US6669463B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick start large dynamic range combustor configuration
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 2002-01-11
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Granted: 2003-12-30
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Expires: 2022-01-11
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a combustor for a fuel processor which integrates a burner and a catalyst. The burner is utilized to quickly heat the catalyst to a light-off temperature to prepare it for normal operation. The heated catalyst is then used to react anode exhaust with air or cathode exhaust under normal operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthew J. Beutel
- 👤 William H. Pettit
- 👤 Steven G. Goebel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:05
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23C; F23C13/00; C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/32; C01B3/323; F23L; F23L15/00; H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04223; H01M8/04225; H01M8/04298; H01M8/043; H01M8/04302; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/0662; C01B2203/00; C01B2203/02; C01B2203/0205; C01B2203/0227; C01B2203/0233; C01B2203/0283; C01B2203/04; C01B2203/0435; C01B2203/044; C01B2203/06; C01B2203/066; C01B2203/08; C01B2203/0805; C01B2203/0811; C01B2203/0822; C01B2203/0827; C01B2203/12; C01B2203/1205; C01B2203/1211; C01B2203/1217; C01B2203/1223; C01B2203/1288; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/34; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A combustor, comprising: a housing including at least one inlet port and an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gases; an interior liner defining a passage between said housing and said interior liner, said interior liner defining a burner section in communication with said exhaust port; a catalyst disposed in said housing in communication with said passage; a fuel delivery device disposed downstream of said catalyst for delivering fuel to said burner section; and a heat exchanger disposed downstream of said burner section, such that said exhaust gases flow through the heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A combustor, comprising: a housing including at least one inlet port and an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gases; an interior liner defining a passage between said housing and said interior liner, said interior liner defining a burner section in communication with said exhaust port; a catalyst disposed in said housing in communication with said passage; a fuel delivery device disposed downstream of said catalyst for delivering fuel to said burner section; and a heat exchanger disposed downstream of said burner section, such that said exhaust gases flow through the heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combustor according to claim 1 , further comprising an ignition source disposed in said burner section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combustor according to claim 1 , further comprising a flame holder disposed between said catalyst and said burner section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combustor according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one inlet port communicates with said heat exchanger and inlet gases in said inlet port flow through said heat exchanger in a direction transverse to a flow path of said exhaust gases.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combustor according to claim 4 , wherein said at least one inlet port includes a first inlet port and a second inlet port spaced from said first inlet port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combustor according to claim 5 , wherein said first inlet port is upstream from said heat exchanger and said second inlet port is downstream of said heat exchanger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A combustor, comprising: a housing including at least one inlet port and an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gases; a catalyst disposed in said housing in communication with said at least one inlet port; a fuel delivery device disposed downstream of said catalyst for delivering fuel to a burner section, said inlet port communicating with a passage disposed adjacent to said burner section; and a heat exchanger disposed downstream of said burner section, such that said exhaust gases flow through the heat exchanger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A combustor, comprising: a housing including at least one inlet port and an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gases; a catalyst disposed in said housing in communication with said at least one inlet port; a fuel delivery device disposed downstream of said catalyst for delivering fuel to a burner section, said inlet port communicating with a passage disposed adjacent to said burner section; and a heat exchanger disposed downstream of said burner section, such that said exhaust gases flow through the heat exchanger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combustor according to claim 7 , further comprising an ignition source disposed in said burner section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combustor according to claim 7 , further comprising a flame holder disposed between said catalyst and said burner section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combustor according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one inlet port communicates with said heat exchanger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combustor according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one inlet port includes a first inlet port and a second inlet port spaced from said first inlet port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combustor according to claim 11 , wherein said first inlet port is upstream from said heat exchanger and said second inlet port is downstream of said heat exchanger.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for rapidly heating a catalyst for a fuel processing system during start-up, comprising the steps of: heating an oxidant gas using a burner section heated by a start fuel; passing the heated oxidant gas through a catalyst until a temperature of said catalyst reaches its light-off temperature; and mixing anode exhaust with said oxidant gas after said catalyst reaches said light-off temperature and passing said anode exhaust and oxidant gas mixture through said heated catalyst.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for rapidly heating a catalyst for a fuel processing system during start-up, comprising the steps of: heating an oxidant gas using a burner section heated by a start fuel; passing the heated oxidant gas through a catalyst until a temperature of said catalyst reaches its light-off temperature; and mixing anode exhaust with said oxidant gas after said catalyst reaches said light-off temperature and passing said anode exhaust and oxidant gas mixture through said heated catalyst.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
A fuel processor, comprising: a reactor system for dissociating hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuel and water; an integrated combustor and catalyst for providing heat to said reactor system, said integrated combustor and catalyst including a housing including at least one inlet port and an exhaust port, said catalyst being disposed in said housing in communication with said inlet port, a burner section being disposed in said housing in communication with said exhaust port, and a fuel delivery device disposed downstream of said catalyst for delivering fuel to said burner section, said burner section providing heat to gases passing through said inlet port to heat said catalyst, wherein said integrated combustor and catalyst provides heat to said reactor system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
117 words
A fuel processor, comprising: a reactor system for dissociating hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuel and water; an integrated combustor and catalyst for providing heat to said reactor system, said integrated combustor and catalyst including a housing including at least one inlet port and an exhaust port, said catalyst being disposed in said housing in communication with said inlet port, a burner section being disposed in said housing in communication with said exhaust port, and a fuel delivery device disposed downstream of said catalyst for delivering fuel to said burner section, said burner section providing heat to gases passing through said inlet port to heat said catalyst, wherein said integrated combustor and catalyst provides heat to said reactor system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
A combustor comprising: a housing including an inlet port for supply of reactant and an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gases; a liner located at least partially within said housing, said liner and housing defining a passage through which said reactant flows, and a burner section in communication with said exhaust port; a catalyst disposed in said passage and circumscribing said liner; and a fuel delivery device arranged to deliver fuel for mixing with said reactant upstream of said burner section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
A combustor comprising: a housing including an inlet port for supply of reactant and an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gases; a liner located at least partially within said housing, said liner and housing defining a passage through which said reactant flows, and a burner section in communication with said exhaust port; a catalyst disposed in said passage and circumscribing said liner; and a fuel delivery device arranged to deliver fuel for mixing with said reactant upstream of said burner section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combustor according to claim 15 , further comprising an ignition source disposed in said burner section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combustor according to claim 15 , further comprising a flame holder disposed between said catalyst and said burner section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combustor according to claim 15 , further comprising a mixing volume chamber wherein said reactant and fuel are mixed, and a flame holder, said flame holder dividing said liner into said burner section and said mixing volume chamber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combustor according to claim 15 , further comprising a mixing volume chamber, said fuel delivery device disposed within said mixing volume chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combustor according to claim 15 , further comprising a water injector, wherein said water injector is disposed in said burner section.
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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) | 2006-12-29 | 2007-06-30 | 2007-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-29 | 2011-06-30 | 2011-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-29 | 2015-06-30 | 2015-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |