Fuel cell stack assembly load frame with compression spring

A fuel cell assembly comprising:

• a) at least one fuel cell stack;
• and
• b) a load frame assembly disposed around said stack for applying compressional force to said stack, wherein said load frame assembly comprises:
• a base plate for receiving said fuel cell stack on one end thereof;
• a spring holder for applying said load to an opposite end of said fuel cell stack;
• a spring disposed against said spring holder;
• a retainer plate for retaining said spring against said spring holder;
• and
• at least one tubular support disposed between said base plate and said retainer plate and having a length such that attaching said at least one tubular support to said base plate and said retainer plate places said spring, said spring holder, and said fuel cell stack in compression.

A method for applying a permanent compressive load to a fuel cell stack, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a base plate;
• b) disposing said fuel cell stack on said base plate;
• c) overlaying said fuel cell stack with a spring holder;
• d) overlaying said spring holder with a spring;
• e) overlaying said spring with a spring retainer;
• f) compressing said fuel cell stack between said base plate and said spring retainer;
• g) sintering said compressed fuel cell stack at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined length of time;
• h) providing a spacer;
• and
• i) rigidly attaching said spacer between said base plate and said spring retainer while said fuel cell stack is still being compressed and still hot from said sintering to hold said compression of said sintered fuel cell stack.

A load frame assembly for providing a permanent compressive load to a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell assembly, comprising:

• a) a base plate for receiving said full cell stack on one end thereof;
• b) a spring holder for applying said load to an opposite end of said fuel cell stack;
• c) a spring disposed against said spring holder;
• d) a retainer plate for retaining said spring against said spring holder, said spring being positioned between said spring holder and said retainer plate;
• e) at least one spacer support disposed between said base plate and said retainer plate and having a length such that attaching said at least one spacer support to said base and said retainer places said spring, said spring holder, and said fuel cell stack in compression, wherein said at least one spacer support is coupled to at least one of said base plate and said retainer plate by a welded connection.