Patent ID: 8580452

Claim:
A fuel cell apparatus comprising: a stack structure including a plurality of solid electrolyte cell units that are arranged in a stack and separated by interspaces; a case including a circumferential wall that surrounds the stack structure; an inlet port configured to introduce a reactant gas into the case; an outlet port configured to discharge the reactant gas from the case; and a gas guide, wherein the gas guide includes a guide member extending longitudinally along an outer periphery of the stack structure from a position near the inlet port to cover portions of the interspaces of the stack structure, wherein the guide member includes an outside surface defining at least a portion of a circumferential fluid passage between the guide member and the circumferential wall of the case, wherein the guide member includes a portion defining an open region, the open region being configured to allow the reactant gas to flow from the circumferential fluid passage into the stack structure, wherein the gas guide surrounds the stack structure partly and divides the outer periphery of the stack structure into (i) a closed region which is covered by the gas guide and which is arranged to prevent the reactant gas from flowing into the stack structure from the circumferential fluid passage, and (ii) the open region which is not covered by the gas guide and which is arranged to allow the reactant gas to flow into the stack structure from the circumferential fluid passage, and wherein the guide member contacts the stack structure over at least half of the outer periphery of the stack structure.