Compression device for fuel cell stacks

A fuel cell stack comprising a first end plate, a compression plate assembly, a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first end plate and the compression plate assembly, and a restraining mechanism for substantially preventing movement of the first end plate from the compression plate assembly, wherein the compression plate assembly comprises:

• a second end plate having a first planar surface and an opposing second planar surface, wherein the first planar surface is adjacent the fuel cell stack;
• a compression housing adjacent the opposing second planar surface of the second end plate, wherein the compression housing comprises:
• a spring recess comprising a plurality of discrete grooves on its inner axial surface;
• a spring assembly in the spring recess and in contact with the second planar surface of the second end plate;
• a load disc in the spring recess and in contact with the spring assembly;
• and
• a resilient retaining apparatus in the spring recess and in contact with the load disc;
• wherein
• the resilient retaining apparatus engages with one of the plurality of discrete grooves and the load disc;
• and
• the load disc and the spring assembly are physically separated from the inner axial surface of the spring recess.