Hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell

• US 5,231,954 A
• Filed: 08/05/1992
• Issued: 08/03/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Water Visions Inc.
• Original Assignee: J. C. Conner
• Inventors: Stowe, Gene B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cross, E. Rollins
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOLIS, ERICK R
• Application Number:
  US07/926,039
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 123/3, 123/DIG. 12, 123/1 A, 204/DIG. 4, 204/272, 204/278
• US Class Current: 123/3
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/04 by electrolysis of water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/17 Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/04 with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/10 Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 123/12 Hydrogen

Abstract

An electrolysis cell is provided for use in connection with a combustion engine, for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases which are added to the fuel delivery system as a supplement to the gasoline or other hydrocarbons burned therein. The hazard of explosion of the mixture of generated gases is eliminated by withdrawing the gases through a connection with the vacuum line of the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system of the engine and by utilizing a slip-fitted top cap for the electrolysis cell, which cooperates with the PCV vacuum line to prevent explosive containment of generated gases in case of accident. Use of the generated gases as a fuel supplement enables substantial increases in fuel efficiency, while at the same time reducing the emission of pollutants.

Claims

1. In a combustion engine including combustion chambers;

associated pistons, crankshaft and crankcase;

a hydrocarbon fuel tank;

fuel delivery means for mixing said fuel with air and delivering said fuel/air mixture through an intake manifold to said combustion chamber;

a vacuum line for circulating crankcase gases from said crankcase to said intake manifold; and

a source of electrical potential energized by the operation of said engine;

the improvement to said engine comprising;

an electrolysis chamber having a securely bonded bottom and a friction-fitted to cap said friction fitted top cap being, removable by internal gas pressure for the prevention of explosion concentrations of gas;

an aqueous electrolyte solution partially filling said electrolysis chamber and leaving a gas accumulation zone thereabove in said electrolysis chamber;

a pair of electrodes disposed within said electrolysis chamber and at least partially immersed in said electrolyte solution, said electrodes being electrically connected to opposite sides of said source of electrical potential, whereby hydrogen and oxygen are generated from the water in said electrolyte solution and are collected in said gas accumulation zone; and

a hydrogen/oxygen delivery line connected at one end to said gas accumulation zone in said electrolysis chamber and at the other end to said vacuum line for circulating crankcase gases to said intake manifold, whereby hydrogen and oxygen generated in said electrolysis chamber are withdrawn by the vacuum effect in said vacuum line and fed into said intake manifold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas accumulation zone is in communication with the atmosphere through an air intake line having an air adjustment valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said electrodes is connected to said source of electrical potential through an ignition key switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are a pair of concentric cylinders.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte solution in said electrolysis chamber constitutes from 0.05% to 0.1% of the total solution in said chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte solution in said electrolysis chamber comprises a solution of water, phosphoric acid, sodium perborate, and acetanilide.

7. In a combustion engine including combustion cylinders;

associated pistons, crankshaft and crankcase;

a hydrocarbon fuel tank;

fuel delivery means for mixing said fuel with air and delivering said fuel/air mixture through an intake manifold to said combustion chamber;

a vacuum line for circulating crankcase gases from said crankcase to said intake manifold; and

a battery energized by the operation of said engine;

the improvement to said engine comprising;

an electrolysis chamber having a securely bonded bottom cap, and a top cap held in place on said chamber by an O-ring seal, said top cap being displaceable by internal gas pressure for the prevention of explosive concentrations of gas;

an aqueous electrolyte solution partially filling said electrolysis chamber and leaving a gas accumulation zone thereabove in said electrolysis chamber, said electrolyte solution comprising water, phosphoric acid, sodium perborate, and acetanilide;

an inner stainless steel cylindrical electrode and an outer stainless steel cylindrical electrode concentrically disposed with respect to each other within said electrolysis chamber and at least partially immersed in said electrolyte solution, the said inner electrode being electrically connected to the positive side of said battery through an ignition key switch, and the said outer electrode being connected to the negative side of said battery, whereby when said ignition key switch is turn to an on position, hydrogen and oxygen are generated from said electrolyte solution and are collected in said gas accumulation zone; and

an air intake opening in said top cap, for introduction of atmospheric air into said gas accumulation zone, the size of said opening being controlled by an air adjustment valve;

a hydrogen/oxygen delivery line connected at one end through said top cap into said gas accumulation zone in said electrolysis chamber and connected at the other end to said vacuum line for circulating crankcase gases to said intake manifold, whereby hydrogen and oxygen generated in said electrolysis chamber are withdrawn by the vacuum effect in said vacuum line and fed into said intake manifold; and

a back pressure valve located in said hydrogen/oxygen delivery line between said electrolysis chamber and said intake manifold, for preventing back pressure resulting from engine backfire.