Patent ID: 8221936

Claim:
A fuel cell system comprising: an integrally formed manifold that defines a mounting plate and includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet the manifold defining a plurality of apertures; a fuel cell stack including a first end opposite a second end, the first end of the fuel cell stack including at least one port in communication with the manifold; a clamping system disposed on the second end of the fuel cell stack that engages the mounting plate of the manifold to couple the manifold to the first end of the fuel cell stack; and wherein the clamping system includes a saddle having a plurality of depending legs, the depending legs being positioned adjacent to and surrounding the fuel cell stack, and a plurality of rods each having a hook that engages a respective one of the plurality of apertures such that a portion of the hook is the only portion of the clamping system that extends beyond a surface of the manifold for coupling the manifold to the first end of the fuel cell stack, and further including a releasable clamp fixably coupled to one of said plurality of depending legs, the clamp including a pivoted lever coupled to the one of said plurality of legs and to one of the plurality of rods, the pivoted lever operable in a first position to secure the manifold to the fuel cell stack, and in a second position to release the manifold from the fuel cell stack.