Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Titl~
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I~YDROGEN COMBUSTIOW SYSTEM
Field oE Invention
This invention relates to a combustion system
and more particularly to one where the combustible gas
mixture is hydrogen, oxygen and non-combustible gases.
Backqround of Invention
There is disclosed in my co-pending Canadian
patent Application Serial No. 420,908, filed February 4, 1983,
entitled "A ~ydrogen Generator" a generating system converting
natural water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. In that
system and method, the hydrogen atoms are disassociated
from a water molecule by the application of a non-regulated,
non-filtered, low-power, direct current voltage electrical
potential applied to two non-oxidizing similar metal plates
having water passing therebetween. The action is enhanced
by pulsing the non-r~gulated and non-filtered direct current
voltage. Particularly significant with my hydrogen generator
disclosed in my co-pending application supra is that the
hydrogen/oxygen generated is in a quantity in excess of
that necessary for practical utiliæation. Further, and
equally significant is that the generation of the hydrogenJoxygen
is controlled by any one of or combination of several factors,
e.g. varying voltage~ varying pulse rate, varying spacing
between plates, switching the number of plates, and changing
the plate configuration.
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The hydrogen/oxygen generation is a demand
system; that is, the hydrogen/oxygen is generated only
upon the need. Then, the generation is controlled in quantity
by the need; such as, accelerator Eor an automotive device.
In an earlier hydrogen processox, non-combustible
gases are controlled in a mixing stage with a combustible
gas. The hydrogen processor system utilizes a rotational
mechanical gas displacement system to transfer, meter,
mix, and pressurize the various gases. In the gas transformation
process, ambient air is passed through an open flame gas
burner system to eliminate gases and other present substances.
Thereafter, the non-combustible gas-mixture is cooled,
filtered for impurity removal, and mechanically mixed with
a predetermined amount of hydrogen gas. The gas mixture
provides the desired burn-rate. The rotational mechanical
gas displacement system in that process determines the
quantity by volume of combustible gas mixture to be producedO
The above-noted hydrogen processor is a
multi-stage system having utility in special applications.
The aforementioned co-pending application discloses a very
simple and unique hydrogen generator.
Summary oE Invention
The system of the present invention in its
pre~erred embodiment is for a combustion system having
utility in a mechanical drive system particularly, in one
instance, to drive a pistQn in an automotive device.
The system utilizes the hydrogen generator of my co pending
patent application Serial No. 420,908, for developing hydrogen
gas, and other non-combustible gases such as oxygen and
nitrogen. The hydrogen gas with the attendant non-combustible
gases in a controlled ratio are fed via a line to a controlled
air intake system. The combined hydrogen, non-combustible
gases, and the air after intermixing are fed to a comhustion
chamber wherein the mixture is ignited. The exhaust gases
of the combustion chamber are returned in a closed loop
arrangement to the mixing chamber to provide the non-combustible
gases for the mixture. More speci~ically, generated hydrogen
gas is fed to a gas mixing chamber where it is intermixed
with non-combustible gases and such gas mixture is then
fed to a carburetor ~air-mixture) system.
The gas mixture is fed through nozzle means
in a jet spray in a chamber and a valve or gate controls
the amount of air intake to the jet spray. The gas mixture
combines with the air to form a combustible mixture o
hydrogen, non-combustible gas, and oxygen. The combustible
mixture enters into a combustion chamber conventional in
design and comprising a cylinder capable of withstanding
high pressure. At the uppermost end of the combusti.on
chamber is a spark plug igniter.
Objects
A principal ob~ect of the present invention
is to provide a combustion system utilizing qases combined
from a source of combustible an~ non-comb~stible qases.
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Another ob~ect of the lnventit~n is to provlde a
combu3tion system that utilizes hydrog~n as the combustible ya~
and the ei~hau~t of the combustion ~yst~m a8 -the non--combustible
gas.
A further object of the present invention is to
provide a combustion system of the foregoing in a mechanical
drive system.
Brief _es_~ption of _he Drawin~s
The invention is illustrated by way of example
in the accompanying drawings wherein
Figure 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional illustration
of the present invention in it3 preferred
embodi~ent;
Figure 2 i5 a bloc~ schematic illustration of the
preferred embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure ~ is an alternative gas system for that shown
in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a block schematic illustration of a gas
control system for retrofittin~ existing
automobiles to a combustion system of the
pres~nt invention; and
Fi~ure 5 is a block schematic illustratiQn of
regeneratlve energy feedba~k arran~ement
accordi~g to the present invention.
Description of P J Embodiments of_the Invention
Referring particularly to Figure L the complete
overall combustion system is illustrated toge-ther with
a mechanical drive piston. Similarly, Figure 2 illustrates
the complete systern in its preferred embodiment.
