Electrolytic hydrogen generating system

Abstract

A hydrogen generating system includes a plurality of conductive plates, a first connector and a second connector, wherein each connector is connected to at least some of the plates, an amperage sensor configured to measure an actual amperage of the hydrogen generating system, and a temperature sensor configured to measure an actual temperature of the hydrogen generating system, and a controller. The controller includes a processor programmed to receive a target amperage, a maximum amperage threshold, a maximum temperature threshold, and an optimal temperature, select, based on the target amperage, certain of the plurality of conductive plates to receive an applied voltage, receive a measurement of an actual amperage and an actual temperature from the amperage sensor and the temperature sensor, respectively, compare the actual amperage and the actual temperature to the maximum amperage threshold and the optimum temperature, respectively, and adjust the applied voltage based on the comparison.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 115,463 filed on Nov. 17, 2008 and 61 / 117,481 filed on Nov. 24, 2008, respectively, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]The use of hydrogen and oxygen gas to supplement the conventional fuel in an internal combustion engine in order to increase the efficiency of the engine is known. For example, electrolytic hydrogen generating systems are known to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases for use as fuel additives. However, a satisfactory hydrogen generating system that efficiently uses the power supplied to the system and generates a sufficient supply of gases at acceptable temperatures does not yet exist.BRIEF DESCRIPTION[0003]In one aspect, a hydrogen generating system includes a plurality of conductive plates, a first connector and a second connector. Each connector is connected to at least some of the plates, an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0065]One advantage of some embodiments of this disclosure is that each electrode plate can be monitored to control an amperage level generated. As described in detail below, power can be channeled to each electrode plate as needed to increase hydrogen production for a given amperage. This can increase the generation of hydrogen and oxygen available at start-up and significantly reduce a usual warm-up period required to get the hydrogen generating system 11 to full production at optimum temperature.

Problems solved by technology

However, a satisfactory hydrogen generating system that efficiently uses the power supplied to the system and generates a sufficient supply of gases at acceptable temperatures does not yet exist.

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