Apparatus and method for electrolysis to enhance combustion in an internal combustion engine

• US 5,450,822 A
• Filed: 02/01/1994
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John E. Cunningham
• Original Assignee: John E. Cunningham
• Inventors: Cunningham, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Argenbright, Tony M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOLIS, ERICK R
• Application Number:
  US08/190,777
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 123/1 A, 123/3, 123/DIG. 12, 204/DIG. 4, 204/272
• 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 51/04 involving electricity or magnetism
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 123/12 Hydrogen

Abstract

The present invention 10 comprises a hollow main canister 12 having a plurality of conductive plates 19 interposed therein each acting as both an anode and a cathode when electrolysis of an electrolytic fluid, such as potassium hydroxide, occurs in the main canister. The electrolysis reaction is powered by a current source 24 normally attached to an electrode 14 interposed in the main canister 12 seeking the grounded walls of the main canister 11. The current can also be attached to the walls of the main canister and the electrode 14 grounded. The voltage is divided between the conductive plates 19 in this circuit. The produced ionized hydrogen and oxygen from the electrolytic reaction is directed through the main canister to the combustion situs 23 of an internal combustion engine fuel/air mixture system through the use of a delivery fitting 21 and a delivery tube 22. The hydrogen and oxygen interposed within the combustion situs enhances combustion and the cleanliness of the same thereby producing a cleaner and more efficient fuel burn.

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 engine fuel/air mixture system, said main canister having a top portion and a bottom portion and side portions forming a hollow cavity, adapted to sealably contain a fluid therein and having electrical connector means operably engaged on the outside of said main canister;

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

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

an electrode arranged within said main canister having electrical connector means;

an energy cartridge arranged within said main canister, said energy cartridge comprising a top plate, a bottom plate and a plurality of conductive plates, said top plate having an upper surface, a lower surface and an opening between said upper surface and said lower surface adapted to receive said electrode therethrough, said bottom plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and said conductive plates interposed between said top plate and said bottom plate and disposed about said electrode, said conductive plates further comprising a surface facing the inside surface of said main canister and a surface facing said electrode;

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

whereby, upon application of voltage differential between the outside of said main canister and said electrode across said conductive plates, an electrolysis reaction occurs freeing gaseous hydrogen and oxygen through said delivery valve and said delivery tube dependent upon said orientation of said members.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said top plate and said bottom plate of said energy cartridge are non-conductive.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said top plate of said energy cartridge further comprises secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said bottom plate of said energy cartridge further comprises secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said conductive plates are stainless steel.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said energy cartridge is of unitary construction.

7. 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 engine fuel/air mixture system, said main canister having a top portion and a bottom portion and side portions forming a hollow cavity, adapted to sealably contain a fluid therein and having electrical connector means operably engaged on the outside of said main canister;

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

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

an electrode arranged within said main canister having electrical connector means operably engaged;

a plurality of energy cartridges arranged within said main canister, each said energy cartridge comprising a top plate, a bottom plate and a plurality of conductive plates, said top plate having an upper surface, a lower surface and an opening between said upper surface and said lower surface adapted to receive said electrode therethrough, said bottom plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and an opening between said upper surface and said lower surface adapted to receive said electrode therethrough, and said conductive plates interposed between said top plate and said bottom plate and disposed about said electrode, said conductive plates further comprising a surface facing the inside of said main canister and a surface facing said electrode;

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

whereby, upon application of voltage differential between the outside of said main canister and said electrode across said conductive plates, an electrolysis reaction occurs freeing gaseous hydrogen and oxygen through said delivery valve and said delivery tube dependent upon said orientation of said members.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein said bottom plate of said energy cartridge disposed about the bottom of said electrode has an upper surface and a lower surface.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein said top plate of each said energy cartridge further comprises secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

10. The device according to claim 7 wherein said bottom plate of each said energy cartridge further comprises secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

11. The device according to claim 8 wherein said bottom plate of each said energy cartridge further comprises secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

12. The device according to claim 7 wherein said conductive plates are stainless steel.

13. 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 engine fuel/air mixture system, said main canister having a top portion and a bottom portion and side portions forming a hollow cavity, adapted to sealably contain a fluid therein and having electrical connector means operably engaged on the outside of said main canister;

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

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

an electrode arranged within said main canister having electrical connector means operably engaged;

a plurality of conductive plates interposed within said inside of said main canister, said conductive plates further comprising a hollow shape such that said conductive plates are adapted to be spaceably arranged one within another;

a plurality of non-conductive mesh spacers interposed within said hollow of said main canister, said mesh spacers comprising a hollow shape each of preselected dimensions such that each said mesh spacer is adapted to be arranged one within another and within the spaces between said conductive plates;

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

whereby, upon application of voltage differential between the outside of said main canister and said electrode across said conductive plates, an electrolysis reaction occurs freeing gaseous hydrogen and oxygen through said delivery valve and delivery tube dependent upon said orientation of said conductive plates.

14. The device according to claim 13 wherein said conductive plates and said mesh spacers are cup shaped.

15. The device according to claim 13 wherein said conductive plates and said mesh spacers are cylinders.

16. The device according to claim 13 wherein said conductive plates further comprise a plurality of openings between the inside surface of said hollow shape and outside surface of said hollow shape.

17. The device according to claim 13 wherein said conductive plates are made of stainless steel.

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

providing a hollow main canister within said fuel system adapted to sealably contain a fluid and having electrical connector means operably engaged on the outside of said main canister;

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

providing a delivery tube flexibly attached to said delivery fitting and adapted to carry a fluid therethrough;

providing an electrode arranged within said main canister having electrical connector means outside said main canister;

providing an energy cartridge interposed within said hollow main canister comprising a top plate, a bottom plate and a plurality of conductive plates, said top plate having an upper surface, a lower surface and an opening between said upper surface and said lower surface adapted to receive said electrode therethrough, said bottom plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and said conductive plates interposed between said top plate and said bottom plate and disposed about said electrode, each conductive plate further comprising a surface facing the inside surface of said main canister and a surface facing said electrode;

providing an electrolytic fluid containing hydrogen and oxygen, interposed within said main canister such that the surface area of said conductive plates is covered thereby;

varying the number of said conductive plates, the surface area of said conductive plates, the distance between said conductive plates and the voltage applied to the system such that on application of the voltage, electrolysis of said electrolytic fluid occurs such that a desired amount of hydrogen and oxygen are produced;

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

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

19. The method according to claim 18 where said top plate and said bottom plate provided are non-conductive.

20. The method according to claim 18 where said top plate of said energy cartridge provided further comprises secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

21. The method according to claim 18 where said bottom plate of said energy cartridge provided further comprises secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

22. The method according to claim 18 where said conductive plates provided are stainless steel.

23. The method according to claim 18 where said energy cartridge provided is of unitary construction.

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

providing a hollow main canister within said fuel system adapted to sealably contain a fluid and having electrical connector means operably engaged on the outside of said main canister;

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

providing a delivery tube flexibly attached to said delivery fitting and adapted to carry a fluid therethrough;

providing an electrode arranged within said main canister having electrical connector means outside said main canister;

providing a plurality of energy cartridges arranged within said main canister, said energy cartridge comprising a top plate, a bottom plate and a plurality of conductive plates, said top plate having an upper surface, a lower surface and an opening between said upper surface and said lower surface adapted to receive said electrode therethrough, said bottom plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and an opening between said upper surface and said lower surface adapted to receive said electrode therethrough, and said conductive plates interposed between said top plate and said bottom plate and disposed about said electrode, said conductive plates further comprising a surface facing the inside of said main canister and a surface facing said electrode;

providing an electrolytic fluid containing hydrogen and oxygen, interposed within said main canister such that the surface area of said conductive plates is covered thereby;

varying the number of said conductive plates, the surface area of said conductive plates, the distance between said conductive plates and the voltage applied to the system such that on application of the voltage, electrolysis of said electrolytic fluid occurs such that a desired amount of hydrogen and oxygen are produced;

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

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

25. The method according to claim 24 where said bottom plate of said energy cartridge disposed about the bottom of said electrode provided has an upper surface and a lower surface.

26. The method according to claim 24 where said top plate of each said energy cartridge provided further comprises secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

27. The method according to claim 24 where said bottom plate of each said energy cartridge provided has secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

28. The method according to claim 25 where said bottom plate of each said energy cartridge provided has secondary openings between said upper surface and said lower surface.

29. The method according to claim 24 where said conductive plates provided are stainless steel.

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

providing a hollow main canister within said fuel system adapted to sealably contain a fluid and having electrical connector means operably engaged on the outside of said main canister;

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

providing a delivery tube flexibly attached to said delivery fitting and adapted to carry a fluid therethrough;

providing an electrode arranged within said main canister having electrical connector means outside said main canister;

providing a plurality of conductive plates interposed within said inside of said main canister, said conductive plates comprise a hollow shape such that each said conductive plate is adapted to be spaceably arranged one within another;

providing a plurality of non-conductive mesh spacers interposed within said hollow of said main canister, each of said mesh spacers comprising a hollow shape each of preselected dimensions such that each of said mesh spacers is adapted to be arranged one within another and within the spaces between said conductive plates;

providing an electrolytic fluid containing hydrogen and oxygen, interposed within said main canister such that the surface area of said conductive plates is covered thereby;

varying the number of said conductive plates, the surface area of said conductive plates, the distance between said conductive plates and the voltage applied to the system such that on application of the voltage, electrolysis of said electrolytic fluid occurs such that a desired amount of hydrogen and oxygen are produced;

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

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

31. The method according to claim 30 where said conductive plates and said mesh spacers provided are cup shaped.

32. The method according to claim 30 where said conductive plates and said mesh spacers provided are cylinders.

33. The method according to claim 30 where said conductive plates provided further comprise a plurality of openings between the inside surface of said hollow shape and outside surface of said hollow shape.

34. The method according to claim 30 where said conductive plates provided are stainless steel.