John T. Sullivan: Multi-Direction DC & AC

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**John SULLIVAN**

**Multi-Direction DC & AC**

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[**http://www.sullydc.com**](http://www.sullydc.com)

**Current Has Many Applications**

Previously, there were two types of currents used to deliver
electrical power. Direct Current (DC) that comes from your
battery in your automobile discovered by Ben Franklin in the
1700s and Alternating Current (AC) that was discovered by
Nikola Tesla and is used to power your home. Clear Energy, Inc.,
a small R&D company in Baltimore, Maryland has been issued
US Patent number 7,041,203 for a new electrical current. It has
been over 100 years since the last patented electrical current
was issued by the US Patent Office for Alternating Current (AC).
Alternating current (AC) is described as electric current that
flows for an interval of time in one direction and then in the
opposite direction; that is, a current that flows in alternately
reversed directions through or around a circuit. The polarities
of electrodes or conductors are constantly swapping polarities
when the current changes direction. Direct current (DC) is
described as electrical current that flows in one direction, and
does not reverse its polarities as alternating current does. The
electricity produced in (DC) batteries is direct current. The
Plus (+) and Minus (-) polarities of electrodes remain constant
and never swap. But, what would happen if you have a polarity
reversal within the (+) positive and (-) negative electrode
without swapping the polarity of the supply voltage. The result
is a new electrical current called Sully Direct Current or
(SDC) named after its inventor John T. Sullivan. Sully Direct
Current (SDC)  is described as electrical current that flows
for an interval of time in one direction and then in the
opposite direction; that is, two or more current paths flowing
in alternately reversed directions within a constant (+) Anode
and (-)Cathode circuit. The plus (+) and minus (-) supply
polarities of electrodes remain constant same as a (DC) battery,
the polarities within the electrodes of the circuit are
reversing causing an alternating reversing multi-directional
currents. Alternating Current (AC) and (SDC)  both have current
reversal, (AC) changes (+) anode and (-) cathode supply polarity
when it changes current direction (SDC)  changes current
direction without swapping the (+) anode and (-) cathode supply
lines. Sully Direct Current (SDC) can reverse currents at full
voltage or zero volts to produce tuned counter EMF forces and
magnetic field reversals. One limiting factor in efficient
creation of hydrogen in electrolysis is the attraction created
between Hydrogen and Oxygen gas bubbles to electrodes, they
stick like tiny magnets increasing resistance of electrodes
thus reducing gas production. As the SDC current changes
direction within an inductive coil, the directions of the
magnetic fields reverse creating multidirectional forces on the
electrodes and ions. A tuned resonator circuit can creates
vibrations on the electrodes; this action shakes the electrodes
and significantly increases the release of the hydrogen bubbles
resulting in more efficient production of pure Hydrogen and
Oxygen. It would not be feasible to use (AC) to create this
mechanical action; the gases would mix as polarities are swapped
creating an unstable mixed gas.

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**US Patent # 7,041,203**

**[ [PDF
Format](us7041203.pdf) ]**

**Apparatus and method for generating and
using multi-direction DC and AC electrical currents**

**SULLIVAN, JOHN T.**

Classification: - international: C02F1/48; C25B15/00; C02F1/48;
C25B15/00; (IPC1-7): C25C1/02; - european: C02F1/48; C25B15/00;
H01M10/34D; H01M10/44

**Abstract:** Multi-directional currents are generated in a
medium by cyclically reversing the direction of a conventional
current applied to at least one of at least two electrodes so
that an electromotive force (EMF) pulse travels from side of the
electrode to the other, changing the direction of current in the
medium. The multi-directional currents may be used to accelerate
electrolytic processes such as generation of hydrogen by water
electrolysis, to sterilize water for drinking, to supply
charging current to a battery or capacitor, including a
capacitive thrust module, in a way that extends the life and/or
improves the performance of the battery or capacitor, to
increase the range of an electromagnetic projectile launcher,
and to increase the light output of a cold cathode light tube,
to name just a few of the potential applications for the
multi-directional currents.

***Description***

**BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION**

**1. Field of the Invention**

This invention relates to multi-directional, reciprocating
electrical currents. The invention also relates to an apparatus
and method for generating the multi-directional currents, and to
applications of the generating apparatus and method.

The multi-directional currents of the invention are generated
in a current carrying medium by cyclically reversing the
direction of a conventional current applied to at least one of a
plurality of electrodes, so that an electromotive force (EMF)
pulse travels from one side of the at least one electrode to the
other, changing the direction of current flowing through the
medium between two or more electrodes.

The multi-directional electric currents have the effect of
accelerating processes that rely on interaction between a
current and the medium that carries the current, and of
eliminating asymmetries that can lead to scaling or premature
wear in batteries and other electrolytic systems. The medium
that carries the multi-dimensional currents may be an
electrolyte, gas, gel, semiconductor, or any other medium
capable of carrying current between two electrodes, and having
at least two dimensions so as to enable variation in the current
direction.

By way of example and not limitation, the multi-directional
electrical currents of the invention may be used to (i) increase
the efficiency of hydrogen generation by electrolysis of water
(while at the same time preventing scaling and purifying the
water), (ii) extend the life of batteries such as nickel-metal
hydride cells, and of capacitors, by symmetrically charging and
discharging the batteries or capacitors, (iii) provide a power
source for electromagnetic projectile weapons and similar
devices, and (iv) increase the efficiency of plasma generation
or light conversion in cold cathode systems.

Other potential applications of the multi-directional electric
currents of the invention, and of the apparatus and method for
generating the currents, include computers, communications, drug
and chemical development, medical treatment of cancers,
anti-gravity experiments, transportation, energy, water
treatment, genetic research in humans, plants, and animals, and
aeronautical propulsion systems, as well as fuel cell and PEM
electrolysis systems utilizing proton exchange membranes and
catalyst materials.

**2. Description of Related Art**

**A. Basic Principle of Invention**

The basic principle underlying the multi-directional currents
of the invention may be understood from FIGS. 1A 1B. FIG. 1A
shows the situation when electrode currents i.sub.E1 and
i.sub.E2 in electrodes E1 and E2 are initially reversed,
creating EMF or voltage pulses, edges, waves, or spikes that
travel from left to right in the top electrode E1 and from right
to left in the bottom electrode E2. The current i.sub.S between
the electrodes flows from the top electrode E1 to E2, but
changes direction as the current i.sub.S follows the respective
EMF pulses or voltage spikes as they propagate from left to
right through electrode E1 and from right to left through
electrode E2. Eventually, as shown in FIG. 1B, the current flows
from top right to bottom left, at which point the currents in
the respective electrodes are again reversed to cause EMF or
voltage pulses, waves, edges, or spikes to propagate in the
opposite direction. As a result, the current i.sub.S can be
caused to reciprocate or continuously change direction in an
oscillating or cyclical manner within the current-carrying
medium between the electrodes. If i.sub.E1 and i.sub.E2 are DC
currents, the electrodes can be kept at a constant potential so
that the net current direction remains constant even though the
instantaneous current direction changes continuously or
periodically, enabling the direction-changing current i.sub.S to
be used in electrolytic processes that require direct current.
Alternatively, i.sub.E1, and i.sub.E2 may be alternating
currents, pulsed DC currents, or polarity-reversing DC currents.
In addition, a similar but smaller variation in the direction of
current will occur if the direction-reversing conventional
current is applied to just one of the electrodes and the second
electrode has a relatively small area.

The invention may thus be characterized as a method and
apparatus of generating multi-directional currents in a medium
by reversing the direction of electron flow in at least one of a
pair of electrodes. If the voltages applied to the electrodes
are DC voltages, then the multi-directional currents have
characteristics of DC currents, and if the voltages applied to
the electrodes are two or three phase AC voltages, then the
multi-directional currents have characteristics of AC currents.
However, unlike conventional DC and AC currents, the currents
generated by the method and apparatus of the invention move or
rotate. If the electrodes are one-dimensional wires, then the
currents rotate in two-directions. If the electrodes themselves
move, or extend over two or three-dimensions, for example a
plane or a curved plane, then the currents will move in
three-dimensions.

***B. Conventional Electric Currents***

There are two types of conventional electrical currents and
corresponding voltages, neither of which changes direction in
the manner of the present invention. The first, direct current
(DC), was already well known when Benjamin Franklin performed
his famous kite experiment in 1752 to prove that lighting was a
form of electricity, while the second, alternating current, came
into widespread use after Nikola Tesla invented the first
alternating current motor in 1888 (U.S. Pat. No. 555,190).

Both direct and alternating voltages can be applied to
electrodes for the purpose of causing a current to flow through
a medium between the electrodes. However, the voltages are
conventionally applied across the electrodes so that the
resulting inter-electrode current follows a fixed, albeit
reversible, path between the electrodes, irrespective of the
type of medium or geometry of the electrodes. This is clearly
the case in systems having only a single terminal for each
electrode, and in systems having multiple terminals but no
switching circuit.

It is of course possible to periodically reverse the polarity
of currents applied to the electrodes in such a system, and a
number of systems have been proposed for doing so, including the
systems disclosed in the patents discussed below. However, none
of the previously proposed systems involves changing the
direction of current in a single one, or both, of the electrodes
so as to vary the direction of current flowing between the
electrodes by other than 180.degree..

The invention in its broadest form consists of the
above-described multi-directional currents, and apparatus and
methods for generating the currents. However, an important
aspect of the invention is the numerous applications in which
the unique properties of the multi-directional currents may be
exploited. These applications include, but are not limited to,
the following:

***C. Hydrogen Generation by Electrolysis of Water***

One of the applications of the invention is electrolysis of
water to generate hydrogen, or hydrogen and oxygen, for use in
fuel cells and other essentially pollution-free hydrogen-driven
power sources. This application is of particular importance
because it offers a solution to the problem of generating,
storing, and transporting the hydrogen.

Hydrogen fuel cells, in particular, have the potential to
provide a completely non-polluting power source of electricity,
not only for vehicles but also for electricity generation in
general, but have been limited by lack of a safe distribution
system for the hydrogen, and by the costs of generating the
hydrogen in the first place. While it has long been known that
hydrogen may be generated by applying a direct current to water,
the rate of hydrogen generation is too low to provide a
practical hydrogen source for mass distribution. As a result,
hydrogen for mass consumption is currently produced from fossil
fuels at relatively high energy costs relative to the energy
value of the hydrogen produced. However, if sufficient hydrogen
could be produced by water electrolysis to provide an on-board
hydrogen generator for a vehicle or electric power plant, so as
to generate just enough hydrogen to supply the fuel cells, then
the need for a distribution system and hydrogen storage would be
eliminated.

Power or propulsion systems that use water electrolysis in
combination with hydrogen fuel cells to generate the hydrogen
necessary to power the fuel cells are known as regenerative
electrochemical cell or systems, an example of which is
disclosed in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2002/0051898.
Despite their theoretical promise, however, similar systems have
yet to offer a practical alternative to fossil fuels. It is
believed that a regenerative system can only attain widespread
acceptance if the efficiency of hydrogen production is
increased. The multi-directional currents of the invention offer
the potential for providing such an increase in water
electrolysis efficiency.

The way that the invention increases water electrolysis
efficiency is by using the applied electric current to not only
pull the water molecules apart at the cathode, as in a
conventional electrolysis system, but to add a shearing force
that helps break apart the ionic bonds between the oxygen and
hydrogen atoms. The effect is similar to separating a pair of
magnets by sliding them perpendicularly rather than pulling them
apart. In conventional electrolysis, the water molecules tend to
align with the positive and negative electrodes in the manner
illustrated in FIG. 2, so that the ionic bonds are at a constant
angle of 54.74.degree. relative to the direction of current
flow. This is not the optimal angle for breaking the ionic bonds
and disassociating the hydrogen atoms from the oxygen atoms. In
the set-up illustrated in FIG. 3, on the other hand, the
molecules are subject to a continuously changing current
direction, which applies both tensile and shearing forces to the
molecules, substantially increasing the rate of disassociation.
In addition, the electrodes can be arranged in coils to add
magnetic forces that further expedite disassociation.

It will be noted that the set-up illustrated in FIG. 2 does not
reverse the polarities of the electrodes, which would only slow
the electrolysis process due to energy lost in flipping the
water molecules. The multi-directional currents are not
alternating currents, but rather in this embodiment are direct
currents. Systems that reverse the polarities of electrodes have
previously been used in electrolysis, but the currents are
uni-directional and the reversals are carried out at relatively
long intervals so that the effect is that of a conventional DC
current. The purpose of the reversals is to reduce scaling by
switching between anodic and cathodic reactions at the
respective electrodes. This can also be accomplished with the
present invention, by reversing the polarities of the electrodes
in addition to reversing current directions in the individual
electrodes. Examples of electrolysis apparatus (though not
necessarily a hydrogen generating water electrolysis apparatus)
that reverse DC potential between two electrodes are disclosed
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,258,250, 6,174,419, and 1,402,986, and in
U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2002/0074237.

Periodic reversal of the polarities of electrodes has also been
used in electrolytic water purification systems. The
periodically reversed currents can be used to directly destroy
bacteria as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,710, or to expedite the
release of electrolytic reaction by-products such as metal ions,
as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,241,861; 5,062,940; 4,908,109
(entitled "Electrolytic Purification System Utilizing Rapid
Reverse Current Plating Electrodes"); U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,734,176;
4,525,253; and 3,654,119.

These systems are not to be confused with the system of the
invention, which changes the direction of currents but does not
necessarily change their polarity. However, the effects of the
direction-reversing currents, and/or released ions, on bacteria
and other micro-organisms can be utilized and even increased by
the present invention, i.e., the currents of the present
invention can be used not only for electrolysis of water to
generate hydrogen, but also to purify the water. Unlike the
currents disclosed in the water purification references, which
cannot be used for hydrogen generation, the present invention
combines generation of hydrogen with water purification so that,
for example, a power plant that included hydrogen generation
cells supplied with river water would also have the effect of
cleaning the river water, serving as a source not only of
electricity but also of potable water.

***D. Charging of Nickel-Metal Hydride Foam Batteries***

Although especially useful for water electrolysis, the present
invention is not limited to a particular electrolyte,
electrolytic process, or electrolytic cell configuration. In
another application of the invention, the multi direction
currents of the invention are applied to the electrodes of a
battery containing an electrolyte. This application of the
invention takes advantage of the reversing currents in the
electrodes to reduce the wear and tear of friction and heat
caused in conventional batteries by current moving from one post
down the length of the electrode.

In the case of batteries containing nickel metal hydride, as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,670, additional advantages of
using the method and apparatus of the invention to charge the
battery an increase in the hydrogen generated during the
charging process, which may be captured by utilizing the
principles of the gas capture system described in copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/314,987 filed on Dec. 10, 2002 by
the present inventor now U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,410. Furthermore,
the use of multi-directional currents may improve the ability of
the foam to absorb hydrogen through the hydride substrate in a
manner analogous to shaking of a screen to expedite passage of
granular materials.

***E. Capacitors***

The apparatus and method of the invention can also be applied
to capacitors and capacitive systems, which have similar
fundamental problems of fast charging heat losses and discharge
heat wear.

An example of capacitive systems to which the principles of the
invention may be applied are the thrust generating systems
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,317,310, 3,022,430, and 2,949,550,
which use the electrostatic force between asymmetric capacitor
plates to generate a thrust force. The EMF voltage spikes
utilized by the present invention amplify the high voltage as
the current changes direction to improve thrust performance. In
addition, the magnetic field switching multi-directional high
voltage currents may be computer controlled on the surface of
the capacitor module's thrust plates or thrust tubes to change
the direction and speed of the module, and the polarity of the
currents may be controlled to change the direction of thrust.
Thrust, pitch, roll, and yaw can be controlled by multiple such
capacitor modules.

***F. Cold Cathode Light and Plasma Generators***

The principles of the invention are not limited to electrolyte
materials, but may be applied to any medium capable of carrying
charges between a pair of electrodes, including not only
electrolytes, but also gases, gels, and semi-conductors. For
example, when applied to a cold cathode light, reversing the
current direction in the electrodes to change the direction of
the excitation current between the electrodes will cause the
ionized gas to produce more electrons, and thereby produce a
brighter glow.

Similarly, in systems that generate plasma by passing a gas
between electrodes, the multi-direction currents of the
invention will increase the rate of plasma production relative
to direct current systems, and those that use a single electrode
polarity reversing switch applied to a single terminal on each
of the electrodes of the plasma generator, as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,222,321.

***G. Electro-Magnetic Devices***

According to Lenz's law, a changing electrical current
generates a magnetic flux having a magnitude that is
proportional to the rate of change of the current. In the
present invention, which utilizes reversing direct currents in
the electrodes, the energy resulting from the above-described
EMF or voltage pulses, edges, waves, or spikes can also be
utilized to generate a corresponding magnetic field, which in
turn can be used to drive a projectile in an electromagnetic
gun, or a piston.

In addition, such systems can be made regenerative by capturing
hydrogen generated during charging and using the hydrogen to
power a fuel cell, which in turn charges a battery for
accumulating energy to be supplied to the electrode coils when
the weapon is fired or the piston is to be operated.

***H. Computing Devices***

By adding two inputs and outputs to the conventional
electrolytic cell, the apparatus of the invention may also be
used in logic circuits and computing devices. U.S. Pat. No.
3,172,083 discloses an electrolytic memory utilizing three
electrodes, but each electrode only has a single input, and thus
the resulting storage cell has no advantage over conventional
silicon memory devices.

***I. Medical Devices***

The multi-directional currents of the invention may also be
applied to a variety of medical devices, including x-ray
machines and various devices for treating tissues by electrical
currents and/or magnetic fields.

**SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION**

It is accordingly a first objective of the invention to provide
an apparatus and method that utilizes electricity in a more
efficient manner in order to conserve energy resources and
protect the environment.

It is a second objective of the invention to provide an
improved electrical current generating apparatus and method
which accelerate electrolytic and cathodic processes, including
generation of hydrogen.

It is a third objective of the invention to provide an improved
electrical current generating apparatus and method capable of
more efficiently sterilizing water.

It is a fourth objective of the invention to provide an
improved electrical current generating apparatus and method
capable of more efficiently charging a battery.

It is a fifth objective of the invention to provide an improved
electromagnetic device capable of utilizing the counter-EMF
generating upon reversal of an electric current.

It is a sixth objective of the invention to provide a
multi-dimensional electrical current having the property of
changing direction as it flows from one electrode to the other,
with or without changes in polarity.

It is a seventh objective of the invention to provide a system
and method for generating a direct current that changes current
direction with at least two ground switching paths and two
positive connections in a parallel switching relationship back
and forth, in phase or out of phase.

It is an eighth objective of the invention to provide a direct
current that changes directions while the polarity of the
electrodes changes back and forth.

It is a ninth objective of the invention to provide an
alternating current with a sine wave in a parallel relationship
with earth ground or neutral which switches from one end to the
other to control the direction of current from the ground or
neutral.

These objectives are achieved, in accordance with the
principles of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by
providing an apparatus having at least two spaced electrodes, a
current carrying medium between the electrodes, and at least two
terminals at each end of each of the electrodes, for a total of
at least four terminals, to which a direction-reversing direct
or alternating current is applied.

The electrodes may have a variety of shapes, including wires,
coils, planar, or curved structures. The direction reversal may
be effected by an electromechanical switching network, solid
state, photonic or mechanical switches, and so forth, including
the current reversing circuitry disclosed in the above-cited
patents. In addition, the currents applied to the electrodes may
include alternating as well as direct currents, the present
invention being distinguished in that the current reversing
circuitry is applied to opposite ends of at least one, and
preferably each, of the two electrodes, so that reversal of the
currents occurs within the electrodes, as opposed to within the
current carrying medium between the electrodes (although, as
described below, the direction of the multidirectional current
within the current carrying medium may also be reversed by
switching the polarity of the electrodes in addition to reversal
of the current within the electrodes).

In the case of an electrolytic process, the multidirectional
currents have the effect of substantially increasing the
efficiency by which bonds in the electrolyte are broken, thereby
providing an enhanced electrolysis method for producing
hydrogen, oxygen, and other gases, and at the same can be
arranged to purify the remaining electrolyte.

When the electrodes are in the form of coils, then a magnetic
field is generated that may further accelerate certain
electrolytic processes such as the generation of hydrogen, with
or without using the multi-directional currents. While the
advantages of multi-directional currents apply to coil-shaped
electrodes, advantages may also be obtained by operating
electrolytic cells and other devices with coil-shaped electrodes
in DC, pulsed DC, reversing polarity, and AC modes, in addition
to various multi-directional current modes.

