Hydrogen-from-water on-demand supplemental vehicle fuel electrolyzer system

Abstract

A simple electrolyzer system, that can be easily installed in most motor vehicles, including boats, generates a gaseous mixture including hydrogen as auxiliary motive fuel to provide increased performance and mileage. The electrolyzer system is powered electrically from the vehicle battery and consumes only water. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of similar electrolyzer cells, mounted in the engine compartment of the vehicle, generate a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and oxygen that is delivered independently to corresponding input ports at two strategically selected domains in the vehicle's air intake system: one at the intake manifold and the other at the main air intake duct leading to the intake manifold. A check-valve disconnect coupling in each gas delivery hose serves as a flash-back arrester for safety, and facilitates maintenance.

1 . An auxiliary motive energy fuel source for a vehicle equipped with a storage battery and an internal combustion engine including an air intake manifold having an air intake duct, comprising:
 an electrolyzer system, including a plurality of electrodes immersed in liquid electrolyte, receiving electric current from the vehicle battery, and generating a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and oxygen;   a first delivery conduit system made and arranged to conduct a first portion of the gaseous mixture to a region in the air intake manifold; and   a second delivery conduit system made and arranged to conduct a second portion of the gaseous mixture to a region in the air intake duct.   
   
   
       2 . The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in  claim 1  wherein said electrolyzer system comprises:
 a first electrolyzer cell;   a second electrolyzer cell, like said first electrolyzer cell;   said first delivery conduit system made and arranged to receive the first portion of the gaseous mixture from said first electrolyzer cell independent of said second electrolyzer cell; and   said second delivery conduit system being made and arranged to receive the second portion of the gaseous mixture from said second electrolyzer cell independent of said first electrolyzer cell.   
   
   
       3 . The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in  claim 1  wherein said electrolyzer system comprises:
 a first electrolyzer cell;   a second electrolyzer cell, like said first electrolyzer cell; and   said first and second electrolyzer cells being interconnected in fluid communication with each other so as to co-operate in a manner to function equivalent to a single electrolyzer generating the first and second portions of the gaseous mixture.   
   
   
       4 . The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in  claim 1  wherein said electrolyzer system comprises:
 a single electrolyzer cell configured with said first and second delivery conduit systems originating in a common plenum region of said cell.   
   
   
       5 . The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in  claim 1  wherein said electrolyzer system includes at least one electrolyzer cell comprising:
 a non-conductive corrosion-resistant container;   a quantity of aqueous electrolytic liquid deployed in said container;   a quantity of catalytic component, dissolved in said aqueous electrolytic liquids, of composition selected to increase electrical conductivity of said aqueous electrolytic liquid;   a pair of electrodes immersed in said aqueous electrolyte, connected by a pair of terminals to receive electrical current from the vehicle battery, and   a plenum region above said aqueous electrolytic liquid made and arranged to contain foam and bubbles of generated gas.   
   
   
       6 . The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in  claim 5  wherein:
 said container is made from glass;   said aqueous electrolytic liquid is water; and   said catalytic component is sodium bicarbonate.   
   
   
       7 . The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in  claim 4  wherein each of said electrodes is configured as a helix formed from a plurality of strands of stainless steel wire twisted together in a rope/cable form, the two helixes being interlaced together and supported on an insulating form made and arranged to prevent electrical contact therebetween. 
   
   
       8 . The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in  claim 1  further comprising in each of said first and second delivery conduit systems, and located within a designated distance from a corresponding electrolyzer cell, a disconnect coupling fitted with a one-way check valve that acts as a flash-back arrester safety feature that prevents possibility of flames entering the electrolyzer cells in the event of engine backfiring. 
   
   
       9 . The auxiliary motive energy fuel source as defined in  claim 8  wherein the designated distance is six inches.