U.S. patent application number 11/409917 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for device for generating hydrogen for use in internal combustion engines.
Invention is credited to Frank Schubert, Matthew M. Smola.
Application Number | 20070246351 11/409917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38606875 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070246351 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smola; Matthew M. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2007 |
Device for generating hydrogen for use in internal combustion
engines
Abstract
An electrolysis conversion system for converting water into
hydrogen and oxygen, includes a housing in which are housed
electrodes. The electrodes are immersed in an electrolyte and are
connected to a positive and negative sides of an energy source. The
housing is a non conductive material that has chambers to separate
the hydrogen and the oxygen The present invention further discloses
a method of utilizing the electrolyzer in conjunction with the fuel
system of an internal combustion engine to improve the efficiency
of said internal combustion engine.
Inventors: |
Smola; Matthew M.;
(Centennial, CO) ; Schubert; Frank; (Pacific
Grove, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Matthew M. Smola
Unit B
6380 S. Gibraltar Cir.
Centennial
CO
80016-1212
US
|
Family ID: |
38606875 |
Appl. No.: |
11/409917 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
204/278 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 10/30 20130101;
F02M 25/12 20130101; Y02T 10/12 20130101; F02B 43/10 20130101; C25B
9/00 20130101; Y02T 10/32 20130101; Y02T 10/121 20130101; F02B
2043/106 20130101; C25B 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
204/278 |
International
Class: |
C25B 9/00 20060101
C25B009/00 |
Claims
1. A device for generating hydrogen for use in internal combustion
engines for the purpose of this invention is to generate hydrogen
for use in internal combustion engines, comprising: means for
provides a place to contain the fluid and for the electrodes to
come in contact with the fluid; means for a device for the positive
current to come into contact with the electrolyte fluid; means for
provides a place for the oxygen to exit the housing chamber,
rigidly connected to said means for a device for the positive
current to come into contact with the electrolyte fluid; means for
provides a place to fill the housing with the fluid, rigidly
connected to said means for provides a place to contain the fluid
and for the electrodes to come in contact with the fluid; means for
seperates the hydrogen from the oxygen, rigidly connected to said
means for a device for the positive current to come into contact
with the electrolyte fluid, and rigidly connected to said means for
provides a place to contain the fluid and for the electrodes to
come in contact with the fluid; means for provides a place for the
hydrogen gas to exit the housing, securely connected to said means
for provides a place to contain the fluid and for the electrodes to
come in contact with the fluid; and means for provides a way for
the negative charge to come in contact with the electrolyte fluid,
rigidly connected to said means for provides a place to contain the
fluid and for the electrodes to come in contact with the fluid.
2. The device for generating hydrogen for use in internal
combustion engines in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means
for provides a place to contain the fluid and for the electrodes to
come in contact with the fluid comprises a housing.
3. The device for generating hydrogen for use in internal
combustion engines in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means
for a device for the positive current to come into contact with the
electrolyte fluid comprises a positive electrode.
4. The device for generating hydrogen for use in internal
combustion engines in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means
for provides a place for the oxygen to exit the housing chamber
comprises an oxygen vent.
5. The device for generating hydrogen for use in internal
combustion engines in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means
for provides a place to fill the housing with the fluid comprises a
fill cap.
6. The device for generating hydrogen for use in internal
combustion engines in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means
for seperates the hydrogen from the oxygen comprises a chamber
divider.
7. The device for generating hydrogen for use in internal
combustion engines in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means
for provides a place for the hydrogen gas to exit the housing
comprises a hydrogen vent.
8. The device for generating hydrogen for use in internal
combustion engines in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means
for provides a way for the negative charge to come in contact with
the electrolyte fluid comprises a negative electrode.
9. A device for generating hydrogen for use in internal combustion
engines for the purpose of this invention is to generate hydrogen
for use in internal combustion engines, comprising: a housing, for
provides a place to contain the fluid and for the electrodes to
come in contact with the fluid; a positive electrode, for a device
for the positive current to come into contact with the electrolyte
fluid; an oxygen vent, for provides a place for the oxygen to exit
the housing chamber, rigidly connected to said Positive Electrode;
a fill cap, for provides a place to fill the housing with the
fluid, rigidly connected to said Housing; a chamber divider, for
separates the hydrogen from the oxygen, rigidly connected to said
Positive Electrode, and rigidly connected to said Housing; a
hydrogen vent, for provides a place for the hydrogen gas to exit
the housing, securely connected to said Housing; and a negative
electrode, for provides a way for the negative charge to come in
contact with the electrolyte fluid, rigidly connected to said
Housing.
10. The device for generating hydrogen for use in internal
combustion engines as recited in claim 9, further comprising: an
electrolyte fluid, for fluid for transmition of current and for the
elecrolyssi process to happen, rigidly connected to said Chamber
Divider.
11. A device for generating hydrogen for use in internal combustion
engines for the purpose of this invention is to generate hydrogen
for use in internal combustion engines, comprising: a housing, for
provides a place to contain the fluid and for the electrodes to
come in contact with the fluid; an electrolyte fluid, for fluid for
transmition of current and for the elecrolyssi process to happen; a
positive electrode, for a device for the positive current to come
into contact with the electrolyte fluid; an oxygen vent, for
provides a place for the oxygen to exit the housing chamber,
rigidly connected to said Positive Electrode; a fill cap, for
provides a place to fill the housing with the fluid, rigidly
connected to said Housing; a chamber divider, for seperates the
hydrogen from the oxygen, rigidly connected to said Positive
Electrode, rigidly connected to said Electrolyte fluid, and rigidly
connected to said Housing; a hydrogen vent, for provides a place
for the hydrogen gas to exit the housing, securely connected to
said Housing; and a negative electrode, for provides a way for the
negative charge to come in contact with the electrolyte fluid,
rigidly connected to said Housing.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
6,536,551, issued Mar. 25, 2003, included by reference herein.
[0002] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
5,244,558, issued Sep. 24, 1992, by Chiang, included by reference
herein.
[0003] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
6,096,178, issued Aug. 24, 1998, by Amirav Tzanani, included by
reference herein.
[0004] The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No.
6,689,259, issued Oct. 18, 2002, by Klene, included by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to fuel in internal combustion
engines and, more particularly, to use in autos and trucks to
increase the fuel economy. The present invention generally relates
to systems including converters for supplying hydrogen-rich gas to
internal combustion engines. The invention more particularly
relates to onboard generation systems for use in vehicles and the
like in which the systems are capable of instantaneously providing
hydrogen-rich gas, reducing pollutants during vehicle startup and
allowing use of hydrogen-rich gas during load changes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The rising cost of fossil fuels has had a negative impact on
the economy of most drivers. The cost of fuel is expected to rise
and the environmental cost must be figured in too. There has long
been a cost effective way to make the average car get better
mileage. The rise in sales of hybrid cars shows the publics
interest in better gas mileage and cleaner burning internal
combustion engines. The invention is a device that can fit on most
vehicles as an add on or aftermarket device.
[0007] Hydrogen is attractive as a fuel or additive for internal
combustion engines because hydrogen as a fuel source can
significantly reduce air pollution and can also serve as an
alternative energy source to gasoline. Moreover, engine efficiency
can be 10-50% higher when running on hydrogen as compared with a
gasoline engine. Prior art systems contemplated either storing
hydrogen on-board or generating it on board. On-board storage
requires high pressure vessels, cryogenic containers if the
hydrogen is to be stored as a compressed gas or liquid, or large
volumes and weights if the hydrogen is to be stored as a hydride.
Moreover, the refill time for hydrogen is substantially longer than
that for gasoline when the hydrogen is to be stored on-board.
