Hydrogen and oxygen generator with polarity switching in electrolytic cells

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to apparatus for the generation of hydrogen and oxygen by the electrolysis of water.

2. Summary of the Background Art

Conventional apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen by the electrolysis of water includes at least one anodic cell, and at least one cathodic cell, with the cells being filled with a common electrolyte, including water and a salt making the water electrically conductive. An electrical current is driven through the electrolyte between a positive electrode, or anode, within the anodic cell(s) and a negative electrode, or cathode, causing the water molecules to dissociate into positive hydrogen ions, which are driven to form hydrogen bubbles at the cathode(s), and into negative oxygen ions, which are driven to form oxygen bubbles at the anode(s).

One problem associated with the operation of such apparatus arises from a tendency of metals used to form the anode(s) to form ions that are electrodeposited on the cathode(s), depleting material from the anode(s) and causing a possibly uneven and undesirable growth of material on the cathode(s). What is needed is a way to minimize this effect.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,846,390 and 6,846,394 each describe apparatus for generating alkaline and acidic water by means of electrolysis, with the electrode polarity being switched to clean an accumulation of a scale composed of materials such as calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide, which forms on the electrode at which alkaline water is accumulated. In the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,390, a cleaning cycle occurs at a time when the water is not being used, with water generated during the cleaning process being drained away. In the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,394, the outputs of the electrolytic cells are switched when the polarities of the electrodes are switched to prevent the formation of scale at the electrode.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,113 describes an apparatus for electrorefining nickel, in which a thick coating of nickel is electrodeposited on the cathode, with the process including switching the polarity of the cathode for 3.0 to 8.0 percent of the time, with the process resulting in a more even deposition of the nickel, apparently by reducing variations in the concentration of nickel salts in the solution adjacent the cathode.

While such apparatus uses polarity switching to avoid particular problems occurring at the electrodes during continued operation at a single polarity, what is needed is such an electrolytic apparatus producing hydrogen and oxygen with polarity switching, with the mixing of hydrogen and oxygen bubbles within the anodic and cathodic cells being prevented so that an explosive gas mixture is not produced.

Other references from the patent literature describe configurations for effective electrodes for use in the electrolytic production of hydrogen and oxygen. In general, such methods provide a substantial surface area in which contact occurs between the electrode and the electrolyte. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/011765 A1 describes such electrodes as being formed from a number of spaced-apart disks that are vibrated to facilitate the movement of gas bubbles away from the disks, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,522 describes the use of an anode and cathode each including an electrically conductive sheet and adjacent discrete conductive ultramicroelectrode particles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first objective of the invention to provide an apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen in which the polarities of the electrodes within electrolytic cells are intermittently switched to reduce the accumulated effect of plating the electrode material from one electrode to another.

It is another objective of the invention to provide a means providing relative movement between the conduits receiving hydrogen and oxygen and electrolytic cells when the polarities of electrodes within the electrolytic cells are switched, so that one such conduit always receives hydrogen while the other conduit always receives oxygen.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, apparatus is provided for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water. The apparatus includes a plurality of electrolytic cells, an electrolyte conduit, a circuit, switching means, an oxygen receiving conduit, and a hydrogen receiving conduits. Each of the electrolytic cells includes an electrode and a container holding a portion of an electrolytic fluid including water in contact with the electrode. The electrolyte conduit extends among the electrolytic cells, holding a portion of the electrolytic fluid in communication with the electrolytic fluid within each of the electrolytic cells. The circuit causes electrical current to flow through positive and negative terminals connected to the electrodes and through the electrolytic fluid within the electrolytic cells and within the conduit during production cycles. The switching means operates during switching cycles occurring between production cycles, in which hydrogen and oxygen is produced, to cause each electrode within the plurality of electrolytic cells to be electrically connected alternately to the positive and negative terminals of the circuit during production cycles. The hydrogen receiving conduit is connected to each electrolytic cell having an electrode electrically connected to the negative terminal of the circuit; while the oxygen receiving conduit is connected to each electrolytic cell having an electrode electrically connected to the positive terminal of the circuit.