With particular reference to Figure 1, the
hydrogen source 10 is the hydrogen genera-tor disclosed
and described in my aforementioned Application Serial No. ~20,908
and includes an enclosure for a natural water bath 2.
Immersed in the water 2 is an array of plates 3 of similar
non-oxidizing material. Applied to plates 3 is a source
of pulsed direct current potential via electrical inlet 27.
The action of the pulsed direct current, a voltage/current
potential, on the plates causes the hydrogen and oxygen
atoms ~o become disassociated from the water molecule.
In that the action is not a chemical action, any water
irrespective of source may be utilized.
Varying either the potential of the direct
current SQUrce or the pulse rate of the pulsing of the
direct current potential will vary proportionately the
generation oE the hydrogen/oxygen. Other factors are disclosed
for varying the output of the generator. The water expended
in the generator i5 replenished f~om continuous water source 1.
The hydrogen generator has a sa~ety valve 28
which is rupturable upon excessi~e gas buildup. Switch 29
i5 a ga3 pressure switch to maintain a predetermined gas
pressure level above a regulated low-volume.
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The generated hydroyen gas 4 is fed via
pipe 5 to a gas mi~ing chamber 7, wherein khe hydrogen
gas is intermixed with non-combustible gases 22 from a
source hereinafter described.
The mixture of combustible gas and non-combustible
gases are fed via pipe line 9 to a carburetor (air-mixture)
system 20.
The gas mixture 8 is fed through nozzle 11
to chamber 47 in a jet spray 46. Valve or gate 45 in the
air intake controls the amount of air the jet spray 46
of gases combines with to form combustible mixture lS whlch
compri~e hydrogen, non-combustible gases and oxygen. This
mixture enters into combustion chamber 30, via pipe line
1~. The chamber 30 may be conventional in design comprising
a cylinder 17 capable of withstanding high pressure. At
the uppermost end of combustion chamber 30 is a spark plug
igniter 18.
In a controlled manner, relative to the
piston 23 stroke, the spark ignition 19 via plug 1~ causes
the mixed gases 15 to combust. The compression 21 caused
by the combustion, forces the piston 23 to push downwardly
in the cylinder 17.
The exhaust gases 22, the residue of -the
combust on 21~ now comprise a non-combustible mixture.
A portion of these exhaust gases 22 are fed via pipe line 24
to the gas mixing chamber 4Q providin~ the non-combustible
gases for mixing with the generated hydrogen gas.
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The pipe line 24 passes through cooling
chamber 50 Eor cooling of the gases therein. The coollng
chamber 50 also f-lnctions as a spark arrestor to eliminate
the possibility of gas ignition inside the mixing chamber 40.
The excess non-combustible gases are exhausted via outlet 49,
to be expelled into the atmosphere.
The apparatus of Figure 2 comprises much
-the same system as Fiyure 1. In this embodiment the components
are depicted more explicitly in their structural relationship
in an alternate arrangement. Basically, the system is
operable in the same manner as that in Figure 1, i.e. it
utili~es a mixture of combustible (hydrogen) gas and non-combusti~le
gases (exhaust).
The hydrogen generator 10, as aforesaid,
may be any form of a generator, however, in the preferred
embodlment the hydrogen genarator is that of my aforementioned
co-pending patent application. The water system Eor the
generator is a closed loop system comprising a reservoir
or tank 39 wlth piping to and from the generator. The
reservoir has an outlet 32 connected to a pipe line 33
provided with a water control valve 54 operahle to adjust
the water Flow rate and a pump 34 connected by pipe line
35 to the generator 10.
The overflow water expended and non-expended
is expelled fxom generator 10 into line 36, filtered in
filter 41 to remove contaminants and returned to tank 39
via pipe line 37.
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The gases genera-ted from the water in generator 10
also .includes the oxygen component of the water in addition
to nitrogen.
The outlet 5 on the generator 10 receives
the combustible(hydrogen)and non-combustible gases generated
thereby and directs the same to the mixing chamber 40.
The flow of the hydrogen gas is, of course, critical; therefore,
there is incorporated in line S a gas Elow valve 53 to
adjust the hydrogen gas ~low.
The exhaust gases entering input 22 are
fed via inlet pipe 31 through the cool.ing chamber also
enter the mixing chamber and spark arrestor 50 and into
outlet pipe 24. These gases from chamber 50 are flow controlled
by flow control valve 51 in pipe line 2~.
