CA2143482A1

CA2143482A1 - Method of electrolyzing water and apparatus thereof

Info

Publication number: CA2143482A1
Application number: CA002143482A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Yoshihiko Takeshita
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-02-27
Filing date: 1995-02-27
Publication date: 1996-08-28

Abstract

A method of and an apparatus for electrolyzing water are disclosed wherein the remarkable reduction in the amount of current required for the water electrolytic process can be achieved by causing at least one of the hydrogen molecule, oxygen molecule and water molecule contained in the water to produce resonance with its own natural vibrations. The method includes enabling at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the water to produce resonance with its natural vibrations or with the vibrations having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of its natural vibrations, and conducting current through the water. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell (1) containing water (2), electrodes (3, 4) immersed in the water and mounted for movement up and down, and ultrasonic wave generator means for supplying the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule or the vibrations having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least the one, and enabling that at least the one molecule to produce resonance.

Description

2~ 43482 DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Method of electrolyzing water and apparatus thereof Technical Field The present invention relates generally to water electrolysis, and more particularly to a method that consists of using ultrasonic waves that produce the number of vibrations equal to the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, or the number of vibrations equal to that of the frequencies having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule, applying the produced number of vibrations to at least the one element's molecule for causing it to resonate with the number of natural vibrations, and conducting electric current through the water.
Alternatively, the present invention relates to another water electrolytic method that consists of using ultrasonic waves that produce the number of vibrations equal to the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, or the number of vibrations equal to that of the frequencies 2 1 434~2 having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule, applying the produced number of vibrations to at least the one element's molecule for causing it to resonate with the number of natural vibrations, magnetizing the electrodes, and conducting electric current through the water.
Furthermore, the present invention provides an apparatus for electrolyzing water that implements the methods of the present invention.

Background Art The water electrolysis technology is well known, and a number of improvements have been proposed.
(1) There is an energy generator that utilizes the water electrolysis in which water is elctrolyzed for producing hydrogen and oxygen which are admixed with fuel. This energy generator may be mounted on an automotive vehicle, and attempts to improve the efficiency of the water electrolysis by separating the hydrogen bubbles of the electrodes by taking advantage of the vibrations produced by the vehicle (Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No. Heisei 4 (1992)-8853).
(2) The chemical change may be promoted by keeping the electrolytic cell at the higher temperatures (such as above 80 C) (Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No. Heisei 4 (1992)-9485).

(3) An improvement for enhancing the efficiency by a factor of several percents (%) by developing the magnetic field between the electrodes during the water electrolyzing process (Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No. Heisei 1 (1989)-275788).

(4) An improvement for improving the current efficiency by conducting current while the electrodes immersed in the alkali chloride solution are placed under the applied magnetic field (Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No.
Showa 64 (1989)-290). Specifically, it is described that the cost may be reduced by enhancing the current efficiency to 92.5%.

(5) Furthermore, there is a method for processing water electrolytically, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Heisei 3 (1991)-68790. Specifically, the method consists essentially of storing hydrogen in a hydrogen storage by adsorption, using the hydrogen storage as cathode, electrolyzing an electrolytic liquid so that hydrogen can be dissolved and separated, thereby storing the separated hydrogen or its isotope in the hydrogen storage, and eliminating any gases that may adhere to at least the surface of the cathode. An apparatus is also disclosed that implements the method.

(6) Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. Showa 54 (1979)-7628 discloses a method of exciting molecules in a fluid, which proposes to improve the electrolytic processing efficiency. Specifically, the method includes using an electromagnet that develops a non-constant magnetic field that synchronizes with the natural vibrations of a particular matter molecule in a fluid, and disposing the electromagnet so that it can produce its magnetic lines of force perpendicularly to the flow of the fluid, thereby 10 exciting the particular matter molecules.

(7) A method of and an apparatus for producing a fuel gas are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
Hisei 3 ~1991)-50004 which corresponds to International application PCT/US89/02622. According to the method and apparatus, water is exposed to an electric charge in the pulsating monopolar electric field, a pulse is generated from the pulsating monopolar electric field, having the frequency that enables resonance to be excited in the water molecules, the pulse frequency is applied to the water 20 molecules, thereby unstabilizing the electric covalent bond between the hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms in the water molecules, and the hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms are freed from the water molecules to form an element gas by allowing the force of the electric field applied to the water molecules to exceed the bonding force of the water molecules.

-(8) A water electrolyzing method is disclosed, which includes adding an additive to the electrolytic liquid that reduces the surface tension of the electrolytic liquid, thereby electrolyzing the water. This method is described in Japanese Examined Patent Publication NO. Showa 26 (1951)-7113.
According to the first-mentioned invention, listed in the item (1) above, wherein the hydrogen bubbles are separated under the vibrations of the vehicle, some improvement in the efficiency is noticed, but it is difficult or impossible to reduce the amount of current required for the water electrolysis. This is primarily intended to produce clean energy, but not to enhance the efficiency of the water electrolysis. Thus, it is quite different from the disclosure in the present invention, in respect of the concepts and objects of the two inventions as well as the problems addressed by the two inventions.
Similarly, the second-mentioned invention, listed in the item (2) above, wherein the electrolytic tank is maintained at the higher temperatures has the objects that are obviously different from those of the present invention, and therefore addresses the problems that are different from those addressed by the present invention. Thus, means for solving the problems is completely different. The result that can be achieved by the present invention cannot be achieved.

According to the third-mentioned invention, listed in the item (3) above, wherein the electrodes are placed in the applied magnetic field, some improvement in the efficiency (such as by a factor of several percents) may be noticed, but the equivalent effect of the present invention cannot be achieved.
According to the fourth-mentioned invention, listed in the item (4) above, wherein the alkali chloride solution or heavy alkali solution is used, some improvement (such as by less lO~) may be noticed, but it is not satisfactory.
The method and apparatus, listed in the item (5) above, in which the water electrolytic process occurs by removing any gases attached to the surface of the cathode when the hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage by adsorbing it are primarily intended to prevent any gases from adhering to the cathode by adjusting the surface roughness of the cathode and by controlling the applied driving power (rotations and/or vibrations). It is clear that the object, construction, operation and functional effect of the prior art are different from those of the present invention.
According to the method, listed in the item (6) above, that is proposed to enhance the electrolytic processing efficiency by providing the electromagnet that produces the non-constant magnetic field in sychronism with the natural vibrations of the particular matter molecules in the fluid, and enabling the electromagnet to produce its magnetic lines 2 1 434~2 of force perpendicularly to the flow of the fluid, thereby exciting the particular matter molecules, it is possible that the electrolytic processing efficiency may be improved as described above, but it is in fact is limited. The performance level that may be achieved by the prior art method is still below that which can be achieved by the present invention. This is because the different matter molecules in the fluid has the respective natural vibrations which are approximate to each other, and each different molecule cannot resonate properly when it is placed across the developed magnetic field.
According to the method and apparatus, listed in the item (7) above, in which a fuel gas is produced, the pulse frequency that excites the resonance in the water molecules by applying the pulsating monopolar electric field is generated. Like the item (6~, each different matter molecule in the fluid has the respective natural vibrations which are approximate to each other, and each different molecule cannot resonate properly with the pulse frequency generated by applying the pulsating monopolar electric field. When a pulse is applied to cause the water molecule and other element molecules to vibrate, it is difficult to provide a pulse having a frequency that coincides correctly with the number of each respective vibration of each different matter molecule such as water molecule. Thus, this may cause the interference effect between those - 21434~2 different element molecules, ~k;ng it more difficult to achieve the resonance. Furthermore, the efficiency with which the resonance can be obtained by applying the pulse frequency is not sufficient enough to unstabilize the electric covalent bond between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the water molecule. Thus, the performance level that may be achieved by the prior art method is still below which can be achieved by the present invention.
The water electrolyzing method, listed in the item (8) above, which adds the additive to the electrolytic liquid for reducing its surface tension cannot provide the satisfactory electrolytic processing performance, as is the case with the method (4) using the alkali aqueous solution.

Disclosure of Invention The present invention is based upon the fact that oxygen molecules, hydrogen molecules and water molecules contained in water have the respective natural vibrations.
In accordance with the present invention, water can be electrolyzed with the extremely high efficiency that could not be achieved by any of the prior art inventions described above. To achieve such high efficiency, the present invention allows water to be electrolyzed by causing at leaset one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule to produce resonance with its natural vibrations by using ultrasonic waves.
For example, it is observed that the hydrogen molecule may produce resonance when the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of 2,250/cm which is observed when a hydrogen molecule is generated or the number of vibrations equal to that of the frequencies having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of 4.4 x 10-4 cm which is observed when a hydrogen molecule is generated is applied. This promotes the separation of the hydrogen molecules from the oxygen molecules and water molecules.
It may be understood that the each respective vibrations equal to the specific natural vibrations of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule or water molecule or the each respective vibrations having the wavelength equal to a multiple of that of the respective natural vibrations of said molecules may be applied concurrently to each respective molecules so that the oxygen molecules, hydrogen molecule or water molecules can produce resonance concurrently.
At least the one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule can produce resonance easily either by applying the vibration having the number of vibrations equal to that of the national vibrations of each selected one or by applying the vibration having the 2~43482 wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the national vibrations of each selected one.
Especially, when the vibration having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the national vibrations of each selected one is applied, it may be easily adjusted to the specific condition under which the each selected one can produce resonance as well as it may cause the resonance of the each selected one. Because in this case, the specific condition can be obtained by selecting any suitable multiple of the wavelength of the national vibrations of each selected one.
The water molecule and other element molecules have the respective natural vibrations which have a short wavelength.
In order to permit those molecules to resonate, it is necessary to provide the proper number of vibrations or frequencies that can meet the requirements for exciting the resonance. If there is any slight difference between the actual number of vibrations or frequencies and the target number of vibrations or frequencies, it would cause the interference effect that makes the resonance more difficult.
The proper number of vibrations or frequencies may be provided by using ultrasonic waves.
According to the present invention, the higher electrolytic processing efficiency can be achieved.
It is ascertained that the quantity of hydrogen that can be generated by electrolyzing water at the power of 144 21 434~2 watts as it is known to the prior art is substantially equal to the quantity of hydrogen that can be generated by electrolyzing water at the power of 36 watts to 48 watts according to the present invention. This shows that, according to the present invention, the power consumption can be reduced to one third (1/3) or one fourth (1/4) that for the prior art, although there are some variations in the efficiency that may be achieved, depending upon the particular conditions under which the water electrolytic process occurs.
The present invention addresses the problems described above, by providing the water electrolytic method that consists of using ultrasonic waves that produce the number of vibrations equal to the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, or the number of vibrations equal to that of the frequencies having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule, applying the produced number of vibrations to at least the one element's molecule for causing it to resonate with the number of natural vibrations, and conducting electric current through the water.
Alternatively, the present invention addresses the above problems by providing another water electrolytic method that consists of using ultrasonic waves that produce the number 2t43482 of vibrations equal to the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, or the number of vibrations equal to that of the frequencies`having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule, applying the produced number of vibrations to at least the one element's molecule for causing it to resonate with the number of natural vibrations, magnetizing the electrodes, and conducting electric current through the water. In either of the methods, different ultrasonic waves having different number of vibrations or different ultrasonic waves having different numbers of frequencies may be provided concurrently so that more than one element's molecule, such as oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the water, can resonate concurrently.
The electrolytic liquid may include a water or a weak alkali solution cont~;n;ng caustic alkali, quaternary ammonium hydroxide, caustic alkali salt, or quaternary ammonium hydroxide salt. The quaternary ammonium hydroxide or salt of it should preferably include tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide or salt of it that presents less surface tension.
The present invention also provides the apparatus for processing water electrolytically which includes a pair of electrodes immersed in the water in a water tank and capable of movement up and down, and ultrasonic wave generator means for providing the number of vibrations equal to the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hyrdogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, or the number of vibrations equal to tha~t of the frequencies having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule, and applying the produced number of vibrations or frequencies to at least the one element's molecule for causing it to resonate with those vibrations or frequencies. Alternatively, the present invention provides another apparatus for processing water electrolytically which includes a pair of electrodes immersed in the water in a water tank and capable of movement up and down, ultrasonic wave generator means for providing the number of vibrations equal to the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hyrdogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, or the number of vibrations equal to that of the frequencies having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule, applying the produced number of vibrations to at least the one ~lement's molecule, and applying it to at least that one element's molecule for causing it to resonate with those vibrations or frequenc-ies, and means that includes an electromagnet for magnetizing the pair of electrodes alternately, or means that includes a permanent magnet and an electromagnet that develops its alternating magnetic field onto the magnetic field of the permanent magnet for magnetizing the pair of electrodes alternately. In either case, the apparatus may include one or more ultrasonic wave generators, or may include a single ultrasonic wave generator that is capable of providing ultrasonic waves of different frequencies simultaneously. In addition to the ultrasonic waves for causing vibrations, each different element's molecule contained in the water may vibrate with its natural vibrations by placing the electrode plates under the action of the alternating magnetic field.
During the water eletrolytic process, power supply may be delivered from sources such as a DC battery (lead battery~ mounted on an automotive vehicle, an AC transformer or rectifier that provides DC current, a solar cell, and a fuel cell. Those power supply sources may be used solely or in any combination.
Switching electrolytic input current and electromagnet input current on and off may be implemented by an input current switching circuit that is activated by rotors and brushes contacting each other for connecting to or disconnecting from any appropriate power supply source, or a pulse generator that provides a control pulse to any power supply source through transistors, multivibrators, or by charging or discharging a capacitor.

