Patent ID: 6210823
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising:a stack of unit cells, each of said unit cells comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode and a cathode arranged across said polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow path for feeding a supply of gaseous fuel to said anode, and a cathode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow path for feeding a supply of oxidant gas to said cathode;a first end plate disposed on one end of said stack of unit cells;a second end plate arranged on the other end of said stack of unit cells;an auxiliary plate disposed at least outside said first end plate;at least one set of restraining means, each of which has a band shape that surrounds and restrains an assembly said assembly includes said stack of unit cells, said first and the second end plates, and said auxiliary plate,a screw fitted in a threaded hole formed in said auxiliary plate in such a manner that an end of said screw comes into contact with said first end plate; andcompressive means that generates a repulsive force to compress said stack of unit cells when said screw is fitted in the threaded hole of said auxiliary plate.