Hydrogen Generator

Abstract

This invention provides a system and apparatus with fine control over quantity and volume of water used, and current and charge used, to provide hydrogen and oxygen gas fr other purposes. The system provides for control of temperature and pressure of the produced gas to provide separation of the two gases post-electrolysis, based upon the physical characteristics of hydrogen and oxygen at same pressure and temperature, where one is in a different phase from the other (that is, gas/liquid/solid phase or state), using simple mechanical means. The system also uses small piezo-electric crystals configured to perform a pumping function to deliver the water to the electrolytic means' electrodes, and optionally to collect the produced hydrogen and oxygen as a part of the separation means by providing partial vacuum.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hydrogen generator, comprising: 
 a piezoelectric pump supplied with a source of electric current that in operation causes the piezoelectric pump to expand and contract;    a passageway bounded by the piezoelectric pump at least on one side of the passageway so that in operation the piezoelectric pump imparts a pumping action on fluid within the passageway;    an electrode positioned to be in contact with water lying within the passageway and connected to a power supply, the electrode having a tip;    a water supply connected to the piezoelectric pump to supply water to the passageway; and    means to isolate hydrogen separated from the water by electrolysis at the tip of the electrode.    
     
     
         2 . A gas generator, comprising: 
 a piezoelectric pump having an associated passageway, the passageway being defined at least on one side by the piezoelectric pump;    water within the passageway;    an electrode in contact with the water in the passageway;    means for energizing the piezoelectric pump to pump water through the passageway;    means to charge the electrode to produce hydrogen at the electrode; and    a chamber in communication with the passageway for collecting hydrogen produced at the electrode.    
     
     
         3 . The gas generator of  claim 2  in which the piezoelectric pump is housed within a housing, the electrode forming part of the housing.  
     
     
         4 . The gas generator of  claim 3  in which the passageway is between the piezoelectric pump and the housing.  
     
     
         5 . The gas generator of  claim 4  in which the piezoelectric pump is cylindrical.  
     
     
         6 . The gas generator of  claim 2  in which flow of fluid through the passageway is governed by valves at opposed ends of the passageway to allow one way flow of fluid through the passageway.  
     
     
         7 . A method of generating gas, the method comprising the steps of: 
 pumping water using a piezoelectric pump by repetitively energizing the piezoelectric pump;    producing hydrogen through electrolysis of the water being pumped through the piezoelectric pump; and    collecting the produced hydrogen.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  in which the piezoelectric pump is enclosed within a housing and water is pumped through a passageway defined between the piezoelectric pump and the housing.  
     
     
         9 . A hydrogen generator, comprising: 
 an array of at least one piezoelectric pump body with a channel through the piezoelectric pump body;    an electrically conducting needle within the channel;    a source of water,    means of delivering water to an entry port of the channel;    means of providing pulsed electrical current to the piezoelectric pump to cause the channel to contract and expand and pump water from the entry part of the channel to an exit end of the channel;    means of providing electrical charge to the needle with opposing charge to an adjacent electrode part to cause electrolysis of water into constituent hydrogen and oxygen;    means of separating the hydrogen and oxygen; and    means to deliver the separated hydrogen and oxygen to a use.    
     
     
         10 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 9  in which the hydrogen is separated from oxygen by taking advantage of differential temperature at which hydrogen and oxygen undergoes phase-change from gas to liquid, by using controlled chilling of the environment at the needles' tip end where electrolysis occurs.