Electrolysis cell and internal combustion engine kit comprising the same

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.

1 . A system for producing one or more gases for enhancing combustion in an internal combustion engine, said engine having an intake, the system comprising: 
 (a) an electrolysis cell, for generating one or more combustion enhancing gases under pressure;    (b) a gas conduit, for connecting the electrolysis cell to the intake of the internal combustion engine; and    (c) a flow regulator, operatively connected between the electrolysis cell and the intake of the engine, for regulating a flow of said combustion enhancing gases to said engine.    
   
   
       2 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 1 , wherein the rate of flow of said combustion enhancing gases from said cell to said engine is constant over various engine loads.  
   
   
       3 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 1 , wherein the engine includes a turbocharger, and wherein said flow regulator is capable of regulating said flow when said turbocharger is operating.  
   
   
       4 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 1 , wherein said flow regulator is a pressure release valve set to a release pressure towards an upper end of an operating range of pressures of said intake.  
   
   
       5 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 4 , wherein said release pressure is set to a value between 1 and 50 lbs.  
   
   
       6 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 5 , wherein said release pressure is about 20 lbs.  
   
   
       7 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 1 , further including pressure relief means to reduce the pressure of said combustible gas in said cell when the pressure in said cell exceeds a predetermined safety release pressure.  
   
   
       8 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 7 , wherein said pressure relief means comprises a pressure sensor, set to detect said predetermined safety release pressure, and a gas bypass, to connect said combustible gas produced in said cell with a lower pressure environment upon the pressure of said gas exceeding said predetermined safety release pressure.  
   
   
       9 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 8 , wherein said pressure sensor is a pressure switch and said gas bypass is a safety gas conduit, said safety gas conduit being switchable between an open and a closed position.  
   
   
       10 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 7 , wherein said predetermined safety release pressure is at least 35 pounds.  
   
   
       11 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 8 , wherein said pressure sensor comprises a rupture disk, set to mechanically open at said predetermined safety release pressure, and said gas bypass comprises an operative connection between said cell and the atmosphere.  
   
   
       12 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 11 , wherein said predetermined safety release pressure is at least 60 pounds.  
   
   
       13 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 1 , wherein said system is a pressure vessel and is sufficiently strong to withstand an explosion.  
   
   
       14 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 13 , wherein said system is built to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers standard number B31.1 for pressure vessels.  
   
   
       15 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 1 , further including a switchable valve on said gas conduit, said valve having at least two positions, wherein in one position said valve permits said one or more gases to pass from said cell to said intake of said internal combustion engine, and in the other of said positions said valve permits said one or more gases to pass from said cell to the atmosphere.  
   
   
       16 . The system for producing one or more gases according to  claim 1 , further including a water reservoir to hold water to replenish said cell, wherein said one or more gases produced under pressure by said cell are operatively connected to said water reservoir, to apply pressure to said water in said water reservoir.  
   
   
       17 . A method of producing one or more gases for enhancing combustion in an internal combustion engine, said engine having an intake, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing an electrolysis cell, for generating one or more combustion enhancing gases under pressure, a gas conduit, for connecting the electrolysis cell to the intake of said internal combustion engine, and a flow regulator, operatively connected between the electrolysis cell and the intake of the engine, for regulating a flow of said combustion enhancing gases to said engine;    (b) activating said electrolysis cell, to produce said one or more gases under pressure; and    (c) regulating the flow of said one or more gases to said internal combustion engine by means of said flow regulator.    
   
   
       18 . A method of producing one or more gases according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of activating said electrolysis cell includes storing said gases produced by said electrolysis cell in a predetermined volume, so that said pressure of said one or more gases increases with time.  
   
   
       19 . A method of producing one or more gases according to  claim 17 , wherein said electrolysis cell contains an electrolytic solution, and said step of providing an electrolysis cell includes providing a reservoir containing a supply of a liquid used to replenish said electrolytic solution, and wherein the step of regulating the flow of said gases comprises connecting said pressure of said gases to said supply of liquid, to drive a sufficient amount of said liquid into said cell to replenish said electrolytic solution in said cell.  
   
   
       20 . A method of producing one or more gases according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of providing an electrolysis cell includes providing a safety release valve operatively connected to said electrolysis cell, and wherein said step of activating said electrolysis cell includes relieving pressure within said cell by venting said gases to a lower pressure environment through said safety release valve when said pressure of said one or more gases exceeds a predetermined safety release pressure or when said cell is de-activated.  
   
   
       21 . 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.    
   
   
       22 - 51 . (canceled)  
   
   
       52 . An internal combustion engine kit for producing one or more gases for enhancing combustion in an internal combustion engine, said engine having an intake, the internal combustion engine kit comprising: 
 (a) an electrolysis cell, for generating one or more combustion enhancing gases under pressure;    (b) a power conditioning means, to provide appropriate electrical power to said electrolysis cell;    (c) a water reservoir, to provide water to said electrolysis cell;    (d) an electronic controller, for controlling the supply of electrical power to said electrolysis cell, so that said electrolysis cell can perform electrolysis, and for controlling the supply of water from the water reservoir to the electrolysis cell;    (e) a gas conduit, for connecting the electrolysis cell to the internal combustion engine; and    (f) a flow regulator, operatively connected between the electrolysis cell and the intake of the engine, for regulating a flow of said combustion enhancing gases to said engine.    
   
   
       53 . The internal combustion engine kit according to  claim 52 , wherein said flow regulator is a pressure release valve set to a release pressure towards an upper end of an operating range of pressures of said intake.  
   
   
       54 . The internal combustion engine kit according to  claim 52 , wherein said kit contains external connections to: a source of positive voltage, a source of negative voltage, an oil pressure switch, a water input, and a gas output.