The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 28, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 27, 2002
Fuelcell Energy, Ltd., Calgary, CA;
Abstract
A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a thermally responsive compression element. The compression element extends between the top and bottom plates of the stack and has an overall coefficient of thermal expansion which is substantially the same or less than the composite coefficient of thermal expansion of the stack itself. The compression element may be elongated and include a lower rod, an upper sleeve and an intermediate expansion member which are concentrically arranged. The expansion member bears on shoulders formed on the lower rod and upper sleeve to provide a compressive force at elevated temperatures, if the expansion member has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the lower rod and upper sleeve.