TWI431845B - Stack structure of solid oxide fuel cells - Google Patents

Description

Solid oxide fuel cell stack structure

Embodiments of the present invention are stacked structures relating to solid oxide fuels, particularly with respect to battery stack structures in which a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells are stacked to produce high voltage and high intensity currents.

In general, the fuel cell is a third generation battery after the first generation battery and the second generation battery, wherein the first generation battery is, for example, a dry battery, and the second generation battery is, for example, a rechargeable battery. A fuel cell is a current that directly converts the chemical energy of a source fuel into electrical energy, such as a reaction between a source fuel and an oxidant present in the electrolyte.

Fuel cells are often different from conventional batteries. In a fuel cell, the reactant continuously flows into the battery from an external source, and the reaction product flows out of the battery as if it were a thermodynamic open system. Conversely, conventional batteries store chemical power as a thermodynamically closed system. Thus, the fuel cell can be operated semi-permanently as long as the reactant stream and the oxidant stream are maintained. In addition, since the fuel cell minimizes the mechanical conversion loss of energy, the energy efficiency of the fuel cell is much greater than that of the conventional thermal energy generator. Fuel cells can be of various types depending on the electrolyte, the source fuel, and the operating temperature. Source fuels include various hydrocarbons such as solid fossil fuels such as coal, liquid fossil fuels such as petroleum, and gaseous fossil fuels such as natural gas. Fuel cells are classified into a high temperature type and a low temperature type depending on the temperature of the electrochemical reaction.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) use solid oxide materials as electrolytes for fuel cells. The solid oxide in the SOFC can have strong ionic conductivity at a relatively high temperature of about 600 degrees Celsius to about 1000 degrees Celsius. Since the electrolyte of the SOFC is solid, the electrolyte is not required to be supplemented by the electrolyte in the SOFC. Therefore, SOFC has a relatively simple structure compared to any other fuel cell. What's more, SOFC does not require a precious metal catalyst for the reaction of the reactants with the oxidant, and there is no problem of electrolyte corrosion. Since the reaction product of the SOFC usually contains a high temperature gas, the SOFC can be widely used in a thermal hybrid generation system. For these reasons, various studies on SOFC in advanced countries have been intensively carried out.

Since the unit cell of the SOFC can generate a small amount of current, a plurality of SOFCs are stacked vertically to generate a sufficiently large amount of current to drive a resistive load electrically connected to the SOFC stack structure. The SOFC stack structure is generally classified into a flat type, a tube type, and a flat tube type depending on the type of stacking. In recent years, intensive research has focused on flat tube type SOFC stack structures to generate high intensity electrical energy.

Embodiments provide an SOFC stack structure for generating high intensity currents and high voltages.

According to some embodiments, a plurality of flat tube type unit cells and connections are provided. Each of the unit cells includes a support member, a first battery cell, and a second battery cell. The support has a flow path. The first battery cell is located below the support. The second battery cell is located above the support. The first battery cell has a first fuel electrode, a first electrolyte, and a first air electrode. The first fuel electrode is located below the support. The first electrolyte is located below the first fuel electrode. The first air electrode is located below the first electrolyte. The second battery cell has a second fuel electrode, a second electrolyte, and a second air electrode. The second fuel electrode is above the support and spaced from the first fuel electrode. The second electrolyte is located above the second fuel electrode. The second air electrode is positioned above the second electrolyte and spaced apart from the first air electrode. The connecting portion is electrically connected to the first battery cell and the second battery cell. The flat tube type unit cell further includes a first charge collection portion and a second charge collection portion. The first charge collection portion is in contact with the first fuel electrode via an opening of the first electrolyte and is spaced apart from the first air electrode. The second charge collection portion is in contact with the second fuel electrode via the opening of the second electrolyte and is spaced apart from the second air electrode.

In some embodiments, the first flat tube type unit cell and the second flat tube type unit cell are continuously adjacent to each other stacked, and the connecting portion includes the first connecting member. The first connecting member has a first fuel electrode connecting unit, a first air electrode connecting unit, and a first coupling portion. The first fuel electrode connection unit is electrically connected to the first charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell. The first air electrode connecting unit is interposed between the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit battery and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit battery, and is electrically connected to the first flat tube type unit battery Both the air electrode and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell. The first coupling portion is located on a first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and is electrically connected to the first fuel electrode connection unit and the first air electrode connection unit.

In some embodiments, the connection further includes a second connector. The second connector has a second fuel electrode connection unit, a second air electrode connection unit, and a second coupling portion. The second fuel electrode connection unit is interposed between the second charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first charge collection portion of the second flat tube type unit battery, and is electrically connected to the first flat tube type unit battery Both the second charge collection portion and the first charge collection portion of the second flat tube type unit cell. The second air electrode connection unit is electrically connected to the second air electrode of the second flat tube type unit battery. The second coupling portion is located on a second side surface of one of the second flat tube type unit cells opposite to the first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and is connected to the second fuel electrode connecting unit and the second air electrode connecting unit Electrical connection.

In some embodiments, the first air electrode connection unit and the second air electrode connection unit respectively include a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of depressions.

In some embodiments, the first charge collection portion includes a first collector and a second collector that are spaced apart from each other symmetrically with respect to the first air electrode. The second charge collection portion includes a third collector and a fourth collector that are spaced apart from each other symmetrically with respect to the second air electrode. Wherein the first fuel electrode connection unit includes a first member in contact with the first collector of the first flat tube type unit cell, and includes a second contact with the second collector of the first flat tube type unit battery member. The second fuel electrode connection unit includes a third member in contact with both the third collector of the first flat tube type unit battery and the first collector of the second flat tube type unit battery, and the first flat tube The fourth member of the type unit battery and the second member of the second flat tube type unit battery are in contact with the fourth member.

In some embodiments, the first flat tube type unit cell and the second flat tube type unit cell are continuously adjacent to each other, and the connecting portion includes the first connecting member, the second connecting member, and the third connecting member. In this case, the first connecting member includes a first fuel electrode connecting unit, a first air electrode connecting unit, and a first coupling portion. The first fuel electrode connection unit is electrically connected to the first charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell. The first air electrode connecting unit is interposed between the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit battery and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit battery, and is electrically connected to the first flat tube type unit battery Two air electrodes. The first coupling portion is located on a first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and is electrically connected to the first fuel electrode connection unit and the first air electrode connection unit. In this case, the second connector includes a second fuel electrode connection unit, a second air electrode connection unit, and a second coupling portion. The second fuel electrode connection unit is interposed between the second charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first charge collection portion of the second flat tube type unit battery, and is the first of the second flat tube type unit cells The charge collection portion is in contact. The second air electrode connection unit is electrically connected to the second air electrode of the second flat tube type unit battery. The second coupling portion is located on a first side surface of the second flat tube type unit cell adjacent to the first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and the second fuel electrode connection unit and the second air electrode connection unit are connected to each other Electrical connection. In this case, the third connecting member is located between the first flat tube type unit cell and the second flat tube type unit battery, and the second charge collecting portion and the second flat tube type unit of the first flat tube type unit battery The first air electrodes of the battery are electrically connected to each other.

For example, the third connector includes a base portion and a step portion. The base portion is located between the second charge collection portion and the second fuel electrode connection unit of the first flat tube type unit cell. The step portion is located between the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell. In detail, the base portion is in contact with the second charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell, and is spaced apart from the second fuel electrode connection unit and the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit battery. The step portion is in contact with the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell, and is spaced apart from the second fuel electrode connection unit. The first air electrode connecting unit, the step portion and the second air electrode respectively comprise a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses.

In some embodiments, the first flat tube type unit cell and the second flat tube type unit cell are continuously adjacent to each other stacked, and the connecting portion includes the first connecting member and the second connecting member. The first connecting member has a first fuel electrode connecting unit, a second fuel electrode connecting unit, and a first coupling portion. The first fuel electrode connection unit is in contact with the first charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell. The second fuel electrode connection unit is in contact with the second charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell. The first coupling portion is located on the first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and is electrically connected to the first fuel electrode connection unit and the second fuel electrode connection unit. The second connecting member includes a first air electrode connecting unit, a second air electrode connecting unit, and a second coupling portion. The first air electrode connection unit is in contact with the first air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell. The second air electrode connection unit is in contact with the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit battery. The second coupling portion is located on the second side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell opposite to the first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and is connected to the first air electrode connecting unit and the second air electrode connecting unit Electrical connection.

In this case, the first connector further includes a third fuel electrode connection unit. The third fuel electrode connection unit is in contact with the second charge collection portion of the second flat tube type unit cell, and is electrically connected to the first coupling portion. The second connector further includes a third air electrode connection unit. The third air electrode connection unit is in contact with the second air electrode of the second flat tube type unit battery, and is electrically connected to the second coupling portion. Therefore, the second fuel electrode connection unit is further in contact with the first charge collection portion of the second flat tube type unit cell. The second air electrode connection unit is further in contact with the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell. The first, second, and third air electrode connection units respectively include a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of depressions.

In some embodiments, the connecting portion includes a plurality of connecting plates, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. A plurality of connecting plates are interposed between adjacent plurality of flat tube type unit cells, each connecting plate comprising an insulating plate and an air electrode contact portion and a fuel electrode contact portion on the insulating plate spaced apart from each other. The first connecting member is electrically connected to the air electrode contact section of the connecting plate. The second connecting member is electrically connected to the fuel electrode contact portion of the connecting plate.

In detail, the adjacent plurality of flat tube type unit cells are one of the first flat tube type unit cells and one second flat tube type unit cell adjacent to each other and vertically stacked. The air electrode contact section can be in contact with both the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell. The fuel electrode contact section can be in contact with both the second charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first charge collection portion of the second flat tube type unit cell. The first connecting member and the second connecting member are respectively in contact with the air electrode contact portion and the fuel electrode contact portion, and the fuel electrode contact portion and the fuel electrode contact portion are located on the first surface and the second surface of the insulating plate opposite to each other . The air electrode contact section includes a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of depressions.

According to some embodiments of the steps of the present invention, the stacked structure of the SOFC includes a plurality of flat tube type unit cells, wherein each of the flat tube type unit cells has first and second battery cells. Therefore, the first and second battery cells in the flat tube type unit cell can be electrically connected by various methods. Therefore, the stacked structure can generate high intensity current and high voltage.

The embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments.

Various embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. However, the invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For the sake of brevity, the dimensions and relative dimensions of the layers and regions in the drawing may be exaggerated.

