Abstract:
A fuel conditioner is provided for improving fuel combustibility and reducing emissions into the environment. The fuel conditioner may be placed in-line in a fuel delivery system for internal combustion engines and may include the following components: a first housing defining a sealed chamber, a fuel inlet in fluid communication with the sealed chamber, a second housing disposed within the sealed chamber, a magnet disposed in the second housing, a fuel outlet in fluid communication with the sealed chamber, and a flow path in the sealed chamber for flow of the liquid fuel between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. Along its flow path, the liquid fuel is split apart and passes through magnetic fields due to one or more magnets inside the second housing to condition the fuel to improve fuel combustibility and reduce toxic emissions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/383,652 filed Sep. 16, 2010 which is incorporated in its entirety herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention relates to a fuel conditioner configured to be used in-line in a fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine and is designed to improve fuel combustibility and reduce harmful emissions. 
         [0004]    Internal combustion engines are used in wide variety of applications including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, boats, aircraft, generators, and mobile equipment. During the application of such internal combustion engines, several substances are emitted as exhaust, such as carbon dioxide and water. However, these engines may also emit harmful toxins to the atmosphere due to incomplete combustion of fuel. Specifically, incomplete combustion of fuel may lead to emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. These gases may be poisonous and lead to the degradation of the environment by producing smog and acid rain. While only small traces of these gases may be emitted from any specific engine due to incomplete combustion of fuel, the overall amount of these harmful emissions and their effects on the environment are quite large and drastic when considering the world-wide use of internal combustion engines burning gasoline or diesel fuels. 
         [0005]    Easily seen, an improvement for an internal combustion engine system that leads to more complete combustion of gasoline and/or diesel fuel has the beneficial effect of not only increasing fuel efficiency for an engine, but also beneficial effects for the environment. By providing more complete combustion and increased fuel efficiency, less gasoline or diesel fuel would be consumed. Furthermore, more complete combustion results in less toxins emitted into the atmosphere. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need for an in-line fuel conditioner that will improve fuel combustibility and reduce harmful emissions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides for a fuel conditioner placed in-line a fuel delivery system for internal combustion engines using gasoline or diesel fuel that is designed to improve fuel combustibility and reduce emissions. The in-line fuel conditioner also provides the additional benefit of collecting ferrous particles before the particles enter and cause harm to the engine. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the present invention provides an in-line fuel conditioner for receiving a flow of liquid fuel, the fuel conditioner includes a first housing that defines a sealed chamber and a second housing disposed within the sealed chamber. A magnet is disposed within the second housing. The fuel conditioner also includes a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet that are in fluid communication with the sealed chamber, such that a flow path in the sealed chamber exists for flow of the liquid fuel between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the present invention provides an in-line fuel conditioner wherein the second housing forms a seal around the magnet such that the liquid fuel does not contact the magnet. Such a seal provides the benefit of protecting the magnet from corrosion. 
         [0010]    In a further aspect, the present invention provides an in-line fuel conditioner that includes a configuration wherein the second housing is placed within the sealed chamber such that liquid fuel may follow a flow path around all sides of the magnet that is disposed within the second housing. This may allow for the benefit of a greater density of the fuel to be exposed to the magnetic field by staying in closer proximity to the magnet. 
         [0011]    In another aspect the invention provides for an in-line fuel conditioner that has the magnet arranged such that its magnetic south pole faces the fuel inlet and its magnetic north pole faces the fuel outlet. 
         [0012]    A further aspect of the invention provides for an in-line fuel conditioner with a plurality of magnets, but where the total number of magnets is an odd number, and the magnets are arranged within the second housing in a distinct pattern. The magnet placed nearest the fuel inlet is arranged such that its magnetic south pole faces the fuel inlet and its magnetic north pole faces the fuel outlet. The magnet placed nearest the fuel outlet is arranged such that its magnetic north pole faces the fuel outlet and its magnetic south pole faces the fuel inlet. Any magnet placed in between the magnet placed nearest the fuel inlet and the magnet placed nearest the fuel outlet is arranged in the second housing such that its magnetic poles oppose the nearest pole of the magnet placed immediately upstream and the nearest pole of the magnet immediately downstream. 
         [0013]    In yet a further aspect, the invention provides for an in-line fuel conditioner that includes an exit fuel line in fluid communication with a fuel outlet and an electromagnetic shield encasing the fuel exit line. The electromagnetic shield may protect the conditioned fuel from external magnetic and electromagnetic fields before the fuel enters the engine. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the invention provides for an in-line fuel conditioner that has a first housing defining a sealed chamber, a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet in fluid communication with the sealed chamber, a magnet disposed in the sealed chamber, an upstream plate with a hole, a downstream plate with a hole, and a flow path in the sealed chamber for flow of the liquid fuel moving between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. At least a portion of an outer surface of the upstream plate and at least a portion of an outer surface of the downstream plate engage the first housing. The flow path allows liquid fuel to flow from the fuel inlet through the hole in the upstream plate, the sealed chamber, the hole in the downstream plate, and the fuel outlet. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the invention provides for a flow tube to be disposed in the sealed chamber of the in-line fuel conditioner in another aspect of the invention. The flow tube connects a hole in the upstream plate to a hole in the downstream plate. The flow tube may be arranged in a helical pattern in the sealed chamber. The helical pattern provides the advantage of increasing the amount of time the fuel spends passing through the sealed chamber, and thus increasing the beneficial effects of the magnetic field on the fuel. 
         [0016]    In another aspect, the present invention provides for a plurality of flow tubes disposed in the sealed chamber. Each flow tube connects a hole in the upstream plate to a hole in the downstream plate, such that all the liquid fuel that passes through the sealed chamber is restricted to flowing through the plurality of flow tubes. In this aspect, the multiple flow tubes may be arranged in a helical pattern in the sealed chamber. 
         [0017]    In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides for an in-line fuel conditioner that has an outer surface of the upstream plate and an outer surface of the downstream plate in sealing engagement with the first housing such that the flow path of the liquid fuel is constrained to flowing from the fuel inlet through the hole in the upstream plate, the chamber, the hole in the downstream plate, and the fuel outlet. An axis of the hole in the upstream plate may be configured such that the axis of the hole is at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the in-line fuel conditioner. The angled hole in the upstream plate may cause beneficial turbulence in the fuel flow path. 
         [0018]    Moreover, in another aspect the present invention provides for an in-line fuel conditioner for receiving a flow of liquid fuel that has a first housing defining a sealed chamber, a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet that are in fluid communication with the sealed chamber, a second housing disposed within the sealed chamber, a magnet disposed in the second housing, an upstream plate and a downstream plate each having a hole, an upstream plug and a downstream plug, and a flow path in the sealed chamber for flow of the liquid fuel between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The upstream plate engages the upstream plug and the downstream plate engages the downstream plug. The upstream plug and the downstream plug each sealingly engage the second housing. Moreover, an outer surface of the upstream plate and an outer surface of the downstream plate sealingly engage the first housing such that the flow path restricts the liquid fuel to flow from the fuel inlet through the hole in the upstream plate, the chamber, the hole in the downstream plate, and the fuel outlet. 
         [0019]    These and still other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings. What follows is merely a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention. To assess the full scope of the invention the claims should be looked to, as the preferred embodiments are not intended to be the only embodiments within the scope of the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of an in-line fuel conditioner embodying the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the in-line fuel conditioner displayed in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the in-line fuel conditioner displayed in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view showing the upstream plate of the in-line fuel conditioner displayed in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view showing the downstream plate of the in-line fuel conditioner displayed in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of the in-line fuel conditioner as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-section view of an in-line fuel conditioner embodying the invention, including an alternative flow path for fuel, wherein the first housing and the fuel inlet and outlet are displayed in a cross-section view and the components disposed within the first housing are displayed in a side elevation view such that the helical path of the flow tubes may be depicted. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section view of the in-line fuel conditioner as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a cut out view of the in-line fuel conditioner of  FIG. 1  further displaying an electromagnetic shield encasing the exit fuel line. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  displays the in-line fuel conditioner  10  in its assembled state placed in-line a fuel delivery system. The arrows in  FIG. 1  show the direction fuel generally flows through the fuel delivery system for the internal combustion engine (not shown) through a longitudinal axis  11  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . The in-line fuel conditioner  10  may be placed downstream of a fuel pump (not shown) and fuel filter (not shown)—if the apparatus with the internal combustion engine has such features—but is placed upstream of the fuel injection apparatus (not shown) that delivers fuel to the internal combustion engine. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the fuel line can be described as an entrance fuel line  12 , which is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet  14  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 , and an exit fuel line  16 , which is in fluid communication with the fuel outlet  18  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the in-line fuel conditioner  10  is shown partially disassembled and may include the following components: a first housing  20 ; a second housing  22 ; connector nuts  24   a ,  24   b ; and fuel line connectors  26   a ,  26   b . To assemble the in-line fuel conditioner  10 , the second housing  22  is inserted within the first housing  20  and the connector nuts  24   a ,  24   b  are threaded over the first housing  20 . In such an arrangement, the external thread pattern  21  on the first housing  20  must match the internal thread pattern  23  (seen in  FIG. 3 ) on the connector nuts  24   a ,  24   b . Then, the fuel line connectors  26   a ,  26   b  are threaded into the connector nuts  24   a ,  24   b , respectively. As described above, the thread pattern  25  on the connector nuts  24   a ,  24   b , must match the thread pattern  27  on the fuel line connectors  26   a ,  26   b , respectively. 
         [0031]    While the first housing  20  is shown as connecting to the connector nuts  24   a ,  24   b  by a threaded engagement, as is the engagement between connector nuts  24   a ,  24   b  and fuel line connectors  26   a ,  26   b , other means of engagement may be employed for connecting these components including, but not limited to, adhesives, welds, and press fits. 
         [0032]    Alternatively, the fuel line connectors  26   a ,  26   b  and connector nuts  24   a ,  24   b  may be removed from the design of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . In such an embodiment, the first housing  20  would connect to the entrance fuel line  12  and the exit fuel line  16 . 
         [0033]    Often fuel delivery systems may be near electromagnetic fields emitted from alternators or wires connected to batteries in vehicles or machines in which the fuel delivery system is used. Because the in-line fuel conditioner  10  creates its own magnetic fields to condition the fuel, as will be described in detail below, exposure to external magnetic or electromagnetic fields from the surrounding environment may compromise the magnetic fields produced by the in-line fuel conditioner  10 , and thus, its effectiveness. If the in-line fuel conditioner  10  is being used in such an environment where external magnetic or electromagnetic fields are present, then the first housing  20  is preferably composed of steel to protect against the magnetic or electromagnetic fields from reaching the fuel in the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . If steel is used to form the first housing  20 , the first housing  20  may be treated, such as by applying a powder coat to its exterior, to protect against corrosion. However, if no magnetic or electromagnetic fields are detected near where the in-line fuel conditioner  10  will be placed, then the first housing  20  may be composed of stainless steel, which is beneficial due to its resistance against corrosion, or any other suitable material. 
         [0034]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the in-line fuel conditioner  10  has a sealed chamber  30  that is defined by the first housing  20 . The sealed chamber  30  is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet  14  and fuel outlet  18 . The second housing  22  is placed within the chamber  30 . 
         [0035]    The second housing  22  includes seven magnets  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c ,  32   d ,  32   e ,  32   f , and  32   g , and as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second housing  22  may be constructed as a solid housing to form a seal around the magnets  32   a - 32   g  and protect them from corrosion. This may be especially important in applications where the engine, and thus the in-line fuel conditioner  10 , is not used for substantial periods of time. Infrequent use may lead to fuel draining away from the in-line fuel conditioner  10  and possible corrosion of the magnets  32   a - 32   g . Alternatively, the second housing  22  may be constructed as a mesh-type structure or other similar structure, wherein the fuel may contact the magnets  32   a - 32   g  directly. The second housing  22  may be composed of stainless steel, aluminum, or any other suitable metallic or non-metallic material for holding the magnets in their proper alignment, which is addressed in further detail below. 
         [0036]    The seven magnets  32   a - 32   g  may be formed from a rare earth metal. Preferably, the magnets  32   a - 32   g  are formed from Neodymium, with Iron and Boron also forming part of the composition of the magnets  32   a - 32   g . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the magnets  32   a - 32   g  may be cylindrical, or disc-shaped, to best fit in the cylindrical shaped second housing  22 . To also help protect against corrosion, the magnets  32   a - 32   g  may be triple coated in a Nickel-Copper-Nickel layering scheme. The magnets  32   a - 32   g  may have a magnetic strength of 5597 Gauss at their surface. 
         [0037]    The magnets  32   a - 32   g  in the second housing  22  are aligned in a distinct pattern. The magnet  32   a  placed nearest the fuel inlet  14  has its magnetic south pole facing the fuel inlet  14  and its magnetic north pole facing the fuel outlet  18 . The magnet  32   g  placed nearest the fuel outlet  18  is arranged such that its magnetic north pole faces the fuel outlet  18  and its magnetic south pole faces the fuel inlet  14 . The magnets  32   b - 32   f  placed in between magnet  32   a  and magnet  32   g  are arranged such that their magnetic poles oppose, or repel, the nearest pole of the magnet placed immediately upstream and the nearest pole of the magnet placed immediately downstream. For example, magnet  32   b  has its north pole facing upstream, or towards the fuel inlet  14 , such that its north pole will oppose the north pole of magnet  32   a . Magnet  32   b  has its south pole facing downstream, or towards the fuel outlet  18 , such that its south pole will oppose the south pole of magnet  32   c . As a result of this pattern of the magnets  32   a - 32   g  in the second housing  22 , an odd number of magnets (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc. . . . ) will be placed in the second housing  22 . While seven magnets are shown in the embodiment in  FIGS. 1-9 , other odd total amounts of magnets are still within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0038]    Importantly, the magnetic poles shown on magnets  32   a - 32   g  in  FIG. 3  are labeled according to the convention adopted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). In that standard, the pole of the magnet that is attracted to earth&#39;s magnetic north pole is labeled as the north pole of the magnet. Because the end of the needle of a compass that points to earth&#39;s magnetic north pole is also referred to as the “north” end of the needle, if one were to use a compass to determine the polarity of the magnets  32   a - 32   g , the “north” end of the compass needle would oppose the north pole of magnets  32   a - 32   g  as labeled in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0039]    While seven magnets  32   a - 32   g  with a specific orientation are shown and described in this embodiment, an in-line fuel conditioner  10  having magnets in a different orientation and with a different number of total magnets, including an even number of total magnets, will still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    Spacers  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d ,  34   e ,  34   f ,  34   g ,  34   h  may be placed in-between and on the ends of magnets  32   a - 32   g  within the second housing  22 . The spacers  34   a - 34   h  may be cylindrical in shape and be composed of a magnetic metal oriented such that the spacers  34   a - 34   h  are attracted to the nearest pole of the magnet immediately upstream and the nearest pole of the magnet immediately downstream of each spacer. Alternatively, the spacers  34   a - 34   h  may be made of a non-magnetic material, such as aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, or the like. The spacers  34   a - 34   h  may be used to ensure adequate spacing of the magnets  32   a - 32   g  in the second housing  22 . However, spacers  34   a - 34   h  may be removed from the in-line fuel conditioner  10  and the opposing poles of magnets may be used to ensure adequate spacing of the magnets  32   a - 32   g  in the second housing  22 . 
         [0041]    The in-line fuel conditioner  10  may also include an upstream plate  36  and downstream plate  38 , as seen in  FIG. 3  and further in detail in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . A portion of outer surfaces  36   a ,  38   b  of the plates  36 ,  38  contact the inner surface  44  of the first housing  20 . Alternatively, outer surfaces  36   b ,  38   b  of plates  36 ,  38 , respectively, may contact the outer surfaces  46 ,  48  of the first housing  20 . In either case, the engagement of the plates  36 ,  38  with the first housing  20  may be completed by a press fit, weld, adhesive, or the like. This provides the benefit of structuring the second housing  22  within the first housing  20  such that fuel may flow around all sides of the second housing. 
