CLAMPING MEANS FOR A FUEL CELL STACK AND METHOD FOR BRACING A FUEL CELL STACK

The invention relates to a device for bracing a fuel cell stack, comprising two end plates (2) for the fuel cell stack, each of which has at least one feed-through for the passage of operating equipment lines of the fuel cell stack, and also an external housing (1) for receiving the fuel cell stack and two annular clamping means (3), wherein at least one annular clamping means (3) is designed to be connected to the external housing (1) by way of a screw thread. The two annular clamping means (3) serve for final bracing of the pre-assembled fuel cell stack. In an advantageous embodiment this is effected by mounting one annular clamping means in the external housing, introducing the pre-assembled fuel cell stack into the external housing and screwing the second annular clamping means onto the inserted stack. During this process the pressure force is applied not at a single point, as is the case for example, with tension rods, but over the entire area (contact area), as a result of which force is uniformly distributed in the case of the seals and the membrane electrode unit. The clamping device can advantageously remain around the fuel cell stack during operation.