| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To apply a constant clamping force to a fuel cell assembly regardless of operating conditions of the same, by providing clamping boards disposed on both top and bottom faces of the fuel cell assembly, formed of a plurality of unit cells stacked one upon another, and providing clamping forcd between the boards with the use of clamping members having coil springs. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of unit cells, each thereof being formed of a matrix impregnated with phosphoric acid, a pair of electrodes, and an interconnector provided with passage for fluids thereon, are stacked up, and manifolds 4 are provided on the side faces of the cell stack thereby to form a fuel cell assembly 6. Clamping boards 7A, 7B are provided on both top and bottom faces of the cell assembly, clamping rods 13 each thereof being formed of a normally shrunk coil spring 11 and two rods 12 attached to both its ends are inserted through holes provided in the clamping board, and nuts are used for the clamping and fixation. Since the coil springs 11 used are of a low spring constant, even if the fuel cell assembly 6 exhibits great thermal expansions and shrinkages, such displacement amounts can readily be absorbed by the springs. Therefore a constant clamping force is always provided, and reduced efficiency can thus be prevented. |
