Ring-reflector hydrogen generation system

Abstract

A hydrogen generation system comprises a signal generation system configured to generate a driver signal, wherein the driver signal is a pulsed DC signal; a signal processing system configured to process the driver signal and generate a chamber excitation signal; and a hydrogen generation chamber configured to receive the chamber excitation signal and generate hydrogen from a feedstock contained within the hydrogen generation chamber. The hydrogen generation chamber comprises at least one ring reflector configured to contain the feedstock and at least one emitter positioned within the at least one ring reflector. The signal processing system comprises a controllable reactive circuit comprising a positive reactive circuit coupled to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber, a negative reactive circuit coupled to the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber and a feedback circuit that is configured to couple the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A hydrogen generation system comprising:
 a signal generation system configured to generate a driver signal, wherein the driver signal is a pulsed DC signal;   a signal processing system configured to process the driver signal and generate a chamber excitation signal; and   a hydrogen generation chamber configured to receive the chamber excitation signal and generate hydrogen from a feedstock contained within the hydrogen generation chamber,   wherein the hydrogen generation chamber comprises:
 at least one ring reflector configured to contain the feedstock, and 
 at least one emitter positioned within the at least one ring reflector; 
   wherein the signal processing system comprises:
 a controllable reactive circuit comprising a positive reactive circuit coupled to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber, a negative reactive circuit coupled to the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber, and a feedback circuit that is configured to couple the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the signal generation system comprises:
 a pulsed DC source configured to generate a pulsed DC source signal, 
 a mono-directional blocking circuit configured to receive the pulsed DC source signal and generate the driver signal, and 
 a filter circuit configured to filter the driver signal and remove AC components. 
 
     
     
         3 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the positive reactive circuit comprises an inductive component and a capacitive component. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 3  wherein the inductive component is in parallel with the capacitive component. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the negative reactive circuit comprises an inductive component and a capacitive component. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 5  wherein the inductive component is in parallel with the capacitive component. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the feedback circuit comprises a capacitive component. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 7  wherein the capacitive component comprises two discrete capacitors. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 8  wherein a first of the discrete capacitors is coupled to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 8  wherein a second of the discrete capacitors is coupled to the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the feedback circuit comprises an asymmetrically conductive component. 
     
     
         12 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 11  wherein the asymmetrically conductive component is positioned between the two discrete capacitors. 
     
     
         13 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one ring reflector comprises graphite. 
     
     
         14 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one ring reflector surrounds a plurality of emitters. 
     
     
         15 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one ring reflector is coupled to the positive reactive circuit. 
     
     
         16 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the positive reactive circuit is configured as a band-stop filter. 
     
     
         17 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1  wherein the negative reactive circuit is configured as a band-stop filter.