US Patent 11764386 Fuel cell device

A fuel cell device is provided, including a fuel cell stack, which includes a plurality of fuel cell units following each other in a stacking direction, and two end plates, between which the fuel cell stack is arranged. With the fuel cell device, harmful effects from hydrogen exiting the fuel cell units are avoided without making access to the fuel cell units impossible or causing a disproportionately large maintenance expenditure. The fuel cell device includes an enclosure which surrounds the fuel cell stack and the end plates, wherein the free remaining volume that remains within the enclosure between the enclosure, the fuel cell stack, and the end plates is less than 20% of the internal volume of the enclosure.