Hydrogen fuel assist device for an internal combustion engine and related methods

Abstract

A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine comprises a water reservoir and a fuel cell formed from a plurality of fuel cell stacks in fluid communication with the water reservoir. Each fuel cell stack includes at least one gasket disposed between two components of the fuel cell stack, the gasket including: a through hole formed therein for passage of hydrogen or oxygen through the gasket; and a plurality of channels formed in the gasket adjacent the through hole, each of the plurality of channels extending from an edge of the through hole to an edge of the gasket, the channels being sized and shaped to allow passage of hydrogen or oxygen to or from the through hole to or from the edge of the gasket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a water reservoir;   a fuel cell formed from a plurality of fuel cell stacks in fluid communication with the water reservoir, each fuel cell stack having at least one cathode, at least one anode and a proton exchange membrane for separating water from the water reservoir into hydrogen and oxygen when an electrical current is applied across the at least one cathode and at least one anode;   each fuel cell stack including at least one gasket disposed between two components of the fuel cell stack, the gasket including:
 a through hole formed therein for passage of hydrogen or oxygen through the gasket; and 
 a plurality of channels formed in the gasket adjacent the through hole, each of the plurality of channels extending from an edge of the through hole to an edge of the gasket, the channels being sized and shaped to allow passage of hydrogen or oxygen to or from the through hole to or from the edge of the gasket. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket includes at least one raised portion attached to or formed thereon, the raised portions operable to create a seal with an adjacent gasket. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one raised portion comprises an elongate bead formed across the gasket, the elongate bead having a substantially rounded cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a supplemental raised portion, formed atop the at least one raised portion, the supplemental raised portion having a substantially rounded cross section that is smaller in width than is the rounded cross section of the at least one raised portion. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one raised portion and the supplemental raised portion are substantially collinear. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels define an array of channels arranged in a triangular pattern, with an apex of the triangle terminating at the through hole. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket includes an outer perimeter and an inner through space, and wherein each of the plurality of channels extends from a through hole formed in the outer perimeter to the through space defined within the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each fuel cell stack further includes:
 a first and second stack of screens;   a proton exchange member disposed between the first and second stack of screens and having a first side and second side;   a first gasket disposed between the first stack of screens and the first side of the proton exchange member; and   a second gasket disposed between the second stack of screens and the second side of the proton exchange member.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a separator, in fluid communication with the fuel cell stacks, the separator being operable to separate a mixture of gas and liquid into gas and liquid components, the separator including an outer housing within which a float is suspended, the float operable to allow a sufficient amount of the gas and liquid mixture to be maintained in the outer housing to allow gas to separate from the gas and liquid mixture and exit the outer housing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the float includes an upper post and a lower post, each post being held within a post guide to restrict movement of the float laterally while allowing movement of the float upwardly and downwardly. 
     
     
         11 . A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a water reservoir;   a fuel cell formed from a plurality of fuel cell stacks in fluid communication with the water reservoir, each fuel cell stack having at least one cathode, at least one anode and a proton exchange membrane for separating water from the water reservoir into hydrogen and oxygen when an electrical current is applied across the at least one cathode and at least one anode; and   at least one separator, in fluid communication with the fuel cell stacks, the separator being operable to separate a mixture of gas and liquid into gas and liquid components, the separator comprising:   an outer housing with a float suspended therein;   an inlet, operable to introduce the gas and liquid mixture into the outer housing;   a gas outlet, operable to allow gas to exit the outer housing; and   a liquid outlet, operable to allow liquid to exit the outer housing;   the separator being operable to maintain a sufficient level of the gas and liquid mixture within the outer housing to allow gas to separate from the gas and liquid mixture and exit from the outer housing.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the float includes an upper post and a lower post, each post being held within a post guide to restrict movement of the float laterally while allowing movement of the float upwardly and downwardly. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a liquid barrier disposed within the outer housing, the liquid barrier operable to allow gas to exit upwardly past the liquid barrier while restricting liquid from passing the liquid barrier. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one opening defined in or adjacent the liquid barrier, the at least one opening allowing the passage of material from the float section beneath the liquid barrier to the area above the liquid barrier. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the opening is a gap formed between an outer diameter of the liquid barrier and an inner diameter of the outer housing, the gap allowing gas to pass beyond the liquid barrier but restricting liquid from passing beyond the liquid barrier. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the gas outlet is positioned above the liquid barrier in a location vertically offset from the opening formed in or adjacent the liquid barrier. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a seat, coupled to or forming a part of the lower post, the seat being operable to prevent liquid from exiting the outer housing unless a sufficient amount of liquid is present within the outer housing. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the seat is affixed to the float to be thereby moveable with the float to allow liquid to flow from the outer housing when a sufficient level of liquid is present within the outer housing. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each fuel cell stack includes at least one gasket disposed between two components of the fuel cell stack, the gasket including:
 a through hole formed therein for passage of hydrogen or oxygen through the gasket; and   a plurality of channels formed in the gasket adjacent the through hole, each of the plurality of channels extending from an edge of the through hole to an edge of the gasket, the channels being sized and shaped to allow passage of hydrogen or oxygen to or from the through hole to or from the edge of the gasket.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of channels define an array of channels arranged in a triangular pattern, with an apex of the triangle terminating at the through hole.