US3892653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrogen generator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-14
•
Granted: 1975-07-01
•
Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A hydrogen generator constituted by a voltaic cell having a reactive magnesium electrode and a non-reactive electrode immersed in a salt-water electrolytic bath, a load being connected between the electrodes to cause a current flow in the cell resulting in an electrochemical reaction in which the magnesium is decomposed to produce hydrogen and in electrolysis in which the water is decomposed to produce hydrogen. In order to minimize polarization and other factors which diminish the production of hydrogen, the solution is circulated through an external flow loop having a pump interposed therein to draw the electrolyte from the bottom of the bath and to return it to the top thereof, the pump being powered by voltage derived from the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Francisco Pacheco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:03
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B5/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S204/00; Y10S204/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A HYDROGEN GENERATOR COMPRISING: A. AT LEAST ONE VOLTAIC CELL HAVING AN ACTIVE MAGNESIUM ELECTRODE AND A NON-ACTIVE ELECTRODE ADAPTED TO BE IMMERSED IN A SALT-WATER ELECTROLYTE CONTAINED IN A TANK HAVING A HYDROGEN OUTLET ABOVE THE LEVEL OF SAID ELECTROLYTE, B. A VARIABLE LOAD RESISTOR EXTERNAL TO THE CELL AND CONNECTED ACROSS THE ELECTRODES TO PRODUCE A CURRENT IN SAID CELL RESULTING IN THE PROPORTIONAL PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN WHICH IS DISCHARGED THROUGH SAID OUTLET, A VOLTAGE BEING DEVELOPED ACROSS SAID LOAD RESISTOR, AND C. AN EXTERNAL FLOW LOOP COMMUNICATING WITH SAID TANK ADJACENT THE LOWER AND UPPER ENDS THEREOF TO EFFECT CONTINUOUS CIRCULATION AND COOLING OF SAID ELECTROLYTE TO MINIMIZE POLARIZATION AND OTHER ADVERSE EFFECTS, SAID LOOP INCLUDING AN ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED PUMP CONNECTED TO SAID LOAD RESISTOR AND POWDERED BY SAID VOLTAGE, SAID PUMP FUNCTIONING TO DRAW THE ELECTROLYTE FROM THE LOWER END OF THE TANK AND TO RETURN IT TO THE UPPER END THEREOF.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A HYDROGEN GENERATOR COMPRISING: A. AT LEAST ONE VOLTAIC CELL HAVING AN ACTIVE MAGNESIUM ELECTRODE AND A NON-ACTIVE ELECTRODE ADAPTED TO BE IMMERSED IN A SALT-WATER ELECTROLYTE CONTAINED IN A TANK HAVING A HYDROGEN OUTLET ABOVE THE LEVEL OF SAID ELECTROLYTE, B. A VARIABLE LOAD RESISTOR EXTERNAL TO THE CELL AND CONNECTED ACROSS THE ELECTRODES TO PRODUCE A CURRENT IN SAID CELL RESULTING IN THE PROPORTIONAL PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN WHICH IS DISCHARGED THROUGH SAID OUTLET, A VOLTAGE BEING DEVELOPED ACROSS SAID LOAD RESISTOR, AND C. AN EXTERNAL FLOW LOOP COMMUNICATING WITH SAID TANK ADJACENT THE LOWER AND UPPER ENDS THEREOF TO EFFECT CONTINUOUS CIRCULATION AND COOLING OF SAID ELECTROLYTE TO MINIMIZE POLARIZATION AND OTHER ADVERSE EFFECTS, SAID LOOP INCLUDING AN ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED PUMP CONNECTED TO SAID LOAD RESISTOR AND POWDERED BY SAID VOLTAGE, SAID PUMP FUNCTIONING TO DRAW THE ELECTROLYTE FROM THE LOWER END OF THE TANK AND TO RETURN IT TO THE UPPER END THEREOF.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said loop further includes a heat-exchange coil to cool said electrolyte.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said loop further includes a filter to remove contaminants from the electrolyte.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said loop further includes an electrolysis cell having a pair of electrodes therein connected across said load resistor, the hydrogen evolved in said electrolysis cell being combined with that produced by said voltaic cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said non-active electrode is carbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A generator as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pair of electrodes are carbon electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tank is divided into a plurality of voltaic cells by partitions having ports therein to permit the interflow of said electrolyte, said voltaic cells being serially-connected to said load resistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A generator as set forth in claim 4, wherein said electrolysis cell includes a divider between said pair of electrodes to separate evolved oxygen from evolved hydrogen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A hydrogen generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cell electrodes are immersed in the open sea to provide a freely-circulating salt-water electrolyte.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A hydrogen generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said external flow loop includes an electrolysis cell through which said electrolyte circulates whereby as the electrolyte in the voltaic cell becomes chemically base in character in the course of operation, the electrolyte in the electrolysis cell becomes acid in character to an extent maintaining the circulating electrolyte substantially neutral to optimize the hydrogen output.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |