Patent ID: 7037349

Claim:
A catalytic reformer for generating hydrogen-containing reformate fuel from hydrocarbons, comprising: a) a reactor closed at a first end thereof and having an outlet opening at a second end; b) a reforming catalyst disposed in said reactor and spaced apart from said closed end to define a combustion and reforming chamber; c) first fuel injection means disposed into said combustion and reforming chamber and connected to a source of hydrocarbon fuel; d) ignition means disposed in said combustion and reforming chamber for igniting fuel injected by said first injector; e) a jacket disposed around and off-spaced from said reactor to define a mixing chamber therebetween, said mixing chamber communicating with said combustion and reforming chamber via at least one opening in said reactor therebetween; f) air inlet means entering into said mixing chamber; and g) control means for controlling operating conditions of the reformer wherein said operating conditions controlled by the control means include at least one of controlling the timing of said ignition means, controlling the timing and flow of fuel through said first fuel injection means and said air inlet means to provide a first fuel/air mixture for combustion in said combustion and reforming chamber, and controlling the flow of fuel through said first fuel injection means and said air inlet means to provide a second fuel/air mixture for reforming in said combustion and reforming chamber to produce reformate fuel.