Abstract:
This invention teaches an apparatus, method, means, and computer readable media to address the problem of the inconsistent, unreliable nature of wind, and in particular low-wind speeds, through utilizing a blower and/or startup assist to aid in turning an electricity generating electrical generator during periods of low-wind speed. This generator provides electrical power for an electrolyzer used to generate hydrogen gas from water. Some embodiments include wind speed and direction sensors and control programming and/or circuitry that tracks trends in direction and speed, and anticipate the need to move the direction of the wind-collecting funnel to best take wind into the funnel, and to provide a start-up assist to the wind-powered turbine at a wind speed that is lower than could start rotation of the turbine without assist, or to maintain rotation when the wind temporarily slows below the speed needed to maintain rotation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This invention claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/635,139 filed on Dec. 10, 2004, titled “AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING HYDROGEN GAS THROUGH THE USE OF WIND POWER”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of electromechanical apparatus and methods for generating hydrogen gas through the use of wind power, and more particularly wherein electricity generated through wind power is used to separate out hydrogen and oxygen from water using an electrolyzer.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Presently, most modern economies are dependant upon fossil fuels and the benefits that they provide in allowing for the generation of power. One problem with fossil fuels, however, is that they are a non-renewable resource. Additionally, they tend to generate pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic substances.  
         [0004]     A solution to the non-renewable, polluting nature of fossil fuel use is to utilize technologies that allow for the generation of electrical power through renewable, non-polluting means. Two such technologies are wind power and hydrogen gas generated using other than fossil fuels.  
         [0005]     Wind power used to generate electrical power is typically realized in the form of a wind-collection device used to capture the kinetic energy of wind via, for example, blades affixed to a horizontal or vertical axis or a turbine, coupled to a generator which then generates electrical current. This generator, and the electrical current that it generates, is then incorporated into an electrical power grid to supplement more traditional fossil-fuel-based generators of electrical power.  
         [0006]     Like wind power, hydrogen gas from other than fossil fuel is a renewable resource that does not pollute the environment. One of the most abundant sources of hydrogen gas is water. Hydrogen gas can be liberated from water through the use of electrolysis. Once liberated, this hydrogen gas can be stored for future use in such things as running a power plant to generating electricity.  
         [0007]     One problem with wind power as a basis from which to supply the electricity needed for electrolysis is that like the wind, wind power is an inherently unreliable, inconsistent form of power. An upshot of this unreliable, inconsistent nature is that power grids have problems synchronizing with wind-power based electrical generators. Various inventions through the years have sought to solve this problem by creating more efficient electrical generators that function at all wind speeds including low-wind speeds.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention provides an all-in-one wind-powered hydrogen generation and storage apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the present invention addresses the problem of the inconsistent, unreliable nature of wind, and in particular low-wind speeds, by utilizing a blower and/or startup assist to turn an electricity-generating generator during periods of low-wind speed. The electrical power for this blower and/or startup assist is derived from either an optional external power source, or one or more stored batteries. Where the one or more batteries are used, these batteries are, in turn, recharged by the wind powered electrical generator during periods of moderate to high wind. Thus, for example, when the available wind speed is below that required to turn the electrical generator (i.e. below the “generation threshold”), the blower and/or startup assist can be utilized to assist the existing wind in turning the electrical generator for the purpose of generating electricity for an electrolyzer.  
         [0009]     Some embodiments of the present invention are drawn to an apparatus including: at least one wind-powered electric generator, an electrolyzer coupled to receive electric power from the generator and operable to produce hydrogen using the electric power, a startup-assist mechanism operably coupled to deliver a startup assist to the generator, a wind-speed sensor operable to generate a speed signal based on a sensed wind speed, a status controller coupled to the startup-assist mechanism and operable to start the generator based upon the speed signal, a wind-direction sensor operable to generate a direction signal based upon a sensed wind direction, a rotation mechanism coupled to point the generator in a compass direction, and a rotation controller coupled to the rotation mechanism and operable to point the generator based upon the direction signal.  
         [0010]     In addition to the above disclosed apparatus, some embodiments of the present invention provide a method whereby wind-direction information is received into a direction controller, based upon the wind-direction information, generating with the direction controller a direction-control signal, changing an orientation of a wind-collection device based upon the direction-control signal, and generating hydrogen from electric current, the current from a generator that is rotated by wind power derived from the wind-collection device.  
         [0011]     Further, in some embodiments the present invention provides a computer-readable media having executable instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed information-processing-and-hydrogen-generating apparatus to perform a method that includes: receiving wind-direction information, based upon the wind-direction information, generating a direction-control signal, changing an orientation of a wind-collection device based upon the direction-control signal, and generating hydrogen from electric current, the current from a generator that is rotated by wind power derived from the wind-collection device.  
