Hydrogen generating apparatus with hydrogen concentration sensors

Abstract

A hydrogen generating apparatus for controlling operation thereof in response to gas leaked from an electrolysis cell. The hydrogen generating apparatus may include: a hydrogen generating cell including a container formed by liquid and gas tight walls and a plurality of electrodes within the container for generating hydrogen gas from an electrolyte liquid; a housing about the hydrogen generating cell; a gas delivery line extending from the hydrogen generating cell and passing out of the housing; a space between the hydrogen generating cell and the housing, a sensor in the housing capable of sensing a concentration of hydrogen in the space and a system for controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus in response to a selected concentration of hydrogen being sensed at the sensor

1 . A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising: a hydrogen generating cell including a container formed by liquid and gas tight walls and a plurality of electrodes within the container for generating hydrogen gas from an electrolyte liquid; a housing about the hydrogen generating cell; a gas delivery line extending from the hydrogen generating cell and passing out of the housing; a space between the hydrogen generating cell and the housing, a sensor in the housing capable of sensing a concentration of hydrogen in the space and a system for controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus in response to a selected concentration of hydrogen being sensed at the sensor. 
   
   
       2 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the selected concentration is below the explosion limit of hydrogen gas in air. 
   
   
       3 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the selected concentration is below 90% of the explosion limit of hydrogen gas in air. 
   
   
       4 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the selected concentration is below about 40,000 ppm. 
   
   
       5 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the selected concentration is below about 30,000 ppm. 
   
   
       6 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the hydrogen generating cell is selected to generate hydrogen gas and oxygen and the gas delivery line passes these gases in combination to the engine. 
   
   
       7 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the system for controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes a function for sending a signal to report the detection of the selected concentration of hydrogen. 
   
   
       8 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the system for controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes a function for shutting down operation of the hydrogen generating cell in response to the detection of the selected concentration. 
   
   
       9 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the system for controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes a function for initiating an exhaust of gases from the housing in response to the detection of the selected concentration. 
   
   
       10 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a gas exhaust for the housing and wherein the system for controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes a function for starting operation of the gas exhaust in response to the selected concentration. 
   
   
       11 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the gas exhaust is a fan operable to evacuate gas from the space. 
   
   
       12 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the system for controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus generates a first operation in response to the detection of the selected concentration and continues monitoring for the selected concentration at the sensor. 
   
   
       13 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the system includes a counting function to monitor the number of occurrences of the selected concentration being sensed at the sensor. 
   
   
       14 . The hydrogen generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the system includes a timing function to monitor a time period wherein the selected concentration is sensed at the sensor. 
   
   
       15 . A method for operating a hydrogen generating apparatus, comprising: providing a sensor capable of sensing a concentration of hydrogen and positioned to detect gas leaked from a hydrogen generating cell; monitoring the sensor to determine if a selected concentration of hydrogen gas is sensed at the sensor; and controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus in response to the detection of the selected concentration of hydrogen gas at the sensor. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the selected concentration is below the explosion limit of hydrogen gas in air. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the selected concentration is below 90% of the explosion limit of hydrogen gas in air. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the selected concentration is below about 40,000 ppm. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the selected concentration is below about 30,000 ppm. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the hydrogen generating cell is selected to generate hydrogen gas and oxygen, which are passed in combination to a vehicle engine. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes sending a signal to report the detection of the selected concentration of hydrogen. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes shutting down operation of the hydrogen generating cell in response to the detection of the selected concentration. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes initiating an exhaust of gases from the housing in response to the detection of the selected concentration. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 15  further comprising a gas exhaust for the apparatus and wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes starting operation of the gas exhaust in response to the selected concentration. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes generating a first operation in response to the detection of the selected concentration and continuing monitoring for the selected concentration at the sensor. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes counting the number of occurrences of the selected concentration being sensed at the sensor. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes monitoring the length of time that the selected concentration is sensed at the sensor. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes shutting down operation of the hydrogen generating cell in response to the sensing of a second selected concentration that is higher than the selected concentration. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes shutting down operation of the hydrogen generating cell if the selected concentration is not reduced after a selected period of time. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation of the hydrogen generating apparatus includes counting the number of times the selected concentration is reached and shutting down operation of the cell once a selected count limit is reached. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein controlling operation includes shutting down operation of the hydrogen generating cell and permitting a restart after the apparatus is serviced.