Electrolysis cell and internal combustion engine kit comprising the same

• US 6,896,789 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2002
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canadian Hydrogen Energy Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Canadian Hydrogen Energy Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Ross, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parsons, Thomas H.
• Application Number:
  US10/162,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20020179454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 204/274, 204/278, 204/275.1, 204/272, 205/633, 205/637
• US Class Current: 205/633
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2043/106 Hydrogen obtained by electrolysis
• 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: 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: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 123/12 Hydrogen

Abstract

A system for producing one or more gases for enhancing combustion in an internal combustion engine, the engine having an intake, the system comprising: an electrolysis cell, for generating one or more combustion enhancing gases under pressure; a gas conduit, for connecting the electrolysis cell to the internal combustion engine; and a flow regulator, operatively connected between the electrolysis cell and the intake of the engine, for regulating a flow of the combustion enhancing gases to the engine.

Claims

1. A system for producing one or more gases for enhancing combustion for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

(a) an electrolysis cell, for generating one or more gases from an electrolytic solution, said electrolytic solution having a lower freezing temperature than the freezing point of water, said cell having a sufficient supply of electrolytic solution to operate for a minimum operating time;

(b) a replacement water reservoir, to hold water to replenish the electrolysis cell; and

(c) a heater, operatively connected to said replacement water reservoir, to provide heat to the replacement water reservoir to melt sufficient water in said reservoir in less than said minimum operating time, to replenish said electrolysis cell;

wherein said cell produces said one or more gases under pressure, and the pressure of said one or more gases is directed to said water reservoir, to drive a sufficient amount of said water into said cell to replenish said electrolytic solution in said cell.

2. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 1, further including a gas connection conduit to connect said one or more gases produced under pressure in said cell to said water reservoir.

3. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 1, further including a water conduit to connect said water from said water reservoir to said cell.

4. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 1, wherein said replacement water reservoir is made at least in part from a heat-conducting material, and said heater is operatively connected to said heat-conducting material.

5. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 1, wherein said replacement water reservoir is insulated.

6. A method of producing one or more gases for enhancing combustion for an internal combustion engine, said method comprising:

(a) providing an electrolysis cell, for generating one or more gases from an electrolytic solution, said electrolytic solution having a level in said cell, said electrolysis cell having a predetermined refill level wherein electrolytic solution at said predetermined refill level allows said cell to operate for a minimum operating time, a replacement water reservoir, to hold water to replenish said electrolysis cell, and a timer set to a predetermined settling time;

(b) de-activating said electrolysis cell if said electrolysis cell is activated;

(c) starting said timer;

(d) monitoring the level of said electrolytic solution in said cell at said predetermined settling time; and

(e) replenishing said electrolytic solution in said cell with said water from said reservoir if said level is at or less than said predetermined refill level;

wherein said cell has a sufficient supply of electrolytic solution to operate for a minimum operating time.

7. An electrolysis cell for conducting electrolysis of a liquid solution to produce one or more gases, the electrolysis cell comprising:

(a) a body, said body defining an interior space, at least part of said body being conductive;

(b) a conductor located inside the interior space defined by said body, said conductor being spaced apart from said conductive part of said body;

(c) an outlet operatively connected to the body, to receive the one or more gases produced by the electrolysis cell;

(d) an inlet operatively connected to the body, to receive a liquid to replenish the liquid solution used by the electrolysis cell;

(e) a cathode operatively connected to one of said conductive part of said body or said conductor; and

(f) an anode operatively connected to the other of said conductive part of said body or said conductor.

8. The electrolysis cell according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said conductive part of said body or said conductor is, at least in part constructed from expanded metal.

9. The electrolysis cell according to claim 8, wherein said expanded metal has a 50% open area.

10. The electrolysis cell according to claim 8, wherein said expanded metal has a cubic-faced center molecular structure.

11. The electrolysis cell according to claim 8, wherein said body comprises an outer shell and an inner mesh, said inner mesh being operatively connected to said outer shell, said inner mesh being constructed from expanded metal.

12. The electrolysis cell according to claim 7, further including a condenser operatively connected between said outlet on said body and said internal combustion engine, wherein said condenser receives and thermally isolates said one or more gases from said cell.

13. The electrolysis cell according to claim 12, wherein said condenser has a surface conducive to condensing water vapour.

14. The electrolysis cell according to claim 7, further including a fan to cool said cell.

15. The electrolysis cell according to claim 7, further including at least one temperature sensor.

16. The electrolysis cell according to claim 15, further including a heat blanket operatively connected to said body, to warm up said cell when the temperature of said cell as indicated by said temperature sensor is below a predetermined cold temperature.

17. The electrolysis cell according to claim 7, wherein said cathode and said anode have a height sufficient to extend above a level of said liquid solution in said body.

18. The electrolysis cell according to claim 17, wherein said height of said cathode and anode is in a range between 8 and 12 inches.

19. The electrolysis cell according to claim 17, wherein said level of said liquid solution is less than said height of said cathode and anode by a length in a range between ½

inch and 3 inches.

20. The electrolysis cell according to claim 17, further including a float sensor to detect the level of liquid solution in said interior space of said body.

21. The electrolysis cell according to claim 20, wherein said float sensor includes a safety float to detect a level of said liquid solution at a predetermined high point proximate to said top part of said body.

22. The electrolysis cell according to claim 20, wherein said float sensor includes a fill float to detect a level of said liquid solution at a predetermined fill point.

23. The electrolysis cell according to claim 20, wherein said float sensor includes a re-fill float to detect a level of said liquid solution at a predetermined re-fill point.

24. The electrolysis cell according to claim 20, wherein said float sensor includes a low float to detect a level of said liquid solution at a predetermined low point.

25. The electrolysis cell according to claim 7, wherein said outlet is operatively connected to a flow regulator, for regulating the flow of said one or more gases to an internal combustion engine.

26. The electrolysis cell according to claim 25, wherein said flow regulator is a check valve.

27. The electrolysis cell according to claim 26, wherein said check valve is set to a release pressure of at least 20 lbs.

28. The electrolysis cell according to claim 7, wherein said body and said conductor are cylindrically shaped.

29. A system for producing one or more gases for enhancing combustion for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

(a) an electrolysis cell, for generating one or more gases from an electrolytic solution, said electrolytic solution having a lower freezing temperature than the freezing point of water, said cell having a sufficient supply of electrolytic solution to operate for a minimum operating time;

(b) a replacement water reservoir, to hold water to replenish the electrolysis cell; and

(c) a heater, operatively connected to said replacement water reservoir, to provide heat to the replacement water reservoir to melt sufficient water in said reservoir in less than said minimum operating time, to replenish said electrolysis cell wherein said cell has a power supply, and said heater is said power supply of said cell.

30. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 29, wherein said cell produces said one or more gases under pressure, and the pressure of said one or more gases is directed to said water reservoir, to drive a sufficient amount of said water into said cell to replenish said electrolytic solution in said cell.

31. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 30, further including a gas connection conduit to connect said one or more gases produced under pressure in said cell to said water reservoir.

32. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 30, further including a water conduit to connect said water from said water reservoir to said cell.

33. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 29, wherein said replacement water reservoir is made at least in part from a heat-conducting material, and said heater is operatively connected to said heat-conducting material.

34. The system for producing one or more gases according to claim 29, wherein said replacement water reservoir is insulated.