Hydrogen generator

Abstract

There is provided a new and useful hydrogen generator for supplying hydrogen and/or oxygen to an internal combustion engine, the generator comprising a housing, a base unit secured within the housing, the base unit having integral therewith first mounting means for an electrolytic cell, second mounting means for a replaceable liquid reservoir, and a conduit between the first and second mounting means, an electrolytic cell mounted in the first mounting means, the cell having a liquid inlet and a gas outlet, and having connectors for electrical connection to an external source of energy, and a controller unit connected to the cell and comprising a central processing unit and a series of sensors for sensing pressure, temperature and liquid level in the cell, the controller controlling operation of the cell responsive to sensor output.

1 . A hydrogen generator for supplying hydrogen and/or oxygen to an internal combustion engine, said generator comprising: 
 a housing;    a base unit secured within said housing, said base unit having integral therewith first mounting means for an electrolytic cell; second mounting means for a replaceable liquid reservoir, and a conduit between said first and second mounting means;    an electrolytic cell mounted in said first mounting means, said cell having a liquid inlet and a gas outlet, and having connectors for electrical connection to an external source of energy; and    a controller unit connected to said cell and comprising a central processing unit and a series of sensors for sensing pressure, temperature and liquid level in said cell, said controller controlling operation of said cell responsive to sensor output.    
     
     
         2 . The generator of  claim 1  wherein said conduit includes a check valve for allowing flow only from said second mounting means to said first mounting means, and said second mounting means includes means for securing said reservoir, said means for securing including means integral therewith for piercing a seal on said reservoir to allow flow from said reservoir to said conduit.  
     
     
         3 . The generator of  claim 2  wherein said means for securing comprises a mating threaded connection between said container and said mounting means, and said means for piercing comprises at least one upstanding member fixed in said mounting means such that, when said threaded connection is made, said upstanding member pierces said seal.  
     
     
         4 . The generator of  claim 3  wherein said housing has mounted thereon, adjacent said second mounting means, second piercing means for piercing said container at a point on said container remote from said mounting means when said container is secured on said mounting means, to allow entry of air to said container.  
     
     
         5 . The generator of  claim 3  wherein said housing includes an access door adjacent said second mounting means for inserting and removing said container into and from said second mounting means, and wherein said access door includes thereon second piercing means for piercing said container, responsive to closing of said access door, at a point on said container remote from said mounting means when said container is secured on said mounting means, to allow entry of air to said container.  
     
     
         6 . The generator of  claim 2  wherein said cell includes in said gas outlet a check valve to prevent gas flow into said cell, and said cell further includes a second gas outlet and a vacuum pump operatively associated with said second outlet for creating a partial vacuum in said cell to draw liquid from said container into said cell.  
     
     
         7 . The generator of  claim 6  wherein operation of said vacuum pump is controlled by said controller responsive to input from liquid level sensors in said cell.  
     
     
         8 . The generator of  claim 1  including an electrically powered heating jacket for said cell, said jacket connected to an external source of electrical energy.  
     
     
         9 . The generator of  claim 8  including an ambient air temperature sensor and wherein said heating jacket is controlled by said controller responsive to input from said ambient air temperature sensor.  
     
     
         10 . The generator of  claim 1  wherein said second mounting means includes an electrically powered heating jacket for said reservoir, said jacket connected to an external source of electrical energy.  
     
     
         11 . The generator of  claim 10  including an ambient air temperature sensor and wherein said heating jacket is controlled by said controller responsive to input from said ambient air temperature sensor.  
     
     
         12 . The generator of  claim 1  wherein said generator is adapted for supplying gas from said cell to an internal combustion engine and is connected to the engine electrical systems; wherein said cell includes means for varying current input to said cell, and wherein said controller receives an input load signal from said engine related to the load on said engine, and said current is adjusted by said controller responsive to said load signal.