WO2015001288A1

WO2015001288A1 - Helical electrolyte flow & variable amperage flow hho generator

Info

Publication number: WO2015001288A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/000269
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Thomas DAVID
Original assignee: Hoxy Tronic Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-05
Filing date: 2014-07-04
Publication date: 2015-01-08
Also published as: GB201312092D0; GB2515821A

Abstract

A hydrogen & oxygen generating apparatus for internal combustion engines of the dry cell type with electronic amperage control circuitry. A hydrogen & oxygen generating apparatus comprising a number of electrolysis cells in series, for producing hydrogen & oxygen gas which gas is to be fed, via conduit and via a bubbler system, into the air intake system of an internal combustion engine. Each electrolysis cell in the series comprises of the following components in sequential order: an electrode plate; an electrolyte solution chamber; an electrode plate. The plularity of electrolysis cells are in series in which two sequential electrolysis cells share the utilisation of the intermediate electrode plate. The shared intermediate electrode plates in the series, act as cathode electrode plates on one face side and act as anode electrode plates on their reverse face side. The edges of the electrode plates are sealed from contact from the electrolyte solution, which feature makes them dry cells. The electrical connections of the cathode and anode electrode plates are sealed from contact with the electrolyte solution. Each electrolysis cell has an entry and exit aperture situated near the lower side or bottom side of the electrolyte solution chamber for the replenishment of electrolyte solution. The entry aperture of the first electrolysis cell in the series is connected to an electrolyte reservoir and the exit aperture is connect via conduit to entry aperture of the second electrolysis cell. The electrical connections of the cathode and anode electrode plates are connected via cabling to an electronic amperage controlling circuitry device.

Description

Helical Electrolyte Flow & Variable Amperage Flow HHO Generator.

Field of the invention.

The present invention relates to a Hydrogen & Oxygen gas additive generator for internal combustion engines, which is commonly known as an HHO generator.

Background of the invention.

A hydrogen & oxygen gas generator (HHO generator) is a device intended for use in internal combustion engines such as in motor vehicles , boats, airplanes and electrical power generators.

An HHO generator is an electrolysis cell, or a series of electrolysis cells, that use electrolysis to produce hydrogen & oxygen gas which is fed via a conduit into the air inlet system of an internal combustion engine.

The HHO generator comprises of four main components being (1 ) a container in which is the (2) electrolyte solution chambers between (3) a series of electrode plates and (4) a connection to the voltage supplied by the vehicle's electrical power source. This is typically a 12 volt electrical current source in motor vehicles and a 24 volt electrical current source in large trucks.

These combined components make up the electrolysis cells, being a cathode plate separated by electrolyte solution and an anode plate.

Electrical current passes from the cathode plate through the electrolyte solution to the anode plate, causing a chemical reaction which produces hydrogen & oxygen gas.

The HHO generator also typically has other ancillary components being ; a reservoir to store and replenish electrolyte solution to the HHO generator cells, a water bubbler container through which the HHO gas is fed prior to being fed into the air inlet system of the engine.

The HHO gas additive increases the power of the engine by improving combustion of the engine and reducing the temperature of combustion.

The HHO gas additive increases the distance a vehicle can travel per litre of fuel.

The HHO gas additive reduces the Carbon Dioxide emissions per kilometre travelled.

The HHO generator can be made with any number of electrolysis cells, but would typically be six cells or less for a car. A truck version HHO generator would comprise of a number of HHO units each comprising of six cells.

The HHO generator is typically designed with flat bipolar electrode plates which act as a cathode on one face side and act as an anode on the reverse face side. Thus a six cell configuration can be formed, for example by using seven plates in series.

Alternately an HHO generator can be made with a cylindrical electrode plate with a smaller cylindrical electrode plate inserted centrally within the larger cylindrical electrode plate, the space between both cylindrical plates being the electrolyte chamber.

Each electrolysis cell requires electrolyte solution, which is depleted by the nucleation of hydrogen & oxygen gas bubbles during the electrolysis process. Each cell requires a feed l of electrolyte solution to replete the cell. In terms of practicality, a motorist will find it inconvenient to fill many cells with a small volume of distilled water each month. Thus the electrolyte reservoir typically replenishes the cells via a conduit from the electrolyte reservoir to an aperture in the HHO generator and thereafter the electrolyte solution will flow through apertures in each of the plurality of electrode plates. An alternative method of replenishing electrolyte solution is for the electrolyte solution to flow from the reservoir and enter the HHO generator aperture and fill each cell via the top of the electrolyte container passing over the top of the electrode plates.

DRY Cell HHO generators

Most HHO generators currently manufactured are of the 'Dry Cell' type. 'Dry' refers to the electrical connectors and the electrode plates edges which are not in contact with the electrolyte solution. Typically each cell comprises two electrode plates separated by a narrow band of gasket material placed around the edges of the electrode plates which seal the electrolyte solution in the cell chamber. Another method is for the electrode plates to be slotted into a container with a lid. The electrode plate edges in the slots are thus sealed from contact with the electrolyte solution.

In each method as described above, there exists no route for electrolyte solution to pass from cell to cell, nor is there a route for hydrogen & oxygen gas to escape except through apertures in the electrode plates.

Most 'dry cell' HHO generators have an upper and a lower aperture in the electrode plates, the lower aperture being for the replenishment of electrolyte solution and the upper aperture being for the escaping Hydrogen & oxygen gas.

The industrial problems

These typical HHO generator designs have created a flaw in HHO gas production process.

In both of the typical HHO generator designs described previously, the edges of the electrode plates are exposed to contact with the electrolyte solution which can allow electrical current to flow from electrode plate 1 to electrode plate 3 without that electrical current passing through electrode plate 2.

An Electrical charge is attracted to sharp edges of an anode or cathode. This is the same effect as St Elmo's fire from Church steeples, or lightning striking the tallest object. This is a commonly known scientific phenomenon.

The electrolysis process is most efficient when an even trickle of current is spread over the entire face of the electrode plate.

The first flaw in the typical HHO generator design is that electrical current can arc

(through the plate aperture holes' edges or over the plate tops) from electrode plate 1 to electrode plate 7, bypassing plates 2 to 6. This arcing current causes the electrolyte solution to heat up, which in turn reduces the electrical resistance in the electrolyte solution, which in turn allows even more current to arc. This causes an over current situation whereby the HHO generator draws increasingly more and more current from the vehicles electrical power source, until such time as the vehicle alternator is over loaded or the battery runs out of electrical charge.

The second flaw in the typical HHO generator design is the use of the 12 volts or 24 volts electrical systems which are voltage determined electrical circuits, without controlling the volume of the electrical current flow (amperage.) The voltage of the vehicle electrical system is maintained at a constant voltage, which is normally approximately 13.8 volts in a twelve volt system. The vehicle electrical system has a number of different sections in the circuitry which are either turned on or turned off when required, for example a starter motor section of circuitry and a window winder motor section of circuitry. The amperage that flows through this vehicle electrical system varies in each section according to the electrical resistance of the particular section of the electrical circuit.

The HHO generator is an electrical cell which generates a current, albeit an extremely small current, similar to a typical car battery. One can demonstrate this by measuring a low voltage across the positive and negative connections of the HHO generator. Thus the HHO generator does not have an electrical resistance value because it is creating a current. In a standard scientific mathematical equation of an electrical circuit, the path of the electrical current is assumed to have a resistance value of nil.

The flaw in the typical HHO generator electrical circuit system is that it is connected to the vehicles battery voltage system and to the alternator, three electrical current generators in one electrical circuit without any electrical resistance. To determine the theoretical volume of amperage flowing in an electrical circuit, the voltage is divided by the electrical resistance of the circuit.

12 volts divided by NIL resistance = infinity.

Therefore in theory, an infinitive amount of electrical current is attempting to flow through the typical HHO generator electrical circuit, limited only by the resistance in the cabling and the amount of current that the vehicle alternator can produce. In this system, the amperage can be measured with an ammeter, and will show the average amperage flow through the electrical circuit, but the ammeter measurement is not a true reflection of the enormous surges of current.

Pulse Wave Modulation

Most HHO generator manufacturers recommend and sell Pulse wave modulators (also known as Pulsed width modulation. PWM) to be fitted into the electrical circuit. The PWM switches the electrical voltage on and off very rapidly. This diminishes the adverse affects of the dramatic current surges in the electrical circuit and outwardly gives the appearance of having fixed the problem. In reality the effective rate of HHO gas production is reduced because the HHO generators cells are only operating for 50% of the time

Description of the invention

The HHO generator has electrolysis cells consisting of a cathode electrode plate, a chamber filled with electrolyte solution contained within non-conducting material and an anode electrode plate.

The HHO generator design can have any number of cells as described above, by adding a chamber containing electrolyte solution and an electrode plate. Thus a cell can share an electrode plate with the next cell in series, or with the next cell and the preceding cell.

Electrolyte replenishment apertures

An electrolysis cell comprises of two electrode plates of any shape with face sides placed in parallel with an electrolyte chamber between the plates. The remaining side or sides of the electrolysis cell chamber are sealed with a non-conductive material to contain the electrolyte solution and to prevent the electrolyte solution from being in contact with the electrode plate edges.

Each electrolysis cell chamber has a lower entry aperture through the sealed side to enable electrolyte replenishment flow. Each electrolysis cell chamber has a lower exit aperture through the sealed side to enable electrolyte replenishment flow.

Each electrolysis cell chamber has a top exit aperture through the sealed side to enable hydrogen & oxygen gas to flow via a conduit to the water bubbler and from thereon to the air inlet system of the internal combustion engine.

The electrolyte solution entry and exit apertures may be placed in the bottom side or placed low down on either the left side or the right side or any combination of the bottom and either side.

The electrolyte entry aperture for the 1^st electrolysis cell chamber in a series of cells is connected via a conduit to the electrolyte reservoir. The exit aperture in cell 1 is connected via a conduit to the electrolyte entry aperture in cell 2. The exit aperture in cell 2 is connected via a conduit to the entry aperture of the next cell in series. In the last cell of the series, the exit aperture is connected to the electrolyte reservoir creating a helical flow of electrolyte through the HHO generator and back and forth from the reservoir. This electrolyte flow may be pumped electrolyte flow or gravitational flow or vacuum induced flow.

An alternate method for electrolyte replenishment flow is for all electrolyte solution entry apertures to be connected via conduits or joined via a manifold to a single conduit to the electrolyte reservoir and for all electrolyte solution exit apertures to be connected via separate conduits or joined via a manifold to a single conduit to the electrolyte reservoir.

The electrical current flows from electrode plate 1 through the electrolyte solution to electrode plate 2. The distance between electrode plate 1 and electrode plate 2 can be any distance, but for practical purposes it is typically between 3mm and 8mm. The distance through the electrolyte in the conduit from the exit aperture of cell 1 to the entry aperture of cell 2 is preferably at least 30mm and can be much longer. Thus any arcing current would have a much greater distance to travel and consequently a much greater electrical resistance if it were to arc through the electrolyte conduit from electrode plate 1 in cell 1 to electrode plate 3 in cell 2, bypassing electrode plate 2.

Each cell space is entirely enclosed by the two electrode plates and by the electrolyte container which is made from a non conducting material. The route of least electrical resistance for electrical current to pass from electrode 1 to electrode 2, is through the electrolyte contained in the cell space. It is theoretically possible that electrical current can flow through the electrolyte in the conduit from cell 1 to cell 2, although it is highly unlikely. The increased distance of an electrical current travelling via the conduit provides an increased electrical resistance in the path via the conduit, ensuring that electrical current is only flowing from plate 1 to plate 2 and not via the conduit.

Electronic Amperage flow Control

The present invention has electronic circuitry to control the volume of electrical current that flows through the HHO generator section of the vehicle electrical system circuitry. This electronic control is based on amperage flow and is not based on voltage flow. This amperage flow electrical current can be varied according to various input factors. The amperage flow electronic current control allows the vehicle's alternator to operate continuously at a steady amperage flow within the parameters as set by the alternator manufacturer. The amperage flow electronic current control allows the hydrogen & oxygen gas output of the HHO generator to be controlled and varied according to set parameters in relation to the engine revolutions.

