Hydrogen generator

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen generator with electrode and insulator configurations for providing hydrogen for fuel and reduced energy purposes.

1 . An electrode group comprising:
 a first electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode, a first conductor in communication between the second electrode and third electrode, a first insulator positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode, and the first electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the second electrode;   a second electrode assembly comprising a fourth electrode, a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode, a second conductor in communication between the fourth electrode and the fifth electrode, a second insulator positioned between the fourth electrode and the fifth electrode, and the fifth electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the sixth electrode; and   the third electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the fourth electrode.   
   
   
       2 . The electrode group of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second insulators are electrical insulators; and the first conductor is in electrical communication and second conductor is in electrical communication. 
   
   
       3 . The electrode group of  claim 1 , comprising a series of alternating electrode assemblies arranged so that an anode is adjacent to a cathode. 
   
   
       4 . The electrode group of  claim 3 , comprising an even number of electrode assemblies. 
   
   
       5 . The electrode group of  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode and third electrode are substantially parallel; and adjacent electrodes are substantially parallel. 
   
   
       6 . The electrode group of  claim 1 , wherein at least two electrode assemblies are disposed diagonally to each other. 
   
   
       7 . The electrode group of  claim 1 , wherein the third electrode is positioned spaced from and adjacent to the fourth electrode in the range of from about 0.2 mm to about 4 mm. 
   
   
       8 . The electrode group of  claim 3 , wherein the electrodes consist essentially of stainless steel, precious metal, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The electrode group of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second insulators are at least about 90% of the area relative to an adjacent electrode area. 
   
   
       10 . The electrode group of  claim 2 , wherein the electrical insulators consist essentially of polymer, polymer composite, glass, ceramic, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       11 . A hydrogen generator comprising a power supply, the power supply comprising at least a first terminal in electrical communication with an anode and second terminal in communication with a cathode. 
   
   
       12 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 11 , wherein the power supply is a high output alternator. 
   
   
       13 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 11 , wherein the power supply:
 (i) is controlled to switch polarity of the first and second terminals;   (ii) supplies voltages in the range of 13-14 v;   (iii) produces in the range of about 0.1 watts/in 2  to about 7 watts/in 2 ; and   (iv) produces direct current in the range of about 30 amps to about 55 amps.   
   
   
       14 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 11 , further comprising a series of electrode means for electrolyzing fluid. 
   
   
       15 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 11 , further comprising insulating means for insulating adjacent electrodes. 
   
   
       16 . A method of generating hydrogen comprising:
 providing an electrode assembly comprising:
 a first electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode, a first conductor in communication between the second electrode and third electrode, a first insulator positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode, and the first electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the second electrode; 
 a second electrode assembly comprising a fourth electrode, a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode, a second conductor in communication between the fourth electrode and the fifth electrode, a second insulator positioned between the fourth electrode and the fifth electrode, and the fifth electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the sixth electrode; and 
 the third electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the fourth electrode; and 
   conducting current at least through the first electrode; then   conducting current through a fluid electrolyte; then   generating a gas from electrolysis of the fluid electrolyte; then   conducting current through the second electrode; then   conducting current through the first conductor around the first insulator; then   conducting current through the third electrode; then   conducting current through the fluid electrolyte; then   generating a gas from electrolysis of the fluid electrolyte; then   conducting current through the fourth electrode; then   conducting current through the second conductor around the second insulator; then   conducting current through the fifth electrode; then   conducting current through the fluid electrolyte; then   generating a gas from electrolysis of the fluid electrolyte; and   conducting current through the sixth electrode.   
   
   
       17 . A vehicle comprising an engine, the engine in fluid communication with a hydrogen generator containing an electrode group comprising:
 a first electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode, a first conductor in communication between the second electrode and third electrode, a first insulator positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode, and the first electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the second electrode;   a second electrode assembly comprising a fourth electrode, a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode, a second conductor in communication between the fourth electrode and the fifth electrode, a second insulator positioned between the fourth electrode and the fifth electrode, and the fifth electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the sixth electrode; and   the third electrode positioned spaced from and adjacent to the fourth electrode.   
   
   
       18 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , comprising at least two (2) wheels. 
   
   
       19 . The vehicle of  claim 18 , comprising at least eighteen (18) wheels. 
   
   
       20 . The vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the engine is a diesel fuel engine. 
   
   
       21 . The vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the engine is a hybrid fuel engine. 
   
   
       22 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the vehicle is a ship having a diesel engine.