An electrolysis chamber for generation of oxygen and hydrogen gas for supply to the cylinder of an internal combustion engine is taught in U. S. Patent 5,231,954 to Stowe. The chamber includes a housing having a pair of electrodes therein at least partially submerged in an electrolyte solution. The electrodes are connected to a source of electrical potential to generate oxygen and hydrogen from the electrolyte solution in the chamber. The chamber is mounted in association with an engine and oxygen and hydrogen generated are fed to the engine via a line connected to the air intake manifold.

In order to reduce the risk of explosion, the chamber has a friction fitted top cap which provides for pressure release under conditions where oxygen and hydrogen gas builds up within the chamber. The top cap has an end wall and a cylindrical side wall extending therefrom. The side wall fits over and extends down the sides of the chamber. To be removed, this top cap requires substantial clearance above the chamber. Such clearance is often unavailable in the engine area of most vehicles.

In addition, should the top cap described in the patent be released it is generally incapable of reseating itself to seal the chamber. If the top cap blows off, the vehicle operator can continue to operate the vehicle for a period of time without noticing that the chamber is open. This results in the potential for sillage of the electrolyte solution and, most importantly, in the operation of the vehicle without the benefits of the oxygen and hydrogen supplementation of the fuel.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved method for enhancing the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engine using an electrolysis cell.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for improving the efficiency of combustion in an internal combustion engine including at least one combustion chamber, and air intake for supplying air to the chamber and a fuel supply system for supplying a hydrocarbon fuel to the chamber such that the fuel burns in the combustion chamber, the method comprising: providing an electrolysis chamber sealed against the ingress of air and the escape of liquid; providing an aqueous electrolyte solution in the electrolysis chamber; providing in the electrolysis chamber a pair of electrodes disposed therein in contact with the electrolyte solution and connecting the electrodes to a supply of direct current across the electrodes so as to cause an electrolytic action therein; communicating mixed materials from electrolytic action in a sealed duct from the electrolysis chamber to the air intake; arranging the electrolyte solution, the electrolysis chamber and the electrodes such that the electrolytic action generates oxygen, hydrogen, steam and structured water; and using combustion of the oxygen and hydrogen in the combustion chamber with the hydrocarbon fuel in conjunction with the steam and structured water to effect cracking of unspent portions of the hydrocarbon fuel.

Preferably the electrolyte is KOH.

Preferably there is provided a replenishing supply of the KOH.

Preferably the combustion of the oxygen and hydrogen in the combustion chamber with the hydrocarbon fuel in conjunction with the steam and structured water effects cracking of long chain and aromatic hydrocarbons to produce readily combustible shorter chain hydrocarbons.

Preferably the combustion of the oxygen and hydrogen in the combustion chamber with the hydrocarbon fuel in conjunction with the steam and structured water effects combustion of pollutants generated by the combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel products.

Preferably the electrodes are mounted and shaped in the electrolysis chamber to reduce spatter of the electrolyte solution.

Preferably spatter of the electrolyte solution is reduced by providing a cover plate inside the electrolysis chamber at the top of the electrolyte solution through which the electrolyte solution and mixed emitted materials can pass.

Preferably the electrolysis chamber includes a pressure releasable plug formed to be inserted into an opening in a top wall of the electrolysis chamber, the plug being formed with a bottom and side walls, the side walls converging toward the bottom of the plug.

Preferably the electrolysis chamber is constructed at least in part of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin.

Preferably the electrolysis chamber includes a pressure release device on the housing burstable upon application of pressure thereon.

Preferably the method includes providing a valve in the duct, the valve having a first outlet for diverting the mixed materials to the air intake and a second outlet for diverting mixed materials to a vent line for release to the atmosphere, the valve being actuated to divert mixed materials to the first outlet when the engine is operating and being actuated to divert mixed materials to the second outlet when the engine is not operating.

Preferably the electrolysis chamber includes a plurality of intermediate electrodes disposed in said chamber between the electrodes, the intermediate electrodes being arranged so as to define a plurality of individual electrolysis cells and such that the voltage across each is less than 2 volts.

Preferably the intermediate electrodes are arranged such that the cells have equal potential differences.

Preferably said electrolysis chamber forms a cylinder and said first electrode is a cylinder of a diameter equal to that of the electrolysis chamber, said second electrode is a cylinder coaxial to said first electrode and each said intermediate electrode Is a cylinder disposed coaxially with said first and second electrode.

Preferably the number of intermediate electrodes is selected to maintain an electrical potential between each said electrode and the next adjacent electrode sufficient to electrolyze any conductive solution in contact therewith.

Preferably the number of intermediate electrodes is selected to maintain said electrical potential is in a range between about 1.2 and 2 volts.

Preferably said electrodes are constructed from stainless steel.

Preferably the method includes controlling the supply of mixed materials obtained from the electrolysis chamber by detecting a vacuum at the duct whereby operating vacuum present in said duct exceeding the supply of supplementary fuel mixed materials present in said supply line causes a net differential vacuum to be supplied to produce a control signal increasing the supply of mixed materials available from said cell and, conversely, operating vacuum present in said duct exceeded by the supply of supplementary fuel mixed materials present in said supply line causes a net differential pressure to produce a control signal decreasing the supply of mixed materials available from said cell.

Preferably the method includes providing a filling opening and a filling duct communicating with a filling opening, the duct being sealed in the opening and providing a filling container connected to the duct for supplying replacement electrolyte solution, the chamber having a first contact for indicating a minimum level of electrolyte solution and a second contact for indicating a maximum of electrolyte solution and providing a switch arranged to allow flow of electrolyte solution from the container into the chamber in response to vacuum from the engine.

Preferably the switch is operated manually by visual observing lights illuminated by engagement with the electrolyte solution with the contact.

Preferably the method includes providing an automatic control unit responsive to engagement of the electrolyte solution with the contacts for actuating the switch.

Preferably the method includes providing an automatic control unit responsive to current in the electrolysis chamber for indicating when the strength of the electrolyte solution falls too low.

Preferably the method includes providing an automatic control unit responsive to the presence of current in the electrolysis chamber when the engine is not operating for indicating to an operator a fault in the chamber.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for use in improving the efficiency of combustion in an internal combustion engine including at least one combustion chamber, and air intake for supplying air to the chamber and a fuel supply system for supplying a hydrocarbon fuel to the chamber such that the fuel burns in the combustion chamber, the apparatus comprising: an electrolysis chamber sealed against the ingress of air and the escape of liquid for receiving an aqueous electrolyte solution in the electrolysis chamber; a pair of electrodes disposed in the electrolysis chamber arranged to be in contact with the electrolyte solution and means for connecting the electrodes to a supply of direct current across the electrodes so as to cause an electrolytic action therein; a sealed duct for communicating mixed materials from electrolytic action from the electrolysis chamber to the air intake; the chamber comprising a base, an upstanding wall and a top cap fixed to the wall at an upper end thereof, the top cap having an opening therein and a plug with a frusto-conical side wall inserted in the opening as a friction fit.

Preferably there is provided a pressure release portion in the top cap which is of reduced thickness.

Preferably the pressure release portion comprises a weakened line of reduced thickness surrounding the opening According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for use in improving the efficiency of combustion in an internal combustion engine including at least one combustion chamber, and air intake for supplying air to the chamber and a fuel supply system for supplying a hydrocarbon fuel to the chamber such that the fuel burns in the combustion chamber, the apparatus comprising: an electrolysis chamber sealed against the ingress of air and the escape of liquid for receiving an aqueous electrolyte solution in the electrolysis chamber; a pair of electrodes disposed in the electrolysis chamber arranged to be in contact with the electrolyte solution and means for connecting the electrodes to a supply of direct current across the electrodes so as to cause an electrolytic action therein; a sealed duct for communicating mixed materials from electrolytic action from the electrolysis chamber to the air intake; and a plurality of intermediate electrodes arranged between said pair of electrodes and a top support plate arranged for engaging upper edges of the electrodes and for holding the electrodes at a predetermined spaced position relative to each other and relative to the pair of electrodes.

Preferably the electrodes are cylindrical and concentric around a center electrode defining one of said pair.

Preferably there is provided means for connecting to the pair of electrodes, said connecting means passing through the chamber at a position thereon above the electrolyte solution.

Preferably there is provided a splash plate parallel to the top plate and above the top plate.

Preferably the center electrode passes through the top plate and through the splash plate and wherein there is provided a conductor extending from the center electrode across the top of the splash plate to connection means on the chamber.

Preferably there is provided a low level contact for engaging the electrolyte solution mounted in the chamber at a position just below the top plate and a high level contact above the top plate.

