JP 58-202352 - Hydrogen Gas Injection Apparatus for Internal Combustion Engine

Japanese Patent Office (JP)
Publication Number: JP 58-202352 (A)
Publication Date: November 25, 1983

International Classification (Int. Cl.): F 02 M 21/02
Application Number: JP 258-23867
Filing Date: February 15, 1983
Priority Claim: US February 17, 1982 (US) 349185

Title: Hydrogen Gas Injection Apparatus for Internal Combustion Engine

Applicant:
Stanley A. Meyer
3792 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio, USA

Inventor:
Stanley A. Meyer
3792 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio, USA

Agent:
Law Firm: Nakamura & Associates (with 4 additional attorneys)

Scope of the Claims:

(1) A housing for storing compressed gas, wherein the gas includes a natural gas mixture. This housing contains a pair of electrodes with non-conductive properties. These electrodes are arranged to apply direct current or high-voltage electric charges to the gas mixture in the housing. The system is designed to dissociate molecules of hydrogen and oxygen from the gas molecules. The residual gas is then collected and stored.

A method to extract hydrogen gas from the housing by controlling the pressure within the housing.

A mechanism to collect hydrogen gas generated within the housing through an outlet connected to the fuel combustion chamber.

A method to separate undesirable gas components from the gas generated, and return the remaining components to the housing.

A system to control the air-fuel mixture entering the combustion chamber by adjusting the volume of undesirable gas released.

(2) A device as described in (1), wherein the housing contains a variable valve to control the air pressure and the amount of hydrogen gas introduced to the combustion chamber.

(3) A method for separating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas within the housing, and transferring the gas through separate outlets.

(4) A system to use the separated hydrogen gas in combination with another fuel to create an air-fuel mixture suitable for combustion.

(5) A combustion device, wherein the rod mechanism connected to the tape-equipped rotating structure described above, and the port to which the tape-equipped rotating structure is connected, causes the displacement of said tape-equipped rotating structure.

(6) The gas mixture chamber, where it includes a hydrogen-oxygen gas injection device and also a non-explosive gas mixing device.

(7) The gas mixture chamber includes a trapping area in the upper and lower sections, and the hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture portion is stored in the trapping area.

(8) The surrounding air intake device includes a control mechanism, and a combustion device as described in claim (1), wherein the surrounding air and non-explosive gas mixture are directed into the chamber.

(9) ???

(10) The surrounding air intake device in claim (8), which allows the combustion chamber to intake oxygen and hydrogen gas into the trapping area for combustion.

(11) The combustion device in claim (1), wherein a control device is provided to connect the burner and the hydrogen-oxygen gas supply device, which controls the on/off operation of the burner to control the flow of gas.

(12) The combustion device in claim (1), wherein the control mechanism connected to the burner is pressure-regulated.

(13) A housing that surrounds the mixture chamber, having a first opening in the housing for air intake and a second opening in the housing to allow hydrogen gas captured in the mixture chamber to release into the atmosphere.

(14) The upper part of the hydrogen-oxygen gas generator includes a sealing area, wherein the hydrogen gas contained in it is stored at a predetermined amount.

(15) The hydrogen-oxygen gas generator in claim (11), wherein it includes a sulfur dioxide or similar gas and is equipped with a sensor switch that shuts off the combustion system when it detects a pressure drop or when the combustion system is not operating.

(16) The method for connecting hydrogen-oxygen gas to the mixture chamber includes a directional valve as stated in claim (11) of the combustion system.

(17) The method for connecting hydrogen-oxygen gas to the mixture chamber, which includes an emergency device as stated in claim (11) of the combustion system.

(18) The gas burner described in claim (11) is an internal combustion engine, and the non-combustible exhaust gases are expelled through the engine's exhaust as stated in claim (11).

(19) The oil supply device, the multiple oil supply sources, and the oil spray are equipped as stated in claim (10) for supplying oil to the mixture chamber.

3. Detailed Explanation of the Invention

This invention relates to a new combustion device.

In U.S. Patent No. 4,302,807, issued on September 6, 1983, a hydrogen generation system is described, where water is dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen gas. The system passes water between two electrically non-conductive and non-oxidizing metallic plates, applies direct current voltage/electric fields of low energy to the water, causing the water molecules to dissociate into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This process involves non-combustible, non-reactive electrolysis at low voltages, encouraging sub-atomic reactions. This system includes mechanisms that can separate hydrogen and oxygen gases from the water.

Additionally, in U.S. Patent No. 4,724,644, issued on May 5, 1987, a hydrogen-air gas treatment device is described. This patent discusses a system where hydrogen gas, along with non-combustible exhaust gases, is controlled to prevent combustion.

The "Hydrogen Air Purification Processing System" (Hydrogen Air-dation Processor System) is utilized to measure, mix, and compress gases. This system employs a rotary-type mechanical gas conversion device. When gas is converted, air is passed through an open-volume combustion chamber, and impurities and other substances from the existing gas are removed. Following this, the system adjusts the ratio of non-combustible gases and ensures the correct mixture by removing impurities, preparing the exact quantities of hydrogen gas and other combustible gases needed. In this manner, the system creates a new synthetic gas mixture. The volume of this synthetic gas is then measured, and the appropriate gas mixture for combustion is determined to ensure the correct amount of water gas is introduced to the combustion chamber. Additionally, the rotary mechanical gas conversion device regulates the exact volume of the synthetic gas to be produced.

The hydrogen-air gas treatment device described in U.S. Patent is a highly useful and practical system for a variety of purposes. Additionally, other U.S. Patents related to this system demonstrate a unique and simple hydrogen gas generation system.

This invention was filed on October 8, 1984.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,594,945, a mechanically operated device that can be applied to a combustion device has been disclosed. This combustion device is useful, for example, in the operation of a piston engine in an automobile. This disclosure relates to a hydrogen gas generator device that produces hydrogen and non-combustible gases (e.g., oxygen and nitrogen). The water gas and the non-combustible gases generated by the water gas production apparatus pass through a purification process and are then mixed together with non-combustible gases and air that are drawn into the combustion chamber by a control device. Following this, the mixed gas enters the combustion chamber where it is ignited. After combustion, the gas enters the mixing chamber, where the non-combustible gases are combined with flammable gases and vapor. As this occurs, a combustion process is formed, and this patent describes the practical application of this system, along with other examples of usage.

Now, the purpose of the current invention is to provide a combustion device that uses hydrogen and non-combustible gases.

The objective of this invention is to provide a combustion device that controls the temperature by regulating the mixture of hydrogen and non-combustible gases in advance.

Other objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a combustion device that uses hydrogen gas, particularly in an automotive engine that operates the piston.

The hydrogen gas generator device used in this invention produces hydrogen gas, which is mixed with non-combustible gases and sent to the combustion chamber. Additionally, air is introduced into the mixing chamber, where it is further mixed with the hydrogen gas. This mixture is controlled in such a way that the combustion process is stabilized, and the combustion of hydrogen gas is controlled to adjust its burning speed and emission amount. By regulating the flow of hydrogen gas into the combustion chamber, and controlling the mixing of air and other gases, the combustion process can be optimized, and non-combustible gases can be utilized efficiently.

The hydrogen gas generator supports the ignition source for the combustion process.

The hydrogen gas generator includes a tank and is equipped with a pressure detection switch in the combustion chamber, as well as a position switch operated by other devices. Additionally, it has an electrical switch that operates when activated from a position different from other functions.

The simplified structure incorporates safety valves and emergency shutdown devices. This combination forms a complete system that can safely convert a hydrogen gas mixture into fuel for automotive engines, gasoline engines (or other fuel engines).

Below, the diagrams are used to explain the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall system of gas mixing and combustion in a combustion engine, particularly an automotive engine.

FIG. 2 shows the hydrogen supply source, which corresponds to the hydrogen gas generator 10 mentioned in the applicant’s prior U.S. patent publication. The device 10 contains storage components.

