Patent ID: 8808512

Claim:
An apparatus for the electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, the apparatus comprising: a first hemi-enclosure; a second hemi-enclosure that is separable from and not integral with the first hemi-enclosure; a diaphragm electrode array positioned between the first hemi-enclosure and the second hemi-enclosure comprising: a diaphragm, that passes ions and impedes the passage of gases, comprising a first side and a second opposed side; a first plurality of electrodes in the vicinity of the first side of the diaphragm; a second plurality of electrodes in the vicinity of the second opposed side of the diaphragm; a fastener, for leak-tight fastening of the first hemi-enclosure, the diaphragm electrode array, and the second hemi-enclosure, whereby a leak-tight enclosure is formed; contacts, for electrically contacting the first and second pluralities of electrodes; and pathways, configured to separately remove hydrogen and oxygen gases from the enclosure, the pathways including: a first headspace comprising a barrier associated with the first hemi-enclosure that is impermeable to ions, gases, and water; a first pipe communicatively-coupled to the first headspace that receives gas generated within the first headspace and routes that received gas: outside of the first hemi-enclosure and the first headspace; then back inside of the first hemi-enclosure; then through a substantial portion of fluid contained within the first hemi-enclosure; and then back outside of the first hemi-enclosure through a bottom portion of the first hemi-enclosure; a second headspace comprising a barrier associated with the second hemi-enclosure that is impermeable to ions, gases, and water; a second pipe communicatively-coupled to the second headspace that receives gas generated within the second headspace and routes that received gas: outside of the second hemi-enclosure and the second headspace; then back inside of the second hemi-enclosure; then through a substantial portion of fluid contained within the second hemi-enclosure; and then back outside of the second hemi-enclosure through a bottom portion of the second hemi-enclosure.