A method of constructing a fuel cell system includes providing an open cell structure to form a first end plate, filling at least part of the open cell structure with a stiffening material, disposing a fuel cell stack between the first end plate and a second end plate, and compressing the fuel cell stack by moving the first end plate toward the second end plate. A fuel cell system includes a first end plate comprising an open cell structure, a second end plate, and a fuel cell stack compressed between the first end plate and the second end plate.

Stacked bodies each formed by alternately stacking power generation cells and separators are fixed to an end plate, the separators each having a flow passage portion, a gas flow-in port, and a gas flow-out port. The end plate includes upper and lower end plates sandwiching the stacked bodies. The stacked bodies are arranged side by side and a first thermal deformation absorbing portion configured to absorb thermal deformation in a direction orthogonal to a stacking direction is formed between the stacked bodies. Fixing means for fixing the stacked bodies to the end plate fix at least outer peripheral portions of the stacked bodies arranged side by side to the end plate.

Stacked bodies each formed by alternately stacking power generation cells and separators are fixed to an end plate, the separators each having a flow passage portion, a gas flow-in port, and a gas flow-out port. The end plate includes upper and lower end plates sandwiching the stacked bodies. The stacked bodies are arranged side by side and a first thermal deformation absorbing portion configured to absorb thermal deformation in a direction orthogonal to a stacking direction is formed between the stacked bodies. Fixing means for fixing the stacked bodies to the end plate fix at least outer peripheral portions of the stacked bodies arranged side by side to the end plate.

A fuel cell includes a cell stack in which multiple unit cells are stacked in a first direction, an enclosure enveloping the cell stack and including at least one opening to open at least one of the two end portions of the cell stack, first and second end plates respectively disposed at the two end portions of the cell stack, a clamping member clamping the unit cells, and a coupling screw coupling the clamping member to a target end plate among the first and second end plates. The target end plate includes a body, including a first internal surface facing the cell stack and an external surface, and a partition wall, spaced from the external surface in the first direction to form a gap. The coupling screw passes through the partition wall and couples the clamping member to the body via the gap.

A fuel cell includes a cell stack in which multiple unit cells are stacked in a first direction, an enclosure enveloping the cell stack and including at least one opening to open at least one of the two end portions of the cell stack, first and second end plates respectively disposed at the two end portions of the cell stack, a clamping member clamping the unit cells, and a coupling screw coupling the clamping member to a target end plate among the first and second end plates. The target end plate includes a body, including a first internal surface facing the cell stack and an external surface, and a partition wall, spaced from the external surface in the first direction to form a gap. The coupling screw passes through the partition wall and couples the clamping member to the body via the gap.

A method for an assemble system that assembles insulation plates and mounting bars to a stack, includes moving the stack pressed by a stack pressing device to an outside thereof; attaching, a insulation plate attaching device, the insulation plates to the stack; attaching, by a mounting bar attaching device, the mounting bars that is configured to fix the insulation plates to the stack; and assembling, by a bolt assembling device, bolts configured to fix the mounting bars to the stack.

A method for an assemble system that assembles insulation plates and mounting bars to a stack, includes moving the stack pressed by a stack pressing device to an outside thereof; attaching, a insulation plate attaching device, the insulation plates to the stack; attaching, by a mounting bar attaching device, the mounting bars that is configured to fix the insulation plates to the stack; and assembling, by a bolt assembling device, bolts configured to fix the mounting bars to the stack.

A separator assembly for a fuel cell includes a first separator having tunnel-shaped fastening parts formed on a plurality of points of an edge area thereof, and a second separator having insert parts formed at positions corresponding to each of the fastening parts of the first separator on an edge area thereof to be inserted into the fastening parts, wherein the insert parts of the second separator are inserted into the fastening parts of the first separator to assemble the first separator and the second separator.

A separator assembly for a fuel cell includes a first separator having tunnel-shaped fastening parts formed on a plurality of points of an edge area thereof, and a second separator having insert parts formed at positions corresponding to each of the fastening parts of the first separator on an edge area thereof to be inserted into the fastening parts, wherein the insert parts of the second separator are inserted into the fastening parts of the first separator to assemble the first separator and the second separator.

An electrode assembly for a flow battery is disclosed comprising a porous electrode material, a frame surrounding the porous electrode material, at least a distributor tube embedded in the porous electrode material having an inlet for supplying electrolyte to the porous electrode material and at least another distributor tube embedded in the porous electrode material having an outlet for discharging electrolyte out of the porous material. The walls of the distributor tubes are preferably provided with holes or pores for allowing a uniform distribution of the electrolyte within the electrode material. The distributor tubes provide the required electrolyte flow path length within the electrode material to minimize shunt current flowing between the flow cells in the battery stack.