Compact electric appliance for providing gas for combustion

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for improved electrical appliances which allow for efficient and safe production of hydrogen and oxygen gas for a flame are disclosed. An appliance for providing gas for combustion may comprise a water inlet, a power source, and an electrolyzer with at least one electrolysis transistor generating hydrogen and oxygen. The appliance may also comprise a gas handling unit for collecting the output of the electrolyzer and transporting it to a burner, and an output interface.

1 . An appliance for providing gas for combustion, comprising:
 a water inlet;   a power source;   an electrolyzer comprising at least one electrolysis transistor generating hydrogen and oxygen;   a gas handling unit for collecting the output of said electrolyzer and transporting said output to a burner; and   an output interface.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one electrolysis transistor further comprises:
 a neutral electrolyte;   one or more working electrodes for transferring charge to or from said electrolyte; and   one or more gate structures for reducing the voltage necessary for electrolysis.   
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more working electrodes comprises a cathode and/or an anode. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said electrolyzer comprises an array of cells of electrolysis transistors. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the architecture of said at least one electrolysis transistor is used to operate at very high current density (>2 A/cm 2 , >4 A/cm 2 , >6 A/cm 2 ) simultaneously with high efficiency (>6 A/cm 2  and >50%, >4 A/cm 2  and >60%, >2 A/cm 2  and >70%). 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein commingled hydrogen and oxygen are generated. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a water purification mechanism for filtering and de-ionizing the water entering the appliance. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said water inlet comprises a control valve for controlling the rate of water flow through said inlet. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a water reservoir for storage and increasing the water capacity of the appliance. 
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein said reservoir comprises a water purification mechanism for filtering and de-ionizing the water in said reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said power source may comprise AC (mains), an integrated AC-DC supply, a battery, a fuel cell, solar power, or various combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein at least one water conduit supplies water to each of the at least one electrolysis transistors. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said output interface has at least one sub-unit comprising a gas detector and indicator, an output gas flow monitor, an additive to give visibility to flame, gas storage, a knob-controlled burner, an easy auto-shutoff control, a display, and/or a user interface. 
     
     
         14 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a flame and/or gas outlet. 
     
     
         15 . A system for providing gas for combustion, comprising:
 a water supply;   a power source;   an electrolyzer comprising an array of electrolysis transistors for generating hydrogen and oxygen;   a gas handling unit for collecting the output of said electrolysis transistors; and   a flame and/or gas outlet.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein on-demand generation of hydrogen and/or stoichiometric hydrogen-oxygen mixtures are incorporated to increase device safety. 
     
     
         17 . A method for providing gas for combustion, comprising:
 providing a water source;   providing a power source to activate an appliance;   providing an electrolyzer comprising at least one electrolysis transistor generating hydrogen and oxygen;   providing a unit for collecting the gas output of said electrolyzer; and   providing an output interface through which gas and/or a flame may exit an appliance.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said electrolyzer comprises an array of cells of electrolysis transistors. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing a powered, passive, or manual air compressor for pressurizing said water to allow said appliance to operate at adequate pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing a pressure valve to ensure gasses exit said appliance when pressure is high enough. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a small dead volume above said electrolyzer so only a safety valve will be actuated in the event of a flashback. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing a flashback arrestor to prevent flame from entering said electrolysis cells. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing a mix control module to dilute said gas output to reduce UV emission and NO x  formation. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a nozzle array or a single nozzle for ensuring gas velocities remain higher than flame velocity. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing an automatic spark igniter to light the flammable mixture of said gas when it is first ejected. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing an impurity additive to said gas output to impart color to said flame. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing a control module for executing a failsafe algorithm to turn off the system in case said gas is not ignited or there is a flashback. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing a cell flush using air to remove any excess explosive gas mixture from said appliance before appliance is turned off.