Apparatus and method for utilizing heat generated owing to Pons-Fleischmann effect

Abstract: Apparatus and method for efficiently utilizing heat generated owing to so-called cold fusion. A metal rod (5), heat pipe or the like is directly connected to a cathode (2) in which excess heat is generated owing to the Pons-Fleischmann effect, to deprive the cathode (2) of heat. The heat is used to perform electrical or mechanical work. Depriving the cathode of heat also contributes to maintenance of the performance of the cathode (2).

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for utilizing heat generated due to the effect caused by the absorption of hydrogen or an isotope thereof in a hydrogen-absorbing metal or alloy thereof. Early experiments in this area of technology were reported in Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, vol. 59 (8), 1926, pp 2039-2048, which describes an experiment wherein hydrogen absorbed into palladium apparently underwent fusion and thereby formed helium; and in Var alkemist i Tomegränd - en bok av och om John Tandberg, CWK Gleerup Bokförlag, Lund, Sweden (1970), pp 31-48, which describes the work in the 1920's and later of the researcher John Tandberg whereby he proposed to increase the yield of helium by increasing the concentration of hydrogen atoms within the catalyst. He further proposed to place the reaction vessel in thermal contact with an element which converted the heat formed into a technically useful form. In March 1989, Professor Pons and Professor Fleischmann announced at Utah University that an apparent excess heat was generated as compared to an input power. The experiment was as follows. Deuterated water (D₂O) containing lithium hydroxide (LiOD) is used as an electrolyte, a cathode made of a hydrogen absorbing material, or alloy thereof such as palladium and an anode made of platinum are immersed in the electrolyte, and DC current is applied across the anode and cathode to electrically decompose the electrolyte. Their experiment has demonstrated that an amount of energy exceeding an amount of supplied energy is generated in the form of thermal energy. Since then, many scientists have verified the generation of such excess heat and today, this phenomenon is widely known as the Pons-Fleischmann effect (hereinafter referred to as P/F effect). An apparatus utilizing such excess heat is disclosed in Figs. 1 to 8 of International Publication Number WO 90/10935. In the apparatus, a pipe for passing steam is laid in an electrolyte. The steam acts as a heat medium which deprives the electrolyte, raised in temperature owing to excess heat, of heat and that heat is converted into electrical energy by means of a steam generator. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to highly efficiently utilize excess heat generated owing to the P/F effect. With the cathode being made of a hydrogen absorbing material, when the cathode is heated to above its recrystallization temperature, the P/F effect cannot fulfill itself and to prevent this disadvantage, the generated amount of excess heat is controlled to adjust the temperature of the cathode. Needless to say, the temperature of the cathode should be prevented from rising to above its melting point. To accomplish the above and other objects, according to one aspect of the invention, a member for transferring heat is connected directly to the cathode in order that excess heat is derived from the cathode efficiently and that heat is either used as it is or converted into energy of another form. With the aim of controlling the amount of excess heat generated in the cathode, current applied across the cathode and anode is controlled. Specifically, the invention provides an apparatus for utilizing heat generated due to the effect caused by the absorption of hydrogen or an isotope thereof, in a hydrogen-absorbing metal or alloy thereof, comprising: a container in which a cathode comprising said hydrogen-absorbing metal or alloy thereof and an anode are supported; an electrolyte in said container containing at least deuterated water; a power supply for applying DC current across said cathode and anode; heat transfer means comprising a solid portion made of thermally conductive material, said solid portion being connected thermally and fixedly to said cathode, for transferring heat generated in said cathode due to the said effect, and means for performing work by utilizing heat transferred from said cathode by said transfer means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a thermoelectric conversion device used in the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a catalyzer device using a catalyzer of pellet type. Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a catalyzer device using a catalyzer of monolithic type. Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are sectional views showing structures of the Fig. 4 monolithic type catalyzer. Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a modification of the apparatus. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line A-A′ of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the thermoelectric conversion device. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the construction of a stirling engine. Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a modification of the thermoelectric conversion device. Fig. 11 is a plan view of one unit of the Fig. 10 device. Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line B-B′ of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing the connected state of individual units of the device. Fig. 14 is a diagram useful to explain the principle of operation of a heat pipe. Fig. 15 is a longitudinally sectional view of an embodiment of the heat pipe. Fig. 16 is a crosssectional view of the embodiment of the heat pipe. Fig. 17 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a current controller according to the invention. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the Fig. 17 current controller in use. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the construction of an embodiment of a current controller using a CPU. Fig. 20 is a diagram useful to explain the operation of the CPU. Fig. 21 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Fig. 19 apparatus. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing a transistor used as a switching element. Fig. 23 is a diagram showing the construction of another embodiment of the current controller using the CPU. Fig. 24 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Fig. 23 apparatus. Fig. 25 is a table showing the relation between an optimum temperature and an optimum current value or voltage value. Fig. 26 is a diagram useful to explain the operation of the CPU. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1 Firstly, an apparatus shown in Fig. 1 will be described. An electrolytic cell consists of the container 4, electrolyte 3, cathode 2 and anode 1. The container 4 made of a material such as for example stainless steel, glass, ceramics has a closed structure and the following are contained in the container 4. An electrolyte 3 is filled in the container and there are arranged or supported in the electrolyte 3 a cathode 2 and an anode 1 which opposes the cathode so as to be substantially uniformly distant therefrom. The electrolyte 3 contains deuterated water D₂O which preferably contains lithium hydroxide LiOD. Since the cathode 2 is raised in temperature owing to excess heat and consequently the container 4 is also heated, the outer wall of the container 4 is covered with a heat insulating material 16. The cathode 2 is made of an hydrogen absorbing metal such as palladium and a heat conductor 5, electrically and thermally conductive, is embedded in a central cavity of the cathode 2. The embedding may be effected by (1) press fitting or (2) welding. Preferably, to prevent the intervention of a space between cathode 2 and heat conductor 5, a filler having high thermal conductivity such as grease may be interposed between the two members. Obviously, the grease can reduce resistance against press fitting to advantage. Thanks to the heat conductor 5 embedded in the central cavity of the cathode 2, heat can be derived uniformly from the whole of the cathode 2. The palladium material for the cathode 2 has a purity of, for example, 99.9% or more and takes a columnar shape; and preferably it is used after being reduced in crosssectional area by about 90% through cold forging process. The anode 1 is made of a metal material having acid- and alkali- proof properties such as platinum or gold and may have a rod-like or flat plate-like shape or a porous or mesh form. Preferably, the anode 1 may have a form which makes uniform the distribution of current supplied to the cathode 2. For example, when the cathode 2 is of a rod shape, the anode 1 may preferably be formed into a cylinder or a coil which surrounds the cathode 2. The heat conductor 5 is made of a thermally and electrically highly conductive material such as silver or copper and it penetrates the top plate of the container 4, terminating in an external fore end at which a first thermoelectric conversion device 11 is provided. The heat conductor 5 is electrically and thermally insulated from the container 4 by an insulator 7 of, for example, ceramics, resin or rubber. Further, a second thermoelectric converter 8 for conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy, as shown in Fig. 2, is mounted on the heat conductor 5 through a thermally highly conductive retainer 13. According to Fig. 1, also mounted on the heat conductor 5 is a temperature sensor 6 for detecting temperatures in the heat conductor 5. Other portions of the heat conductor 5 are all covered with a heat insulating material 10 such as glass wool to protect the heat conductor 5 from exposure directly to the open air. An externally provided power supply 9 has a positive pole connected to the anode 1 of the electrolytic cell and a negative pole electrically connected to the electrically conductive heat conductor 5 which is electrically connected to the cathode 2 of the electrolyzer. Output poles of the second thermoelectric conversion device 8 are connected in parallel with the power supply 9 so as to be connected electrically to the anode 1 and heat conductor 5, respectively. The container 4 has inlet and outlet ports and opposite ends of a pipe having a midway catalyzer chamber filled with catalyzer are connected to the inlet and outlet ports. The catalyzer 15 has the function of converting D₂ gas and O₂ gas both generated in the electrolytic cell into D₂O. Either a pellet type catalyzer or a monolithic type catalyzer in the form of a mesh or thin plate may be used as the catalyzer 15. Fig. 3 shows a catalyzer device having a catalyzer chamber charged with pellet type catalyzer 15 and Fig. 4 shows a catalyzer device having a catalyzer chamber charged with monolithic type catalyzer 15. The monolithic type catalyzer 15 may have an eddy form as shown in Fig. 5A, a stack form as shown in Fig. 5B or a lattice form as shown in Fig. 5C. The catalyzer 15 of the pellet type can be prepared by depositing platinum catalyst on the surface of particulate matter and the catalyzer 15 of the monolithic type can be prepared by depositing platinum catalyst on the surface of a mesh or thin plate. The operation of this apparatus will now be described. When a necessary interval of time expires after the application of DC current from the power supply 9 to the anode 1 and cathode 2, an abrupt temperature rise takes place in the cathode 2. Heat generated in the cathode 2 is conducted to the heat conductor 5 and part of the heat is converted into electrical energy by means of the second thermoelectric conversion device 8. Since in this phase of operation the electrical energy stemming from the conversion of part of the heat generated in the cathode and conducted through the heat conductor 5 is sufficient to provide necessary electrical energy for electrolysis, a switch 14 is turned off to interrupt current from the power supply 9 and electrical power generated from the thermoelectric conversion device 8 is utilized for electrolysis. This signifies that the power supply 9 is merely required to be utilized as a starter power supply for generation of necessary thermal energy for steady operation. Of thermal energy conducting through the heat conductor 5, the remainder not utilized by the thermoelectric conversion device 8 is derived from the first thermoelectric conversion device 11 as electrical energy. D₂ gas and O₂ gas generated in the electrolyzer through electrolysis pass through inlet and outlet pipes so as to undergo conversion to D₂O under the influence of the catalyzer 15 in the catalyzer chamber and circulate to return to the electrolyzer. When, in the apparatus having the above construction, a rod of palladium of 10 mm diameter and 20 mm length produced through a cold forging or drawing process is used as the cathode, a coil of platinum arranged to surround the cathode is used as the anode, 100 ml of deuterated water containing 0.11 mol/l of LiOD is used as the electrolyte and electrolysis at fixed voltage is carried out under the condition that current flow is so adjusted as to take a value of 100 mA or more under the application of a voltage of 4V across both the electrodes (cathode and anode), the temperature in the cathode rises in proportion to the current. An apparatus as shown in Fig. 6 will now be described. The apparatus shown in Fig. 6 is a modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. In the Fig. 6 apparatus, the heat insulating material 16 covering the container 4 in the Fig. 1 apparatus is replaced with a cooling fin 17. A crosssection of the cooling fin 17 taken on the line A-A′ of Fig. 6 is illustrated in Fig. 7. The surface area usable for heat dissipation can be increased by virtue of the cooling fin. Further, in the Fig. 6 modification, a pipe 21 through which coolant is passed is arranged inside the container 4. In the Figure, reference numeral 22 designates a temperature sensor, and a controller not shown responds to a temperature of electrolyte 3 detected by the sensor 22 to adjust at least one of the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant. In the foregoing embodiments, the first thermoelectric conversion device 11 may be connected in series to the second thermoelectric conversion device 8. In other words, the two devices 11 and 8 may be unified into a unitary device. A more concrete example of the first thermoelectric conversion device 11 is shown in Fig. 8. In the illustrated example, in order to increase the temperature gradient between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the device 11, a fin 35 for cooling is mounted to the outer periphery of the device 11. In the Figure, reference numeral 32 designates a retainer 32 which is made of a thermally highly conductive material. Further, the device 8, 11 may be replaced with a cooling fin 43, and the cooling fin 43 applies to a heater 44 of a stirling engine as shown in Fig. 9. Illustrated in Fig. 9 is an apparatus for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy. The internal space of the heater 44 of the stirling engine is mostly occupied by an end portion of the heat conductor 5 and the end portion has its surfaces provided with a fin 43. The heater 44 has a passage through which a heated gas is fed to a cylinder chamber and in the cylinder chamber, there are provided a displacer piston 45 moved by the fed heated gas and a power piston 46 linked to the displacer piston. The cylinder chamber has an outlet port through which an , exhaust gas is discharged and a passage extending from the outlet port connects to a radiator 47 and a regenerator 48, so that the exhaust gas may finally be circulated to return to the heater 44. Fig. 10 exemplifies another thermoelectric conversion device 126. In Fig. 10 members operating equivalently to those in Fig. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 and will not be described herein. In this example, a laminar heat conductor 125 is stuck to the surface of a cavity formed in the cathode 2, and a thermoelectric conversion device 126 is laminated on the heat conductor 125. For the purpose of cooling the surface of the device 126, a heat medium (for example, air) is circulated through the central cavity of the assembly comprised of cathode 2, heat conductor 125 and device 126. Reference numeral 127 designates a radiator for cooling the heat medium. Figs. 11 to 13 show a specified construction of the device 126. One unit 260 of the device includes, as shown in Figs. 11 to 13, an annular insulating substrate 128, a conductor 129 formed on the outer periphery of the substrate 128, a pair of vertically spaced terminals 130 and 131 formed on the inner periphery of the substrate 128, a P-type semiconductor layer 132 interposed between the first terminal 130 and the conductor 129, and an N-type semiconductor layer 133 interposed between the second terminal 131 and the conductor 129. Each of the terminals 130 and 131 is formed with a cut 134. A plurality of the units 260 each having the above construction are stacked as shown in Fig. 13 and arranged inside the heat conductor 125. BY stacking the units as illustrated in Fig. 13, the upper terminal 130 of one unit 260 and the lower terminal 131 of another unit 260 can be connected in series with each other. Returning to Fig. 1, the metal rod used as the heat conductor may be replaced with a heat pipe as shown in Figs. 14 to 16. Fig. 14 is a diagram useful to explain the principle of operation of the heat pipe. Functionally, the heat pipe is divided into three sections which are an evaporating section for inputting heat into the pipe, a heat insulating section for causing heat to move as a steam flow inside the pipe, and a condensing section for outputting the moved heat. The operation of the heat pipe will now be described. Heat externally inputted to the pipe at the lower evaporating section thereof converts a working liquid or gas inside the heat pipe into a steam flow and the steam flow is caused to rise through the center of an inner tube of the heat pipe. The steam flow reaching the upper condensing section of the heat pipe dissipates heat and turns into a liquid flow which goes down through an outer tube of the heat pipe. Figs. 15 and 16 are a longitudinally sectional view and a crosssectional view of the heat pipe, respectively, and especially illustrate only the lower evaporating section and upper condensing section. A plurality of mesh layers 19 are lined on the inner wall, as designated at 18, of the outer tube made of, for example, Cu, SuS or A. Embodiment 2 In the present embodiment, a current controller 26 is added to the foregoing embodiment in order to control the amount of excess heat generated. An apparatus of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 17 and 18. Fig. 17 shows a section of the whole of the current controller 26 according to the present embodiment. The current controller 26 is a bimetal structure 23 comprised of a low-expansion metal member 28 and a high-expansion metal member 29. The bimetal 23 has at its free end a contact 24 through which the controller electrically connects to the anode, having the opposite end connected to the power supply. An end portion, opposite to the contact 24, of the bimetal 23 is fixed to the heat conductor 5 by an insulator 27 such as resin. Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing the whole of the apparatus incorporating the current controller 26. The current controller 26 is fixed on the heat conductor 5 and electrically connected between the power source 9 and the anode 1. With the apparatus having the above construction, when the temperature of the heat conductor 5 exceeds a predetermined value during operation, the current controller 26 is activated to stop current to the electrodes but when the temperature falls below the predetermined value, the current is allowed to be supplied, thus controlling the temperature of the cathode 2 and consequently the temperature in the electrolytic cell. Embodiment 3 Fig. 19 shows a current controller utilizing a CPU. The same members as those explained in connection with Fig. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. In the present embodiment, a heat conductor 5 is mounted with a temperature sensor 57 for measuring temperatures in the heat conductor 5. Mounted to an energy deriving means 11 arranged at the top end of the heat conductor 5 is an output sensor 56 for measuring the magnitude of generated energy. When the derived energy is electrical energy, an ammeter or a voltmeter is used as the sensor. When the derived energy is mechanical energy, a tachometer, a pressure gauge or a temperature sensor is used as the sensor and measured values are delivered as electrical output signals. A power supply 63 has one pole, positive, led to an anode 1 through a switch 62 and the other pole, negative, connected directly to the conductive heat conductor 5 so as to be led to a cathode 2. Positive polarity of electrical energy derived from a thermoelectric converter 8 is led to the anode 1 through a variable resistor 61 and negative polarity of the electrical energy is connected directly to the heat conductor 5 so as to be conducted to the cathode 2. A voltmeter 58 is connected in parallel with positive and negative outputs of the thermoelectric converter 8. An ammeter 59 is connected in series with an external circuit leading from the anode 1 and ending in the heat conductor 5. The temperature sensor 57, output sensor 56, voltmeter 58 and ammeter 59 are so connected that their output signals are inputted to a CPU 60. One of the output signals of the CPU 60 designates a proper resistance of the variable resistor 59 and sets the variable resistor to the proper resistance; and the other output signal performs on/off switching of the switch 62 which switches outputs of the power supply 63 and thermoelectric converter 8 both adapted to supply electrical energy to the electrodes. Fig. 20 shows, in block form, an example of the designation and setting of a proper resistance. The manner of controlling the temperature or output will be described with reference to a flow chart shown in Fig. 21. Firstly, in step S1, an optimum temperature or optimum output ϑ1 is inputted to the CPU 60 in advance by means of a keyboard (not shown). Subsequently, a practically measured actual temperature or actual output ϑ is automatically inputted to the CPU 60 from the temperature sensor 57 or output sensor 56 (step S2), causing the CPU 60 to compare the optimum temperature or optimum output ϑ1 with the actual temperature or actual output ϑ delivered out of these sensors (step S3). If ϑ > ϑ1, calculation for increasing the resistance pursuant to R = R+α is carried out (step S4) and if ϑ < ϑ1, calculation for decreasing the resistance pursuant to R = R-α is carried out, so that the resistance of the variable resistor 59 may be changed automatically (step S6) to control the temperature of the cathode automatically. In the present embodiment, an additional temperature sensor 57 may be embedded in the cathode 2 as shown at double dotted line in Fig. 19. When the variable resistor 61 is replaced with a transistor 161 as shown in Fig. 22, the amount of excess heat generated can be controlled by changing the conduction time instead of changing the value of the current. Alternatively, the value of the current may be controlled manually. Embodiment 4 While the aforementioned embodiment 3 is directed to a closed-loop electrical control circuit based on measured values of actual temperature or actual output, the present embodiment is directed to an open-loop circuit not based on the actual temperature or actual output. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the temperature sensor and output sensor used in embodiment 3 are omitted and instead, an optimum current value I1 (or optimum voltage value) is set by making reference to the relation, determined in advance, between an optimum temperature and the optimum current value I1 (or optimum voltage value). A temperature controller according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 23. In contrast to embodiment 3 shown in Fig. 19, the output sensor and temperature sensor are omitted in the Fig. 23 embodiment and wiring is such that only signals from a voltmeter 78 and an ammeter 79 are automatically inputted to a CPU 77. Excepting the above, the construction is the same as that of embodiment 3. The manner of controlling the temperature or output according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flow chart shown in Fig. 24. An optimum temperature ϑ is inputted in advance to the CPU by means of a keyboard (step S1). Subsequently, by making reference to the relation between the optimum temperature and an optimum current value I1 (or optimum voltage value), which relation is determined in advance as shown in Fig. 25, the optimum current value I1 (or optimum voltage value) is set (step S2). Subsequently, in step S3, a practically measured actual current I (or actual voltage) is automatically inputted to the CPU as shown in a block diagram of Fig. 26, causing the CPU to compare the optimum current value Ii (or optimum voltage value) with the practically measured actual current I (or actual voltage) (step 4). If I > Ii, calculation for increasing the resistance pursuant to R = R+α is carried out (step S5) and if I < Ii, calculation for decreasing the resistance pursuant to R = R-α is carried out (step S6), so that the resistance of the variable resistor may be changed (step S7) to control the temperature of the apparatus. In the foregoing embodiments, negative voltage is applied to the cathode through the conductor but obviously, the cathode may be connected directly to the power supply. Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: An apparatus for utilizing heat generated due to the effect caused by the absorption of hydrogen or an isotope thereof in a hydrogen-absorbing metal or alloy thereof, comprising: a container (4) in which a cathode (2) comprising said hydrogen-absorbing metal or alloy thereof and an anode (1) are supported; an electrolyte (3) in said container containing at least deuterated water; a power supply (9; 63; 76) for applying DC current across said cathode and anode; characterized by heat transfer means (5; 125) comprising a solid portion made of thermally conductive material, said solid portion being thermally and fixedly connected to said cathode, for transferring heat generated in said cathode due to the said effect; and means (8, 11, 126) for performing work by utilizing heat transferred from said cathode by said transfer means (5; 125). An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means (26; 56-61; 77-81) for controlling the amount of heat generated in said cathode (2). An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said control means controls the amount of heat generated in said cathode by changing the value of current applied by said power supply across said cathode (2) and anode (1). An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a variable resistor (61; 81) is connected between said power supply (63; 76) and the electrodes (1, 2) to control the value of said current. An apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein a switch (23, 24; 161) is connected between said power supply (9; 63) and the electrodes (1, 2) to control the conduction time of said current. An apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said control means includes means (57) for detecting temperatures in said cathode (2), and means (61; 161) for changing, on the basis of a detected temperature, a value of current applied by said power supply (8, 63) to said cathode (2) and anode (1). An apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said control means includes means (57) for detecting temperatures in said heat transfer means (5), and means (61; 161) for changing, on the basis of a detected temperature, a value of current applied by said power supply (8, 63) to said cathode (2) and anode (1). An apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said control means includes means (56) for detecting amounts of work performed by said work performing means (11), and means (61, 161) for changing, on the basis of a detected amount of work, a value of current applied by said power supply (8, 63) to said cathode (2) and anode (1). An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said work performing means utilizes heat transferred from said cathode, as it is, to raise temperatures in ambient atmosphere of said means. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said work performing means converts heat transferred from said cathode into a different type of energy. An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein said different type of energy is electrical energy. An apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein said work performing means is a thermoelectric conversion device (8, 11). An apparatus according to Claim 12 further comprising means for applying said electrical energy to the electrodes (1, 2). An apparatus according to Claim 13 further comprising means (14; 62; 80) for switching the connection between said electrodes (1, 2) and said power supply (9; 63; 76) to the connection between said electrodes (1, 2) and said thermoelectric conversion device (8). An apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein said different type of energy is mechanical energy. An apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein said work performance means is an external combustion engine. An apparatus according to Claim 16 wherein said external combustion engine is a sterling engine. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said heat transfer means (5) transfers heat generated in said cathode to said work performing means by means of a heat medium. An apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein said heat medium is made of a solid material of high thermal conductivity and heat in said cathode conducts through said heat medium. An apparatus according to Claim 19 wherein said solid material is a metal. An apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein said heat medium is a fluid. An apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein said fluid circulates through said cathode (2) and said work performing means (8, 11) while taking the same phase state, namely, maintaining the liquid or gas state. An apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein said fluid circulates through said cathode (2) and said work performing means (8, 11) while taking a different phase state. An apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein said fluid circulates in a heat pipe. An apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein said heat medium (125) is laminar on the surface of said cathode. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said cathode (2) has substantially the same thickness at a portion surrounded by both a surface in contact with said electrolyte (3) and a surface in contact with said heat transfer means (5). An apparatus according to Claim 26 wherein said cathode (2) is columnar and said heat transfer means (5) is inserted in a central cavity formed in said columnar cathode. An apparatus according to Claim 27 wherein said heat transfer means (5) is press fitted in said cathode (2). An apparatus according to Claim 28 wherein a filler having good thermal conductivity is interposed between said cathode (2) and said heat transfer means (5) to substantially fill up a space therebetween. An apparatus according to Claim 29 wherein said filler is grease. An apparatus according to Claim 27 wherein said cathode (2) and said heat transfer means (5) are connected to each other by welding. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said heat transfer means (5) is fixed to said container (4) and said cathode (2) is fixed to said heat transfer means (5) so as to be supported. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said heat transfer means (5) is at least partly electrically conductive and said conductive portion of said heat transfer means (5) is electrically connected to said cathode (2) and said power supply (9), respectively. An apparatus according to Claim 1 further comprising means (15) for liquidizing a gas generated from said electrolyte (3) when electric power is conducted to the electrodes (1, 2) and returning the liquidized gas to said container. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cathode (2) is formed by cold forging. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the distance between the electrodes (1, 2) is substantially uniform. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrolyte (3) contains LiOD. A method fcr utilizing heat generated due to the effect caused by the absorption of hydrogen or an isotope thereof in a hydrogen-absorbing metal or alloy thereof, comprising the steps of: applying DC current across a cathode (2) comprising said hydrogen-absorbing metal or an alloy thereof and an anode (1) both contacted in an electrolyte (3) filled in a container (4) and containing at least deuterated water to generate excess heat in said cathode owing to the said effect; deriving heat generated in said cathode (2) by means of heat transfer means (5), said heat transfer means comprising a solid portion made of thermally conductive material, said solid portion being connected thermally and fixedly to said cathode (2); and converting the derived heat into work. A method according to claim 38 further comprising the step of controlling amounts of excess heat generated in said cathode (2) by controlling the value of current applied to the electrodes (1, 2). A method according to Claim 39 wherein in said step of controlling the amount of excess heat generated, said current value is controlled such that the temperature of said cathode (2) is not greater than the recrystallization temperature of said cathode.

Inventors: IKEGAMI HIDEO, IKEGAMI, HIDEO
Applicants: TECHNOVA INC, TECHNOVA INC.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G21B1
IPC codes: G21B3