The amperage flow electronic current control allows the amperage in the HHO generator electrical circuit to be limited according to set parameters when required for optimal battery recharging.

Brief Description of the drawings

Preferred features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates an external transparent view of an HHO generator's electrolysis active components without showing any of the non-conducting material in which the active components are housed.

This example of a three electrolysis cell HHO generator is of the dry cell type. In overview, this example of an HHO generator comprises of four electrode plates and three electrolyte solution chambers between the plates, which components comprise the three electrolysis cells.

In this illustration, the electrode solution chambers 7 and their exit and entry apertures 3,4 and 5 are not solid substances but illustrate the space occupied by electrolyte solution or hydrogen & oxygen gas.

The first electrolysis cell 8 comprises cathode plate 1 , an electrolyte solution chamber 7 and a bipolar electrode plate 6.

The second electrolysis cell 9 comprises two bipolar electrode plates 6 and an electrolyte solution chamber 7.

The third electrolysis cell 10 comprises bipolar electrode plate 6, an electrolyte solution chamber 7 and anode plate 2.

Intermediate electrode plates 6 are called bipolar which indicates that these electrode plates are anode on one face and cathode on the reverse face.

Each of the intermediate electrode plates 6 are active in two adjacent electrolysis cells in the series of electrolysis cells.

Each of the series of electrolyte solution chambers 7 comprises an electrolyte entry aperture 3, an electrolyte exit aperture 4 and a hydrogen & oxygen exit aperture 5.

Replenishment of electrolyte solution.

The HHO generator system includes a reservoir to store electrolyte solution and to replenish electrolyte solution in the electrolyte solution chambers. The reservoir is connected to the HHO generator via a conduit. The reservoir replenishment conduit is connected via electrolyte entry aperture 3 to the first electrolyte solution chamber 7 in the series. The replenishment electrolyte is fed or drawn through electrolysis cell 8 to the electrolyte exit aperture 4.

Electrolyte exit aperture 4 of the first electrolysis cell 8 in the series is connected via conduit to electrolyte entry aperture 3 of the second electrolysis cell 9 in the series.

Electrolyte exit aperture 4 of the second electrolysis cell 9 in the series is connected via conduit to electrolyte entry aperture 3 of the third electrolysis cell 10 in the series. This pattern is continued through the series electrolysis cells until the last in the series, whereby the electrolyte exit aperture 4 of the last electrolysis cell 10 in the series is connected via conduit back to the electrolyte reservoir.

Hydrogen & oxygen gas output.

Hydrogen & oxygen gas exit apertures 3, 4 and 5 are connected via a conduit to a bubbler system prior to being connected via a conduit to the air inlet system of the internal combustion engine.

Electrical connection.

The positive electric cable from the electronic amperage flow control circuitry is connected to the terminal connector lug on electrode plate 1. The negative electric cable from the electronic amperage flow control circuitry is connected to the terminal connector lug on electrode plate 2.

Figure 2 illustrates an external transparent view of an HHO generator's electrolysis active components without showing any of the non-conducting material in which the active components are housed.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a 5 electrolysis cell HHO generator of the dry cell type. In overview, this example of an HHO generator comprises of six electrode plates 6 and five electrolyte solution chambers 7 between the plates, which components comprise the five electrolysis cells. Similarly to figure 1 , in this figure 2 illustration the electrolyte solution chambers and the exit and entry apertures are not solid substances but illustrate the space occupied by electrolyte solution and or hydrogen & oxygen gas.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of components for the containment of electrolyte solution and clamping together.

Figure 3, 13 is an example of a cut-out shape to surround the electrolyte solution chamber 7 and seal the edges of the electrode plates from contact with electrolyte solution. 15 is an example of a electrolyte entry aperture conduit connector on the cut-out shape 13 for the transfer of electrolyte solution. 16 is an example of a electrolyte exit aperture conduit connector on the cut-out shape 13 for the transfer of electrolyte solution. 14 is an example of a hydrogen & oxygen gas aperture conduit connector on the cut-out shape 13 for the exit of hydrogen & oxygen gas.

Figure 3,11 is an example of a side plate with a number of apertures 12, for inserting bolts and clamping the components of the HHO generator together.

Figure 4 is an exploded illustration of two side plates with three cut-out shapes. Electrode plates are not illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of a three cell HHO generator which is clamped together. Nuts and bolts are not illustrated in Figure 5 and the components are as shown in figures 1 ,2,3 and 4

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative example of an HHO generator of the dry cell type. The electrolyte solution is contained within a slotted container wherein the electrode plate edges are tight fit sealed from contact with the electrolyte solution. In overview, this example of an HHO generator comprises of four electrode plates and three electrolyte solution chambers between the plates, which components comprise the 3 electrolysis cells.

Figure 6, 3 is the container, 2 indicates the four electrode plates and 3 indicates the three electrolysis chambers. Not shown in figure 6 are the lid of the container and the entry and exit apertures.

Claims

Helical electrolyte flow & variable amperage flow HHO generator CLAIMS.

1. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type comprising: an apparatus made from non conducting materials for holding a plurality of electrode plates in series; each of the series of electrode plate face sides being in parallel; a gap between each of the electrode plates comprising a containment chamber of electrolyte solution; an electrical connection on two or more of the electrode plates in the series; the edges of the electrode plates are sealed from contact with the electrolyte solution; all electrical connections on the electrode plates are sealed from contact with the electrolyte solution; a combination of two electrode plates on either side of an electrolyte solution chamber makes one electrolysis cell.

2. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in claim 1, wherein each electrolysis cell has an entry and exit aperture for replenishing the electrolyte solution.

3. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrolyte solution entry aperture to the first electrolysis cell is connected via a conduit from the electrolyte reservoir for receiving a replenishment of electrolyte solution from the electrolyte reservoir.

4. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrolyte solution exit aperture to the first electrolysis cell is connected via a conduit to the electrolyte entry aperture of the second electrolysis cell in the series.

5. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrolyte solution exit aperture is connected via a conduit to the electrolyte solution entry aperture of the next electrolysis cell in the series of electrolysis cells.

6. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to

5, wherein the electrolyte solution exit aperture of the last electrolysis cell is connected via a conduit to the electrolyte solution reservoir.

7. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to

6, wherein each electrolysis cell has a hydrogen & oxygen gas exit aperture near the top of the electrolyte solution chamber.

8. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to

7, wherein the plurality of hydrogen & oxygen exit apertures are connected via a conduit or a plurality of conduits to a bubbler apparatus.

9. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bubbler apparatus is connected via a conduit to the air inlet system of the internal combustion engine.

A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrical connector terminals on the electrode plates are connected to an amperage flow controlling electronic circuitry and not directly to the electrical voltage system of the internal combustion engine.

A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the amperage flow control electronic circuitry can vary the amperage flowing through the HHO generator.

12. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the amperage flow control electronic circuitry can vary the amperage flowing through the HHO generator in relation to the number of revolutions per minute that the combustion engine is turning.

13. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the amperage flow control electronic circuitry can vary the amperage flowing through the HHO generator in relation to the amount of electrical charge that the vehicle battery is drawing from the alternator.

14. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in claim 1 and

excluding claims 2 to 8, wherein the electrical connector terminals on the electrode plates are connected to an amperage flow controlling circuitry and not to the electrical voltage system of the internal combustion engine.

15. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in claim 1 and 14 and excluding claims 2 to 8, wherein the amperage flow control electronic circuitry can vary the amperage flowing through the HHO generator.

16. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in claim 1 and claim 14 and excluding claims 2 to 8, wherein the amperage flow control electronic circuitry can vary the amperage flowing through the HHO generator in relation to the number of revolutions per minute that the combustion engine is turning.

17. A hydrogen & oxygen generator of the dry cell type as claimed in claim 1 and claim 14 and excluding claims 2 to 8, wherein the amperage flow control electronic circuitry can vary the amperage flowing through the HHO generator in relation to the amount of electrical charge that the vehicle battery is drawing from the alternator.