The invention relates to a method and a device for producing elementary oxygen or for increasing the concentration thereof in the inhaled air of a user. According to the invention, water is split into hydrogen and elementary oxygen by means of electrical energy (electrolysis), the elementary oxygen
The invention relates to a method and a device for producing elementary oxygen or for increasing the concentration thereof in the inhaled air of a user. According to the invention, water is split into hydrogen and elementary oxygen by means of electrical energy (electrolysis), the elementary oxygen is mixed with the inhaled air, and the hydrogen is mixed with the surrounding air in order to be converted back into water (fuel reaction). The splitting of the water into hydrogen and elementary oxygen and the conversion of the hydrogen and surrounding air into water take place simultaneously and continuously, forming a reaction circuit, and are coupled to each other, the electrical energy produced during the conversion being used to reduce the energy demand for the splitting. To this end, an electrolyzer outfit for splitting water into hydrogen and elementary oxygen, and a fuel cell for converting the hydrogen and the surrounding air into water are electrically connected in such a way that they can conduct liquids.
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The invention of claimed is: 1. Method for increasing concentration of oxygen in respired air, comprising electrolyzing water into oxygen and hydrogen; mixing the oxygen from the electrolyzing step with respired air; reacting the hydrogen from the electrolyzing step by a fuel reaction with oxygen f
The invention of claimed is: 1. Method for increasing concentration of oxygen in respired air, comprising electrolyzing water into oxygen and hydrogen; mixing the oxygen from the electrolyzing step with respired air; reacting the hydrogen from the electrolyzing step by a fuel reaction with oxygen from ambient air to form water and produce electrical energy, wherein the step of electrolyzing and the step of reacting take place simultaneously and continuously to comprise a reaction cycle; and cycling at least a portion of the electrical energy produced by the reacting step for use in the electrolyzing step thereby reducing the amount of electrical energy required to be supplied by an external source for the electrolyzing step. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising cycling at least a portion of the water produced by the fuel reaction to the electrolyzing. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising supplying electrical energy required for starting and/or maintaining the reaction cycle, from a source of electrical energy other than the electrical energy produced by the step of reacting. 4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical energy required for starting and/or maintaining the reaction cycle, is supplied exclusively from the reacting step or with a separate additional fuel reaction to which additional hydrogen that does not originate from the electrolysis is supplied for reaction with oxygen from ambient air. 5. The method of claim 4, comprising producing the hydrogen for the additional fuel reaction from methanol. 6. Method for increasing the concentration of oxygen in respired air, comprising splitting water by application of electrical energy and catalysis into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions, combining the oxygen ions from the splitting step to form oxygen O2 and emit electrons; admixing the oxygen from the combining step with respired air; and reacting catalytically the hydrogen ions from the splitting step with the emitted electrons from the combining step and oxygen from ambient air to form water, wherein the splitting step, the combining step, the admixing step and the reacting step take place simultaneously and continuously to comprise a reaction cycle. 7. The method of claim 6, comprising cycling at least a portion of the water produced by the reaction of the hydrogen atoms with the oxygen from the ambient air and the electrons to the splitting step. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, comprising supplying at least a portion of electrical energy required for commencing and/or maintaining the reaction cycle, from a source of electrical energy other than the electrical energy produced by the step of reacting. 9. The method of claim 6 or 7, comprising supplying at least a portion of electrical energy required for commencing and/or maintaining the reaction cycle, from a separate fuel reaction to which additional hydrogen that does not originate from the splitting step is supplied for reaction with oxygen from ambient air. 10. The method of claim 9, comprising producing the hydrogen for the separate fuel reaction from methanol. 11. Apparatus for increasing concentration of oxygen in respired air, comprising an oxygen generating unit, a source of electrical energy, a feed conduit from the generating unit to a user and an electronic control unit which controls mixing of the generated oxygen with air respired by the user. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the generating unit comprises an electrolyzer for splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein the source of electric energy comprises at least one of a battery and a alternating current electrical power supply connection. 14. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein the source of electrical energy comprises a separate fuel cell. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fuel cell is a direct methanol fuel cell. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a disposable or reusable cartridge system for the methanol. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a refillable or exchangeable fuel storage system connected to the separate fuel cell. 18. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, further comprising, situated between the oxygen generating unit and the feed conduit, an integrated or removable oxygen storage system in which the oxygen generated by the generating unit, is collected and removal from which is controlled by the electronic control unit for mixing with the respired air. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising, connected to the electronic control unit, sensors for measuring oxygen required by the user. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein all or respective portions of the apparatus are in stationary or mobile form. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a source of electrical energy and wherein the generating unit, the oxygen storage system, the feed conduit and the electronic control unit comprise a mobile unit and the source of electrical energy comprises a stationary unit and the mobile and stationary units are adapted to be connected to one another for generating and storing oxygen. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the stationary unit further comprises a connection for water. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a pressure reducer provided between the oxygen storage system and the feed conduit, wherein the oxygen storage system is a pressurized storage system. 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the oxygen storage system is a pressurized oxygen storage system. 25. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the oxygen generating unit is comprised of an electrolyzer for splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen: and a fuel cell for reacting hydrogen with oxygen from ambient air to form water, the fuel cell and electrolyzer being coupled together for transfer of fluids and electrically in such a manner that at least a portion of electrical energy produced by the fuel cell is used to decrease energy required by the electrolyzer and at least a portion of the water produced by the fuel cell is cycled to the electrolyzer. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein at least one of the electrolyzer and the fuel cell is constructed as a polymer electrolyte membrane cell. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a refillable or exchangeable fuel storage device connected to the fuel cell. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a fuel reformer connected to the fuel storage device. 29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the hydrogen storage device comprises a metal hydride. 30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the hydrogen storage device comprises a device for storing hydrogen under pressure. 31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the electrolyzer and the fuel cell are combined in a single cell. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the single cell is a polymer electrolyte membrane cell.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
Schoen Neil C., Compact man-portable emergency oxygen supply system.
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