The output of mixing chamber 40, as clescribed
relative to Figure 1 is fed via line 9 to a gas mix~u.re
system 42. In this instance the intake air 14 may be in
a carburetor arrangement with an intake adjustment 55 that
adjusts the plate 42 opening. The gas mixture 15 is fecl
into the carburetor by nozzle 11 and mixed with the air 14.
With particular re~erence to Fiqure 3 there
is illustrated an alternat.i~e combustiQn chamber 60 that
may be utilized in lieu of the chamber 30 of Fi~ures 1 ancl 2.
. In this embodiment the combustible and non-combustible
gas mixture that is ~enerated and mixed in the arran~emeE~t
of Pigures 1 and 2, enters inlet 8 and is directed by pipe
line 9 and nozzle 11 to the cone 65. The gas mixture combines
with air 14 as it enters the cone area 65 and ~he combined
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mixture combustible gas 15 i~ rec-ted by the cone 65 to
the dispersing chamber 66. The gas/air m:ixture 15 is clispersed
via ports 67a xxx 67n from the disperslng chamber 66 into
the firing area oE the combustion chamber 60.
The gas mixture erlterirlg inlet 8 is also
fed by pipe line 9 to a separation chamber 71. This chamber
sections off a controlled amount of the intake gas mixture
to a pilot li.ght line 58. The pilot light firing gas 57
is also sequenced by the separatlon chamber 71 such as
through an associated mechanical drive, much in the same
manner as the cylinder of an automobile engine.
The mixture designated gas 56, ejected from
ports 67a xxx 67n of the dispersing chamber 66, is ignited
by the pilot light and thereby causing combustion 59 of
the mainstream gases.
As the non-combustible gases 64 (exhaust
gases 22 of Figure 1) rise upwardly in the cylinder 61,
of the combustion chamber 60, the cone 63 captures a portion
of the non-combustible gases 64. The captured exhaust
gas is returned via pipe line 68 and outlet 74 to the combustion
process as set in Figure 1 or expelled for other purposes.
The major portiol~ of the non-combustible
gases 64 by-pass the cone 63 and rise further to the outlet
e~haust 69 and are expelled through opening 73.
In Figure 4, there is illustrated a gas
control system that may be retrofitte~ to an existing automobile
internal combustion engine without changing or modifying
its design parameters or characteristics.
As los~-voltage direct current is applied
to safety valve 28, soleno1d 86 is activated. The solenoicl
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applies a control voltage to the hydrogen generator pla-tes ~
via terminal 27 through pressure swi-tch 29. As the electrical
power activates electric solenoid 86~ hydrogen gas is caused
to pass through flow adjustment valve 53 and then outlet
pipe 5 for utilization.
Gas regulator valve 75 is utilized to reduce
the pressure level inside the hydrogen generator lO. The
pressure differential hydrogen gas output to gas mixing
chamber 40 is, for example, 30 lbs. to 15 lbs. Once hydrogen
generator 10 reaches an optimum gas pressure level, pressure
switch 29 shuts off electrical power to the hydrogen exciters.
If the chamber pressure exceeds a predetermined level,
the safety release valve 28 is activated disconnecting
the electrical current and thereby shutting down the entire
system for safety inspection.
Similar to an automobile engine or other
drive force requiring an electrical energizing source,
the present invention may include the regenerative energy
feedback arrangement shown in Figure~.
The process utilizes a mechanical drive
system as described relative to Figures l and 2, and whioh
mechanical drive may be that of a piston such as utilized
in a gasoline engine. In operation, the process mixture
is ignited much in the same manner as in Figure l. The
drive mechanism in tu~n activates electrical voltage of
aIternator 95 whose output is ~ed back to the hydroqen
generator and utili2ed as the firing voltage on the spark
plug 1~; again, in a closed loop arrangement.
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Further, as aforesald in my bo-pending appLication,
the Hydrogen Generator utilizes an electrical direct current
vol-tage source on the energizer plates. In addition to
the feedback closed loop as set forth with respect to the
ignition system, the feedback system of Figure 6 is equally,
and perhaps more significantly, applicable to the process
of the hydrogen generator. That is, again referring to
Figure l, the electrical voltage appliecl to contact 27
is in the closed loop with the alternator/mechanical drive
lQ of Figure ~r. In this way, the voltage requirements for
the hydrogen generator are drastically reduced.
~ epending upon the utility of the combustion
chamber, the ratio of the combustible hydrogen gas and
the non-combustible gas controls the combustion rate.
Further, as understood oxygen is required for combustion,
and it is present in ambient air that enters into the gas
mixture line through the air intake. Again, the ambient
air is understood to contain many and variable gases other
than oxygen. Accordingly, air intake will add non-combustible
gases to the gas mixture. This may require that the non-combustible
gas intake be varied . . . and in some instances may not
be necessary.
