Oxygen-Hydrogen Generator for Internal Combustion Engines

Abstract

A hydrolytic cell consists of upper and lower chambers sealed from each other by a divider, with one or more openings in the divider for the passage of gas into the upper chamber. Liquid is prevented from entering the upper chamber by gas-permeable filters such as Hastelloy™ metal filters. Also disclosed is an electrode consisting either of a generally vertical stack of spaced apart perforated disks or porous metal filters such as Hastelloy filters, mounted to a conductive rod. A level sensing system us disclosed, consisting of a light source and detector which directs light into the lower chamber which is reflected off of a reflector within the chamber, such that the liquid level is detected at the level of the detector by a reduced light intensity.

1 . An electrode for use in a hydrolysis cell comprising a series of non-vertically oriented perforated electrically conducting wafers, vertically spaced from each other in a congruent stack, and a connector for connecting each said wafer of said series to an electrical circuit. 
   
   
       2 . The electrode of  claim 1  wherein each said wafer comprises expanded metal. 
   
   
       3 . The electrode of  claim 1  wherein said wafers are substantially horizontally oriented. 
   
   
       4 . The electrode of  claim 3  wherein said connector comprises a substantially vertically oriented electrically conducting connector rod upon which said wafers are mounted. 
   
   
       5 . The electrode of  claim 4  further comprising at least one electrically conducting support rod spaced laterally from said connecting rod and on which said wafers are supported, spaced from each other by electrically conducting washers. 
   
   
       6 . A hydrolysis cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen from water, said cell comprising:
 a casing comprising upper and lower chambers sealed together, and wherein said lower part is electrically conductive and comprises a cathode;   means for introducing make-up liquid into said cell;   means for removing produced gas from said cell;   said upper and lower chambers being separated by a gas and liquid-impervious divider which forms a seal between said upper and lower parts, said divider having at least one opening therein permitting passage of gas from said lower part to said upper part and a gas-porous but substantially liquid impervious filter retained within said opening to inhibit passage of liquid while permitting passage of gas.   
   
   
       7 . The cell of  claim 6  wherein said filter comprises a metal filter. 
   
   
       8 . The cell of  claim 7  wherein said metal filter comprises compressed stainless steel powder. 
   
   
       9 . The cell of  claim 6  further comprising an electrode according to any of  claims 1  through  5 . 
   
   
       10 . An electrode for use in a hydrolysis cell comprising an electrically conductive shaft and a plurality of spaced apart electrically conductive metal filter discs supported on said shaft. 
   
   
       11 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein said filter discs comprise Hastelloy™ filters. 
   
   
       12 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein said filter discs comprise compressed stainless steel powder. 
   
   
       13 . A hydrolysis cell comprising
 a first electrode as defined in any of  claims 10  to  12 ;   an opposed second electrode;   an electrical connection means associated with said electrodes; and   inlets and outlets to permit entry and exit respectively of electrolytic fluid and gases.   
   
   
       14 . An hydrolysis cell comprising:
 a chamber for electrolytic fluid;   an anode and cathode;   electrical connections for connecting said anode and cathode to an electrical power source and ground; and   a liquid level sensor for detecting the level of electrolytic fluid within said chamber, said level sensor comprising:
 a light source for directing a beam of light into said chamber into said chamber; 
 a receiver for receiving light from said source, said receiver capable of discriminating between a first light level indicative of liquid at the level of said sensor and a second reduced light level indicative of liquid below the level of said sensor. 
   
   
   
       15 . The hydrolysis cell of  claim 14 , wherein said light source comprises an infrared LED. 
   
   
       16 . The hydrolysis cell of  claim 14  or  15  further comprising a prism within said chamber positioned such that said beam is internally reflected towards said receiver in the absence of liquid in contact with said prism while in the presence of liquid in contact with said prism the beam is not substantially reflected back towards said receiver to permit said receiver to discriminate between a liquid level in contact with said prism and a level below said prism. 
   
   
       17 . The hydrolysis cell of  claim 16  wherein said light source, prism and receiver comprise a probe extend into the interior of said chamber. 
   
   
       18 . The hydrolysis cell of any of  claims 14  through  17  comprising a plurality of said level sensors positioned to detect liquid levels within said chamber indicative of liquid overfill, normal liquid height, and a low liquid level requiring replenishing of said chamber. 
   
   
       19 . The hydrolysis cell of  claim 18  further comprising a reservoir in communication with said chamber for replenishing said chamber with water, a means to refill said chamber from said reservoir and an electronic controller in operative communication with said plurality of level sensors and means for refilling said chamber from said reservoir upon detection of a pre-selected replenishing level. 
   
   
       20 . The hydrolysis cell of  claim 19 , wherein said means to refill said chamber comprises a vacuum pump in operative communication with said chamber for evacuating said chamber for drawing liquid tin said chamber from said reservoir and a controller for selectively actuating said pump upon detection of said low liquid level. 
   
   
       21 . A hydrolysis system comprising an electrolytic cell for hydrolysis of water, a water reservoir independent of said cell, a vacuum pump for evacuating said cell to draw water into said cell from said reservoir when required for replenishing, a gas conduit leading from said cell for discharge of gases during operation of said cell, a power source, and a control subsystem for detecting a low liquid level and actuating said vacuum pump in response thereto, the system characterized by a ball valve for controlling the flow of water into said cell and gas out of said cell comprising first, second, third and fourth ports, a ball for controlling flow through said ports and a ball valve actuator for rotating said ball to selectively block flow through said ports;
 a first conduit for conducting liquid from said reservoir to said first port;   a second conduit for conducting liquid from said second port to said cell;   a third conduit for conducting gas from said chamber to said third port;   a fourth conduit for conducting gas from said fourth port to said vacuum pump;   said ball valve actuation means for rotating said ball between a first position said ball valve blocks passage through all of said ports to block the inflow of liquid into said cell while blocking the outflow flow of gas through said third conduit, and a second position wherein all of said ports are open for replenishment of said cell.   
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising the electrode of  claims 1 - 5  or  10 - 12  or the hydrolysis cell of  claims 6 - 9  or  13 - 20 .