Device for the magnetic treatment of water and liquid and gaseous fuels

A device for the magnetic treatment of fluids including water, and liquid and gaseous fuels such as gasoline, diesel, gasahol, fuel, propane, natural gas, oil and the like. The device comprises an elongated, tubular, intermediate casing of a magnetic material, such as a ferromagnetic material, having an elongated magnet received therein. An inner casing of non-magnetic material, such as copper, encases the magnet and includes open tubular end portions extending beyond opposite ends of the magnet and having inner and outer surfaces extending longitudinally with respect thereto. A pair of non-magnetic end fittings are connected to opposite ends of the intermediate casing and include recesses in which are received the respective opposite tubular end portions of the inner casing so as to space the inner casing from the intermediate casing thereby forming an annular treatment chamber therebetween. In a modified form of the device, the recesses are replaced by tapered passages adapted to seat the tubular ends of the inner casing and prevent movement between the inner casing and the end fittings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a device for the magnetic treatment of 
water to reduce the buildup of scale and also relates to a device for the 
magnetic treatment of liquid and gaseous fuels, such as gasoline, gasahol, 
diesel fuel, propane, natural gas, oil and the like, in order to improve 
the efficiency of combustion and reduce the production of air pollutants. 
With the energy shortage reaching worldwide proportions, especially with 
respect to petroleum-based fuels, the need to burn such fuels efficiently 
has never been of greater importance. Since the automobile is perhaps the 
largest consumer of petroleum today, significant conservation of gasoline 
and diesel fuel could be realized if the combustion process were more 
efficient, thereby enabling greater distances to be driven on a given 
quantity of fuel. Furthermore, air pollution has increased drastically in 
recent years due to the expanded use of automobiles and trucks, and there 
are very significant pressures being placed on industry by governments to 
produce vehicle engines which emit very low levels of pollutants. 
Fuel efficiency and pollution reduction are important, not only in 
connection with vehicles, but also with heating and electricity generation 
plants which burn hydrocarbon fuels, such as oil, natural gas, and 
propane. 
Although there has been considerable effort to reduce air pollutants from 
engines, furnaces, electricity generating installations, and the like, the 
primary emphasis has been on treatment of the exhaust and stack emissions 
rather than on devising techniques to burn the fuel more efficiently 
thereby inherently resulting in the emission of fewer waste products. A 
beneficial result of more efficient combustion is that the fuel is burned 
more completely so that fewer hydrocarbon waste products are emitted in 
the exhaust gases. 
The device according to the present invention is useful in increasing the 
efficiency with which fuel is combusted by treating the raw fuel with a 
magnetic field. In the case of vehicles, this results in increased 
mileage, and in the case of heating and energy conversion plants, greater 
thermal output can be realized for a given quantity of fuel. 
The device is also useful for the magnetic treatment of water to reduce the 
buildup of scale in pipes, fittings and other devices and apparatus 
through which water flows. A problem which is quite prevalent in systems 
and apparatus which use large quantities of water, such as boilers, 
dishwashers, ice machines, and the like, is that of scale buildup on the 
surfaces which come into contact with the water. This problem is 
particularly acute in areas where the water has a high mineral content so 
that it is necessary for the water to be "conditioned" either by chemical 
action or by magnetic water treatment devices of the general type to which 
the present invention relates. 
One such magnetic treatment device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,951,807, 4,050,426 and 4,153,559. Basically, such device comprises an 
elongated magnet having a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced poles 
encased in a non-magnetic jacket and concentrically positioned within a 
galvanized or black iron casing made of a magnetic material, such as iron. 
The jacketed magnet may be centered by means of a pair of stepped collars 
secured thereto which, in turn, are centered by means of a pair of layered 
inserts. Alternatively, the jacketed magnet may be centered by means of 
resilient, tapered sleeves, which are wedged between the jacket for the 
magnet and the galvanized casing. 
Magnetic treatment devices generally of this type are well known and 
prevent corrosion and the buildup of scale by causing the calcium and 
other minerals present in hard water to form, instead, a loose slurry 
which can be removed easily from the system by blowdown or flushing. In 
many applications, such as furnace humidifiers, for example, it is 
important for the device to be contained within a fairly small housing, 
and for this reason, available space is at a premium. Furthermore, the 
effectiveness with which the water is treated depends on the intensity of 
the magnetic field within the treatment chamber and the effective length 
of the chamber itself. Accordingly, it is desirable that the chamber be 
free of any obstructions which may occupy otherwise available treatment 
space, and for the water to be directed into and completely occupy the 
treatment chamber as quickly and in as short a distance as possible after 
it enters the device. 
