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  Apparatus and method for regenerating a particulate filter of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engineUSPTO Application #: 20060075744Title: Apparatus and method for regenerating a particulate filter of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine Abstract: A power system has a fuel reformer, an emission abatement device, and a fuel cell. The fuel reformer reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformate gas which is supplied to both the emission abatement device and the fuel cell. A method of operating a fuel reformer so as to generate and supply a reformate gas to both an emission abatement device and a fuel cell is also disclosed. (end of abstract) Agent: Barnes & Thornburg - Indianapolis, IN, US Inventor: Rudolph M. Smaling USPTO Applicaton #: 20060075744 - Class: 060295000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Power Plants, Internal Combustion Engine With Treatment Or Handling Of Exhaust Gas, By Means Producing A Chemical Reaction Of A Component Of The Exhaust Gas, Having Means For Regenerating, Replacing, Or Feeding Liquid Or Solid Reagent Or Catalyst The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060075744. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/246,298 filed Sep. 18, 2002 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/351,580 filed on Jan. 25, 2002, the entirety of both of which is hereby incorporated by reference. CROSS REFERENCE [0002] Cross reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/418,808, filed Apr. 18, 2003, now abandoned, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/375,134 filed on Apr. 24, 2002. Both of these applications name the same inventor as the present application, and are assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Similar claims to those presented herein were the subject matter of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/418,808. [0003] Cross reference is also made to copending U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/245,921, filed Sep. 18, 2002 and Ser. No. 10/246,118, filed Sep. 18, 2002, each of which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0004] The present disclosure relates to generally to a fuel reformer, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for operating a fuel reformer to provide reformate gas to both a fuel cell and an emission abatement device. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0005] A fuel reformer is operated to reform a hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate gas. In the case of an onboard fuel reformer such as a fuel reformer associated with a vehicle or a stationary power generator, the reformate gas produced by the fuel reformer may be utilized as fuel or fuel additive in the operation of an internal combustion engine. The reformate gas may also be utilized to regenerate or otherwise condition an emission abatement device associated with an internal combustion engine or as a fuel for a fuel cell. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0006] According to one illustrative embodiment, there is provided a power system having a fuel reformer, an emission abatement device, and a fuel cell. The fuel reformer reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformate gas which is supplied to both the emission abatement device and the fuel cell. [0007] According to a more specific illustrative embodiment, there is provided a vehicle system of an on-highway truck having a fuel reformer configured to reform hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate gas, an emission abatement device for treating the emissions from an internal combustion engine, and a fuel cell for generating electrical power. The reformate gas from the fuel reformer is supplied to both the emission abatement device and the fuel cell. In such a way, the reformate gas may be utilized to regenerate or otherwise condition the emission abatement device during operation of the engine, while also being utilized to operate the fuel cell during inoperation of the engine. Electrical power from the fuel cell may be used to power an electrically-powered cab heating and cooling assembly with the need to idle the engine. [0008] According to another illustrative embodiment, a single fuel reformer is utilized to regenerate or otherwise condition a combination emission abatement assembly having a number of different devices for treating a number of different exhaust effluents from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. [0009] According to a more specific illustrative embodiment, the combination emission abatement assembly has a NO.sub.X trap and a soot particulate filter. In such a case, the reformate gas from the fuel reformer is used to selectively regenerate both the NO.sub.X trap and the soot particulate filter. [0010] According to another illustrative embodiment, a fuel reformer is operated in different modes of operation to generate and supply different quantities and/or compositions of reformate gas to different components. [0011] According to a more specific exemplary embodiment, the fuel reformer is operated in one mode of operation to generate and supply a particular quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a NO.sub.X trap, and then is operated in a different mode of operation to generate and supply and different quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a soot particulate filter. In a similar manner, the fuel reformer is operated in one mode of operation to generate and supply a particular quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a fuel cell, and then is operated in a different mode of operation to generate and supply and different quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to an emission abatement device. [0012] The above and other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a fuel reforming assembly having a plasma fuel reformer under the control of an electronic control unit; [0014] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the plasma fuel reformer of FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a power system; [0016] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the power system of FIG. 3 as used in the construction of a vehicle; [0017] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of another embodiment of a power system; [0018] FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of the power system of FIG. 5 as used in the construction of a vehicle; [0019] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a soot particulate filter that may be utilized in the construction of the power systems of FIGS. 3-6; Continue reading... Full patent description for Apparatus and method for regenerating a particulate filter of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and method for regenerating a particulate filter of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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