Hydrotorch assembly

Abstract

The present invention is a hydrotorch assembly that is configured to use compressed air for extinguishing flame to prevent the burnback and explosion. The hydrotorch assembly includes a hydrogen source and a hydrogen supply line having a first end connected to and in fluid communication with the hydrogen source. A torch having a first gas conduit is also provided. The first gas conduit includes an inlet connected to a second end of the hydrogen supply line, and an outlet connected to and in fluid communication with a nozzle through which exiting gas is ignited to produce a flame that extends outwardly from the nozzle. A compressed air source, and a compressed air supply line having a first end connected to and in fluid communication with the compressed air source, and a second end connected to the first gas conduit of the torch near the inlet and in fluid communication with the first gas conduit and the hydrogen supply line is also provided. A control valve is disposed in the compressed air supply line for controlling the supply of compressed air to the first gas conduit of the torch.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A hydrotorch assembly comprising:
 a hydrogen source;   a hydrogen supply line having a first end connected to and in fluid communication with said hydrogen source;   a torch having a first gas conduit, said first gas conduit having an inlet connected to and in fluid communication with a second end of the hydrogen supply line, and an outlet connected to and in fluid communication with a nozzle through which exiting gas is ignited to produce a flame that extends outwardly from the nozzle;   a compressed air source;   a compressed air supply line having a first end connected to and in fluid communication with said compressed air source, and a second end connected to the first gas conduit near the inlet and in fluid communication with the first gas conduit and the hydrogen supply line; and   a control valve disposed in the compressed air supply line for controlling the supply of compressed air to the first gas conduit of the torch.   
     
     
         2 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen source comprises a hydrogen generator for generating hydrogen gas on demand. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising a power source for providing electrical power to the hydrogen generator, and a rheostat for controlling the rate of hydrogen production. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bubble tank having an inlet port connected to and in fluid communication with the hydrogen source along a first length of the hydrogen supply line and an outlet port connected to and in fluid communication with the torch at a point along a second length of the hydrogen supply line. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the bubble tank is filled with distilled water. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the bubble tank comprises two outlet ports located at a top end of the bubble tank to enable an even flow of hydrogen gas through the bubble tank. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the hydrogen generator further includes an electrolyzer electrically coupled to the power source and having a cathode and an anode disposed within the hydrogen generator, said hydrogen generator being filled with an electrolyte solution. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrolyte solution is a mixture of potassium hydroxide and distilled water. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a valve disposed in the first gas conduit of the torch for controlling the flow of gas supplied to the nozzle. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an oxygen source;   an oxygen supply line having a first end connected to and in fluid communication with said oxygen source, and a second end connected to and in fluid communication with a second gas conduit of the torch, said second gas conduit having an inlet connected to and in fluid communication with the second end of the oxygen supply line and a second end connected to and in fluid communication with the nozzle of the torch; and   a gas control valve disposed in the second gas conduit for controlling the flow of oxygen from the oxygen source to the nozzle.   
     
     
         11 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the control valve comprises a mechanical on-off valve to enable and disable the flow of compressed air to the first gas conduit of the torch. 
     
     
         12 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the compressed air source comprises:
 a compressor to compress air to a desired pressure;   an air reservoir connected to and in fluid communication with the compressor for receiving and storing said compressed air; and   a sensor for measuring and monitoring the pressure inside the air reservoir.   
     
     
         13 . The hydrotorch assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said compressor is electrically coupled to the power source, and a relay is provided for enabling and disabling the supply of power from the power source to the compressor based upon information provided by the sensor.