Hydrogen and oxygen generator with polarity switching in electrolytic cells

Abstract

An electrolytic generator for producing hydrogen and oxygen switches polarities of electrodes to minimize the accumulation of electroplated electrode material driven from one electrode to the other. The generator contains two or more electrolytic cells in a lower portion, with an upper portion, including gas receiving receptacles. Preferably, water extends upward past a division between the upper and lower portions. In a first version, the upper portion, which is attached for gas collection through flexible hoses, is moved from one cell in the lower portion to another when the polarity is switched. In a second version, the upper portion remains stationary while the lower portion is moved to another upper portion as the polarity is switched.

1 . Apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water, wherein the apparatus comprises: 
 a plurality of electrolytic cells, each including an electrode and a container holding a portion of an electrolytic fluid including water in contact with the electrode;    an electrolyte conduit extending among the electrolytic cells, holding a portion of the electrolytic fluid in communication with the electrolytic fluid within each of the electrolytic cells;    a circuit causing electrical current to flow through positive and negative terminals connected to the electrodes and through the electrolytic fluid within the electrolytic cells and within the conduit during production cycles;    switching means operating during switching cycles between production cycles to cause each electrode within the plurality of electrolytic cells to be electrically connected alternately to the positive and negative terminals of the circuit during production cycles;    a hydrogen receiving conduit corrected to each electrolytic cell having an electrode electrically connected to the negative terminal of the circuit; and    an oxygen receiving conduit connected to each electrolytic cell having an electrode electrically connected to the positive terminal of the circuit.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the electrolytic cells remain stationary, and    the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit move between the electrolytic cells.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit each include a flexible portion deforming with movement of the conduit.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the oxygen receiving conduit and the hydrogen receiving conduit remain stationary, and    the electrolytic cells are moved between the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , additionally comprising an interface plate extending between adjacent electrolytic cells, wherein 
 each of the electrolytic cells includes a cell opening extending through the interface plate    the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit include conduit opening tubes extending away from the interface platez in alignment with the cell opening of each electrolytic cell during production cycles;    during switching cycles, each conduit opening tube moves between adjacent cell openings while sliding along the interface plate.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein 
 each of the electrolytic cells extends downward from one of the cell openings,    the conduit opening tubes extend upward from the interface plate, and    a level of the electrolytic fluid is held within the conduit opening tubes above each of the cell openings.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein 
 the cell openings are spaced apart in a circular pattern in the interface plate, and    the switching cycle includes relative rotation between the interface plate and the conduit opening tubes about a center of the circular pattern.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein 
 the electrolytic cells remain stationary, and    the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit are rotated between the electrolytic cells.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit each include a flexible portion deforming with movement of the conduit.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein 
 the cell openings are equally spaced in the circular pattern in the interface plate,    the conduit opening tubes of the hydrogen receiving conduit are disposed in a circular pattern alternating with the conduit opening tubes of the oxygen receiving conduit, and    during alternating switching cycles, the conduit opening tubes are moved between adjacent cell openings in alternating directions.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , additionally comprising: 
 a generator housing holding the electrolytic cells, the interface plate, and a central shaft extending upward from the interface plate; and    a receptacle housing holding the receptacle openings and a bushing turning on the central shaft.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , additionally comprising 
 a motor driving the receptacle housing in rotation about the central shaft; and    limit switches stopping operation of the motor to limit rotation of the receptacle housing to move the conduit opening tubes between adjacent cell openings in alternating directions.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein 
 the oxygen receiving conduit and the hydrogen receiving conduit remain stationary, and    the electrolytic cells are rotated between the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , additionally comprising: 
 a base including a central shaft extending upward;    a generator housing holding the electrolytic cells and the interface plate, rotatably mounted on the central shaft; and    a receptacle housing holding the receptacle openings attached to the central shaft.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , additionally comprising: 
 an overflow tube, connected to the electrolyte conduit, extending upward to an overflow edge from which the electrolytic fluid overflows to maintain the level at which the electrolytic fluid is held above each of the cell openings; and    a fluid supply for adding the electrolytic fluid to the electrolytic cells.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , additionally comprising: 
 a fluid level switch operating when the electrolytic fluid within the overflow tube falls below a predetermined level; and    a valve operating in response to the fluid level switch to allow additional electrolytic fluid from the fluid supply to enter the electrolytic cells.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , additionally comprising: 
 a supply path moving the electrolytic fluid into each of the electrolytic cells;    a drain path draining the electrolytic fluid from each of the electrolytic cells, wherein the drain path extends within an outer annular space around the electrolytic cell, and    at least one slot extending between the electrolytic cell below an upper surface of the interface plate and the drain path of the electrolytic cell.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the supply path includes: 
 an inner annular space extending between the electrolytic cell and the outer annular space, and    at least one hole connecting the inner annular space to a space within the electrolytic cell.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the supply path includes an opening between electrolytic conduit and the electrolytic cells.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , additionally comprising: 
 an overflow tube, connected to the drain path of each of the electrolytic cells, extending upward to an overflow edge from which the electrolytic fluid overflows to maintain the level at which the electrolytic fluid is held above each of the conduit opening tubes, and    a fluid supply connected to the supply path of each of the electrolytic cells.