Fuel system for internal combustion engine

Abstract

A fuel system is provided for generating hydrogen and oxygen for use in an internal combustion engine to improve combustion efficiency, horsepower, and torque and to decrease emissions. The fuel system has at least one electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of an aqueous solution, a power source for providing electrical power to the electrolysis cell, and a heating and cooling system for maintaining the temperature of the electrolysis cell in a desired range to obtain the desired quantities of hydrogen and oxygen for operation of the internal combustion engine. The invention also includes an electrode array of a plurality of spaced apart electrodes for use in this fuel system and a nonconductive support connected to each of the electrodes to hold the electrodes in place, while leaving adequate room around the electrodes to allow free flow of the aqueous solution between the electrodes. High purity electrolyte and substantially non-reactive electrodes result in improved electrolysis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 542,477, filed Feb. 5, 2004, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to a hydrogen and oxygen generating fuel system for use with an internal combustion engine. More particularly, this invention relates to a hydrogen and oxygen fuel generating system for improving performance of an internal combustion engine. [0004] A major effort has been made to develop fuel systems comprising electrolysis cells for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water to help solve the air pollution and fuel efficiency problems associated with the use of internal combustion engines. [0005] Hydrogen has numerous important advantages as a fuel. The energy released per pound is high when compared to conventional fuels, and hydrogen is clean-...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] A fuel system is provided for generating hydrogen and oxygen for use in an internal combustion engine to improve combustion efficiency of the engine and to decrease emissions from the engine. An illustrative embodiment of the fuel system has at least one electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of an aqueous solution, a power source for providing electrical power to the electrolysis cell, and a heating and cooling system for maintaining the temperature of the electrolysis cell in a selected range to obtain selected quantities of hydrogen and oxygen for operation of the internal combustion engine. The heating and cooling system may be provided from the internal combustion engine in heat exchange relation to the fuel system of this invention.

[0014] Another illustrative embodiment of the invention includes an electrode array of a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes for use in this fuel system and a nonconductive support connected to each of the electrodes to hold the electrodes in place, while leaving adequate space around the electrodes to allow free flow of the aqueous electrolyte solution between the electrodes and thereby assist in heating and cooling the aqueous solution of the electrolysis cell of this invention.

[0015] Still another illustrative embodiment of the invention provides an electrode array positioned in a container to allow impurities to settle out and be removed from the container. Also the container may contain a sampling apparatus, which allows samples to be taken from the aqueous electrolyte solution without allowing impurities to enter the vessel.

[0016] Yet another illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises use of a high-purity electrolyte and electrodes and containers that are substantially non-reactive with the electrolyte. These improvements result in production of high flow rates of product gases with little or no sludge formation from side reactions.

[0017] Still further, an illustrative embodiment of the invention uses a sealable container for holding the electrolysis cell. Sealing of the container reduces or eliminates contaminants from outside the cell from entering the cell, thus reducing or eliminating buildup of sludge and / or particulates from unwanted side reactions. To reduce the danger of pressure buildup in the cell, pressure release mechanisms are built into such a container, such mechanisms including valves and the like.

Problems solved by technology

There are, however, serious drawbacks to the use of hydrogen that have prevented its adoption as a common engine fuel.

Among the most important of its drawbacks is its extreme volatility, creating an ever present danger of accidental ignition and explosion.

The use of hydrogen as a fuel supplement, however, presents the same difficulties as its use as a primary fuel, although on a smaller scale.

While this arrangement has confirmed certain theoretical advantages of hydrogen supplementation, it has, apparently, not yielded a practical, workable system, as the arrangement has been known for some time but has not come into common use.

One of the major problems is that the amounts of hydrogen and oxygen produced in the prior art systems are very low or inconsistent.

Also, the aqueous solutions in the electrolysis cells of the prior art tend to have very short lives and the solution has to be changed often.

This contamination of the solution also causes fouling of the electrodes, which causes further delays and problems to clean or replace the electrodes and auxiliary equipment.

Prior art systems also have had heating problems, which have caused numerous shutdowns or cutting back on the current to the electrolysis cell, thus causing a decrease in production of hydrogen and oxygen that can be utilized by the engine.

However, these teachings do not address the real problem faced by those who use vehicles in long trips where both heating and cooling are real problems that must be addressed to get consistent, high production without mechanical problems caused by lack of temperature control.

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