The Next Step in
Energy Production, Engines and Lighting
by Jerry W. Decker for KeelyNet
The late Henry "Dad" Garrett was a multi-talented Dallas inventor with a bent for electrical contrivances, and in 1935, he and his son, C.H. Garrett, patented and exhibited an automobile that ran on water -- actually, on hydrogen after the water was broken down by electrolysis. Dad Garrett was already famous for his work. In 1920 he set up WRR in Dallas, the world's first municipal radio station, and was its first announcer. He was the first man to build a radio in his car, and he developed radio transmission from the car for police use. He also invented an automatic electric traffic signal, possibly the nation's first. Eugene P. Aldredge recalled the Garretts: "I had rented a small office on the seventh floor of the Allen building in downtown Dallas for my letter service, and one of my early customers was the eighteenth floor National Electric Signal Co. owned by Dad Garrett and son C.H.. "I was informed that the two were experimenting with an automobile that used water for fuel, that they carried on their experiments in a workshop adjacent to their office on the top floor, and that two separate explosions (from dangerous hydrogen) had nearly blown a hole in the roof of the building...Neither was hurt." On September 8, 1935, The Dallas Morning News first announced that the water-fuel concept worked -- at least it worked for "several minutes," the article reported. A few months later, Pathe' News filmed the car driving along Garland Road with the driver stopping at White Rock Lake to fill the fuel tank with water before cruising off. In 1970, Karen Klinefelter wrote, "Aptly enough, the film was shown on Pathe's Stranger than Fiction feature program." C.H. Garrett said the only items needed to convert a gasoline-engine auto to a water burner was an electrolytic carburetor and installation of a generator of double normal capacity for the breaking down of the water. He claimed instant starts in any weather, no fire hazards, cooler operation and plenty of power and speed. The car was not marketed, and no one seems to know its ultimate destiny. Both Garretts died a number of years ago.The original September 8, 1935 article that I found on microfilm in the Dallas Library.[A.C. Greene is an author and Texas historian who lives in Salado.]
Dallasite Patents Invention
Which He Claims Substitutes
Water for Gasoline as FuelC.H. Garrett, Dallas inventor, gave a private demonstration Saturday of a recently patented contrivance which he said substituted water for gasoline as fuel for internal combustion engines. He said it broke up the water by electrolysis into its component gases, oxygen and hydrogen, using the highly explosive hydrogen for fuel in the motor cylinder. The working model operated a four-cylinder engine for several minutes in the demonstration, at varying speeds and with several starts and stops. Garrett said he had operated the engine continuously for more than forty-eight hours. The inventor said the idea itself was not new. He explained that difficulty had been encountered heretofore in attempts to store the dangerously inflammable hydrogen. He claimed to have AVOIDED that trouble by making and exploding the gas in the SAME PROCESS without a storage chamber in which the flames from the motor cylinders might react. Water, he explained, is broken down into its component gases by passage of an electric current through it from electrodes immersed in the water. Hydrogen collects at the negative pole and oxygen at the positive. The hydrogen, Garrett said, is MIXED WITH AIR (78% nitrogen and other gases...Vanguard) and introduced DIRECTLY INTO THE CYLINDERS. The inventor said he had been working on the device for eight years, assisted by his father, Henry Garrett, traffic signal engineer for the city of Dallas, inventor of the traffic signal system, now in use here and holder of several patents on such contrivances. Garrett said attachment of the electrolytic carburetor and installation of a generator of about DOUBLE normal capacity to furnish power for the breaking down of the water were the only changes needed to convert a gasoline burning automobile into a WATER BURNER! He said the electrolysis chamber would have to VARY IN SIZE with the size of the motor used. One of ABOUT A QUART CAPACITY being big enough for the ordinary automobile. He claimed instantaneous starting in any weather, elimination of fire hazards, cooler motor operation and fulfilling of all motor requirements in power and speed.
Ignition Temperature of Fuels in Air
Combustible Formula Temperature in Fahrenheit
Sulfur S 470
Charcoal C 650
Fixed Carbon (coal) C 765 to 1115 (depending on type)
Acetylene C H 580 to 825
2 2
Ethane C H 880 to 1165
2 6
Ethylene C H 900 to 1020
2 4
Hydrogen H 1065 to 1095
2
Methane CH 1170 to 1380
4
Carbon Monoxide CO 1130 to 1215
Kerosine 490 to 560
Gasoline 500 to 800
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Combustible High Btu High Btu. % other gases for
per pound per cubic foot Combustion lb for lb
Oxygen Nitrogen Air
Hydrogen 61,095 325 7.94 26.41 34.34
Propane 2,524 21,669 3.63 12.07 15.70
Butane 3,271 21,321 3.58 11.91 15.49
--------------------------------------------------------------------
When ignited, hydrogen burns in air with a pale blue to colorless, nonluminous
flame, yielding H20. When mixed with air, the flammability limit is 4-74%
hydrogen. When mixed with oxygen, the flammability limit is 4-94% hydrogen.
