초록 ▼

An electrochemical converter assembly having one or more converter elements having a peripheral edge. The converter element includes a series of electrolyte plates having an oxidizer electrode material on one side and a fuel electrode material on the opposing side, and a series of interconnector pla

An electrochemical converter assembly having one or more converter elements having a peripheral edge. The converter element includes a series of electrolyte plates having an oxidizer electrode material on one side and a fuel electrode material on the opposing side, and a series of interconnector plates, alternately stacked with the electrolyte plates, that provide electrical contact with the electrolyte plates. The interconnector plate has a textured pattern that forms reactant-flow passageways. The converter assembly has a low pressure drop configuration that includes at least one passageway which is disposed generally in the central region of the converter element, for introducing one input reactant thereto, and at least one second passageway, for introducing the other reactant. A third passageway, outwardly spaced from the second passageway removes spent fuel from the reactant-flow passageways, and thus from the converter element. The spent reactants are discharged along the periphery of the electrochemical converter. The electrochemical converter assembly further includes a sealer material that forms a non-hermetic seal between the electrolyte plate and the interconnector plate.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters patent is:] [1.] An electrochemical converter assembly, comprisinga stack of converter plate elements having unsealed peripheral edges includinga plurality of electrolyte plates having an oxidizer electrode

[ Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters patent is:] [1.] An electrochemical converter assembly, comprisinga stack of converter plate elements having unsealed peripheral edges includinga plurality of electrolyte plates having an oxidizer electrode material on one side and a fuel electrode material on the opposing side, anda plurality of interconnector plates for providing electrical contact with said electrolyte plates, wherein said stack of converter elements is assembled by alternately stacking interconnector plates with said electrolyte plates, andlow pressure drop reactant flow means for producing a substantially uniform flow of reactants through said stack of converter elements, and for producing a substantially low differential pressure condition within said converter assembly, such that spent fuel and oxidizer reactants are discharged from said converter assembly along at least a substantial portion of said peripheral edges of said converter element.