Patent ID: 7807316

Claim:
A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack having a first end and second end, the stack comprising at least one fuel cell; an upper end unit disposed adjacent the first end of the fuel cell stack, the upper end unit having an outer layer disposed across an upper surface of a body of the upper end unit; a lower end unit disposed adjacent the second end of the fuel cell stack; and a compression retention system disposed external to the fuel cell stack, the compression retention system comprising at least one restraining member extending from the upper end unit to the lower end unit, a first fastening means and a second fastening means disposed at opposing ends of the at least one restraining member, the first fastening means coupling the at least one restraining member with the outer layer on the upper end unit, and the second fastening means coupling the at least one restraining member with the lower end unit, and compressive means interposed between the second fastening means and an abutment portion of the at least one restraining member, wherein the first fastening means, the second fastening means, the at least one restraining member, and the compressive means place the outer layer on the upper end unit under tension, and urge the upper end unit toward the lower end unit, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell stack.