US4763610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas generator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-12-30
•
Granted: 1988-08-16
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Expires: 2005-12-30
Abstract
Abstract PCT No. PCT/GB85/00604 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 29, 1986 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 29, 1986 PCT Filed Dec. 30, 1985 PCT Pub. No. WO86/04117 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 17, 1986.The gas generator comprises an electrolysis unit 10 in which gas is generated for subsequent mixing with fuel in an engine assembly. The engine assembly comprises an engine 17, a fuel container for the engine, the aforesaid electrolysis unit 10 and a mixing chamber 26 in which the generated gas is intermixed with the fuel from the fuel container prior to combustion in the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Iorwerth Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:38
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D19/00; F02D19/06; F02D19/0663; F02D19/0668; F02D19/0671; C; C25; C25B; C25B1/00; C25B1/01; C25B1/02; C25B1/04; F02B; F02B43/00; F02D19/0639; F02D19/0642; F02D19/0644; F02D19/08; F02D19/081; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/10; F02M25/12; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/36; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S123/00; Y10S123/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An engine assembly comprising an engine, a fuel container for the engine, an electrolysis unit, an electrical supply for the electrolysis unit, and a mixing chamber in which gas generated by the electrolysis unit can be mixed with fuel from the fuel container prior to combustion in the engine, the electrolysis unit having an electrolytic chamber, and first and second sets of electrodes in said electrolytic chamber, each set comprising a cathode and an anode, and means connecting said sets separately to said electrical supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An engine assembly comprising an engine, a fuel container for the engine, an electrolysis unit, an electrical supply for the electrolysis unit, and a mixing chamber in which gas generated by the electrolysis unit can be mixed with fuel from the fuel container prior to combustion in the engine, the electrolysis unit having an electrolytic chamber, and first and second sets of electrodes in said electrolytic chamber, each set comprising a cathode and an anode, and means connecting said sets separately to said electrical supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the electrodes are electrically connected to a rectifier, the rectifier being electrically connected to an alternator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 or 2 in which the assembly is mounted in a motor vehicle, and in which the engine is an internal combustion engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the engine carries a carburetor, the carburetor including the said mixing chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 4 in which the engine carries a one-way valve, the valve having an outlet conduit connected to the said mixing chamber of the carburetor, the valve having an inlet conduit connected to the said electrolysis unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which the one-way valve is a water-valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrolysis unit for use in the assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising a container, an electrolyte in the container, first and second sets of electrodes immersed in the electrolyte, and means to supply the electrodes with electric current.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of fueling an engine driven by the combustion of hydrocarbon fuel comprising storing hydrocarbon fuel in a storage space adjacent the engine, providing an electrolysis unit including an electrolyte, said electrolyte being selected from the group which generates hydrogen and oxygen gases when a D.C. electric current is passed therethrough, providing within the electrolysis unit first and second sets of electrodes in said electrolyte, each set of electrodes comprising a cathode and an anode, connecting each set separately to an electrical supply, supplying D.C. current from said electrical supply to each of said sets of electrodes at currents and voltages to cause hydrogen and oxygen gases to be generated while drawing off hydrocarbon fuel from said storage space, enriching the drawn-off hydrocarbon fuel with the hydrogen and oxygen gases generated in said electrolysis unit, and feeding the hydrogen and oxygen-enriched hydrocarbon fuel to a combustion chamber for the engine.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of fueling an engine driven by the combustion of hydrocarbon fuel comprising storing hydrocarbon fuel in a storage space adjacent the engine, providing an electrolysis unit including an electrolyte, said electrolyte being selected from the group which generates hydrogen and oxygen gases when a D.C. electric current is passed therethrough, providing within the electrolysis unit first and second sets of electrodes in said electrolyte, each set of electrodes comprising a cathode and an anode, connecting each set separately to an electrical supply, supplying D.C. current from said electrical supply to each of said sets of electrodes at currents and voltages to cause hydrogen and oxygen gases to be generated while drawing off hydrocarbon fuel from said storage space, enriching the drawn-off hydrocarbon fuel with the hydrogen and oxygen gases generated in said electrolysis unit, and feeding the hydrogen and oxygen-enriched hydrocarbon fuel to a combustion chamber for the engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the engine is an internal combustion engine having a carburetor controlling the amount of hydrocarbon fuel supplied, and wherein the hydrogen is mixed with the hydrocarbon fuel in the carburetor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 in which the hydrogen is fed to the carburetor through a one-way water valve.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 in which the said electrolyte is an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 in which the solution comprises 30% sodium hydroxide to 70% water, by weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the hydrogen has a pressure of at least 0.492 Kg/sq. cm (7 lbs/sq. inch) before being mixed with the hydrocarbon fuel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the DC current is supplied at 4 volts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with a gas additional to hydrogen and selected from those adapted to reduce the emission of pollutant by-products from the engine, following combustion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 which includes oxygen.
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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) | 1991-08-16 | 1992-02-15 | 1992-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-16 | 1996-02-15 | 1996-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-16 | 2000-02-15 | 2000-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |