Solar electrolysis power source

• US 7,459,064 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2003
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne Of De, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Anderson, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell; Bruce F
• Application Number:
  US10/721,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20050109393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• Field of Search: 429/21, 429/25, 204/278, 204/275.1, 204/228.1, 204/228.2, 204/228.4, 204/228.5, 204/228.6, 136/291, 136/244, 136/206
• US Class Current: 204/228.1
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/17 Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04104 Regulation of differential pressures
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0606 with means for production of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

A solar electrolysis power source includes a solar panel, an electrolysis unit, a hermetically sealed compressor, a hydrogen tank, and a fuel cell. By utilizing the electrolysis of water powered by solar energy, the solar electrolysis power source enables a safe, environmentally benign, and cost-effective method of power generation. Furthermore, by combining the production, the compression, the storage of hydrogen, as well as the delivery of the hydrogen to the fuel cell in one hermetically sealed unit currently existing problems with the production, storage delivery, and refueling of hydrogen can be eliminated. The solar electrolysis power source uses hydrogen gas that is hermetically sealed from production to use.

Claims

1. A solar electrolysis power source, comprising:

a source of water;

an electrolysis unit, wherein said electrolysis unit is connected with said source of water and receives water from said source of water, and wherein said electrolysis unit provides the electrolysis of said water and produces hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, wherein said electrolysis unit comprises;

an electrolysis chamber, wherein said electrolysis chamber is connected with said source of water, and wherein said electrolysis chamber receives water from said source of water;

a cathode located within said electrolysis chamber, wherein said cathode is connected with said solar panel creating a negative charge at said cathode;

an anode located within said electrolysis chamber, wherein said anode is connected with said solar panel creating a positive charge at said anode;

a pH sensor located within said electrolysis chamber;

a water level sensor located within said electrolysis chamber;

a water fill inlet including a water fill valve, wherein said water fill inlet connects said electrolysis chamber with said source of water;

an electrolyte tank containing an electrolyte and including an electrolyte fill inlet and an electrolyte fill valve, wherein said electrolyte fill inlet connects said electrolyte tank with said electrolysis chamber;

a solar panel, wherein said solar panel is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said solar panel receives solar rays and provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

a hermetically sealed compressor, wherein said hermetically sealed compressor is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said hermetically sealed compressor receives said hydrogen gas from said electrolysis unit;

a hydrogen tank, wherein said hydrogen tank is connected with said hermetically sealed compressor, and wherein said hydrogen tank receives said hydrogen gas from said hermetically sealed compressor; and

a fuel cell, wherein said fuel cell is connected with said hydrogen tank, and wherein said fuel cell receives said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen tank.

2. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 1, further comprising a system controller, wherein said system controller is connected with said solar panel, said electrolysis unit, said hermetically sealed compressor, and said hydrogen tank.

3. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 2, further comprising an AC power source, wherein said AC power source is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said AC power source provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit.

4. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 3, wherein said system controller connects said AC power source with said electrolysis unit.

5. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 2, wherein said hydrogen tank comprises:

a hydrogen tank fill valve, wherein said hydrogen tank fill valve is located between said hermetically sealed compressor and said hydrogen tank;

a hydrogen tank output valve, wherein said hydrogen tank output valve is located between said hydrogen tank and said fuel cell; and

a pressure gauge, wherein said pressure gauge indicates the pressure of said hydrogen gas stored inside said hydrogen tank.

6. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 5, further comprising a data and control bus, wherein said data and control;

bus connects said system controller with said pH sensor, said water level sensor, said water fill valve, said electrolyte fill valve, said oxygen vent valve, said hydrogen tank fill valve, said hydrogen tank output valve, said pressure gauge of said hydrogen tank, and said hermetically sealed compressor.

7. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 2, wherein said system controller controls said electrolyte control valve in response to said pH sensor to add electrolyte to said water contained within said electrolysis chamber to maintain a pH value between 6 and 7.

8. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 1, and further comprising:

an oxygen vent including an oxygen vent valve, wherein said oxygen vent connects said electrolysis chamber with the outside atmosphere; and

a hydrogen vent, wherein said hydrogen vent connects said electrolysis chamber with said hermetically sealed compressor.

9. A solar electrolysis power source, comprising:

a source of water;

an electrolysis unit, wherein said electrolysis unit is connected with said source of water and receives water from said source of water, and wherein said electrolysis unit provides the electrolysis of said water and produces hydrogen gas and oxygen gas;

wherein said electrolysis unit comprises;

an electrolysis chamber including an oxygen chamber and a hydrogen chamber, wherein said electrolysis chamber is connected with said source of water, and wherein said electrolysis chamber receives water from said source of water;

a cathode located within said hydrogen chamber, wherein said cathode is connected with said solar panel creating a negative charge at said cathode;

an anode located within said oxygen chamber, wherein said anode is connected with said solar panel creating a positive charge at said anode;

a pH sensor located within said electrolysis chamber;

a water level sensor located within said electrolysis chamber;

a water fill inlet including a water fill valve, wherein said water fill inlet connects said electrolysis chamber with said source of water;

an electrolyte tank containing an electrolyte and including an electrolyte fill inlet and an electrolyte fill valve, wherein said electrolyte fill inlet connects said electrolyte tank with said electrolysis chamber;

a solar panel, wherein said solar panel is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said solar panel receives solar rays and provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

an AC power source, wherein said AC power source is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said AC power source provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

a hermetically sealed compressor, wherein said hermetically sealed compressor is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said hermetically sealed compressor receives said hydrogen gas from said electrolysis unit;

a hydrogen tank, wherein said hydrogen tank is connected with said hermetically sealed compressor, and wherein said hydrogen tank receives said hydrogen gas from said hermetically sealed compressor;

a fuel cell, wherein said fuel cell is connected with said hydrogen tank, and wherein said fuel cell receives said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen tank; and

a system controller, wherein said system controller is connected with said solar panel, said AC power source, said electrolysis unit, said hermetically sealed compressor, and said hydrogen tank.

10. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 9, and further comprising:

an oxygen vent including an oxygen vent valve, wherein said oxygen vent connects said oxygen chamber of said electrolysis chamber with the outside atmosphere; and

a hydrogen vent, wherein said hydrogen vent connects said hydrogen chamber of said electrolysis chamber with said hermetically sealed compressor.

11. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 9, further comprising:

a hydrogen tank fill valve, wherein said hydrogen tank fill valve is located between said hermetically sealed compressor and said hydrogen tank;

a hydrogen tank output valve, wherein said hydrogen tank output valve is located between said hydrogen tank and said fuel cell;

a pressure gauge, wherein said pressure gauge indicates the pressure of said hydrogen gas stored inside said hydrogen tank; and

a data and control bus, wherein said data and control bus connects said system controller with said pH sensor, said water level sensor, said water fill valve, said electrolyte fill valve, said oxygen vent valve, said hydrogen tank fill valve, said hydrogen tank output valve, said pressure gauge of said hydrogen tank, and said hermetically sealed compressor.

12. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 9, wherein said source of water is a water tank for holding water.

13. A solar electrolysis power source, comprising:

a water tank holding water;

an electrolysis unit, wherein said electrolysis unit is connected with said water tank and receives said water from said water tank, wherein said electrolysis unit facilitates the electrolysis of said water and produces hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, and wherein said electrolysis unit comprises;

an electrolysis chamber including an oxygen chamber and a hydrogen chamber, wherein said electrolysis chamber is connected with said water tank and wherein said electrolysis chamber receives water from said water tank;

a cathode located within said hydrogen chamber, wherein said cathode is connected with said solar panel creating a negative charge at said cathode;

an anode located within said oxygen chamber, wherein said anode is connected with said solar panel creating a positive charge at said anode;

a pH sensor located within said electrolysis chamber;

a water level sensor located within said electrolysis chamber;

a water fill inlet including a water fill valve, wherein said water fill inlet connects said electrolysis chamber with said source water tank;

an electrolyte tank containing an electrolyte and including an electrolyte fill inlet and an electrolyte fill valve, wherein said electrolyte fill inlet connects said electrolyte tank with said electrolysis chamber;

an oxygen vent including an oxygen vent valve, wherein said oxygen vent connects said oxygen chamber of said electrolysis chamber with the outside atmosphere; and

a hydrogen vent, wherein said hydrogen vent connects said hydrogen chamber of said electrolysis chamber with said hermetically sealed compressor;

a solar panel, wherein said solar panel is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said solar panel receives solar rays and provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

an AC power source, wherein said AC power source is connected with said electrolysis unit and wherein said AC power source provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

a hydrogen tank, wherein said hydrogen tank is connected with said hermetically sealed compressor, wherein said hydrogen tank receives said hydrogen gas from said hermetically sealed compressor, and wherein said hydrogen tank comprises;

a hydrogen tank fill valve, wherein said hydrogen tank fill valve is located between said hermetically sealed compressor and said hydrogen tank;

a hydrogen tank output valve, wherein said hydrogen tank output valve is located between said hydrogen tank and said fuel cell; and

a pressure gauge, wherein said pressure gauge indicates the pressure of said hydrogen gas stored inside said hydrogen tank;

a fuel cell, wherein said fuel cell is connected with said hydrogen tank, and wherein said fuel cell receives said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen tank;

a system controller, wherein said system controller is connected with said solar panel, said AC power source, said electrolysis unit, said hermetically sealed compressor, and said hydrogen tank; and

a data and control bus, wherein said data and control bus connects said system controller with said pH sensor, said water level sensor, said water fill valve, said electrolyte fill valve, said oxygen vent valve, said hydrogen tank fill valve, said hydrogen tank output valve, said pressure gauge of said hydrogen tank, and said hermetically sealed compressor.

14. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 13, wherein said oxygen is collected in said oxygen chamber of said electrolysis chamber.

15. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 13, wherein said hydrogen is collected in said hydrogen chamber of said electrolysis chamber.

16. The solar electrolysis power source of claim 13, wherein the pH value of said water contained in said electrolysis chamber is maintained between 6 and 7 by adding said electrolyte from said electrolyte tank.

17. A hydrogen-powered vehicle, comprising:

a solar electrolysis power source that is mounted on said vehicle, wherein said solar electrolysis power source comprises;

a water tank holding water;

an electrolysis unit, wherein said electrolysis unit is connected with said water tank and receives said water from said water tank, and wherein said electrolysis unit provides the electrolysis of said water and produces hydrogen gas and oxygen gas wherein said electrolysis unit comprises;

an electrolysis chamber, wherein said electrolysis chamber is connected with said source of water, and wherein said electrolysis chamber receives water from said source of water;

a cathode located within said electrolysis chamber, wherein said cathode is connected with said solar panel creating a negative charge at said cathode;

an anode located within said electrolysis chamber, wherein said anode is connected with said solar panel creating a positive charge at said anode;

a pH sensor located within said electrolysis chamber;

a water level sensor located within said electrolysis chamber;

a water fill inlet including a water fill valve, wherein said water fill inlet connects said electrolysis chamber with said source of water;

an electrolyte tank containing an electrolyte and including an electrolyte fill inlet and an electrolyte fill valve, wherein said electrolyte fill inlet connects said electrolyte tank with said electrolysis chamber;

a solar panel, wherein said solar panel is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said solar panel receives solar rays and provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

an AC power source, wherein said AC power source is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said AC power source provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

a hydrogen tank, wherein said hydrogen tank is connected with said hermetically sealed compressor, and wherein said hydrogen tank receives said hydrogen gas produced by the electrolysis unit;

a fuel cell, wherein said fuel cell is connected with said hydrogen tank, and wherein said fuel cell receives said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen tank; and

a system controller, wherein said system controller is connected with said solar panel, said AC power source, said electrolysis unit, said hermetically sealed compressor, and said hydrogen tank.

18. The hydrogen-powered vehicle of claim 17, wherein said electrical energy provided by said AC power source stimulates the electrolysis of said water in said electrolysis chamber and produces said oxygen gas at said anode and said hydrogen gas at said cathode.

19. The hydrogen-powered vehicle of claim 17, wherein said hydrogen gas is collected in said hydrogen chamber of said electrolysis chamber.

20. The hydrogen-powered vehicle of claim 17, wherein said oxygen is collected in said oxygen chamber of said electrolysis chamber.

21. A method for generating power by utilizing the electrolysis of water and solar energy, comprising the steps of:

providing a solar panel that receives solar rays and generates electrical energy;

providing a source of water;

connecting an electrolysis unit including an anode and a cathode with said solar panel and said source of water;

filling said electrolysis unit with said water;

adding an electrolyte to said water in said electrolysis unit;

maintaining a pH value of said water in said electrolysis unit between 6 and 7;

providing said electrical energy generated by said solar panel to said anode and said cathode of said electrolysis unit;

producing oxygen gas and hydrogen gas with said electrolysis unit;

connecting a hermetically sealed compressor with said electrolysis unit;

directing said hydrogen gas to said hermetically sealed compressor;

providing a hydrogen tank and connecting said hydrogen tank with said hermetically sealed compressor;

pumping said hydrogen gas into said hydrogen tank with said hermetically sealed compressor;

connecting a fuel cell with said hydrogen tank;

delivering said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen tank to said fuel cell; and

generating electrical energy with said fuel cell.

22. The method for generating power by utilizing the electrolysis of water and solar energy of claim 21, further comprising the step of powering a vehicle with said electrical energy generated by said fuel cell.

23. A method for generating power by utilizing the electrolysis of water and solar energy, comprising the steps of:

providing a solar electrolysis power source including;

a source of water;

an electrolysis unit, wherein said electrolysis unit is connected with said source of water and receives water from said source of water, and wherein said electrolysis unit provides the electrolysis of said water and produces hydrogen gas and oxygen gas;

a solar panel, wherein said solar panel is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said solar panel receives solar rays and provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

an AC power source, wherein said AC power source is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said AC power source provides electrical energy to said electrolysis unit;

a hermetically sealed compressor, wherein said hermetically sealed compressor is connected with said electrolysis unit, and wherein said hermetically sealed compressor receives said hydrogen gas from said electrolysis unit;

a hydrogen tank, wherein said hydrogen tank is connected with said hermetically sealed compressor, and wherein said hydrogen tank receives said hydrogen gas from said hermetically sealed compressor;

a fuel cell, wherein said fuel cell is connected with said hydrogen tank, and wherein said fuel cell receives said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen tank; and

a system controller, wherein said system controller is connected with said solar panel, said AC power source, said electrolysis unit, said hermetically sealed compressor, and said hydrogen tank;

generating electrical energy with said solar panel;

filling said electrolysis unit with said water;

maintaining a pH value of said water in said electrolysis unit between 6 and 7;

providing said electrical energy generated by said solar panel to said electrolysis unit;

producing oxygen gas and hydrogen gas with said electrolysis unit through electrolysis of said water;

directing said hydrogen gas to said hermetically sealed compressor;

pumping said hydrogen gas into said hydrogen tank with said hermetically sealed compressor;

delivering said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen tank to said fuel cell; and

generating electrical energy with said fuel cell.

24. The method for generating power by utilizing the electrolysis of water and solar energy of claim 23, further comprising the step of venting said oxygen gas into the atmosphere.

25. The method for generating power by utilizing the electrolysis of water and solar energy of claim 23, further comprising the step of powering a portable power tool with said electrical energy generated by said fuel cell.

26. The method for generating power by utilizing the electrolysis of water and solar energy of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

providing an AC power source;

connecting said AC power source with said electrolysis unit; and

providing electrical energy to said electrolysis unit.