Abstract:
Electrolytic equipment in the form of radiation mode that is provided with pluralities of baffles ( 13 ) in the form of radiation mode on the top surface of the seat ( 10 ) and acidic water passage ( 131 ) is formed between the baffles ( 13 ). The top surface of the seat ( 10 ) has through holes ( 14 ) used to make anode conduction portions ( 33 ) of anode plate ( 30 ) through. In the center of the seat ( 10 ), there is a socket joint portion ( 11 ) that is provided with an inlet and outlet interval tube ( 15 ) in the center of it. There are plurality of equidistributed baffles ( 151, 157 ) on the inside wall and the outside wall of the inlet and outlet interval tube ( 15 ) to form raw water inlet passage ( 152 ) and acidic water outlet passage ( 153 ). There are protuberant ribs ( 16 ) for separating water inside of the seat ( 10 ) corresponding to the location for separating water around the anode plate ( 30 ) and the cathode plate ( 40 ), which are used to separate alkaline water and acidic water electrolyzed from the anode plate ( 30 ) and the cathode plate ( 40 ). Alkaline water passage ( 631 ) is formed on the bottom surface of the lid ( 60 ) and the center of lid ( 60 ) is provided with alkaline water outlet joint ( 61 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a radial flowing type electrolytic equipment, for stabilizing the alkaline water and the acidic water in the radial flowing type electrolytic equipment. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Typical erect electrolytic equipments have the following problems: 
     First, the inlet port and the outlet port of the erect electrolytic equipments have the same area or cross section, the entering speed and the discharging speed are equal or similar to each other, such that the outwardly flowing speed may not be reduced and such that interference or turbulence flow may be generated. 
     Second, the inlet port and the outlet port of the erect electrolytic equipments have the same area or cross section, the flowing speeds of the electrolytic water are also similar to each other, if the spacing distance between the electrolytic plates is increased, the resistance will be increased relatively, such that the electrolytic water at the outlet port will also be decreased, and such that the range of the neutral water will be decreased relatively, and such that the separating of the alkaline water and the acidic water will be difficult. 
     Third, the outlet ports for the alkaline water and the acidic water of the erect electrolytic equipments are normally arranged in the upper portion, the residual water will be remained in the electrolytic equipments after the electrolytic operations, such that an additional discharging equipment is further required to be provided and such that the cost will be increased, if the additional discharging equipment is not provided, germs may be grown in the residual water, and calcium may be deposited, and the oxidization potential may not be standardized in the next electrolytic operation because of the undischarged residual water. 
     Fourth, the inlet port of the erect electrolytic equipments is normally at the lower portion, and the outlet port at the upper portion, such that a predetermined water pressure is required, the equipments having the lower water pressure, such as the water tank for the drinking water machine, a pressurizing motor is required to pump the water, otherwise, the equipments may not be operated. 
     Fifth, the erect electrolytic equipments employ a number of screws, and the anode plate and the cathode plate may not be easily disassembled and assembled, and the manufacturing cost will be increased. 
     Sixth, the erect electrolytic equipments may not be installed in the tiny space below the water tank for the drinking water machine, and should be installed in the drinking water machine and may occupy a large volume of the drinking water machine, and should provide an outer tube to introduce the water into the erect electrolytic equipments, and an outlet tube is required to be coupled to the outlet port of the erect electrolytic equipments for discharging the alkaline water and the acidic water, this may increase difficult to assemble the machine, and the manufacturing cost will be increased, and calcium may be deposited in the outlet tube for the alkaline water. 
     Seventh, the spacing distance between the electrolytic plates is predetermined, and may not be adjusted for soft water area and hard water area, and the interference or turbulence flow may be generated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has arisen to provide a radial flowing type electrolytic equipment, and to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional erect electrolytic equipments. 
     For solving the first problem of the erect electrolytic equipments, the present invention employs the technique and has the first effect: as shown in  FIG. 15 , the radial flowing type electrolytic equipment is separated into five areas a, b, c, d, e from the center to the outer peripheral portion and the flowing speed of the electronic solution may be gradually slowed down or decreased from the center portion toward the outer peripheral portion Sa&gt;Sb&gt;Sc&gt;Sd&gt;Se, the alkaline water and the acidic water flow separately and parallel to each other and will not be interfered with each other, the flowing speed at Se′ will thus be decreased or stabilized, and the interference or turbulence flow may be avoided. 
     For solving the second problem of the erect electrolytic equipments, the present invention employs the technique and has the second effect: as shown in  FIG. 16 , the radial flowing type electrolytic equipment is separated into five areas a, b, c, d, e from the center to the outer peripheral portion, and the electric current Ia&lt;Ib&lt;Ic&lt;Id&lt;Ie, the electric current at the outer peripheral portion is the largest, if the spacing distance between the electrolytic plates is increased, the electric current may be slightly decreased, but the electrolytic operations will not be affected, the range of the neutral water may be increased relatively, and the separating of the alkaline water and the acidic water will be easier. 
     For solving the third problem of the erect electrolytic equipments, the present invention employs the technique and has the third effect: when the electrolytic equipment is disposed horizontally, the outlet port may be provided in the lower portion for discharging the residual water, such that no additional discharging equipments are required, and such that the manufacturing cost may be decreased, and the germs growing problem in the residual water, and calcium depositing problem may be solved. 
     For solving the fourth problem of the erect electrolytic equipments, the present invention employs the technique and has the fourth effect: the anode plate and the cathode plate are disposed parallel to each other, the water flowing into the upper inlet port may stably flow radially and outwardly, such that the electrolytic equipment may be disposed in the lower portion of the water tank for the drinking water machine for electrolyzing the water from the drinking water machine. 
     For solving the fifth problem of the erect electrolytic equipments, the present invention employs the technique and has the fifth effect: the lower housing and the upper cover are superposed and lockable with inner and outer threads, without screws, such that the disassembling and the assembling operations may be facilitated. 
     For solving the sixth problem of the erect electrolytic equipments, the present invention employs the technique and has the sixth effect: the radial flowing type electrolytic equipment includes a flat structure for mounting in the lower portion of the water tank for the drinking water machine without occupying the space, and the water may be directly introduced into the electrolytic equipment from the water tank of the drinking water machine without additional coupling tubes and without calcium cleaning problems. 
     For solving the seventh problem of the erect electrolytic equipments, the present invention employs the technique and has the seventh effect: the lower housing and the upper cover are designed into disc shaped, and the inlet portion is at the center portion, and the outlet ports are at the outer peripheral portion, the spacing distance between the anode plate and the cathode plate may be suitably adjusted with various spacing members, for allowing the water to smoothly flow through the space between the anode plate and the cathode plate and for allowing the alkaline water and the acidic water to be suitably spaced from each other. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrolyzer comprising a 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell or electrolyzer in accordance with the present invention having a radial flowing passage, in which one half of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer has been cut off for showing an inner structure of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer, as seen from the upper portion of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer; 
         FIG. 3  is another exploded view of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer, as seen from the bottom portion of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the electrolyzer as seen from one side portion of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer of that shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the electrolyzer taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is another perspective view similar to  FIG. 1 , illustrating the other arrangement of the electrolyzer; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the electrolyzer as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a further perspective view similar to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , illustrating the further arrangement of the electrolyzer; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the electrolyzer as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a still further perspective view similar to  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  8 , illustrating the still further arrangement of the electrolyzer; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view as seen from the upper portion of the electrolyzer as that shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view as seen from the bottom portion of the electrolyzer as that shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view of the electrolyzer as seen from one side portion of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer of that shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of the electrolyzer taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating the changing of the flowing speed of the flowing electrolyte or water; and 
         FIG. 16  is another diagram illustrating the changing of the electric current of the flowing electrolyte or water. 
     
    
    
     The reference numerals are described as follows:
       10  housing  11  casing  111  catch     12  stud  13  rib  131  upper space     14  orifice  15  cylindrical member  151  fin     157  fin  152  bore  153  peripheral channel     154  outlet port  155  peripheral recess  156  peripheral shoulder     16  separator tip  161  spacer  162  spacer     163  protrusion  164  protrusion  17  outer thread     18  peripheral shoulder  20  conductor tube  21  fastener     22  peripheral shoulder  23  bore  30  anode plate     31  center hole  32  fence  33  electrode     40  cathode plate  41  bore  42  peripheral recess     43  fingers  50  fastener  60  cover     61  outlet mouth  62  compartment  63  rib     631  chamber  64  inner thread  65  peripheral shoulder     70  receptacle  701  latch groove  71  compartment     72  peripheral surface  79  peripheral shoulder  74  chamber     75  conduit  77  outlet port  78  inlet port     80  electric connecting device  81  socket     82  conductor  83  cap  84  casing     85  conductor  90  check valve  91  container     92  threading engagement  93  gasket  94  detent     100  membrane N lock nut   Q 1 ˜Q 7  sealing ring S 1 ˜S 3  spring   

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For allowing the specialized persons having ordinary skill in the art to release the structure and the characteristics and the functions of the present invention, four embodiments are disclosed herewith by accompanying with the enclosed drawing figures: 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective and cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the radial flowing type electrolyzer.  FIGS. 2 ,  3  are exploded views of the first embodiment of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer. The first embodiment of the electrolytic cell or electrolyzer in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing  10 , a conductor tube  20 , an anode plate  30 , a cathode plate  40 , a fastener  50 , a cover  60 , a receptacle  70  and several sealing rings Q 1 ˜Q 7 . 
     The housing  10  is disc-shaped. The housing  10  includes a casing  11  extended downwardly therefrom for engaging into and for coupling to the receptacle  70  with several sealing rings Q 1 ˜Q 7 . The housing  10  includes one or more studs  12  for threading and securing to the receptacle  70 . The housing  10  includes a number of radially extended ribs  13  on the upper portion for mounting the anode plate  30 , and includes an upper space  131  formed therein and located between the ribs  13 . The housing  10  includes four equally spaced orifices  14  formed therein for engaging with four positive electrodes  33  of the anode plate  30 . The casing  11  includes a cylindrical member  15  extended into the casing  11  and includes a number of radially extended baffles or fins  151  extended in the casing  11  and a number of baffles or fins  157  extended outside the casing  11 , the fins  151  may position and center the conductor tube  20  in the casing  11  and for forming a flowing passage or bore  152  in the cylindrical member  15 , the fins  157  may position and center the receptacle  70  and may form a peripheral channel  153  in the outer portion of the cylindrical member  15 . One or more outlet ports  154  are formed and located below the peripheral channel  153 , the cylindrical member  15  includes a peripheral recess  155  and a peripheral shoulder  156  formed in the upper or inner portion, the peripheral recess  155  is provided for engaging with the anode plate  30 , and the peripheral shoulder  156  is provided for mounting the sealing ring Q 3 , for preventing the electrolytic solution or water and the catholyte  88  from being mixed with each other. 
     The housing  10  includes an annular or circular shaped separator tip  16  formed and located in the outer peripheral portion of the anode plate  30  and the cathode plate  40 , for suitably separating the anolyte  99  and the catholyte  88  from each other and for preventing the anolyte  99  and the catholyte  88  from being mixed or blended with each other. The separator tip  16  includes a number of equally spaced first spacers  161  and second spacers  162  for engaging with the conductor tube  20  and the cathode plate  40  and the sealing ring Q 5  for suitably separating or spacing the cathode plate  40  and the anode plate  30  from each other. One or more protrusions  163 ,  164  are extended and located beside the spacers  161 ,  162  for preventing the anode plate  30  from rotating. The housing  10  includes an outer thread  17  formed on the outer peripheral portion of the peripheral wall  101  for threading or engaging with the cover  60 . The housing  10  includes an inner peripheral shoulder  18  formed in the inner portion of the peripheral wall  101  for engaging with the sealing ring Q 5  and for water sealing purposes. 
     The conductor tube  20  includes a threaded member or screw or fastener  21  and a peripheral shoulder  22  for engaging with a fastener or nut  50  and for securing the cathode plate  40  with the sealing ring Q 5  which is engaged with the spacers  161 ,  162  of different heights. The other end of the conductor tube  20  is extended out through the receptacle  70  and engaged with the sealing ring Q 6 -Q 7  and coupled to the negative electric power source. 
     The anode plate  30  is disc-shaped. The anode plate  30  includes a center hole  31  formed therein and defined by a peripheral fence  32 , and includes four positive electrodes  33 , the peripheral fence  32  may prevent the anode plate  30  from being distorted and is provided for receiving or engaging with the peripheral recess  155  of the cylindrical member  15 , and is engaged with the sealing rings Q 3  for preventing the electrolytic solution or water and the catholyte  88  from being mixed with each other. 
     The cathode plate  40  is disc-shaped. The cathode plate  40  includes a bore  41  formed therein for receiving or engaging with the fastener  21  of the conductor tube  20 , and includes a punched or forged inner peripheral recess  42  for preventing the cathode plate  40  from being distorted, the cathode plate  40  includes one or more fingers  43  extended radially and outwardly of the cathode plate  40  for engaging with either of the spacers  161 ,  162  and for suitably separating or spacing the cathode plate  40  and the anode plate  30  from each other at selected spacing distances. 
     The fastener or nut  50  is made of conductive materials, for engaging with the fastener  21  of the conductor tube  20 , and for solidly securing the conductor tube  20  and the cathode plate  40  together. 
     The cover  60  is disc-shaped. The cover  60  includes an outlet mouth  61  provided on the upper portion, the outlet mouth  61  includes a compartment  62  formed therein, and includes a number of radially extended ribs  63  extended into the compartment  62  for mounting the cathode plate  40  and for forming a chamber  631  in the cover  60 . The cover  60  includes an inner thread  64  formed therein for threading or engaging with the outer thread  17  of the housing  10 . The cover  60  includes an inner peripheral shoulder  65  formed therein for engaging with one or more sealing rings Q 4  may be engaged with the housing  10  for making a water tight seal between the housing  10  and the cover  60 . 
     The receptacle  70  is hollow and includes three shoulders of different inner diameters, such as a compartment  71 , an inner peripheral surface  72  and an inner peripheral shoulder  79  formed in the lower portion thereof, in which the compartment  71  has the largest inner diameter, the inner peripheral surface  72  has the second largest inner diameter, and the inner peripheral shoulder  79  has the smallest inner diameter, a chamber  74  is formed between the compartment  71  and the inner peripheral surface  72 , and the inner peripheral shoulder  79  includes a reduced or narrowed conduit  75  formed in the lower portion thereof for positioning the conductor tube  20 . The receptacle  70  includes one or more cavities  76  formed therein for engaging with the studs  12  and for securing the housing  10 . The receptacle  70  includes a first or outlet port  77  formed therein and communicating with the chamber  74  of the receptacle  70  and engaged with sealing rings Q 2 . The receptacle  70  includes a second or inlet port  78  formed therein and also communicating with the space between the inner peripheral surface  72  and the inner peripheral shoulder  79 , and engaged with sealing rings Q 2 , Q 6 , Q 7 . 
     In the first embodiment, the electrolytic operation is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the operating condition and the cross section of the first embodiment. The electrolytic solution or water flows through the second or inlet port  78  of the receptacle  70  and into the housing  10 , and then flows into the bore  152  of the cylindrical member  15  that is formed and defined by the fins  151  ( FIG. 3 ), and then flows into the center hole  31  of the anode plate  30  and then to flow horizontally and radially and outwardly, and for generating the anolyte  99  and the catholyte  88  with the cathode plate  40  and the anode plate  30  while conducting the electrolytic operation, and for suitably separating the anolyte  99  and the catholyte  88  from each other with the separator tip  16 , and for preventing the anolyte  99  and the catholyte  88  from being mixed or blended with each other. 
     The catholyte  88  may flow downwardly and may flow into the into the space  131  of the housing  10  that is formed and defined by the ribs  13  ( FIG. 2 ), and then flows into the peripheral channel  153  of the cylindrical member  15  that is formed and defined by the fins  157  ( FIG. 3 ), and then flows out through the outlet ports  154  and into the chamber  74  of the receptacle  70 , and then flows out through the outlet port  77  of the receptacle  70 , for allowing the catholyte  88  to be collected for further use. 
     The anolyte  99  may flow into the chamber  631  that is formed and defined by the ribs  63 , and into the compartment  62  of the cover  60 , and then may flow out through the outlet mouth  61  of the cover  60 . 
     In the second embodiment, the radial flowing type electrolyzer in accordance with the present invention may be arranged in the form as disclosed in the previous first embodiment (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), i.e., the anolyte  99  may flow out through the outlet mouth  61  of the cover  60 , except this, the radial flowing type electrolyzer in accordance with the present invention may also be arranged in the form as a second embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 6  shows a perspective and cross sectional view of the second embodiment, and  FIG. 7  shows the operating condition of the second embodiment. The anolyte  99  may flow out through the bore  23  of the conductor tube  201 , in which the outlet mouth  61  of the cover  60  ( FIG. 1 ) has been blocked, and the anolyte  99  may directly flow through the bore  23  of the conductor tube  201  and then flow out of the bore  23  of the conductor tube  201 . 
     In the third embodiment, the radial flowing type electrolyzer in accordance with the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIG. 8  shows a perspective and cross sectional view of the third embodiment, and  FIG. 9  shows the operating condition of the third embodiment. An ion exchanging film or membrane  100  may be disposed or arranged in the gap  9  that is formed between the anode plate  30  and the cathode plate  40  for suitably separating the anolyte  99  and the catholyte  88  from each other, instead of the separator tip  16  ( FIG. 6 ) for the second embodiment. 
     In the fourth embodiment, the radial flowing type electrolyzer in accordance with the present invention may be arranged in the form as disclosed in the previous first embodiment (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), i.e., the housing  10  is disposed below the cover  60 , except this, the radial flowing type electrolyzer in accordance with the present invention may also be arranged in the form as a fourth embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 .  FIG. 10  shows a perspective and cross sectional view of the fourth embodiment, and  FIGS. 11 ,  12  show the operating condition of the fourth embodiment. The housing  103 , the receptacle  700 , the cover  601 , the anode plate  30  and the cathode plate  40  are disposed up side down or disposed reversely, an electric connecting device  80  is required to be disposed, and the receptacle  700  may be formed into a quick release type structure. The anolyte outlet is normally greater in diameter than the catholyte outlet and disposed in the upper portion, when the anolyte outlet is disposed below the catholyte outlet and includes a diameter greater than that of the catholyte outlet, the catholyte  88  may not suitably flow upwardly and may be mixed with the anolyte  99 , such that a check valve  90  is provided and secured to the cover  601 . 
     The housing  103  includes a catch  111 , and the receptacle  700  includes a latch groove  701  corresponding to the catch  111 , for quickly coupling the housing  103  and the receptacle  700 . The electric connecting device  80  includes two sockets  81  disposed outside the receptacle  700  and disposed close to the positive electrodes  33  of the anode plate  30  for receiving springs S 1  and conductors  82 , and two caps  83  secured to the sockets  81  for retaining the springs S 1  and the conductors  82  in the sockets  81 , and the conductors  82  may be biased by the springs S 1  to electrically couple to the positive electrodes  33  of the anode plate  30 . The electric connecting device  80  includes a casing  84  provided therein and disposed close to the receptacle  700  and the conductor tube  20  ( FIG. 13 ) for receiving a spring member S 2  and another conductor  85 , a fastener or lock nut N is attached or secured onto the conductor  85  for anchoring or retaining the conductor  85  to the casing  84  and the receptacle  700  and for preventing the conductor  85  from being disengaged from the casing  84  and the receptacle  700 , and the conductor  85  may be biased and forced to engage with the conductor tube  20  with the spring member S 2 . 
     The cover  601  includes an inner thread for coupling to a check valve  90 . The check valve  90  includes a container  91  secured to an outlet mouth  611  of the cover  601  with a threading engagement  92 , the container  91  includes a gasket  93 , ball or detent  94 , and a spring member S 3  disposed therein, and includes an opening  95  formed therein and a valve seat  96  provided therein, and includes several equally spaced passages  97  ( FIG. 13 ) formed in the container  91 . The ball or detent  94  may be biased and forced to selectively engage with the valve seat  96  and the gasket  93  and to increase the pressure at the outlet portion of the outlet mouth  611  of the cover  601 , the pressure may be changed or adjusted according to different flexibility of the spring member S 3 , in order to suitably force the catholyte  88  to flow out through the outlet port  77  of the receptacle  700 , in order to solve the problem that the catholyte  88  may not flow upwardly and may be mixed with the anolyte  99 . 
     In the fourth embodiment, the operating condition is shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  14 .  FIGS. 13 ,  14  show the operating condition and the cross sectional condition of the fourth embodiment. While in operation, the catholyte  88  and the anolyte  99  may be generated with the anode plate  30  and the cathode plate  40  and separated by the separator tip  16 , when the anolyte  99  flows downwardly to the compartment  62  of the cover  601 , the check valve  90  may prevent the catholyte  88  from flowing downwardly, the catholyte  88  is then guided to flow into the chamber  74  of the receptacle  700  and to flow out through the outlet port  77  of the receptacle  700 , the anolyte  99  may flow through the ball or detent  94  and may flow out through the outlet mouth  611  of the cover  601 . 
     In the radial flowing type electrolyzer in accordance with the present invention, the inlet cross area is far smaller than that of the outwardly flowing passage at the outer peripheral portion, such that the flowing speed of the outwardly flowing electrolytic water may be decreased and may be stabilized, and may stably flow radially and outwardly and may prevent the anolyte and the catholyte from being mixed or blended with each other, and the electric current is greater at the outer peripheral portion, for generating a skin effect at the outer peripheral portion, such that the spacing distance between the anode plate  30  and the cathode plate  40  may be slightly increased, for allowing the flowing space for the electrolytic water to be suitably increased, and for allowing the anolyte and the catholyte to be suitably separated from each other. The anode plate  30  and the cathode plate  40  may be changed with each other. 
     Practicability 
     The present invention is to provide a radial flowing type electrolyzer which may suitably separate the anolyte and the catholyte from each other, and may decrease and stabilize the outwardly flowing electrolytic water and may prevent a turbulent flow from being generated, no additional discharging facilities are required, such that the manufacturing cost may be decreased and may solve the germs growing problem and the calcium depositing problem, the electrolyzer may be disposed below the water tank of the drinking water machine for allowing the water to easily flow into the electrolyzer without additional tubes and pipes, the electrolyzer may be locked without screws and bolts, the spacing distance between the anode plate  30  and the cathode plate  40  may be increased or adjusted for allowing the flowing space for the electrolytic water to be suitably increased, and for allowing the anolyte and the catholyte to be suitably separated from each other.