Method and apparatus for enhancing combustion in an internal combustion engine through electrolysis

• US 5,105,773 A
• Filed: 10/21/1991
• Issued: 04/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alternate Fuels Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alternate Fuels Incorporated
• Inventors: Cunningham, John E., Goodenough, Roland E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cross, E. Rollins
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOLIS, ERICK R
• Application Number:
  US07/779,886
• Time in Patent Office: 183 Days
• Field of Search: 123/1 A, 123/DIG. 12, 123/3, 204/272, 204/129
• US Class Current: 123/3
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/02 Hydrogen or oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/10 Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/12 the apparatus having means for generating such gases using rays and simultaneously generating ozone F02M27/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 123/12 Hydrogen

Abstract

The present invention 10 comprises a hollow main canister 11 having a series of anodes 25 and cathodes 29 interposed therein for the electrolysis of an electrolytic fluid F, such as potassium hydroxide. The electrolytic reaction is powered through the use of a current source 36 which positively charge the anodes immersed in the electrolytic fluid F. The produced ionized oxygen and hydrogen from the electrolytic reaction is directed through the canister through the combustion situs 45 of an internal combustion fuel/air mixture system through the use of a delivery tube 22. A flash arrestor 44 is used to ensure no flame or backfire migrates through the system and the level of fluid is optically monitored through the use of a liquid level sensor 46. The oxygen and hydrogen interposed within the combustion situs enhances combustion and the cleanliness of the same thereby producing a cleaner and more efficient burn of the hydrocarbon fuel.

Claims

1. An electrolyser device for use in an internal combustion engine fuel/air mixture system for enhancing combustion, comprising:

a main canister, interposed within said internal combustion fuel/air mixture system, said canister having a top portion and a bottom portion and side portions forming a hollow cavity and adapted to sealably contain a fluid therein;

a delivery fitting interposed on the top surface of said main canister and forming a communicating passageway between said inside hollow of said canister and the outside of said canister;

a delivery tube flexibly attached to said outside portion of said delivery fitting and adapted to carry fluids therethrough;

a plurality of cathodes interposed within said inside of said main canister and fixably supported thereby, said cathodes each further comprising a hollow cylinder each of preselected different diameter such that each of said cathode cylinders is adapted to be spaceably arranged one within the other;

a plurality of anodes interposed within said hollow inside of said main canister and fixably supported thereby, each of said anodes further comprising a hollow stainless steel mesh cylinder each of preselected different diameters such that each of said anodes is adapted to be arranged one within the other and within said spaces between said cathodes, said anodes further comprising a covering non-conductive mesh encasing said stainless steel mesh;

a cathode electrical connector post interposed through said bottom of said main canister and adapted at either end to be engaged by an electrical connector means, said cathode electrical connector arranged at one end to be connected to each of said cathodes and at the other end thereof to a ground point;

an anode electrical connector post interposed through said bottom of said main canister and adapted at either end to be engaged by an electrical connector means, said anode connector engaged at one end to each of said anodes and at the other end to a source of positive electrical current such that upon application of said current, said anode becomes positively charged;

an electrolytic fluid, containing hydrogen and oxygen, interposed within said main canister such that the surface area of said anodes and said cathodes are covered thereby;

whereby upon application of the positive electric current to the anodes, electrolysis reaction occurs freeing gaseous oxygen and hydrogen through said delivery valve and delivery tube dependent upon said orientation of said anodes and cathodes.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said electrolytic fluid is potassium hydroxide.

3. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a liquid level sensor interposed through the top of said main canister for optically determining the level of said electrolytic fluid in said canister hollow inside portion.

4. The device according to claim 1 and further comprising a flash arrestor interposed within said delivery tube, and adapted to automatically preclude migration of any flame or backfire from said fuel-air mixture system to said main canister.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said anodes are stainless steel and said cathodes are nickel.

6. In an internal combustion engine fuel system having a combustion site, such as a carburetor, the method of providing gaseous oxygen and hydrogen through electrolysis to enhance combustion, comprising the steps of:

providing a hollow main canister within said fuel system adapted to sealably contain a fluid;

providing a plurality of cylindrical cathodes of varying diameter such that each of said cathodes may be arranged one within the other and such that there is a space therebetween;

providing a plurality of conductive mesh cylindrical anodes of varying diameter such that each of said anodes may be arranged within the other and within said spaces between said cathodes;

providing a non-conductive mesh encasing said anodes;

providing a positive current to each of said anodes whereby said anodes may be selectively electrically positively charged;

providing a ground to each of said cathodes;

providing a volume of electrolytic fluid within said main canister, said provided fluid volume sufficient to cover the surface areas of each of said anodes and cathodes;

providing a delivery fitting at the top of said main canister such that there is a communicating passageway between said canister hollow inside and outside;

providing a delivery tube flexibly attached to said delivery valve and adapted to carry a fluid there through;

varying said spaces between said anodes and cathodes, said surface areas of said anodes and cathodes and said vertical orientation of said anodes and cathodes such that upon application of said positive current, electrolysis of said electrolytic fluid occurs such that a desired amount of oxygen and hydrogen are produced;

venting said produced oxygen and hydrogen gas through said delivery fitting and delivery tube to said combustion site of said internal combustion engine and fuel/air mixture system;

whereby the introduction of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen into the combustion process enhances the completeness and cleanliness of the same.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein said electrolytic fluid is potassium hydroxide.

8. The method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of providing a liquid level sensor interposed on the top of said main canister such that said volume of said electrolytic fluid may be optically determined.

9. The method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of providing a flash arrestor within said delivery tube such that upon detection of a flame or backfire, migration to said hollow canister is precluded.