It will be understood that when a <RTI ID=0.0>" </ RTI> </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; Above an element or layer, or directly connected or coupled to another element or layer, or intermediate element or layer in between. In contrast, when the phrase "a component or layer is directly above another component or layer" or "a component is directly connected or coupled to another component or layer", there is no intermediate element or layer between the two. . Similar components are labeled with similar symbols. The phrase "and/or" used herein includes any and all combinations of the listed items.

It will be appreciated that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or blocks, such elements, components, regions, layers and/or blocks are not subject to Limit these terms. The terms are used to refer to a single element, component, region, layer or block, and another element, component, region, layer or block. Therefore, a first element, component, region, layer or layer may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or block, without departing from the teachings of the invention.

The space relative terms, such as "lower" or "upper" or the like, may be used to simply describe a component as depicted in the drawings, or a feature and another component or feature. relationship. It will be appreciated that such spatially relative terms are used to describe the orientation of the device in use or operation, and are not limited by the orientation in the drawings. For example, when the device in the drawings is turned upside down, the recitation of "a component or another element or feature" means "one element is on the other element or feature." Therefore, the word "below" includes both "upper" and "lower". The device can be oriented in other directions (rotated 90 degrees or toward other directions), and the space used herein is interpreted correspondingly with respect to the words.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to The singular forms "a" and "the" are used in the s It is to be understood that the terms "comprises" and "comprises" and "comprises" or "comprises" or "comprises" The presence or addition of steps, operations, components, components, and/or combinations thereof.

The embodiments described herein are based on the accompanying drawings, and the cross-sectional drawings illustrate the idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). Thus, differences from the shapes of the drawings, for example, which are caused by manufacturing techniques and/or errors, are contemplated. Therefore, the embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of the illustrated embodiments. For example, an implanted region depicted as a rectangle will typically have a circular or curved shape and/or will have a gradient of implant concentration rather than being implanted into the There is a binary change in the implanted area. Therefore, the regions illustrated in the figures are only schematic and are not intended to depict the actual shapes of the regions of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning meaning Unless specifically defined herein, it will be further appreciated that terms such as those defined by ordinary dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and are not to be construed as idealized or overly formal.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to the following drawings.

First embodiment

1 is a perspective view of a SOFC according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the connection portion of the SOFC in Fig. 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the SOFC according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include a flat tube type unit battery 200 and a connecting portion 100.

The flat tube type unit cell 200 can include a support 210, a first cell 230, a second cell 250, a first charge collection portion 270, and a second charge collection portion 290. The term "flat tube type" refers only to a model category or a model category, and does not limit the shape of the SOFC of the inventive concept. Also. The term "unit cell" means one or more fuel cells in which the source fuel of the fuel cell flows through the same source path in the support 210 regardless of the battery function of each fuel cell. And, therefore, the plurality of fuel cells of the unit cells can function as a single fuel cell, or each of the plurality of fuel cells of the unit cells can independently function as individual cells.

The support member 210 can include at least one source path 211, a first battery cell 230, and a second battery cell 250. The source fuel flows to the respective fuel cells of the unit cells via the source path 211. The first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250 can be arranged on both sides of the support member 210. Therefore, the source fuel of hydrogen (H) can flow into the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250 via the same source path 211.

The support member 210 can include a plurality of support blocks 210a and 210b. The support blocks 210a and 210b can extend along the first direction and can be spaced apart from each other along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first direction can be represented as the X direction in the Cartesian coordinate system of FIG. 1, and the second direction can be represented as the Y direction in the Cartesian coordinate system of FIG. Each of the plurality of support blocks can have a length measured along the first direction, a width measured along the second direction, and a height measured along the third direction. Among them, the third direction can be expressed as the Z direction in the Cartesian coordinate system of Fig. 1. Each of the plurality of support blocks can have the same length and width. For example, each of the plurality of support blocks can be shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped that extends along the first direction. Therefore, each of the plurality of support blocks can include a front surface and a rear surface opposite to each other along the first direction, upper and lower surfaces opposed to each other along the third direction, and opposite to each other along the second direction Left and right side surfaces. In a modified embodiment, the plurality of support blocks along the second direction Y and the leftmost support block and the rightmost support block can have a curved outer side surface.

The first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250 can be arranged on the upper surface and the lower surface of the support member 210. The upper surface of the support block 210a and the upper surface of the support block 210b can be coplanar with each other, and the lower surface of the support block 210a and the lower surface of the support block 210b can also be coplanar with each other. In addition, the front surface of the support block 210a and the front surface of the support block 210b can be coplanar with each other, and the rear surface of the support block 210a and the rear surface of the support block 210b can also be coplanar with each other, thereby forming the support members 210 facing each other along the first direction. a first side surface and a second side surface.

In this embodiment, the support block can include a pair of first support blocks 210a, and a plurality of second support blocks 210b interposed between the first support blocks 210a. That is, the first support block 210a can include the leftmost support block and the rightmost support block of the plurality of support blocks along the second direction, and the second support block 210b can be located at the leftmost and rightmost support blocks. Between 210a. The outer side surface of the first support block 210a that does not face the side surface of the second support block 210b functions as a third side surface and a fourth side surface of the support member 210 that are opposite to each other in the second direction. The outer side surface of the first support block 210a can be shaped into a plane or a concave surface.

The second support blocks 210b can be spaced apart from each other along the second direction, and thus the gap space S can be defined by the adjacent second support blocks 210b. Therefore, the plurality of gap spaces S can be arranged between the pair of first support blocks 210a along the second direction. The source fuel can flow into the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250 via the gap space S. Therefore, the gap space S between the second support blocks 210b can function as a flow path 211 for the source fuel of the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250. In this case, the gap space S can extend in the first direction and can communicate with the circumference of the first side surface and the second side surface of the support member 210. Therefore, the inlet and outlet of the flow path 211 can be located on the first side surface and the second side surface of the support member 210. For example, the width of the first support block 210a can be equal to or greater than the width of the second support block 210b, thereby improving the mechanical stability of the support member 210 and the sealing characteristics of the flow path 211.

In an embodiment, the support member 210 can further include a lower plate 210c and an upper plate 210d. The lower plate 210c is in contact with the lower surface of the first support block 210a and the lower surface of the second support block 210b, and the upper plate 210d is in contact with the upper surface of the first support block 210a and the upper surface of the second support block 210b. Therefore, the lower portion and the upper portion of the flow path 211 can be covered by the lower plate 210c and the upper plate 210d, respectively. The lower plate 210c and the upper plate 210d can contain a porous material and can strengthen the strength of the support member 210. The lower plate 210c and the upper plate 210d can be integrally formed with the first support block 210a and the second support block 210b, or can be formed separately from the first support block 210a and the second support block 210b.

The first support block 210a and the second support block 210b can include ceramics, metals, and compositions thereof. For example, the support blocks 210a and 210b can comprise a compact material such as alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ), yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), or nickel (nickel, Ni) and YSZ. The compound enhances the sealing characteristics of the flow path 211. Conversely, the lower plate 210c and the upper plate 210d can include a porous material to facilitate the flow of source fuel from the fuel path 211 to the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250.

In this embodiment, the first battery cell 230 can be located below the support member 210 and can include the first fuel electrode 231, the first electrolyte 233, and the first air electrode 235.

The first fuel electrode 231 can be located on the lower surface of the support member 210, and the source fuel can flow directly from the flow path 211 of the support member 210 to the first fuel electrode 231, or the lower plate 210c can flow to the first fuel electrode 231. For example, the first fuel electrode 231 can include a porous structure through which hydrogen (H) in the source fuel can flow to the first electrolyte 233. The first fuel electrode 231 can include a compound of nickel (Ni) and an ion-conductive ceramic such as YSZ.

The first electrolyte 233 can be located below the first fuel electrode 231 and can include high ion conductivity, low electrical conductivity, stability in oxidation and reduction, and High mechanical strength material. For example, the first electrolyte 233 can include a ceramic material: YSZ, lanthanum, cerium and gallium, magnesium oxide ((La,Sr)(Ga,Mg)O ₃ ), containing lanthanum and zirconium, lanthanum Oxide (Ba(Zr, Y)O ₃ ), ytterbium doped yttrium oxide (Gd doped CeO ₂ , GDC), and yttria-doped yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ doped CeO ₂ , YDC). In the present embodiment, the first electrolyte 233 can include a mole of YSZ.

The first air electrode 235 can be located below the first electrolyte 233, and air containing oxygen (O ₂ ) can flow into the first air electrode 235. Therefore, the first air electrode 235 can also contain a porous structure to promote air flow. The first air electrode 235 can include an LSM and an LSCF. LSM is a compound of lanthanum (La), strontium (Sr) and manganese (manganite, Mn). LSCF is a compound of lanthanum (La), strontium (Sr), cobalt (Co), and iron (iron).

For example, the first electrolyte 233 can have a surface larger than the first fuel electrode 231 and the first air electrode 235, and the first fuel electrode 231 can have a surface larger than the first air electrode 235. Therefore, the first fuel electrode 231 can be covered by the first electrolyte 233, and the first electrolyte can be partially covered by the first air electrode 235. In the present embodiment, the first electrolyte 233 can cover the entire lower surface of the first support block 210a and the second support block 210b, and the first air electrode 235 can cover the central portion of the lower surface of the support member 210. Therefore, the first portion of the first electrolyte 233 is located between the first side surface of the support member 210 and the first air electrode 235 and is not covered by the first air electrode 235. The second portion of the first electrolyte 233 is located between the second side surface of the support member 210 and the first air electrode 235 and is not covered by the first air electrode 235. The first portion and the second portion of the electrolyte 233 can include openings corresponding to the charge collection portion.

The second battery cell 250 can be located above the support member 210 and can include a second fuel electrode 251 on the support member 210, a second electrolyte 253 on the second fuel electrode 251, and a second electrolyte 253. Two air electrodes 255.

The second fuel electrode 251 can be spaced apart from the first fuel electrode 231, and the second air electrode 255 can also be spaced apart from the first air electrode 235. Therefore, the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250 can function independently of each other to function as individual batteries. The first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250 can be symmetrical to each other with the support 210. The structure and configuration of the second battery cell 250 can be substantially the same as the first battery cell 230, and thus any details of the second battery cell 250 will be omitted.

The oxygen ions of the first air electrode 235 and the second air electrode 255 can be transferred to the first fuel electrode 231 and the second fuel electrode 251 via the first electrolyte 233 and the second electrolyte 253, and can be coupled to the first fuel electrode 231 and Hydrogen ions (H) in the second fuel electrode 251 undergo a chemical reaction to generate water molecules (H ₂ O) and electrons. The flow of electrons in the first fuel electrode 231 and the second fuel electrode 251 can generate a current or a voltage in the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250.

The first charge collection portion 270 can be located at an opening of the first electrolyte 233 through which the first fuel electrode 231 can be partially exposed, and electrons in the first fuel electrode 231 can be discharged outward by the first charge collection portion 270. Therefore, the first charge collecting portion 270 can include a conductive material such as conductive ceramics, metal, and pottery. Tao Jin is a composite of ceramic and metal materials.

Conversely, the first charge collection portion 270 can be sufficiently spaced from the first air electrode 235 and thus can be electrically insulated from the first air electrode 235. A single charge collecting portion member can be used as the first charge collecting portion 270. However, one of the first air electrodes 235 is symmetrical to the charge collecting portion member, and can be used as the first charge collecting portion 270 to shorten the traveling path of the electrons. For example, when the first air electrode 235 can be located at a central portion of the upper surface of the support member 210, the first opening and the second opening can be respectively arranged in the first portion and the second portion of the first electrolyte 233. Moreover, the conductive paste can be filled in the respective openings of the first electrolyte 233 to form the first collector 271 and the second collector 273 which are in contact with the first fuel electrode 231, respectively. The shape of the charge collecting portion 270 can vary depending on the production requirements of the SOFC. For example, each of the first collector 271 and the second collector 273 can be shaped as a rectangle extending along the second direction Y, which can be less than or equal to the width of the first fuel electrode 231 along the second direction. .

The upper surface of the first charge collecting portion 270 can be coplanar with the upper surface of the first air electrode 235. In the present embodiment, the first charge collecting portion 270 and the first air electrode 235 can have the same height from the surface of the first electrolyte 233. However, as is well known to those skilled in the art, the first charge collection portion 270 can be higher or lower than the first air electrode.

The second charge collection portion 290 can be located at an opening of the second electrolyte 253 through which the second fuel electrode 251 can be partially exposed. The second charge collection portion 290 can be symmetric with respect to the first charge collection portion 270 with respect to the support portion 210, and the configuration of the second charge collection portion 290 can be substantially the same as the first charge collection portion 270. Therefore, any further description of the second charge collection portion 290 will be omitted.

The connecting portion 100 can include a conductive material and can electrically connect the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250. For example, the connection portion 100 can include conductive ceramics and metal. Examples of metals can include materials such as platinum (Pt), silver (silver, Ag), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, and Crofer alloys. The above materials can be used singly or in combination.

The connection portion 100 can include a fuel electrode connection unit 101, an air electrode connection unit 103, and a coupling portion 105. The fuel electrode connection unit 101 can be in contact with the first charge collection portion 270, and the air electrode connection unit 103 can be in contact with the second air electrode 255 of the second battery cell 250. The coupling portion 105 can be located near the third side surface of the support member 210, and the fuel electrode connection unit 101 can be electrically connected to the air electrode connection unit 103. In detail, the fuel electrode connection unit 101 and the air electrode connection unit 103 can extend from the coupling portion 105 in the second direction Y and can be spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the flat tube type unit battery 200 can be located between the fuel electrode connection unit 101 and the air electrode connection unit 103.

The fuel electrode connection unit 101 is substantially the same as the first charge collection portion 270, and may include a single member or may include a pair of separate members. For example, when the first charge collection portion 270 can include the first collector 271 and the second collector 273, the fuel electrode connection unit 101 can include the first member 101a and the second collection in contact with the first collector 271. The second member 101b is in contact with the second member 101b. The first collector 271 is interposed between the first side surface of the support member 210 and the first air electrode 235, and the second collector 273 is interposed between the second side surface of the support member 210 and the first air electrode 235. between. The first collector 271 and the second collector 273 can have a rectangular shape having a width along the first direction X and a length along the second direction Y. The first member 101a and the second member 101b can be molded into a flat plate covering the upper surface of the first collector 271 and the upper surface of the second collector 273.

In detail, the first member 101a and the second member 101b can be shaped into a rectangle having a width along the first direction X and a length along the second direction Y. In this case, the widths of the first member 101a and the second member 101b can be substantially equal to or greater than the widths of the first collector 271 and the second collector 273. The lengths of the first member 101a and the second member 101b can be substantially equal to or greater than the lengths of the first collector 271 and the second collector 273. Further, the first member 101a and the second member 101b can have a width within a certain extent such that the first member 101a and the second member 101b are not in contact with the first air electrode 235. The first member 101a and the second member 101b can have a length within a certain extent such that the first member 101a and the second member 101b can protrude from the fourth side surface of the support member 210. On the other hand, the width and length of the first member 101a and the second member 101b can also be smaller than the width and length of the first collector 271 and the second collector 273.

The air electrode connection unit 103 can have a shape corresponding to the second air electrode 255. For example, when the second air electrode 255 can be shaped into a rectangle, and the rectangle has a width along the first direction X and a length along the second direction, the air electrode connection unit 103 can be shaped to have a width and a length. flat. The width of the air electrode connecting unit 103 is substantially equal to or greater than the width of the second air electrode 255, and the length of the air electrode connecting unit 103 is substantially equal to or greater than the length of the second air electrode 255. Additionally, as is well known to those skilled in the art, the width of the air electrode connection unit 103 can also be less than the width of the second air electrode 255.

The fuel electrode connection unit 101, the air electrode connection unit 103, and the coupling portion 105 can be integrally formed integrally with each other. On the other hand, the fuel electrode connection unit 101, the air electrode connection unit 103, and the coupling portion 105 can also be separately prepared, and can be electrically connected to each other by an additional member, thereby forming the connection portion 100. The first fuel electrode 231 of the first battery cell 230 can be electrically connected to the second air electrode 255 of the second battery cell 250 by the connection portion 100. That is, the first battery cell 230 can be electrically connected to the second battery cell 250 in series by the connection portion 100.

Fig. 3A is a plan view showing the surface of the air electrode connecting unit shown in Fig. 2. 3B and 3C are cross-sectional views taken along the line A-A' in Fig. 3A.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A to 3C, the air electrode connection unit 103 of the connecting portion 100 can include a plurality of protrusions 10 and recesses 20. When the connecting portion 100 can come into close contact with the second air electrode 255, the connector 100 may prevent oxygen (O ₂ ) from being fed into the second air electrode 255. Therefore, between the second air electrode 255 and the air electrode connecting unit 103, the protrusions 10 and the recesses 20 of the air electrode connecting unit 103 can provide a flow path through which air can flow, thereby lifting the oxygen entering the second air electrode 255. The flow.

When the air electrode connection unit 103 of the connection portion 100 can be interposed between the first and second air electrodes of the flat tube type unit battery 200, and both can be in contact with both the first and second air electrodes, the protrusion 10 The recesses 20 can be arranged on both surfaces of the air electrode connecting unit 103.

Although Figures 3A through 3C disclose hemispherical projections 10 and depressions 20, any other modifications known to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains may be made to allow other modified projections 10 and depressions 20 to be substituted or combined with hemispheres. Shaped protrusions 10 or depressions 20. For example, the protrusions 10 and recesses 20 can have various shapes, such as polyprism, polypyramid, elliptical cylinder, elliptical cone, and combinations thereof. In addition, although the present embodiment discloses in FIGS. 3A to 3C that the protrusions 10 and the recesses 20 can be arranged as a dotted line, the protrusions 10 and the recesses 20 can also be known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Arrange as a solid straight line or a solid curve. That is, as long as a sufficient air flow path can be provided between the air electrode connecting unit 103 and the air electrode, the protrusion 10 and the recess 20 can have various modified configurations and shapes.

As shown in Fig. 3B, the projections 10 and the recesses 20 can be alternately arranged in a row. However, the protrusions 10 and the recesses 20 can also be alternately arranged such that the protrusions 10 and the recesses 20 are spaced apart from each other as shown in FIG. 3C. Moreover, although not shown in the drawings, one of the protrusions 10 and the recesses 20 can be arranged on the air electrode connection unit 103 as is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a stack structure in which the SOFCs are vertically stacked using the connecting portions in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the first connecting member of the stacked structure shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a perspective view showing the second connecting member of the stacked structure shown in FIG. 4A. 4D is a perspective view showing the third connecting member of the stacked structure shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4E is a perspective view showing the fourth connecting member of the stacked structure shown in FIG. 4A. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure shown in Fig. 4A.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4A to 4E, the stacked structure of the SOFC according to the first embodiment can include a plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200, 300, 400 and a connecting portion 100.

For example, the stacked structure of the SOFC can include an upper flat tube type unit battery 300, a lower flat tube type unit battery 400, and a plurality of intermediate flat tube type unit batteries 200. As described in detail with reference to FIG. 1, each of the plurality of intermediate flat tube type unit cells 200 can include a support member 210, a first battery cell 230 and a second battery cell 250, and a first charge collection. And a second charge collection unit (not shown). That is, each of the intermediate flat tube type unit cells 200 of the plurality of intermediate flat tube type unit cells 200 can have a structure and arrangement substantially the same as those of the flat tube type unit cells described in detail with reference to FIG. The intermediate flat tube type unit cells 200 can be vertically stacked along the third direction Z. In the present embodiment, in each of the plurality of intermediate flat tube type unit cells 200, the first battery cell 230, the support member 210, and the second battery cell 250 can be continuously continuous in the stated order. Stacking.

The connecting portion 100 can include a first connecting member 110 and a second connecting member 120. The stacked structure of the SOFC can include the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250 of the intermediate flat tube type unit battery 200, and the upper flat tube type unit battery 300 and the lower flat tube type unit battery 400. The first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 120 can be symmetrical to each other, and at least one of the first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 120 can have substantially the same connecting portion as described in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 The structure.

In detail, the intermediate flat tube type unit battery 200 can include the first unit battery, the second unit battery, the third unit battery, and the fourth unit battery which are continuously stacked along the third direction Z. The first connecting member 110 can include a first fuel electrode connecting unit 111, a first air electrode connecting unit 113, and a first coupling portion 115. The first fuel electrode connection unit 111 can be in contact with both the second charge collection portion 290 of the first unit cell and the first charge collection portion 270 of the second unit cell. Moreover, the first air electrode connection unit 113 can be in contact with both the second air electrode 255 of the second unit cell and the first air electrode 235 of the third unit cell. The first coupling portion 115 can be located on the third side surface of the support member 210 of the second unit cell, and can be electrically connected to the first fuel electrode connection unit 111 and the first air electrode connection unit 113. Furthermore, the second connecting member 120 can include the second fuel electrode connecting unit 121, the second air electrode connecting unit 123, and the second coupling portion 125. The second fuel electrode connection unit 121 can be in contact with both the second charge collection portion 290 of the second unit cell and the first charge collection portion 270 of the third unit cell. Moreover, the second air electrode connection unit 123 can be in contact with both the second air electrode 255 of the third unit cell and the first air electrode 235 of the fourth unit cell. The second coupling portion 125 can be located on a fourth side surface of the support member 210 of the third unit cell, the fourth side surface being opposite to the third side surface of the support member 210 of the second unit cell. The second coupling portion 125 and the second fuel electrode connection unit 121 and the second air electrode connection unit 123 are electrically connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 120 can be alternately arranged.

The upper flat tube type unit battery 300 can be provided without the second air electrode. That is, the upper flat tube type unit battery 300 can set only the first battery cell without providing the second battery cell. In this case, the connecting portion 100 can further include a third connecting member 130, and the first fuel electrode of the upper flat tube type unit battery 300 can be electrically connected to the surrounding elements by the third connecting member 130. The third connector 130 can have a similar configuration to the first connector 110. In detail, the third connecting member 130 can include the third fuel electrode connecting unit 131, the first contact portion 133, and the third coupling portion 135. The third fuel electrode connection unit 131 can be interposed between the first charge collection portion of the upper flat tube type unit battery 300 and the second charge of the unit battery of the intermediate flat tube type unit battery 200 which is closest to the upper flat tube type unit battery 300. Between collections. The first contact section 133 can be positioned above the upper flat tube type unit cell 300 and can be electrically connected to surrounding components. The third coupling portion 135 can be located on the third side surface of the support member of the upper flat tube type unit battery 300, and can be electrically connected to the third fuel electrode connection unit 131 and the first contact portion 133. The third fuel electrode connecting unit 131, the first contact portion 133 and the third coupling portion 135 can respectively have a first fuel electrode connecting unit 111, a first air electrode connecting unit 113 and a first coupling with the first connecting member 110. The portion 115 has the same structure. However, the first contact section 133 of the third connector 130 can also have other structures that are different from the first air electrode connection unit 113 of the first connector 110. For example, the width of the first contact section 133 can be smaller or larger than the width of the first air electrode connection unit 113, and the length of the first contact section 133 can be smaller or larger than the length of the first air electrode connection unit 113. Further, the third connecting member 130 can also have a structure similar to that of the second connecting member 120 according to the number of unit cells vertically stacked in the intermediate flat tube type unit cell 200.

On the other hand, the lower flat tube type unit battery 400 can be provided without the first air electrode. That is, the lower flat tube type unit battery 400 can set only the second battery cell without providing the first battery cell. In this case, the connecting portion 100 can further include a fourth connecting member 140, and the second air electrode of the lower flat tube type unit battery 400 can be electrically connected to the surrounding components by the fourth connecting member 140. In detail, the fourth connecting member 140 can include a fourth air electrode connecting unit 141, a second contact portion 143, and a fourth coupling portion 145. The fourth air electrode connecting unit 141 can be interposed between the second air electrode of the lower flat tube type unit battery 400, and the first air electrode of the unit flat battery unit 200 that is closest to the unit battery of the lower flat tube type unit battery 400 between. The second contact section 143 can be located below the lower flat tube type unit cell 400 and can be electrically connected to surrounding components. The fourth coupling portion 145 can be located on the third or fourth side surface of the support member of the lower flat tube type unit cell 400, and can be electrically connected to the fourth air electrode connection unit 141 and the second contact portion 143. The fourth air electrode connecting unit 141 and the fourth coupling portion 145 can have the same structure as the first and second air electrode connecting units 113 and 123, respectively, and have the same structure as the first and second coupling portions 115 and 125. . The second contact section 143 can include a plurality of members similar to the first and second fuel electrode connection units 111 and 121. However, the second contact section 143 can also comprise a single rectangular member as shown in Fig. 4E. The shape of the second contact section 143 can be variously modified in accordance with the requirements of the stacked structure of the SOFC. Further, the second contact section 143 can protrude outward across the lower flat tube type unit cell 400.

In the modified embodiment, both the upper flat tube type battery 300 and the lower flat tube type unit battery 400 can be provided with both the first battery cell and the second battery cell. In this case, the connecting portion 100 can further include a fifth connecting member (not shown) for electrically connecting the second fuel electrode of the upper flat tube type unit battery 300 to the surrounding components. The connecting portion 100 can further include a sixth connecting member (not shown) for electrically connecting the first air electrode of the lower flat tube type unit battery 400 to the surrounding components. For example, the fifth connector can include the connecting member detailed in reference to FIGS. 10 and 11B, and the sixth connector can include a rectangular connecting plate that contacts the first air electrode of the lower flat tube type unit battery 400.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the flat tube type unit cells 200, 300, and 400 of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in FIG. 4A, the first battery cell and the second battery cell of each of the flat tube type unit cells can be borrowed. The connection portion 100 is electrically connected to each other, and the equivalent circuit diagram can be expressed as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, in the case where the first battery cell and the second battery cell have the same voltage and internal resistance, the voltages and internal resistances of the first battery cell and the second battery cell are respectively marked as uppercase "V". And lowercase "r".

Second embodiment

FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a stack structure of an SOFC according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 6B is a perspective view showing the seventh and eighth connecting members shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in Fig. 6A.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the stacked structure of the SOFC of the second embodiment of the present invention can include a pair of cell columns and a connection portion 100 for electrically connecting the battery columns. The battery column can include a plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700.

The connection portion 100 can include a conductive material. For example, the connection portion 100 can include a conductive ceramic or metal. Examples of metals can include materials such as platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, and Crofer alloys. The above materials can be used singly or in combination.

Each of the battery columns can have substantially the same structure as the stacked structure detailed with reference to Figure 4A. Therefore, it can also be applied to each of the battery columns of the stacked structure shown in Fig. 6A with reference to the description of Figs. 4A to 4D. Further, the first to fourth connecting members 110 to 140 for electrically connecting the flat tube type unit cells vertically stacked in each of the battery columns can also have the first to fourth connecting bodies as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. The connectors are substantially identical in construction. Therefore, any further details of the first to fourth connecting members 110 to 140 will be omitted.

In the embodiment, the connecting portion 100 can further include a seventh connecting member 150, an eighth connecting member 160, and first to fourth connecting members 110-140. The seventh connector 150 can be electrically connected to each other with each of the third connectors 130 on the top surface of each of the battery posts. The eighth connector 160 is electrically connectable to each of the fourth connectors 140 on the bottom surface of each of the battery posts.

The seventh connector 150 can be molded into a flat plate that contacts both of the first contact sections 133 of the respective third connectors 130. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the seventh connector 150 can include a rectangular plate that covers each of the first contact segments 133. On the other hand, the seventh connecting member 150 can also cover one of the first contact sections 133 of each of the first contact sections 133. Further, the seventh connector 150 can have various shapes or rectangular shapes.

The eighth connector 160 can be shaped as a flat plate that contacts both of the second contact sections 143 of the respective fourth connectors 140. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the eighth connector 160 can have substantially the same structure as the seventh connector 150. Of course, the eighth connecting member 160 can also have a structure different from that of the seventh connecting member 150.

Referring to FIG. 7, the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in FIG. 6A can include a stacked structure electrically connected to each other in a parallel manner and shown in FIG. 4A. Therefore, the equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure in FIG. 6A can correspond to the parallel combination of the equivalent circuit diagrams shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, in the case where the first battery cell and the second battery cell have the same voltage and internal resistance, the voltage and internal resistance of the first battery cell and the second battery cell can be respectively marked as uppercase "V". And lowercase "r".

Third embodiment

8A is a perspective view showing a stack structure of an SOFC according to a third embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 8B is a perspective view showing the first connecting member shown in Fig. 8A. Fig. 8C is a perspective view showing the second connecting member shown in Fig. 8A. Fig. 8D is a perspective view showing the third connecting member shown in Fig. 8A. Fig. 8E is a perspective view showing the fourth connecting member shown in Fig. 8A. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in Figure 8A.

Referring to Figures 8A through 8E, the stacked structure of the SOFC of the third embodiment of the present invention can include a pair of battery posts and a connecting portion 100 for electrically connecting the battery posts. The battery column can include a plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700.

The connection portion 100 can include a conductive material. For example, the connection portion 100 can include a conductive ceramic or metal. Examples of metals can include materials such as platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, and Crofer alloys. The above materials can be used singly or in combination.

The connecting portion 100 can include a first connecting member 110 and a second connecting member 120. As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 120, except that a pair of flat tube type unit cells can be located between the air electrode connecting units 113 and 123 and the fuel electrode connecting units 111 and 121, It can have substantially the same structure as the first connector and the second connector described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C. The pair of flat tube type unit cells can be a flat tube type unit battery 200 in the first battery column and a flat tube type unit battery 500 in the second battery column. Therefore, the first connecting member and the second connecting member according to FIGS. 4A to 4C can also be applied to the first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 120 shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C. Hereinafter, the difference between the first connector and the second connector in FIGS. 4A to 4C and the first connector and the second connector in FIGS. 8A to 8C will be mainly described.

In an embodiment, the first to fourth flat tube type unit cells 200 can be vertically stacked in the first battery column, and the fifth to eighth flat tube type unit cells 500 can be vertically stacked in the second battery column. In this configuration, each of the flat tube type unit cells of the fifth to eighth flat tube type unit cells 500 can have the same height as each of the flat tube type unit cells of the first to fourth flat tube type unit cells 200. . The first fuel electrode connection unit 111 of the first connector 110 can be located in the second charge collection portion of the first and fifth flat tube type unit cells, and the first charge collection portion of the second and sixth flat tube type unit cells And can be in contact with both the first and second charge collection portions. In addition, the first air electrode connection unit 113 of the first connecting member 110 can be located at the second air electrode of the second and sixth flat tube type unit cells, and the first air electrode of the third and seventh flat tube type unit cells. And can be in contact with both the first and second air electrodes. The first coupling portion 115 of the first connecting member 110 can be located on the third side surface of the support member of the second flat tube type unit cell, and can be electrically connected to the first fuel electrode connecting unit and the first air electrode connecting unit . The second fuel electrode connection unit 121 of the second connector 120 can be located in the second charge collection portion of the second and sixth flat tube type unit cells, and the first charge collection portion of the third and seventh flat tube type unit cells And can be in contact with both the first and second charge collection portions. In addition, the second air electrode connection unit 123 of the second connecting member 120 can be located at the second air electrode of the third and seventh flat tube type unit cells, and the first air electrode of the fourth and eighth flat tube type unit batteries. And can be in contact with both the first and second air electrodes. The second coupling portion 125 of the second connecting member 120 can be located on the fourth side surface of the support member of the seventh flat tube type unit cell, and can be electrically connected to the second fuel electrode connecting unit 121 and the second air electrode connecting unit 123 Sexual connection.

The first upper flat tube type unit battery 300 in the first battery column and the second upper flat tube type unit battery 600 in the second battery column can have no second battery cell 250. The first lower flat tube type unit cell 400 in the first battery column and the second lower flat tube type unit battery 700 in the second battery column can have no first battery cell 230. In this case, the connecting portion 100 can further include a third connecting member 130 for electrically connecting the first fuel electrodes of the first and second upper flat tube type unit cells 300, 600 to the surrounding elements. The connecting portion 100 can further include a fourth connecting member 140 for electrically connecting the second air electrodes of the first and second lower flat tube type unit cells 400, 700 to the surrounding components.

The third connector 130 can have a similar structure to the first connector 110. In detail, the third connecting member 130 can include the third fuel electrode connecting unit 131, the first contact portion 133, and the third coupling portion 135. The third fuel electrode connection unit 131 can be located in the first charge collection portion of the first and second upper flat tube type unit cells 300, 600, and the intermediate flat tube type unit cells 200, 500 can be closest to the first and second Between the second charge collection portions of the unit cells of the flat tube type unit cells 300 and 600. The first contact section 133 can be positioned above the first and second upper flat tube type unit cells 300, 600 and can be electrically connected to surrounding components. The third coupling portion 135 can be located on the third side surface of the support member of the first upper flat tube type unit cell 300, and can be electrically connected to the third fuel electrode connection unit 131 and the first contact portion 133. The third fuel electrode connecting unit 131, the first contact portion 133 and the third coupling portion 135 of the third connecting member 130 can respectively have a first fuel electrode connecting unit 111 and a first air electrode connected to the first connecting member 110. The unit 113 and the first coupling unit 115 have the same structure. However, the first contact section 133 of the third connector 130 can also have other structures that are different from the first air electrode connection unit 113 of the first connector 110. For example, the width of the first contact section 133 can be smaller or larger than the width of the first air electrode connection unit 113, and the length of the first contact section 133 can be smaller or larger than the length of the first air electrode connection unit 113. Further, the third connecting member 130 can also have a structure similar to that of the second connecting member 120 according to the number of unit cells vertically stacked in the intermediate flat tube type unit cells 200, 500.

The fourth connecting member 140 can include a fourth air electrode connecting unit 141, a second contact portion 143, and a fourth coupling portion 145. The fourth air electrode connecting unit 141 can be located in the second air electrode of the first and second lower flat tube type unit cells 400, 700, and the intermediate flat tube type unit cells 200, 500 can be closest to the first and second lower flat Between the first air electrodes of the unit cells of the tubular unit cells 400, 700. The second contact section 143 can be located below the first and second lower flat tube type unit cells 400, 700 and can be electrically connected to surrounding components. The fourth coupling portion 145 can be located on the third side surface of the support member of the first lower flat tube type unit battery 400, or can be located on the fourth side surface of the support member of the second lower flat tube type unit battery 700, and can The fourth air electrode connection unit 141 and the second contact portion 143 are electrically connected to each other. The fourth air electrode connecting unit 141 and the fourth coupling portion 145 can have the same structure as the first and second air electrode connecting units 113 and 123 of the first and second connecting members 110 and 120, respectively, and have the same And the first and second coupling portions 115 and 125 of the second connecting members 110 and 120 have the same structure. The second contact section 143 can include a plurality of members similar to the first and second fuel electrode connection units 111 and 121 of the first and second connectors 110, 120. However, the second contact section 143 can also comprise a single rectangular member as shown in Fig. 4E. The shape of the second contact section 143 can be variously modified in accordance with the requirements of the stacked structure of the SOFC. Further, the second contact section 143 can protrude outward across the first and second lower flat tube type unit cells 400, 700.

Referring to FIG. 9, the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in FIG. 8A can include a plurality of flat tube type unit cells, and the flat tube type unit batteries can be electrically connected to each other, and are represented as shown in FIG. The equivalent circuit diagram shown. In FIG. 9, the voltage and internal resistance of the first battery cell and the second battery cell in each of the flat tube type unit cells can be the same voltage and internal resistance of the first battery cell and the second battery cell. Marked as "V" in uppercase and "r" in lowercase.

Fourth embodiment

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a stack structure of an SOFC according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the first and second connecting members shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the third connecting member shown in FIG. 10. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to Figures 10, 11A and 11B, the stacked structure of the SOFC of the fourth embodiment of the present invention can include a plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200 and a connection portion for electrically connecting the flat tube type unit cells 200. 100.

The connection portion 100 can include a conductive material. For example, the connection portion 100 can include a conductive ceramic or metal. Examples of metals can include materials such as platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, and Crofer alloys. The above materials can be used singly or in combination.

Each of the plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200 can have substantially the same structure as the flat tube type unit cell 200 described in detail with reference to FIG. Therefore, the flat tube type unit cell 200 described with reference to Fig. 1 can also be applied to the flat tube type unit cell 200 of the present embodiment in Fig. 10. The flat tube type unit cells 200 can be vertically stacked along the third direction Z. In each of the plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200, the first battery cell 230, the support member 210, and the second battery cell 250 can be continuously stacked in the stated order.

The first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250 can be electrically connected to each other by the connection portion 100. The connection portion 100 can include a conductive material. For example, the connection portion 100 can include a conductive ceramic or metal. Examples of metals can include materials such as platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, and Crofer alloys. The above materials can be used singly or in combination. The connecting portion 100 can include a first connecting member 110, a second connecting member 120, and a third connecting member 130.

For example, when the stacked structure of the SOFC can include the first to fifth flat tube type unit cells 200 shown in FIG. 10, the first connecting member 110 can include the first fuel electrode connecting unit 111 and the first air electrode connection. The unit 113 and the first coupling unit 115. The first fuel electrode connection unit 111 can be in contact with the first charge collection portion 270 of the first flat tube type unit cell. The first air electrode connecting unit 113 can be located between the second air electrode 255 of the first flat tube type unit battery and the first air electrode 235 of the second flat tube type unit battery, and is the same as the first flat tube type unit battery The two air electrodes 255 are in contact. The first coupling portion 115 can be located on the third side surface of the support member 210 of the first flat tube type unit cell, and can be electrically connected to the first fuel electrode connection unit 111 and the first air electrode connection unit 113.

The second connecting member 120 can include a second fuel electrode connecting unit 121, a second air electrode connecting unit 123, and a second coupling portion 125. The second fuel electrode connection unit 121 can be located between the second charge collection portion 290 of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first charge collection portion 270 of the second flat tube type unit battery. The second fuel electrode connection unit 121 can be in contact with the first charge collection portion 270 of the second flat tube type unit cell. The second air electrode connection unit 123 can be in contact with the second air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell. The second coupling portion 125 can be electrically connected to the second fuel electrode connection unit 121 and the second air electrode connection unit 123. For example, when the second coupling portion 125 can be located on the third side surface of the support of the second unit cell, the second connector 120 can have substantially the same structure as the first connector 110. Conversely, when the second coupling portion 125 can be located on the fourth side surface of the support portion of the second unit cell with respect to the third side surface, the first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 120 can be alternately disposed on the fourth side. In the stacked structure of the embodiment. The first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 120 can have substantially the same structure as the first connecting member and the second connecting member described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C. Therefore, any further details of the first and second connectors will be omitted.

The third connecting member 130 can be located between the first and second flat tube type unit cells, and the first air collecting portion 290 of the first flat tube type unit battery and the first air electrode 235 of the second flat tube type unit battery Electrically connected to each other. For example, the third connector can include a base portion 131' and a step portion 133'. The base portion 131' can be located between the second charge collecting portion 290 of the first flat tube type unit cell and the second fuel electrode connecting unit 121 of the second connecting member 120. Therefore, the base portion 131' can be electrically connected to the second charge collecting portion 290 of the first flat tube type unit cell. At the same time, the second fuel electrode connection unit 121 of the second connector 120 can be spaced apart from the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell. The step portion 133' can be located between the second air electrode 255 of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first air electrode 235 of the second flat tube type unit cell. Therefore, the step portion 133' can be electrically connected to the first air electrode 235 of the second flat tube type unit cell. At the same time, the second fuel electrode connection unit 121 of the second connector 120 can be spaced apart from the second air electrode 255 of the first flat tube type unit cell.

When the charge collecting portion of the flat tube type unit cell 200 can include the first collector and the second collector that are symmetrical to each other with the air electrode, the base portion 131' of the third connecting member 130 can include the base plate 131a, and the first collection The first substrate 131b is in contact with the second substrate 131c in contact with the second collector.

The base plate 131a can have various shapes. For example, the base plate 131a can be shaped as a rectangular plate having a length along the first direction X and a width along the second direction Y. The length of the base plate 131a can be equal to or greater than the gap distance between the first collector and the second collector of the second charge collecting portion 290 of the first flat tube type unit cell. The width of the base plate 131a can be smaller than the width of the first flat tube type unit cell along the second direction Y, and can be greater than the length of the first and second collectors along the second direction Y. Alternatively, the width of the base plate 131a can be less than the length of the first and second collectors.

The first substrate 131b and the second substrate 131c can protrude from the bottom surface of the base plate 131a. In this configuration, the first substrate 131b and the second substrate 131c can be spaced apart from each other and can be symmetric with the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell. The first substrate 131b can be in contact with the first collector and can be spaced apart from the second air electrode 255 of the first flat tube type unit cell. The second substrate 131c can be in contact with the second collector and can be spaced apart from the second air electrode 255 of the first flat tube type unit cell. The bottom surface of the base plate 131a can be spaced apart from the second air electrode 255 of the first flat tube type unit cell. That is, the base portion 131' can be in contact with the second charge collecting portion 290 of the first flat tube type unit cell, and can not be in contact with the second air electrode 255 of the first flat tube type unit cell.

The step portion 133' is protruded from the top surface of the base plate 131a and is in contact with the first air electrode 235 of the second flat tube type unit cell. The step portion 133' can be in contact with the first charge collecting portion 270 of the second flat tube type unit cell. The top surface of the step portion 133' can be higher than the top surface of the base plate 131a. Therefore, in the case where the step portion 133' can be in contact with the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell, the step portion 133' can be in contact with the first air electrode 235 of the second flat tube type unit cell. Moreover, although the step portion 133' can be in contact with the first air electrode 235 of the second flat tube type unit cell, the base plate 131a can be used not with the first and second fuels of the first and second connecting members 110, 120. The electrode connection units 111, 121 are in contact, but the base plate 131a can be in contact with the second charge collection portion 290 of the first flat tube type unit cell.

Although the first substrate 131b, the second substrate 131c and the stepped portion 133' can be shaped into a rectangular shape, the first substrate 131b, the second substrate 131c and the stepped portion 133' can also allow general knowledge of the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Any other modifications known to the person. Furthermore, the base plate 131a, the first base 131b, the second base 131c, and the stepped portion 133' can be formed as a single individual such as the third connecting member 130.

The third connector 130 above the uppermost flat tube unit cell 200 can be electrically connected to the surrounding components. When the third connecting member 130 can be disposed not on the uppermost flat tube type unit cell 200, the second charge collecting portion 290 of the uppermost flat tube type unit cell 200 can be directly or electrically conductively Geoelectrically connected to surrounding components.

The first air electrode 235 of the lowermost flat tube type unit cell 200 can be directly and electrically connected to the surrounding elements either directly or via a conductive member.

Referring to FIG. 12, in the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in FIG. 10, the first battery cell and the second battery cell of each of the flat tube type unit cells 200 can be electrically connected to each other in series, and The equivalent circuit diagram shown in Figure 12. In FIG. 12, in the case where the first battery cell and the second battery cell have the same voltage and internal resistance, the voltage and internal resistance of the first battery cell and the second battery cell in each of the flat tube type unit cells Marked as "V" in uppercase and "r" in lowercase.

Fifth embodiment

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a stack structure of an SOFC according to a fifth embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the first connecting member shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the second connecting member shown in Fig. 13.

Referring to Figures 13 to 15, the stacked structure of the SOFC of the fifth embodiment of the present invention can include a flat tube type unit cell 200 and a connecting portion 100.

The flat tube type unit cell 200 can have substantially the same structure as the flat tube type unit cell 200 described in detail with reference to Fig. 1. Therefore, any further description of the flat tube type unit cell 200 will be omitted hereinafter.

The connecting portion 100 can be electrically connected to the first battery cell 230 and the second battery cell 250, and can include the first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 130'. The first connecting member 110 can electrically connect the first air electrode 235 of the first battery cell 230 and the second air electrode 255 of the second battery cell 250. The second connecting member 130' can electrically connect the first fuel electrode 231 of the first battery cell 230 and the second fuel electrode 251 of the second battery cell 250.

The first connecting member 110 can include a first air electrode connecting unit 111 ′ that is in contact with the first air electrode 235 of the first battery cell 230 , and a second air electrode connecting unit that is in contact with the second air electrode 255 of the second battery cell 250 . 113', and a first coupling portion 115. The first coupling portion 115 can be located on the third side surface of the support member 210 and can be electrically connected to the first air electrode connection unit 111' and the second air electrode connection unit 113'.

The first coupling portion 115 can extend along the first direction X on the third side surface of the support member 210, and the first air electrode connecting unit 111' and the second air electrode connecting unit 113' can follow the second direction Y. The first coupling portion 115 extends. The flat tube type unit cell 200 can be located between the first air electrode connecting unit 111' and the second air electrode connecting unit 113'. The first air electrode connecting unit 111' can have various shapes. For example, the first air electrode connection unit 111' can be shaped as a rectangular plate having a length along the second direction Y and a width along the first direction X. In this case, the length of the first air electrode connecting unit 111' can be less than or equal to the width of the flat tube type unit cell 200 along the second direction Y. That is, the first air electrode connecting unit 111' can extend from the coupling portion 115 on the third side surface of the support member 210, and can extend beyond the fourth side surface of the support member 210 with respect to the third side surface. The width of the first air electrode connecting unit 111' can be greater than or equal to the width of the first air electrode 235 along the first direction X. On the other hand, as is known to those skilled in the art, the width of the first air electrode connecting unit 111' can also be smaller than the width of the first air electrode 235. The second air electrode connecting unit 113' can have substantially the same structure as the first air electrode connecting unit 111'. Therefore, any further details of the second air electrode connecting unit 113' will be omitted.

The second connecting member 130' can include a first fuel electrode connecting unit 131" that is in contact with the first charge collecting portion 270 of the flat tube type unit cell 200, and a second charge collecting portion 290 that is in contact with the second charge collecting portion 290 of the flat tube type unit cell 200. The second fuel electrode connection unit 133" and the second coupling portion 135'. The first coupling portion 135' can be located on the fourth side surface of the support member 210, and can be electrically connected to the first fuel electrode connection unit 131" and the second fuel electrode connection unit 133".

The second coupling portion 135' can extend along the first direction X on the fourth side surface of the support member 210, and the first fuel electrode connecting unit 131" and the second fuel electrode connecting unit 133" can be along the second direction Y. Extending from the second coupling portion 135'. The flat tube type unit cell 200 can be located between the first fuel electrode connection unit 131" and the second fuel electrode connection unit 133".

In detail, when the first charge collecting portion 270 of the flat tube type unit cell 200 can include the first collector 271 and the second collector 273 which are symmetrically spaced from the first air electrode 235, and the second charge collecting portion 290 can include When the interval is symmetrical to the first collector 291 and the second collector 293 of the second air electrode 255, the first fuel electrode connecting unit 131" and the second fuel electrode connecting unit 133" can be in contact with the first collectors 271, 291 The first members 131a', 133a and the second members 131b', 133b that are in contact with the second collectors 273, 293.

Furthermore, the first member 131a' and the second member 131b' of the first fuel electrode connecting unit 131" can extend from the second coupling portion 135' along the second direction Y and can be spaced apart from each other. The first air electrode connection unit 111' of 110 can be interposed between the first member 131a' and the second member 131b'. In this configuration, the first member 131a' and the second member of the first fuel electrode connection unit 131" 131b' is not in contact with the first air electrode 235 and the first air electrode connection unit 111' of the first connector 110. The first member 131a' and the second member 131b' of the first fuel electrode connecting unit 131" can have various shapes. For example, the first member 131a' and the second member 131b' of the first fuel electrode connecting unit 131" can A rectangular plate having a length along the second direction Y and a width along the first direction X is formed. In this case, the length of the first member 131a' and the second member 131b' can be less than or equal to the width of the flat tube type unit cell 200 along the second direction Y. That is, the first member 131a' and the second member 131b' can extend from the second coupling portion 135' located on the fourth side surface of the support member 210 along the second direction Y, and can not exceed the relative position of the support member 210. a third side surface of the fourth side surface. Further, the width of the first member 131a' and the second member 131b' can be greater than or equal to the width of the first collector 271 and the second collector 273 of the first charge collecting portion 270 along the first direction X. The first member 133a and the second member 133b of the second fuel electrode connecting unit 133" can have substantially the same structure as the first member 131a' and the second member 131b' of the first fuel electrode connecting unit 131. Therefore, the description will be omitted. Any further details of the first member 133a and the second member 133b of the second fuel electrode connection unit 133".

Fig. 16 is a perspective exploded view showing a stack structure of SOFCs including a plurality of flat tube type unit cells and a plurality of connectors in Figs. 13 to 15. Figure 17 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in Figure 16.

Referring to Fig. 16, the stacked structure of the SOFC can include a plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200 and a connecting portion 100.

The plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200 can be linearly arranged along the third direction Z. In each of the plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200, the first battery cell 230, the support member 210, and the second battery cell 250 can be continuously stacked in the stated order.

The connecting portion 100 can include a first connecting member 110 and a second connecting member 130'. The first connecting member 110 can be electrically connected to the first air electrode 235 and the second air electrode 255 of the flat tube type unit battery 200. The second connecting member 130' can be electrically connected to the first fuel electrode 231 of the flat tube type unit cell 200 and the second fuel electrode 251 of the second battery cell 250.

The first connector 110 can include a first coupling portion 115 on a third side surface of the support 210 of the flat tube type unit cell 200, and can be spaced apart from each other and can extend from the first coupling portion 115 along the second direction Y A plurality of air electrode connection units 113'. Each of the air electrode connection units 113' can be interposed between the first air electrode 235 and the second air electrode 255 of the adjacent flat tube type unit battery 200, and can be both the first air electrode 235 and the second air electrode 255. Contact. The air electrode connecting unit 113' can have substantially the same structure as the first air electrode connecting unit or the second air electrode connecting unit described in detail with reference to Figs. Therefore, any further description of the air electrode connection unit 113' will be omitted. The first coupling portion 115 and the plurality of air electrode connecting units 113' can be integrally formed integrally.

The second connecting member 130' can include a second coupling portion 135' on the fourth side surface of the support member 210 of the flat tube type unit cell 200 with respect to the third side surface, and can be spaced apart from each other and can be coupled from the second a plurality of fuel electrode connection units 133" extending along the second direction Y. The respective fuel electrode connection units 133" can be interposed between the first charge collection portion 270 and the second charge collection of the adjacent flat tube type unit cells 200. The portions 290 are in contact with both the first charge collection portion 270 and the second charge collection portion 290.

When the first charge collecting portion 270 can include one of the first collectors 271 and the second collector 273 symmetrically spaced from each other, and the second charge collecting portion 290 can be spaced apart from each other by the second air electrode When one of the 255 pairs of the first collector 291 and the second collector 293, each of the fuel electrode connection units 133" can include a pair of members that are spaced apart from each other by the first air electrode 235 and the second air electrode 255, and can A collector of a charge collecting portion 270 and a second charge collecting portion 290 are in contact with each other. The fuel electrode connecting unit 133" can have a first fuel electrode connecting unit or a second fuel electrode connected in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 15 The units are substantially identical in structure. Therefore, any further description of the fuel electrode connection unit 133" will be omitted. The second coupling portion 135' and the plurality of fuel electrode connection units 133" can be integrally formed integrally.

Referring to FIG. 17, in the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in FIG. 10, the first battery cell and the second battery cell of each of the flat tube type unit cells 200 can be electrically connected in parallel by the connecting portion 100. Connected and represented as an equivalent circuit diagram as shown in Fig. 17. In FIG. 17, the voltage and internal resistance of the first battery cell and the second battery cell in each of the flat tube type unit cells can be the same voltage and internal resistance of the first battery cell and the second battery cell. Marked as "V" in uppercase and "r" in lowercase.

Sixth embodiment

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a stack structure of a SOFC according to a sixth embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the connecting plate shown in Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the first coupling portion in Fig. 18. Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the second coupling portion in Fig. 18.

Referring to Figures 18 to 21, the stacked structure of the SOFC of the sixth embodiment of the present invention can include a plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200 and a connecting portion 100.

Each of the flat tube type unit cells 200 can have substantially the same structure as the flat tube type unit cell 200 described in detail with reference to Fig. 1. Therefore, any further description of the flat tube type unit cell 200 will be omitted hereinafter. The plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200 can be linearly arranged along the third direction Z. In each of the plurality of flat tube type unit cells 200, the first battery cell 230, the support member 210, and the second battery cell 250 can be continuously stacked in the stated order.

The connection portion 100 can include a conductive material. For example, the connection portion 100 can include a conductive ceramic or metal. Examples of metals can include materials such as platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, and Crofer alloys. The above materials can be used singly or in combination. The connecting portion 100 can include a plurality of connecting plates 6110, a first connecting member 6120, and a second connecting member 6130.

The connection plate 6110 can include an insulating plate 6111, an air electrode contact portion 6113 on the insulating plate 6111, and a fuel electrode contact portion 6115 on the insulating plate 6111 and spaced apart from the air electrode contact portion 6113. The insulating plate 6111 can include an insulating material such as an insulating ceramic. The air electrode contact section 6113 and the fuel electrode contact section 6115 can include a conductive material overlying the insulating body 6111. For example, the air electrode contact section 6113 and the fuel electrode contact section 6115 can partially expose the insulating plate 6111. In the present embodiment, the air electrode contact section 6113 and the fuel electrode contact section 6115 can be continuously disposed on the top surface, the bottom surface, and both side surfaces opposite to each other.

The connecting plate 6110 can be interposed between adjacent flat tube type unit cells and can be positioned above the uppermost flat tube type unit cells and below the lowermost flat tube type unit cells. In the connecting plate 6110 between adjacent flat tube type unit cells, the fuel electrode contact portion 6115 can be interposed between the second charge collecting portion 290 of the lower flat tube type unit cell and the upper flat tube type unit battery. The first charge collecting portion 270 is in contact with both the first charge collecting portion 270 and the second charge collecting portion 290. In addition, the air electrode contact section 6113 can be interposed between the second air electrode 255 of the lower flat tube type unit cell and the first air electrode 235 of the upper flat tube type unit cell, and the first air electrode 235 And both of the second air electrodes 255 are in contact.

In the connecting plate 6110 above the uppermost flat tube type unit cell, the fuel electrode contact portion 6115 can be in contact with the second charge collecting portion 290 of the uppermost flat tube type unit cell, and the air electrode contact portion 6113 can The second air electrode 255 of the uppermost flat tube type unit cell is in contact. In the connecting plate 6110 below the lowermost flat tube type unit cell, the fuel electrode contact portion 6115 can be in contact with the first charge collecting portion 270 of the lowermost flat tube type unit cell, and the air electrode contact portion 6113 can The first air electrode 235 of the lowermost flat tube type unit cell is in contact.

Each of the air electrode contact segments 6113 of the connection plate 6110 can include protrusions and/or depressions. Therefore, a flow path through which air can flow can be provided between the first air electrode 235 and the second air electrode 255 of the connection plate 6110 and the flat tube type unit cell 200. For example, the insulating plate 6111 can form protrusions and depressions. Thereafter, the conductive material can be overcoated on the insulating plate 6111 having the protrusions and depressions, thereby forming the protrusions and depressions of the air electrode contact portion 6113. The projections and depressions of the air electrode contact portion 6113 can have substantially the same structure as the projections and depressions described with reference to Figs. 3A to 3C. Therefore, any further details of the protrusions and depressions will be omitted.

The air electrode contact section 6113 and the fuel electrode contact section 6115 can extend along the second direction Y. The width of the connecting plate 6111 along the second direction Y can be greater than or equal to the width of the flat tube type unit cell 200. Therefore, the air electrode contact portion 6113 and the fuel electrode contact portion 6115 which can be located on the side surface of the connection plate 6110 can be located on the outer side of the side surface of the flat tube type unit cell 200.

The first connecting member 6120 can be located on the outer side of the side surface of the flat tube type unit cell 200, and can be in contact with the air electrode contact portion 6113 which can be located on the side surface of the connecting plate 6110. For example, the first connector 6120 can include a first member 6121, a second member 6123, and a third member 6125. The first member 6121 can be in contact with the air electrode contact portion 6113 on the first side surface of the connecting plate 6110. The second member 6123 is capable of contacting the air electrode contact portion 6113 on the second side surface of the connecting plate 6110 with respect to the first side surface. The third member 6125 can be in contact with the air electrode contact portion 6113 on the bottom surface of the connecting plate 6110. The first member 6121 and the second member 6123 can be electrically connected to each other by the third member 6125.

In detail, the third member 6125 of the first connecting member 6120 can be located below the lowermost connecting plate 6110. With this configuration, the air electrode contact section 6113 of the lowermost connector plate 6110 can be covered and contacted by the third member 6125 and can be spaced from the fuel electrode contact section 6115 of the lowermost connector plate 6110. The third member 6125 of the first connector 6120 can have various shapes. For example, the third member 6125 of the first connector 6120 can be shaped as a rectangular plate having a length along the second direction Y and a width along the first direction X. Along the first direction X, the width of the third member 6125 can be greater than or equal to the width of the air electrode contact portion 6113 of the lowermost web 6110. On the other hand, as is known to those skilled in the art, the width of the third member 6125 can be smaller than the width of the air electrode contact portion 6113 of the lowermost connecting plate 6110 along the first direction X. In the second direction Y, the length of the third member 6125 of the second connecting member 6120 can be greater than or equal to the width of the lowermost connecting plate 6110.

The first member 6121 can extend from the third member 6125 along the first side surface of the connecting plate 6110 toward the third direction Z. The first member 6121 can have various shapes. For example, the first member 6121 can be shaped as a rectangular plate having a width along the first direction X and a length along the third direction Z. In the present embodiment, the width of the first member 6121 can be substantially equal to the width of the third member 6125. On the other hand, as is known to those skilled in the art, the width of the first member 6121 can also be greater or smaller than the width of the third member 6125. The first member 6121 can have a length extending along the third direction Z. In this configuration, the air electrode contact portion 6113 of the connecting plate 6110 can be in contact with the first member 6121, and not the sixth portion of the second connecting member 6130. Member 6135 is in contact. Wherein, the sixth member 6135 can be located above the uppermost flat tube type unit battery 200. The second member 6123 can have substantially the same structure as the first member 6121 except that the second member 6123 can extend along the second side surface of the connecting plate 6110 in the third direction Z. Therefore, any further details of the second member 6123 will be omitted.

The second connecting member 6130 can be located on the outer side of the side surface of the flat tube type unit cell 200, and can be in contact with the fuel electrode contact portion 6115 which can be located on the side surface of the connecting plate 6110. For example, the second connector 6130 can include a fourth member 6131, a fifth member 6133, and a sixth member 6135. The fourth member 6131 can be in contact with the fuel electrode contact portion 6115 which can be located on the first side surface of the connecting plate 6110. The fifth member 6133 can be in contact with the fuel electrode contact section 6115 which can be located on the second side surface of the connecting plate 6110. The sixth member 6135 can be in contact with the fuel electrode contact portion 6115 of the uppermost connecting plate 6110, and can be electrically connected to the fourth member 6131 and the fifth member 6133. When the first charge collecting portion 270 can include the pair of collectors 271, 273 spaced apart from each other by the first air electrode 235, and the second charge collecting portion 290 can include one of the collectors spaced apart from each other by the second air electrode 255 At 291 and 293, the fifth member 6133 can also include a pair of members that are spaced apart from each other symmetrically with respect to the first air electrode 235 and the second air electrode 255, and can be associated with the first charge collection portion 270 and the second charge collection portion 290. The collector is in contact. In this case, the fourth member 6131 of the second connecting member 6130 can also include a pair of separate members 6131a and 6131b that can be in contact with one of the members of the fuel electrode connecting unit 6115, respectively. The fifth member 6133 of the second connector 6130 can also include a pair of separate members 6133a and 6133b that can be in contact with one of the members of the fuel electrode connection unit 6115, respectively.

The sixth member 6135 of the second connecting member 6130 can be located above the uppermost connecting plate 6110, and can be made in the case where the sixth member 6135 is not in contact with the air electrode contacting portion 6113 of the uppermost connecting plate 6110. The six member 6135 is in contact with the fuel electrode contact portion 6115 of the uppermost connecting plate 6110. In the present embodiment, the sixth member 6135 can be spaced from the air electrode contact portion 6113 of the uppermost connecting plate 6110. On the other hand, the air electrode contact portion 6113 can also be disposed not on the uppermost connecting plate 6110 so that the air electrode contact portion 6113 does not come into contact with the sixth member 6135 of the second connecting member 6130.

The fourth member 6131 can extend from the sixth member 6135 along the first side surface of the connecting plate 6110 in the third direction Z, and can include a pair of separate members 6131a and 6131b, and the pair of divided members 6131a and 6131b can The first member 6121 of a connector 6120 is spaced apart. Similarly, the fifth member 6133 can extend from the sixth member 6135 along the second side surface of the web 6110 in the third direction Z and can include a pair of separate members 6133a and 6133b, the pair of separate members 6133a and 6133b It can be spaced apart from the second member 6123 of the first connector 6120.

Although not shown in the figure, the first battery cell and the second battery cell of each of the flat tube type unit cells in the stacked structure of the SOFC in FIG. 18 can be electrically connected in parallel by the connection portion 100, and It is expressed as an equivalent circuit diagram as shown in Fig. 17.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the first battery cell and the second battery cell of each of the flat tube type unit cells of the plurality of flat tube type unit cells can be independently arranged with each other, and the flat tube type unit cells can be vertically stacked and The connection portions are connected to each other to form a stacked structure of SOFC capable of generating high-intensity current and high voltage.

The above is used to illustrate the embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting. Although a few embodiments have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the scope of the claims. In the context of the patent application, the means and functional terms are intended to encompass the construction in which the function is performed, and not only the structural equivalents, but also the equal construction. Therefore, the present invention is to be understood as being limited to the particular embodiments of the disclosed embodiments, and It is covered by the scope of the attached patent application.

