Abstract:
An electrolyzer assembly includes an electrolysis unit having: a hermetically-sealed case made at least partially from a durable dielectric polymer material, the case having a gas outlet and an electrolyte inlet; at least one set of series-coupled, equally-spaced, rectangular, vertically-oriented metal plates installed within the case, each set having first and second end plates, each plate having each side edge sealed to a case wall panel and a bottom edge sealed to the bottom panel; a ground connection to each first end plate; and a voltage connection to each second end plate that is non-zero with respect to the ground connection, thereby providing at least a 1.5 voltage differential between each pair of adjacent plates when gaps between each adjacent pair of plates are filled with electrolyte.

Description:
This application has a priority date based on Provisional Patent Application No. 61/096,776, which has a filing date of Sep. 13, 2008, and is titled HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GENERATOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is related to an apparatus and method of improving the fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for hydrolyzing water into a mixture comprising hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, which is combined with the fuel and air mixture used in an internal combustion engine. 
     2. History of the Prior Art 
     During the past 30 years, significant advances have been made in internal combustion engine technology that have dramatically improved the efficiency of internal combustion engines. For gasoline engines, four-valve-per-cylinder combustion chamber designs, coupled with computer monitoring of the combustion process and computer control of both valve timing and fuel injection, have resulted in significant gains in fuel economy. Whereas in the 1950s and 1960s, two and three-speed automatic transmissions were 10 to 20 percent less efficient than manual transmissions, the computer-controlled, six and seven-speed automatic transmissions of the twenty-first century are, typically, more efficient than manual transmissions. Although added weight from new safety features and a host of accessories that have become “essential” have somewhat reduced the effect of gains in drivetrain efficiency, a large percentage of the gain in efficiency has been applied by vehicle manufacturers to engine power output. The result has been very little overall increase in corporate average fuel efficiency during the past 25 years. 
     The rapid rise of the price of crude oil in 2007 and 2008 has traumatized the transportation industry. Most global airline companies are sustaining huge operating losses because of high fuel costs, and are headed for insolvency. U.S. automobile manufacturers, who have long relied on fuel-guzzling, high-markup light trucks and SUVs for most of their profits, have watched sales of those vehicles drop precipitously. Not since the early 1970s has such an economically compelling reason existed for U.S. consumers to purchase fuel-efficient vehicles. Since the 1975, U.S. Federal regulations have attempted to pressure automobile manufacturers to improve the fuel efficiency of their corporate offerings. Although the price of crude oil has apparently peaked and is headed down, few consumers will be willing to risk purchasing a fuel-inefficient vehicle any time soon. Thus, economics may prove to be a far more effective incentive for improving the fuel efficiency of new vehicles than any government regulation. 
     A number of new technologies have shown great promise in enhancing the efficiency of internal combustion engines. Computer-controlled, common-rail, ultra-high-pressure direct injection designs have greatly improved the fuel economy and reduced emissions of a new generation of diesel engines. Internal combustion steam engines, which are still in the earliest stages of development, have demonstrated dramatic increases in thermal efficiency. 
     This patent application deals with another technology that has been shown to enhance the operational efficiency of conventional internal combustion engines operating primarily on conventional fuels such as gasoline, ethanol, and gasoline-ethanol mixtures. The technology is implemented by introducing a mixture of small quantities of hydrogen gas (H 2 ) and oxygen gas (O 2 ) (commonly called Brown&#39;s gas or oxyhydrogen gas) generated by an electrolyzer into the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. It is believed that the explosive reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the combustion chambers of the engine promotes more complete combustion of the primary fuel, with a corresponding decrease in incomplete combustion products, such as soot and carbon monoxide. The hydrolysis of water to produced both hydrogen and oxygen gases is well known in the art. Water is, of course, a non-flammable, stable and safe compound. However, as hydrogen and oxygen gases are both unstable, highly-reactive, and—when combined—potentially explosive, utilization of hydrogen gas in vehicular applications must be undertaken with great care and intelligent equipment design. 