In FIG. 2, components related to the plates disclosed in the prior U.S. patent application are clearly displayed. At point 8 in FIG. 3, the direct current voltage/flow regulator is shown.

The upper part of the device 10, portion 7, is the hydrogen storage section, where the appropriate amount of hydrogen is kept under pressure.

In this way, during the start-up, water vapor generated by the hydrogen gas is supplemented with consumed water. The generator device is equipped with a conventional water replenishment pump. Additionally, the exhaust gas generator is constructed similarly to the one described in the applicant's previous patent application.

Safety valve 28 releases the excess gas generated. Additionally, switch 26 activates the hydrogen gas generator when the gas volume decreases, maintaining the required gas pressure level by operating the pressure switch.

The generated hydrogen gas is sent one way through the check valve 16 and pipe 5 to the gas mixing chamber 8, where it mixes with the combustible gas and is sent to the combustion chamber 9 through the supply pipe.

However, if the pipe 75 malfunctions and causes the hydrogen gas generator 10 to disconnect, a spark could ignite and trigger combustion in the generated hydrogen. In such cases, the spark is suppressed, and the combustion is extinguished.

As explained with reference to figure 2, the hydrogen gas is sent through pipe 5, and the combustible gas is sent through pipe 9. Then, the mixed gas is conveyed to the mixing chamber 20 via the ejector or other mixing mechanisms, where atmospheric air intake section 14 is also set up.

The hydrogen gas passes through nozzle 11, through spray 16, and reaches the trap area 46 within the mixing chamber 20. Nozzle 11 is equipped with a small hole at the opening of the cooling device 37 to prevent any sparks from causing a flashback.

The non-combustible gas passes through nozzle 13 and is injected into the trap area 47 in the mixing chamber 20 as jet spray 17. The ignition device 39 works in conjunction with the emergency valve 37.

When the gas is generated, it activates the combustion in the combustion chamber. Additionally, the gas exhaust pipe within the exhaust system releases the non-combustible gas along with the exhaust gas, which ensures safe operation.

At first, oxygen and/or non-combustible gas can be supplied independently or simultaneously to ensure a constant supply. Furthermore, referring to figure 2, the trap area 47 for gas has a suitable size for the nearby section. When hydrogen gas is introduced into the air, the hydrogen rises and is captured within area 47. The size of area 47 ensures that, during the start of the combustion engine, the temporarily generated spark will collect a sufficient amount of hydrogen gas to ignite.

The introduction of hydrogen gas into the trap area 47 helps prevent ignition delays. Hydrogen gas rises at a much faster rate than oxygen (or non-combustible gas), rising at a rate three times faster or even more. This allows hydrogen gas to enter the trap area (liquid section) much quicker, making it easier to rise into the air, compared to other heavier gases.

In the configuration with the ejector system, hydrogen gas is strongly ejected downward toward the air intake section 15. At the same time, as hydrogen gas rises strongly upwards, it mixes thoroughly in the turbulence created by this combination of downward and upward flows.

Non-combustible gas and sealed air (oxygen) passing through passage 9 have a controlled ratio suitable for each engine. The amount of non-combustible gas is adjusted by regulating valve 45, and adjusting the amount of sealed air allows for the proper combustion mixture to be determined and maintained. The system ensures that non-combustible gas is controlled by the engine's exhaust gas, and the intake air volume is regulated according to the engine, thereby maintaining the non-combustible gas supply relative to the engine's acceleration.

The sealed air and non-combustible gas mixture becomes a carrier for hydrogen gas. That is, hydrogen gas is mixed with the sealed air/non-combustible gas combination. By adjusting the volume of hydrogen gas mixed with sealed air/non-combustible gas, the engine's revolution rate is controlled.

Referring to figure 3, the details of the control mechanism for regulating the combustion mixture is clearly demonstrated in paragraph 53.

Hydrogen gas 4 enters the system through gas inlet 41 and moves to tube 43.