Non-contact Liquid Level Detection in Gas Generator Electrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas generators for hydrogen production via electrolysis face risks of dry-boiling and component corrosion due to inadequate liquid water detection, leading to potential misjudgment of electrolyte levels and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A gas generator design incorporating a non-contact liquid level detector to monitor the electrolyte level externally, coupled with a water supplying device that automatically adds supplementary water based on detected levels, ensuring sufficient water for electrolysis and preventing corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a liquid level detector is used to detect electrolyte level, then the liquid level detection capability is improved, but the detector will be corroded by electrolytes leading to failure and misjudgment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid level detection accuracyVSAvoiddetector reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a non-contact liquid level detector that detects the liquid level through the container wall without direct contact with the electrolyte. The container wall acts as an intermediary medium, allowing the detector to measure the liquid level while being isolated from the corrosive electrolyte, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and detector reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional contact-based mechanical liquid level detectors with a non-contact detection system that uses electromagnetic fields or other non-mechanical means to detect liquid level through the container wall, eliminating the need for physical contact with the corrosive electrolyte

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If electrolyte is used for water electrolysis, then hydrogen production is achieved, but the electrolyte corrodes components causing failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall serves as an intermediary barrier between the corrosive electrolyte and the external environment, protecting components from direct contact with the electrolyte while allowing the electrolysis process to continue efficiently, thus resolving the contradiction between hydrogen production and component corrosion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the container wall not only as a protective barrier but also as a transmission medium for non-contact liquid level detection, converting the potential harm of electrolyte corrosion into a beneficial dual-function design that protects components while enabling accurate monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If liquid water amount is not monitored, then device complexity is reduced, but dry-boiling risks occur compromising safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring system complexityVSAvoidsafety reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The non-contact liquid level detector uses the container wall as an intermediary to monitor liquid levels without adding complex contact-based sensing systems, achieving safe monitoring while maintaining relatively simple device architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the container wall itself as part of the detection mechanism, allowing the existing structural component to serve dual purposes: containing the electrolyte and enabling non-contact liquid level detection, thus avoiding additional complex monitoring hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the safety and operational reliability of the gas generator by accurately maintaining electrolyte levels, preventing dry-boiling, and reducing the risk of component damage from electrolytes.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid level detector generates a detecting signal by detecting a liquid level of the electrolyzed water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-contact liquid level detection:

Implementation Method 2

The electrolysis device contains electrolyzed water and electrolyzes water to generate hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11214875B2Gas generator

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 LIN HSIN YUNG

AI summary

The present invention provides a gas generator and comprises an electrolysis device, a water supplying device, and a liquid level detector. The electrolysis device is configured for electrolyzing water to generate hydrogen. The water supplying device is coupled to the electrolysis device for supplying the supplementary water into the electrolysis device. The liquid level detector is coupled to an outer surface of the electrolysis device for detecting a liquid level of the electrolyzed water, wherein the gas generator supplies supplementary water into the electrolysis device according to the liquid level detected by the liquid level detector. The present invention is provided for measuring the liquid level by using the non-contact liquid level detector, and supplying supplementary water into the electrolysis device according to the liquid level to ensure that the electrolysis device contains sufficient water for electrolyzing, thereby improving the life and safety of the gas generator.