A further consideration is that the strength of the magnetic field produced 
by the magnet be confined solely to the annular treatment chamber so that 
all of the available flux will be utilized. An important factor in 
ensuring this situation is to completely magnetically isolate the magnet 
from the supporting structure and to complete the magnetic circuit by 
means of a ferrous casing which surrounds the magnet, and which is also 
magnetically insulated from the magnet. 
In the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,559, the magnet structure is 
disclosed as being centrally supported within the ferrous casing by means 
of a pair of non-magnetic, elastic sleeves compressed between and in 
frictional engagement with the magnet structure and the ferrous casing at 
opposite ends thereof. Additionally the magnet is frictionally retained 
within its jacket by a pair of plastic end caps which further insulate the 
magnet and also serve to prevent water from coming into contact with it 
thereby causing corrosion. The ends of the inner casing were flared 
outwardly partially around the ends of the elastic sleeves so as to 
provide a positive-type lock intended to prevent axial movement between 
the inner casing and the sleeves. 
Although the frictional engagement between the inner casing and plastic end 
caps and between the inner casing and the elastic sleeves serves to hold 
the structure in proper position in normal use, a severe jolt to the unit, 
as by dropping it during shipping or installation, may cause the magnet to 
shift axially thereby partially or completely blocking one set of the 
apertures. Obviously, this would prevent the proper flow of water or fuel 
through the device. Furthermore, it is possible for the inner casing and 
elastic sleeves to shift as a unit relative to the ferrous casing, and 
this may also result in partial or complete blockage of one set of the 
apertures and/or cause the previously annular treatment chamber to become 
distorted thereby reducing the effectiveness with which the magnetic field 
treats the water or fuel. Axial shifting of the magnet and the 
magnet-casing structure may also be caused by a severe water hammer 
occurring in the water supply system, when the device is being utilized as 
a water conditioner. 
One embodiment of the present invention constitutes an improvement to the 
devices disclosed above in that the inner casing in which the magnet is 
encased has its opposite, tubular ends received within recesses in the end 
fittings, which are dimensioned to provide a snug engagement and to 
positively lock the inner casing against axial movement relative to the 
fittings. Since the inner casing is retained immobile relative to the end 
fittings, which are threadedly secured to the ferrous casing, these 
elements are maintained in their proper spatial relationship regardless of 
trauma to the device. This arrangement also provides for less pressure 
drop because the liquid flows directly into the inner casing with minimal 
turbulence. 
Although receiving the tubular end of the inner casing within recesses in 
the end fittings positively locks the inner casing against longitudinal 
movement relative to the end fittings and ferrous casing, on some 
occasions, difficulty has been encountered in assembling the unit. If the 
end fittings are screwed on the ferrous casing past the point where the 
ends of the inner casing are contacted by the bottoms of the recesses in 
the end fittings, the inner casing will be axially deformed. If this 
occurs, it is possible that the inner casing could buckle outwardly 
thereby reducing the volume of the annular treatment chamber, and even 
exposing the magnet to the flow of liquid if the liquid-tight seal between 
the inner casing and the ends caps supporting the magnet is disrupted. 
As an alternative form of the present invention, the recess in each of the 
end fittings is replaced by a tapered passage, which has a minimum inner 
diameter less than the outer diameter of the inner casing, and its maximum 
inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the inner casing. Thus, 
as the end caps are screwed onto the ferrous casing, the tapered passages 
contacts the ends of the inner casing and deform the ends radially inward 
to a slight degree. This causes the inner casing to seat uniformly on the 
end fittings and provides a tight seal between the inner casing and the 
end fittings. Furthermore, the inner casing is prevented from shifting 
axially because it is tightly compressed by the end fittings. It is 
generally desirable that the tapered passages continue beyond the axial 
outer ends of the inner casing so that any further axial shifting of the 
inner casing will be opposed as the ends thereof are further compressed by 
the tapered passages. 
In order to prevent the magnet from shifting axially relative to the inner 
casing, portions of the tubular end portions of the inner casing are 
deformed inwardly so as to form locking projections which would engage the 
capped magnet and prevent it from moving axially. This, together with the 
seating arrangement for the inner casing, maintains structural integrity 
of the unit capable of withstanding severe jolts sustained when dropped 
during shipping or due to a water hammer when the device is employed as a 
water conditioner. The structural arrangement according to the invention 
is also advantageous when the device is used as a fuel treater in 
vehicles, because the repeated and sometimes severe jolts to the engine as 
the vehicle traverses rough terrain may otherwise result in movement 
between the elements making up the device. 
Specifically, the present invention contemplates a device for the magnetic 
treatment of fluids, such as water and liquid and gaseous fuels, which 
comprises: an elongated, tubular intermediate casing of magnetic 
materials; an elongated magnet having opposite ends and at least two 
axially spaced poles; an inner casing of non-magnetic material encasing 
the magnet and having open, tubular end portions extending beyond opposite 
ends of the magnet; and a pair of end fittings connected to opposite ends 
of the intermediate casing and having externally open fluid passages 
therein. Each of the end fittings includes a recess spaced from and 
opening toward the magnet with respectively opposite tubular end portions 
of the inner casing received therein so as to radially space the inner 
casing from the intermediate casing thereby forming an annular treatment 
chamber therebetween. The recesses are in fluid communication with the 
fluid passages of the respective end fittings, and apertures are provided 
in each of the tubular end portions so as to form fluid flow paths from 
within the tubular end portions to the treatment chamber. An outer casing 
made of copper or other suitable material is received on turned down 
shoulders on the end fittings and is spaced outwardly from the 
intermediate casing. This serves to prevent the intermediate casing from 
coming into contact with other ferrous materials when the unit is 
installed. 
In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, wherein the recesses 
are formed as tapered passages which have a minimum inner diameter less 
than the outer diameter of the inner casing ends, and a maximum inner 
diameter greater than the outer diameter of the inner casing ends, as the 
end fittings are threadedly secured to the ferrous casing, the inner 
casing ends are pressed inwardly thereby forming a snug fit between the 
inner casing and end fittings. This prevents movement of the inner casing, 
both in the axial and radial directions. A further advantage to this 
embodiment is that the length of the inner and ferrous casings and the 
extent to which the end fittings are threaded onto the ferrous casing are 
much less critical. This is because the end fittings and inner casing are 
not in axial abutment, but the end fittings can continue to slide over the 
inner casing as they are threaded onto the ferrous casing with the only 
effect on the inner casing being that of a slight inward deformation. 
The outer diameter of the inner casing, a dimension which is sometimes 
difficult to maintain within tolerances, is also much less critical 
because the ends of the inner casing are automatically sized as they are 
deformed inwardly by the tapered passage. This relationship is also 
advantageous from the standpoint of precisely centering the inner casing 
within the ferrous casing so as to provide an annular treatment chamber 
which is preferably concentric relative to the magnetic field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now to the drawings, the magnetic water and fuel treatment device 
according to the present invention comprises an outer casing 10 made of a 
non-magnetic material, such as copper, and a pair of substantially 
identical fluid fittings 12 and 14, also of a non-magnetic material, such 
as brass. Fittings 12 and 14 are provided with flanges 16 and 18, 
respectively, which abut opposite ends 20 and 22 of outer casing 10. It 
will be seen that outer casing 10 is supported on annular shoulders 24 and 
26 such that the outer surface 28 of casing 10 is substantially flush with 
the outer surfaces 30 and 32 of fittings 12 and 14, respectively. 
Hexagonal heads 34 and 36 permit fittings 12 and 14 to be tightened by 
means of a standard wrench, and adapters 38 and 40 are provided with 
barbed outer surfaces 42 and 44 to facilitate connection with flexible 
hoses 46 and 48, which may comprise the fuel line of an internal 
combustion engine, for example. Hoses 46 and 48 are clamped by hose clamps 
35. Depending on the particular application for the device, and fittings 
12 and 14 may be provided with standard pipe threads for connection to 
pipe, or compression fittings for connection to thin walled copper pipe or 
tubing. The last two types of connections would be used when the device is 
serving as a water conditioner or for the treatment of natural gas or oil 
in the case of a furnace or heat conversion plant. In the embodiment 
illustrated, which is particularly adapted for connection in an engine 
fuel line, the barbed surfaces 42 and 44 dig into the inner surface 50 and 
52 of tubing 46 and 48 so as to resist disconnection while at the same 
time permitting easy attachment. Obviously, other types of fittings and 
connections may be utilized depending on the environment and intended use 
for the device. 