100. . . Connection

101. . . Fuel electrode connection unit

101a. . . First member

101b. . . Second member

103. . . Air electrode connection unit

105. . . Coupling section

110. . . First connector

111. . . First fuel electrode connection unit

111’, 113’. . . Air electrode connection unit

113. . . First air electrode connection unit

115. . . First coupling

120. . . Second connector

121. . . Second fuel electrode connection unit

123. . . Second air electrode connection unit

125. . . Second coupling

130. . . Third connector

130’. . . Second connector

131. . . Third fuel electrode connection unit

131’. . . Base bottom

131", 133". . . Fuel electrode connection unit

131a. . . Base plate

131a’, 133a. . . First member

131b. . . First substrate

131b’, 133b. . . Second member

131c. . . Second substrate

133. . . First contact section

133’. . . Step

135. . . Third coupling

135’. . . Second coupling

140. . . Fourth connector

141. . . Fourth air electrode connecting unit

143. . . Second contact section

145. . . Fourth coupling

150. . . Seventh connector

160. . . Eighth connector

200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700. . . Flat tube unit battery

210. . . supporting item

210a, 210b. . . Support block

210c. . . Lower plate

210d. . . On board

211. . . path

230. . . First battery cell

231. . . First fuel electrode

233. . . First electrolyte

235. . . First air electrode

250. . . Second battery cell

251. . . Second fuel electrode

253. . . Second electrolyte

255. . . Second air electrode

270. . . First charge collection unit

271, 291. . . First collector

273, 293. . . Second collector

290. . . Second charge collection unit

10. . . Bulge

20. . . Depression

6110. . . Connection plate

6111. . . Insulation board

6113. . . Air electrode contact section

6115. . . Fuel electrode contact section

6120. . . First connector

6121. . . First member

6123. . . Second member

6125. . . Third member

6130. . . Second connector

6131. . . Fourth member

6131a, 6131b, 6133a, 6133b. . . Separate component

6133. . . Fifth member

6135. . . Sixth member

X. . . First direction

Y. . . Second direction

Z. . . Third direction

1 is a perspective view of a SOFC according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the connection portion of the SOFC in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3A is a plan view showing the surface of the air electrode connecting unit shown in Fig. 2.

3B and 3C are cross-sectional views taken along the line A-A' in Fig. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a stack structure in which the SOFCs are vertically stacked using the connecting portions in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the first connecting member of the stacked structure shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view showing the second connecting member of the stacked structure shown in FIG. 4A.

4D is a perspective view showing the third connecting member of the stacked structure shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E is a perspective view showing the fourth connecting member of the stacked structure shown in FIG. 4A.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure shown in Fig. 4A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a stack structure of an SOFC according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept.

Fig. 6B is a perspective view showing the seventh and eighth connecting members shown in Fig. 6A.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in Fig. 6A.

8A is a perspective view showing a stack structure of an SOFC according to a third embodiment of the inventive concept.

Fig. 8B is a perspective view showing the first connecting member shown in Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8C is a perspective view showing the second connecting member shown in Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8D is a perspective view showing the third connecting member shown in Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8E is a perspective view showing the fourth connecting member shown in Fig. 8A.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in Figure 8A.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a stack structure of an SOFC according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the first and second connecting members shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the third connecting member shown in FIG. 10.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in Fig. 10.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a stack structure of an SOFC according to a fifth embodiment of the inventive concept.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the first connecting member shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the second connecting member shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a perspective exploded view showing a stack structure of SOFCs including a plurality of flat tube type unit cells and a plurality of connectors in Figs. 13 to 15.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit diagram of the stacked structure of the SOFC shown in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a stack structure of a SOFC according to a sixth embodiment of the inventive concept.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the connecting plate shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the first coupling portion in Fig. 18.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the second coupling portion in Fig. 18.

100. . . Connection

200. . . Flat tube unit battery

210. . . supporting item

210a, 210b. . . Support block

210c. . . Lower plate

210d. . . On board

211. . . path

230. . . First battery cell

231. . . First fuel electrode

233. . . First electrolyte

235. . . First air electrode

250. . . Second battery cell

251. . . Second fuel electrode

253. . . Second electrolyte

255. . . Second air electrode

270, 290. . . Charge collection department

271, 291. . . First collector

273, 293. . . Second collector

Claims (16)

A stack structure of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), comprising: a plurality of flat tube type unit cells, wherein each of the flat tube type unit cells comprises: a support member having a flow path; a battery cell located below the support member; and a second battery cell located above the support member; wherein the first battery cell comprises: a first fuel electrode under the support member; a first electrolyte located at Below the first fuel electrode; and a first air electrode under the first electrolyte; wherein the second battery cell comprises: a second fuel electrode located above the spacer and spaced apart from the first fuel electrode; a second electrolyte located above the second fuel electrode; and a second air electrode positioned above the second electrolyte and spaced apart from the first air electrode; and a connection portion, the first battery cell and the second The battery cells are electrically connected to each other. The SOFCs stacking structure of claim 1, wherein each of the flat tube type unit cells further includes a first charge collecting portion and a second charge collecting portion, wherein: the first charge collecting portion is via the first charge collecting portion An opening of the first electrolyte is in contact with the first fuel electrode and spaced apart from the first air electrode, and The second charge collection portion is in contact with the second fuel electrode via an opening of the second electrolyte and is spaced apart from the second air electrode. The SOFCs stack structure according to claim 2, wherein the flat tube type unit cells comprise one of a first flat tube type unit battery and a second flat tube type unit battery continuously adjacent to each other, and the connection The first connecting member includes: a first fuel electrode connecting unit electrically connected to the first charge collecting portion of the first flat tube type unit battery; and a first air electrode connection a unit between the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit battery, and electrically connected to the first flat tube type unit battery The second air electrode and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell; and a first coupling portion is located on a first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and The first fuel electrode connection unit and the first air electrode connection unit are electrically connected to each other. The SOFCs stacking structure of claim 3, wherein the connecting portion further comprises a second connecting member, the second connecting member comprising: a second fuel electrode connecting unit, the first flat tube being interposed Between the second charge collection portion of the type unit cell and the first charge collection portion of the second flat tube type unit cell, and electrically connected to the second charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit battery and a second air electrode connecting unit electrically connected to the second air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell; and a second air electrode connecting unit electrically connected to the second air electrode unit; a second coupling portion on a second side surface of the second flat tube type unit cell opposite to the first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and the second fuel electrode connecting unit And the second air electrode connecting unit is electrically connected. The SOFCs stacking structure of claim 4, wherein the first air electrode connecting unit and the second air electrode connecting unit respectively comprise a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses. The SOFCs stack structure of claim 4, wherein the first charge collecting portion comprises a first collector and a second collector spaced apart from each other symmetrically with the first air electrode, the second charge The collecting portion includes a third collector and a fourth collector that are spaced apart from each other symmetrically with the second air electrode, and wherein: the first fuel electrode connecting unit includes the first one of the first flat tube type unit cells a collector contacting one of the first members, and including a second member in contact with the second collector in the first flat tube type unit cell; and the second fuel electrode connection unit including the first flat tube The third collector of the type unit battery and the first collector of the second flat tube type unit battery are in contact with one of the third members, and the first unit of the first flat tube type unit battery The four collectors and the second collector of the second flat tube type unit cells contact one of the fourth members. The SOFCs stack structure according to claim 2, wherein the flat tube type unit cells comprise one of a first flat tube type unit battery and a second flat tube type unit battery continuously adjacent to each other, and the connection The portion includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member and a third connecting member, wherein: The first connecting member includes: a first fuel electrode connecting unit electrically connected to the first charge collecting portion of the first flat tube type unit battery; and a first air electrode connecting unit connected to the first Between the second air electrode of the flat tube type unit battery and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit battery, and electrically connected to the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit battery; a first coupling portion is disposed on a first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell, and is electrically connected to the first fuel electrode connecting unit and the first air electrode connecting unit; the second connection The device includes: a second fuel electrode connecting unit between the second charge collecting portion of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first charge collecting portion of the second flat tube type unit battery, and The first charge collecting portion of the second flat tube type unit cell is in contact; a second air electrode connecting unit is electrically connected to the second air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell; and a second coupling Department, located in the first flat tube The first side surface of the unit cell is adjacent to a first side surface of the second flat tube type unit cell, and is electrically connected to the second fuel electrode connection unit and the second air electrode connection unit; and a third connecting member is disposed between the first flat tube type unit cell and the second flat tube type unit battery, and the second charge collecting portion and the second flat tube of the first flat tube type unit battery The first air electrodes of the unit cells are electrically connected to each other. The SOFCs stack structure of claim 7, wherein the third connecting member comprises: a base portion located in the second charge collecting portion and the second fuel electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell; And a step portion between the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell; wherein the base portion is Is in contact with the second charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell, and is spaced apart from the second fuel electrode connection unit and the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell; wherein the step portion is The first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell is in contact with and spaced apart from the second fuel electrode connection unit. The SOFCs stack structure according to claim 8, wherein the first air electrode connecting unit, the step portion and the second air electrode respectively comprise a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses. The SOFCs stack structure according to claim 2, wherein the flat tube type unit cells comprise one of a first flat tube type unit battery and a second flat tube type unit battery continuously adjacent to each other, and the connection The first connecting member includes a first fuel electrode connecting unit, and is in contact with the first charge collecting portion of the first flat tube type unit battery; a second fuel electrode connecting unit is in contact with the second charge collecting portion of the first flat tube type unit cell; and a first coupling portion is located on a first side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell And the first fuel electrode connecting unit and the second burning The electrode connecting units are electrically connected to each other; the second connecting member comprises: a first air electrode connecting unit contacting the first air electrode of the first flat tube type unit battery; and a second air electrode connecting unit, And contacting the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell; and a second coupling portion on the second side surface of the first flat tube type unit cell opposite to the first side surface And electrically connected to the first air electrode connection unit and the second air electrode connection unit. The SOFCs stack structure of claim 10, wherein the first connecting member further comprises: a third fuel electrode connecting unit contacting the second charge collecting portion of the second flat tube type unit battery And electrically connected to the first coupling portion; and the second connecting member further comprises: a third air electrode connecting unit that is in contact with the second air electrode of the second flat tube type unit battery, and is electrically Connected to the second coupling portion. The SOFCs stacking structure of claim 11, wherein the first air electrode connecting unit, the second air electrode connecting unit, and the third air electrode connecting unit respectively comprise a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses. The SOFCs stack structure according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion comprises: a plurality of connecting plates between adjacent plurality of flat tube type unit cells, each of the connecting plates comprising an insulating plate and an air electrode contacting section and a fuel electrode on the insulating plate and spaced apart from each other a contact portion; a first connecting member electrically connected to the air electrode contact portion of the connecting plates; and a second connecting member electrically connected to the fuel electrode contact portion of the connecting plates . The SOFCs stack structure according to claim 13, wherein the adjacent plurality of flat tube type unit cells are adjacent to each other and vertically stacked one of the first flat tube type unit cells and one second flat tube type unit a battery, wherein the air electrode contact section is in contact with both the second air electrode of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first air electrode of the second flat tube type unit cell; and wherein the fuel The electrode contact section can be in contact with both the second charge collection portion of the first flat tube type unit cell and the first charge collection portion of the second flat tube type unit cell. The SOFCs stack structure of claim 14, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member are in contact with the air electrode contact portion and the fuel electrode contact portion, respectively, the air electrode contact region The segment and the fuel electrode contact section are located on a first surface and a second surface of the insulating plate opposite to each other. The SOFCs stack structure of claim 14, wherein the air electrode contact section comprises a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of depressions.