Abstract:
A water treatment system using magnetism and far infrared technology comprising magnets and tubing coated with far infrared ceramic powder which subject water molecules to magnetic fields and far infrared wavelength energy to bend, stretch and disrupt hydrogen bonds and thereby facilitate removal of entangled impurities.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/374,538, filed Apr. 23, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to water purification systems, and more particularly, to an aquarium water treatment system incorporating the use of magnetism and far infrared technology.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    The use of magnetism and far infrared technology in the treatment of water is known. Both magnetism and far infrared technology facilitate removal of impurities from water by affecting atomic bonds within water molecules. Far infrared wavelength energy weakens the ionic bond of atoms and, within water molecules, causes hydrogen bonds to bend or stretch thereby allowing easier removal of entangled impurities. Likewise, magnetic fields act to disrupt hydrogen bonding which also allows for easier removal of impurities.  
           [0006]    The prior art includes water treatment devices using magnetism and far infrared technology separately or in arrangements unsuitable for use with an aquarium. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,210,535 and 4,836,932 to, respectively, Risk and Walsh disclose devices that use magnetism in the treatment of water. However, neither device also incorporates the use of far infrared technology nor is suitable for use with an aquarium.  
           [0007]    Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,674 to Kim et al. discloses a process for preparing the interior surface of an aquarium with debris-repellent properties. The process involves irradiating the interior surface with far infrared light and thereby creating an electron deficiency on the surface. Because most dirt particles adhere to surfaces by their central positive charge, the electron deficient surface repels such dirt particles. However, although the process prevents dirt particle accumulation on the interior surface of an aquarium, the process does not facilitate removal of impurities from water contained within an aquarium.  
           [0008]    Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,207 to Liu discloses “a generator of high oxygen molecule” which incorporates two magnets, infrared granules and oxygen-containing pebbles all contained within a cylinder. Automobile fuel or water is passed through the cylinder to increase oxygen content. Although the device includes magnets and far infrared granules, both the magnets and granules are contained within the cylinder and therefore impede the flow of liquid through the device. Furthermore, the infrared granules are not secured to the inside of the cylinder and thus are subject-to dislocation from the cylinder.  
           [0009]    Finally, Japanese Pat. No. JP2211288 to Kiyonori discloses a device for “activating water” in which water or a substance containing water is circulated through magnetic tubing and then collected in a tank containing a radiator that emits far infrared rays. The device, however, does not simultaneously apply magnetism and far infrared technology to water molecules.  
           [0010]    Thus, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The water treatment system using magnetism and far infrared technology subjects water molecules to magnetic fields and far infrared wavelength energy to facilitate the removal of impurities from aquarium water by bending, stretching or disrupting hydrogen bonds.  
           [0012]    The preferred embodiment of the device is comprised of tubing coated with far infrared ceramic powder, an outer sleeve, two end caps, epoxy and magnets. The tubing runs through the outer sleeve and is held in place by the two end caps. The magnets are secured between the tubing and the outer sleeve by epoxy.  
           [0013]    An alternative preferred embodiment is identical to the preferred embodiment except that a coil of electrical wire is used in place of magnets.  
           [0014]    A second alternative preferred embodiment of the device is comprised of two discs, several lengths of tubing running between the discs, magnets and epoxy. The inner surface of each length of tubing is coated with far infrared ceramic powder and the magnets are secured inside each tube with epoxy.  
           [0015]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to combine magnetic fields and far infrared technology in a single device that facilitates the removal of impurities from water contained in an aquarium, improves aquarium water clarity, and reduces the frequency of necessary water changes in an aquarium.  
           [0016]    It is also an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0017]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is an elevational perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view of the preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention in which magnetism is provided by a coil of electrical wire.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a elevational perspective view of a second alternative preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a front view of a second alternative preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a fragmented view of a tube from a second alternative preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view drawn along lines A-A of FIG. 8 of a second alternative preferred embodiment of a water purification system using magnetism and far infrared technology according to the present invention. 
     
    
       [0028]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    The present invention is a water treatment system that combines the use of magnetic fields and far infrared technology to facilitate the removal of impurities from water contained in an aquarium. Water processed by the device is subjected to magnetic fields and far infrared wavelengths which weaken or disrupt hydrogen bonding in water molecules and thereby facilitating removal of entangled impurities.  
         [0030]    Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 present environmental views of present invention, FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 shows an alternative preferred embodiment, and FIGS. 7 through 10 depict a second alternative preferred embodiment.  
         [0031]    As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the preferred embodiment  10  is comprised of a tube  11 , an outer sleeve  12 , two end caps  13  and  14 , a plurality of magnets  16  and epoxy  15 . The tube  11  is constructed of an acrylic material that can be penetrated by far infrared wavelength energy and its  11  outer surface is coated with far infrared ceramic powder. The tube  11  runs through the outer sleeve  12 . Each end cap  13  and  14  mates with one end of the tube  11  and one end of the outer sleeve  12  to form two watertight seals. Contained within the cavity  15  defined by the outer surface of the tube  11 , the two end caps  13  and  14 , and the inner surface of the outer sleeve  12 , are at least two rows of magnets  16 —each row of magnets positioned along the tube  11 . The cavity  15  is filled with epoxy which secures the magnets  16  and the coating far infrared ceramic powder in place. Water W passing through the tube  11  is subjected to a magnetic field and far infrared wavelength energy.  
         [0032]    An alternative preferred embodiment  30 , as shown in FIG. 6, is identical to the preferred embodiment except that the magnetic field is provided by a coil of electrical wire  36 . The cavity  35  defined by the outer surface of the tube  31 , the two end caps  33  and  34 , and the inner surface of the outer sleeve  32  is filled with epoxy which secures the coiled of electrical wire  36  in place.  
         [0033]    As shown in FIG. 1, either of the above two embodiments is used to facilitate the removal of impurities from aquarium water by installing the device  10 ,  30  between the aquarium pump P and the aquarium filter F.  
         [0034]    A second alternative preferred embodiment  50 , shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, is comprised of two discs  51  and  52 , a plurality of tubes  53 , a plurality of magnets  54 , and epoxy  55 . Each of the tubes  53  is constructed of an acrylic material that can be penetrated by far infrared wavelength energy and the inner surface of each tube  53  is coated with far infrared ceramic powder. One end of each tube  53  is secured to the bottom surface of one disc  51  and the other end of each tube  53  is secured to the top surface of the other disc  52 . The ends of each tube  53  mate to shallow cavities in each disc  51  and  52  to form watertight seals. A column of magnets  54  is positioned within each tube  53  and each tube is filled with epoxy  55  to secure the magnets  54  and the coating of far infrared ceramic powder in place. Water passing near to or coming in contact with the tubes  53  is subjected to magnetic fields and far infrared wavelength energy. As shown in FIG. 2, the device  50  is used to facilitate the removal of impurities from aquarium water by placing the device  50  near the intake tube of an aquarium pump P.  
         [0035]    Although the invention  10 ,  30  is shown working in conjunction with a standard aquarium filter in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is to be understood that the invention  10 ,  30  is able to work in conjunction with or be incorporated inside other aquarium devices and equipment including but not limited to a protein skimmer, a foam fractionator, a canister filter, an ultraviolet light sterilizer, an ozonation medium unit, a live sand system, a trickle system, a sump pump, a refugium, a calcium reactor and an aquarium tank.  
         [0036]    Further, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.