[0008] As to the on-board production of hydrogen, several
approaches have been disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,143,025 to Munday discloses the use of electrolysis to separate
water into hydrogen and oxygen and introducing the hydrogen into an
internal combustion engine. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,900 to Dammann,
hydrogen gas is produced by water interaction with solid carbon.
Electrical current is passed between the carbon electrodes causing
the electrodes to burn and oxidize to form carbon monoxide and
hydrogen. U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,185 to Greiner et al. discloses a
burner which utilizes a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel to reform
another portion to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen is then mixed
with the hydrocarbon fuel for introduction into an internal
combustion engine.
[0009] Another system diverts a fraction of the gasoline from the
flow path to the engine and is passed through a thermal converter
and steam reformed to yield hydrogen-rich gas. See, Breshears, et
al., Proc. of EPA 1st Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems
Development, 268 (1973). We note that the authors state that this
system would not be practical to generate hydrogen as the sole fuel
for an engine. Yet another system of this type uses partial
oxidation in a catalytic converter to produce hydrogen rich gas.
See Houseman, et al., Proc. 3rd World Hydrogen Energy Conf., 949
(1980). This system requires carefully controlled catalytic action
and temperature range and has limitations for startup and transient
response.
[0010] The present invention provides a low cost mobile hydrogen
generation system that can be added to most cars to provide
increased efficiency and fuel economy. It is relatively simple
compared to other systems in the field and can be installed quickly
and easily into almost any internal combustion engine.
[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to increase the
fuel economy of internal combustion engines, more over to be small
enough to fit in most engine compartments.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide system
for producing hydrogen gas that can be used in a internal
combustion engine.
[0013] It is another object of the invention is to provide a way to
increase the efficiency of a internal combustion engine.
[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide system that
uses hydrogen gas that reduce vehicle emission pollutants during
startup or regular operation.
[0015] It is a further object of the invention to provide a system
for generating hydrogen gas for vehicles on an on demand basis.
[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide systems for
generating hydrogen and oxygen that can be used for combustion or
other uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
mobile elecrolyzer that is both functional and effective in
reducing the amount of fuel an internal combustion engine consumes
and there by cuts down the hydrocarbons that the internal
combustion engine produces. A plastic housing with separate
chambers holds the electrolyte. The chambers are vented separately
with the hydrogen being introduced into the air intake of the
engine. Adding hydrogen to a hydrocarbon fuel has been proven to
increase the efficiency of an internal combustion engine. The
present invention provides a low cost device that can create
hydrogen when it is needed. The present invention provides a system
that can generate hydrogen on board for a vehicle or a internal
combustion engine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] A complete understanding of the present invention may be
obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered
in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is the housing (1) provides a space to add water and
space for the electrode to come in contact with water.
[0020] the electrolyte fluid (2) increased the conductivity of the
liquid.
[0021] the positive electrode (3) provides a way for the positive
current to come in contact with the electrolyte fluid the oxygen
vent (4) provide a exit for the oxygen gas that is created. The
fill cap (5) provides a place to fill the device. The negative
electrode (6) provides place for the negative current to come in
contact with the fluid. The hydrogen vent (7) provides a exit for
the hydrogen gas to exit the chamber. The chamber divider (8)
separates the hydrogen from the oxygen.
[0022] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and
components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout
the Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIG. 1 which is a front view of the housing 1 for the
electrodes provides a space to add water and space for the
electrode to come in contact with water. The Electrolyte fluid 2
increases the conductivity of the fluid. The Positive Electrode 3
provides a device to bring the positive current in contact with the
electrolyte fluid 2. The Oxygen vent (4) provides an exit for the
oxygen gas hat is created. The fill cap (5) provides a place to
fill the device with the fluid. The Negative Electrode 6 provides a
place for the negative current to come in contact with the fluid.
The Hydrogen vent 7 provides a exit for the hydrogen gas that is
created The Chamber Divider 8 (6) separated the hydrogen from the
oxygen.
[0024] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit
particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered
limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and
covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute
departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
[0025] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be
protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently
appended claims.
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