Patent ID: 8323843

Claim:
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a plurality of fuel cells arranged adjacent one another to form a fuel cell stack having first and second ends; first and second end plates respectively disposed adjacent said first and second ends of said fuel cell stack; a terminal plate disposed between an isolator plate and said first end of said fuel cell stack, and operable to conduct electrical current from said fuel cell stack, said terminal plate having an opening for transport of a fluid to or from said fuel cell stack; a corrosion resistant member distinct and separate from components that form each one of said fuel cells of said fuel cell stack, said corrosion resistant member in contact with said terminal plate, said corrosion resistant member conducting electrical current between said fuel cell stack and said terminal plate and defining a passage aligned with said opening to conduct said fluid to or from said stack, a portion of said corrosion resistant member extending through said opening in said terminal plate; and a manifold member extending through said first end plate to engage with said portion of said corrosion resistant member that passes through said opening in said terminal plate to prevent fluid flow from contacting said terminal plate, said manifold member having first and second ends with a peripheral exterior surface extending therebetween, said manifold member having a channel extending between said first and second manifold ends to conduct said fluid to or from said passage, and said manifold member being distinct and separate from said end plates, said terminal plate and said corrosion resistant member; wherein one of said ends of said manifold member extends and is slidably inserted entirely through said first end plate to directly contact said portion of said corrosion resistant member and further including a sealing member positioned directly between said one of said ends of said manifold member and said portion of said corrosion resistant member such that said manifold member directly contacts and is sealed against said corrosion resistant member.