Abstract:
A galvanic processing device includes a flow container having an inlet, an outlet and a longitudinal axis. Anodes are made from a first metal. Cathodes are made from a second, different metal. The electrodes may be disk-shaped. The cathodes and anodes are alternately placed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Dielectric spacer rings separate the anodes and the cathodes. The electrodes may have circumferential segments aligned at an angle α to impart a swirl to a flow of liquid through the container. A portion of the anodes and cathodes may have the circumferential segments aligned at an angle −α a to reverse the direction of the swirl of the flow through the flow container. Portions of the circumferential segments may be aligned at an angle α and other portions are aligned at an angle β so that the swirl of the flow through the flow container has components with different directions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to galvanic processing of drinking water. More specifically, it relates to a device that changes the ion composition of liquids and especially drinking water by galvanic action between two dissimilar metals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Differences in electrical potential of various ions in aqueous solutions are well documented. These differences are exploited in a galvanic cell. In galvanic cells, two dissimilar metals act as the anode and cathode of an electrolytic cell. At the anode, electrons are withdrawn from the metal atoms and the resulting positive ions enter the electrolyte. Positive ions are combined with the electrons at the cathode, causing atoms to deposit there. By appropriate selection of the cathode and anode, certain ions present in the electrolyte can be made to deposit on the cathode, while the ions entering the electrolyte at the anode remain in the electrolytic medium. 
         [0003]    In addition to removing the ions that plate out on the cathode, removal of one or more of the ions can cause other changes in the ions present in the electrolyte due to changes in the chemical equilibrium. Decrease in the concentration of a particular cation potentially leads to an excess in the associated anion. The excess anion may combine with another cation which causes precipitation of the compound because it was less soluble than the original compounds. Where a large number of ionic compounds are present, this can have a “domino” effect, leading to rearranging of a number of the ions. Some of the resulting compounds may be more soluble in the electrolyte and never plate out. Others may precipitate immediately under controlled conditions. 
         [0004]    Water that is slightly alkaline has been found to be more activated than water having a neutral pH. 
         [0005]    Activated fluids have better bio-energetic and information properties: first of all, it is the hydrogen exponent balance and the pH quantity. Further properties include the informative quantities of specific electric conductivity measured in μS, the total concentration of electrically neutral soluble ingredients measured in mg/l, and the oxidation reduction potential measured in mV. 
         [0006]    The generation of turbulences and vortices in a moving liquid to result in a change in the bioenergetic properties of the liquid was studied and discussed by Viktor Schauberger and is described in several books and internet sites, including “Living Water”—Viktor Schauberger and the Secrets of Natural Energy by Olof Alexandersson (1976) and http://www.pks.or.at/menu_en.html. Viktor Schauberger described the effect caused by turbulences and vortices to be a “vitalizing” effect, which term is used herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention is an improved galvanic processing device that includes a flow container made from a non-conducting material and having an inlet, an outlet and a longitudinal axis. The inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet to allow fluid flow through said flow container. One or more anodes are made from a first metal. They are disk-shaped and have circumferential segments that, in a first embodiment, are aligned at an angle α relative to the plane of the circumference of the anode. The flow container also includes one or more cathodes made from a second metal that is different from the first metal. In a first embodiment, the cathodes are shaped like the anodes, being disk-shaped and having circumferential segments aligned at an angle α relative to the plane of the circumference of the cathode. The angle α causes a swirling of a flow of liquid through the flow container, creating a vitalizing effect of the fluid. The cathodes and anodes are alternately placed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flow container. Non-conducting spacer rings separate each of the anodes and the cathodes from each other. The galvanic action results in an activation of the liquid, such as water. 
         [0008]    In a second embodiment, a portion of the anodes and cathodes have the circumferential segments aligned at an angle −α relative to the plane of the circumference. This creates a different direction of flow as the fluid moves through the flow container. In the first embodiment, the circumferential segments direct the fluid to flow in a given direction, for example, to swirl to the right in a clockwise direction. When some of the electrodes are aligned at the angle −α, fluid flow changes direction, such as by swirling to the left in a counterclockwise direction. Turbulences are associated with the directional change. The physical effect of the swirling and turbulences provides a vitalizing effect on the liquid. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a portion of each of the circumferential segments of the anodes and cathodes is aligned at an angle α while another portion of each of the circumferential segments is aligned at an angle β which is different from angle α. This change causes a portion of the flow of fluid to spiral in one direction and another portion of the flow of fluid to spiral in another direction, again causing swirling and turbulences and a vitalizing effect. 
         [0010]    A metallic lining on the interior wall of the flow container acts as one electrode in another embodiment of the invention. The other electrode is included in the inner chamber, allowing ion exchange between the circumferential segments and the coating. The dielectric spacer is positioned on the inner surface of the coating to separate the coating from the circumferential segments. 
         [0011]    Activated and vitalized fluids have better bio-energetic and information properties: first of all, it is the hydrogen exponent balance and the pH quantity. Further properties include the informative quantities of specific electric conductivity measured in μS, the total concentration of electrically neutral soluble ingredients measured in mg/l, and the oxidation reduction potential measured in mV. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a first embodiment of the processing device with a portion of the flow container cut away; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an electrode within the processing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the electrode of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective drawing of a second embodiment of the processing device with a portion of the flow container cut away; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top view of either the first electrode of the second electrode of the processing device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the first electrode of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the second electrode of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the processing device with a portion of the flow container cut away; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  with a portion of the flow container cut away; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a top view of another embodiment of the device with a portion of the flow container cut away; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective elevation view of a second embodiment of an electrode. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the electrode of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    A galvanic processing device, generally  10 , is disclosed for the treatment of water or other fluid. The device can be sized to fit personal devices, such as water bottles or other containers. Containers for the activation of drinkable liquids are more particularly described in co-pending patent application 12/xxx,xxx (attorney ref. No. 4985.103319), which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The galvanic processing device  10  is easily scaled up for use with higher volumes of fluid delivered by hoses or pipes. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the device  10  includes a flow container, generally  12 , made from a non-conducting material. In addition to being non-conducting, the material should be able to carry a fluid such as water without leaking. Plastics are particularly good choice for the flow container  12 , however, other materials, such as rubber or ceramics, could also be used. Another option is to use a material that is not inherently fluid-tight, but includes a lining or coating to make it fluid resistant. For a device to be used once or a limited number of times, the flow container  12  could be made of coated or laminated paper or cardboard. 
         [0026]    An inlet  14  and an outlet  16  are positioned to allow flow of a fluid between them through an inner chamber  20  of the flow container  10 . Water is a common fluid to be processed by galvanic devices, but use with other fluids is also contemplated. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments of the invention, the inlet  14  is positioned at an end opposing the outlet  16 , but use of other positions is contemplated. The inlet  14  is includes a connecting device  21  for connection to a fluid source (not shown), such as a container, hose, pipe, tube, pressure tank and the like. Optionally, the outlet  16  also includes a connecting device  21  for connection to a fluid receiver (not shown) which may be the same or different from the connecting device of the inlet  14 . In some embodiments, such as a personal water bottle, the fluid does not go to a fluid storage or transfer device. In such cases, the outlet  16  is optionally configured to be the same as the inlet  14  so that the inlet and outlet are interchangeable. A common configuration for such connection is threads. Threads are easily attached to each other to make a connection that is physically strong and fluid-tight. The flow container  12  also has a longitudinal axis  22 . In some embodiments, the inlet  14  and outlet  16  are positioned at opposing ends of the longitudinal axis  22 . 
         [0028]    Within the inner chamber  20  of the flow container are several electrodes  24  that enable the galvanic treatment. Electrodes which may be used in the present device are more particularly described in co-pending patent application 12/xxx,xxx (attorney ref. no. 4985.103653), and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The inner chamber  20  may be of any shape. In some embodiments, a cylindrical inner chamber  20  is found. It is advantageous that the inner chamber has a size and shape to accommodate electrodes  24  without allowing a significant amount of water to bypass the electrodes. The electrodes  24  include one or more anodes  26  and one or more cathodes  28 . 
         [0029]    The anodes  26  are made from a first metal and the cathodes  28  are made from a second metal. Any metals can be used as long as the first metal and the second metal are dissimilar, especially regarding their electronegativity, and have distinctive conductive capacities. Galvanic activity of various metals is well known. The first metal is the metal having the higher galvanic activity and will become the anode  26 . Less active second metals act as the cathode  28 . Examples of preferred anodes  26  are zinc and aluminum. Preferred cathodes  28  are exemplified by copper, brass, stainless steel and carbon. In some embodiments, combinations of useful anodes  26  and cathodes  28  are zinc-copper, zinc-brass, zinc-stainless steel, aluminum-copper, aluminum-brass and zinc-carbon. 
         [0030]    Electrodes  24  of any shape are useful in the device  10 , however, in preferred embodiments they substantially have the shape of a disk. The circular cross-section of the disk improves the ratio of the surface area which contacts the fluid compared to the volume of the electrode  24 . Thickness of the disk should be reduced to reduce bulk of the device and because additional thickness makes a negligible contribution to the surface in contact with the moving fluid. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the electrodes  24  has circumferential segments  30  originating near the center of the electrode. Radial slits  32  divide the electrode into a plurality of circumferential segments  30  each having a leading edge  34  and a trailing edge  36 . Each circumferential segment  30  is optionally planar and rotated so that the leading edge  34  of the segment is axially displaced relative to the trailing edge  36  of the adjacent circumferential segment. In a first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the circumferential segments  30  all of the electrodes  24  have the leading edge  34  displaced upwardly at an angle α while the trailing edge  36  is displaced downwardly at the same angle. In preferred embodiments, a varies between 15° and 75°. Displacement of the each leading edge  34  in the same direction channels the fluid to flow in a spiral between adjacent electrodes  24 . This improves contact between the fluid and the electrodes  24 , and reduces the amount of fluid that stagnates close to the wall of the inner chamber  20 . The spiral swirling of the fluid also has a vitalizing effect on the fluid. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment of the electrodes, the circumferential segment  30  is optionally bent in another direction at a second location  38  at an angle β, also within the range of 15° to 75°, close to the end of the segment opposite the free end  39  of the electrode as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The second location bend  38  results in a distal tab  41  that is angled differently than the angle of the arm  35  of each segment  30 . This different angle will cause a change in the direction of the fluid flow along the radial length of the segments  30 , and may cause some overall turbulence in the fluid flow, particularly if the difference in the angles is large. In an embodiment, the angle β may be in an opposite direction relative to the angle α and in comparison to the plane of the disk (as shown in  FIG. 11 ) which will cause a reversal of fluid flow in the radial outer regions of the disk, generating turbulence and enhancing the activation and vitalizing effects on the fluid flowing across the electrodes. For example, the angle α may be in the range between 15° and 75° and the angle β may be in the range between −15° and −75° relative to the plane of the disk. 
         [0033]    Regardless of the shape of electrodes  24 , the inner chamber  20  is preferably shaped to receive the electrodes but to have little space for the fluid to bypass them. Within the inner chamber  20 , the electrodes are aligned along the flow path of the fluid between the inlet  14  and the outlet  16 . In many embodiments, the electrodes  24  are aligned with the disks substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  22 , alternating the anodes  26  and cathodes  28 . Spacers  40  constructed of a dielectric material are placed between each anode  26  and cathode  28  to separate them. The dielectric material allows electrons to pass through it from the anode to the cathode, completing the galvanic circuit. Examples of suitable dielectric materials include plastics and ceramics. When placed around the ends of the circumferential segments  30 , the spacers  40  keep the segments between adjacent electrodes  24  physically separated, even when forces of the moving fluid act upon them. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , a further embodiment of the invention is shown. In this and the other alternate embodiments below, features of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  are incorporated herein unless otherwise noted. Parts the same as those designated previously have the same numbers. A device, generally  10   a , for galvanic treatment of the fluid is shown whereby some of the electrodes  24  are as described in the first embodiment above. Other electrodes  24   a  have circumferential segments  30   a  rotated to an angle −α, which is equivalent to having the leading edge  34  displaced downwardly with respect to the trailing edge  36  of the adjacent segment. Changing the angle from a to −α reverses the direction of spiral flow of the fluid. This causes turbulence in the vicinity of the reversal. 
         [0035]    Another embodiment of the device, generally  10   b , is shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , where like parts are represented by like numerals. In this embodiment, an alternate electrode  24   b  is a sheet metal coating on the inner surface of the flow container  12 . The alternate electrode  24   b  is one of the anode  26  or the cathode  28 . The electrodes  24  within the inner chamber  20  are the other of the anode  26  or the cathode  28 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the alternate electrode  24   b  is the anode  26  while the electrode  24  is the cathode  28 . It is to be understood that the functions of these two electrodes  24 ,  24   b  can be reversed. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the device, generally  10   c , has the features of the previous embodiment, however, the shape of the flow container  12   c  is square or rectangular in cross section. 
         [0037]    In practice, the galvanic processing device  10  is mounted to a fluid source, such as the personal water bottle. The inlet  14  of the device is connected to the fluid source by the connecting device  21 . As the water is transferred from the bottle, it flows through the device  10 . Water travels through the inlet  14 , and into the inner chamber  22 . The angle of the circumferential segments  30  direct the water to swirl around the electrodes  24 , causing it to contact the alternating anodes  26  and cathodes  28  where ion exchange occurs. 
         [0038]    While particular embodiments of the galvanic processing device for water have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.