The new types of currents and corresponding voltages can be
used to power a new generation of batteries, capacitors, motors,
light bulbs, and plasma generators, as well as for hydrogen and
oxygen generation, and further may be applied to applications
ranging from electroplating of metals and plastics to
transportation, to name just a few of the potential
applications. In the field of medicine, the currents can be used
in x-ray machines, to destroy cancer cells by placing a patient
inside a coil to which the currents are supplied at frequencies
known to kill cancer cells without affecting non-cancerous
tissue, and in other devices that involve application of
electrical currents and/or magnetic fields to tissues. DNA
electrophoresis can be performed by using ADC instead of DC by
running DNA gel samples from both ends of the gel plate instead
of one. 46% of the planet's population doesn't have electricity
or fresh drinking water due to the cost of infrastructure
required to supply power lines and water connections. The new
clean and cheap voltages (which may be referred to as SULLY
VOLTAGES.TM. after the Inventor, John Sullivan) will
revolutionize third world countries by supplying cheap power and
fresh drinking water without petroleum based fuel oil.

**BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS**

**[FIGS. 1A](fig1ab.jpg)** and
1B are schematic diagrams illustrating the manner in which a
multidirectional current is generated according to the
principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 2](fig2.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of a conventional electrolysis cell.

**[FIG. 3](fig3.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram showing the operation of an electrolysis cell
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.

**[FIG. 4](fig4.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram showing the construction of a water
electrolysis system that includes an electrolysis cell of the
type illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 3.

**[FIG. 5](fig5.jpg)** is a
timing diagram for the electrolysis system of FIG. 4.

**[FIG. 6](fig6.jpg), [FIG. 7](fig7.jpg), [FIG. 8](fig8.jpg), and [FIG. 9](fig9.jpg)** are
schematic diagrams showing variations of the electrolysis cell
illustrated in FIG. 4.

**[FIG. 10](fig10.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of a lighting element constructed in
accordance with the principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 11](fig11.jpg), [FIG. 12](fig12.jpg), and[FIG. 13](fig13.jpg)** show
further variations of the electrolysis cell illustrated in FIG.
4.

**[FIG. 14](fig14.jpg)** is a
timing diagram for the polarity-reversing electrolysis cell
illustrated in FIG. 13.

**[FIG. 15](fig15.jpg), [FIG. 16](fig16.jpg), and[FIG. 17](fig17.jpg)** are
schematic diagrams of various applications of the principles of
the invention to the charging of batteries.

**[FIG. 18](fig18.jpg)** is a
timing diagram for the battery charge/discharge circuit of FIG.
17.

**[FIG. 19](fig19.jpg) and [FIG. 20](fig20.jpg)** are
schematic diagrams of various applications of the principles of
the invention to electromagnetic devices.

**[FIG. 21](fig21.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of a cold cathode light system that utilizes
the principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 22](fig22-23.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of a plasma generator that utilizes the
principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 23](fig22-23.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram illustrating application of the invention to a
three electrode device.

**[FIG. 24](fig24.jpg),** which
appears with FIG. 15, and **[FIG. 25](fig25-26.jpg)**are schematic diagrams of
jelly roll versions of the electrolysis cells and/or batteries
of the preferred embodiments.

**[FIG. 26](fig25-26.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of a multiple electrode electrolysis cell.

**[FIG. 27](fig27.jpg)** is an
alternative timing diagram for the switching circuit illustrated
in FIG. 4.

**[FIG. 28](fig28.jpg)** shows a
variation of the arrangement schematically illustrated in FIGS.
1A and 1B, with additional switches and center taps for
controlling the electromagnetic pulses in each electrode.

**[FIG. 29](fig29-31.jpg)** is a
cross-sectional view of two capacitors connected in series
according to the principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 30](fig29-31.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of two capacitors connected in parallel
according to the principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 31](sullivan/fig29-31.jpg)**is a schematic diagram of a jelly roll capacitor
configuration.

**[FIG. 32](fig32-33.jpg)** is a
perspective view of a capacitive thrust module constructed in
accordance with the principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 33](fig32-33.jpg)** is a
plan view of the thrust module of FIG. 33, illustrating the
manner in which currents are controlled on the surface of one of
the capacitor plates.

**[FIG. 34](fig34.jpg)** is a
cross-sectional view of a capacitive thrust module with an EMF
capture coil.

**[FIG. 35](fig35.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of an RLC circuit that charges when current
flow is changed according to the principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 36](fig36.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of a transmitter circuit with a tuned
capacitor in which the current change amplifies the signal on
both the plus and minus side of the circuit according to the
principles of the invention.

**[FIG. 37](fig37.jpg)** is a
schematic diagram of a capacitor circuit in which the
capacitance is controlled by currents in the electrolyte.

**DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS**

**FIG. 4** illustrates an apparatus 1 which utilizes the
principles of the invention to generate hydrogen and oxygen
according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The
apparatus 1 includes a tank 2, water supply 3, two electrical
conductors 4,5 which form electrodes corresponding to electrodes
E1 and E2 of FIGS. 1A and 1B for an electrolysis process, two
conventional DC current sources 6,7, and four switches SW1 SW4.

The water 8 in this example may include a catalyst such as KOH,
as is conventional, although the increased efficiency of the
electrolysis process of the invention makes it possible to use
ordinary tap water or water from rivers and lakes without adding
additional catalysts.

When switches SW1 and SW4 are closed and switches SW2 and SW3
are open, current flows from the positive electrode of power
source 6 through switch SW1 to conductor 4, and then is carried
by ions in the water 8 to conductor 5, switch SW4, and the
negative electrode of power source 7. On the other hand, when
switches SW2 and SW3 are closed and switches SW1 and SW4 are
open, current flows from the positive electrode of source 7
through switch SW3 into conductor 4, and then is carried by ions
in the water to conductor 5, through switch SW2, to the negative
terminal of power source 6.

