Patent ID: 8609291

Claim:
A fuel cell module, comprising: a cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells arrayed adjacent to one another and having a cell stack length and a side surface with an upper portion and a lower portion; a heat insulator comprising: a first portion facing the upper portion, having a length approximately equal to or longer than the cell stack length, and including a first end and a second end; a second portion separated from the first portion, facing the lower portion, having a length approximately equal to or longer than the cell stack length, and including a first end and a second end; a third portion facing the side surface of the cell stack and coupling the first end of the first portion to the first end of the second portion; and a fourth portion positioned with a separation from the third portion, facing the side surface of the cell stack, and coupling the second end of the first portion to the second end of the second portion; an opening surrounded by the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion; a housing for housing the cell stack and the heat insulator; the side surface of the cell stack including: a first side surface; and a second side surface on opposite side of cell stack from the first side surface, and the heat insulator including: a first member facing the first side surface and comprising the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion; and a second member facing the second side surface and comprising the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion; a reactant gas inlet including an outlet facing the first side surface of the cell stack, wherein the first member is located between the reactant gas inlet and the first side surface of the cell stack and the outlet is located under the first member.