HHO GENERATING SYSTEM

Abstract

system comprising at least one electrolytic cell having nested annular electrodes, a water distribution system arranged to contain and deliver an aqueous electrolytic solution to the electrolytic cell, and a gas collection network having at least one module for drying the hydrogen gas stream. The system delivers the hydrogen gas into the aft intake of an internal combustion engine to supplement the fuel. A supplemental electrical signal is supplied to the engine oxygen sensor to prevent the engine computer from compensating for the drop in oxygen content.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/165,579 filed on Apr. 1, 2009. This application relates to a hydrogen generator. The entire disclosure contained in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/165,579 including the attachments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Technical Field

[0003]The present invention relates to hydrogen generators and more specifically relates to hydrogen generators used to supplement fuel to internal combustion engines.

[0004]2. Problems in the Art

[0005]The use of hydrogen generators to produce oxyhydrogen gas, i.e. Brown's gas, which is then scrubbed and supplemented into the combustion chamber is well known. However, existing systems require frequent replacement of electrolytes. Existing systems also utilize fuel cells that are bulky and voluminous and do no not fit well in modern, cramped engine spaces. Additionally, most systems add the hydrogen into the gasoline as an additive rather than introducing it into the air which travels to the combustion chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a diagram of the functional arrangement of the components of an embodiment.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an arrangement of electrolytic cells of an embodiment utilizing multiple electrolytic cells.

[0008]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the electrolytic cell of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connection between the gas collection network and the electrolytic cell of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the connection between the outer electrode of the electrolytic cell and the water distribution network.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a view of the functional arrangement of the components of an embodiment depicting cutaways to demonstrate fluid and gas distribution across the system.

[0012]FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of an electrolytic cell with intermediate electrodes situated between the inner and outer electrodes.

[0013]FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of the electrolytic cell of FIG. 7.

[0014]FIG. 9 depicts the bottom end plate of the electrolytic cell of FIG. 7.

[0015]FIG. 10 depicts the top end plate of the electrolytic cell of FIG. 7.

[0016]FIG. 11 depicts a diagram of the functional arrangement of the components of the embodiment utilizing the electrolytic cell of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE

[0017]The disclosed device is a system for producing Brown's gas (HHO) from water by electrolysis. The HHO is fed into the air entering the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, where it is used as a supplemental fuel.

[0018]The electrolytic cell 1 is formed of concentrically disposed electrodes, an inner electrode 2 and an outer electrode 4. Each electrode is a frustum of a hollow cone. Each inner electrode 2 and an outer electrode 4 are preferably constructed from stainless steel. The inner electrode 2 and the outer electrode 4 and electrically isolated from each other, i.e. do not touch, and are preferably separated by a gap of no more than 0.25 inches, which forms the lower part of the electrolytic chamber 6, between the inner electrode 2 and the outer electrode 4 in which an aqueous electrolytic solution 80 resides and across which electricity passes. The outside wall of the electrolytic cell 10 is comprised of the outer electrode 4 at the base and a gas containment sleeve 8 at the top. The gas containment sleeve 8 is preferably constructed from polyvinylchloride or a similar electrically insulating material. The volume of space between the inner electrode 2 and the outer electrode 4 and gas containment sleeve 8 is the electrolytic chamber 6. Ideally the outer electrode 4 possesses male threads at its top and base. Preferably the gas containment sleeve 8 possesses female threads at its base and male threads at its top.

[0019]Multiple electrolytic cells 1 are joined linearly in substantially parallel rows. A plurality of linear assemblies of electrolytic cells 6 can also be joined together. The base of each electrolytic cell 1 is joined to a water distribution network 30 of tubing or pipes in a fitted arrangement, so as to allow water to be held within and distributed evenly across the electrolytic cells 1. The water distribution network 30 is preferably constructed of polyvinylchloride or a similar electrically insulating material. A water distribution port 32 at the top of the water distribution network 30 and substantially beneath the electrolytic cells 1 allows water to flow back and forth from a water reservoir 37. The outer electrode receiving sleeves 34 extend vertically from the top of the water distribution network 30 substantially perpendicular to the water distribution network 30 itself and possess outer electrode receiving threads 36, preferably female, which mate with the water distribution system connection threads 38 of the outer electrode 4.

[0020]The top of each electrolytic cell 1 is joined by a gas collection network 40 comprised of tubing or pipes. The top of the inner electrode 2 couples with the gas collection network 40 in a fitted arrangement which is preferably constructed of polyvinylchloride or a similar electrically insulating material. Gas containment sleeve receiving sheaths 42 extend downward vertically from the base of the gas collection network 40, substantially perpendicular to the gas collection network 40, and are in a fitted arrangement with the gas containment sleeves 8, preferably possessing female threads which mate with coupling fittings 50 which join the gas containment sleeve 8 to the gas collection network 40 while sealing the electrolytic chamber 6.

[0021]The inner electrode 2 runs from at least the bottom of the outer electrode 4, but preferably from the bottom of the water distribution network 30, to the gas collection network 40. The inner electrode 2 possesses at least one gas port 9 formed as a void in the wall of the inner electrode 2 so as to allow gas to flow into the hollow core of the inner electrode 2 near the top of the gas containment sleeve 8 but below the point where the coupling fittings 50 act to seal the gas electrolytic chamber 6. Each inner electrode 2 passes through coupling fittings 50 and enters the gas collection network 40 through a gas containment sleeve receiving sheath 42, which permits the gas to be directed out of the electrolytic cell 6 and be transported to the gas collection network 40 while reducing the possibility of water spillage into the gas collection network 40.

[0022]Each outer electrode 4 preferably is an anode and is wiredly connected to the negative terminal of a source of electricity, e.g. a car battery. Each inner electrode 2 preferably is a cathode and is wiredly connected to the positive terminal of a source of electricity 90, e.g. a car battery. The wired connection from the positive terminal, i.e. positive terminal wire 92, of a source of electricity terminates at the coupling fittings 50, which are preferably stainless steel, and which are in electrical contact with the inner electrode 2. The wired connection from the negative terminal, i.e. negative terminal wire 94, is affixed to the exterior of the outer electrode 4. The coupling fittings 50 are electrically insulated from the outer electrode by the gas containment sleeve. The voltage at each electrolytic cell 1 preferably should not exceed 3 volts. Most preferably the voltage across each electrolytic cell should be in the range of 2.5 to 2.9 volts.

[0023]The gas collection network 40 possesses at least one gas collection port 45 and one pressure relief port 47. A pressure relieve valve 49 is attached to the pressure relief port 47 and will relieve excess pressure on the system if needed. The released HHO is released into the environment and away from the engine through a hose or tubing. The collected gas is directed into the water reservoir 37 and subsequently to a bubbler 60 via gas transfer lines 41 through the water reservoir gas inlet port 44.

[0024]The electrolytic solution Distilled water mixed with an electrolyte additive is supplied to the water distribution network 30 from a water supply reservoir 37 which is mounted at approximately the same height as the electrolyte solution 80 fill level across the electrolytic cell 1. The water supply reservoir 37 possesses a water supply port 38 at its base which in turn is connected to a water supply line 39 which then connects to the water distribution port 32 on the water distribution network 30. The barrel 33 of the water supply reservoir 37 is preferably constructed partially of a clear plastic or possesses a sight glass to gauge the water level across the electrolytic cells 1. Preferably the water supply reservoir 37 possesses an electronic water level indicator that can be used to supply an electronic indication of low water level which can be read remotely, such as in a vehicle interior. The water supply reservoir 37 also acts as a collection point for HHO from the gas collection network 40. This permits any overflow or spillage of water into the gas collection network 40 to be returned to the water distribution network 30.

[0025]The collected HHO flows from the water reservoir 37 to a bubbler 60. The bubbler 60 is substantially a vertically oriented closed cylinder with a bubbler gas inlet port 62 at the base, at least one bubbler gas outlet port 64 at the top, a bubbler pressure relief valve 66 attached to a bubbler pressure relief port 65, and a bubbler water inlet port 68 that can be used for filling the bubbler 60 and thus the water distribution system 30. The bubbler 60 is filled with an electrolytic solution 80 comprising distilled water and an electrolyte. The purpose of the bubbler 60 is primarily to indicate gas flow, to act as a flame trap incase of backfire, and to clean the gas stream.

[0026]The HHO exits through at least one bubbler gas outlet port 64 which is connected to the air intake manifold of a typical internal combustion engine. The movement of air through the air intake manifold and across the HHO gas inlet in the air intake manifold creates a slight vacuum across the HHO gas inlet and thus the bubbler 60 and draws the HHO from the bubbler 60 and into the air intake manifold 110.

[0027]The oxygen sensor signal to an engine's computer 120 must receive a supplemental 200 to 300 milliamp signal to compensate for the reduction in oxygen and to ensure the proper air/fuel ratio is maintained.

[0028]One embodiment of a useful electrolytic solution 60 is a silver colloid with anti-freeze properties mixed in distilled water. The colloidal silver is preferably comprised of approximately 10% silver nanoparticles of silver with the balance being a solution of silver cations. The following cations have lower electrode potential than H.sup.+ and are therefore suitable for use as electrolyte cations: Li.sup.+, Rb.sup.+, K.sup.+, Cs.sup.+, Ba²+, Sr²+, Ca²+, Na.sup.+, and Mg²+. Sodium and lithium can easily be used, as they form inexpensive, soluble salts. Strong acids such as sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), and strong bases such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are especially useful as electrolytes.

[0029]As depicted in FIG. 7, an second embodiment depicts a electrolytic cell 101 containing an inner electrode 2 and outer electrode 4 and at least one intermediate electrode 5 in the form of nested or concentrically disposed metal cylinders formed as a frustum of hollow cones.

[0030]In yet another embodiment, the current across the electrolytic cell 101 can be adjusted during HHO generation so as to adjust the amount of hydrogen produced by the electrolytic cell 101. Increasing the current yields an increase in hydrogen production and a richer mix of hydrogen in the air fed into the combustion chamber.

[0031]The arrangement containing at least one intermediate electrode 5 utilizes an outer electrode 4, an inner electrode 2 and at least one intermediate electrode 5 of substantially the same length. The electrodes are arranged between a top end plate 22 and a bottom end plate 24 held together by fastening means 20. One embodiment of the device utilizes rods with threaded ends that extend through the top end plate 22 and the bottom end plate 24 and are secured to the top end plate 22 and the bottom plate 24 using nuts as securing means. The top end plate 22 and the bottom end plate 24 each possess annular ridges 23, 27 which are used to seat the annular electrodes 2, 4, and 5. The bottom end plate 24 possesses a water inlet port 28 and the top end plate 22 possesses a hydrogen outlet port 29. Grooves 21 across the annular ridges 23 of the top end plate 22 facilitate the flow of hydrogen across the top of the electrolytic cell 101. Grooves 25 across the annular ridges 27 of the bottom end plate 24 facilitate the flow of the electrolytic solution 60 across the bottom of the electrolytic cell 101. Cutouts below the fill line on each electrode may also be utilized to facilitate the flow of the electrolytic solution 60.

[0032]As depicted in FIG. 11, the water reservoir 37 utilized with the second embodiment of an electrolytic cell 1 possesses two ports at the top, a first port is an HHO inlet port 44 for HHO coming from the electrolytic cell 101 to allow water to collect in the water reservoir 37 before passing through the second port or HHO outlet port 43 and flows to the drying unit 70 before being introduced into the engine's air intake 110.

Claims

1. A hydrogen gas generating system comprising:at least one electrolytic cell having a base and a top, said electrolytic cell further comprising a inner electrode and an outer electrode of substantially equal length, said inner electrode and said outer electrode each having the form of a frustum of a hollow cylinder with said outer electrode having a larger diameter than said inner electrode such that said inner electrode can be concentrically disposed within said outer electrode, so as to leave a gap between said inner and said outer electrodes for the purpose of containing an aqueous electrolytic solution and directing the flow of any evolved gases into a gas collection system, said gap dosed at the top of said electrolytic cell and open at said base of said electrolytic cell;a water distribution system connected to said base of each said electrolytic cell, wherein said water distribution system is arranged to contain and deliver said aqueous electrolytic solution to said electrolytic cell between said inner and said outer electrodes and further arranged to maintain the level of said aqueous electrolytic solution level at a desired level within said electrolytic cell;a gas collection port at or near the top of said inner electrode, wherein said gas exits said electrolytic cell by passing through said gas collection port into said interior of the inner electrode and into said gas collection system connected to the top of the inner electrode.

2. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 1 wherein said gas collection system is arranged to direct the evolved gas into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

3. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 1, wherein the voltage across each said electrolytic cell inner electrode and outer electrode is less than approximately 3 volts.

4. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 1, wherein the voltage across each said electrolytic cell inner electrode, and outer electrode is adjustable between approximately 2.5 and approximately 2.9 volts.

5. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 3, wherein said internal combustion engine is equipped with a computer to control the fuel/air ratio by measurements obtained from an oxygen sensor and said measurements being supplied to said computer as an electrical signal indicative of the oxygen measurement, said electrical signal to said computer being supplemented to ensure the proper fuel/air ratio.

6. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 4, wherein said supplemental electrical signal is between 200 and 300 milliamps.

7. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 1, said inner and said outer electrodes being constructed of a conductive metal.

8. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 3, further comprising a source of electricity for said electrolytic cells.

9. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 8, said source of electricity comprising a car battery.

10. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 8, said source of electricity being an alternator.

11. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 1, where said aqueous electrolytic solution comprised of water and a silver colloid.

12. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 1, where said silver colloid is preferably comprised of approximately 10% silver nanoparticles of silver with the balance being a solution of silver cations.

13. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 1, further comprising intermediate electrodes disposed between said inner electrode and said outer electrodes and formed as frustums of hollow cones of substantially equal length to said inner and outer electrodes.

14. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 13, wherein said intermediate electrodes possess openings that permit the electrolyte solution to flow through the walls of the intermediate electrodes.

15. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 14, wherein said intermediate electrodes and said inner electrode possess openings at their tops which permit hydrogen to pass across said intermediate electrodes and said inner electrode to a hydrogen exit.

16. A hydrogen gas generating system comprising:at least one electrolytic cell having a base and a top, said electrolytic cell further comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode, and said second electrode, each having the form of a frustum of a hollow cylinder with said first electrode having a larger diameter than said second electrode such that said second electrode can be concentrically disposed within said first electrode so as to leave a gap between said first and said second electrodes for the purpose of containing an aqueous electrolytic solution and directing the flow of any evolved gases into a gas collection system, said gap dosed at the top of said electrolytic cell and open at said base of said electrolytic cell;a water distribution system connected to said base of each said electrolytic cell, wherein said water distribution system is arranged to contain and deliver said aqueous electrolytic solution to said electrolytic cell between said first and said second electrodes and further arranged to maintain the level of said aqueous electrolytic solution level at a desired level within said electrolytic cell;a gas collection port at or near the top of said inner electrode, wherein said gas exits said electrolytic cell by passing through said gas collection port into said interior of the inner electrode, and into said gas collection system connected to the top of the inner electrode; andan aqueous electrolytic solution.

17. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 16, wherein at least one intermediate electrode resides between said inner electrode and said outer electrode wherein each said electrode has the form of a frustum of a hollow cylinder and said electrodes are secured by a top end plate and a bottom end plate possessing annular ridges between which said electrodes are seated, said top end plate further comprising grooves across said annular ridges which facilitate the flow of hydrogen across said electrodes.

18. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 17, wherein said electrodes further possess passages through which said electrolyte solution can flow.

19. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 18, further comprising a reservoir capable of supplying an electrolyte solution to said at least one electrolytic cell and further arranged to receive said hydrogen gas from said electrolytic cell so as to allow solution carried by a stream of said hydrogen gas to be collected in said reservoir before said stream of hydrogen gas exits through a hydrogen outlet port.

20. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 19, further comprising a filter system which functions to receive said stream of said hydrogen gas from said reservoir to facilitate the removal of moisture from said stream of said hydrogen gas; said filter system further arranged to feed said hydrogen gas to said internal combustion engine.

21. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 16, wherein said electrolytic solution is comprised of distilled water and an effective amount of a strong base.

22. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 21, wherein said strong base is selected from the group consisting of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.

23. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 16, wherein said electrolytic solution is comprised of distilled water and a silver colloid comprised of approximately 10% silver nanoparticles of silver with the balance being a solution of silver cations.

24. The hydrogen gas generating system of claim 16, wherein said wherein said internal combustion engine is equipped with a computer to control the fuel/air ratio by measurements obtained from an oxygen sensor and said measurements being supplied to said computer as an electrical signal indicative of the oxygen measurement, said electrical signal to said computer being supplemented between 200 and 300 milliamps to ensure the proper fuel/air ratio.

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