Control system for hydrogen generators
First Claim
1. A system for controlling the generation of hydrogen upon demand comprising:
- (a) a hydrogen generator means of the type which relies at least partially on the process of anodic corrosion to generate hydrogen having an anode, a cathode and an aqueous electrolyte therebetween and a circuit means for enabling electrical circuit to pass between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte,(b) a hydrogen consuming device for receiving and utilizing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generator means, and(c) a controller means for regulating the passage of current through the circuit means in response to demand for hydrogen by the consuming devicewhereby hydrogen is automatically generated and provided to the consuming device only as required by the consuming device.
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Abstract
A control system for a hydrogen generator having a consumable anode, a cathode and an aqueous electrolyte therebetween. The system includes a circuit means which enables electrical current to pass between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte. A control means in the circuit means can be regulated to selectively enable current to pass through the circuit means to produce hydrogen.
In a further embodiment of the system, a hydrogen consuming device is made part of the system. An output of the consuming device is monitored and when it reaches a predetermined level, the control means, in response thereto, automatically enables the hydrogen generator to produce hydrogen and feed it to the consuming device. The control means disables the hydrogen generator when its hydrogen requirements are met.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the generation of hydrogen upon demand comprising:
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(a) a hydrogen generator means of the type which relies at least partially on the process of anodic corrosion to generate hydrogen having an anode, a cathode and an aqueous electrolyte therebetween and a circuit means for enabling electrical circuit to pass between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte, (b) a hydrogen consuming device for receiving and utilizing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generator means, and (c) a controller means for regulating the passage of current through the circuit means in response to demand for hydrogen by the consuming device whereby hydrogen is automatically generated and provided to the consuming device only as required by the consuming device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for controlling the generation of hydrogen comprising:
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(a) a hydrogen generator means of the type which relies at least partially on the process of anodic corrosion to generate hydrogen having an anode, a cathode and an aqueous electrolyte therebetween and a circuit means for enabling electrical current to pass between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte, (b) a hydrogen consuming device for receiving and utilizing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generator means, and (c) a controller means for regulating the passage of current through the circuit means to provide hydrogen to the consuming device.
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20. A system for controlling the generation of hydrogen comprising:
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(a) a hydrogen generator means of the type which relies at least partially on the process of anodic corrosion to generate hydrogen having an anode, a cathode and an aqueous electrolyte therebetween and a circuit means for enabling electrical current to pass between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte, (b) a hydrogen storage device for receiving storing hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generator means, and (c) a controller means for regulating the passage of current through the circuit means to provide hydrogen to the storage device.
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21. A controller system for regulating a hydrogen generator of the type that relies at least partially on the process of anodic corrosion to produce hydrogen having an anode, a cathode and an aqueous electrolyte therebetween comprising:
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(a) controller input means for receiving a signal that hydrogen is desired to be generated, (b) controller circuit means for enabling electrical current to pass between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte, and (c) controller output means for regulating the circuit means to enable the passage of current therethrough in response to a signal being received by the controller input means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for a hydrogen consuming device to directly regulate the formation of hydrogen by its associated hydrogen generator of the type which at least partially relies on the process of anodic corrosion to produce hydrogen having an anode, a cathode, an aqueous electrolyte therebetween and a circuit means for enabling the passage of electrical current between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte comprising:
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(a) monitoring a measurable output of the consuming means, (b) determining that the output is at predetermined level, and (c) enabling the passage of current through the circuit means in response to the output being at the predetermined level.
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26. A method for efficiently operating a hydrogen consuming system having a hydrogen consuming means and an associated hydrogen generator comprising:
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(a) producing and supplying hydrogen to the consuming means by a hydrogen generator of the type which relies at least partially on the process of anodic corrosion to produce hydrogen having an anode, a cathode, and aqueous electrolyte therebetween and a circuit means for enabling and disabling electrical current to pass between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte, (b) monitoring the consuming means to determine when it is in need of additional hydrogen, (c) disabling the operation of the fuel generator by prohibiting the passage of current through the circuit means when the consuming means does not need hydrogen, and (d) enabling the operation of a hydrogen generator by allowing the passage of current through the circuit means when the consuming means does need hydrogen. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification