U.S. patent application number 12/228850 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for hydrogen-from-water on-demand supplemental vehicle fuel electrolyzer system.
Invention is credited to Alex Rivera.
Application Number | 20100038236 12/228850 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41680528 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100038236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rivera; Alex |
February 18, 2010 |
Hydrogen-from-water on-demand supplemental vehicle fuel
electrolyzer system
Abstract
A simple electrolyzer system, that can be easily installed in
most motor vehicles, including boats, generates a gaseous mixture
including hydrogen as auxiliary motive fuel to provide increased
performance and mileage. The electrolyzer system is powered
electrically from the vehicle battery and consumes only water. In a
preferred embodiment, a pair of similar electrolyzer cells, mounted
in the engine compartment of the vehicle, generate a gaseous
mixture of hydrogen and oxygen that is delivered independently to
corresponding input ports at two strategically selected domains in
the vehicle's air intake system: one at the intake manifold and the
other at the main air intake duct leading to the intake manifold. A
check-valve disconnect coupling in each gas delivery hose serves as
a flash-back arrester for safety, and facilitates maintenance.
Inventors: |
Rivera; Alex; (Northridge,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BELASCO, JACOBS & TOWNSLEY LLP;HOWARD HUGHES CENTER
6701 CENTER DRIVE WEST, 14th Floor
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Family ID: |
41680528 |
Appl. No.: |
12/228850 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
204/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 10/121 20130101;
Y02T 10/12 20130101; Y02E 60/366 20130101; F02M 25/12 20130101;
Y02E 60/36 20130101; C25B 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
204/270 |
International
Class: |
C25B 1/04 20060101
C25B001/04 |
Claims
1. An auxiliary motive energy fuel source for a vehicle equipped
with a storage battery and an internal combustion engine including
an air intake manifold having an air intake duct, comprising: an
electrolyzer system, including a plurality of electrodes immersed
in liquid electrolyte, receiving electric current from the vehicle
battery, and generating a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and oxygen; a
first delivery conduit system made and arranged to conduct a first
portion of the gaseous mixture to a region in the air intake
manifold; and a second delivery conduit system made and arranged to
conduct a second portion of the gaseous mixture to a region in the
air intake duct.
2. The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in claim 1
wherein said electrolyzer system comprises: a first electrolyzer
cell; a second electrolyzer cell, like said first electrolyzer
cell; said first delivery conduit system made and arranged to
receive the first portion of the gaseous mixture from said first
electrolyzer cell independent of said second electrolyzer cell; and
said second delivery conduit system being made and arranged to
receive the second portion of the gaseous mixture from said second
electrolyzer cell independent of said first electrolyzer cell.
3. The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in claim 1
wherein said electrolyzer system comprises: a first electrolyzer
cell; a second electrolyzer cell, like said first electrolyzer
cell; and said first and second electrolyzer cells being
interconnected in fluid communication with each other so as to
co-operate in a manner to function equivalent to a single
electrolyzer generating the first and second portions of the
gaseous mixture.
4. The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in claim 1
wherein said electrolyzer system comprises: a single electrolyzer
cell configured with said first and second delivery conduit systems
originating in a common plenum region of said cell.
5. The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in claim 1
wherein said electrolyzer system includes at least one electrolyzer
cell comprising: a non-conductive corrosion-resistant container; a
quantity of aqueous electrolytic liquid deployed in said container;
a quantity of catalytic component, dissolved in said aqueous
electrolytic liquids, of composition selected to increase
electrical conductivity of said aqueous electrolytic liquid; a pair
of electrodes immersed in said aqueous electrolyte, connected by a
pair of terminals to receive electrical current from the vehicle
battery, and a plenum region above said aqueous electrolytic liquid
made and arranged to contain foam and bubbles of generated gas.
6. The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in claim 5
wherein: said container is made from glass; said aqueous
electrolytic liquid is water; and said catalytic component is
sodium bicarbonate.
7. The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in claim 4
wherein each of said electrodes is configured as a helix formed
from a plurality of strands of stainless steel wire twisted
together in a rope/cable form, the two helixes being interlaced
together and supported on an insulating form made and arranged to
prevent electrical contact therebetween.
8. The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in claim 1
further comprising in each of said first and second delivery
conduit systems, and located within a designated distance from a
corresponding electrolyzer cell, a disconnect coupling fitted with
a one-way check valve that acts as a flash-back arrester safety
feature that prevents possibility of flames entering the
electrolyzer cells in the event of engine backfiring.
9. The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in claim 8
wherein the designated distance is six inches.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle
accessories and more particularly to a method and apparatus for
generating and injecting a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas,
electrolyzed from water, into the air intake manifold system of a
petroleum-powered internal combustion engine as a supplemental fuel
source produced on-demand for purposes of increased power and fuel
economy along with further environmental benefits of cleaner
emissions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Steep increases in the cost of petroleum fuel for vehicles,
along with increasing world consumption thereof, has motivated
increased interest not only in hybrid and alternatively-energized
vehicles, but also in supplemental fuel systems that can be added
onto existing petroleum-powered vehicles to increase the
performance and mileage economy.
[0003] In conventional petroleum-burning vehicles, a major source
of energy is the oxygen obtained free from the atmosphere, drawn
into the intake manifold through the air filter. Whether pre-mixed
with gasoline vapor in a carburetor or mixed in the cylinder
combustion chamber with injected liquid fuel, oxygen forms a major
part of the explosive mixture that explodes upon exposure to heat
above a critical temperature when ignited from the spark plug, or
in a diesel, after starting with a glow plug, heat from compression
and high pressure timed injection exceeding the critical
temperature, releasing mechanical energy to drive the piston and
propel the vehicle.
[0004] Experimental work has shown that internal combustion engines
can be made to run on hydrogen as the basic fuel, however issues of
cost and concern about safety regarding storage and public
distribution of hydrogen, whether in liquid, solid or gas form, are
still being resolved.
DISCUSSION OF KNOWN ART
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,872 to Rhodes et al for APPARATUS FOR
THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN FOR THE SAFE
CONSUMPTION THEREOF teaches the generation of hydrogen and oxygen
electrolytically by passing electric current between a pair of
electrodes immersed in conductive water, and is directed to the
utilization of the resultant hydrogen/oxygen mixture for torch
welding purposes.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,656 to Yull Brown for ARC-ASSISTED
OXY/HYDROGEN WELDING teaches generating a mixture of hydrogen and
oxygen in substantially stoichiometric proportions in an
electrolytic cell by electrical dissociation of water. Brown states
that although a mixture of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas had
previously been considered highly explosive, he found in accordance
with his invention that the two gases can be safely and usefully
produced and utilized for fuel purposes provided that certain
safety precautions are observed, such as the employment of a
flash-back arrester. Brown points out the many advantages of
producing the gases on site, i.e. "on demand", citing many
disadvantages of the conventional practice of storing, distributing
and utilizing cylinders or "bottles" of gas for welding purposes.
The stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas generated by
electrolysis is sometimes referred to as "Brown's gas".
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,709 to Tangri for HYDROGEN FUEL SYSTEM
FOR A VEHICLE discloses a system that uses hydrogen as the primary
fuel for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle. The system is
mounted on the vehicle and is operable primarily when the vehicle
is at rest, electrically sourced from a.c. utility electric power,
generating hydrogen gas in an electrolyzer and storing the gas
aboard the vehicle.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,696 to Reinhardt for ELECTROLYTIC
SUPPLEMENTAL FUEL GENERATION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES discloses a
combination internal combustion engine and electrolyzer for
producing hydrogen from water on board a motor vehicle in order to
supplement the gasoline fuel for the engine, further including a
heat-activated engine such as a Stirling engine, activated directly
from main engine heat to provide the electrical current necessary
to decompose the water. The oxygen and hydrogen gases formed by the
electrolysis of water in two cells shown are passed by passageways
34 and 36 to a common location at the air intake of the carburetor
and enable the use of a much leaner gasoline-to-air mixture to run
the engine thus increasing gasoline mileage and reducing air
pollutants.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,905 to Baaurmert et al for VEHICLE WITH
A FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME includes at
least one auxiliary electric power supply including a fuel cell
system and an electrolyzer which is capable of generating hydrogen
and oxygen.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,833,206 to Erdle et al for AUXILIARY POWER
SUPPLY FOR A VEHICLE WITH A COMBUSTION ENGINE AND METHOD OF
OPERATING SAME discloses apparatus including ". . . a fuel cell
with a hydrogen input, and oxygen input and an exhaust output, an
electrolyzer capable of generating hydrogen and oxygen from water .
. . ".
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is a primary object to contribute to improvements in
world environmental conditions by increasing the efficiency and
fuel economy and decreasing harmful emissions from internal
combustion engines of existing motor vehicles.
[0012] It is a main object of the invention to provide, for
installation on existing vehicles with internal combustion engines
that operate primarily on petroleum fuel, a relatively simple
electrolyzer system that generates hydrogen and oxygen for
injection as a supplementary fuel to improve vehicle performance
and overall fuel economy.
[0013] It is a further object for the electrolyzer system to
operate from the vehicle's battery.
[0014] It is a further object for the electrolyzer system to take
maximum advantage of variations in vacuum conditions in different
domains of the engine air intake system.
[0015] It is a further object to provide a simplified embodiment
that supplies supplemental fuel on-demand, and thus does not
require auxiliary fuel storage bottles or cylinders.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The foregoing objects have been accomplished in an
electrolyzer system that can be easily installed in most motor
vehicles including boats. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of
similar electrolyzer cells are mounted in the engine compartment of
the vehicle and connected by a switch to the vehicle's storage
battery. The oxy-hydrogen gas generated at the electrodes is
conducted by two delivery hose lines, one from each cell, leading
to two corresponding strategically selected input ports at
different locations in the vehicle's air intake system: one port on
the intake manifold and the other port on the main air intake hose
leading to the intake manifold. A check valve disconnect coupling
in each delivery hose line facilitates removal for maintenance and
serves as a flash-back arrester for safety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The principles and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the
invention, by way of example.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention showing a system including pair of
electrolyzer cells installed in a motor vehicle so as to
independently supply oxygen/hydrogen gas to two ports at different
locations in the vehicle engine air intake system.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a functional diagram showing, as an alternative
embodiment, a version of the system of FIG. 1 which includes the
addition of a passageway interconnecting the two electrolyzer
cells.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of an alternative embodiment
of the invention utilizing a single electrolyzer cell, fitted with
two gaseous fuel delivery hoses leading as in FIG. 1 to two ports
located in different domains in the vehicle engine air intake
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention showing a system including pair of like
electrolyzer cells 12' and 12'' installed in a motor vehicle so as
to supply oxygen/hydrogen gas independently to two ports 36A and
38B, each located at a different strategically selected domain in
the vehicle engine air intake system.
[0022] Each electrolyzer cell 12' and 12'' is typically contained
in a glass jar and configured internally with a pair of electrodes
14 immersed in the electrolyte liquid 16, typically distilled water
with a catalyst such as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda, a.k.a.
bicarbonate of soda), typically a half teaspoon to a quart of
water, to increase the electrical conductivity to a desired level,
since pure distilled water is non-conductive.
[0023] In a preferred electrode structure, each electrode 14 is
made from a few strands of 0.04'' stainless steel wire twisted
together into a in a rope/cable-like form, then formed into a
helix. The two helixes are arranged in an interlaced pattern
supported on an insulated coil form that avoids electrical contact
between the two helixes. The coil form may be made from two
rectangular pieces of suitable insulating material such as plastic,
nylon or Teflon. The jar is filled with electrolyte liquid to a
level that leaves a sufficient plenum region, approximately one
inch, at the top for formation of foam and bubbles of gas.
[0024] Each electrode is connected to an electrical terminal in an
insulated top cover 12A. The two cells 12' and 12'' are shown with
their electrode terminals connected in series with the vehicle
battery 18, an on-off switch 20 and a regulator 22. With switch 20
turned on, bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen gas are generated at the
electrodes 14: the amount of gas depends on the electric current
and that in turn depends on the voltage applied to the electrodes
and the conductivity of the electrolyte.
[0025] The sealing cover 12A on each cell 12' and 12'' is
configured with a filler tube 12B enclosed by a cap 12C, and a
delivery conduit, typically a tube 24 connected to check-valve
disconnect coupling 26, thence via delivery conduits, typically
flexible delivery hoses 28 and 30 in two hydrogen injection paths
respectively leading to two different vacuum domains of the
vehicle.
[0026] In the first hydrogen injection path, delivery hose 28 leads
to port 36A, which can be drilled and threaded if it is not already
available in the vehicle air intake duct 36, which conducts air
intake (arrow) from the vehicle air filter (not shown) to the
intake manifold 38 to which duct 36 is attached. Immediately inside
manifold 38, a butterfly control valve vane 38A acts as a throttle
that regulates the air intake of the engine via manifold 38 and
influences the level of vacuum in duct 36 relative to that in
manifold 38 at any given moment.
[0027] In the second hydrogen injection path, a T-fitting 32 has
been installed in the original hose line between two sections 34'
and 34'' leading to port 39B which is normally already available in
the vehicle intake manifold 38.
[0028] In this embodiment, the first and second electrolyzer cells
12' and 12'' operate independently to supply the hydrogen/oxygen
gas mixture "on demand" in the respective injection paths and
vacuum domains, where the demand and the vacuum may vary from each
other, depending on operating conditions such as engine speed,
acceleration, load, etc. When the engine is idling, there is a high
level of vacuum in the intake manifold 38, drawing gaseous fuel
from the second electrolyzer cell 12'' via delivery hoses 30 and
34'' and through port 38B. The vacuum in manifold 38 decreases when
the engine is accelerated to higher RPM: momentarily, higher vacuum
is available in the air intake duct 36 drawing the gaseous fuel
from the first electrolyzer cell 12' via delivery hose 28 through
port 36A. This dual-injection system accomplishes an overall
balancing effect between the two air intake vacuum domains.
[0029] T-fitting 32, inserted in the vehicle vacuum lines 34' and
34'' in a location near manifold 36, provides a convenient way of
connecting this branch of electrolyzer system, i.e. delivery hose
30, to the manifold domain of the vehicle vacuum system, which
typically provides auxiliary vacuum power for motivating vehicle
accessories such as windshield wipers, brake assist, pneumatic
locks, etc.
[0030] Alternatively the delivery hose 30 could be connected
directly to manifold 38 via a separate port such as port 38B that
may be available or added to the existing vehicle intake manifold
structure. Similarly if the vehicle is already equipped with an
accessory hose line connected to air intake duct 36, the invention
could be practiced with delivery hose 28 connected via a T fitting
such as T fitting 32 installed in the existing accessory hose line.
In a further alternative, the delivery hose 28 could be directed to
a through fitting in the air filter casing that is attached to duct
36.
[0031] Disconnect couplings 26, which enable convenient
disconnection of the electrolyzer cells 12' and 12'' for removal
from the vehicle, are each fitted with a one-way check valve that
acts as a flash-back arrester safety feature that prevents any
possibility of flames entering the electrolyzer cells 12' and 12',
e.g. in the event of engine backfiring.
[0032] Alternatively the cells 12' and 12'' could be connected in
parallel electrically: the main objective is to keep the amplitude
of the direct current flowing from the battery 18 through the
electrodes 14 reasonably constant at a designated value, e.g.5
amperes, which would be in the same general range as a typical auto
radio or music player. Parallel connection would require regulator
22 to provide dual current regulators, one for each cell 12' and
12'.
[0033] Regulator 22 is a preferred option: it could be as simple as
a resistor or varistor that serves to limit the maximum current to
a safe value. The invention could even be practiced with regulator
22 eliminated, i.e. replaced by a short-circuit connecting the
battery 18 directly to the cells, however that mode of operation is
not recommended due to risk of a short circuit or other high
current condition in the electrolyzer system that could overload
and blow out a vehicle fuse.
[0034] For a simple practical system, a preferred form of regulator
22 is that of an electronic current regulator that automatically
adjusts the voltage to maintain constant electrode current in the
two cells 12' and 12'' connected in series as shown. For example if
the system is initially set up with electrolyte 16 made to have
conductivity such as to draw rated current, e.g. 5 amperes, at 6
volts (i.e. half the 12 volt battery voltage, then the regulator 22
would provide full current regulation for any increase in
conductivity of the electrolyzer by automatically reducing the
voltage as required to maintain the nominal current. Conversely,
for decreasing conductivity, the regulator 22 would automatically
increase the voltage as required to maintain the nominal current
for loss of conductivity to as low as 50% of nominal, where the
regulator would deliver full 12 volt battery voltage. Any further
reduction in conductivity would take regulator 22 out of range: it
would continue to deliver 12 volts, however the electrolyzer
current and gas generation would then decrease accordingly.
[0035] As the level of electrolyte 16 decreases, the immersed
portion of electrodes 14 also decreases tending to reduce the
conductivity; however there is an offsetting factor: generally
there is little or no depletion of the catalyst, and thus since the
amount of catalyst remains relatively constant, the concentration
of the catalyst increases and tends to increase the conductivity.
Regarding the depletion of water: typically for one quart cell
capacity, the level of the electrolyte 16 can be expected to
deplete to 50% in approximately 800 miles of driving. It is
recommended to use a syringe or other filler device to replenish
cells 12' and 12'' to within about and inch from the cell cover
with distilled water with each tank-filling of gasoline or diesel
fuel.
[0036] In the functional diagram FIG. 2, a version of the system of
FIG. 1 is shown in which the main difference is the addition of
interconnecting hose line 40 between the two electrolyzer cells 12'
and 12', via disconnectable couplings 40A on filler tubes 12B. This
arrangement causes the two cells 12' and 12'' to perform in the
manner of a single cell, as opposed to the independent cell mode of
operation of the system of FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of an alternative simplified
embodiment of the invention utilizing only a single electrolyzer
cell 12. Functionally this system is equivalent to the system shown
in FIG. 2, particularly if the single cell 12 in FIG. 3 is made to
have electrolyte capacity equal to the combined capacity of the two
cells 12' and 12'' in FIG. 2.
[0038] In both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the two delivery hoses 28 and 30
are directed to the two designated different locations in the
vehicle air intake system in the same manner as shown in FIG.
1.
[0039] The basic dual injection electrolyzer principle of the
invention may be practiced with alternative configurations and
materials with regard to the electrolyzer, its container, its
electrodes and materials thereof. For example electrolyzer
containers may be made from plastic, metal or other material as
alternative to glass containers shown and/or the electrodes may be
made in alternative configurations and from alternative conductive
materials, however such departures from teachings and showings
described above in the illustrative embodiment should be not be
attempted without due consideration to maintaining performance and
reliability and avoiding corrosion or contamination.
[0040] The invention may be embodied and practiced in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential
characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to
be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,
the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations,
substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range
of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced
therein.
* * * * *