Method for cutting solid oxide fuel cell elements
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPaul R. Daniel, Jr., Robert J. Svoboda, Haskell Simpkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for severing a solid-oxide fuel cell bi-layer element including a structural anode and an electrolyte layer, comprising the steps of orienting the bi-layer element such that the surface thereof is accessible to laser treatment; impinging a laser beam on the electrolyte surface; moving the impinged laser beam past the surface along a path in a plane corresponding to the desired severed edge to form a groove in the element extending partially through the element to a predetermined depth; and applying a bending moment across the groove to cause the element to break into first and second portions. The groove depth is preferably about 15% of the total thickness of the element.
Claims12
A method for severing a solid-oxide bi-layer fuel cell element into a first portion and a second portion, comprising the steps of:
- a) orienting said bi-layer element such that a surface thereof is accessible to laser treatment;
- b) impinging a laser beam on said surface;
- c) moving said impinged laser beam past said surface along a path to form a groove in said element extending partially through said element to a predetermined depth;
- and
- d) applying a bending moment across said groove to cause said element to break along said groove, severing said solid-oxide bi-layer fuel cell element into said first portion and said second portion.
A method for preparing a solid-oxide bi-layer fuel cell element to be severed into a first portion and a second portion, comprising the steps of:
- a) orienting said bi-layer element such that a surface thereof is accessible to laser treatment;
- b) impinging a laser beam on said surface;
- and
- c) moving said impinged laser beam past said surface along a path to form a groove in said element extending partially through said element to a predetermined depth, wherein said solid-oxide bi-layer fuel cell element may be severed into said first portion and said second portion by applying a bending moment across said groove to cause said element to break along said groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.