Water is a polar molecule, that is, one end of the molecule has a slight positive charge while the other has a slight negative charge. In structured water, the water molecules form alternating negative and positive layers around a positively charged ion. This gives the water a pseudo-crystalline or solid structure, even at room temperature. In the present invention, the potassium provides a positive ion and causes the formation of structured water around the negative electrode since the potassium ion is attracted to the electrode and acts to align the polar water molecules around the ion.

Preferably the chamber is manufactured from ABS.

A further, detailed, description of the invention, briefly described above, will follow by reference to the following drawings of specific embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a electrolytic chamber according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a section view along line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 2A is an alternate embodiment of the explosion vent of Figure 2; Figure 3 is sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 3A is a sectional view of an alternative shape of the electrolysis chamber; and Figure 4 is a schematic view of an apparatus including an electrolysis cell according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic view of the electrolysis cell of figure 2 including an automatic system for testing the electrolyte solution strength and for replenishing solution; Figure 6 is a schematic view of the electrolysis cell of figure 2 including a manual filling system.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an electrolytic chamber 2 is shown.

When in use, the chamber generates oxygen and hydrogen gases together with steam or water vapour and structured water. The various features of the invention for release of internal pressure, for avoiding sillage and leakage of electrolytic solution and for enhancing operation of the chamber, as will be described, need not all be present in the same chamber or electrolysis system, as the presence of one or more of the features may not be required for the application to which the chamber is to be put. Alternately, the various aspects can all be present in the chamber or the system at all times, but be only used as needed.

Chamber 2 includes a housing 4 formed to contain an electrolyte solution 6, The chamber can be cylindrical as shown or any other shape suitable for its intended use. To facilitate construction, housing 4 preferably has a top 4A and a bottom 4B sealably secured as by suitable adhesives to a cylindrical side wall 4C. Housing 4 is formed from any chemically and electrically inert material. Preferably, housing 4 is formed from the material known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS) because of its resistance to chemicals such as the electrolyte solution and its ability to withstand large temperature fluctuations without degradation. In addition, ABS plastic is not brittle and during a chamber failure wherein there is a build up of internal pressure, the chamber formed using ABS will tend to crack rather than shatter.

Housing 4 has a pressure release section 8 which is burstable upon application of pressure, such as internal pressure, thereon. Section 8 of the housing has a reduced thickness T relative to the thickness of the balance of the housing. This section can be formed during the molding or extrusion process or can be milled out after formation of the housing. Section 8 can be integral with the housing or, alternately, be an inset piece of material, such as is shown by way of example in Figure 2A. In the alternative configuration of Figure 2A, a vent port 8A is covered by a displaceable cover 8B which is urged into sealing contact with the top 4A by means of a biasing element 8C such as a spring. In the preferred embodiment of Figure 2, pressure release section 8 has a lower strength than the material used in the formation of the remainder of the housing.

Section 8 is selected to burst when a selected amount of pressure, such as caused by an explosion of the combustible mixed materials within the chamber, is applied thereto. To burst section 8, the amount of pressure is selected to be greater than that pressure which is exerted toward the inside of the chamber when the chamber is under vacuum during use. Port 10 is formed through the housing at an upper portion thereof for introduction of water, electrolytes and/or electrolytic solution. Port 10 has removably inserted therein a plug 12 for sealing the port. Preferably, plug 12 is only frictionally engaged in the port and can be removed by application of a force to pull or push the plug out of the port.

Preferably, plug 12 has side walls 12A which converge toward the bottom 12B of the plug (i. e. the end which is inserted into the port) and the port is preferably positioned on the top of the housing, as determined by the intended mounting position of the chamber. Such a plug and port arrangement facilitates the release of internal pressure and greatly reduces the risk of explosion which was encountered in previous systems since, it will be appreciated, that due to the converging side walls any movement of the plug out of the port will immediately break the seal between the plug and the housing. In addition, the shape of the plug permits it to easily reseat itself should it be pushed out of sealing position, but remain loosely, in the port. To further facilitate reseating, the plug is preferably formed to be generally conical in shape.

Preferably, side walls 12A of plug 12 are coated with a resilient material, such as rubber, to facilitate sealing against the edges of port 10.

Alternately. plug 12 can be formed at least in part of a resilient material. In a preferred embodiment, plug 12 is formed from a rubber stopper.

An opening for passage of electrolysis mixed materials is provided by means of delivery port 14 found at the upper portion of the chamber and is present to provide an exit for the mixed materials produced during the electrolysis process. In a preferred embodiment, port 14 is formed through plug 12. As may be understood, the port 14 can alternately be formed through any suitable opening provided in housing 4. A connector 16 is provided at port 14 for connection to a delivery line 18 at the time of installation for use. Preferably, as shown, connector 16 is removable from the port for replacement or repair.

Referring also to Figure 3, electrodes 22,23 and 28 are provided within chamber 2. The electrode material is selected from any suitable electrical conductor which will not chemically react with the electrolytic solution either when electrically energized or not. A suitable material for construction of electrodes 22,23, and 28 is stainless steel. While it will be understood that electrode 28 may be configured as a cathode and electrode 22 as an anode, or polarity of each may be reversed without changing the principles of operation, for the purpose of illustration. the central electrode 28 has been configured as an anode while outer electrode 22 is configured as a cathode. Preferably electrode 22 is positioned to rest against the interior surface of housing 4 consequently making it cylindrical in shape to correspond with the cross-sectional dimension of the chamber. An extension 22A of the cathode extends up the inside of the housing 4 for electrical connection to a power supply terminal 24, which is conveniently provided by a bolt. Bolt 24 passes through an aperture in the housing and is electrically connected to a wire 26 when installed for use. Wire 26 extends to a negative ground pole of a battery or a ground, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4. Centrally located in the electrolyte solution 6 is anode 28.

Anode 28 may be constructed from any suitable electrical conductor which does not react with the electrolyte solution and is preferably a cylinder and may conveniently be a rod formed of stainless steel in common with cathode 22 and intermediate electrodes 23. Anode 28 is connected by a conductor bracket 30 to a power supply terminal 32 which is a bolt extending through an aperture in the housing. Bolt 32 is electrically connected at one end internally to bracket 30 and, when installed, to wire 34 at its opposite end externally when installe for use.

Wire 34 is ultimately in electrical contact with the positive pole of a battery, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Anode 28 is further maintained in position concentrically within cathode 22 by plates 36,37. Plates 36,37 are formed of a non-conductive material such as, for example, an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW polymeric resin).

Anode 28 is positioned in centrally located apertures in the plates. A plurality of apertures 41 are formed in plate 36 for passage of the electrolysis generated mixed materials from area 40 to area 42 where the mixed materials will bubble up and flow toward delivery port 14.

A plurality of intermediate electrodes 23 are disposed between the powered cathode 22 and anode 28. The shape of these electrodes conforms to the equipotential lines of the electric field induced in electrolyte solution 6 when power is applied to the cathode 22 and anode 28. As most clearly seen in Figure 3, the intermediate electrodes 23 are formed into cylinders to conform with the circular cross-sectional shape of the electrolysis chamber 4 and are positioned between anode 28 and cathode 22. Each electrode is constructed from suitable chemically inert electrically conductive material, such as stainless steel, which has been rolled and either welded along a seam (not shown) or the edges left open. The number of intermediate electrodes 23 is selected to provide approximately 2 volts across each cell formed by the gap in spacing between each electrode. A 2 volt difference is preferable to reduce the ohmic heating of the electrolyte solution bounded by adjacent electrode by the current passing therethrough as the electromotive force or voltage required for electrolysis of water is approximately 1.5 volts. Thus for a 12 volt system, a group of intermediate electrodes 23 may be provided. For other operating voltages, a differing number of electrodes are provided to achieve like effect. While the electrodes are depicted in Figures 2 and 3 as being equidistantly spaced, it will be understood that the actual physical placement or spacing of the intermediate electrodes 23 will be such as to create approximately a 2 volt differential between adjacent electrodes.

With concentric cylindrical electrodes, varying physical spacings are required to maintain a uniform electromotive force differential between adjacent electrodes increasing the complexity of the electrolyte chamber in both construction and operation. For cylindrical electrolysis chambers, each cell, being the electrolyte solution and surrounding operative electrode pair, has a unique electrolyte solution volume and electrode surface area resulting in variations in production. efficiencies and operating parameters. A uniform result for each cell in the electrolysis chamber apparatus may be obtained by employing a chamber in the shape of a box having a rectangular cross-section as shown in Figure 3A.

With such a chamber shape, the equipotential surfaces induced in the electrolyte solution when electrical potential is applied to the cathode 22 and anode 28 are flat surfaces enabling the intermediate electrodes 23 to be flat and equidistantly spaced from one another resulting in substantially uniform construction and operating parameters for the electrolysis chamber 4.

The spacing of the intermediate electrodes 23 can be achieved in any suitable way, for example, by plates 36,37 which have formed therein a plurality of grooves into which intermediate electrodes 23 are fitted as shown most clearly in cross section in Figure 2. The grooves maintain the positioning of the electrodes relative to each other and to the anode and cathode. The intermediate electrodes 23 serve a number of useful purposes. First, the electrodes act as baffles to substantially damp any wave action in the liquid within the chamber. This reduces the likelihood that the electrolyte solution 6 will splash around in the chamber. Where the chamber is cylindrical in shape the damping action will be effective regardless of the direction in which the chamber is moved.

Additionally, the intermediate electrodes increase the electrode surface area for the generation of electrolysis mixed materials, as well as reduce the electromotive force being applied to the cell to a value most efficacious for water electrolysis. This provides a more efficient chamber with higher generation capabilities and lower operating temperatures than a chamber of similar size having therein only the cathode and the anode electrodes. Also each pair of plates creates its own electrolytic cell.

It will be noted that the terminals 24 and 32 are mounted in the wall of the chamber above the top plate 36. This is arranged at a position which is above the intended height of the electrolyte solution in its upper most filled position. Thus in the wall just below the level of the connectors is provided a high level indicator contact 90 which is provided to contact the electrolyte solution in the highest intended position to indicate through the light, as described in more detail hereinafter that the container is filled. A low level indicator 91 positioned on the wall of the chamber at a height below the upper level indicator and at a position just below the top plate 36.

The central electrode 28 in the form of the rod includes a washer 92 positioned directly above the plate 36 and locating the plate relative to the central rod. The plate 36 is thus clamped between the washer 92 which prevents the plate from moving upwardly and the upper edges of the cylindrical intermediate electrodes. The central rod is fastened to the base plate 37. Above the top plate 36 is provided a splash plate 93 supported on the central rod 28 by two spaced washers 94 and 95. The splash plate 93 is a solid plate formed of UHMW polyethylene extending outwardly to a position adjacent but spaced inwardly from the inside surface of the cylindrical container leaving an annular space for the passage of mixed materials but preventing or reducing the possibility of spattering of the electrolyte solution from its position underneath the splash plate to the discharge outlet 14.

Thus the top plate, the splash plate and the cylindrical electrodes cooperate in reducing movement of the electrolyte solution during normal operation of the engine.

Turning now to Figures 5 and 6 there is shown schematically the upper portion of the electrolysis chamber and particularly the top cap. An additional opening 96 is provided with a plug 97 similar to the plug 12. The plug 97 receives a filler duct 98 connected with a supply container 99 containing the electrolyte solution including distille water and a makeup quantity of KOH. A solenoid valve 100 is located in the duct 98 for controlling flow of liquid through the duct. The solenoid valve is actuated by output 4 of a micro-controller 101.

The high level indicator 90 is connected to input 2 of the micro- controller. Similarly the low level contact 91 provides an input to terminal 3 of the micro-controller when the electrolyte solution drops below the contact 91 and therefore is no longer electrical communication with that contact.

An input terminal 3 of the micro-controller receives an input from the contact 91 so that it is responsive to operation of the electrolysis chamber. Thus when the chamber is in operation and therefore vacuum is applied through the duct 18 to the opening 14, in the event that the level of electrolyte solution falls below the level of the low contact 91, the micro-controller 101 actuates the solenoid switch 100 to allow liquid to be drawn from the container 99 into the chamber to replenish the electrolyte solution.

The automatic control system of Figure 5 also has two further functions. Firstly the measurement of the current through the electrolysis unit which is provided to input 1 is used to determine when the strength of the electrolyte in the solution falls below a predetermined required level. This will occur when the current falls below a predetermined minimum. In this situation the control unit is arranged to illuminate light 90A to show to the operator that additional electrolyte is required. Electrolyte is then added through the top plug manually from a concentrated solution.

Secondly the input 3 of the controller detects the presence of current in a situation where the ignition is turned off and therefore the engine is not operating. In the presence of such current, the controller is arranged to actuate light 91 A so that the operator is apprised of a situation where current is flowing when no current should be flowing thus indicating a fault.

In Figure 6 is shown a similar manual arrangement in which a light 91 B at any suitable location where it can be viewed by the operator, is illuminated when the electrolyte solution level falls to a low position. The operator can therefore actuate a press button switch 103 when the operator has noted that the electrolyte solution level is too low and that the engine is applying vacuum to the duct 18. The press button switch operates the valve 100 and this is maintained actuated until the electrolyte solution level reaches the upper contact 90 and illuminates the visible light 90B.

Referring to Figure 4, electrolysis chamber 2 generates oxygen and hydrogen gases together with the steam and structured water to supplement the fuel supply of a combustion engine, such as a hydrocarbon fueled internal combustion engine employed to supply motive power. It will however be appreciated that the present invention can be used with other machines using an engine.. Common gasoline or diesel engines have an air intake system supplying a mixture of fuel and air to be combusted within the engine. The air intake system is maintained under vacuum during operation of the engine.

A battery 60 has a positive pole 60Aand a negative ground pole 60B In accordance with the invention, a chamber 2 is mounted in a suitable location at the engine when possible. Power supply wire 26 from cathode 22 is grounded, for example by contact with a frame. Power supply wire 34 runs from contact with anode 28 to a control power relay switch 62. From relay switch 62, power wire 34 runs through an over-current protection device 66, such as a circuit breaker, fusible link or fuse to positive pole 60A of battery 60. Relay switch 62 controls the supply of electrical energy to the electrolysis chamber 2. Over- current protector 66 prevents over-current damage to the components caused by a malfunction, such as a short circuit. To control and prevent unwanted generation of the mixed materials, the control relay switch 62 is configured in such a manner as to ensure that no electrical power will be supplied to electrolysis chamber 2 unless the engine is both switched on and running. This is controlled in the following manner.

Power relay control wire 68 controls the activation of power relay 62 depending on control signaling received via vacuum switch 70. Vacuum switch 70 is a normally open switch which is closed, making electrical contact with ignition switch line 72, when vacuum is supplied to tubing 71. Ignition switch line 72 is powered from the ignition key system 81, becoming powered when the ignition switch is turned ON. A fuse 77 is provided for safety. The vacuum to operate the vacuum switch 70 is obtained from the air intake system of the engine communicated by intake supply line 73 to which tubing 71 is connected via T-connector 80. As will be readily understood, the engine will only generate a vacuum when it is running and the presence of vacuum switch 70 ensures that production of the mixed materials will only occur when the engine is running.

Thus when the engine has stalled or the ignition switch is, for any reason, on but the engine is not running, no electrolysis will occur.

While it will be understood that tubing 71 can be directly connected to the engine manifold to obtain a vacuum supply directly from the engine, the preferred construction is to employ a T-connector 80 which bridges engine intake supply line 73 and the supply line 75. This provides added safety by preventing the undesirable escape of the combustible mixed materials into the engine compartment thereby avoiding potential explosion risks. When the rate of production of electrolysis mixed materials delivered by supply line 75 exceeds the rate of consumption of those mixed materials through the engine vacuum present in the engine intake supply line 73, the excess production mixed materials will "flood"into the vacuum tubing 71 thereby causing vacuum switch 70 to open, thereby, interrupting the power 75 supplied to the electrolysis chamber 2 halting further production.

The electrolyte solution can be any suitable solution of water and electrolytic agent permitting current to move through the solution between the electrodes 22 and 28. An efficacious electrolytic agent will not react during or be affected by the water electrolysis process to thereby become expended, decomposed or depleted during the water electrolysis process. The electrolytic agent must not be so volatile as to be removed from solution along with the emitted mixed materials; and, because hydrogen-ion concentrations are being rapidly perturbed at the electrodes during the water electrolysis process, the electrolytic agent should have a strong resistance to pH changes. In one embodiment, the electrolyte solution is made of distille water and the electrolytic agent is effective quantities of potassium hydroxide (KOH), generally about 10 g KOH per 1.2L of water. During operation, electrolytic agent concentrations in the water will vary unless properly controlled.

The electrolyte solution is added through port 10 to the chamber.

Adding make-up water may be accomplished by removing plug 12 and pouring in the make-up water and thereafter replacing plug 12. Make-up water should be distille water to avoid contamination of the electrolytic solution with the dissolved salts and other mineras and. contaminants present in water that is not distille.

