Abstract:
An apparatus for generating an electromagnetic field in water. The apparatus comprises a set of spaced electrically conductive rings, which are respectively positively charged (rings  2, 6 ) and negatively charged (rings  3, 5 ). The rings are on a common axis between a negative plate ( 1 ) and a positive plate ( 7 ) and have precise spacings and dimensions. A central neutral ring ( 4 ) separates the pairs of rings. The electromagnetic field generated is such as to produce increases in the organic electrolytic functionality of living cellular material which is contacted with the water.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to water conditioning apparatus and is particularly concerned with apparatus which generates a specific electromagnetic signature in water that is similar to that of living cellular material. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to be able to treat water to make it particularly suitable for use with biological living cellular material and, generally, for use in situations such as agriculture, hydroponics and therapeutics where enhanced conductivity and increased water tension within the water enables increased beneficial organic electrolytic functionality. The expression “organic electrolytic functionality” refers to the quantity and availability of ions within living cellular material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for generating an electromagnetic field in water comprising a set of spaced electrically conductive rings arranged on a common axis between two electronically conductive plates, wherein the number and spacing of the rings, and the charge applied to the plates and rings is selected so that the water in which the electromagnetic field is induced increases the organic electrolytic functionality of living cellular material which is contacted with the water. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The electrically conductive rings are suitably arranged in a substantially spherical array parallel to one another and can be formed from stainless steel or like material, with a central ring being formed from a different material such as copper. Apart from the central ring which has a neutral potential, the remaining adjacent rings have opposing potentials applied to them by way of suitable conductive tracks. 
     Preferably, there are five electrically conductive rings and two electrically conductive plates which define the spherical array. The middle neutral ring has the largest diameter and the remaining rings decrease in diameter by pre-determined amounts and in paired sets of the same diameter. For instance, the copper ring can have a diameter of 79 mm and this will set the diameters of the remaining pairs of rings at 66 mm, 53 mm and 40 mm, with spacings between the rings of 5 mm. 
     The non-conductive support housing for the rings suitably comprises an acrylic housing comprising a series of two dimensional laser cut objects which is designed to allow the rings to be held firmly without interfering with the magnetic fields generated inside the rind assemble itself. Multiple arrays of such housings are also possible. 
     The non-conductive support housing can be arranged within an orbital covering to protect the apparatus from possible damage due to mishandling or accidents. This covering can be made from shock resistant material such as ABS plastics material or the like. 
     The apparatus is preferably powered with a 110-220 volt AC to 30 volt DC transformer which supplies the appropriate potential between the rings. The power apply is designed to produce the required clean power for optimal effectiveness for the particular configuration of rings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the apparatus according to the present invention, 
     FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the discs and connecting electrodes of the apparatus of FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 4 shows the relative positioning of the discs in the apparatus of FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 5 shows the separate components of the apparatus of FIG. 3, 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional line drawing of an apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, 
     FIG. 7 is a support brace for the central region of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6, 
     FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a power supply for use with apparatus according to the present invention, and 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an advanced power supply for use with apparatus according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in all of which like reference numeral refer to like parts. 
     Referring firstly to FIGS. 1-5, the apparatus comprises five coaxially arranged rings  2 - 6  between two electrically conductive, plates  1 ,  7 . Rings  2 ,  3  and  5 ,  6  are 1.2 mm discs formed from specific stainless steel and ring  4  is formed from copper. The rings have the dimensions and configurations illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Plate  1  and rings  3 ,  5  and  7  are connected to a negatively charged track  10 , and plate  7 , and rings  2  and  6  are connected to a positively charged track  11  as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     The plates and rings are supported within a clear acrylic housing into which respective conductors  13  and  14  extend. The other components illustrated in FIG. 5 are components of the housing. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the covering consists of three main parts—viz a top hemisphere  20 , a bottom hemisphere  21  and a cable cap  22 . The covering has a substantially overall spherical configuration with the bottom hemisphere  21  including a flat base  23  to stabilize and keep the unit level in the water. The top hemisphere locks  20  onto the bottom hemisphere  21  by means of a slip twist lock arrangement. 
     The cap  22  is connected to the housing (not shown) of the apparatus and includes a water-tight seal and entry ports for the negative brass track  13  and the positive track  14 . 
     A suitable power supply system for a hydro-therapy system is shown in FIG.  8 . This comprises a double pole main power source  30 ; power switch  31 ; fuses  32  on active and neutral; 100 VA Transformer  33  with three taps  34 ,  35 ,  36  to select power required; rotary switch power selector  37 ; full bridge rectifier  38 ; single capacitor filter  39 ; 3 amp circuit breaker  40 ; small current sense resistor  41 ; 10 LED element displayer  42  to display amplified voltage read across current sense resistor  41 ; and conditioned power output  43 . 
     An advanced talking power supply unit block diagram is shown in FIG.  9 . The unit enables full control of the apparatus by the use of a microprocessor (not shown). The following integers are identified in the drawing: 
       51 : power input (230, 220, 115, 110 or 100 v) 
       52 : voltage selection relay 
       53 : transformer 
       54 : tap relays 
       55 , 56 : transistor arrays 
       57 , 58 : latches 
       59 : speech generator 
       60 : speaker 
       61 : transistor 
       62 : LCD driver 
       63 : LCD display 
       64 : key membrane 
       65 : A/D convertor, 8 port, internal 
       66 : power supply, voltage readings 
       67 : temperature sensor 
       68 : security detector, mechanical 
       69 : reference 
       70 : IR modulator 
       71 : IR conms 
     The unit has the following characteristics: Built in attenuation, through providing power at different levels, to cater for different water qualities around the world. 
     Built in programmable timer. The unit will turn itself off when time expires. 
     Built in speech. i.e. the unit will inform the user as required in appropriate language. 
     Built in Self Diagnostics 
     Sense array voltage and currents 
     Sense voltages in various parts of the circuits in order to verify function 
     Check Mains Power Voltages and adjust accordingly 
     Step through the checking of the array and connections if problems occur (User help). 
     LCD (Standard Watch Type) display, with the Power level indicator, Timer, voltage and currents and other relevant information to be displayed as required. 
     Built in Flash Memory Storage to record: 
     Model No 
     Serial No 
     Date Completed 
     Number of times used 
     Total time used 
     Possibly the internal temperature of the unit 
     Diagnostic information. 
     Built in Infra-Red Serial Communications to communicate directly with a Computer for diagnostic purposes, for programming and other information. Distance of communication about 20 cm. 
     Re-Programmable. 
     The unit will be re-programmable through the serial Infra-Red communications 
     Fully Automatic. 
     The unit will be fully automatic, from auto selecting the power levels and standard timer settings to the self diagnostics. 
     Security. Self Protection with internal booby traps causing an internal operating program erasure, should the case be cracked opened, voiding warranty. 
     The operation of the power supply is done using a key membrane with appropriate labelling to aid the user. 
     Licensed code to disarm and service, possible date dependant, changing algorithm. 
     The apparatus herein described can be used in agricultural, therapeutic and water treatment industries primarily as an energising and/or revitalizing system for water. 
     The term “comprise”, or variations of the term such as “comprises” or “comprising”, is used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required. 
     Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, many modifications and variations may be made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.