         [0012]     In still further embodiments, a kit is available from which to build an apparatus. This kit includes: a funnel component, a blower/startup assist component, solar-powered photo electric cells component, a generator/turbine component, a rotation mechanism component, a connection to an internet component, a wind speed sensor component, a wind direction sensor component, a startup controller component, a rotation controller component, an inverter component, a status controller component, a battery charge controller component, one or more batteries component, a detector component, a distiller component, an electrolyzer component, an electrolyzer controller component, a compressor component, a tank component to hold hydrogen gas, and a tank component to hold oxygen gas. In some embodiments, the kit further includes parts necessary to assemble the components of the kit. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system  100  showing one embodiment of the present invention having among other things a computerized system  100  with among a related CPU  107 , RAM  108  and a variety of buses  115 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a system  200  showing one embodiment of the present invention having among other things a power supply bus (DC or AC)  222 , coupled directly to an electrolyzer  245  from a generator/turbine  215 , and an optional startup power  260  coupled to the startup assist  225 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a system  300  showing, among other things, one embodiment of the present invention with a power supply bus (AC or DC)  333  coupled to a battery-charge controller  340  and at least one battery  345 , and a solar cell  396  coupled to the battery-charge controller  340  to provide direct electrical current.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3A  is a block diagram of a system  300  showing a screen  398  covering an air inlet for a funnel  310 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 3B  is a top-down view of a system  300  in the form of a block diagram.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a computer readable media method  400 , and illustrates the various forms of data I/O for this method.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a method  500  showing one embodiment of the invention that allows for the generation of hydrogen gas through the use of wind power.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of method  600  showing one embodiment of the method leading to the running of a turbine/electrical generator  651 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a flow chart of method  600  illustrating one embodiment of the method leading to the running of an electrolyzer  693 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a flow chart of method  600  illustrating one embodiment of the method resulting in a storage of hydrogen gas  696 , or alternatively the sending of a message on an internet that a tank containing hydrogen gas is full  697 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a graph  700  comparing wind speed as a function of generator speed, and providing a graphical example of the generation threshold.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7A  is another example of a graph  700  comparing wind speed as a function of generator speed with a point  702  as a wind speed below the generation threshold, and a point  703  as a point illustrating a wind speed at the generation threshold, and a point  704  above the generation threshold.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7B  is an example of graph  700  illustrating, among other things, the range of generation speeds including the point where the turbine/electrical generator  705  is disconnected due to low generator speed.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7C  is an example of the graph  700  depicting a region  708  where additional assistance is needed to turn the turbine/electrical generator  335 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is an illustration showing the structure of an apparatus  800 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon the claimed invention.  
         [0029]     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0030]     The leading digit(s) of reference numbers appearing in the Figures generally corresponds to the Figure number in which that component is first introduced, such that the same reference number is used throughout to refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures. Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference number or label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of the description.  
         [0031]     In some embodiments, a digital processing system or computer system is implemented that includes a processor, which may represent one or more processors and may include one or more conventional types of such processors (e.g., 68000 series, x86-64, x86), such as a Motorola, AMD, or Intel Pentium processor or the like. In some embodiments, the CPU is a single core machine, whereas in other embodiments the machine contains more than one processing core. A memory is coupled to the processor by a bus. The memory may be a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or may include static RAM (SRAM). The processor may also be coupled to other types of storage areas/memories (e.g., cache, Flash memory, disk, etc.), which could be considered as part of the memory or separate from the memory.  
         [0032]     The bus further couples the processor to a display controller, a mass memory or some type of computer-readable media device, the modem or network interface, and an input/output (I/O) controller. Computer-readable media may include a magnetic, optical, magneto-optical, tape, and/or other type of machine-readable media/device for storing information. For example, the computer-readable media may represent a hard disk, a read-only or writeable optical CD, etc. The display controller controls in a conventional manner a display, which may represent a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, or other type of display device. The I/O controller controls I/O device(s), which may include one or more keyboards, mouse/trackball or other pointing devices, magnetic and/or optical disk drives, printers, scanners, digital cameras, microphones, etc.  
         [0033]     In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented entirely in executable computer program instructions which are stored on a computer-readable media or may be implemented in a combination of software and hardware, or in certain embodiments, entirely in hardware.  
         [0034]     Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. In some embodiments, these instructions are written in an object oriented programming language such as C++, Java™, or Delphi™, and compiled or interpreted into some type of machine readable format such as binary code, byte code or the like. And again, in some embodiments, these instructions are written in a structured programming language such as C and compiled or interpreted into some type of machine readable format such as binary code. Such computer-readable media may be any available media, which is accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise physical storage media such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, CD-ROM or other optical-disk storage, magnetic-disk storage or other magnetic-storage devices, or any other media which can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions, computer-readable instructions, or data structures and which may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. This physical storage media may be fixed to the computer system as in the case of a magnetic drive or removable as in the case of an EEPROM device (e.g., flash memory device).  
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system  100 , one embodiment of the present invention that includes at least one wind-powered electric generator  125 , an electrolyzer  145  coupled to receive electric power from the generator  125  via a DC or AC power supply bus  123 , and operable to produce hydrogen and oxygen using the electric power, and to compress and store the hydrogen and oxygen in a tank  150  and tank  155  respectively. In some embodiments, wind  126  is received through a funnel  110  that is operatively coupled to the generator/turbine  125  to supply wind power. In some embodiments, a startup-assist mechanism  122  is operably coupled to deliver a startup assist to the generator/turbine  125 , and optional startup power  160  is coupled to the startup-assist mechanism  122  to provide electrical power for that mechanism. In some embodiments, a wind-speed sensor  120  is operable to generate a speed signal based on a sensed wind speed, and a status controller  140  is coupled to the startup-assist mechanism  122  and is operable to start the generator/turbine  125  based upon the speed signal from the wind-speed sensor  120 . In some embodiments, a wind-direction sensor  121  is operable to generate a direction signal based upon a sensed wind direction, a rotation mechanism  130  coupled to point the turbine/electrical generator  125  in a compass direction, and a rotation controller  135  coupled to the rotation mechanism  130  and operable to point the generator based upon the direction signal.  
         [0036]     Further disclosed in  FIG. 1 , is a block diagram of a system  100  showing one embodiment of the present invention having among other things a central processing unit (CPU)  107 , connected via various buses  115  to a RAM module  108 , a storage controller  106 , and an I/O controller  109 . The storage controller  106  is operatively connected to various types of physical media via various buses  115 . These physical media include CDs, CD-R, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, or DVDs using one or more optical drives  102 , a disk or diskette using one or more floppy drives  103 , magnetic tape using one or more tape drives  104 , one or more hard drive or magnetic drives  105 , and a removable storage media (e.g., a flash memory device) using a Universal Serial Bus (USB)  101 . In some embodiments, the removable storage media includes a universal mass storage device, or USB device, that is typically inserted into a USB  101  through which data and/or applications are uploaded and/or downloaded onto the USB device (i.e., a flash memory device such as a key drive, thumb drive or some other flash memory device as is known in the art). (See  USB Complete. Everything You Need to Develop Custom USB Peripherals  2 nd Edition , by Jan Axelson, Lakeview Research, 2001.) In some embodiments, an I/O controller  109  is operatively connected to various I/O devices via various buses  115 . In some embodiments, these devices include to a monitor  127 , which, in some embodiments, is a CRT, LCD or some other type of display. In some embodiments, a printer  111  is connected to the I/O controller. In some embodiments, these devices additionally include a keyboard, which, in turn, is connected to a mouse. In some embodiments, an Internet  114  is connected to the I/O controller  109  via a modem, Ethernet port, or some other connection known in the art. (See Embedded Ethernet and Internet Complete, by Jan Axelson, Lakeview Research, 2003.) In some embodiments, a local area network (LAN), or wide area network (WAN) may be used as apart of an Internet. In some embodiments, a satellite is connected to the I/O controller via a satellite IP modem and/or satellite gateway.  
         [0037]     In some embodiments, when information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (e.g., either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer system, the connection is properly viewed as a computer-readable media. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a computer-readable media. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Computer-executable or computer-readable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general-purpose computer system or special-purpose computer system to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer-executable or computer-readable instructions may be, for example, binaries, or intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.  
         [0038]     In this description and in the following claims, a computer system is defined as one or more software modules, one or more hardware modules, or combinations thereof, that work together to perform operations on electronic data. For example, the definition of computer system includes the hardware modules of a personal computer, as well as software modules, such as the operating system of the personal computer. The physical layout of the modules is not important. A computer system may include one or more computers coupled via a network. Likewise, a computer system may include a single physical device (e.g., a mobile phone or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)) where internal modules (e.g., a processor and memory) work together to perform operations on electronic data.  
         [0039]     In some embodiments, the invention may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including hubs, routers, wireless access points (APs), wireless stations, personal computers, laptop computers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, pagers, and the like. The invention can also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (i.e., either by hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired and wireless connections) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory-storage devices.  
         [0040]     In some embodiments, Internet refers to a network of networks. Such networks may use a variety of protocols for exchange of information, such as TCP/IP, ATM, SNA, SDI, etc, and may be used within a variety of topologies or structures. The physical connections of the Internet and the protocols and communication procedures of the Internet (e.g., the TCP/IP protocol stack) are well known to those in the art and are collectively referenced herein as the “Transport Layers.” The Transport Layers provide such connections using various protocols (TCP/IP and UDP) over private and public network infrastructures, and will be used to define the method of communication between computer systems. Access to the Internet is typically provided by Internet service providers (ISPs). Access to the Internet via a computer system is typically by way of two or more computers connected in a client-server configuration. A client device or client will be used to reference any computer system that a user may sit at, touch, or hold. A server device will be used to refer to a remotely located computing system, which may be accessed by users through a client application or device via a LAN, WAN or Internet. Users on client systems, such as the client computer systems, generally obtain access to the Internet through an ISP. Access to the Internet may facilitate transfer of information (e.g., email, text files, digital-content files, etc.) between two or more computer systems, such as the client computer system and/or a server computer system (see e.g., a web server, mail server or the like).  
         [0041]     There have been a variety of different approaches to the problem of low-wind speed occurring during the course of using wind power to generate electricity for an electrolyzer used in the production of hydrogen gas. U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,084 (“Crehore”), which is incorporated by reference, discloses a wind-driven gas generator which converts wind energy into electrical energy so as to form hydrogen gas by electrolysis at wind velocities between four (4) miles per hour (6.4 km/h) to upwards of one hundred (100) miles per hour (160.9 km/h). Crehore does not address the generation of electricity where the wind speed is less than the generation threshold for a particular turbine/electrical generator.  
         [0042]     In some embodiments, the present invention addresses the problem of low-wind speed and in particular low-wind speed as it relates to the generation threshold of an electrical generator used to generate electricity for a hydrogen generating electrolyzer. One way to solve this problem is through the use of a blower and/or other startup assist to provide additional kinetic energy to the wind used in generating electrical power. This blower and/or startup assist is powered through one or more batteries that are charged by the electrical generator during periods of moderate to high wind, or, alternatively, it is powered through optional external power sources.  
         [0043]     In some embodiments, the blower and/or startup assembly is controlled by a computer. One advantage of using a computer is that, even if the wind speed drops ever so slightly below the generation threshold, the blower and/or startup assist can be used to temporarily compensate (i.e. make up the difference) for the deficiency in wind energy. Thus, for example, if the generation threshold is four (4) miles per hour (6.4 km/h) and the prevailing wind speed is three point eight (3.8) miles per hour (6.1 km/h), the blower and/or startup assist can be used to generate the additional point two (0.2) miles per hour (0.3 km/h) of wind speed to meet the requirements of the generation threshold.  
         [0044]     In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus that includes one or more the follow items: a wind-powered electric generator, a battery, a battery-charge controller coupled to the generator to receive electric power and coupled to the battery to deliver electric charge, an electrolyzer coupled to receive electric power from the battery and operable to produce hydrogen using the electric power, a startup-assist mechanism operably coupled to deliver a startup assist to the generator, a wind-speed sensor operable to generate a speed signal based on a sensed wind speed, a status controller coupled to the startup-assist mechanism and operable to start the generator based upon the speed signal, a direction-sensitive wind collector coupled to deliver concentrated wind power to the generator, a wind-direction sensor operable to generate a direction signal based upon a sensed wind direction, a rotation mechanism coupled to point the wind collector in a compass direction, and a rotation controller coupled to the rotation mechanism and operable to point the generator based upon the direction signal.  
         [0045]     The magnets and rotors used in a wind-powered electric generator can be made using known techniques, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,289 (“Minato Patent”), incorporated here by reference in its entirety. The Minato Patent discloses a magnetic rotating apparatus to be used in electrical motors, generators. This apparatus uses the field of an electromagnet to turn a series of magnets positioned on two rotors. This electromagnet is supplied with direct electrical current to push or, in some embodiments, pull the magnet containing rotors. This configuration creates less heat that a conventional electric motor that uses rotors containing, wires. The use of magnets instead of wires allows for more inertia to be generated, thus creating a more efficient electrical motor, and generators.  
