas passage, wherein the active first gas passage extends from the first artery flow passage in the y direction toward at least one of the first or second sides and wherein the thickness of the first artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the active first gas passage.