Preferably, the apparatus additionally includes an interface plate extending between adjacent electrolytic cells, each of which includes a cell opening extending through the interface plate, with the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit each including conduit opening tubes extending away from the interface plate and moving along the interface plate between adjacent cell openings during switching cycles. Preferably, each of the electrolytic cells extends downward from one of the cell openings, with the conduit opening tubes extending upward from the interface plate, and with a level of the electrolytic fluid being held within the conduit opening tubes above each of the cell openings. The cell openings are preferably spaced apart in a circular pattern within the interface plate, with the switching cycle including relative rotation between the interface plate and the conduit opening tubes about a center of the circular pattern.

In a first version of the invention, the electrolytic cells remain stationary, while the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit, each of which include a flexible portion, move between the cells. Preferably, the cell openings are equally spaced in the circular pattern in the interface plate, with the conduit opening tubes of the hydrogen receiving conduit being disposed in a circular pattern alternating with the conduit openings of the oxygen receiving conduit, and with the conduit openings being moved between adjacent cell openings in alternate directions during alternate switching cycles.

In a second version of the invention, the oxygen receiving conduit and the hydrogen receiving conduit remain stationary, with the electrolytic cells being moved between the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit.

The apparatus may additionally include an overflow tube, connected to the electrolyte conduit, extending upward to an overflow edge from which the electrolytic fluid overflows to maintain a prescribed level within each of the conduit opening tubes. A fluid level switch, operating when the electrolytic fluid within the overflow tube falls below a predetermined level, causes a valve to opening, so that additional electrolytic fluid to enter the electrolytic cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view of apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis, built in accordance with the invention for producing hydrogen and oxygen by the electrolysis;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken as indicated by section lines 2-2 therein to show electrolytic cells thereof;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of devices controlling operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of an interface plate within the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing slots providing for water flow therein;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken as indicated by section lines 5-5 therein to show a mechanism for maintaining a level of the electrolyte thereof.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken as indicated by section lines 6-6 therein to show a motor drive thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation of an alternative apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen, built in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will first be described with reference being made to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view of apparatus 10 for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the apparatus 10, taken as indicated by section lines 2-2 in FIG. 1 to show electrolytic cells 12 therein. The apparatus 10 includes a generator housing 14, holding the electrolytic cells 12, and a conduit housing 16, to which a hydrogen receiving conduit 18, and an oxygen receiving conduit 20 are attached. Each of the electrolytic cells 12 includes an electrode 22 and a container 24 holding a portion of an electrolytic fluid 26, including water, in contact with the electrode 22. A housing base 27 of the generator housing 14 additionally includes an electrolyte channel 28, extending among the various electrolytic cells 22 to hold a portion of the electrolytic fluid 26 in communication with each of the electrolytic cells 12 through a lower opening 30 in the bottom of the cell 12. The generator housing 14 also includes an interface plate 32 extending among the electrolytic cells 12, each of which includes a cell opening 34 within the interface plate 32. The hydrogen receiving conduit 18 and the oxygen receiving conduit 20 each include a number of conduit opening tubes 36 individually aligned with the various cell openings 34. For example, each of the electrodes 22 includes a number of radially tapered metallic disks 37 clamped together in electrical contact with a current-carrying wire 38.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of devices controlling operation of the apparatus 10. During production cycles of the apparatus 10 to produce hydrogen and oxygen, the electrodes 22 are electrically connected to a power supply 39 by means of a switching circuit 40, with certain of the electrodes 22 being connected to a positive terminal 42 of the power supply 39 to form anodes, and with the remaining electrodes 22 being connected to a negative terminal 44 of the power supply 39 to form cathodes. The power supply 39 is a device connected to a power line or to another source of electrical energy, such as a solar panel.

With the flow of current through the electrolytic fluid 26, oxygen is formed at the electrodes 22 that are electrically connected as anodes, with oxygen bubbles moving upward from the surfaces of such electrodes 22 to release a gas collected by the oxygen receiving conduit 20. Similarly, hydrogen is formed at the electrodes 22 that are electrically connected as cathodes, with hydrogen bubbles moving upward from the surfaces of such electrodes 22 to release a gas connected by the hydrogen receiving conduit 18.

The apparatus 10 is additionally provided with means for establishing a flow of the electrolyte 26 within the apparatus 10 and for replenishing the electrolyte 26 as the water it contains is converted into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolyte 26 is added through an electrolyte supply tube 46, which empties the electrolyte into a central reservoir tube 48, extending upward with a central housing column 50 from an reservoir channel 52 within the housing base 27 of the generator housing 14. The reservoir channel 52 is in tern connected by a number of holes 54 within the housing base 27 to an inner annular space 56 extending between the container 24 of each of the electrolytic cells 22 and an intermediate cylinder 58 extending around the container 24. The container 24 includes a number of holes 50. permitting a flow of the electrolytic fluid 26 between the inner annular space 56 and the space 62 within the container 24.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the interface plate 32, showing a number of slots 64 within the upper surface 66 of the plate 32, providing for a flow of the electrolyte fluid 26 outward from the space 62 within the container 24. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, fluid flowing through the slots 64 moves downward through holes 68 within the interface plate 32 and through an outer annular space 70 between the intermediate cylinder 58 and an outer cylinder 70.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation of the apparatus 10, taken as indicated by section lines 5-5 in FIG. 1 to show the means used to maintain a predetermined level of the electrolytic fluid 26 within the apparatus 10. Both a float-operated switch 72 and an overflow edge 74 are used within a level control column 76 for this purpose. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the electrolyte channel 28 within the housing base 27 is connected to an overflow tube 78 within the level control column 76, with the level control tube 78 extending upward to the overflow edge 74, so that the level of electrolytic fluid 26 within the tube 78 is limited to the level of the overflow edge 74, so that excess fluid flowing down an annular space 80 within the level control column 76 is drained away through a drain hose 82.

A float 84 slidably mounted within the level control tube 78 actuates the float-operated switch 72 when the level of the electrolytic fluid 26 falls to an offset distance below the overflow edge 74. Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the switch 72 is actuated in this way, the switching circuit 40 opens a solenoid valve 86 to begin a flow of electrolytic fluid into the apparatus 10 through the electrolyte supply tube, with the solenoid valve 86 then being held open long enough to raise the level of the electrolytic fluid 26 a sufficient amount to allow some of the fluid to spill over the overflow ledge 74.

In accordance with the invention, the conduit housing 16 and the generator housing 14 are movable relative to one another, with movement between these housings 14, 16 being used along with switching the electrical polarities of the electrodes 22 to maintain alignment between the conduit opening tubes 36 of the hydrogen receiving conduit 18 with the cell openings 34 of electrolytic cells 12 having electrodes 22 functioning as cathodes, and to maintain alignment between the conduit opening tubes 36 of the oxygen receiving conduit 20 with the cell openings 34 of the electrolytic cells 12 having electrodes 22 functioning as anodes.

In the example of FIGS. 1 and 3, the generator housing 14 remains stationary while the conduit housing 16 rotates about a central shaft 88 forming a portion of the central housing column 50. The conduit housing 16 includes a bushing 90 that turns on the central shaft 88, with the bushing 90 extending between an interface plate 94 and a top plate 96. The interface plate 94 of the conduit housing 16 turns on the interface plate 32 of the generator housing 14, with the interface plates 94, 32 being held together by a spring washer 98 clamped on the top plate 96 by a thrust collar 100 attached to the central housing column 50. The interface plates 94, 32 preferably include a number of sealing elements 101, such as O-rings, that prevent a leakage of the electrolytic fluid 26 while the interface plate 94 and is held stationary and additionally while it is being moved.

Preferably, the cell openings 34 are equally spaced in a circular pattern in the interface plate 32, with the conduit opening tubes 36 of the hydrogen receiving conduit 18 being disposed in a circular pattern alternating with the conduit opening tubes 36 of the oxygen receiving conduit 20, and with the conduit openings 18 being moved between adjacent cell openings in alternate directions during alternate switching cycles. Such switching cycles occur between production cycles, in which hydrogen and oxygen is produced within the apparatus 10.

The hydrogen receiving conduit 18 and the oxygen receiving conduit 20 each include a pair of conduit receptacles 102 extending upward from the conduit opening tubes 36, which extend between the interface plate 94 and the top plate 96 for attachment to a flexible conduit portion 104 that deflects with rotation of the conduit housing 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen receiving conduit 18 and the oxygen receiving conduit 20 each include a pair of conduit receptacles 102 that are diametrically opposed to one another, with the conduit receptacles 102 of the hydrogen receiving conduit 18 being disposed at right angles from the conduit receptacles 102 of the oxygen receiving conduit 20. Thus, rotating the conduit housing 16 through a 90-degree angle about the central shaft 88 moves the conduit receptacles 102 to adjacent electrolytic cells 12 (shown in FIG. 2), with the conduit receptacles 102 that were placed over electrolytic cells 12 formerly used to produce hydrogen being placed over electrolytic cells 12 that were formerly used to produce oxygen, and with the conduit receptacles 102 that were placed over electrolytic cells 12 that were formerly used to produce oxygen being placed over electrolytic cells 12 that were formerly used to produce hydrogen. Such rotation is accompanied by using the switching circuit 40 to switch the polarities of the electrodes 22 within the electrolytic cells 12, so that the conduit receptacles 102 of the hydrogen receiving conduit 18 are placed over a cell 12 that will produce hydrogen, and so that the conduit receptacles 102 of the oxygen receiving conduit 20 are placed over a cell 12 that will produce oxygen.

While only part of the hydrogen receiving conduit 18 is shown in the drawings, the flexible conduit portions 104 of this conduit 18 are understood to be joined in a single hydrogen receiving structure to form the hydrogen receiving conduit 18. Similarly, while only part of the oxygen receiving conduit 20 is shown, the flexible conduit portions 104 of this conduit 20 are understood to be joined in a single oxygen receiving structure to form the oxygen receiving conduit 20.

Preferably, such rotational movement occurs in alternating directions, with the conduit housing 16 being rotated through a 90-degree angle in a first direction, with the apparatus 10 then being used to produce hydrogen and oxygen for a time, and with the conduit housing then being rotated through a 90-degree angle in a direction opposite the first direction. In this way, the flexible conduit portions 104 are required to undergo only the deflections associated with 90 degrees of rotation of the conduit housing 16.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation of the apparatus 10, taken as indicated by section lines 6-6 in FIG. 1 to show a motor drive 106 used to effect rotation of the conduit housing 18 about the central pivot shaft 88. The motor drive 106 includes a motor 108, driving a pulley 110 through a gear speed reducer 112, and a drive belt 114 engaging a grooved periphery 116 in the interface plate 94 of the conduit housing 16. Preferably, the motor drive 106 is attached to a drive support bracket 118 of the generator housing 14 by means of an adjustable mounting bracket 120 providing for adjustment of the location of the motor 108 to achieve a proper tensioning force within the drive belt 114. The motor 108 is preferably a type providing rotation in either direction, such as a permanent magnet motor that is reversed by reversing the polarity of the current with which it is driven.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the apparatus 10 also includes a pair of limit switches 122, actuated with rotational movement of the conduit housing 18 by a switch actuating bracket 124 extending outward from the interface plate 94 of the conduit housing 16 above the drive belt 114. The limit switches 122 are arranged to be actuated at each end of a ninety-degree rotation of the conduit housing 16. Thus, the switching circuit 40 rotates the conduit housing 18 in a first direction by driving current through the motor 108 until the limit switch 122 actuated by movement in the desired direction is actuated. When this limit switch 122 is actuated, the motor 108 is stopped. This rotational movement of the conduit housing 18 is accompanied by switching the polarity of the electrodes 22 within the electrolytic cells 12. After operation of the apparatus 10 for a time to produce hydrogen and oxygen, the conduit housing is rotated opposite the first direction until the other limit switch 122 is actuated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolytic fluid 26 is held at a level within the conduit opening tubes 36 above the interface 124 between the conduit housing 18 and the generator housing 14, which is formed at the cell openings 34 and between the interface plates 32, 94. This is done so that a portion of the electrolytic fluid 26 moves with the conduit housing 16 when it is rotated, sealing the electrolytic fluid 26 held within the electrolytic cells 12 from the space 126 in which hydrogen or oxygen is collected above the electrolytic fluid 26 within the conduit receptacles 102. Preferably, before the conduit housing 18 is rotated, the electrical current flowing to the electrodes 22 is turned off, stopping the production of hydrogen and oxygen, with this current additionally being left off long enough for bubbles to clear the electrolytic fluid 26 within the electrolytic cells 12. While such a requirement may add substantially to the time required to switch the cell polarities, the production capability of the apparatus 10 should not be greatly affected, since the frequency of changing cell polarities is not great.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation of an alternative apparatus 130 built in accordance with the invention for producing hydrogen and oxygen. The alternative apparatus 130 is similar in construction and operation to the apparatus 10, which has been described above in reference to FIGS. 1-6, except for the fact that the receptacle housing 132 remains stationary while the generator housing 134 turns when the polarity of the electrodes 136 within electrolytic cells 138 is changed, and additionally for the fact that the path provided for flowing electrolytic fluid 140 through the electrolytic cells 138 is somewhat different.

The alternative apparatus 130 rests upon a base 142, which provides an upward-extending central column 144 to which a top plate 146 of the receptacle housing 132 is rigidly attached. The central column 144 additionally includes bearing surfaces 148 upon which an interface plate 150 and a lower structure 152 of the generator housing 134 are rotatably of mounted. The interface plate 150 includes a groove 154 for providing rotational movement to the generator housing 134 through a drive belt 156. In turn, the drive belt 156 is driven by a motor attached, as described above in reference to FIG. 6, to a bracket (not shown) extending between stationary elements, such as the receptacle housing 132 and the base 142.

Each of the electrodes 135 is attached to a contact spring 158, providing electrical contact with a contact plate 160 attached to the base 142. Since both the receptacle housing 132 and the base 142 remain stationary, a positive voltage is applied to the contact plates 160 directly beneath the conduit receptacles 162 receiving oxygen within the receptacle housing 132, while a negative voltage, relative to the positive voltage, is applied to the contact plate 160 directly below the conduit receptacles 162 receiving hydrogen within the receptacle housing 132. While the polarity of an individual electrodes 135 is switched by its movement between adjacent contact plates 160 having different polarities, the flow of current through all of the electrodes 135 may be interrupted before the rotational movement of the generator housing 132 and resumed after the completion of this rotational movement, with time being provided for bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen to leave the electrolytic fluid 140 within the electrolytic cells 138 before the rotational movement. An upward force, acting upon the generator housing 132 due to the deflection of the contact springs 158, holds sealing elements 160 within the interface plate 150 of the generator housing 134 in contact with an interface plate 164 of the receptacle housing 132, while sealing elements 165 of the interface plate 164 are held against the interface plate 150, preventing leakage of the electrolytic fluid 140 between the interface plates 150, 164. Additional structural elements of the generator housing 134 include, for example, a cylinder 166 extending between the lower structure 152 and the interface plate 150 and a number of tensioning rods 167.

Within the alternative apparatus 130, electrolytic fluid 140 is provided through a central supply hose 168 to central supply tube 170 within the central column 144, which additionally includes a number of holes 172 extending radially to connect the central supply tube 170 with an annular supply reservoir 174 within the lower structure 152 of the generator housing 134. This annular supply reservoir 172 is in turn connected to the space 176 within each of the electrolytic cells 138 through a hole 178 at the bottom of the cell 138. A number of slots 180 and holes 182 disposed within the interface plate 150 in the manner described above in reference to FIG. 4, connect the space 176 within the electrolytic cell 138 with an annular space 184 surrounding the cell 138. This annular space 184 is connected with an annular drain reservoir 186 through one or more holes 188 provided for each electrolytic cell 138. The central column 144 additionally includes a number of holes 190 extending radially to connect the annular drain reservoir 186 with a central drain tube 192 within the central column 144. This central drain tube 192 is in turn connected by a radially extending drain tube 194 to a mechanism (not shown) configured generally as described above in reference to FIG. 6, for maintaining the level of the electrolytic fluid 140 within the alternative apparatus 130.

While the invention has been described in its preferred forms or embodiments with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example, and that many variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water, wherein the apparatus comprises: a plurality of electrolytic cells, each including an electrode and a container holding a portion of an electrolytic fluid including water in contact with the electrode; an electrolyte conduit extending among the electrolytic cells, holding a portion of the electrolytic fluid in communication with the electrolytic fluid within each of the electrolytic cells; a circuit causing electrical current to flow through positive and negative terminals connected to the electrodes and through the electrolytic fluid within the electrolytic cells and within the conduit during production cycles; switching means operating during switching cycles between production cycles to cause each electrode within the plurality of electrolytic cells to be electrically connected alternately to the positive and negative terminals of the circuit during production cycles; a hydrogen receiving conduit corrected to each electrolytic cell having an electrode electrically connected to the negative terminal of the circuit; and an oxygen receiving conduit connected to each electrolytic cell having an electrode electrically connected to the positive terminal of the circuit.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrolytic cells remain stationary, and the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit move between the electrolytic cells.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit each include a flexible portion deforming with movement of the conduit.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oxygen receiving conduit and the hydrogen receiving conduit remain stationary, and the electrolytic cells are moved between the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising an interface plate extending between adjacent electrolytic cells, wherein each of the electrolytic cells includes a cell opening extending through the interface plate the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit include conduit opening tubes extending away from the interface platez in alignment with the cell opening of each electrolytic cell during production cycles; during switching cycles, each conduit opening tube moves between adjacent cell openings while sliding along the interface plate.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the electrolytic cells extends downward from one of the cell openings, the conduit opening tubes extend upward from the interface plate, and a level of the electrolytic fluid is held within the conduit opening tubes above each of the cell openings.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cell openings are spaced apart in a circular pattern in the interface plate, and the switching cycle includes relative rotation between the interface plate and the conduit opening tubes about a center of the circular pattern.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the electrolytic cells remain stationary, and the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit are rotated between the electrolytic cells.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit each include a flexible portion deforming with movement of the conduit.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cell openings are equally spaced in the circular pattern in the interface plate, the conduit opening tubes of the hydrogen receiving conduit are disposed in a circular pattern alternating with the conduit opening tubes of the oxygen receiving conduit, and during alternating switching cycles, the conduit opening tubes are moved between adjacent cell openings in alternating directions.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, additionally comprising: a generator housing holding the electrolytic cells, the interface plate, and a central shaft extending upward from the interface plate; and a receptacle housing holding the receptacle openings and a bushing turning on the central shaft.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, additionally comprising a motor driving the receptacle housing in rotation about the central shaft; and limit switches stopping operation of the motor to limit rotation of the receptacle housing to move the conduit opening tubes between adjacent cell openings in alternating directions.
13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the oxygen receiving conduit and the hydrogen receiving conduit remain stationary, and the electrolytic cells are rotated between the hydrogen receiving conduit and the oxygen receiving conduit.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, additionally comprising: a base including a central shaft extending upward; a generator housing holding the electrolytic cells and the interface plate, rotatably mounted on the central shaft; and a receptacle housing holding the receptacle openings attached to the central shaft.
15. The apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: an overflow tube, connected to the electrolyte conduit, extending upward to an overflow edge from which the electrolytic fluid overflows to maintain the level at which the electrolytic fluid is held above each of the cell openings; and a fluid supply for adding the electrolytic fluid to the electrolytic cells.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, additionally comprising: a fluid level switch operating when the electrolytic fluid within the overflow tube falls below a predetermined level; and a valve operating in response to the fluid level switch to allow additional electrolytic fluid from the fluid supply to enter the electrolytic cells.
17. The apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: a supply path moving the electrolytic fluid into each of the electrolytic cells; a drain path draining the electrolytic fluid from each of the electrolytic cells, wherein the drain path extends within an outer annular space around the electrolytic cell, and at least one slot extending between the electrolytic cell below an upper surface of the interface plate and the drain path of the electrolytic cell.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the supply path includes: an inner annular space extending between the electrolytic cell and the outer annular space, and at least one hole connecting the inner annular space to a space within the electrolytic cell.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the supply path includes an opening between electrolytic conduit and the electrolytic cells.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, additionally comprising: an overflow tube, connected to the drain path of each of the electrolytic cells, extending upward to an overflow edge from which the electrolytic fluid overflows to maintain the level at which the electrolytic fluid is held above each of the conduit opening tubes, and a fluid supply connected to the supply path of each of the electrolytic cells.

Hydrogen and oxygen generator with polarity switching in electrolytic cells

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Abstract

Description

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