It will be appreciated that there may be a delay between
opening of switch pairs SW1,SW4 and closure of switch pairs
SW2,SW3, although simultaneous switching is preferred. In
addition, the power sources and switching circuitry is not
limited to the illustrated batteries and switches, but rather
may include any power sources and switching circuitry capable of
effecting reversal of currents within the individual electrodes,
including solid state switching circuitry and rectified AC power
sources. The illustrated diodes 14 and 15 are not essential, and
may be omitted or replaced by appropriate voltage regulation,
filtering, or other circuit elements.

The ionic current passing through the water from conductor 4 to
conductor 5 causes disassociation of hydrogen from oxygen in the
water according to the well-known process of electrolysis.
Optionally, the oxygen (O.sub.2) produced in the process may be
trapped by a membrane 10 encircling conductor 4 for collection
through an outlet 11 and storage tank 12, while hydrogen
(H.sub.2) is collected via an outlet 13.

Variations in the direction of current passing through the
water subjects the individual water molecules to shearing as
well as tensile forces that expedite disassociation. In
addition, different types of microorganisms are known to be
sensitive to specific frequencies of electrical current, and
therefore switching of the applied conventional currents at an
appropriate frequency can have the effect of purifying the water
remaining in the tank.

FIG. 5 shows the electrical currents present at various places
in the apparatus of FIG. 4. Timing of the switches may be
controlled by a clock pulse illustrated in FIG. 4(a). FIGS. 4(b)
to 4(e) show the currents through switches SW1 SW4,
respectively, while FIGS. 2(f) and 2(g) show the respective
voltages at terminals E1 and E2 between switches SW1,SW4 and
conductors 4,5.

FIG. 6 shows a variation of the electrolytic hydrogen generator
of FIG. 4, in which the electrodes E1 and E2 are in the form of
coils 16,17. According to the well-known right hand rule, a
magnetic field is generated in the coils 16,17 having a
direction corresponding to the direction of current input to the
coils. These fields shift position as they follow the incoming
and reversing currents, creating a magnetic vortex that further
accelerates disassociation of the water molecules. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, only hydrogen (H.sub.2) is collected,
although of course oxygen may also be collected as necessary,
for example by "bagging" one of both of the electrodes 16,17 in
a membrane 10, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4, or the
electrodes may otherwise be separated by a porous barrier to
prevent arcing and trap products of the anodic reaction.
Alternatively, the coils 16',17' may be coaxially arranged, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, so that the net magnetic fields will
cancel out, even though the instantaneous magnetic fields will
still change.

It will be appreciated that the magnetic fields generated in
the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 have advantages apart from the
advantages resulting from reversal of the currents in the
electrodes, and therefore the apparatus of this is embodiment is
not intended to be limited to multi-directional current
generation. Instead, it is within the scope of the invention to
apply DC, pulsed DC, reversing polarity, and AC voltages, as
well as various multi-directional currents, to the coiled
electrodes, and to cause the magnetic fields to synchronously or
non-synchronously reverse polarities and/or directions, with the
fields either reinforcing each other or cancelling out.

The magnetic fields generated by the coaxial coil electrolytic
cell apparatus of FIG. 7 are capable of generating a substantial
gas flow even when the medium between the coils 16',17' is
ordinary tap or distilled water, at coil spacings of between
0.005 and 0.500 inches, and preferably between 0.050 and 0.200
inches. When a catalyst such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) is
added to the water, the spacing between the two coils 16',17'
may be between 0.032 and 6.000 inches, with the preferred
spacing still being between 0.050 and 0.200 inches. In addition,
the gap or spacing between adjacent coils 16',17' of each
electrode may be between 0.001 and 0.500 inches, with a
preferred gap of 0.032 to 0.100 inches.

As in the non-coiled embodiments, the electrolytic reaction
rate may be increased still further by applying light to the
apparatus, so that the energy of the photons adds to the energy
supplied by the electric fields between the electrodes and the
magnetic fields within the electrodes. Either or both of the
electrodes may be enclosed within a membrane bag, sack, or
tubing, as also discussed above, and currents and/or fields may
further be arranged to kill microorganisms.

FIG. 8 illustrates a variation of the switching system
illustrated in FIG. 4, in which a single battery or cell is used
to supply electricity to the two electrodes E1 and E2. In this
system, closed switches SW5 and SW7 cause current in electrodes
E1 and E2 to flow in a first direction when switches SW6 and SW8
are open, while closed switches SW6 and SW8 and correspondingly
open switches SW5 and SW7 cause current to reverse and flow in
an opposite direction. The reversal affects the shearing and
tensile force separation of the water molecules in the manner
earlier described with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 illustrates a variation of the system of FIG. 7 in which
AC current is applied to the at least one of the electrodes, and
the direction of the AC current is reversed by alternately
opening and closing the switches SW1,SW4 and SW2,SW3.

FIG. 10 illustrates a lighting system in which the electrolyte
is replaced by a material 20 that emits light when excited by a
reversing current generated by alternately opening and closing
the switches SW1,SW4 and SW2,SW3.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
multidirectional current generating apparatus of FIGS. 4 10 may
also be connected together in various combinations. For example,
FIG. 11 illustrates two electrolytic cells 22 and 23, each
corresponding to the cell illustrated in FIG. 8, connected in
parallel. FIG. 12 illustrates the same two electrolytic cells
connected in series. In each case the current is reversed by
alternately opening and closing the switches SW1,SW4 and
SW2,SW3.

FIG. 13 illustrates an apparatus corresponding to that of FIG.
4, but with additional polarity reversal of the two electrodes
4,5. In the apparatus of FIG. 13, switches SW5 to SW8 effect
current reversal within the electrodes to generate a
multidirectional current in the current carrying medium 8,
illustrated as water, while switches SW1 to SW4 reverse the
polarity of electrode 4 and switches SW9 to SW12 reverse the
polarity of electrode 5. A corresponding timing diagram is
illustrated in FIGS. 14(a) to 14(o).

FIG. 15 shows a charging circuit for an electrolytic battery
25, which may be a nickel metal hydride battery of the type
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,670, but which includes a
current reversal circuit of the type illustrated in FIG. 4 for
reversing the direction of currents in the positive electrodes
26 and the negative electrodes 27. The illustrated current
reversal prevents asymmetric accumulation of ions on the
electrodes, and therefore reduces wear caused by excessive
heating, while the multi-directional current in the electrolyte
reduces buildup of electrolytic reactants on the terminals. In
addition, in the case of a nickel metal hydride battery, the
current reversal facilitates absorption of hydrogen by the
nickel material.

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternate switching circuit for
batteries of the type illustrated in FIG. 15, with the
electrodes 28 30 connected in series.

Operation of the battery can be further improved by adding a
current reversing discharge circuit to the current reversing
charging circuit to prevent excess wear due to asymmetric
discharge currents. As illustrated in FIG. 17, discharge of a
battery 32 is synchronized to the phase of a motor 33 by means
of a synchronizer control 34 and motor commutating switches SWA
to SWD. In this embodiment, switches SW1 to SW4 operate in the
same manner as the corresponding switches of the water
electrolysis system or hydrogen generator illustrated in FIG. 4.
A timing diagram for the synchronized charge and discharge of
the battery of FIG. 17 is included in FIGS. 18(a) to 18(j).

It will be appreciated that the principles of the invention may
be applied to a variety of different types of batteries,
including hydrogen batteries as well as the illustrated nickel
metal hydride battery, and the invention is not to be limited to
a particular type of battery.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate application of the principles of the
invention to an electromagnetic device such as an
electromagnetic projectile launcher 40 (FIG. 19) or a piston
driver 50 (FIG. 20). In each of these devices, two electrodes 41
and 42 are arranged coaxially and oppositely wound to generate a
magnetic flux in a common direction. The reversing DC currents
are supplied to the coils by a battery 43 of the type
illustrated in FIG. 15 through switches SW1 to SW4, with oxygen
and hydrogen being generated by electrolysis and separated by a
membrane 44. The oxygen (O.sub.2) and hydrogen (H.sub.2) are
discharged via respective outlets 45 and 46 to a fuel cell 47
which generates electricity for use in charging the battery 43
through charging circuit 48 when the devices are in a standby
state, and for driving the projectile (PROJECTILE) shown in FIG.
19 or piston (50) shown in FIG. 20 when the devices are active.

FIG. 21 shows details of a cold cathode light 52 having
electrodes 53 56 alternately supplied with a high voltage AC
current through switches SW1 to SW4. In this application, the
current in the lighting medium (GAS) switches direction because
it alternately flows between electrode pairs 53,55 and 54,56
rather than because of current reversals within the electrodes.

FIG. 22 shows a plasma generator having a switching circuit
identical to that shown in FIG. 4, but in which the current
carrying medium is a gas, the current reversals in the
electrodes 58 and 59 generating a multidirectional current in
the gas that increases the rate and uniformity of plasma
generation.

In addition to the numerous different applications described
above, the configuration and number of the electrodes may be
varied in a variety of ways without departing from the scope of
the invention. For example, more than two electrodes may be
included, such as the three electrodes 60 62 shown in FIG. 23,
or the electrodes may be interleaved as illustrated in FIGS. 24
and 25. FIG. 25 shows the additional feature of an external
light source 64 for further increasing the rate of gas
production, as described in US Patent Published Patent
Application No. 2002/0060161 (entitled Photo-Assisted
Electrolysis) in an electrolysis cell 65 that can be used as
part of, or to enhance, a regenerative solar electricity
generating system, and that uses planar coiled electrodes 66 and
67 arranged in a jelly roll configuration. FIG. 26 illustrates
an alternate gas separation system in a multiple electrode
electrolysis cell corresponding to the one illustrated in the
above cited copending patent application, and that uses multiple
membranes 68 housing or bagging alternate electrodes.

The principles of the invention may also be applied to various
capacitive systems, as illustrated in FIGS. 29 37, by using a
material or structure 70 that permits passage of ions as a
dielectric separator between the electrodes E1,E2 of the
capacitor. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30, the
direction of currents between the two electrodes E1,E2 of a
single capacitor, or the respective electrodes E1,E2 of multiple
capacitors connected in series (FIG. 29) or parallel (FIG. 30),
may be reversed using four or more switches SW1 SW8 in the same
manner as described above in connection with FIG. 4. By
symmetrically charging and discharging the capacitors,
asymmetric heat build-up in the electrodes is prevented,
improving performance and extending the life of the capacitors.

