Patent ID: 7410016

Claim:
A fuel cell system for generating electric power by combination of oxygen with reformate fuel, comprising: a) a plurality of individual fuel cells organized into at least one fuel cell stack assembly including a plurality of cathodes and anodes; b) a cover surrounding at least a portion of said plurality of individual fuel cells, wherein a thermal jacket space is defined by said cover and said plurality of individual fuel cells: c) a reformer unit for combining pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel and air into a fuel/air mixture and having catalytic elements in a reformer assembly for reforming said mixture to provide said reformate fuel to anode flow spaces in said stack assembly; d) a combustor chamber disposed within said reformer unit ahead of said catalytic surfaces and containing mixture-ignition means for controllably igniting said mixture to provide a hot combustor exhaust gas when temperatures in said fuel cell system are sub-optimal; and e) a manifold for conveying said exhaust gas from said fuel cell stack assembly to said thermal jacket space, wherein said exhaust gas passes from said combustor chamber through said reformer assembly, said fuel cell stack assembly, said manifold, and within said thermal jacket space to assist in elevating temperatures of said reformer and said fuel cell stack.