Abstract:
A method and apparatus for hydrogen generation for enriching a hydrocarbon based fuel for an internal combustion engine with hydrogen extracted from a saltwater, electrolyte solution through electrolysis. A current is applied to a positively charged anode and a negatively charged cathode submerged in a saltwater solution to dissociate and separate diatomic molecules of hydrogen and oxygen therefrom. The harvested hydrogen is delivered to the carburetor of the engine through a mixing tube venturi and introduced to the hydrocarbon fuel being pumped thereto and the hydrogen and hydocarbon fuel are mixed and atomized prior to delivery to the combustion chamber.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to internal combustion engines and, more specifically, to a device for dissociating diatomic molecules of hydrogen and oxygen from salt water, such as sea or ocean water, and using the hydrogen as a fuel source in an internal combustion engine either as a sole fuel source or as a fuel additive for hydrocarbon fuels. 
   The use of salt water from the seas and oceans as a fuel source would provide an essentially unlimited supply of fuel that is non-pollutant and readily available to most of the world inhabitants irrespective of borders and substantially reduce the dependency on limited oil resource and the pollutants associated with hydrocarbon production. 
   While there have been numerous applications of hydrogen production using water, a need exists to produce hydrogen as a fuel without using another limited resource-potable water. 
   A more compelling reason to use salt water for the production of hydrogen is that the electrolysis achieves a higher degree of energy efficiency by reducing the voltage need to drive the current between the electrodes. Since water is a poor conductor of electricity, the use of salt water provides a current path that is more efficient than water and doesn&#39;t require additives to the electrolyte solution to enhance current flow. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other devices designed for generating hydrogen. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 40,805 issued to Arbos on Dec. 8, 1863. 
   Another patent was issued to Guiles et al. on Sep. 8, 1942 as U.S. Pat. No. 2,295,209. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 2,565,068 was issued to Drabold on Aug. 21, 1951 and still yet another was issued on Mar. 17, 1972 to Pacheco as U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,668. 
   Another patent was issued to Houseman on Aug. 16, 1977 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,910. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,160 was issued to Talenti on Sep. 5, 1978. Another was issued to Laumann et al. on Sep. 12, 1978 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,875 and still yet another was issued on 4,442,801 to Glynn et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,801. 
   Another patent was issued to Russell on Jun. 9, 1992 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,768. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,600 was issued to Teves on May 7, 1996. Another was published on Aug. 16, 2001 as publication Number U.S. 2001/0013321 to Knowlton et al. and still yet another was issued on Apr. 25, 2001 to Souza as Canadian Patent No. 2,287,270. 
   The production of a gaseous mixture, composed of oxide of carbon, of hydride, of azote, and of a small proportion of carburet of hydrogen, said compound-being combined with air and used as a. motive power, in the manner hereinbefore set, forth. 
   A fuel feeding apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising a tank for holding water, and having means for placing the water under pressure, a closed conduit connecting the tank and the engine intake, a coil in the conduit for receiving water from the tank, means for heating the coil whereby the water is turned into steam, a container for steel wool in the conduit and mounted to receive steam from the coil outlet and to discharge into the engine intake, means for heating the container whereby the steam passing over the steel wool is reduced in part for producing free hydrogen and whereby mixed steam and free hydrogen is fed to engine intake, and means for adding air to the mixture after it leaves the container. 
   In an internal combustion engine having a. carburetor and an exhaust manifold, a device for decomposing water by electrolysis, said device including a water receptacle capable of holding a predetermined quantity of water and a layer of molten paraffin on the top of the water, means to conduct heat to said layer from the exhaust manifold to maintain it in molten state, means to collect the gases produced by electrolysis after they pass through said molten layer, and a conduit delivering said gases into the carburetor. 
   A gas-operated internal-combustion engine adapted to drive a vehicle and having a carburetor, comprising:
     A. a gas generator mounted on said vehicle, said generator including a tank having a salt-water electrolyte and a magnesium electrode suspended in said electrolyte to cause hydrogen to evolve in the tank,   B. adjustable means coupled to said generator to vary the rate at which hydrogen is evolved in said tank,   C. means to feed hydrogen from said tank into said carburetor to intermix with air to produce a combustible mixture,   D. means to supply said mixture to the cylinders of said engine,   E. means to sense the amount of hydrogen consumed by the engine to produce a control signal as a function thereof, and   F. means responsive to said control signal to operate said adjustable means whereby the amount of hydrogen evolved is not substantially in excess of that required by the engine.   

   An arrangement for an internal combustion engine is provided in which one or more of the cylinders of the engine are used for generating hydrogen rich gases from hydrocarbon fuels, which gases are then mixed with air and injected into the remaining cylinders to be used as fuel. When heavy load conditions are encountered, hydrocarbon fuel may be mixed with the hydrogen rich gases and air and the mixture is then injected into the remaining cylinders as fuel. 
   A process and mechanism for producing hydrogen by electrolysis aboard a vehicle, means for controlling the hydrogen thereby produced, and operating an internal combustion engine with trace amounts of the hydrogen, air and a vehicle-carried hydrocarbon fuel whereby the traces of hydrogen maximize full savings in fuel and reduce pollutants and wherein a triangularly-shaped, separator within a hydrogen oxygen producer reduces costs and increases efficiency. The invention herein exhausts the oxygen to atmosphere with beneficient consequences and utilizes a small amount of hydrogen to enhance the qualities of a hydrocarbon fuel. 
   A hydrogen-oxygen fueled internal combustion engine is described herein, which utilizes an inert gas, such as argon, as a working fluid to increase the efficiency of the engine, eliminate pollution, and facilitate operation of a closed cycle energy system. In a system where sunlight or other intermittent energy source is available to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water, the oxygen and inert gas are taken into a diesel engine into which hydrogen is injected and ignited. The exhaust is cooled so that it contains only water and the inert gas. The inert gas in the exhaust is returned to the engine for use with fresh oxygen, while the water in the exhaust is returned to the intermittent energy source for reconversion to hydrogen and oxygen. 
   A combustion engine is provided with a fuel supplementation system in which water is broken down by electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen which are then added to the fuel delivery system. The electrolysis takes place in a chamber in which a pusher gas rises through perforated horizontal electrode plates to sweep the hydrogen and oxygen from the plates as it is generated, thereby preventing the accumulation of these gases in the chamber. In addition, the electrolyte can be circulated, passing it through a filter, to increase the turbulence and agitation within the chamber. The rate at which the water is electrolyzed is varied, as by modulating the voltage applied to the plates, in accordance with the throttle position of the engine. Since gases do not accumulate in the chamber, variations in the rate at which these gases are yielded are affected substantially instantaneously. Lignite activated water can be added to the electrolyte to inhibit the formation of sludge. 
   This invention will place less demand on petroleum fuel used in a combustion engine by recycling the exhaust gases, primarily carbon monoxide, used as a reducing agent when combined with hydrogen from the on-board hydrogen generator and will produce a cooler and much less polluting exhaust. The operating cost of a combustion engine will be drastically reduced with much higher performance. 
   Device and method of generating hydrogen from water and utilizing simultaneously the generated hydrogen gas as alternative fuel or supplemental for automotive and other engines as means to replace up to at least as much as 80% of the hydrocarbon fuels used by such engines. The hydrogen generating device comprises an electrolytic cell or combination of two or more cells energized by a high density direct current of as much as 5,000 amperes, such electrical energy derived from the automotive engine by transforming mechanical energy to electrical energy by means of a direct current generator. The electrolytic cell or cells is supplied by a continuous feed water supply system. Increased capacities are possible due to high amperage loads attainable by the electrolytic cell without overheating. This is necessary to produce the requisite amount of hydrogen gas fuel capable of operating automotive and other engines, for example, with a fuel mixture of hydrogen and only 20% by volume of the gasoline fuel usually used in the engine, after a steady state condition is achieved. The electrolytic cell or cells are equipped with means to control energy load, water flow, gas flow, gas pressure, and presenting the hydrogen gas fuel into the combustion chambers of the automotive and other engines. 
   A fuel supply system is disclosed for use with a vehicle propulsion system such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell system. The fuel supply system includes a water supply, fuel supply, and fuel conversion device coupled to the water and fuel supplies for generating hydrogen from the water and fuel and supplying the hydrogen to an intake manifold of the propulsion system with which the fuel supply system is used. The fuel conversion device preferably includes a vaporization chamber, an inlet nozzle for introducing fine droplets of fuel and water into the vaporization chamber, an air inlet for introducing air into the vaporization chamber to create turbulence in the chamber, a heater in the vaporization chamber for heating the turbulent fuel/water mix at temperatures that cause the mix to convert into hydrogen, and an outlet for supplying the generated hydrogen and air to the vehicle propulsion system. 
   A hydrogen generating system is provided for use in internal combustion engines for increasing the efficiency of the engine and decreasing emissions from the engine. The hydrogen generating system has an electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases by electrolysis of an aqueous solution, a power source for providing electrical power to the electrolysis cell, an outflow means for introducing the generated gases into the intake manifold system of an internal combustion engine, a monitoring means for monitoring the operating conditions of the hydrogen generating system, and a control means connected to the monitoring means for controlling the operation of the hydrogen generating system in response to the monitoring means. The invention is also directed to a controller for controlling a hydrogen generating system for use in an internal combustion engine for increasing the efficiency of the engine and decreasing emissions from the engine. The controller has at least one interface means for receiving information on the operating conditions of the hydrogen generating system, at least one control means for controlling a parameter of the hydrogen generating system, and a logic circuit connected to the interface means and control means for providing instructions to the control means in response to the information received from the interface means. 
   While these engines may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engine with a source of hydrogen as a fuel additive. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a an internal combustion engine using hydrogen and hydrocarbon as a fuel source. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen generator using salt water as an electrolyte. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen generator wherein the electrolyte uses salt has means for carrying current. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen generator means for reducing hydrocarbon emission in an internal combustion engine by using hydrogen as a fuel additive derived from salt water. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel source derived from dissociating diatomic hydrogen and oxygen from salt water. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an apparatus for dissociating diatomic molecules of hydrogen and oxygen from salt water, such as sea or ocean water, and using the hydrogen as a fuel source in an internal combustion engine either as a sole fuel source or as a fuel additive for hydrocarbon fuels. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the hydrogen generator; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the venturi mixing tube and carburetor; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of means for mixing hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuel; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional side view of the hydrogen generator having a charge applied; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the internal combustion engine using hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuel; 
       FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the basic elements of the method of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram of the method of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Hydrogen Addition to Hydrocarbon Fuel for an Internal Combustion Engine. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Hydrogen Addition to Hydrocarbon Fuel for an Internal Combustion Engine     12  hydrogen generator     13  internal combustion engine     14  electrolyte tank     16  electrolytic solution     18  saltwater solution     20  positive charging means     22  negative charging means     24  hydrogen molecules     26  oxygen molecules     28  partition wall     30  hydrogen port     32  air gap     34  oxygen vent     36  hydrogen delivery means     38  hydrogen regulation means     40  anode     42  cathode     44  hydrocarbon fuel     46  fuel/air mixing means     48  carburetor     50  fuel tank     52  fuel supply line     54  air filter assembly     56  air filter housing     58  air filter element     60  combustion chamber     62  venturi mixing tube     64  first end of  62       66  second end of  62       68  fuel intake port     70  manual switch element     72  key switch     74  toggle switch     76  rheostat     78  hydrogen supply line     80  hydrogen sensor     82  fuel regulator     84  oxygen sensor     86  digital flow control and data acquisition processor     88  desalinization module     90  drain element     92  DC power supply     94  fuel pump     96  non-corrosive coating       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in use wherein a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine  13  has a hydrogen generator  12   
     FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . Shown is a schematic view of the present invention  10  comprising an internal combustion engine  13  having a hydrogen generator  12  supplying hydrogen  24  that is mixed with the hydrocarbon fuel  44 . An internal combustion engine  13  has a hydrogen generator  12  which dissociates hydrogen  24  and oxygen  26  from a saltwater solution  18  whereupon the oxygen  26  is vented and the hydrogen  24  is metered into the carburetor  48  of an internal combustion engine  13  using a hydrocarbon fuel  44 . The hydrogen  24  apparatus will increase engine efficiency while reducing the use of the hydrocarbon fuel  44  thereby reducing toxic emissions. The hydrogen generator  12  comprises an electrolyte tank  14  for containing an electrolytic solution  16 . An oxygen vent  34  provides a means of egress for the released oxygen molecules  26  and a hydrogen port  30  is included with an associated hydrogen supply line  78  for transferring the harvested hydrogen  24  to the carburetor  48 . Additionally the electrolyte tank  14  has an interiorly positioned partition  28  with an anode  40  and cathode  42  disposed on opposing sides thereof. Hydrogen  24  is drawn by intake manifold vacuum from the cathode  42  portion of the hydrogen generator  12 . Hydrocarbon fuel  44  is mixed with the hydrogen  24  at the intersection of the venturi mixing tube  62  and the fuel supply line  52  before being injected into the combustion chamber  60 . The oxygen  26  will be vented while the hydrogen  24  will be conducted to an apparatus for combination with the hydrocarbon fuel  44  for injection into the combustion chambers  60 . An electrolytic solution  16  is desalinized by a desalinization module  88  prior to usage in the hydrogen generator  12 . Additives may also be introduced at the hydrogen generator  12  to desalinize the electrolytic solution  16 . The hydrogen generator  12  dissociating diatomic molecules of hydrogen  24  and oxygen  26  from a saltwater solution  18 , such as sea or ocean water, and using the hydrogen  24  as a fuel source for an internal combustion engine  13  either as a sole fuel source or as a fuel additive for hydrocarbon fuels  44 . The saltwater solution  18  provides a current path that is more efficient than water and doesn&#39;t require additives to the electrolytic solution  16  to enhance current flow. The hydrocarbon fuel  44  mixture is controlled by the intake manifold vacuum. The mixture ratio is determined by flow rates and orifice size in the venturi mixing tube  62 . An additional element of the present invention  10  would be a non-corrosive coating  96  on the combustion chamber  60  walls and pistons to prevent corrosion from salt in the electrolytic solution  16 . The circuit is controlled by two manual switch elements  70  in series with a DC power supply  92  and a rheostat  76 . The circuit of the anode  40 , saltwater solution  18  and cathode  42  is closed when both manual switch elements (a key switch  72  and a toggle switch 74 ) are made. Hydrogen  24  production is regulated by the rheostat  76 . Digital flow control and data acquisition processors  86  regulate and monitor the mixture ratio of hydrogen  24  and hydrocarbon fuel  44  to the carburetor  48 . An electrical charge from a regulated power source is applied to the electrolytic solution  16  yielding hydrogen  24  and oxygen  26 . Hydrogen  24  is transported to the venturi mixing tube  62  while oxygen  26  is vented to atmosphere. The hydrocarbon fuel  44  is pumped to the venturi mixing tube  62  by a fuel pump  94 . Whereupon the hydrocarbon fuel  44 /hydrogen  24  mixture is injected into the combustion chamber  60 . 
     FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the hydrogen generator  12 . Shown is a sectional view of the hydrogen generator  12 . The hydrogen generator  12  comprises an electrolyte tank  14  for containing an electrolytic solution  16 . An oxygen vent  34  provides a means of egress for the released oxygen molecules  26  and a hydrogen port  30  is included with an associated hydrogen supply line  78  for transferring the harvested hydrogen  24  to the carburetor  48 . Additionally the electrolyte tank  14  has an interiorly positioned partition  28  with an anode  40  and cathode  42  disposed on opposing sides thereof. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the venturi mixing tube  62  and carburetor  48 . Shown is a perspective view of a venturi mixing tube  62  and carburetor  48 . Hydrogen  24  is drawn by intake manifold vacuum from the cathode  42  portion of the hydrogen generator  12 . Hydrocarbon fuel  44  is mixed with the hydrogen  24  at the intersection of the venturi mixing tube  62  and the fuel supply line  52  before being injected into the combustion chamber  60 . 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of means for mixing hydrogen  24  and hydrocarbon fuel  44 . Shown is the hydrogen generator  12  where electrolysis will dissociate diatomic molecules of hydrogen  24  and oxygen  26  from a saltwater solution  18 . The oxygen  26  will be vented while the hydrogen  24  will be conducted to an apparatus for combination with the hydrocarbon fuel  44  for injection into the combustion chambers  60 . An electrolytic solution  16  is desalinized by a desalinization module  88  prior to usage in the hydrogen generator  12 . Additives may also be introduced at the hydrogen generator  12  to desalinize the electrolytic solution  16 . 
     FIG. 6  is a sectional side view of the hydrogen generator  12  having a charge applied thereto. Shown is the hydrogen generator  12  dissociating diatomic molecules of hydrogen  24  and oxygen  26  from a saltwater solution  18 , such as sea or ocean water, and using the hydrogen  24  as a fuel source for an internal combustion engine  13  either as a sole fuel source or as a fuel additive for hydrocarbon fuels  44 . The saltwater solution  18  provides a current path that is more efficient than water and doesn&#39;t require additives to the electrolytic solution  16  to enhance current flow. 
     FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the internal combustion engine  13  using hydrogen  24  and hydrocarbon fuel  44 . Shown is a sectional view of the present invention  10  supplying an internal combustion engine  13  with hydrogen  24  and hydrocarbon fuel  44 . The hydrocarbon fuel  44  mixture is controlled by the intake manifold vacuum. The mixture ratio is determined by flow rates and orifice size in the venturi mixing tube  62 . An additional element of the present invention  10  would be a non-corrosive coating  96  on the combustion chamber  60  walls and pistons to prevent corrosion from salt in the electrolytic solution  16 . 
     FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic of the present invention  10 . Shown is the electrical schematic of the present invention  10 . The circuit is controlled by two manual switch elements  70  in series with a DC power supply  92  and a rheostat  76 . The circuit of the anode  40 , saltwater solution  18  and cathode  42  is closed when both manual switch elements (a key switch  72  and a toggle switch 74 ) are made. Hydrogen  24  production is regulated by the rheostat  76 . Digital flow control and data acquisition processors  86  regulate and monitor the mixture ratio of hydrogen  24  and hydrocarbon fuel  44  to the carburetor  48 . 
     FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the basic elements of the method of the present invention  10 . Shown is a block diagram of the basic elements of the present invention  10 . An electrical charge from a regulated power source is applied to the electrolytic solution  16  yielding hydrogen  24  and oxygen  26 . Hydrogen  24  is transported to the venturi mixing tube  62  while oxygen  26  is vented to atmosphere. The hydrocarbon fuel  44  is pumped to the venturi mixing tube  62  by a fuel pump  94 . Whereupon the hydrocarbon fuel  44 /hydrogen  24  mixture is injected into the combustion chamber  60 . 
     FIG. 10  is a block diagram of the method of the present invention  10 . Shown is a block diagram of the method of the present invention  10  which is used to dissociate an electrolytic solution  16  into diatomic molecules of oxygen  26  and hydrogen  24 . The hydrogen  24  is used as a sole source of power or mixed with a hydrocarbon fuel  44  in a venturi mixer. The hydrocarbon fuel  44  mixture is atomized in the carburetor  48  prior to introduction to the combustion chamber  60 . 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.