# US 2021/0242476 A1 · Metal-dielectric conduit assemblies and methods of making thereof

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- Number: US 2021/0242476 A1
- Document ID: US20210242476A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/165,298
- Filed: 2021-02-02
- Published: 2021-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2020-02-05
- Assignees: Bloom Energy Corporation
- Applicants: Bloom Energy Corporation
- Inventors: James HUYNH; Michael PETRUCHA
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210242476A1

## CPC

- H01M 8/0278: {O-rings}
- H01M 8/2484: characterised by external manifolds
- H01M 8/004: {Cylindrical, tubular or wound}
- H01M 8/04201: {Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes}
- H01M 8/12: operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
- 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

A fuel cell system conduit assembly includes a dielectric tube having a first end and a second end, a metallic first flange press-fit to the first end of the dielectric tube, a metallic second flange press-fit to the second end of the dielectric tube, a first snap ring disposed between the first flange and the dielectric tube, and a second snap ring disposed between the second flange and the dielectric tube.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fuel cell system conduit assembly, comprising:
a dielectric tube having a first end and a second end;
a metallic first flange press-fit to the first end of the dielectric tube;
a metallic second flange press-fit to the second end of the dielectric tube;
a first snap ring disposed between the first flange and the dielectric tube; and
a second snap ring disposed between the second flange and the dielectric tube.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The conduit assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
a first washer and a first seal disposed between the first flange and the first end of the dielectric tube and formed of a glass or a glass-ceramic material; and
a second washer and a second seal disposed between the second flange and the second end of the dielectric tube and formed of a glass or a glass-ceramic material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the first snap ring is disposed in a groove formed in the dielectric tube and a groove the first flange; and
the second snap ring is disposed in a groove formed in the dielectric tube and a groove formed in the second flange.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The conduit assembly of claim 3, wherein:
the first snap ring is configured to maintain a compressive force between the first flange and the first end of the dielectric tube; and
the second snap ring is configured to maintain a compressive force between the second flange and the second end of the dielectric tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The conduit assembly of claim 1, further comprising first and second transition tubes respectively fluidly connected to the first and second flanges.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The conduit assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second flanges comprise support rings that respectively extend away from the dielectric tube and receive the first and second transition tubes, respectively.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The conduit assembly of claim 5, further comprising first and second bellows respectively connected to the first and second transition tubes.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first snap ring is a partial ring and the second snap ring is a partial ring.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the conduit assembly is incorporated into a fuel conduit which is fluidly connected to a fuel cell column.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second flanges comprise stainless steel or a nickel chromium alloy.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the dielectric tube comprises a ceramic material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The conduit assembly of claim 11, wherein the ceramic material comprises, alumina, zirconia toughened alumina, or silicon nitride.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The conduit assembly of claim 11, wherein the dielectric tube is not directly welded or brazed to any other component of the conduit assembly.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A fuel cell system, comprising:
a fuel cell column comprising a fuel manifold; and
a conduit assembly of claim 1 fluidly connected to the fuel manifold.

### Claim 15

A method of making a fuel cell system conduit assembly, comprising:
press-fitting a metallic first and second flanges onto respective first and second ends of a dielectric tube; and
fluidly connecting the first and second flanges to respective first and second bellows.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, further comprising attaching the conduit assembly to a fuel manifold of a fuel cell column.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the press fitting comprises:
inserting a first snap ring disposed in a groove formed in the dielectric tube into a groove formed in the first flange; and
inserting a second snap ring disposed in a groove formed in the dielectric tube into a groove formed in the second flange.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the dielectric tube is not directly welded or brazed to any other component of the conduit assembly.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, further comprising disposing a first washer and seal on the first end of the dielectric tube and disposed a second washer and seal on the second end of the dielectric tube, prior to the press-fitting.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the press fitting comprises:
compressing the first washer and seal between the first flange and the first end of the dielectric tube; and
compressing the second washer and seal between the second flange and the second end of the dielectric tube.