Enhanced device for generating hydrogen for use in internal combustion engines

Abstract

An electrolysis conversion system for converting water into hydrogen and oxygen, includes a housing in which are housed electrodes. The electrodes are immersed in an electrolyte and are connected to a positive and negative sides of an energy source. The housing is a non conductive material that has chambers to separate the hydrogen and the oxygen. The present invention further discloses a method of utilizing the electrolyzer in conjunction with the fuel system of an internal combustion engine to improve the efficiency of said internal combustion engines.

1 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine, comprising means for providing a positive electric current to power the device, means for providing a negative electric current to ground the device, means for housing in a chamber a positive electrode (anode), a negative electrode (cathode), and an electrolyte fluid to enable electrolysis within said means for housing, means for separating the positive electrode (anode) from the negative electrode (cathode), said separating means extending down into the electrolyte fluid to a point spaced from the chamber bottom and being perforated within said electrolyte fluid so that the electrolyte fluid can flow freely between the electrodes but impervious to the passage of gases above the level of said electrolyte fluid, means for separately venting the generated hydrogen from other gas or gases produced by the electrolysis, and means for replenishing the electrolyte fluid. 
     
     
         2 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising additional means for sensing the level of electrolyte fluid in said means for housing. 
     
     
         3 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for separating comprises a chamber divider. 
     
     
         4 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said means for separately venting comprises separate vents emanating from each side of the chamber formed by the chamber divider. 
     
     
         5 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for replenishing comprises a fill cap. 
     
     
         6 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein oxygen is produced by the electrolysis in addition to the generated hydrogen. 
     
     
         7 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of positive electrodes (anodes) and a plurality of negative electrodes (cathodes) are accommodated in the housing, and wherein the housing separating means separates the positive electrodes (anodes) from the negative electrodes (cathodes). 
     
     
         8 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for housing accommodates an enlarged positive electrode (anode) and an enlarged negative electrode (cathode). 
     
     
         9 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a radiator/reservoir for storing electrolyte fluid, said radiator/reservoir being connected with said means for housing to allow a flow of electrolyte fluid between said radiator/reservoir and said means for housing. 
     
     
         10 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein a gate valve is operable to increase, decrease, stop, and start the flow of electrolyte fluid between said radiator/reservoir and said means for housing. 
     
     
         11 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein a pump is operable to facilitate the flow of electrolyte fluid between said radiator/reservoir and said means for housing. 
     
     
         12 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein a heater is operable to heat the electrolyte fluid in said radiator/reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein a heater is operable to heat the electrolyte fluid in the connection between the radiator/reservoir and said means for housing. 
     
     
         14 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein a sensor is operable to determine the amount of electrolyte fluid in said radiator/reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine, in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of chambers are formed by multiple housings, chambers wherein each chamber contains one of a plurality of a positive electrodes (anodes), and one of a plurality of negative electrodes (cathodes), and an electrolyte fluid that enables electrolysis within each chamber, and wherein each chamber has a divider, separating the positive electrode (anode) from the negative electrode (cathode) but allowing the free flow of electrolyte fluid between said electrodes, vents for separately venting hydrogen and other gas or gases produced by the electrolysis, and a filler cap facilitating the replenishment of electrolyte fluid. 
     
     
         16 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine, in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the housing forms a chamber containing a plurality of positive electrodes (anodes), and a plurality of the negative electrodes (cathodes), and an electrolyte fluid that enables electrolysis within the chamber, said chamber divider separating the positive electrodes (anodes) from the negative electrodes (cathodes) but allowing the free flow of electrolyte fluid between and among said electrodes. 
     
     
         17 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary reservoir for storing electrolyte fluid, said auxiliary reservoir being connected with the housing means so as to facilitate and allow the flow of electrolyte fluid from said auxiliary reservoir to the positive electrode (anode) portion of said housing means. 
     
     
         18 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising an auxiliary reservoir for storing electrolyte fluid, said auxiliary reservoir being connected with the housing means so as to facilitate and allow the flow of electrolyte fluid from said auxiliary reservoir to the positive electrode (anode) portion of said housing means. 
     
     
         19 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine, comprising a positive electrode (anode) powered by electric current, a negative electrode (cathode) connected to an electrical ground of the internal combustion engine, a housing forming a chamber containing the positive electrode (anode), the negative electrode (cathode), and an electrolyte fluid that enables electrolysis within said chamber, a chamber divider extending downwardly into said chamber to separate the positive electrode (anode) from the negative electrode (cathode), said divider terminating short of the bottom of the chamber and being perforated below the level of electrolyte fluid to allow the free flow of electrolyte fluid between said electrodes but being impervious to gaseous flow above the level of said electrolyte fluid, a radiator/reservoir for containing electrolyte fluid, a hot electrolyte fluid cooling line connecting the radiator/reservoir with the chamber of the housing, facilitating the flow of electrolyte fluid from the chamber of the housing to the radiator/reservoir, and a cool electrolyte fluid return line connecting the radiator/reservoir with the chamber of the housing, facilitating the flow of electrolyte fluid from the radiator/reservoir to the chamber of the housing, vents for separately venting hydrogen and other gas or gases produced by the electrolysis, and a filler cap facilitating the replenishment of electrolyte fluid. 
     
     
         20 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 19 , comprising a window on or in said housing to detect the level of electrolyte fluid in said chamber. 
     
     
         21 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein oxygen is produced by the electrolysis along with the vented hydrogen. 
     
     
         22 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising a gate to increase, decrease, stop, and start the flow of electrolyte fluid from the chamber of the housing to the radiator/reservoir. 
     
     
         23 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising a recirculating pump for facilitating the flow of electrolyte fluid between said radiator/reservoir and said chamber of the housing. 
     
     
         24 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising a heating element for heating the electrolyte fluid in said radiator/reservoir. 
     
     
         25 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising a heating element for heating the electrolyte fluid. 
     
     
         26 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising a sensor to detect the amount of electrolyte fluid in said radiator/reservoir. 
     
     
         27 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising an auxiliary reservoir for storing electrolyte fluid, said auxiliary reservoir being connected with the housing means so as to facilitate and allow the flow of electrolyte fluid from said auxiliary reservoir to the positive electrode (anode) portion of said housing means. 
     
     
         28 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine, comprising a positive electrode (anode) powered by electric current, a negative electrode (cathode) connected to an electrical ground of the internal combustion engine, a housing forming a chamber containing the positive electrode (anode), the negative electrode (cathode), and an electrolyte fluid that enables electrolysis within said chamber, a chamber divider extending downwardly into said chamber to separate the positive electrode (anode) from the negative electrode (cathode), said divider terminating short of the bottom of the chamber and being perforated below the level of the electrolyte fluid to allow the free flow of electrolyte fluid between said electrodes but being impervious to gaseous flow above the level of said electrolyte fluid, an auxiliary reservoir being connected with the housing so as to facilitate and allow the flow of electrolyte fluid from said auxiliary reservoir means to the positive electrode (anode) portion of said housing, a hot electrolyte fluid cooling line connecting the auxiliary reservoir with the chamber of the housing, facilitating the flow of electrolyte fluid from the chamber of the housing to the auxiliary reservoir, and a cool electrolyte fluid return line connecting the auxiliary reservoir with the chamber of the housing, facilitating the flow of electrolyte fluid from the auxiliary reservoir to the chamber of the housing vents for separately venting hydrogen and other gas or gases produced by the electrolysis, and a filler cap facilitating the replenishment of electrolyte fluid. 
     
     
         29 . A device for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine, said device including a positive electrode (anode), powered by electric current, a negative electrode (cathode) connectable to an electrical ground of the internal combustion engine, a housing forming a chamber containing the positive electrode (anode), the negative electrode (cathode), and an electrolyte fluid that enables electrolysis within said chamber, a chamber divider separating the positive electrode (anode) from the negative electrode (cathode), vents for separately venting hydrogen and other gas or gases produced by the electrolysis, and a filler cap facilitating the replenishment of electrolyte fluid, wherein said positive electrode (anode), negative electrode (cathode), and chamber divider are three concentric cylinders, the innermost and outermost concentric cylinders being the electrodes and the intermediate concentric cylinder being the chamber divider, and wherein the bottom of the intermediate concentric cylinder is spaced from the bottom of the housing forming the chamber and a portion of the intermediate cylinder between the bottom and the level of the electrolyte fluid is perforated to allow the free flow of electrolyte fluid between said electrodes.