Multiple electrode stack and structure for the electrolysis of water

Abstract

A cell assembly and a vertically disposed electrode stack within the cell chamber for the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen upon the application of electric current to the electrodes. The cell assembly is arranged to contain an electrode stack immersed in water, the stack consisting of at least two electrodes in the form of or having the shape of quadric surfaces such as cones or cylinders. The electrodes are mounted in close concentric proximity to one another and are positioned by support posts which may also serve as electrical connections and are mounted at the base of the cell chamber and extend upwardly through the base of each electrode. A lip structure to assist in gas dispersement disposed about the upper edge of the upper electrode is also disclosed.

1 . An electrode stack for the electrolysis of water arranged to be vertically disposed within a chamber for containing said water and collecting the gaseous products of said electrolysis, said stack comprising in combination:
 A. a first electrode having a form and shape comprising in substantial part a first selected quadric surface;   B. a second electrode comprising in substantial part a second selected quadric surface of the same form and shape as said first quadric surface, each of said electrodes having an upper and a lower edge;   C. electrical connecting means arranged to connect each of said electrodes to a source of direct electrical current, each of said electrodes connected to an opposite electrical polarity of said current of the other; and   D. electrode mounting means concentrically mounting said second electrode above said first electrode and in such proximity to said first electrode that the bottom edge of said second electrode is positioned below the upper edge of said first electrode, and the upper edge of said second electrode is positioned above the upper edge of said first electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The stack of  claim 1  wherein each of said surfaces is a conical section. 
     
     
         3 . The stack of  claim 1  wherein each of said surfaces is a cylindrical section. 
     
     
         4 . The stack of  claim 2  wherein said second electrode has a lip surrounding and extending outwardly from said upper edge. 
     
     
         5 . The stack of  claim 3  wherein said second electrode has a lip surrounding and extending outwardly from said upper edge. 
     
     
         6 . The stack of  claim 1  further including a base and wherein:
 each of said electrodes has a bottom surface member, each having a pair of spaced apart ports;   said electrode mounting means comprises a pair of posts mounted in spaced apart relationship at said base arranged to pass through said ports; and   said ports are alternately connected to one of said electrode bottom surface members.   
     
     
         7 . The stack of  claim 6  wherein said posts further comprise said electrical connecting means. 
     
     
         8 . The stack of  claim 6  wherein said posts are equal in diameter and one of said ports is approximately equal to the diameter of said posts and the other of said ports is larger than the diameter of said posts. 
     
     
         9 . A cell assembly for the electrolysis of water to be positioned vertically when in use, said assembly comprising in combination:
 A. a chamber for containing said water;   B. means for collecting the gaseous products of said electrolysis from the upper portion of said chamber;   C. An electrode stack disposed within said chamber, said stack consisting of:
 i. a first electrode having a form and shape comprising in substantial part a first selected quadric surface; and 
 ii. a second electrode comprising in substantial part a second selected quadric surface of the same form and shape as said first quadric surface, each of said electrodes having an upper and a lower edge; 
   D. electrical connecting means arranged to connect each of said electrodes to a source of direct electrical current, each of said electrodes connected to an opposite electrical polarity of said current of the other; and   E. electrode mounting means concentrically mounting said second electrode above said first electrode within the lower portion of said chamber and in such proximity to said first electrode that the bottom edge of said second electrode is positioned below the upper edge of said first electrode, and the upper edge of said second electrode is positioned above the upper edge of said first electrode.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein each of said surfaces is a conical section. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein each of said surfaces is a cylindrical section. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein said second electrode has a lip surrounding and extending outwardly from said upper edge. 
     
     
         13 . The stack of  claim 11  wherein said second electrode has a lip surrounding and extending outwardly from said upper edge. 
     
     
         14 . The stack of  claim 9  further including a base and wherein:
 each of said electrodes has a bottom surface member, each having a pair of spaced apart ports;   said electrode mounting means comprises a pair of posts mounted in spaced apart relationship at said base arranged to pass through said ports; and   said ports are alternately connected to one of said electrode bottom surface members.   
     
     
         15 . The stack of  claim 14  wherein said posts further comprise said electrical connecting means. 
     
     
         16 . The stack of  claim 15  wherein said posts are equal in diameter and one of said ports is approximately equal to the diameter of said posts and the other of said ports is larger than the diameter of said posts.