Method and means of generating gas from water for use as a fuel

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ally by the reference letter P. For the purpose of this

METHOD AND MEANS OF GENERATING GAS disclosure, the engine 10 will be described as being a FROM WATER FOR USE ASA FUEL component of a vehicle including a battery 12 and an alternator 14. In order to provide COH2 gas for the

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 engine, a gas generation unit 16 is provided which is in This invention relates to a method and means for the communication with a water supply or source 18. generation of gas for use as a fuel for internal combus In FIG. 1, the numeral 20 refers to a conventional tion engines. More specifically, this invention relates to computer or microprocessor which is electrically con a method for rapidly generating fuel gas from water ad 10 nected to a power sensor 22 by line 24. Power sensor 22 carbon. is operatively connected to a source of electrical power It is the applicant's belief that a mixture of carbon such as the battery 12 by any convenient means. Power monoxide and hydrogen (COH2) is a gas which will sensor 22 senses the voltage across the electrodes 24 and burn very clean in oxygen or air, and that the gas maybe 26 and senses the current flowing therethrough. This used as a fuel for an internal combustion engine. When information is fed to the microprocessor 20 which in burned, COH2 produces carbon dioxide and water va 15 turn controls the operation of the servo drive 36 as will por, thereby adding very little, if any, pollution to the be described in more detail hereinafter. Electrode 24 is environment. fixed in position within the reaction chamber 32 while If COH2 gas is produced for use as a fuel for an inter electrode 26 is mounted on a servo shaft 34 which is nal combustion engine, a problem arises in the storage controlled by the servo drive 36 to vary the distance of the same which maybe a fuel hazard. In order to 20 between the electrodes 24 and 26. Servo drive 26 is eliminate the storage problem, it is desirable to produce controlled by microprocessor 20 through lead 37. the as on an on-demand basis.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to 38 Reaction chamber 32 includes a temperature sensor provide a method and means for the on-demand genera Water level sensor 42 istoalso which is connected microprocessor 20 by lead 40.

tion of gas from water and carbon for use as a fuel for 25 ber 32 for sensing the level ofprovided water in reaction cham in chamber 32 and internal combustion engines. which is connected to microprocessor 20 by lead 44. A further object of the invention is to provide a Gas line 46 is in communication with the upper inte method and means for forming COH2 gas. rior of chamber 32 ad extends to a gas/water separator Yet another object of the invention is to provide a 48 having gas line 50 extending from the upper end method and means for the on-demand gas generation 30 which from water by oxidizing carbon in water, hereby pro to theincludes a pressure regulator 52, Line 52 extends internal combustion engine for combustion ducing COH2 gas.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a therein. Water return line 54 extends from the bottom of process for the on-demand generation of gas from water separator 458 to chamber 32 to return water thereto for use as a fuel for internal combustion engines which 35 after separation of the water and gas in separator 48. Water line 56 extends from the lower end of chamber is safe to use and which eliminates storage problems associated with such a process. 32 to expansion chamber 58 to permit water to flow These and other objects of the invention will be ap between chamber 32 and chamber 58 as the water within chamber 32 expands due to pressure within parent to those skilled in the art.

chamber 32 when the gas is produced therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Water level sensor 60 and air pressure sensor 62 are The apparatus and method of the present invention provided in chamber 58 (FIG. 1) and are connected to serves to convert carbon and water into a fuel gas microprocessor 20 by leads 64 and 66 respectively. (COH2) on-demand as required to sustain the operation Pump 68 is connected to chamber 58 by water line 70 of an internal combustion engine. The gas is released 45 and has water line 72 extending therefrom to water line rapidly and the amount of the same is controlled by the 74. Water line 74 is connected to a source of water electrical energy input into the carbon electrodes. The referred to generally by the reference numeral 76. Line dangerous gas storage problem is eliminated because 74 is fluidly connected to water cooler 78 and has check the gas is produced on-demand. Only a sufficient valves 80 and 82 imposed therein in the locations seen in amount of gas to operate the internal combustion engine SO FIG. 1. Water cooler 78 is connected to the lower end is produced at any time. Anti-pollution devices are not of chamber 32 by water line 84. Pump 68 is controlled required as the gas burns pure and clean. by microprocessor 20 through lead 86.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In operation, the process starts when power is sup plied to the electrodes 24 and 26. The microprocessor

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the gas generation 55 20 checks all sensor inputs such as the temperature unit of this invention: sensor 38, water level sensor 44, water level sensor 60, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the gas generation pressure sensor 62, etc. If the pressure within expansion unit of this invention interfaced with an internal com chamber 58 is within its specified range, the reactor will bustion engine; w not be activated. Further, if the water level and temper FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the gas reaction chamber atures are within the preferred operating range, the illustrating the carbon rods positioned therein. pump 68 will not be activated. Microprocessor 20 con DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED tinuously checks the signals from the sensors and initi EMBODIMENT ates a response when any signal indicates need.