         [0046]     In some embodiments, the battery includes one or more lead-acid battery cells. In other embodiments, the battery includes a solid-state lithium-ion battery. In still other embodiments, the battery includes a metal-hydride battery. In yet other embodiments, the battery includes a lithium-sulfinur battery. Other embodiments include yet other battery chemistries. Still other embodiments include mechanical storage, for example using one or more flywheels, using water pumped between reservoirs, and/or using hydraulics or other mechanical devices that receive electrical power, store that electrical power as mechanical or potential energy, and regenerate electrical power from the stored energy.  
         [0047]     In some embodiments, the present invention includes insulating materials to keep the water utilized by the invention from freezing. These insulating materials may include inorganic glass fibers, plastics, or other insulating materials.  
         [0048]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of system  200 , one embodiment of the present invention that includes at least one wind-powered electric generator  215 , an electrolyzer  245  coupled to receive electric power from the generator  215  via a DC or AC power supply bus  222 , and operable to produce hydrogen and oxygen using the electric power, and a compressor  265  coupled to the electrolyzer  245  used to compress hydrogen and oxygen for purpose of storage in a tank  250  and tank  255  respectively. In some embodiments, wind  205  is received through a funnel  210  that is operatively coupled to the generator/turbine  215  to supply wind power. In some embodiments, a startup-assist mechanism  225  is operably coupled to deliver a startup assist to the generator  215 , and optional startup power  260  is coupled to the startup-assist mechanism  225  to provide electrical power for that mechanism. In some embodiments, a wind-speed sensor  220  is operable to generate a speed signal based on a sensed wind speed, and a status controller  240  is coupled to the startup-assist mechanism  225  and is operable to start the generator  215  based upon the speed signal from the wind-speed sensor  220 . In some embodiments, a wind-direction sensor  221  is operable to generate a direction signal based upon a sensed wind direction, a rotation mechanism  230  coupled to point the turbine/electrical generator  215  in a compass direction, and a direction controller  235  coupled to the rotation mechanism  230  and operable to point the generator based upon the direction signal.  
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of system  300  that illustrates additional embodiments where the apparatus further includes at least one battery  345 , a battery-charge controller  340  coupled to the generator  335  to receive electric power and operably coupled to deliver an electric charge to at least one battery  345  via a DC or AC power supply bus  333 , wherein the startup-assist mechanism  315  further includes at least one electric-powered blower  315  operatively coupled to receive electric power from the at least one battery  345  via a startup controller  390 , and to blow air to assist the generator  335  to start rotating, a detector  365  operable to determine whether an amount of hydrogen in a tank  370  has reached a predetermined value and to generate a fullness signal based thereon, an electrolyzer controller  356  operably coupled to an electrolyzer  355 , wherein the electrolyzer controller  356  determines an amount of water remaining in the electrolyzer  355 , a distiller  380  operable to receive and distill a liquid (e.g., water)  350 , and to produce distilled water therefrom, based upon a signal from the electrolyzer controller  356  that more water is needed, wherein the distilled water is then transported to the electrolyzer  355 , and a computer system  397  operable to connect to an internet  385 , and based on the fullness signal from a detector  365  to which the computer system  397  is operatively coupled, to transmit on the internet  385  a message indicative of, among other things, the amount of hydrogen. In some embodiments, a computer system  397  is operatively connected to transmit on a satellite  307  a message indicative of the amount of hydrogen. In some embodiments, as discussed below, additional information can be transmitted via an internet  385  and/or satellite  307  data related to the operation of the apparatus  300 .  
         [0050]     In some embodiments, the apparatus  300  further includes a compressor  399  operatively coupled to the electrolyzer  355  to receive and compress hydrogen gas and oxygen gas for storage into tank  370  and  375  respectively.  
         [0051]     In still further embodiments, air/wind flow  305  is used to provide wind power to the generator/turbine  335 . The air/wind flow  305  is determined based upon a wind speed sensor  330  and a wind direction sensor  331  which are both operatively coupled to a direction controller  325 . This direction controller  325  is, in turn, operatively coupled to a rotation mechanism  330  that assists in rotating the direction of the generator/turbine  335  to allow for wind to flow into the generator/turbine  335 . In other embodiments, a status controller  360  is used to determine the status of the apparatus  300 .  
         [0052]     In some embodiments, a computer system  397  is used to store, control and manipulate data. In some embodiments, data relates to, among other things, battery charge, wind speed, wind direction, orientation of the funnel  310 , electricity generated by generator/turbine  335 , electricity generated by solar cells  396 , pressure in the hydrogen  370  and oxygen  375  tanks, amount of water converted to hydrogen and oxygen gas, and related data is compiled on one or more of the above referenced storage media. In some embodiments, this data is sent over an internet  385  for compilation elsewhere. In some embodiments, this data is transmitted via satellite  307  for compilation elsewhere. In some embodiments, the computer system  397  received data in the form of instructions. In some embodiments, these instructions are to shut off the apparatus. In some embodiments, these instructions are to turn on the apparatus. In still other embodiments, this data relates to adjusting the orientation of the funnel  310  such that more or less wind may be captured. In some embodiments, a computer system  397  is used to implement instructions relating to the below described methods (see  FIGS. 4 through 6 - 6 B) and is stored on a computer readable media.  
         [0053]     In some embodiments, the computer system  397  contains the following components operatively connected together: a central processing unit (CPU)  107 , connected via various buses  115  to a RAM module  108 , a storage controller  106 , and an I/O controller  109 . The storage controller  106  is operatively connected to various types of physical media via various buses  115 . These physical media include CDs, CD-R, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, or DVDs using one or more optical drives  102 , a disk or diskette using one or more floppy drives  103 , magnetic tape using one or more tape drives  104 , one or more hard drive or magnetic drives  105 , and a removable storage media (e.g., a flash memory device) using a Universal Serial Bus (USB)  101 . In some embodiments, the removable storage media includes a universal mass storage device, or USB device, that is typically inserted into a USB  101  through which data and/or applications are uploaded and/or downloaded onto the USB device (i.e., a flash memory device such as a key drive, thumb drive or some other flash memory device as is known in the art). (See USB  Complete: Everything You Need to Develop Custom USB Peripherals  2 nd Edition , by Jan Axelson, Lakeview Research, 2001.) In some embodiments, an I/O controller  109  is operatively connected to various I/O devices via various buses  115 . In some embodiments, these devices include to a monitor  127 , which, in some embodiments, is a CRT, LCD or some other type of display. In some embodiments, a printer  111  is connected to the I/O controller. In some embodiments, these devices additionally include a keyboard, which, in turn, is connected to a mouse. In some embodiments, an Internet  114  is connected to the I/O controller  109  via a modem, Ethernet port, or some other connection known in the art. (See Embedded Ethernet and Internet Complete, by Jan Axelson, Lakeview Research, 2003.) In some embodiments, a local area network (LAN), or wide area network (WAN) may be used as apart of an Internet. In some embodiments, a satellite is connected to the I/O controller via a satellite IP modem and/or satellite gateway.  
         [0054]      FIG. 3A  is a block diagram of an apparatus  300  where, in some embodiments, a screen  398  to cover an air inlet for a funnel  310  is installed to protect against foreign objects from entering the funnel  310 . In some embodiments, this screen is constructed from aluminum, composites, plastics or steel.  
         [0055]     While in the past mechanical compressors were utilized to compress gases such as hydrogen, these types of compressors have a number of drawbacks. Mechanical compressors have parts that tend to wear out due to difficulties in lubrication and the high pressures at which these compressors operate. Additionally, mechanical compressors use relatively large amounts of electrical power to operate. One solution to these drawbacks is the use of a non-mechanical hydrogen compressor.  
         [0056]     Non-mechanical hydrogen compressors are a component of the present invention and can be made using known techniques such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,120 (“Golben Patent”), incorporated here by reference in its entirety. The Golben Patent describes a compact, non-mechanical hydrogen compressor. Globen teaches “a hydrogen compressor and compressor system utilizing hydrides that when alternately heated by an electric heater and cooled by water (which can be ordinary tap water), will economically generate high hydrogen pressures at low flow rates.” (Col. 1, line 45-50.) The advantage of this compressor is that it provides a continuous, uninterrupted flow of hydrogen using readily available resources for compression such as ordinary tap water.  
         [0057]     The hydrogen compressor disclosed by Golben operates in the following manner. Hydrogen from a hydrogen producing process, for example, electrolysis is passed into a vessel containing a hydride. This vessel also contains an electric heating element inserted into the hydride. The vessel is surrounded by a cooling fluid passage capable of having water passed through it. The hydrogen gas is pumped into the hydride, and is initially heated by the element. Next the element is shut off and water is injected into the fluid passages so as to cool the hydrogen containing hydride. Once cooled, the hydrogen gas flows out of the vessel, thus producing a stream of compressed hydrogen at an even, uninterrupted rate.  
         [0058]     In some embodiments, the apparatus  300  further includes an inverter  395  operatively coupled to the batteries  345  to convert direct electrical current into alternating electrical current.  
         [0059]     In some embodiments, the apparatus  300 , further includes a battery-charge controller  340  coupled to the generator/turbine  335  to receive electric power and operably coupled to deliver electric charge to at least one battery  345 .  
         [0060]     In some embodiments, the apparatus  300  further includes one or more solar-powered photo electric cells  396  operatively coupled to supply electrical power to the battery-charge controller  340 .  
         [0061]     In some embodiments, the apparatus  300  further includes at least one battery  345  including a lead-acid battery, and the startup-assist mechanism further includes an electric powered blower  315  operatively coupled to receive electric power from the at least one battery  345 , and to blow air to assist the generator/turbine  335  to start rotating. Once this generator/turbine  335  begins to rotate, electricity to be used in electrolysis to create hydrogen gas is generated.  
         [0062]     In  FIG. 3B , a top-down view of an apparatus  300  is disclosed which, in some embodiments, includes a funnel ˜ 310  operatively connected to a turbine and electricity generating electric generator/turbine  335 . This funnel has a rotational direction of three-hundred-and-sixty degrees (360) and may not exceed the three-hundred-and-sixty degree (360) rotation from any starting point. The turbine and electricity generating electric generator/turbine  335  is, in some embodiments, provided assistance through a blower/startup assist  315  that is operatively connected to the turbine and electricity generating electric generator/turbine  335 . In some embodiments, the generator/turbine  335  has curved blades  328  that are turned by air flow/wind direction  305 .  
         [0063]     The principle of using an electrolyzer  355 , and electrolysis to generate hydrogen gas from water by passing an electrical current through the water was first proposed by Michael Faraday in 1830s. The process of electrolysis works in the following manner. First, two electrodes, a cathode (a negatively charged electrode) and an anode (a positively charged electrode) are placed into a solution of water. Next an electrical current is passed through the anode to the cathode, forming a circuit. This results in the water molecule being separated. The chemical equation for electrolysis is: 
 
energy(electricity)+2H 2 O→O 2 +2H 2 . 
 
         [0064]     At the cathode, there is a negative charge created by the electrical current. This means that there is an electrical pressure to push electrons into the water at this end. At the anode, there is a positive charge, so that the electrode would absorb electrons. Water, however, is not a very good conductor. Instead, in order for there to be a flow of charge all the way around the circuit, water molecules near the cathode are split up into a positively charged hydrogen ion (H + ), and a negatively charged hydroxide ion (OH − ). The separation of the water molecule is: 
 
H 2 O→H + +OH − 
 
         [0065]     Once separated, the H +  proton is free to pick up an electron (e − ) from the cathode. This donation of electrons by the cathode is symbolized by: 
 
H + +e − →H 
 
         [0066]     Once this hydrogen atom (H) meets another hydrogen atom (H) a hydrogen gas molecule is formed. This creation of this newly formed hydrogen is represented below: 
 
H+H→H 2  
 
         [0067]     The generation of hydrogen gas through electrolysis is a component of the present invention and can be achieved using known techniques, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,821 (“the Kosek et al. Patent”), incorporated here by reference in its entirety. The Kosek et al. Patent describes an electrolysis process to generate hydrogen gas at pressures high enough to fill gas storage tanks.  
         [0068]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computer network  400  that includes a computer-readable media  420  used in some embodiments. The computer readable media  420  provides executable instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed information-processing-and-hydrogen-generating apparatus to perform one or more of the methods described below (see  FIGS. 5 through 6 B). In some embodiments, this computer readable media  420  is executed by a computer system  397  and accompanying storage media located within the apparatus  300 ; while in other embodiments the computer readable media  420  is executed by and stored on a server  410  located elsewhere, but operative coupled to the apparatus  300  via an internet  414 , and/or satellite  434 . In some embodiments, the computer system  397  is augmented with an on-site terminal  404  to allow a user to execute the executable instructions using the on-site terminal  404 . In some embodiments, a remote terminal  424  is connected to the apparatus  300  via an internet  414  and/or satellite  434 , and contains a computer readable media  420  possessing the executable instructions. As described above, this computer readable media containing the below described method of generating hydrogen gas from wind power can be in the form of optical media such as a CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R or the like, magnetic media such as flash memory, a hard drive, floppy disk or magnetic tape, or may be implemented in hardware just to name a few.  
         [0069]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method  500  used in some embodiments that includes receiving wind-direction sensor  555  information into a direction sensor controller  535  and based upon the wind-direction sensor  555  information, generating with the direction controller  535  a direction-control signal: changing an orientation of a wind-collection device  556  based upon the direction-control signal, and generating hydrogen from electric current, the current from a generator/turbine  510  that is rotated by wind power derived from the wind-collection device  556 .  
         [0070]     In still further embodiments, wind  505  is received into a wind collection device  556  that, in turn, transfers the wind  505  to a generator/turbine  510 . The electrical power generated by the generator/turbine  510  is then transferred through a charging controller  515  that regulates the electrical power flowing to the battery/batteries  520 .  
         [0071]     In some embodiments, the method  500  further includes receiving wind-speed sensor  585  information, based upon the wind-speed sensor  585  information, generating a startup-control signal, and initiating rotation of generator/turbine  510  based upon the startup-control signal.  
         [0072]     In some embodiments, method  500  further includes receiving wind-speed information  585  into the direction controller  535 , wherein the changing of the orientation is also based upon the wind-speed information obtained from the wind-speed sensor  585 , and wherein the changing of the orientation is suppressed below a predetermined wind speed.  
         [0073]     In some embodiments, the method  500  additionally includes the generating of hydrogen gas through: distilling a liquid (e.g., water  551 ) to generate distilled water with a distiller  540 , electrolyzing, with an electrolyzer  595 , the distilled water to form hydrogen gas and oxygen compressing  596  the hydrogen gas, oxygen, and storing the hydrogen gas and oxygen in tanks  570  and  580  respectively.  
         [0074]     In some embodiments, the method  500  further includes utilizing a detector  560  to determine that an amount of hydrogen in the tank  570  has reached a predetermined value, and based on the detected amount, transmitting on an internet  565  a message indicating the detected amount.  
         [0075]     In some embodiments, the method  500  further includes receiving wind-speed information into a speed controller  590 , based upon the wind-speed information, generating a startup-control signal sent to a startup-assist mechanism  550 , initiating rotation of a generator/turbine  510  based upon the startup-assist mechanism  550 , and generating electric current by wind power derived from a wind-collection device  556 .  
         [0076]     In some embodiments, the method  500  further includes receiving wind-direction sensor  555  information, receiving wind-speed sensor  585  information, based upon the wind-direction information  555  and the wind-speed information  585  generating with the direction controller  535  a direction-control signal, and changing an orientation of wind-collection device  556  based upon the direction-control signal. A rotation mechanism  550  is used to adjust the orientation of the wind collection device  556  in order to collect more wind  505 .  
         [0077]     In some embodiments, the method  500  further includes electro-chemical storing, at least some of the electric power, wherein the initiating of the rotation further includes blowing on the generator/turbine  510  with air pushed by a blower  550  powered from the battery/batteries  520 .  
         [0078]     In some embodiments, the method  500  further includes converting the direct electrical current stored in the batteries  520  into alternating current, through an inverter  591 .  
         [0079]     In some embodiments, the method  500  further includes the generation of electrical power through the use of one or more solar-powered photo electric cells  592  and the storage of this electrical power in at least one battery  520 .  
         [0080]     In some embodiments, the method  500  further includes correcting the orientation of the solar-powered photo electric cells  592  to track the sun and to receive the greatest amount of solar energy. Correcting the orientation involves adjusting the tilt angle (the angle the panel makes from the horizontal) and the aspect angle (the angle the panel makes from North) of the solar-powered photo electric cells  592 .  
         [0081]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a method  600 . In at least one embodiment, this method  600  is implemented on one of the above described computer readable media  420 . In some embodiments, the method  600  begins with a start  605 . From start  605  control is passed to block  610  where wind-speed and direction data is received. Once the wind-speed and direction data is received, control is given to block  615  where the wind-speed data is measured against a maximum non-detrimental wind standard. The maximum non-detrimental wind is that wind speed above which the apparatus will sustain damage. If it is determined that the wind-speed data exceeds or is equal to the maximum non-detrimental wind speed, then control will be passed to block  620  and the wind-collection device will be rotated away from the damaging wind. If, however, it is determined that the wind-speed data does not exceed the maximum non-detrimental wind, then the control will pass to block  621  and the collection device will be rotated towards the direction of the highest wind collection.  
         [0082]     In still further embodiments the method  600  contains a run turbine/generator  651  whereby control is conveyed from the block  621  to a block  640  to determine if the wind speed is below what can be assisted. If the wind speed is below what can be assisted, then control is passed to block  645  wherein a clutch for the turbine/electric generator is disengaged. If, in the alternative, the wind speed is above a minimum speed where it can be provided assistance, then control is passed to a block  625  to determine whether the wind speed is below the generation threshold. If the wind speed is below the generation threshold, then control is passed to block  630  and rotation speed assistance maintenance is provided. If, however, the wind speed is not below the generation threshold, then control is passed to block  650  and electrical power is obtained from the turbine/generator.  
         [0083]      FIG. 6A  depicts some embodiments of the method  600  where the method  600  contains a run electrolyzer  693  whereby control is transferred from a run turbine/generator block  651  to a block  655  wherein electrical current is supplied to a charging controller. Once electrical current is supplied to the charging controller, control is passed to a block  660  where it is determined whether an existing battery charge is less than or equal to a minimum battery charge. If the existing battery charge is greater than the minimum battery charge, then control is passed to a block  675  wherein electricity is supplied to a distiller. If, in the alternative, the battery charge is less than or equal to the minimum battery charge, then control is passed to a block  665  and the batteries are charged. Once control is passed to the block  665 , control is further passed to a block  670  wherein it is determined whether the battery charge is greater than or equal to a maximum battery charge. If the battery charge is less than the maximum battery charge, then control is passed back to the block  665  and the battery charging continues. If, however, the battery charge is greater than or equal to the maximum battery charge, then control is transferred to the block  675  and electricity is supplied to a distiller. Once control is passed to the block  675 , then control is further transferred to a block  680  wherein a water level in the distiller is compared against a minimum water level. If the water level in the distiller is less than or equal to the minimum water level, then control is transferred to a block  680  by control block  681  after water is supplied by a water supply  666 . In the alternative, if the water level in the distiller is greater than the minimum water level, then control is passed to block  690  and a water level in an electrolyzer is compared against a minimum electrolyzer water level. If the water level in the electrolyzer is less than or equal to the minimum electrolyzer water level, then control is transferred to block  691  and distilled water from the distiller  667  is added to the electrolyzer. If, however, the water level in the electrolyzer is greater than the minimum electrolyzer water level, then control is passed to a block  692  and hydrogen (H 2 ) is generated via the electrolyzer.  
         [0084]      FIG. 6B  discloses some embodiments of the method  600  whereby once the run electrolyzer  693  occurs; control is passed to a block  696  wherein hydrogen pressure in the electrolyzer is compared against a maximum allowable hydrogen pressure for the electrolyzer. If the hydrogen pressure in the electrolyzer is greater than or equal to the maximum allowed hydrogen pressure for the electrolyzer, then control is transferred to block  694  run a compressor. If, however, the hydrogen pressure in the electrolyzer is less than the maximum pressure for the electrolyzer, then control is passed back to the block  693  and the electrolyzer is run again. Once control is passed to block  694  and the compressor is run, then control is transferred to block  695  and the pressure of the hydrogen exiting the compressor is compared against the maximum allowable pressure for a tank containing hydrogen. If the pressure of the hydrogen exiting the compressor is less than or equal to the maximum allowable pressure for the tank of hydrogen, then control is transferred to a block  696  and the hydrogen from the compressor is added to the tank containing hydrogen. Alternatively, if the pressure of the hydrogen exiting the tank is greater than the maximum allowable pressure of hydrogen in the tank, then control is passed to a block  697  and a message is sent on an internet that the tank is full.  
         [0085]      FIG. 7  is a graph  700  illustrating the generation threshold at which it would be appropriate to utilize an assist  735 . The point labeled disconnect generators  730 , denotes a point, in some embodiments, where the wind speed is so low as to negate the benefits of the assist  735 . The assist  735  denotes the point where, in some embodiments, wind speed is such that the electric generator/turbine  335  can benefit from the assistance of a blower/startup assist  315 . The point where the assist is helpful is described above as the generation threshold. The non-assist path  715  is the point where the generation speed  701  is such that electrical power can be generated without assistance.  
         [0086]      FIG. 7A  is a graph  700  further illustrating some embodiments whereby wind speed can be understood as a wind speed  702  that is so low as to negate the benefits of any blower/startup assist  315 . Additionally, wind speed can be understood as a single wind speed  703  value that is equal to the generation threshold for the blower/startup assist  315 . Furthermore, in some embodiments a wind speed  704  may be understood as a wind speed for which no blower/startup assist  315  is necessary.  
         [0087]      FIG. 7B  is a graph  700  further depicting some embodiments wherein generator/turbine speed is disclosed as three different ranges. First, a generator/turbine disconnect  705  wherein the range of the generator/turbine speed is so low that the generator/turbine  335  is disconnected so as to avoid a startup penalty should it cease rotating. A startup penalty is the cost in terms of wind power or electrical energy of having to initiate rotation of the turbine/electrical generator  335  where the initial generator/turbine speed is zero (0). Second, a maintain speed assist  706  range where the generator/turbine speed is such that the blower/startup assist  315  is needed to increase the generator/turbine speed beyond the generation threshold. A third, self sustaining range  707  where the generator/turbine speed is such that no assistance via a blower/startup assist  315  is necessary.  
         [0088]      FIG. 7C  is a graph  700  further illustrating some embodiments, whereby power must be continually added to the generator/turbine speed to maintain a minimum speed  708  above the generation threshold.  
         [0089]      FIG. 8  is an illustration showing the configuration and structure of a wind-powered hydrogen-generating apparatus  800  according to some embodiments of the invention. Apparatus  800  includes a building  820  (e.g., made from concrete blocks, composites, aluminum or steel) having an access door  821  to the inside where the components described above are housed. On top of building  820  is a motor-controlled rotation device  230  that in some embodiments, includes a motor  823  driving a cog  824  that moves a toothed turntable  822 . Wind-direction sensor  221  includes a plurality of spaced-apart direction sensors  810  connected by at least one cable  811  to the direction controller  235  described above, which controls motor  823 . Direction controller  235  also tracks how far it has turned turntable  822 , and will unwind one rotation if it detects that it has gone too far (clockwise, for example) in following the change in wind direction, in order that power and/or signal cables  802  from the exposed rotating apparatus  801  do not get tangled or broken. In some embodiments, turbine/generator  215  includes a squirrel-cage turbine unit having a plurality of curved blades  828  that catch the concentrated wind exiting the down-wind end of funnel  210 . In some embodiments, a plurality of generators  826  are mounted within a generator/turbine unit  215 , each coupled to a rotating central shaft by belt-and-pulley systems. In some embodiments, the shaft is held in place by bracing to funnel  210 . Solar-powered photo-electric cells  396  mounted on funnel  210  and/or on a sun-tracking rotation system  896  at a distance from building  820  to have an unobstructed view of the sun provide additional energy to provide supplemental start-up energy to one or more batteries  345 , used to start turbine  215  rotating if wind starts blowing.  
         [0090]     In some embodiments, the media contains instructions for causing the method to further include: receiving wind-speed information, based upon the wind-speed information, generating a startup-control signal, and initiating rotation of the generator/turbine based upon the startup-control signal.  
         [0091]     In some embodiments, the media contains instructions for causing the method to further include: receiving wind-speed information, wherein the changing of the orientation is also based upon the wind-speed information, and wherein the changing of the orientation is suppressed below a predetermined wind speed.  
         [0092]     In some embodiments, the media contains instructions for causing the method to further include: distilling a liquid to generate distilled water, electrolyzing the distilled water to form hydrogen gas, and storing the hydrogen gas in a tank.  
         [0093]     In some embodiments, the media contains instructions for causing the method to further include: detecting that an amount of hydrogen in the tank has reached a predetermined value, and based on the detecting of the amount, transmitting on an internet a message indicative of the amount of hydrogen.  
         [0094]     In some embodiments, the media contains instructions for causing the method to further include: using one or more photo-electric solar cells to track the sun, by changing the orientation of the one or more photo-electric solar cells.  
         [0095]     In some embodiments, the media contains instructions for causing the method to further include: detecting that the apparatus has been tampered with and sending a message on the internet to a computer suitably programmed to receive the message.  
         [0096]     In some embodiments, the apparatus, further includes a sensor that determines wind-speed information, and means for initiating rotation of the generator/turbine based upon the wind-speed information.  
         [0097]     In some embodiments, the apparatus, further includes the means for changing the orientation is also operative, based upon the wind-speed information, and to suppress changing the orientation when a detected wind speed is below a predetermined wind speed.  
         [0098]     In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes the means for storing hydrogen gas in a tank using a compressor.  
         [0099]     In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes the means for converting direct electrical current into alternating electrical current.  
         [0100]     In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes the means for converting solar energy into electrical energy through the use of one or more solar-powered photo electric cells.  
         [0101]     In some embodiments, a kit containing components for the apparatus. The kit includes, in some embodiments, a funnel, a blower/startup assist, one or more solar-powered photo electric cells, a generator/turbine, a rotation mechanism, a connection to an internet, a wind speed and a wind direction sensor, a startup controller, a rotation controller, an inverter, a status controller, a battery charge controller, one or more batteries, a detector, a distiller, an electrolyzer and electrolyzer controller, a compressor and a tank to hold hydrogen gas, and a tank to hold oxygen gas. In addition to these components, in at least one embodiment, the parts needed to assemble these components would also be included in the kit. In some embodiments, these parts include screws, bolts, tape, electrical wire, fastener, and clasps.  
         [0102]     Such kits are useful where the apparatus is to be utilized at undeveloped, remote or isolated locations where the ability to individually transport the components of the apparatus is limited or uneconomical.  
         [0103]     Some embodiments of the present invention are drawn to an apparatus including: at least one wind-powered electric generator, an electrolyzer coupled to receive electric power from the generator/turbine and operable to produce hydrogen using the electric power, a startup-assist mechanism operably coupled to deliver a startup assist to the generator, a wind-speed sensor operable to generate a speed signal based on a sensed wind speed, a status controller coupled to the startup-assist mechanism and operable to start the generator/turbine based upon the speed signal, a wind-direction sensor operable to generate a direction signal based upon a sensed wind direction, a rotation mechanism coupled to point the generator/turbine in a compass direction, and a rotation controller coupled to the rotation mechanism and operable to point the generator/turbine based upon the direction signal.  
         [0104]     In addition to the above disclosed apparatus, some embodiments of the present invention provide a method whereby wind-direction information is received into a direction controller, based upon the wind-direction information, generating with the direction controller a direction-control signal, changing an orientation of a wind-collection device based upon the direction-control signal, and generating hydrogen from electric current, the current from a generator/turbine that is rotated by wind power derived from the wind-collection device.  
         [0105]     Further, in some embodiments the present invention provides a computer-readable media having executable instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed information-processing-and-hydrogen-generating apparatus to perform a method that includes: receiving wind-direction information, based upon the wind-direction information, generating a direction-control signal, changing an orientation of a wind-collection device based upon the direction-control signal, and generating hydrogen from electric current, the current from a generator/turbine that is rotated by wind power derived from the wind-collection device.  
         [0106]     In still further embodiments, a kit is available from which to build an apparatus. This kit includes: a funnel component, a blower/startup assist component, solar-powered photo electric cells component, a generator/turbine component, a rotation mechanism component, a connection to an internet component, a wind speed sensor component, a wind direction sensor component, a startup controller component, a rotation controller component, an inverter component, a status controller component, a battery charge controller component, one or more batteries component, a detector component, a distiller component, an electrolyzer component, an electrolyzer controller component, a compressor component, a tank component to hold hydrogen gas, and a tank component to hold oxygen gas. In some embodiments, the kit further includes parts necessary to assemble the components of the kit.  
         [0107]     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments as described herein have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, many other embodiments and changes to details will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should be, therefore, determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.