     There is a plethora of electrolyzers being offered for sale on every forum imaginable, including eBay and Craig&#39;s List. A recent search for “electrolyzer” on eBay found over 100 electrolyzers of various designs for sale. A search using the descriptor “hydrogen generator” found over 1500 items for sale! Most of these electrolyzers are intended for use in vehicular applications. Many are crude, barely-usable contraptions being hocked by fast-buck artists. Others are more refined designed and include all the components required for integrating the output from the electrolyzer into the vehicle&#39;s induction system. There are a number of problems associated with the current generation of electrolyzers. The first is that many are designed so that the full voltage from the vehicle&#39;s electrical system (typically 14-volts DC) is applied to one or multiple cells, each having a single anode and a single cathode and immersed in an open electrolyte bath. Most of the energy consumed by such an electrolyzer is converted to heat. The heat causes the electrolyte solution to froth and boil, resulting in electrolyte, along with hydrogen and oxygen gases, being introduced into the intake manifold of the vehicle. A second problem is a lack of compactness that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to install an electrolyzer system within the already-crowded engine compartments of many of today&#39;s vehicles. It should be understood that compactness encompasses not only volume, but height as well. Many light trucks, for example, have auxiliary battery trays so that two full size batteries can be installed within the engine compartment. However, most vehicles produced during the past twenty years were designed for low-profile, side-terminal batteries. The use of space normally allocated for an auxiliary battery for installation of an electrolyzer system presents difficult design challenges if adequate hydrogen generating capacity is to be maintained. A third problem relates to the complexity of existing electrolyzer designs. Complexity not only increases manufacturing costs, but also typically results in a decrease in reliability. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,483 to William A. Rhodes discloses a multicell oxy-hydrogen generator having a plurality of spaced plates submersed in an electrolyte which operate electrically in series with each other. The plates are enclosed within a case having grooved, opposed side panels and a grooved bottom panel. The grooved side panels and the grooved bottom panel form individual slots for each plate, thereby maintaining a desired spacing between the plates. However, the individual cells are not isolated from one another, which leads to significant current leakage between cells. A preferred embodiment of the device has 60 plates, and is designed to operate with fully rectified, 120 VAC house current. There is no provision for maintaining an optimum level of electrolyte within the case, other than manually filling the case, as needed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,954 to Stowe (the &#39;954 patent) discloses an electrolysis cell, having a pair of axially-concentric electrodes, for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases which are added to the fuel delivery system as a supplement to the hydrocarbon fuels burned therein. The design eliminates the hazard of explosion of the hydrogen-oxygen gas mix by withdrawing the gases through a connection with the vacuum line of the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system of the engine and by utilizing a slip-fitted top cap for the electrolysis cell, which cooperates with the PCV vacuum line to prevent explosive containment of generated gases in case of accident. U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,493 B1 (the &#39;493 patent) discloses a kit that uses an electrolytic cell to produce hydrogen and oxygen that may either be separated or mixed before the gases are introduced to a vehicle fuel system. Although each of these systems may increase fuel efficiency, there are a number of drawbacks associated with these systems. A first drawback is the use of electrolytic cells which use a voltage of 12-14 volts. This relatively high voltage generates an unnecessary amount of heat, which effectively decreases the benefit from any increase in combustion efficiency. A second drawback is the use of electrodes having a relatively small surface area. This small surface area translates into limited hydrogen/oxygen generation capacity. A third drawback—particularly in the system disclosed in the &#39;493 patent—is the difficulty for end users to replace worn system components in such a highly integrated system. U.S. Pat. App. No. 2005/0258049 by Dennis Klein discloses an electrolyzer