         [0042]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the plates  36 ,  38  may be structured so the longitudinal axis  52  of the second housing  22  is co-axial with the longitudinal axis  50  of the first housing  20  and the longitudinal axis  11  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . Because of this arrangement, a greater majority of fuel particles are kept within closer proximity to the magnets  32   a - 32   g . This allows the fuel to flow through the strongest magnetic fields along its flow path from the fuel inlet  14  to the fuel outlet  18  through the chamber  30 . Allowing the flow path of the fuel to flow through the strongest magnetic fields of the magnets  32   a - 32   g  imparts beneficial conditioning on the fuel and aids in improved combustion and reduced emissions. 
         [0043]    The plates  36 ,  38  are connected indirectly to the second housing  22  through the connection of the plates  36 , 38  to plugs  40 ,  42 , respectively, and the connection of the plugs  40 ,  42  to the second housing  22 . Following the convention established in referring to prior components of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 , plug  40  is an upstream plug and plug  42  is a downstream plug. The connection of the plugs  40 ,  42  to the second housing  22  and to the plates  36 ,  38  may be completed by a press fit, adhesive, welds, or the like. The plugs  40 ,  42  may be in sealing engagement with the second housing  22 . The combination of the upstream and downstream plugs  40 ,  42 , the second housing  22 , and the spacers  34   a - 34   h  help ensure that the magnets  32   a - 32   g  retain their order and alignment within the chamber  30  to provide beneficial conditioning to the fuel as it flows along its flow path from the fuel inlet  12  to the fuel outlet  18  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the plates  36 ,  38  may sealingly engage the first housing  20 . Looking more closely at the seal in the plates  36 ,  38  in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the entire outer surfaces  36   a ,  38   a  contact the first housing  20  such that a seal is formed between the plate  38  and the first housing  20 . As noted above, the seal between the plates  36 ,  38  and the first housing  20  may also be formed by contact between the outer surfaces  36   b ,  38   b  of plates  36 ,  38  with the outer surfaces  46 ,  48  of the first housing  20 , respectively. 
         [0045]    As a result of this seal, fuel is not allowed to flow through the chamber  30  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10  without the aid of at least one fuel entrance hole  54  and at least one fuel exit hole  56 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , four fuel entrance holes  54  and four fuel exit holes  56  are in the upstream plate  36 . The fuel entrance holes  54  and fuel exit holes  56  may be spaced evenly around plates  36 ,  38  as displayed for the downstream plate  38  in  FIG. 6 . The fuel holes  54 ,  56  create the benefit of splitting the fuel particles and causing turbulence in the fuel flow path as the fuel enters and exits the chamber  30  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . The turbulence in the fuel flow path improves combustion of the fuel and reduces emissions. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the fuel entrance holes  54  may be constructed such that an axis  58  of the fuel entrance holes is at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis  11  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . The angled construction of the fuel entrance holes  54  creates a helical flow of liquid fuel around the second housing  22 , or a rifling effect, as the fuel passes through the chamber  30  in the in-line fuel conditioner  10  along the flow path from the fuel inlet  14  to the fuel outlet  18 . Such a helical flow path of fuel increases the time that the fuel particles are exposed to the magnetic fields provided by the magnets  32   a - 32   g  disposed in the second housing  22 . However, the fuel entrance holes  56  need not be constructed in this angled configuration. 
         [0047]    Looking at the downstream plate  38  in further detail in  FIG. 5 , the fuel exit holes  56  may be constructed such that an axis  60  of the fuel exit holes  56  is parallel to the longitudinal axis  11  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . Alternatively, the fuel exit holes  56  may be set up such that an axis  60  of the exit hole  56  is at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis  11  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 , similar to the description above regarding the angled set-up of the fuel entrance holes  54 . 
