Compression Apparatus for Fuel Cell Stack
First Claim
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1. A fuel cell stack assembly comprising:
- a first end plate;
a second end plate;
a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and the second end plates;
a spring bar;
a disc spring having an inner and an outer diameter, interposed between the first end plate and the spring bar, wherein the spring bar loads the disc spring at the inner diameter of the disc spring; and
a compression band circumscribing the first endplate, the second end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the spring bar;
wherein the compression band urging biases the spring bar toward the first end plate and second end plate, thereby applying compressive force upon the plurality of fuel cells.
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Abstract
In a fuel cell stack assembly, a mechanism for securing the fuel cell stack in its compressed, assembled state includes a spring bar loading a disc spring at an inner diameter of the disc spring and a compression band which circumscribes the fuel cell stack assembly.
15 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A fuel cell stack assembly comprising:
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a first end plate; a second end plate; a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and the second end plates; a spring bar; a disc spring having an inner and an outer diameter, interposed between the first end plate and the spring bar, wherein the spring bar loads the disc spring at the inner diameter of the disc spring; and a compression band circumscribing the first endplate, the second end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the spring bar; wherein the compression band urging biases the spring bar toward the first end plate and second end plate, thereby applying compressive force upon the plurality of fuel cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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9. A fuel cell stack assembly comprising:
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a first end plate; a second end plate; a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and the second end plates, a first spring bar; a second spring bar; a first disc spring having an inner and an outer diameter, interposed between the first end plate and the first spring bar, wherein the first spring bar loads the first disc spring at the inner diameter of the first spring; a second disc spring having an inner and an outer diameter, interposed between the second end plate and the second spring bar, wherein the second spring bar loads the second disc spring at the inner diameter of the second spring; and a compression band circumscribing the first spring bar, the second spring bar, the plurality of fuel cells, the first end plate and the second end plate; wherein the compression band urging biases the first spring bar toward the second spring bar, thereby applying compressive force upon the plurality of fuel cells. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A fuel cell stack assembly comprising:
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a first end plate; a second end plate; a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and the second end plates; a spring bar; a disc spring having an inner and an outer diameter, interposed between the first end plate and the spring bar, wherein the spring bar loads the disc spring at the inner diameter; and a compression component that biases the spring bar toward the first end plate and second end plate, thereby applying compressive force upon the plurality of fuel cells.
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Specification