Electrical current to the system is actuated by turning the ignition switch key to start the engine. The current flowing from anode 28 through intermediate electrodes 23 to cathode 22 causes the electrolysis of the water in the electrolyte solution. The operation of the engine causes a vacuum to be set up in the air intake system of the engine. This vacuum draws the plug 12 down into port 10 to seal the port. Any generated mixed materials from the chamber are drawn through supply line 18, to air intake manifold 113 wherein they are mixed with the air and burned with the fuel. Electrolysis occurs as long as the engine is running and vacuum is applied to vacuum switch 70. When either the ignition key 81 is turned to the off position, or the supply of vacuum to vacuum switch 70 falls below a preselected threshold amount (because either the engine stalls or stops, or production of the mixed materials delivered over line 75 exceeds engine vacuum) power to the electrolysis chamber is cut off by power relay 62 in response to interruption of the control signal provided to the relay by wire 68 resulting in cessation of generation of mixed materials. Electrolysis mixed materials produced within chamber 2 are carried along supply line 18 to flow control valve 78 which is a directional valve connecting supply line 18 to supply line 75 when control wire 68 is energized (the ignition 81 is on and vacuum switch 70 is receiving vacuum) allowing produced mixed materials to be directed to engine supply line 73. Any mixed materials which, through a system failure, are generated while the engine is turned off or remain in electrolysis chamber 2 following engine shut off causes control line 68 to lose power thereby causing solenoid valve 78 to couple supply line 18 to the vent line 82 to expel the excess/surplus mixed materials harmlessly into the ambient atmosphere. in the unlikely event that solenoid valve 78 fails or ignition of the mixed materials occurs within electrolysis chamber 2, any accumulated mixed materials or excessive pressures will be released by pushing out plug 12 or bursting area 8.

The arrangement as previously described herein of the electrolysis chamber, its arrangement of the electrodes and the selection of the electrolyte using KOH provides an arrangement in which the electrolytic action generates not only oxygen and hydrogen but also steam and structured water. The potassium in the KOH is particularly important in this regard. All these elements are then communicated from the chamber through the duct to the combustion chamber 110. Thus the duct 73 is connected to the air intake 111 of the combustion chamber at a position downstream of the air filter 112. A manifold 113 receives fuel through a pump 114 from a fuel supply 115 from an injector 116. The manifold 113 supplies the fuel, air and the mixed materials from the electrolysis chamber into the combustion chamber 110. The above components from the electrolysis chamber cooperate with the combustion of the hydro carbon fuels from the supply 115 so as to effect cracking of the unspent fuel in the presence of oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen and hydrogen can increase the temperature of the combustion and the presence of the steam and structured water operates as an effective cracking agent.

The above components therefore in the combustion chamber crack the normally unspent long chain and aromatic hydrocarbons causing the production of shorter chain hydrocarbons which are readily combustible thereby dramatically reducing emissions. The long chain and aromatic hydrocarbons can make up 30 to 50% of the total fuel so that it will be appreciated that a significant increase in efficiency is obtained by cracking these hydrocarbons and making them readily combustible.

Yet further, the addition of the above components from the chamber results in a combustion in the combustion chamber which is sufficient to effect combustion of the pollutants normally produced in combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. It has been found, therefore, that such polluants in the air drawn into the air intake can be burnt in the combustion chamber. In this way the polluants released from the combustion through the exhaust system can be significantly reduced relative to the amount of polluants drawn in through the air intake. In this way instead of the combustion chamber acting to generate additional polluants which are emitted into the atmosphere, the combustion chamber and its combustion using the components set forth above can obtain a situation where it acts to reduce the amount of polluants in the air surrounding the combustion chamber by drawing those polluants into the combustion chamber from the air intake.

It will be appreciated that this effect of cracking of the hydrocarbons and of providing an increased combustion effect thus burning the polluants does not simply arise from the submission of oxygen and hydrogen into the combustion system. The amount of hydrogen generated in the electrolysis chamber can vary in dependence upon the parameters of the electrolysis process but in practice is generally relatively small in comparison with the amount of fuel used and is certainly insufficient to generate the improvements in energy from the hydrocarbon fuel which are obtained using this arrangement.

In practice it has been found that increase in energy of 30 to 50% can be obtained utilizing amounts of the mixed materials which cannot possibly themselves provide this additional energy.