that supposedly eliminates the drawbacks of the devices disclosed in the &#39;954 and &#39;493 patents. Like the prior art devices, the Klein device is adapted to generate hydrogen and oxygen gases for introduction into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. From the disclosure, it appears that Klein is providing an array of parallel plates, with the plates alternately coupled to ground and full positive battery voltage. The result is an electrolyzer with 12-14 volts DC applied to every cell. The amount of heat generated is so high that Klein provides cooling fins on the outer surface of the case which encloses the plates and holds a supply of electrolyte. In addition, the electrode plates of the Klein device are immersed in an unpartitioned supply of electrolyte. Failure to partition the plates may lead to unnecessary current leakage between electrode plates. Current leakage will waste energy in the form of heat. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for improved devices for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases that are simple to fabricate, efficient to operate, provide ample gas output without the generation of unnecessary amounts of heat, and which are equipped with means for automatic replenishment of electrolyte. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the problems encountered in the prior art by providing an electrolyzer assembly for electrolyzing water into a mixture comprising hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The electrolyzer assembly is adapted to deliver the gaseous mixture to the fuel system of an internal combustion engine that when combusted with the fuel, the efficiency of the engine is improved. The electrolyzer assembly of the present invention includes an electrolysis unit having a plurality of generally evenly-spaced, series-coupled laminar metal plates, which are submersed in electrolyte within a generally fluid-tight case having both a gas outlet and a filler inlet. Each pair of adjacent laminar plates forms an electrolytic cell when a voltage differential exists between them. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plates are sealed around the side and lower edges so that electrical current leakage will not occur between plates. Electrolyte level above the plates is minimized by having an electrolyte inlet near the bottom of the case and a gas outlet in the case lid, the gas escape entrance of which is positioned at generally the same level as the top of the plates. Any excess electrolyte will, therefore, escape through the gas outlet, along with electrolytically-generated hydrogen and oxygen gases, and return to the supply tank. As the cavity above the plates is sealed, electrolyte generally cannot rise above the level of the top of the plates. A presently preferred embodiment of the electrolysis unit for a vehicular electrical system of nominal 12 VDC employs at least one plate assembly having six or seven, serially-coupled cells, such that the voltage applied between adjacent plates, for a 12-volt electrical system, is about 2 volts. For a vehicular electrical system of nominal 24 VDC, at least one plate assembly having twelve to fourteen, serially-coupled cells. In any case, the optimum voltage range for electrolyzing water into hydrogen and oxygen gases is about 1.5 to 2.0 VDC per electrolytic cell. 
     The electrolysis unit also incorporates at least one electrolyte supply chamber, which maintains electrolyte levels within an acceptable range for an extended period of time. The fluid exit from the supply chamber is placed at a level above the top of the plates within the electrolysis unit. Electrolyte feeds from the supply chamber to the electrolysis unit by gravity. As the electrolyte return and gas entrance to the electrolyte supply tank is near the bottom thereof, the electrolyte supply tank also functions as a flashback arrestor and as a bubbler filter for the hydrogen and oxygen gases. Gravel can be placed in the bottom of the supply tank in order to break up the incoming bubbles into smaller ones. Alternatively, the inlet to the supply tank can be equipped with a screen to break up the bubbles. 
     The gas outlet on the electrolysis unit is coupled to a gas inlet at or near the bottom of the electrolyte supply tank. As electrolyte within the electrolysis unit has a tendency to bubble and froth as hydrogen and oxygen are generated when 12 VDC is applied to each six-cell bank of the electrolysis unit—particularly at startup time—the coupling of the gas outlet to the electrolyte supply tank tends to recover any electrolyte that is expelled through the gas outlet of the electrolysis unit. A vent at the top of the electrolyte supply tank is coupled to the air intake of the internal combustion engine. 
     In order to simplify construction of the electrolysis unit, a preferred embodiment of the case includes at least a pair of opposed, grooved side panels, a grooved floor panel that is unitary with the side panels, and a top panel that is sealed to the side panels. The floor and side panel unit is preferably injection molded from a polymeric engineering thermoplastic. Preferred engineering plastic materials for this application differ from commodity plastics such as polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) in that they have improved resistance to heat, increased rigidity, greater mechanical strength, and increased levels of chemical stability. Examples of engineering plastics, that are deemed appropriate for this application, include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polysulphone (PSU), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyimides. Although not considered engineering plastics, Sintra® (a moderately-expanded, closed-cell rigid PVC sheet material developed in Europe by Alusuise, UHDPE (ultra-high molecular weight poly ethylene) and HDPE (high-density poly ethylene) may also be used successfully for the case material. Each groove in the floor panel is aligned with a groove on each side panel, forming a slot. A laminar plate slips into each slot and is sealed with a waterproof, chemically inert, and heat-resistant sealant around the edges to minimize current leakage between cells. Although for a preferred embodiment of the invention, the laminar plates are made of stainless steel, other metals such as nickel or nickel steel alloys may also be used. The primary factors to be considered for any metal or metal alloy contemplated for manufacture of the laminar plates are cost, resistance to corrosion, and electrical resistance. The electrolyte in which the laminar plates are submersed may be selected from many different types, including aqueous solutions of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and combinations thereof. It has been found that hydroxide solutions—particularly potassium hydroxide solutions—work very well and are inexpensive. Although acidic solutions, such as acetic acid, can also function as electrolyte, acids tend to foster corrosion of metal components. 
     For 24-volt first embodiment of the invention, the case of the electrolysis unit has four thermoplastic side walls (two of which are grooved), a grooved floor panel continuous with the side walls, and a top panel that is sealed to the tops of the side walls. For second embodiment, the case of the electrolysis unit has two opposed grooved thermoplastic side walls, a grooved floor panel continuous with the side walls, and a top panel. The outermost laminar plates of the electrolysis unit function as a pair of opposed side walls to complete the case enclosure. The edges of both of those two outermost laminar plates are bonded to the side walls, grooved floor and top panel in order to provide a leakproof case. The top panel of the case is equipped with a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal grooves that facilitate sealing of the upper edges of the laminar plates to the top panel. For the latter embodiment electrolysis unit, electrical connections are most easily made to the outermost plates and through the top panel. For a six- to seven-cell unit, a ground electrical connection can be made to one of the outermost panels, and a 12 VDC connection can be made to the other. For a twelve- to fourteen-cell unit, the ground electrical connections can be made to each of the outermost panels, and a 12 VDC connection can be made through the top panel to the centermost plate or plates. A third embodiment electrolysis unit is similar to the first embodiment unit, except that it is a 12-volt unit having seven plates and six cells. A fourth embodiment unit does not have a grooved case, but rather relies on a dielectric screw which passes through a central aperture of each plate. Each adjacent pair of plates has a dielectric washer between them that is fitted to the screw. When the screw is tightened through the plate assembly, the plates assume a generally evenly spaced configuration. These plates are inserted as an assembly into an ungrooved lower case portion. However the lower and side edges of the plates are sealed to the sides and bottom of the case, respectively with a waterproof sealer, such as polyurethane adhesive sealant. The sealer is also preferably used with the embodiments having a grooved lower case portion in order to minimize current leakage between plates. For the fourth embodiment electrolysis unit, the input connections are made through the vertical ends of the lower case portion. Epoxy is used to effectively waterproof the holes in the case ends through which threaded terminals pass. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the case lid of the first embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the assembled first embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the case lid of the second embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the assembled second embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric view of a third embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the case lid of the third embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the assembled third embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded isometric view of a fourth embodiment electrolysis unit; 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the assembled fourth embodiment electrolysis unit; and 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric diagramatic view of an electrolyzer assembly which incorporates the third embodiment electrolysis unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing figures. It should be understood that although no attempt has been made to inaccurately portray the drawings, they still may not be drawn to scale. 
