Patent ID: 6732942
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B60H,F01P,F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
A reformer assembly for providing supplemental heat in a vehicle having an engine with an intake manifold, a catalytic converter, and an HVAC system, wherein said reformer assembly is in fluid communication with the intake manifold and the catalytic converter and comprises:a reformer inlet for receiving a fuel and an oxidant; a first chamber in fluid communication with said reformer inlet for mixing and vaporizing the fuel and the oxidant; a second chamber in fluid communication with said first chamber, said second chamber comprising a reformer catalyst to convert the vaporized fuel and oxidant mixture received from said first chamber into a hydrogen-containing reformate to be distributed to the intake manifold, wherein heat is generated in said second chamber during the conversion; a gas-to-liquid heat exchanger in fluid communication with said second chamber for receiving the reformate and for cooling the reformate prior to distribution of the reformate to the intake manifold; a reformer outlet in fluid communication with said gas-to-liquid heat exchanger and with the intake manifold for distributing the reformate to the intake manifold; and a fluid circuit for distributing a fluid throughout the HVAC system of the vehicle, said fluid circuit being thermodynamically coupled with said gas-to-liquid heat exchanger such that the heat generated in said second chamber during the conversion is transferred to the fluid to provide the supplemental heat to the vehicle.