Power device

• US 6,459,231 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takeo Kagatani
• Original Assignee: Takeo Kagatani
• Inventors: Kagatani, Takeo
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Application Number:
  US09/823,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022162A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 429/17, 429/19, 429/21, 429/24
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/065 by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/186 by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolytic solution or the formed water product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a new power device. More specifically, it creates hydrogen from supplied water and electricity. The hydrogen is then used in combination with air in an electrolysis-electrical cell to produce electric power. All of this is accomplished by first storing the hydrogen in a storage tank or section furnished for such storage, then converting the electricity, via a power converter, to power. Additionally, the power device of the present invention has a special feature whereby the electric power is created from the hydrogen stored in the above mentioned metal alloy hydride storage tanks. The present invention primarily comprises the following four components: (1) an energy source (i.e., a photovoltaic array to convert solar energy to electrical power; a windmill to collect wind power and convert it to electrical power; etc.); (2) a compressor which supplies the electrolysis-fuel cell with oxygen and the hydrogen storage tank with hydrogen from the atmosphere; (3) a hydrogen storage device (i.e., a solid metallic alloy hydride which stores hydrogen through a reversible chemical process); and (4) a hydrogen consumption device (i.e., an electrolysis-fuel cell which consumes the hydrogen released from the tanks (using a heat exchange process) to provide electricity which powers a motor).

Claims

1. A power device comprising:

an energy source;

an oxygen storage device;

a hydrogen consumption device; and

a hydrogen storage device;

wherein said oxygen storage device supplies said hydrogen consumption device with oxygen; and

wherein said hydrogen from said hydrogen storage device is combined with air and water in said hydrogen consumption device to produce electric power.

2. A power device according to claim 1, wherein said power device further comprises a heat exchanger, wherein said heat exchanger controls the temperature of said hydrogen storage device and said hydrogen consumption device.

3. A power device according to claim 2, wherein said power device further comprises a controller, wherein said controller controls the power sent to the motor of the machine to be powered.

4. A power device according to claim 1, wherein said hydrogen storage device is a metal alloy hydride storage tank.

5. A power device according to claim 1, wherein said oxygen storage device maintains a pressure within the range of 200 to 600 psig.

6. A power device according to claim 1, wherein said energy source is a photovoltaic array which converts solar energy to electrical power.

7. A power device for producing power from water and electricity, said power device comprising:

an energy source;

an oxygen storage device;

a hydrogen storage device; and

a hydrogen consumption device;

wherein said hydrogen consumption device receives oxygen from said oxygen storage device, hydrogen from said hydrogen storage device, water from an external source and an electric charge from said energy source;

wherein said hydrogen consumption device electrically separates said water into hydrogen and oxygen; and

wherein said hydrogen and air are combined in said hydrogen consumption device to produce electric power, hydrogen for storage in said hydrogen storage device, and water.

8. A power device according to claim 7, wherein said power device further comprises a heat exchanger, wherein said heat exchanger controls the temperature of said hydrogen storage device and said hydrogen consumption device.

9. A power device according to claim 8, wherein said power device further comprises a controller, wherein said controller controls the power sent to the motor of the machine to be powered.

10. A power device according to claim 7, wherein said hydrogen storage device is a metal alloy hydride storage tank.

11. A power device according to claim 7, wherein said oxygen storage device maintains a pressure within the range of 200 to 600 psig.

12. A power device according to claim 7, wherein said energy source is a photovoltaic array which converts solar energy to electrical power.

13. A method for generating power from a hydrogen consumption device in which hydrogen is created from supplied water and electric charge, said method comprising the steps of:

supplying hydrogen, water and an electric charge to said hydrogen consumption device;

electrically separating said water into hydrogen and oxygen; and

combining said hydrogen and air;

wherein a hydrogen storage device supplies said hydrogen to said hydrogen consumption device;

wherein an external source supplies said water to said hydrogen consumption device; and

wherein an energy source supplies said electric charge to said hydrogen consumption device.

14. A method for generating power according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises the step of controlling the temperature of said hydrogen storage device and said hydrogen consumption device.

15. A method for generating power according to claim 14, wherein said controlling is performed by a heat exchanger.

16. A method for generating power according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises the step of controlling the power sent to the motor of the machine being powered.

17. A method for generating power according to claim 16, wherein said controlling is performed by a controller.

18. A method for generating power according to claim 13, wherein said hydrogen storage device is a metal alloy hydride storage tank.

19. A method for generating power according to claim 13, wherein said oxygen storage device maintains a pressure within the range of 200 to 600 psig.

20. A method for generating power according to claim 13, wherein said energy source is a photovoltaic array which converts solar energy to electrical power.