Safety switch for hydrogen generator system

Patent · Tue Apr 29 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5593214

Duckworth, C E

A safety cutoff switch for a hydrogen gas generator system is disclosed. The hydrogen gas generator system is of the type for use with automotive internal combustion engines wherein combustible hydrogen gas generated by the system is co-mingled with exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine and fed into the intake manifold. The hydrogen gas generator system includes a group or groups of hydrogen gas fuel cells which are provided with electrical current generated by alternators driven by the engine or the automotive drive train. The current from the alternators is supplied through the safety cutoff switch and individual, manually operable switches to each fuel cell. The safety cutoff switch comprises a solenoid structure having a spring biased armature carrying an electrical contactor for making an electrical circuit between two electrical contact posts. Movement of the armature makes or breaks electrical contact between the two electrical contact posts, and the spring bias of the armature is such that the electrical circuit between the two electrical contact posts is normally an open circuit. A pair of vacuum actuators are provided to act against the spring bias of the armature and cause the electrical contactor to make the circuit between the two electrical contact posts. One of the vacuum actuators is connected by a hose to the venturi of the engine carburetor, while the other vacuum actuator is connected by a hose to the intake manifold. Thus, when the engine is running, one or the other of the vacuum actuators operates to actuate the safety cutoff switch, but in the event that the engine stops running, the spring bias of the switch opens the electrical circuit supplying current to the fuel cells.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-82-057261
• Patent Number(s): US 4200062
• OSTI ID: 5593214
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
080500 -- Hydrogen-- Health & Safety
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC COILS
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENGINEERING
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FUELS
HEAT ENGINES
HYDROGEN FUELS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SOLENOIDS
SWITCHES
SYNTHETIC FUELS