Switching input current on and off by the rotor and brush combination may be performed at 100 to 2,000 cycles per second by using a distributor having two (2) to twenty (20) electrodes.
According to the present invention, the bondage of the molecules of the different elements contained in the water can be weakened by subjecting at least one of the hydrogen molecule, oxygen molecule and water molecule to the number of vibrations equal to that of its natural vibrations or the vibrations equal to that of the frequencies having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of its natural vibrations by using ultrasonic waves, thereby causing at least one of molecules to produce resonance with those vibrations. Thereby the higher electrolytic processing efficiency can be achieved.
The oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water have their respective natural vibrations that are approximate to each other.
According to any of the prior art inventions, it was difficult to cause those different elements' molecules to vibrate with their respective natural vibrations by applying the particular pulse frequency to them or when they were placed under the action of the magnetic field. The present invention has solved this problem by permitting the different elements' molecules to vibrate with their natural vibrations exactly by applying the ultrasonic waves to them.

It is noted that the ultrasonic waves are impact sonic waves that may force an impact upon the bond between those different element molecules in the water. In this way, this bond can be weakened more powerfully than when the pulse frequency or magnetic field is applied for causing the resonance in each different element molecule in the water.
Thus, the electrolytic processing efficiency can be enhanced drastically.
As described, the present invention addresses the prior art problems by providing the number of vibrations equal to that of the frequencies having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule, and applying the produced number of vibrations to at least that one element's molecule for causing it to resonate with the number of those vibrations or frequencies. Thus, each different element's molecule can be vibrated more easily, and the specific conditions under which each of those different element molecules are vibrated may be specified easily by selecting the appropriate multiple wavelength frequencies. Thus, the present invention provides an effective means for processing the water electrolytically.
The ultrasonic waves for causing vibrations may be used at 5,000 to 175,000 cycles per second.

2 1 434~2 When the weak caustic alkali solution is used as the electrolytic liquid, and the electrodes are magnetized, which cooperate with the resonant vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule caused and produced by ultrasonic waves, the further improved electrolytic processing efficiency may be obtained.
The electrodes may be magnetized by using the permanent magnet or electromagnet, or both. When the electromagnet is used, the alternating magnetic field may be developed by switching the input current to the electromagnets on and off, producing vibrations. Alternatively, this alternating magnetic field may be developed by switching the input current to the identical polarities tN or S) of the electromagnets on and off.
The permanent magnet that can be used for the purposes of the present invention may include a magnet made of an alloy composed of alunico or iron and chrome cobalt, a magnet made of elements in the ferrite group or the elements in the rare earth group such as samarium and neodymium, and the like that produces above 5,000 to 12,500 Gaus.
Preferably, magnets made of any rare earth element that has been sintered, or a bonded magnet may be used, since such magnets provide a high magnetic flux density.
The iron core for the electromagnet may be made of pure iron, silicon steel plate, permalloy, or ferrite.

.

The electrode that may be used with the present invention may comprise iron, nickel or titanium, or an alloy thereof, which may be plated with gold, platinum, rhodium, or indium. Such electrode may be unipolar or bipolar.
In particular, electrodes that have been processed by the known surface enlargement treatment such as coarsing, elution and the like, and electrodes carrying a catalyzer may preferably be used with the present invention.
The electrolytic cell that is used with the present invention may be made of metals such as stainless steel, aluminum and the like, or plastics, without having to provide a diaphragm between the negative and positive poles.
Thus, the cell may have the simplified construction. A
solid electrolytic medium-type cell may also be used. In this case, a solid high polymer diaphragm capable of ion exchange may be used, and a a negative pole plate and a positive pole plate are provided on the opposite sides of the diaphragm.
The apparatus according to the present invention may serve as a hydrogen-gasoline engine that may be mounted on an automotive vehicle. A heavy oil or methanol may also be used for the purposes of the present invention, but using gasoline improves the fuel economy more drastically. Thus, the vehicle can travel more distance per liter of gasoline.
It is known that hydrogen is a clean energy by itself, burns quickly, provides a uniform fuel-air ratio mixture (gas mixture), and burns within the broad burning range with a small firing energy. Thus, adding hydrogen to a fuel such as gasoline improves the fuel burning efficiency drastically, and minimizes the production of unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon oxides (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), minimizing the environmental pollution.
The electrodes may be magnetized by using the permanent magnet or electromagnet, or both. When the electromagnet is used, the alternating magnetic field may be developed by switching the input current to the electromagnets on and off, producing vibrations. Alternatively, this alternating magnetic field may be developed by switching the input current to the identical polarities (N or S) of the electromagnets on and off.
The permanent magnet that can be used for the purposes of the present invention may include a magnet made of an alloy composed of alunico or iron and chrome cobalt, a magnet made of elements in the ferrite group or the elements in the rare earth group such as samarium and neodymium, and the like that produces above 5,000 to 12,500 Gaus.
Preferably, magnets made of any rare earth element that has been sintered, or a bonded magnet may be used, since such magnets provide a high magnetic flux density.
The iron core for the electromagnet may be made of pure iron, silicon steel plate, permalloy, or ferrite.

21 434~2 The electrode that may be used with the present invention may comprise iron, nickel or titanium, or an alloy thereof, which may be plated with gold, platinum, rhodium, or indium. Such electrode may be unipolar or bipolar.
In particular, electrodes that have been processed by the known surface enlargement treatment such as coarsing, elution and the like, and electrodes carrying a catalyzer may preferably be used with the present invention.
The electrolytic cell that is used with the present invention may be made of metals such as stainless steel, aluminum and the like, or plastics, without having to provide a diaphragm between the negative and positive poles.
Thus, the cell may have the simplified construction. A
solid eletrolytic medium-type cell may also be used. In this case, a solid high polymer diaphragm capable of ion exchange may be used, and a a negative pole plate and a positive pole plate are provided on the opposite sides of the diaphragm.
The apparatus according to the present invention may serve as a hydrogen-gasoline engine that may be mounted on an automotive vehicle. A heavy oil or methanol may also be used for the purposes of the present invention, but using gasoline improves the fuel economy more drastically. Thus, the vehicle can travel more distance per liter of gasoline.
It is known that hydrogen is a clean energy by itself, burns quickly, provides a uniform fuel-air ratio mixture (gas 2t43482 mixture), and burns within the broad burning range with a small firing energy. Thus, adding hydrogen to a fuel such as gasoline improves the fuel burning efficiency drastically, and ~; n;m; zes the production of unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon oxides (C0) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), minimizing the environmental pollution.
The manner in which the electrodes are magnetized is described in the prior art publications. According to the present invention, the alternating magnetic field may be developed by magnetizing the electrodes to produce a resonance-induced vibrations. Thus, the synergistic effect can be provided between those two energies.
Using the alkali solution is also described in the prior art publications. According to the present invention, the synergistic effect can be provided between the resonance generation and the magnetizing effect, and water or weak alkali water can provide the drastically enhanced efficiency by taking advantage of the synergistic effect.
For any of the electrolytic liquids according to the present invention,its temperature is rising, it resistance is decreasing, and the voltage across the electrolytic cell is decreasing, as the electrolytic process progresses. This enhances the electrolytic processing efficiency.
The electrolytic processing efficiency may be achieved somewhat by keeping the electrolytic cell at a constant temperature or under the applied heating, but the higher .

electrolytic processing efficiency can be achieved without having to provide any additional heater in accordance with the present invention.
The electrolytic processing efficiency may be achieved by circulating the electrolytic liquid by using a pump, a diagram valve and the like. According to the present invention, the higher electrolytic processing efficiency can be achieved without having to provide any special circulating means, since large quantities of gases are generated and any additional electrolytic liquid may be replenished into the electrolytic cell through its bottom.
The method and apparatus according to the present invention may be used as a multi-purpose energy generator source in a wide variety of applications, such as automotive vehicles, power plants, vessels, aircrafts, rockets and others which are propelled by the energy. The generated energy may be returned back into water after it has been used, with no accompanying environmental pollution.
One of the features of the present invention is in providing a safeguard to prevent any possible disasters or hazards by controlling the amount of water to be supplied for the electrolytic process, depending upon the requirements for hydrogen, etc. Conventionally and usually, hydrogen gas or oxygen gas is enclosed in a compressed-air cylinder, and may be delivered from the cylinder as required. Gas leaks might occur on the event of disasters, or the cylinder might break, leading to serious disasters.
According to the present invention, however, just as much water o~ as required for the electrolytic process can be supplied to provide hydrogen gas or oxygen gas. The hydrogen gas or oxygen gas that has been produced is only present in the path (such as conduit) between the gas supply source and the destination where the gas is used (such as the automotive vehicle engine). Thus, on the event of any unexpected accidents or breakage of the cylinder, the occurrence of any serious disasters can be prevented as the amount of the hydrogen gas, etc. that remains on that event is limited to very small. Should such situation occur, any original water that remains would simply flow out.
There is a conventional method of storing any extra hydrogen gas that has been generated by the hydrogen generator at the particular rate. Such extra hydrogen gas is stored in the hydrogen adsorbing alloy which is expensive and heavy. In contrast, the present invention allows large amount of hydrogen gas to be generated as it is required, so there is no need of relying on such storing means.
When the present invention is applied to the engine on the automotive vehicle where the demand for hydrogen gas is always changing (such as when the accelerator pedal is on or off (the throttle valve is opened or closed)), the generation of hydrogen gas can easily be controlled by varying the area of the electrodes that are immersed in the 2 ~ 43482 .

electrolytic liquid accordingly. As the amount of gas (hydrogen gas in this case) that may be generated is proportional to the change in the area of the electrodes immersed, it can readily be controlled by adjusting the height of the electrodes (up or down). The requirement at that time is that the electrolytic liquid be always kept to a constant level.
It is noted that the hydrogen molecule, oxygen molecule, and water molecule have a different molecular weight, therefore a different number of natural vibrations.
Which of those three different molecules should be chosen may be determined from their respective natural vibrations and the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength thereof that would provide the most appropriate number of vibrations with regard to the vibrations caused by the particular device for which the apparatus of the present invention is to be used. Thus, the demand can readily satisfied.
According to the present invention, the bondage of the molecules of the different elements contained in the water can be weakened by subjecting at least one of the hydrogen molecule, oxygen molecule and water molecule to the number of vibrations equal to that of its natural vibrations or the vibrations equal to that of the frequencies having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of its natural vibrations by using ultrasonic waves, thereby -causing at least one of molecules to produce resonance with those vibrations. A small amount of current that conducts in this state can promote the electrolytic process.
When a weak caustic alkali solution is used as the electrolytic liquid, and the electrodes are placed in the alternating magnetic field, the produced vibrations, the magnetic field action and the reduced surface tension cooperate to provide the synergistic effect which can reduce the power consumption considerably.
It may be appreciated from the preceding description that the present invention allows at least one of the hydrogen molecules, oxygen molecules and water molecules to produce resonance with the natural vibrations by using ultrasonic waves, thereby facilitating the water electrolytic process. Then, water can be electrolyzed by conducting current, and the power requirements can be min;m; zed.
When the weak caustic alkali solution that has less surface tension is used as the electrolytic liquid, and the electrodes are placed in the magnetic field, the electrolytic processing efficiency may be enhanced by developing the alternating magnetic field across the electrodes as required which cooperate with the resonant vibrations of at least one of the hydrogen molecules, etc.
to provide the synergistic effect.

Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section view of the apparatus embodying the present invention with some part omitted;
Fig. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale, the electrodes used in the apparatus of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, the electrodes that include mechanical vibrating means;
Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus in another preferred embodiment with some part omitted;
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the input current to the electromagnets is switched on and off;
Fig. 6 is a partly longitudinal section view of the apparatus in another preferred embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing, on an enlarged scale, the combination of permanent magnet and electromagnet;
Fig. 8 is a conceptual view illustrating the first ultrasonic wave generator for use with the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a conceptual view illustrating the second ultrasonic wave generator for use with the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a conceptual view illustrating the third ultrasonic wave generator for use with the present invention.

Best Mode for carrying Out the invention Best mode for carrying out the present invention is described as follows.
(EMBODIMENT 1) The first preferred embodiment is described by referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In those figures, an electrolytic cell 1 which is usually made of vinyl chloride contains 3.6 ~ of weak alkali water 2 (which contains 5~
caustic soda), in which electrodes 3, 4 each made of seven iron-nickel alloy sheets 9.4-cm wide and 15-cm long are immersed such that the electrodes face each other 2 m/m apart. The electrodes 3, 4 are shaped like a comb having an isolator 15 ~Fig. 3~ interposed between the positive and negative polarities.
The electrodes 3, 4 are fixed to a bracket 16 which is supported by a lifting rod 17. The lifting rod 17 is operatively linked to a rod 19 from an air cylinder 18 (drive). The air cylinder 18 may be controlled by any appropriate controller so that its rod 19 can travel up or down, according to the amount of hydrogen gas or the like that is to be generated. The height or depth of the electrodes that are immersed in the water may be controlled by the rod 19, and the generation of hydrogen gas or the like may thus be controlled. The electrodes 3, 4 are connected to respective brushes 22, 23 by means of respective cords 20, 21, the brushes 22, 23 being capable of sliding against the outer peripheries of respective rotors 25, 26 rigidly secured to a common rotary shaft 24 (Fig. 1).
The function of the drive 18 is to permit the rod 17 to reciprocate up and down, and the drive may have the form of a rod in the air cylinder, a rack in the rack-and-pinion mechanism, a screw drive, or any other conventional reciprocating drive. Thus, the choice of the drive may be determined so that it can best meet the particular requirements of the electrolytic apparatus, such as the purpose for which it is to be used, the location where it is to be installed, its capacity, and the expected variations in the electrolytic process.
The bracket 16 includes a permanent magnet 12 that provides 12,000 Gaus and an electromagnet 13, both of which are secured to the bracket 16. The permanent magnet 12 has the diameter of 30 m/m and width of 5 m/m, and is preferably made of any of Nd, Fe, B group, and the electromagnet 13 includes a pure iron core wound by copper coils. The permanent magnet 12 may develop a constant magnetic field, and the electromagnet 13 may develop an alternating magnetic field of 400 cycles per second by switching the input current from the usual vehicle battery on and off. The input current may be switched on and off by m~k;ng the brushes 22, 23 contact the corresponding rotors 25, 26.

A water-level float is denoted by 14, and an arm for the float is denoted by 14a. In Fig. 1, if the water-level float 14 is raised above the predetermined level by the weak alkali solution being supplied into the electrolytic cell, the arm 14a is moving up as indicated by an arrow 47 through an angle that corresponds to the distance that the float 14 has been raised. The change in the angle is detected by a sensor 27 which activates an electromagnetic valve 28 to close, stopping further supply of the weak alkali solution.
Conversely, if the float 14 is lowered below the predetermined level as the electrolytic process progresses, the arm 14a is lowered as indicated by an arrow 48 through an angle that corresponds to the distance that the float 14 has been lowered. The change in the angle is also detected by the sensor 27 which activates the electromagnetic valve 28 to open, allowing the supply of the weak alkali solution.
The weak alkali solution being supplied may thus be maintained at a constant level 29.
An ultrasonic wave generator 9 that provides ultrasonic waves at 20,000 cycles per second is fixed to the inner wall of the water tank 1. In the current embodiment, the ultrasonic wave generator 9 is mounted inside the water tank 1, but it may be provided outside the water tank 1.
The operation of the electrolytic process is now described.

.

The electrolytic process is performed by conducting current through the pair of electrodes while the ultrasonic wave generator 9 is operated for providing ultrasonic waves.
The ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generator 9 cause the electrodes and those parts of the electrolytic liquid located near the electrodes to vibrate.
The number of vibrations caused by the ultrasonic waves may be controlled to match the number of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the electrolytic liquid, or the number of vibrations or frequencies having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least that one, and may be applied to at least that one element molecule for causing it to resonate with the number of natural vibrations. This resonant action can weaken the molecular bond of the water, thus enhancing the electrolytic processing efficiency remarkably.
Using the ultrasonic wave generator such as the one described in the current embodiment allows any particular one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the electrolytic liquid to resonate with the proper number of vibrations (frequencies) caused by the ultrasonic waves applied thereto from the generator.
Preferably, the ultrasonic wave generator should provide ultrasonic waves at 5,000 to 175,000 cycles per second. The ultrasonic waves are impact waves that impart the powerful ..

impact against the molecular bond of the water, weakening the molecular bond and thereby enhancing the electrolytic processing efficiency remarkably.
In addition, the interaction of the permanent magnet 12 and electromagnet 13 produces the alternating magnetic field that magnetizes the electrodes alternately, which also cause at least the particular one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the water to resonate with its natural vibrations.
Referring to Fig. 8, the ultrasonic wave generator 9 is coupled to a distributor 51 via an amplifier 50. The distributor 51 includes a rotor 53 secured to a rotary shaft 52 and a brush 54 slidably mounted to contact the outer periphery of the rotor 53. Rotaing the rotor 53 switches input to the amplifier 50 on and off. The ultrasonic wave generator 9 may be controlled by switching the amplifier input on and off, so that it can produce ultrasonic waves having the appropriate and accurate number of vibrations.
More than one ultrasonic wave generator may be provided. For example, those generators may be mounted on the upper and lower sides, on the right and left sides and on the front and rear sides of the electrolytic tank, and may be operated for causing more than one of the hydrogen molecule, oxygen molecule and water molecule in the water to resonate concurrently.

A single ultrasonic wave generator that is capable of providing ultrasonic waves of different frequencies may be used. In this case, the single ultrasonic wave generator can also cause more than one of the hydrogen molecule, oxygen molecule and water molecule in the water to resonate concurrently. This is illustrated in Fig. 9 where the generator includes more than one oscillator that may produce ultrasonic waves of different frequencies concurrently. The arrangement shown in Fig. 9 includes rotors 56, 57 secured to a common rotary shaft 55, one on the upper side and the other on the lower side, and brushes 58, 59 each of which makes sliding contact with the outer periphery of the corresponding rotor 56, 57. The brushes 58, 59 are connected to the corresponding oscillators in the ultrasonic wave generator 9 through respective amplifiers 60, 61. The rotors 56, 57 may have different numbers of poles which may switch the input to the amplifiers 60, 61 on and off at different intervals, enabling the two oscillators in the generator 9 to provide the different numbers of vibrations concurrently.
For example, one oscillator may be operated to provide the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of the oxygen molecule, and the other oscillator may be operated to provide the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of the hydrogen molecule.

2t43482 The ultrasonic wave generator as described above may be applied for relatively small-scale installations such as automotive vehicles.
Another form of the ultrasonic wave generator means is shown in Fig. 10, which includes an ultrasonic wave generator 9 and an oscillator 63 coupled to the generator 9 via an amplifier 62. The oscillator 63 may be the ordinary crystal oscillator. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, the oscillator provides vibration output which is applied to the amplifier 62 whose amplified output is provided through the ultrasonic wave generator 9. This arrangement may be applied for relatively large-scale installations.
The above described two forms of the ultrasonic wave generator means each include the amplifer. The function of the amplifer is to amplify the output of the oscillator.
The output of the amplifier is then applied to the ultrasonic wave generator 9 which provides more powerful ultrasonic waves to be imparted to the molecular bond in the water, thereby weakening the molecular bond. It may be understood from the above that the amplifier may be omitted.
To test the effects of the present invention, the electrolytic tank of Fig. 1 was used on an automotive vehicle. Separately from the starter motor battery mounted on the vehicle, a lead battery was used as the power supply that supplies an electrolytic voltage of 12 V and an electrolytic current density of 16 A/dm2. Under those 2 ~ 43482 conditions, the electrolytic process occurred for one minute with the electrodes completely immersed in the electrolytic liquid, it was found that a hydrogen gas of 1.8 Q and an oxygen gas of 0.9 ~ were generate`d.
The water electrolytic apparatus of the present invention that was set to produce a hydrogen gas was mounted on an automotive vehicle that normally travels over the average distance of 10.2 km per liter of gasoline fuel. The hydrogen gas generated by the apparatus was added to the gasoline, and it was found that the average distance of the vehicle increased up to 26.7 km per liter.
Some types of devices other than the ultrasonic wave generator 9, which may be used for the purposes of the present invention, are described below. Any of those devices may provide the equivalent functions of the ultrasonic wave generator 9, that is, it may be used to provide the number of vibrations equal to the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hyrdogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, or the ' 20 number of vibrations equal to the frequencies having a wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule, and to apply the produced number of vibrations or frequencies to at least the one element's molecule for causing it to resonate with its national vibrations. It should be understood that any of 2t43482 .~

those devices may be used alone or in combination with the ultrasonic wave generator 9.
One form of the means (first means) is provided for switching the input current to the electrodes on and off.
As described before, the electrodes 3, 4 are connected through their respective cords 20, 21 to their respective brushes 22, 23 which have the sliding contact with the outer peripheries of the respective rotors 25, 26 fixed to the common rotary shaft 24. The input current to the electrodes 3, 4 may be switched on and off alternately, by rotating the rotors 25, 26 with regard to the brushes 22, 23.
Preferably, switching the input current on and off alternately through the brushes may occur at 100 to 2,000 cycles per second.
Switching the input current to the electrodes 3, 4 on and off alternately under the particular circumstance in which the electrodes 3, 4 is magnetized in the presence of the permanent magnet 12 so that the vibrations of electrodes 3, 4 are produced. Those vibrations are imparted to the electrolytic liquid, and are applied to at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the electrolytic liquid so as to cause at least the one element's molecule to produce resonance.
Another form of the means (second means) is provided for enabling at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the electrolytic liquid to produce resonance by and under the alternating magnetic field developed by the electromagnet 13. In the described embodiment, the electromagnet 13 may develop the alternating magnetic field at 400 cycles per second by switching its input current on and off. As a variation, the input current may be switched on and off alternately so that the electromagnet 13 can produce its alternating magnetic field at 100 to 2,000 cycles per second. The electrodes may be magnetized alternately by controlling the change in the alternating magnetic field so that the electrodes can produce vibrations which are imparted to the electrolytic liquid. Thus, at least the one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the electrolytic liquid can produce resonance.
It is possible that the first and second means are operated concurrently to provide the desired vibrations.
A third means is shown in Fig. 3, and is provided for enabling at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the electrolytic liquid to produce resonance as described above.
Referring to Fig. 3, a covering member 5 formed substantially like a "C" letter and having lateral plates 5a, 5b is fixed to one side of the electrodes 3, 4 to cover the exterior thereof. Electromagnets 6a, 6b are secured to the inner sides of the lateral plates 5a, 5b, respectively.
The electromagnets 6a, 6b face opposite the electrodes 3, 4 2 ~ 43482 such that a small gap is created between the free ends of the electromagnets 6a, 6b and the electrodes 3, 4. The electrodes 3, 4 are connected to respective combinations of rotors 41, 42 and brushes 43, 44~through respective cords 45, 46. The input current to the electrodes 3, 4 is switched on and off by the rotors 41, 42 and brushes 43, 44 for developing the alternating magnetic field across the electrodes.
Then, when current flows through the electromagnet 6a, it attracts the electrodes 3, 4, and when current flows through the electromagnet 6b, it attracts the electrodes 3, 4. So that the electrodes 3, 4 can vibrate according to the switching of the input current to the electromagnet 6a, 6b.
Then, the produced vibrations of electrodes 3, 4 are imparted to the electrolytic liquid. The vibrations of the electrolytic liquid induce resonance in the hydrogen molecules, and so on. Then, by rotating the rotors 41, 42 with regard to the corresponding brushes 43, 44 to switch the corresponding electromagnets 6a, 6b on and off, the particular vibrations may be produced, and any selected one of the hydrogen molecule, oxygen molecule and water molecule may produce resonance.
Any variation may be adopted such that permanent magnets 10, lOa may be fixed to the covering member 5 for developing a permanent magnetic field across the electrodes 3, 4.

2~ 43482 Switching the electromagnets on and off by rotating the rotors 41, 42 may preferably occur at 100 to 2,000 cycles per second. Thus, the electrodes may vibrate mechanically at 100 to 2,000 cycles per second.
According to the first, second and third means described above for causing resonance to at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the electrolytic liquid, the generation of vibrations may be controlled by switching the electrolytic current on and off or by switching the input current to the electromagnets on and off. In either case, switching the current on and off may be accomplished by rotating the rotors with regard to the corresponding brushes, as described earlier. This provides the precise switching control which enables the electrodes and electrolyic liquid to be vibrated with the exact number of vibrations.

(Example of Comparison 1) For the comparing purposes, the apparatus in the embodiment 1 was used with no ultrasonic wave generator 9 and with no alternating current being fed to the electromagnets, and the normal continuative electrolytic process occurred. It was found that a hydrogen gas of 0.8 and an oxygen gas of 0.4~ were generated per minute.
(EMBODIMENT 2) Referring next to Fig. 4, another preferred embodiment is described. In this embodiment, electrodes 3, 4 are immersed in the water within an electrolytic cell 1, and are mounted to a bracket 7 which is secured to the wall of the electrolytic cell 1 by means of a support rod 8.
An ultrasonic wave generator 9 is rigidly fixed to the inner wall of the electrolytic cell 1 for providing an output of 20,000 cycles per second.
In the embodiment being described, the permanent magnet 49 and electromagnets 11 are used and supported on the bracket 7.
In the embodiment, the ultrasonic wave generator 9 is used to enable the electrodes and the electrolytic liquid near the electrodes to vibrate so that the electrolytic liquid can produce vibrations having the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule in the electrolytic liquid or having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least the one molecule with which it can produce resonance. The ultrasonic waves may preferably have 5,000 to 175,000 cycles per second.
The electrodes may be vibrated by using the permanent magnet 49 and electromagnets 11 that develop the alternating magnetic field across the electrodes and thereby magnetizing them, together with the ultrasonic wave generator 9.

2~43482 Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustration how the input current to the electromagnets 6, 11, 13 in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is switched on and off. As shown in Fig. 5, the respective coil windings 30 on the electromagnets 6, 11, 13 have their respective ends 30a, 30b connected to respective brushes 31, 32 which have the sliding contact on respective rotors 33, 34. When the rotors 33, 34 are rotated at 5,000 r.p.m., for example, the input current to each of the electromagnets may be switched on and off at 500 cycles per second. This switching may be accomplished in the range of between 100 and 2,000 cycles per second.

(EMBODIMENT 3) In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the gases generated by the water electrolysis are separated into a hydrogen gas and an oxygen gas which are collected separately.
The electrolytic cell 1 contains a weak alkali water 2 (cont~;n;ng 0.1 % solution of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide). So that, the surface tension of the water is reduced to facilitate the generation of the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. Electrodes 3, 4 are mounted within the electrolytic cell 1.
A diaphragm 36 is mounted at the top of the electrolytic cell 1 for separating the electrodes 3, 4, and an ultrasonic wave generator 9 is mounted at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 1. Outlet pipes 39, 40 for the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas are connected to the top wall 35 of the electrolytic cell 1 separated by the diaphragm 36.
In the embodiment being described, the ultrasonic wave generator 9 is used to provide vibrations with which at least one of the hydrogen molecule, oxygen molecule and water molecule can produce resonance. Then, conducting current through the electrodes 3, 4 cause the electrolytic process to occur, producing a hydrogen gas and an oxygen gas which may be collected into their respective upper spaces la, lb within the electrolytic cell 1 and may then exit through the outlet pipes 39, 40 which are connected to any location where those gases are used. The ultrasonic waves having 5,000 to 175,000 cycles per second may be used in this embodiment.
An opaque diaphragm 36 may be used as the diaphragm separating the center of the electrolytic cell 1.
Each of the electrodes 3, 4 may include an electromagnet 37 mounted on the outside of the permanent magnet 38 for placing the electrodes 3, 4 in the magnetic field, as shown in Fig. 7.
It may be appreciated from the above that the electrolytic liquid can more readily be decomposed by the coupled action of the vibrations and magnetism, with less current flow and with higher efficiency.

Industrial Applicability As the before described, the method and apparatus of electrolyzing water according to the present invention are useful for water electrolysis. According to the present invention, water can be electrolyzed efficiently so that hydrogen gas can be generated easily. The method and apparatus according to the present invention may be used as a multi-purpose energy generator source in a wide variety of applications, such as automotive vehicles, power plants, vessels, aircrafts, rockets and others which are propelled by the energy.

Claims

1. A method of electrolyzing water, including the steps of:
producing vibrations by using ultrasonic waves having the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water or having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water;
enabling said at least the one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule to produce resonance with said number of vibrations produced in the preceding step; and conducting current through the water.

2. A method of electrolyzing water, including the steps of: magnetizing electrodes;
producing vibrations by using ultrasonic waves having the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water or having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water;

enabling said at least the one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule to produce resonance with said number of vibrations produced in the preceding step; and conducting current through the water. 3.

3. The method as defined in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said electrolytic liquid includes a water or a weak alkali solution containing caustic alkali, quaternary ammonium hydroxide, caustic alkali salt, or quaternary ammonium hydroxide salt.

4. The method as defined in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said electrolytic liquid includes a solution containing quaternary ammonium hydroxide or salt of it, including tetramethyl ammonium hydroxides.

5. An apparatus for electrolyzing water, including:
an electrolytic cell;
electrodes immersed in the water within said electrolytic cell and mounted for movement up and down; and ultrasonic wave generator means for producing vibrations having the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water or having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of said at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, and for applying said produced vibrations to said at least one for enabling said at least one to produce resonance.

6. An apparatus for electrolyzing water, including:
an electrolytic cell;
electrodes immersed in the water within said electrolytic cell and mounted for movement up and down;
ultrasonic wave generator means for producing vibrations having the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water or having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of said at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, and for applying said produced vibrations to said at least one for enabling said at least one to produce resonance; and electromagnet means for magnetizing said electrodes alternately.

7. An apparatus for electrolyzing water, including:
an electrolytic cell;
electrodes immersed in the water within said electrolytic cell and mounted for movement up and down;
ultrasonic wave generator means for producing vibrations having the number of vibrations equal to that of the natural vibrations of at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water or having the wavelength equal to a multiple of the wavelength of the natural vibrations of said at least one of the oxygen molecule, hydrogen molecule and water molecule contained in the water, and for applying said produced vibrations to said at least one for enabling said any selected one to produce resonance;
permanent magnet means for providing a magnetic field across said electrodes; and electromagnet means for providing an alternating magnetic field onto said magnetic field developed by said permanent magnet means for magnetizing said electrodes alternately.