Care must always be exercised where there may be hydrogen mixtures with air or
oxygen because VIOLENT EXPLOSIONS may occur. So we now understand that
hydrogen burns with a very hot, explosive and yet invisible flame.
To date, the cost has been prohibitive for providing commercial home type
uses. Not to mention the generally accepted yet quite faulty idea of a
CENTRALIZED source of power distribution. Such reliance on central systems
simply sustains the current need for each of us to be dependent and
supportive of these very large institutions.
Eventually, society will see how freedom, independence and prosperity will
come from the LOCAL generation of power and food wherever possible.
The high temperatures produced when hydrogen reacts with oxygen or fluorine,
plus the low molecular weights of the product gases, have made hydrogen a
prime fuel for rocket propulsion, since rocket thrust increases directly
with the temperature and inversely with the molecular weight of the exhaust
gases.
Some studies have indicated that the cost of transporting and distributing
hydrogen by pipeline may be less than the cost of transporting and
distributing electric power. Presumably existing natural gas pipelines and
distribution systems can be adapted to the use of hydrogen.
Although hydrogen has a net heating value of only 275 Btus per cubic foot, as
compared with 913 Btus per cubic foot for methane, the lower density and
viscosity of hydrogen make it possible for a pipeline to deliver about
the same amount of thermal energy as with methane, at a somewhat higher
compression cost.
The thermal energy in hydrogen can be utilized more efficiently in home
heating than natural gas, because hydrogen can be burned in nonconventional
heaters, with no loss of heat, since its only primary combustion
product is water. By using flameless catalytic heaters, nitrogen oxide
can be eliminated. However, oxygen depletion of closed spaces will
still present a hazard.
Hydrogen mixed with gasoline has generated as much as a 50% improvement in
overall efficiency. A test motorcar obtained 19 miles per pound of
hydrogen. However, since liquid hydrogen weighs only 0.58 pound per
gallon, the mileage figure was 11 miles per gallon of liquid hydrogen.
The use of liquid hydrogen as a motor fuel thus presents several major
problems despite its basic attractions.
Patented July 2, 1935 2,006,676
United States Patent Office
2,006,676
Electrolytic Carburetor
Charles H. Garrett, Dallas, Texas
Application July 1, 1932, Serial No. 620,364
Renewed November 30, 1934
5 Claims (Cl. 204-5)
This invention relates to carburetors and it has particular
reference to an electrolytic carburetor by means of which water may
be broken up into its hydrogen and oxygen constituents and the gases
so formed suitably mixed with air.
The principal object of the invention is to provide in a device of
the character described, a mechanism by means of which water may be
readily decomposed into its constituents, and the constituents
intimately mixed with each other and with air.
Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the
electrolyte level in the carburetor may be maintained at a more or
less constant level regardless of fluctuations in fluid pressure at
the fluid inlet of the carburetor.
Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the
relative amount of air mixed with the hydrogen and oxygen may be
regulated as desired.
Still another object of the invention is the provision of means to
prevent loss of hydrogen and oxygen gases during periods in which
these gases are not being drawn from the carburetor.
Still another object of the invention is the provision of means
whereby the hydrogen and oxygen resulting from electrolysis may be
formed in separate compartments, and a further object of the
invention is the provision of means to periodically reverse the
direction of current flow and thereby alternate the evolution of the
gases in the separate compartments, to be later intermingled.
With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has
particular reference to its salient features of construction and
arrangement of parts, taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, wherein: -
Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of one form of carburetor.
Figure 2 is a modified form.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a pole changer, showing its
actuating mechanism, and
Figure 4 is a wiring diagram for the modified form of carburetor
shown in Figure 2.
Continuing more in detail with the drawings, reference is primarily
directed to Figure 1 in which the reference numeral 1 designates the
carburetor housing, which is preferably constructed of bakelite or
other suitable insulating material. The housing 1 is so designed as
to divide the carburetor into a float chamber 2 and gas generating
chamber 4, connected by a fluid passage 3.
