US 4,113,601 AGranted

Water decomposing apparatus

OwnerErnst Spiriginventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A water decomposition apparatus for producing detonating gas or oxyhydrogen gas comprises a plurality of electrolytic cells formed between a nested plurality of endless laminar electrodes each sealingly abutting at its upper and lower edges against elastomeric insulating layers on the surfaces of rigid plates. Electrolyte circulation through the assembly is permitted by an inlet aperture in one extreme cell, an outlet aperture in the other extreme cell and an aperture in each intermediate electrode adjacent its upper edge. The inlet and outlet apertures are coupled for electrolyte circulation by immersing the assembly in electrolyte or by an extended duct system connecting the apertures. Current is supplied to the extreme inner and outer electrodes from a d.-c. source. Control means may be provided to reduce the magnitude of the current as the gas pressure rises. A plurality of assemblies may be connected electrically in series across the d.-c. supply. When an electrode assembly is to be immersed in electrolyte its outermost electrode is surrounded by an electrically inoperative shielding member sealingly engaging the insulating members.

Claims13

Dependent claims

Water decomposition apparatus for producing detonating gas, comprising

(a) an electrode assembly including
(1) a plurality of concentrically arranged vertically oriented hollow electrodes, the innermost and outermost electrodes being imperforate throughout their lengths, each of the intermediate electrodes containing adjacent its upper end at least one aperture;
(2) upper and lower insulating and sealing members cooperating with the upper and lower ends of said electrodes to form concentrically arranged individual cells between each adjacent pair of said electrodes, respectively, said lower member containing an inlet opening in communication with one of the innermost and outermost cells, and said upper member containing an outlet opening in communication with the other one of said innermost and outermost cells;
(3) means for supplying a liquid electrolyte into said one cell via said inlet opening, thereby to effect successive filling of said cells to the levels of the apertures associated therewith;
and
(b) means for applying a direct-current potential across said innermost and outermost electrodes, whereby the gas evolved in said cells by said potential flows toward said outlet opening via the apertures associated with said cells.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.