Solid oxide fuel cell stack

Abstract

A fuel cell stack having a structure in which a plurality of single fuel cells C( 1 ) and a plurality of interconnectors ( 5 ) are disposed alternately between a pair of end members and such that a junction member J composed of an elastic member ( 20 ) and an electrically conductive member ( 21 ) is disposed in a space ( 3 a ) formed between a first end member ( 3 ) and a first interconnector ( 5 ( 1 )). A portion of the electrically conductive member ( 21 ) is disposed between the first end member ( 3 ) and the elastic member ( 20 ), and another portion of the electrically conductive member ( 21 ) is disposed between the first interconnector ( 5 ( 1 )) and the elastic member ( 20 ); and the first end member ( 3 ) and the first interconnector ( 5 ( 1 )) are electrically connected through the electrically conductive member ( 21 ).

1 . A solid oxide fuel cell stack having a structure in which a plurality of single fuel cells, each having an anode layer, a cathode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer, and a plurality of interconnectors are disposed alternately and held between a pair of end members in a direction in which the single fuel cells face one another,
 the solid oxide fuel cell stack being characterized in that   a space is formed between at least one of the pair of end members which is a first end member and a first interconnector;   a junction member composed of an elastic member and an electrically conductive member is disposed in the space;   with respect to the direction in which the single fuel cells face one another, a portion of the electrically conductive member is disposed between the first end member and the elastic member to be in contract with at least the first end member, and another portion of the electrically conductive member is disposed between the first interconnector and the elastic member to be in contact with at least the first interconnector; and   the first end member and the first interconnector are electrically connected through the electrically conductive member.   
     
     
         2 . The solid oxide fuel cell stack according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the junction member has a unit structure including a bent plate portion of the electrically conductive member; and   in the unit structure, one end of the plate portion is disposed between the first end member and at least a portion of the elastic member, and the other end of the plate portion is disposed between the first interconnector and at least a portion of the elastic member.   
     
     
         3 . The solid oxide fuel cell stack according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the junction member has a unit structure including a bent plate portion of the electrically conductive member; and   one end of the plate portion is disposed between the first end member and at least a portion of the elastic member of the unit structure, and the other end of the plate portion is disposed between the first interconnector and at least a portion of the elastic member of another unit structure of the junction member.   
     
     
         4 . The solid oxide fuel cell stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic member is formed of an electrically insulative material, and the electrically conductive member is formed of a metal material. 
     
     
         5 . The solid oxide fuel cell stack according to  claim 4 , wherein the elastic member is formed of mica. 
     
     
         6 . The solid oxide fuel cell stack according to  claim 4 , wherein the electrically conductive member is formed primarily of nickel. 
     
     
         7 . The solid oxide fuel cell stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the space is filled with reducing gas. 
     
     
         8 . The solid oxide fuel cell stack according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a second interconnector is disposed in opposition to the first interconnector with the single fuel cell intervening therebetween; and   a second space is formed between the single fuel cell and the second interconnector, and a current collector is disposed in the second space, the current collector being composed of a second elastic member and a second electrically conductive member and formed such that a portion of the second electrically conductive member is disposed between the single fuel cell and the second elastic member, while another portion of the second electrically conductive member is disposed between the second interconnector and the second elastic member.