Hydrogen generation and control for internal-combustion vehicle

Abstract

A method of safely generating hydrogen gas for use in motor vehicles to increase the performance and decrease the emissions of the internal-combustion engine of the motor vehicle, and of controlling the safe generation and use of hydrogen gas in motor vehicles, using a hydrogen generator having close-spaced metal electrolysis plates in the generator housing, configured to inject hydrogen into the intake manifold or alternatively into the combustion chamber, and a control system monitoring and controlling gas level, liquid levels, temperature, pressure, flow rate, electric current, and tachometer, with monitoring and overriding control from the cab of the vehicle.

1 . A method for safely generating hydrogen gas for use in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle for increasing the efficiency of the engine and decreasing emissions from the engine, comprising:
 (i) providing a hydrogen generator, comprising:
 (a) a generator housing having a cover section securely joined through joining structures allowing for disassembly and re-assembly, and defining an inner chamber adapted to contain a water and electrolyte solution in a lower portion and accumulated hydrogen gas in an upper portion of said inner chamber; 
 (b) an electrolytic plate assembly having close-spaced metal electrolysis plates contained within said lower portion of said generator housing, and having an anode rod and a cathode rod both adapted to protrude through said generator housing to provide points of electrical contact with said electrolytic plate assembly; 
 where said electrolytic plate assembly is covered with water and at least one electrolyte, electric current is applied across said anode rod and said cathode rod, and resulting generated hydrogen gas accumulates in said upper portion of said generator housing and is discharged through said gas outlet for injection into the internal combustion engine; 
 (c) a gas outlet in said upper portion of said generator housing adapted to release generated hydrogen gas for injection into the internal combustion engine; and 
 (d) a water reservoir, adapted to hold water and supply said water to said hydrogen generator through a water line, said water line operatively connected to said generator housing, where said water reservoir is separate from said engine of the hydrogen generator apparatus to allow for said water to access said generator housing at all times; 
   (ii) mounting said hydrogen generator in the engine compartment of the vehicle;   (iii) providing water and electrolyte for said hydrogen generator;   (iv) providing electric current to across said anode rod and cathode rod of said hydrogen generator; and   (v) injecting resulting generated hydrogen gas into the engine of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where said hydrogen generator further comprises at least one mounting bracket attached to said generator housing, adapted to provide for mounting within the engine compartment of the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where said generator housing further comprises a housing made of non-conductive material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where said joining structures further comprise bolts and nuts. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , where said anode rod and cathode rod protrude through said generator housing. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where said electrolytic plate assembly is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where said electrolytic plate assembly further comprises electrical-contact members. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , where said electrolytic plate assembly further comprises interleaved plates. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , where the distance between the plates in said electrolysis plate assembly is within a range of 10-50 mm, inclusive. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , where normal pressure of generated hydrogen gas within said upper portion of said inner chamber is in the range 100-200 p.s.i. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , where normal consumption of water is in the range 8-9 cups per 10 hours of normal operation. 
     
     
         12 .- 20 . (canceled)