Patent ID: 8663856

Claim:
A fuel cell stack comprising: a plurality of unit cells stacked in a horizontal direction, each of the unit cells including: an electrolyte membrane having two surfaces and a peripheral edge; electrodes disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; frame-shaped members disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane adjacent to the respective electrodes and adjacent to the peripheral edge of the electrolyte membrane; separators disposed on the electrodes and the frame-shaped members and having a reactant gas passage for supplying a reactant gas to each of the electrodes; and a manifold formed in the horizontal stacking direction in fluid communication with the reactant gas passage; wherein the manifold comprises a horizontal edge portion in fluid communication with the reactant gas passage; wherein the manifold is defined by at least one of the frame-shaped members and includes a notch; and wherein the horizontal edge portion comprises an upper side of the notch.