Electrolytic Purifier

Abstract

An electrolytic device and method for generating a disinfecting solution that utilizes an electrical circuit and storage battery. The electrical circuit preferably conditions the power received from a variety of power sources to charge the storage battery and conditions the power stored in the storage battery to provide the appropriate power to maximize the disinfection efficacy of the disinfecting solution. The device may incorporate one or more other devices such as an LED, an electrical power takeoff, a clock, a compass, a transmitter device, a receiver device, a position locating device, a direction indicating device, and/or a camera.

1 . A portable electrolytic disinfectant generator comprising:
 an electrolytic cell;   a rechargeable battery;   a power conditioning circuit for delivering a first predetermined electrical voltage and current to the electrolytic cell; and   a charging circuit for conditioning power from a power source in order to generate a second predetermined electrical voltage to recharge said rechargeable battery.   
     
     
         2 . The generator of  claim 1  wherein said power conditioning circuit detects a salinity level of electrolytic solution in said electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         3 . The generator of  claim 1  wherein said power source comprises one or more solar cells. 
     
     
         4 . The generator of  claim 1  wherein said generator is hermetically sealed and/or buoyant. 
     
     
         5 . The generator of  claim 1  further comprising one or more elements selected from the group consisting of a light bulb, an LED, electrical contacts for receiving or discharging power, an external solar panel, an integrated solar panel, an electronic display, an attachment mechanism, a compass, a position finding device, a location beacon transmitter, a cell phone, a camera, a clocks a timer, and a mirror. 
     
     
         6 . The generator of  claim 1  wherein said disinfectant is selected from the group consisting of sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, bromine, and mixed oxidants. 
     
     
         7 . A method for generating disinfectant, the method comprising the steps of:
 conditioning power from a rechargeable battery to a first predetermined voltage and current;   delivering the conditioned power to an electrolytic cell;   electrolyzing brine;   generating a disinfectant;   conditioning power from a power source to a second voltage; and   recharging the battery at the second voltage.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising a function selected from the group consisting of detecting a salinity level of electrolytic solution in the electrolytic cell, terminating the recharging step when the rechargeable battery is fully charged, providing undervoltage shutoff if a power level of the rechargeable battery is below a predetermined threshold, providing overvoltage protection preventing the rechargeable battery from being damaged by overcharging, and sensing the input voltage from the power source in order to optimize charging of the rechargeable battery for different input voltages. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the power source comprises one or more solar cells. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of disposing the electrolytic cell in a portable case. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the case is hermetically sealed and/or buoyant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the case is sufficiently small to attach to a key fob or key ring, fit in a pocket, or hang from a neck chain or pocket chain. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the case further comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of a light bulb, an LED, electrical contacts for receiving or discharging power, an external solar panel, an integrated solar panel, an electronic display, an attachment mechanism, a compass, a position finding device, a location beacon transmitter, a cell phone, a camera, a clock, a timer, and a mirror. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the disinfectant is selected from the group consisting of sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, bromine, and mixed oxidants.