Patent ID: 7306872

Claim:
A modular fuel cell cassette for use in forming a fuel cell stack, comprising: a) a cassette housing comprising a mounting plate and a separator plate joined along mutual edges thereof to enclose a captive space, said mounting plate having an electrode opening formed therein; b) a fuel cell subassembly comprising an electrode, said subassembly being mounted in said electrode opening such that a cathode surface of said electrode is exposed outside of said cassette and an anode surface of said electrode faces inwardly of said cassette housing; c) inlet and outlet openings formed in said cassette housing for providing fuel gas to said anode surface and for removing fuel gas from said anode surface, respectively; d) inlet and outlet openings formed in said cassette housing for providing air to said cathode surface and for removing air from said cathode surface, respectively; and e) a spacer disposed within said captive space outboard of said fuel cell subassembly and adjacent said fuel gas inlet openings for preventing collapse of said housing under load when assembled into said fuel cell stack, wherein said spacer includes: a first ring having a plurality of first inwardly folded radial tabs; and a second ring having a plurality of second inwardly folded radial tabs, wherein said first and second plurality of inwardly folded radial tabs are lined up with one another and define openings to allow fuel gas to pass into said captive space to said anode surface.