Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Utility Patent
1994-06-01
2001-01-02
Valentine, Donald R. (Department: 1741)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
C204S228600, C204S229800, C204S230200, C204S230800, C204S240000, C204S252000, C204S257000, C204S264000
Utility Patent
active
06168692
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an apparatus for generating water containing alkali ions. This invention specifically relates to an apparatus for electrolyzing source water such as city water or well water into alkali ion water (water containing alkali ions) and acid ion water (water containing acid ions).
2. Description of the Prior Art
Water containing alkali ions is used as drink or medical water. Water containing acid ions is used for makeup or sterilizing and cleaning purposes. It is known to electrolyze source water such as city water or well water into alkali ion water and acid ion water.
A typical prior-art water adjuster using electrolysis includes a filtering section provided with activated charcoal or a hollow fiber membrane. The filtering section removes impurities, bacteria, and remaining chlorine from source water. The filtering section is followed by a mineral supply section which adds mineral such as calcium glycerophosphate to the source water to increase the electric conductivity of the source water. The mineral supply section is followed by an electrolytic cell having a pair of chambers separated by a diaphragm from each other. Electrodes are disposed in the chambers respectively. The source water flows into the chambers from the mineral supplying section. A dc voltage is applied between the electrodes so that the source water in the chambers is electrolyzed into alkali ion water and acid ion water.
In the prior-art water adjuster, the pH of the generated alkali ion water and the pH of the generated acid ion water can be adjusted by changing the magnitude of the dc voltage applied between the electrodes. In the case where the prior-art water adjuster restarts after a long-period suspension of operation, the electrolytic cell tends to be supplied with water containing a large amount of mineral or highly-conductive water so that the electrolytic cell is liable to receive an excessively-great electric current. Such an excessively-great electric current causes an instability in the pH of generated alkali ion water and the pH of generated acid ion water.
Japanese published unexamined patent application 53-88666 discloses a potable water generator having an electrolytic cell for changing neutral water into alkali ion water and acid ion water. The prior-art potable water generator includes a circuit for limiting an electric current flowing in the electrolytic cell.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for generating alkali ion water.
A first aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for generating alkali ion water which comprises an electrolytic cell; at least two electrodes disposed in the electrolytic cell; a diaphragm disposed in the electrolytic cell and extending between the electrodes; means for supplying a dc voltage to the electrodes; and means for varying a mean value of the dc voltage at a given inclination.
A second aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for generating alkali ion water which comprises means for filtering source water; means, connected to the filtering means, for supplying mineral to the source water; an electrolytic cell connected to the mineral supplying means; at least two electrodes disposed in the electrolytic cell; a diaphragm disposed in the electrolytic cell and extending between the electrodes; means for supplying a dc voltage to the electrodes; and means for varying a mean value of the dc voltage at a given inclination.
A third aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for generating alkali ion water which comprises means for filtering source water; means, connected to the filtering means, for supplying mineral to the source water; an electrolytic cell connected to the mineral supplying means; at least two electrodes disposed in the electrolytic cell; a diaphragm disposed in the electrolytic cell and extending between the electrodes; first detecting means for detecting an ac current and generating a signal representative thereof; means for deriving a dc voltage from the ac current and supplying the dc voltage to the electrodes; second detecting means for detecting a mean value of the dc voltage in response to the signal generated by the first detecting means; means for determining a desired mean value of the dc voltage in response to a desired pH of generated ion water; means for comparing the mean value of the dc voltage which is detected by the second detecting means with a given range around the desired mean value; an indicator; and means for controlling the indicator in response to a result of comparison by the comparing means.
A fourth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for generating alkali ion water which comprises means for filtering source water; means, connected to the filtering means, for supplying mineral to the source water; an electrolytic cell connected to the mineral supplying means and having an outlet; at least two electrodes disposed in the electrolytic cell; a diaphragm disposed in the electrolytic cell and extending between the electrodes; a discharge passage; a drain passage; means for selectively connecting the outlet of the electrolytic cell to the discharge passage or the drain passage; means for supplying a dc voltage to the electrodes; and means for varying a mean value of the dc voltage at a given inclination.
A fifth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for generating alkali ion water which comprises means for filtering source water; means, connected to the filtering means, for supplying mineral to the source water; an electrolytic cell connected to the mineral supplying means and having an outlet; at least two electrodes disposed in the electrolytic cell; a diaphragm disposed in the electrolytic cell and extending between the electrodes; a discharge passage; a drain passage; means for selectively connecting the outlet of the electrolytic cell to the discharge passage or the drain passage; first detecting means for detecting an ac current and generating a signal representative thereof; means for deriving a dc voltage from the ac current and supplying the dc voltage to the electrodes; second detecting means for detecting a mean value of the dc voltage in response to the signal generated by the first detecting means; means for determining a desired mean value of the dc voltage in response to a desired pH of generated ion water; means for comparing the mean value of the dc voltage which is detected by the second detecting means with a given range around the desired mean value; an indicator; and means for controlling the indicator in response to a result of comparison by the comparing means.
A sixth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for generating alkali ion water which comprises means for filtering source water; means, connected to the filtering means, for supplying mineral to the source water; an electrolytic cell connected to the mineral supplying means and having an outlet; at least two electrodes disposed in the electrolytic cell; a diaphragm disposed in the electrolytic cell and extending between the electrodes; a discharge passage; a drain passage; means for selectively connecting the outlet of the electrolytic cell to the discharge passage or the drain passage; first detecting means for detecting an ac current and generating a signal representative thereof; means for deriving a dc voltage from the ac current and supplying the dc voltage to the electrodes; second detecting means for detecting a mean value of the dc voltage in response to the signal generated by the first detecting means; third detecting means for detecting an inclination in a variation in the mean value of the dc voltage in response to the mean value of the dc voltage which is detected by the second detecting means; means for increasing the mean value of the dc voltage at an inclination; and means for controlling the inclination in a range of 18 V/second to 9 V/second in response to the inclination detected by the third detecting means; means for determining a desire
Nagase Narumi
Sakai Toshisuke
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
McDermott & Will & Emery
Valentine Donald R.
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