Patent US4495154A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4495154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fuel reformer
Assignee: Fuelcell Energy Inc
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Filing: 1982-05-28
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Granted: 1985-01-22
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Expires: 2002-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A fuel reformer wherein a catalyst is situated along the length of a chamber and wherein heat conductive means is also situated along such chamber length for promoting more uniform heating of the catalyst.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry G. Christner
- 👤 Jen-Jung Fan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:32
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01B; B01B1/00; B01B1/005; C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/32; C01B3/34; C01B3/38; C01B3/384; C01B2203/00; C01B2203/02; C01B2203/0205; C01B2203/0227; C01B2203/0233; C01B2203/08; C01B2203/0805; C01B2203/0811; C01B2203/12; C01B2203/1205; C01B2203/1211; C01B2203/1217; C01B2203/1223; C01B2203/1235; C01B2203/1241; C01B2203/1288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A reformer for reforming a fuel comprising: a member having an elongated chamber; a catalyst disposed within said chamber along the length of said chamber; a heat conductive means disposed within said chamber along the length of said chamber, said heat conductive means comprising one or more elongated, thin, continuous pieces of metallic wire, each piece of metallic wire being in said catalyst and extending continuously over the length of said chamber over which said catalyst extends, whereby heat transferred to said catalyst in a direction transverse to the length of said chamber is transferred by said metallic wire through said catalyst along the length of said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A reformer for reforming a fuel comprising: a member having an elongated chamber; a catalyst disposed within said chamber along the length of said chamber; a heat conductive means disposed within said chamber along the length of said chamber, said heat conductive means comprising one or more elongated, thin, continuous pieces of metallic wire, each piece of metallic wire being in said catalyst and extending continuously over the length of said chamber over which said catalyst extends, whereby heat transferred to said catalyst in a direction transverse to the length of said chamber is transferred by said metallic wire through said catalyst along the length of said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A reformer in accordance within claim 1 further comprising: a vessel enclosing said member for carrying heated gas along the wall of said member defining said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A reformer in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein: said chamber is annular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A reformer in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said chamber member comprises concentric tubes, said chamber being defined by the annular space between said tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A reformer in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said wire is one of copper, stainless steel and Inconel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A reformer in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: foametal means positioned so that said fuel passes through said foametal means prior to entering said chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-22 | 1988-07-23 | 1989-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-22 | 1992-07-23 | 1993-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-22 | 1996-07-23 | 1997-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |