Patent Publication Number: US-2012024242-A1

Title: Protecting Passengers and Internal Combustion Engines from a Malfunctioning Hydrogen/Oxygen Generator Apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This patent relates to a system for securing an installation of an Hydrogen/Oxygen Generator Apparatus on a traditional Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle using Gasoline, Diesel or Propane fuels. With the proliferation of many incomplete and short-term testing systems and different cells available for installation in vehicles, the risk of a system malfunction increases. Due to the increased number of different makes of vehicles, to make a secure Hydrogen/Oxygen Generator Apparatus installation becomes more personalized and complex in respect to the safety of the occupants and the secure operation of the Internal Combustion Engine. 
     Today there many types of cells available (wet cell, dry cell, etc.), but all are sold without the electrolyte. They suggest using electrolytes without specifying the proper and safe chemical composition. Each cell, based on the manufacturing specifications, works with a specific electrolyte composition to ensure stability and efficiency. Using the wrong electrolyte composition may cause serious damage to the cell and the system where the cell is used, and also to the vehicle and its occupants. This is the primary reason to implement a secure system in traditional internal combustion engines. 
     This System: 
     1. allows the production of Hydrogen/Oxygen only when the motor is running 
     2. controls the level of the electrolyte into the cells 
     3. assures that the reservoir is NOT empty and the cells are running with the proper level of electrolyte. 
     One of the most important features of the system is the use of a Bubbler (as described forward) with multiple functions. The most important characteristic is to assure that under any circumstances water is not transferred to the engine&#39;s intake, putting the functionality of the internal combustion engine at serious risk. Before this can happen a Bubbler Water Level Sensor will shut down the complete system. 
     Insofar as I am aware, no system or method for securing and controlling an Hydrogen/Oxygen Generator Apparatus in vehicle has ever been implemented. One example, but not detailed and complete apparatus can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,175 from Edward G. Mosher and John T. Webster (1999). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In response to the issue of SAFTEY I have developed the first System to protect the occupants of the vehicle and the internal combustion engine. The applications and advantages of this System can be understood from a study of the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  The Cell 
         FIG. 2  Electric Circuit 
         FIG. 3  Electrolyte and Hydrogen/Oxygen Circuit 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  The Cell 
     Seven elements  10  of 316L stainless steel are in a small and solid container  11  of Plexiglas. On the top cover  12  there are the Negative connector  13 , the Positive connector  14 , the Electrolyte Level Sensor  15 , the Hydrogen/Oxygen output (gas)  16  and the Electrolyte input (liquid)  17 . The electrolyte level is controlled by the Electrolyte Level Sensor  15  and the electric circuit of  FIG. 2 . Th electrolyte is a composition of Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and distilled water. 
     The electrolyte composition and all the dimension of the plates inside the cell are critical for the operational stability and efficiency of the cell. 
       FIG. 2  Electric Circuit 
     If a +12V is present at the input of the Oil Pressure Switch  18 , the +12V is transferred to the coil of the relay R 1   19  if the Reservoir  20  and the Bubbler  39  are not full of electrolyte (Reservoir) or of water (Bubbler). Through the Fuse  21  the +12V, directly from the main battery, is distributed to the Cell  1   26  and the Cell  2   27  via the relay RC 1   22  and the relay RC 2   22 A. 
     Additional safety units are added: the Circuit Breaker  1   23  and the Circuit Breaker  2   24 . They are opening the circuit if the current reach the preset value. The electrolyte level is controlled in the Cell  1   26  and Cell  2   27  by the relay RS 1   28  and RS 2   29  and the Normally Closed Solenoid S 1   30  and S 2   31 . The relay RS 1   28  and RS 2   29  activate the Pump  32  and open the Solenoid  30  or  31  independently controlled by the Diodes  23  and  24 . The flow of the electrolyte and the Hydrogen/Oxygen gas will be described and illustrated in  FIG. 3 . When the Led 1   36  is activated, holding down the switch S 1   35  for few seconds allows the automatic refiling system to maintain the right level of electrolyte in the two cells. 
       FIG. 3  Electrolyte and Hydrogen/Oxygen Circuit 
     Once the Pump  32  is activated by the relay RS 1   28  or RS 2   29  (in  FIG. 2 ), the Solenoid S 1   30  and/or S 2   31  will open and the electrolyte is going in Cell  1  and/or Cell  2  (in  FIG. 3  the Cell  1  is in the refilling status  40 ). Cell  1   26  and Cell  2   27  continuously produce Hydrogen/Oxygen gas  41  going in the Bubbler  39  via two Check Valve  1   37  and Check Valve  2   38 . These two Check Valve  37  and  38  allow the Hydrogen/Oxygen to go only in one direction, from the cell to the bubbler and not vice-versa. The Bubbler  39  has a dual functionality: to purify the Hydrogen/Oxygen gas and as safety feature, to protect the internal combustion engine in case of backfiring  42 . An additional feature is the Safety Level Sensor  43 . This sensor will shot off the whole system if the water level reach the level of the sensor  43 . 
     REFERENCE NUMBER  FIG. 1 
       10  Stained Steel Plates     11  Cell Container     12  Top Cover     13  Negative Connector     14  Positive Connector     15  Electrolyte Level Sensor     16  Hydrogen/Oxygen Output     17  Electrolyte Input   

     REFERENCE NUMBER  FIG. 2 
       18  Oil Pressure Switch     19  Relay R 1       20  Reservoir     21  Fuse     22  Relay RC 1       22 A Relay RC 2       23  Circuit Breaker  1       24  Circuit Breaker  2       25  Reservoir Level Sensor     26  Cell  1       27  Cell  2       28  Relay RS 1       29  Relay RS 2       30  Solenoid S 1       31  Solenoid S 2       32  Pump     33  Diode D 1       34  Diode D 2       35  Switch S 1       36  Level Indicator LED 1     

     REFERENCE NUMBER  FIG. 3 
       37  Check Valve  1       38  Check Valve  2       39  Bubbler     40  Electrolyte in Cell  1       41  Hydrogen/Oxygen gas     42  Motor Intake     43  Bubbler Security Level Sensor