If the pressure is below the specified range as sensed

In FIG. 2, the numeral 10 refers to a conventional 65 by the sensor 62, microprocessor 20 initiates the servo internal combustion engine capable of burning COH2. drive 36 to move carbon electrode 26 toward or away Engine 10 may supply power to a vehicle, an electrical from carbon electrode 24 to achieve the optimum for generator or a heat pump or the like, referred to gener the most efficient operation monitoring the feedback

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from the reactor power sensor 22. This operation con ducing it. The carbon monoxide when mixed with hy tinues until the signal from the pressure sensor 62 indi drogen forms COH2 gas which burns very clean in cates that the pressure is within the operating range. oxygen or air. When burned, COH2 provides carbon The signals from the water level sensors 42 and 60 dioxide and water vapor thereby substantially reducing and the temperature sensor 38 is monitored continu pollution to the environment.

ously. The pump 68 functions to add water to the sys The carbon rod electrodes utilized in the above-iden tem or circulate water through the cooler 78. The direc tified method will be consumed during the oxidation tion of the pump operation determines the function. process. Thus, it will be necessary to replace the carbon Water level takes precedence over temperature. electrodes as they become consumed. An alternate con If the water levels falls below the required point, as 10 cept is to use high temperature no-oxidizing electrodes indicated by the combined logic of the two level sensors rather than the carbon rod electrodes and to provide a 42 and 60, pump 68 is operated in the reverse mode and carbon rich feedstock solution utilized in the reaction. moves water from the external water supply through For example, such a carbon rich feedstock solution the directional check vale 80 to the expansion chamber could be C6H12O6 or C12H22O11. The only problem 58. This operation ceases when the level sensor 60 sig with utilizing such a feedstock solution is that the car nals indicate proper value. bon in this form is not electrically conductive. The If the temperature sensor 38 indicates high water feedstock oxygen-carbon molecular composition is bal temperature, microprocessor 20 controls the pump to anced, as in C6H12O6 or C12H22O11+HO and conduc run in a forward direction, thereby circulating water tive carbon is added to the reaction chamber, as in through the check valve 82 and the water cooler 78 20 C+C6H12O6 or C-C12H22O11--H2O, the reactive back to the reaction chamber 32. This operation contin carbon will be replenished from the feedstock as the ues until the temperature sensor signal is within normal operating range or low water level is sense. The water hydrogen so, carbon is displaced in the rapid oxidation process. If will remain in the reaction chamber to pro replenishing and cooling functions operate simulta vide an electrical current path, with only the require neously with reactor operation. If the ignition of the 25 ment being that feedstock vehicle is turned off while the reaction is operating, the chamber as it is consumed insolution be added to the the process.

microprocessor controls the servo drive to back off the Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at electrodes before shutting down the system.

The gas generation unit of this invention provides least all of its stated objectives. constant pressure gas at a specified volume. Instanta 30 I1.claim: A gas generation unit for providing gas for an neous demand determines the rate of operation. The gas production is on a fully off-on basis, and is intermittent internal combustion engine, comprising: during periods of low and moderate fuel consumption. a reaction chamber having water therein, A buffer volume is maintained at a level to provide the a pair of spaced apart carbon electrodes in said reac instantaneous requirement. The pressure and volume of 35 tion chamber immersed in the water therein, the gas reserve is reactively small and does not pose a means for supplying electrical current to said carbon safety hazard. The process operates only when the vehi electrodes to create an electrical arc therebetween cle ignition is on. whereby the carbon electrodes will burn and rap The reaction is controlled by the microprocessor 20 idly oxidize to from carbon monoxide and hydro to provide optimum output with minimum electrical gen.

energy input. Battery 12 provides electrical power for 2. The gas generation unit of claim 1 wherein means the microprocessor and the reactor. Intermittent sub are provided for varying the distance between said stantial power is require only when the reactor is oper carbon electrodes.

ating. When the engine is operating, the battery is con 3. The gas generation unit of claim 2 wherein a com tinuously being charged by the alternator 14. 45 puter means controls said means for varying the dis The microprocessor 20 causes electrical energy to be tance between said carbon electrodes.

supplied to the carbon electrodes 24 and 26 and when 4. A gas generator unit for providing gas for an inter the electrodes are in the proper position, an electrical nal combustion engine, comprising, are passes there between with the temperature of the a reaction chamber having a feedstock solution electrical arc perhaps exceeding 6000 F. The heat and 50 therein, difference of potential between the carbon electrodes a pair of spaced-apart carbon electrodes in said reac ionizes the carbon of the carbon electrodes. The con tion chamber immersed in the feedstock solution duction current burns the carbon to produce a flame. therein,

Oxidation (burning with a flame) of the carbon com said feedstock solution being comprised of a mixture bines carbon and oxygen forming carbon monoxide. 55 of water and electrical conductive carbon, When this process is performed under water, it with and means for supplying electrical current to said draws oxygen from the water, thereby liberating the electrodes to create an electrical arc therebetween hydrogen therefrom. The result is the rapid release of whereby the carbon electrodes will burn and rap hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas. This process re idly oxidize and whereby the carbon in said feed leases the gas from the water on-demand as previously 60 stock solution will burn and rapidly oxidize to form stated. The amount of gas being produced is directly carbon monoxidek and hydrogen. proportional to the flame and the electrical energy pro . . . .

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UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION

INVENTOR(S) : Abe et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-indentified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby Corrected as shown below:

On the title page, add item 73.) Assignee: NIPPONDENSO CO., LTD.

Signed and Sealed this

Twenty-third Day of November, 1993

(a ten BRUCELEHMAN

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks