# US 2010/0167154 A1 · Fuel Cell Module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0167154 A1 - Document ID: US20100167154A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/996,941 - Filed: 2006-07-19 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2005-07-27 - Assignees: KYOCERA Corporation - Inventors: Takashi Ono - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100167154A1 ## CPC - H01M 8/2475: Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks - H01M 8/0247: characterised by the form (characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258) - H01M 8/0263: having meandering or serpentine paths - H01M 8/04014: Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants - H01M 8/04089: of gaseous reactants - H01M 8/04201: {Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes} - H01M 8/2425: High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes - H01M 8/2432: Grouping of unit cells of planar configuration - H01M 8/2484: characterised by external manifolds - H01M 8/2485: Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack - H01M 8/249: comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies - H01M 8/0618: {Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming} - H01M 2008/1293: {Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes} - Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract To provide a fuel cell module structure including a heat exchanger capable of preventing leakage of oxygen containing gas in a flow path and reducing the cost. The fuel cell module, which includes: a power-generating chamber that receives fuel cells; and a casing having a generally rectangular shape enclosing the power-generating chamber, wherein right and left side walls and an upper wall of the casing are hollow walls constituted of an outer shell member and an inner shell member disposed parallel to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween to form a reaction gas circulation space, each of the outer shell member and the inner shell member is formed in a U-like shape in cross section, a reaction gas introduction member vertically extending downward from the inner shell member of the upper wall into the power-generating chamber and being communicated with the reaction gas circulation space to introduce a reaction gas into the power-generating chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fuel cell module, comprising: a power-generating chamber that receives fuel cells; and a casing having a generally rectangular shape enclosing the power-generating chamber, wherein right and left side walls and an upper wall of the casing are hollow walls constituted of an outer shell member and an inner shell member disposed parallel to each with a predetermined distance therebetween to form a reaction gas circulation space, each of the outer shell member and the inner shell member is formed in a U-like shape in cross section, a reaction gas introduction member vertically extending downward from the inner shell member of the upper wall into the power-generating chamber and being communicated with the reaction gas circulation space to introduce a reaction gas into the power-generating chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein a waste gas circulation space is formed at the power-generating chamber side of the inner shell member of the right and left side walls by an inner wall for waste gas disposed parallel to the inner shell member with a predetermined distance therebetween, and an upper portion of the waste gas circulation space is communicated with the power-generating chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the reaction gas introduction member is constituted of a pair of plates disposed parallel to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween to form a reaction gas introduction space, and a reaction gas introduction opening is formed in the plates in a lower portion of the reaction gas introduction space. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fuel cell module according to claim 3, wherein the reaction gas introduction member is disposed at both sides respectively right and left symmetrically with respect to the center of the upper wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The fuel cell module according to claim 3, wherein one reaction gas introduction member is provided in a central position of the upper wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein a meandering flow path is formed in the reaction gas circulation space of the right and left side walls by a plurality of partial partition plates disposed laterally alternately between the outer shell member and the inner shell member with a predetermined distance therebetween in a vertical direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The fuel cell module according claim 2, wherein a meandering flow path is formed within the waste gas circulation space by a plurality of partial partition plates disposed laterally alternately between the inner shell member and the inner wall for waste gas in the right and left side walls being interposed by a predetermined distance in a vertical direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fuel cell module according to claims 1, wherein one of front and rear side walls of the casing is sealed and the other is arranged to be opened and closed, and the side wall arranged to be opened and closed is formed with a piping aperture. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fuel cell module according to claims 1, wherein the front and rear side walls of the casing are arranged to be opened and closed, and the side walls arranged to be opened and closed are formed with a piping aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The fuel cell module according to claim 2, wherein one or a plurality of through holes penetrating at least one of the right and left side walls while sealing the reaction gas circulation space and the waste gas circulation space is provided. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The fuel cell module according to claim 2, wherein a waste gas outlet storage chamber communicated with each of the waste gas circulation spaces in the right and left side walls and connected to a waste gas discharge tube is formed in the lower wall of the casing, and a reaction gas inlet storage chamber communicated with each of the reaction gas circulation spaces in the right and left side walls and connected to a reaction gas supply tube is formed under the waste gas outlet storage chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fuel cell module according to claims 1, further comprising a cell stack of a plurality of the fuel cells arrayed in a row, and a manifold fixing one end of the fuel cells, wherein the manifold is composed of an upper case and a lower case joined to each other, the upper case includes one or a plurality of openings in the upper face thereof and a circular portion formed with a turn-up portion turned inwardly enclosing the periphery of the opening, and the fuel cells are disposed vertically within the opening of the upper case with the one end thereof sealed by a sealing material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fuel cell module according to claims 1, further comprising a cell stack of a plurality of the fuel cells arrayed in a row via power collection members, rigid current removal members each disposed at both ends of the cell stack, and strip-like current removal pieces extending outwardly as a part of the current removal members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The fuel cell module according to claim 13, further comprising a manifold fixing one end of the respective fuel cells, wherein one end of the current removal members is joined and fixed in an insulated state to the manifold. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fuel cell module according to claims 1, further comprising a cell stack of a plurality of the fuel cells arrayed in a row, wherein the cell stacks are arranged in two rows parallel to each other within the power-generating chamber.