         [0048]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment for the fuel flow path through the chamber  30  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10  is portrayed. In this embodiment, the in-line fuel conditioner  10  includes flow tubes  62  that are arranged in the chamber  30  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , there are four flow tubes  62  placed in the chamber  30  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . The flow tubes  62  are preferably constructed of plastic tubing, however, the flow tubes  62  may also be constructed of non-magnetic metals, including, but not limited to, aluminum or stainless steel. The flow tubes  62  fit within the fuel entrance holes  54  and the fuel exit holes  56 . When assembling this arrangement, the flow tubes  62  may be press fit into the fuel entrance and exit holes  54 ,  56 , or an adhesive may be used to ensure the fitting between the flow tubes  62  and the entrance and exit holes  54 ,  56 . 
         [0049]    In the embodiment for the fuel path shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the amount of flow tubes  62  matches the amount of fuel entrance holes  54  and fuel exit holes  56 . In other words, each flow tube  62  connects to a separate fuel entrance hole  54  and a separate fuel exit hole  56 . With this configuration, the fuel is restricted to a flow path flowing from the fuel inlet  14  through the fuel entrance holes  54 , the flow tubes  62 , the fuel exit holes  56 , and the fuel outlet  18 . 
         [0050]    As seen in  FIG. 7 , the flow tubes  62  are arranged in the chamber  30  to wrap around the second housing  22  in a helical pattern. In  FIG. 7 , each flow tube  62  revolves around one half of the second housing  22 , or revolves 180° around the second housing  22  from the fuel entrance holes  54  to the fuel exit holes  56 . This helical path of the flow tubes  62  may be varied to increase the amount of revolutions the flow tubes  62  make around the second housing  22  in the chamber  30 . By increasing the amount of revolutions the flow tubes  62  make around the second housing  22 , the fuel is forced to travel a farther distance between the upstream plate  36  and the downstream plate  38  of the in-line fuel conditioner  10 . As such, the fuel will be exposed to the magnetic fields emitted from magnets  32   a - 32   g  for a longer period of time and may receive increased conditioning as a result. 
         [0051]    The flow tubes  62  also provide the additional benefit of allowing the second housing  22  to avoid direct exposure to fuel to lessen the chance of corrosion of the second housing  22 . Furthermore, if the second housing  22  is constructed in a mesh format, the flow tubes  62  may protect the magnets  32   a - 32   g  and spacers  34   a - 34   h  from the corrosive environment as well. 
         [0052]    Of course, the amount of fuel entrance and exit holes  54 ,  56  and flow tubes  62 , as well as the diameters of those components, may be increased or decreased from the amount shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  and still be within the scope of the invention. 
         [0053]    Moving now to  FIG. 9 , an electromagnetic shield  64  may be added to encase the exit fuel line  16 . The electromagnetic shield  64  serves the purpose of protecting the fuel from other magnetic and electromagnetic fields caused by magnetic materials or electrical currents near the engine or fuel delivery system as the fuel leaves the in-line fuel conditioner  10  and is en route to the engine. The electromagnetic shield  64  is preferably composed of Co-Netic® Braided Sleeving, but may be composed of any material that provides magnetic or electromagnetic shielding properties. 
         [0054]    The in-line fuel conditioner  10  may be installed during the construction of the fuel delivery system for the apparatus using an internal combustion engine, or, alternatively, the in-line fuel conditioner  10  may be retrofitted into a fuel delivery system. In either case, the fuel line in the fuel delivery system must be cut to allow for the length of the in-line fuel conditioner  10  to be placed in-line with the fuel delivery system as described above. 
         [0055]    An additional benefit of the in-line fuel conditioner  10  may be to collect ferrous particles before such particles enter the engine, possible causing severe harm to the engine in the process. As the in-line fuel conditioner  10  may be placed downstream of a fuel filter, the in-line fuel conditioner  10  may act as a secondary trap for ferrous particles that passed through the fuel filter. 
         [0056]    The foregoing description was primarily directed to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Although some attention was given to various alternatives within the scope of the invention, it is anticipated that one skilled in the art will likely realize additional alternatives within the spirit and scope of the invention that are now apparent from disclosure of embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the described embodiments. Rather, the following claims should be referenced to ascertain the full scope of the invention.