ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION AND USES THEREOF

• US 20070209608A1
• Filed: 11/16/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keith Rutledge
• Original Assignee: Keith Rutledge
• Inventors: Rutledge, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 7,765,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03006 Gas tanks B60K15/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/00 Electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system capable of using kinetic/inertial and renewable energy to generate hydrogen for use as a fuel in vehicles and other applications. In certain embodiments, this invention relates to a system in which hydrogen is generated during vehicle braking and which is operable with an internal combustion engine, and which can be retrofitted to vehicles with such an engine as well as to stationary combustion devices. Methods for generating hydrogen to power vehicles and vehicles utilizing the inventive technology are also provided. The present invention also relates to stationary devices, such as space heaters and water heaters, capable of generating hydrogen for use as a fuel additive therewith, and methods of generating hydrogen using such devices.

Claims

1. A vehicle hydrogen generation retrofit kit, comprising:

a generator/alternator for generating electricity, wherein said generator/alternator engages an energy conversion member for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy;

an electrolyzer connected to said generator/alternator, wherein said electrolyzer utilizes said electricity to generate hydrogen;

a storage tank connected to said electrolyzer for receiving and storing said hydrogen generated by said electrolyzer;

a hydrogen delivery member connected to said storage tank for providing said hydrogen to a vehicle engine,

wherein, when said generator/alternator energy conversion member is provided on a vehicle, thermal energy is provided to said energy conversion member by said vehicle.

2. A vehicle hydrogen generation retrofit kit according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy is provided to said energy conversion member during a vehicle braking operation.

3. A vehicle hydrogen generation retrofit kit according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy is contained in compressed air.

4. A vehicle hydrogen generation retrofit kit according to claim 1, wherein said energy conversion member is an air compressor.

5. A vehicle hydrogen generation retrofit kit according to claim 1, further comprising a solar member.

6. A vehicle hydrogen generation retrofit kit, comprising:

a generator/alternator for generating electricity, wherein said generator/alternator engages an air compressor;

an electrolyzer connected to said generator/alternator, wherein said electrolyzer utilizes said electricity to generate hydrogen;

a storage tank connected to said electrolyzer for receiving and storing said hydrogen generated by said electrolyzer;

a hydrogen delivery member connected to said storage tank for providing said hydrogen to a vehicle engine,

wherein, when said air compressor is provided on a vehicle, compressed air released during a vehicle braking operation is provided to and drives said air compressor for conversion of energy contained in said compressed air to mechanical energy.

7. A vehicle, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a generator/alternator for generating electricity, wherein said generator/alternator engages an air compressor;

an electrolyzer connected to said generator/alternator, wherein said electrolyzer utilizes said electricity to generate hydrogen;

a storage tank connected to said electrolyzer for receiving and storing said hydrogen generated by said electrolyzer;

a hydrogen delivery member connected to said storage tank for providing said hydrogen to a vehicle engine,

wherein, when said air compressor is provided on a vehicle, compressed air released during a vehicle braking operation is provided to and drives said air compressor for conversion of energy contained in said compressed air to mechanical energy.

8. An equipment hydrogen generation kit, comprising:

a generator/alternator for generating electricity, wherein said generator/alternator is capable of engaging a moving surface member of an equipment piece;

an electrolyzer connected to said generator/alternator, wherein said electrolyzer utilizes said electricity to generate hydrogen;

a storage tank connected to said electrolyzer for receiving and storing said hydrogen generated by said electrolyzer,

wherein, when said generator/alternator is coupled to said moving surface member of an equipment piece, energy from said moving surface member of said equipment piece is transferred to said generator/alternator upon slowing/stopping of said moving surface member of said equipment piece.

9. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 8, further comprising a hydrogen delivery member connected to said storage tank for providing said hydrogen to a hydrogen-receiving member.

10. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 9, wherein said hydrogen-receiving member is an engine or engine component of said equipment piece.

11. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 8, wherein said equipment piece is selected from the group consisting of an elevators, lift equipment, and production line inertial controls.

12. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 8, further comprising an engagement member for increasing the field of said generator/alternator.

13. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 12, wherein said engagement member is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical potentiometer, an electrical potentiometer, and a computer control member.

14. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 13, wherein said engagement member is a rheostat.

15. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 13, wherein said engagement member is a pulse-width modulated current device.

16. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 8, further comprising a solar member.

17. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 8, further comprising a member for mixing said hydrogen with a fossil fuel.

18. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 17, wherein said member for mixing said hydrogen with a fossil fuel is a pressure regulator.

19. An equipment hydrogen generation kit according to claim 8, further comprising a receptacle for storing water for use by said electrolyzer to generate hydrogen.