Patent ID: 6797425
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A compression system for providing a compressive force to a fuel cell stack having first and second ends and enclosed within a vessel having first and second end walls facing said first and second ends, respectively, of said fuel cell stack, said compression system comprising:a first compression plate adapted to be disposed interior of said vessel facing the first end of the fuel cell stack and a second compression plate adapted to be disposed exterior of said vessel abutting the second end wall of said vessel and facing the second end of the fuel cell stack; one or more members, each member being adapted to extend within said vessel along a face of the stack and having a first end connected to said first compression plate and a second end extending at least toward said second end wall of said vessel; and one or more compression assemblies, each compression assembly having at least a portion of that compression assembly disposed exterior of said vessel and including a coupling assembly adapted to sealingly couple the compression assembly to a second end of a different one of said one or more members.