     The present invention is designed to provide a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases for use in internal combustion engines in combination with the primary fuel burned therein. The term “internal combustion engine”, as used herein, refers to any engine in which a fuel-air mixture is burned within the engine itself so that the hot gaseous products of combustion act directly on the surfaces of engine&#39;s moving parts. Such moving parts include, but are not limited to, pistons or turbine rotor blades. Internal-combustion engines include spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines of both two-stroke and four-stroke cycle types, gas turbine engines, jet engines, and rocket engines. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exploded first embodiment electrolysis unit  100  includes a case lower portion  101 , a case lid  102 , thirteen evenly-spaced, parallel laminar plates  103 A- 103 M ( 103 , generally). It will be noted that laminar plates  103 A,  103 G and  103 M each have an electrical connector tab  104 A,  104 B and  104 C, respectively, which extend from an upper central portion thereof. Each of the three connector tabs has an aperture  105  for receiving a threaded fastener that will secure an electrical cable to the connector tab. Laminar plates  103 A and  103 M will receive a chassis ground connection, while laminar plate  103 G will receive a connection to a nominal voltage of 12 VDC. It will be noted that the case lower portion  101  is equipped with an electrolyte inlet  106 . It will be further noted that the case lid has a gas outlet  107 . It will be further noted that the case lid  102  has three rectangular slits  108 A,  108 B and  108 C, which fit over the three connector tabs  104 A,  104 B and  104 C, respectively. It will also be noted that the case lower portion  101  is shaped so that there are two electrolyte supply chambers  109 A and  109 B on opposite sides of the laminar plate array when the latter is installed within the case lower portion  101 . It will be further noticed that the case lower portion  101  has grooves  111  on the end side walls  110 A and  110 B. The floor panel (not shown) is also grooved. Each groove in the floor panel is aligned with a groove on each side panel  110 A and  110 B, together forming a plate receiving slot. A laminar plate  103  slips into each plate receiving slot. The primary factors to be considered for any metal or metal alloy contemplated for manufacture of the laminar plates are cost, resistance to corrosion, and electrical resistance. A suitable metal from which the laminar plates are fabricated includes, but is not limited to, nickel, nickel containing alloys, and stainless steel (which is typically a nickel alloy of steel). The laminar plates  103  are brushed or otherwise roughened in order to increase surface area. The case lower portion  101  will be filled with an electrolyte, thereby covering most of the surface area of the laminar plates  103 A- 103 M to a level about 1.0-1.5 cm below the top edges of the plates. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution containing ions which enable the solution to conduct electricity. The electrolyte in which the laminar plates are submersed may be selected from many different types, including aqueous solutions of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and combinations thereof. Potassium hydroxide is presently deemed the preferred compound for addition to distilled water for creating the electrolyte. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in this bottom view of the case lid  102 , it can be seen how the gas outlet  107  extends below the lower surface of the lid  102  an amount that places the gas escape entrance  202  at the level of the top of the plates  103 A- 103 M when the electrolysis unit  100  is assembled. In addition, two bars  201 A and  201 B, which are integral with the case lid  102 , maintain the laminar plates  103  seated within their respective plate receiving slots when the case lid  102  is secured to the case lower portion  101 . It will be noted that the case lid  102  also incorporates three narrow rectangular slits  108 A,  108 B and  108 C, which fit over the electrical connector tabs  104 A,  104 B and  104 C, respectively when the case lower portion  101 , the case lid  102  are assembled with the laminar plates  103 A- 103 M installed within the case lower portion  101 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an assembled first embodiment electrolysis unit  300  has been assembled, with the thirteen laminar plates  103 A- 103 M seated within their respective plate receiving slots within the case lower portion  101 , and the case lid  102  secured to the case lower  101 . A waterproof, chemically inert and heat-resistant sealant, such as polyurethane adhesive/sealant may be used successfully for this application. Other sealants, such as RTV silicon rubber sealant, may also be used. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exploded second embodiment electrolysis unit  400  includes a case lower portion  401 , a case lid  402 , and two groups of seven evenly-spaced, parallel laminar plates arranged in two spaced-apart groups. The first group includes laminar plates  403 A- 403 G; the second group includes laminar plates  403 H- 403 N ( 403 , generally). It will be noted that laminar plates  403 G and  403 H each have an electrical connector tab  404 A and  404 B, respectively, which extend from an upper central portion thereof. Each of the two connector tabs  404 A and  404 B has an aperture  405  for receiving a threaded fastener that will secure an electrical cable to the connector tab. Laminar plates  403 G and  403 H will receive a connection to a nominal voltage of 12 VDC through connector tabs  404 A and  404 B. It will be noted that laminar plates  403 A and  403 N are taller than the other laminar plates. Each of these two plates will also function as part of the lower case portion  401  and will be sealed around their edges with waterproof sealant. Laminar plates  403 A and  403 N will also be connected to chassis ground through conductors  405 A and  405 B, respectively. It will be noted that the case lid  402  has a gas outlet  407 . It will be further noted that the case lid  402  has two rectangular slits  408 A and  408 B, which fit over the two connector tabs  404 A and  404 B, respectively. For this second embodiment electrolysis unit  400 , the void between laminar plates  403 G and  403 H functions as an electrolyte supply chamber  409 . It will be further noticed that the case lower portion  401  has grooves  411  on the end side walls  410 A and  410 B. The floor panel  412  is also grooved. Each groove in the floor panel  412  is aligned with a groove on each side panel  411 A and  411 B, together forming a plate receiving slot. Cables  413 A and  413 B are both ground connections. A laminar plate  403  slips into each plate receiving slot. The primary factors to be considered for any metal or metal alloy contemplated for manufacture of the laminar plates are cost, resistance to corrosion, and electrical resistance. A suitable metal from which the laminar plates are fabricated includes, but is not limited to, nickel, nickel containing alloys, and stainless steel (which is typically a nickel alloy of steel). The case lower portion  401  will be filled with an electrolyte, thereby covering most of the surface area of the laminar plates  403 A- 403 N. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution containing ions which enable the solution to conduct electricity. The electrolyte in which the laminar plates are submersed may be selected from many different types, including aqueous solutions of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and combinations thereof. Potassium hydroxide is presently deemed the preferred compound for addition to distilled water for creating the electrolyte. It will be noted that laminar plates  403 A and  403 N both function as impermeable components of the case. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , in this bottom view of the case lid  402 , it can be seen how the gas outlet  407  extends below the lower surface of the lid  402  an amount that places the gas escape entrance  502  at the level of the top of the plates  403 A- 403 M when the electrolysis unit  400  is assembled. In addition, two bars  501 A and  501 B, which are integral with the case lid  402 , maintain the laminar plates  403  seated within their respective plate receiving slots when the case lid  402  is secured to the case lower portion  401 . The case lid  402  is equipped with a pair of spaced apart grooves  503 A and  503 B. Laminar plates  403 A and  403 N fit into and are sealed into these two grooves to ensure that the case lid  402 , which is adhesively sealed to the case lower portion  402  and the outermost laminar plates  403 A and  403 N, together form a waterproof compartment. An adhesive sealant can also be used to seal the side and bottom edges of the plates  403  within their respective grooves in order to minimize current leakage between the cells. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an assembled second embodiment electrolysis unit  600  has been assembled, with the fourteen laminar plates  403 A- 403 N seated within their respective plate receiving slots within the case lower portion  401 , the case lid  402  secured to the case lower portion  401 , and the outermost laminar plates  403 A and  403 N seated and sealed within their respective circumferential grooves, which include their case receiving slots in the case lower portion  401  and the grooves in the case lid  402 . A waterproof sealant, such as polyurethane adhesive/sealant may be used successfully to seal the case lid  402  to the case lower portion  401  and to seal the outermost laminar plates  403 A and  403 N within their respective perimetric grooves. As previously indicated, the partially-exposed laminar plates  403 A and  403 N will also be connected to chassis ground through conductors  405 A and  405 B, respectively. Conductor  405 A is shown secured to an exposed major surface of laminar plate  403 A with a threaded stud  601  and a nut  602 . Likewise, connector tabs  404 A and  404 B are interconnected by a threaded