Water UNDER PRESSURE is FORCED into the carburetor through an
opening 5 which communicates with the float chamber 2 through the
medium of the sediment chamber 6 and the needle valve orifice 7,
which is closed by a needle valve 8 when the device is not in
operation. A float 9 surrounds the needle valve 8 and is free to
move vertically relative thereto. Depending from the cover 10 to
the float chamber 2 are two ears 11, located at spaced intervals on
opposite sides of the needle valve 8. The members 12 are pivoted to
the ears 11, as shown. The weighted outer ends of the members 12
rest on top of the float 9, and their inner ends are received in an
annular groove in the collar 13 which is rigidly attached to the
needle valve 8.
Within the gas generating chamber 4, a series of spaced, depending
plates 14 are suspended from a horizontal member 15 to which a wire
16 has electrical contact through the medium of the bolt 17, which
extends inwardly through the housing 1 and is threaded into the
horizontal member 15.
A second series of plates 18 is located intermediate the plates 14
and attached to the horizontal member 19, and has electrical contact
with the wire 20 through the bolt 21.
A gas passageway 22, in which a butterfly valve 23 is located,
communicates with the gas generating chamber 4 through an orifice
24. An air inlet chamber 25 has communication with the gas
passageway 22 above the orifice 24. A downwardly opening check
valve 26 is in control of the openings 27, and is held inoperatively
closed by means of light spring 28.
An adjustable auxiliary air valve 29 is provided in the wall of the
gas passageway 22, which air valve is closed by the butterfly valve
23 when the butterfly valve is closed, but communicates with the
outside air when the butterfly valve is open.
The operation of the device is as follows :
The chambers 2 and 4 are first filled to the level 'a' with a
solution of weak sulphuric acid or other electrolyte not changed by
the passage of current therethrough, and the opening 5 is connected
to a tank of water, not shown.
The wire 16 is next connected to the positive pole of a storage
battery or other source of direct current and the wire 20 to the
negative pole. Since the solution within the carburetor is a
conductor of electricity, current will flow therethrough and
hydrogen will be given off from the negative or cathode plates 18
and oxygen from the positive or anode plates 14.
The butterfly valve 23 is opened and the gas passageway 22 brought
into communication with a partial vacuum. Atmospheric pressure
acting on the top of the check valve 26 causes it to be forced
downwardly as shown in dotted lines. The hydrogen and oxygen
liberated from the water at the plates 18 and 14 are drawn upwardly
through the orifice 24 covered by the check valve 30 where they are
subsequently mixed with air entering through the openings 27 and
through the auxiliary air valve 29.
When it is desired to reduce the flow of hydrogen and oxygen from
the plates 18 and 14, the current flowing through the device is
reduced, and when the current is interrupted the flow ceases. When
the butterfly valve 23 is moved to closed position, the check valve
26 is automatically closed by the spring 28. Any EXCESS GAS given
off during these operations IS STORED in the space above the fluid
where it is ready for subsequent use.
Water is converted into its gaseous constituents by the device
herein described, but the dilute sulphuric acid or other suitable
electrolyte in the carburetor REMAINS UNCHANGED, since it is not
destroyed by electrolysis, and the parts in contact therewith are
made of bakelite and lead or other material not attacked by the
electrolyte.
The structure shown in Figure 2 is substantially the same as that
shown in Figure 1 with the exception that the modified structure
embraces a larger gas generating chamber which is divided by means
of an insulating plate 31 and is further provided with a depending
baffle plate 32 which separates the gas generating chamber 33 from
the float chamber 34 in which the float 35 operates in the same
manner as in Figure 1. Moreover, the structure shown in Figure 2
provides a series of spaced depending plates 36 which are
electrically connected to the wire 37, and a second series of
similar plates 38 which are electrically connected to the wire 39
and are spaced apart from the plates 36 by the insulating plate 31.
Gases generated on the surfaces of the plates 36 and 38 pass upward
through the orifice 39a into the gas passageway 40 where they are
mixed with air as explained in the description of Figure 1.
A pipe 51 bent as shown in Figure 2 passes downwardly through the
housing of the carburetor and has a series of spaced apertures 'a'
in its horizontal portion beneath the plates 36 and 38. An upwardly
opening check valve 53 is in control of the air inlet 54. When a
partial vacuum exists in the chamber 33, air is drawn in through the
opening 54 and subsequently passes upwardly through the apertures
'a'. This air tends to remove any bubbles of gas collecting on the
plates 36 and 38 and also tends to cool the electrolyte. The check
valve 53 automatically closes when a gas pressure exists within the
carburetor and thereby prevents the electrolyte from being forced
out of the opening 54.