The capacitors to which the principles of the invention are
applied may take, of course, a variety of forms, and are not
limited to a particular electrode geometric or specific
electrode or dielectric materials. FIG. 31, for example, shows a
jelly roll capacitor configuration similar to the jelly roll
configuration of the electrodes in the electrolytic cell of FIG.
25.

As especially advantageous application of the principles of the
invention to capacitive systems is the thrust module illustrated
in FIGS. 32 and 33, which improves upon the thrust module
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,310 by varying the direction of
currents applied to high voltage electrode plate 72, thereby
enabling the thrust direction to be varied. In this
configuration, the negative electrode 74 has switch terminals at
each end, in a manner similar to the other embodiments of the
invention, but the positive electrodes have additional switch
terminals SW1 SW8 so as to enable the direction of current in
the dielectric 76 to not only be reversed, but also to change
angular position and thereby the thrust angle, depending on
which pairs of switches are operated.

FIG. 34 illustrates a variation of the thrust module of FIGS.
32 and 33, in which current is supplied by a high voltage source
84 to electrodes 80 and 81, which coaxially surround dielectric
material 83, through current-direction reversing switches SW1
SW4, and the resulting EMF pulses in electrodes 80 and 81 are
captured by a coil 85 to produce a voltage when the current
changes direction, thereby generating magnetic fields to create
a thrust force.

Capacitors or capacitor circuits of the type illustrated in
FIGS. 29 33 may also be used in a variety of other capacitor
circuits, such as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 35 37. FIG. 35
shows an RLC circuit that charges when the direction of current
is changed using switches SW1 and SW4, while FIG. 36 shows a
tuner circuit for a transmitter in which the current change
amplifies the transmitted signal on both the plus and minus
sides of the circuit, and FIG. 37 shows an alternative capacitor
construction and circuit in which the capacitance is controlled
by the adjusted electrolyte 90 in which the capacitor electrodes
91,92 are immersed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in any of the
above-described embodiments and implementations of the
invention, both the manner in which the current is caused to
alternate direction in the electrodes, and the timing and
magnitude of the EMF pulses, can be varied according to the
principles of the invention. For example, FIGS. 27(a) 27(f) are
timing diagrams of a variation of the preferred switching system
in which opening and closing of switches SW1 and SW4 is delayed
relative to closing and opening of switches SW2 and SW3. On the
other hand, FIG. 28 illustrates a variation of the apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 3, in which center taps and switches SW19
and SW20 are added to enable manipulation or softening of the
EMF pulses in the electrodes.

In addition to the illustrated applications, other potential
applications of the principles of the invention are as follows:

The electrolytic cell illustrated in FIG. 4 or an analogous
switched semiconductor device could also be used as a type of
computing device in which sensors monitor the direction of
current flow. Instead of using Boolean logic, the computer would
use the current flow sensors to sense directions, with zero
current to 0, and different current directions to +1, +2, +3,
and so forth. In addition, the transistors that change the
direction of the current may be part of a ladder logic equation
and for setting the timing and logic expression, for example by
performing a flip flop function timed with current flow.

Another possible application is to use the currents to reduce
radioactive waste of spent nuclear fuel by attaching the
electron orbits of spent fuel in a multi-dimensional oscillating
electric field, or a polarity reversing multi-dimensional
electric field.

It will be appreciated that one can build an electromagnetic
generator that will produce multi-directional currents and
corresponding voltages, rather than converting the currents or
voltages from another DC or AC voltage. Also, mechanical cam
switching can create multi-directional currents and
corresponding voltages, and one can similarly build motor that
will run on new the voltages.

Finally, yet another possible application of the invention is
to enhance dehydration of a porous material using
electro-osmosis as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,117,295 and
6,372,109.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention
in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make
and use the invention, it will nevertheless be appreciated that
numerous variations and modifications of the illustrated
embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention, and it is intended that the invention not be limited
by the above description or accompanying drawings, but that it
be defined solely in accordance with the appended claims.

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**US Patent # 6,890,410**

**[ [PDF Format](us6890410.pdf)
]**

**Apparatus for converting a fluid into at
least two gasses through electrolysis**

**SULLIVAN, JOHN T.**

**Classification: -** international: C25B1/04; C25B9/06;
C25B9/08; C25B9/10; C25B11/02; C25B13/00; C25B1/00; C25B9/06;
C25B11/00; C25B13/00; (IPC1-7): C25B1/02; - european: C25B1/04;
C25B9/06; C25B9/08; C25B9/10; C25B11/02; C25B13/00

**Abstract:** An electrolysis conversion system for
converting liquid to gas, such as water into hydrogen and
oxygen, includes a housing in which are housed encapsulated and
non-encapsulated electrodes in any one of side-by-side, rolled
or folded relationship. The electrodes are immersed in an
electrolyte, water or the like and are appropriately
electrically connected to positive and negative sides of an
energy source. The encapsulation material of the encapsulated
electrodes can be substantially conductive or non-conductive to
either ion flow or electron flow and either substantially
non-porous or porous to gas bubbles with the option of utilizing
spacers to prevent arcing and thereby generate hydrogen and
oxygen from the water/electrolyte. The encapsulating media is
either a folded flexible sheet heat sealed along three edges,
two sheets heat sealed along four edges, a tube heat sealed
along opposite axial edges or a coating dip-coated,
electro-deposited, silk screen coated or similarly applied to
the electrode which is preferably porous and can either be rigid
or relatively bendable/flexible.

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