connector  603 , which is also connected to a nominal voltage of 12 VDC through conductor  604 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an exploded third embodiment electrolysis unit  700  is similar to the first embodiment electrolysis unit  100  or  300 , except that it is a 12-volt DC unit, rather than a 24-volt DC unit. The third embodiment electrolysis unit  700  includes a case lower portion  701 , a case lid  702 , seven evenly-spaced, parallel laminar plates  103 A- 103 G ( 103 , generally). It will be noted that laminar plates  103 A and  103 G each have an electrical connector tab  704 A and  704 B, respectively, which extend from an upper central portion thereof. Each of the connector tabs has an aperture  105  for receiving a threaded fastener that will secure an electrical cable to the connector tab. One of laminar plates  103 A or  103 G will receive a chassis ground connection, while the other laminar plate will receive a connection to a nominal voltage of 12 VDC. It will be noted that the case lower portion  701  is equipped with an electrolyte inlet  106 . It will be further noted that the case lid has a gas outlet  107 . It will be further noted that the case lid  702  has two rectangular slits  708 A and  708 B, which fit over the two connector tabs  704 A and  704 B, respectively. It will also be noted that the case lower portion  701  is shaped so that there are two electrolyte supply chambers  709 A and  709 B on opposite sides of the laminar plate array when the latter is installed within the case lower portion  701 . It will be further noticed that the case lower portion  701  has grooves  711  on the end side walls  710 A and  710 B. The floor panel (not shown) is also grooved. Each groove in the floor panel is aligned with a groove on each side panel  710 A and  710 B, together forming a plate receiving slot. A laminar plate  103  slips into each plate receiving slot. Resilient spacers  706 A and  706 B can be fitted over connector tabs and in order to more effectively seal the apertures where they pass through the lid  702 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the underside of the lid  702  is visible. It is simply a narrower version of the lid  102  of the first embodiment unit  100 . Again, it can be seen how the gas outlet  107  extends below the lower surface of the lid  102  an amount that places the gas escape entrance  202  at the level of the top of the plates  103 A- 103 M when the electrolysis unit  700  is assembled. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the assembled third embodiment electrolysis unit  900  is shown. It is a narrower 12-volt DC version of the first embodiment unit  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a fourth embodiment electrolysis unit  1000  has an ungrooved lower case portion  1001 , an ungrooved lid  1002 , and an ungrooved case bottom  1003 . A dielectric screw  1005  passes through a central aperture of each plate  1004 A- 1004 G. Each adjacent pair of plates has a dielectric washer sandwiched between them that is identical to the dielectric washer  1006  beneath the securing dielectric nut  1007 . The dielectric screw  1005  passes through each sandwiched dielectric washer. When the screw  1005  is tightened through the plate assembly  1006 , the plates  1004 A- 1004 G assume a generally evenly spaced configuration. These plates are inserted as an assembly into an ungrooved lower case portion. However the lower and side edges of the plates are sealed to the sides and bottom of the case, respectively with a waterproof sealant, such as polyurethane sealant. The sealant is also preferably used with the embodiments having a grooved lower case portion in order to minimize current leakage between plates. As the side and bottom edges of the plates are sealed in the grooves or against a planar surface with a waterproof sealant, current leakage is limited only to the tops of the cells where the electrolyte sloshes or flows from one cell to another. In addition, holes are no longer deemed necessary for regulating electrolyte levels as shown in the referenced provisional patent application. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 10 , a waterproof sealant layer  1017  is applied to the upper surface of the case bottom  1003 . In addition, a waterproof sealant layer  1018  is applied to the inner surfaces of the lower case portion  1001 . For the fourth embodiment electrolysis unit, the input connections are made through a vertical end panel  1007  of the lower case portion  1001 . Epoxy is used to effectively waterproof the holes in the case ends through which threaded terminals pass. Stainless steel screws  1008 A and  1008 B are used to provide a connection to flanges  1009 A and  1009 B on plates  1004 A and  1004 G, respectively. Each screw  1008 A and  1008 B is first secured to a flange  1009 A or  1009 B with a lock washer  1010  and a first nut  1011 . The plate assembly  1006  is then secured to the end panel  1007  using a large washer  1012 , a lock washer  1013 , and a second nut  1014  installed on each of the two screws  1008 A and  1008 B. Like the first three embodiments  100 ,  400 , and  700 , the lid  1002  has a gas outlet that projects below the bottom surface of the lid  1002  so that the gas escape entrance thereof is at the same level as the top edges of the plates  1004 A- 1004 G. It should be clear that as long as the gas outlet is positioned at a level that is about even with the top edges of the plates, current leakage through electrolyte covering the plates will be minimized. The electrolyte inlet  1015  is near the bottom of the lower case portion  1001  and is installed in a side panel  1016  thereof. The gas outlet  1017  is installed in the lid  1002 . Like the other embodiments, its inlet is flush with the level of the top edges of the plates  1004 A- 1004 G. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the fully assembled fourth embodiment electrolysis unit  1100  is shown. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an assembled third embodiment electrolysis unit  900  is shown coupled to an electrolyte supply tank  1201 . It will be noted that the gas inlet/electrolyte overflow return inlet  1202  is coupled to the gas outlet  107  of the electrolysis unit  900  via return hose  1204 , and that the electrolyte outlet  1203  is coupled to the electrolyte filler inlet  106  of the electrolysis unit  900  via supply hose  1205 . Both the overflow return inlet  1202  and the electrolyte outlet  1203  are both located near the bottom of the supply tank  1201 . Insulated cables  1208  (12-volt DC) and  1209  (ground) are connected to the appropriate projecting tabs  704 A and  704 B, respectively. It will be noted that the electrolyte outlet  1203  of the electrolyte supply tank  1201  is above the level of the upper edges of the plates  103 A- 103 G within the electrolysis unit  700  so that gravity can maintain the electrolysis unit  900  filled to an optimum level. It will be further noted that the electrolyte tank  1201  is partially filed with electrolyte solution  1210 , that hydrogen and oxygen gases generated within the electrolysis unit  900  enters the gas inlet/overflow return inlet  1202  and bubbles through the electrolyte  1210 , after which the gases escape through the outlet hose  1206 , which couples to the induction system of the vehicle in which the electrolysis unit  900  is installed. The cells (i.e., the gaps between adjacent plates) within the electrolysis unit are filled by electrolyte  1210  rising from the electrolyte filler inlet  1202  and then over the top edge of each plate. As bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen gas prevent the electrolyte from rising above the level of the gas outlet  107 , the electrolyte level is self regulating, and no pump is required to fill the electrolysis unit. The outlet hose  1206  is equipped with a one-way valve  1207 , which prevents flashbacks from reaching the electrolyte tank if the vehicle&#39;s engine backfires. 
     It should be understood that although the drawings show electrolysis units built using six-cell blocks, seven-cell blocks and eight-cell blocks may also be used for nominal 12 VDC electrical systems—particularly if the voltage seldom drops below 12 VDC. For nominal 24 VDC electrical systems, electrolysis units built using 12- to 14-cell blocks may be fabricated. The limiting criterium is that the minimum cell voltage must be no less than about 1.5 VDC. It will also be noted that all electrical connections are shown as being made outside the case first, second and third embodiment electrolysis units  300 ,  600 , and  900 , respectively, in order to minimize the possibility that a loose connection might detonate the hydrogen and oxygen gas mixture within the case. 
     Preferred materials for the dielectric case components are engineering polymer plastic materials which have improved resistance to heat, increased rigidity, greater mechanical strength, and increased levels of chemical stability. Examples of such engineering plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polysulphone (PSU), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyimides. Although not considered engineering plastics, Sintra® (a moderately-expanded, closed-cell rigid PVC sheet material developed in Europe by Alusuise, UHDPE (ultra-high molecular weight poly ethylene) and HDPE (high-density poly ethylene) may also be used successfully for the case material. 
     From the foregoing disclosure, it should be apparent that the number of plates in an electrolysis unit is determined by the applied voltage. Six cells are considered an optimum number for 12-volt systems; twelve cells are considered an optimum number for 24-volt systems; eighteen cells are considered an optimum number for 36-volt systems; twenty-four cells are considered an optimum number for 48-volt systems; and so forth. The total number of plates is limited only by the length of available dielectric screws used to hold the plates in an evenly-spaced arrangement. Electrical connections to the plates are preferably made outside the electrolysis unit, and can be made on the sides or top of the plates using a variety of techniques as heretofore shown and described. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.