In order to provide for alternate evolution of the gases from the
plates 36 and 38, a pole changer 41, shown in Figure 3 is provided,
which is actuated periodically by the motor 42 which drives the worm
43 and the gear 44 and causes oscillations of the member 45 which is
connected by a spring 46 to the arm 47, thereby causing the pole
changer to snap from one position to the other.
In operation, the carburetor shown in Figure 2 is connected as shown
in the wiring diagram of Figure 4. A storage battery 48 or other
suitable source of direct current is connected to a variable
rheostat 49, switch 50, pole changer 41 and to the carburetor as
shown. Thus the rate of evolution of the gases can be controlled by
the setting of the rheostat 49 and the desired alternate evolution
of the gases in the compartments of the carburetor is accomplished
by means of the periodically operated pole changer 41.
Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable
modification and such modification as is considered within the scope
and meaning of the appended claims is also considered within the
spirit and intent of the invention.
What is claimed is:
1) An electrolytic carburetor including an anode and a cathode,
float means to control the level of the electrolyte within
said carburetor, means to mix the gases resulting from
electrolysis with air, and a check valve independent of said
float means to control ingress of air to said carburetor.
2) An electrolytic carburetor including anode and cathode plates,
a float actuated valve in control of the electrolyte level
within said carburetor, means to mix the gases resulting from
electrolysis with air, a check valve in control of said means,
a second check valve independent of said float actuated valve
to prevent loss of gases from said carburetor.
3) An electrolytic carburetor for producing mixtures of hydrogen,
oxygen and air, including a series of spaced and electrically
connected anode plates partially immersed in the electrolyte
within said carburetor, a series of electrically connected
cathode plates spaced between said anode plates, a float
operated valve in control of the electrolyte level within said
carburetor, an air inlet to said carburetor and a check valve
in control of said air inlet.
4) An electrolytic carburetor for generating hydrogen and oxygen
gases from water and for mixing said gases with air, including
an anode and cathode paritally immersed in an electrolyte
within said carburetor, float actuated means to replace the
water consumed whereby to maintain a constant fluid level
within said device, means for mixing the said gases with air,
and a check valve in control of said latter means.
5) An electrolytic carburetor including an anode and a cathode,
float actuated means to control the level of the electrolyte
within said carburetor, means to mix the gases resulting from
electrolysis with air, a check valve in control of said latter
means and means to periodically reverse the direction of
current through said carburetor.
Charles H. Garrett
Hydrogen is EXPLOSIVE! Hydrogen is INVISIBLE WHEN IT IS BURNING! Resonance of water molecules at high amplitudes could possibly EXPLODE the hydrogen/oxygen bond (refer DANART1 on KeelyNet)! In a chamber filled with water, this could be DISASTROUS, possibly leading to a chain reaction!! So take every possible precaution if you choose to experiment with sonics!!!
We here at Vanguard Sciences/KeelyNet and our Associates believe in and practice the free and open release of information relating to energy production, health and gravity control technologies. Such information should not be monopolized, suppressed or otherwise restricted from benefitting the public at large. If you choose to experiment with this device, we urge you to be extremely careful and would greatly appreciate your findings or comments. We will also report on what we find, perhaps with many minds and approaches, this can yet be a viable project. Hybridizing of many techniques to achieve an end result is THE WAY! Imagine, one simple process that can provide:Are we so collectively stupid that we can't duplicate today what was done almost 60 years ago and improve on it? Please pass this around freely and reprint it if you want.
- 1) heat - through the burning of hydrogen/oxygen
- 2) power for local energy generation - the explosive energy to drive a piston to drive a shaft to drive a generator. That generator charges a battery network which feeds an inverter (converts DC to AC) to run your house
- 3) motive power for transport power - explosive energy drives the piston to drive your vehicle
- 4) light - condoluminescence - hydrogen/oxygen exposed to phosphor coated surfaces for light generation
- 5) sound amplification - flame speakers where flame is electrostatically deflected at audio rates to produce sound, the hydrogen/oxygen mix is generated LOCALLY rather than using bottled gases such as propane, butane, etc.
Additional sites/items of interest;
Original Monoatomic Gas from Water Discoverer - 12/10/97
Yull Brown was NOT the first!! Professor Yull Brown
promoter of what is incorrectly called 'Brown's Gas' George Wiseman's Eagle R&D Page - 07/19/97
Excellent site for those who want to BUILD things that work! Wiseman has the right attitude, built it, test it, sell working plans to support MORE research. Support this guy, he is on target!!!
In a recent communication, George says he has GREATLY IMPROVED the oxy/hyd welding machines sold by Yull Brown, much smaller, and far greater gaseous output for the power applied. BlackLight Power Home - Hydrogen power Off Grid Appliance power requirements - 12/27/97