For purposes of the present application, the term "non-magnetic" means 
materials having a very low magnetic permeability and virtually no 
ferromagnetic characteristics, such as copper, brass, PVC, nylon and 
Delrin, for example. "Magnetic" materials are those materials exhibiting 
high magnetic permeability, such as iron and certain steels. 
A tubular intermediate casing 54 of a ferromagnetic material having a high 
magnetic permeability, such as galvanized iron or steel, is threadedly 
connected to fittings 12 and 14 by threads 56 and 58. If desired, threads 
56 and 58 may be coated with pipe grease or wrapped with Teflon tape to 
provide a watertight seal between fittings 12 and 14 and casing 54. Casing 
54 has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of outer casing 10 
to form an annular space 60 therebetween. 
Positioned within intermediate casing 54 is a tubular inner casing 62 of a 
non-magnetic material, such as copper, which is open at both ends 64 and 
66. Inner casing 62 is received within recesses 68 and 70 in fittings 12 
and 14, respectively, which open toward the center of the device and are 
in fluid communication with passages 72 and 74. Inner casing 62, fittings 
12 and 14 and intermediate casing 54 are dimensioned such that, when 
fittings 12 and 14 are screwed tightly onto intermediate casing 54, the 
axial edges 76 and 78 of inner casing 62 abut the bottoms 80 and 82 of 
recesses 68 and 70, respectively. Recesses 68 and 70 are preferably 
dimensioned such that the ends 64 and 66 of inner casing 62 will be snugly 
received therein when the device is assembled. Tapering walls 84 and 86 on 
fittings 12 and 14, respectively, assist in guiding the ends 64 and 66 of 
inner casing 62 into recesses 68 and 70. 
The particular arrangement shown in FIG. 1 causes the liquid to flow 
directly from passage 72 into inner casing 62 without first flowing into 
an enlarged chamber, as in the case of certain prior art water 
conditioners. When liquid flows into an enlarged chamber, the laminar flow 
pattern is disrupted and turbulence occurs. This results in a greater 
pressure drop, which reduces efficiency and may require the use of a 
larger capacity unit. By causing the liquid to flow directly into inner 
casing 62, laminar flow is generally maintained and loss of pressure is 
minimized. Also mixing of the liquid with air is reduced. 
Retained within inner casing 62 is an elongated permanent magnet 88, 
preferably having a composition of cobalt, nickel, aluminum, copper and 
iron, and is magnetized along its longitudinal axis to have a plurality of 
longitudinally spaced-apart poles of alternate North and South polarity 
represented by the symbols "N" and "S". Magnet 88 is substantially 
homogeneous in composition and, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises 
two magnetic domains extending transversely throughout the magnet and 
having their magnet moments oppositely aligned such that opposite North 
and South poles exist along the length of the magnet. A magnet such as 
this may be produced by imposing on a bar of magnetic material two 
longitudinally displaced static magnetic fields of opposite polarity. The 
number of poles for a particular magnet depends to a great extent on the 
size of the device and on the intended flow rate capacity, so that in the 
case of a very small capacity device, a magnet having only two poles may 
be the most efficient. It is preferable that magnet 88 be made of a 
material having a high energy product and high retentivity and coercivity, 
such as an Alnico material. Within these desirable constraints, a wide 
variety of commercially available magnets and magnetic materials may be 
utilized. 
Magnet 88 is provided with a pair of resilient end caps 90 and 92, which 
are received over the opposite ends thereof and compressed between it and 
the inner surface 94 of inner casing 62 so as to frictionally retain the 
magnet 88 in place. When the device is used as a water conditioner, caps 
90 and 92 are preferably made of polyethylene, and if the device is used 
as a fuel treater, they are made of brass. In both cases, the caps 90 and 
92 are made of a non-magnetic material so as to magnetically insulate the 
magnet 88 from the rest of the device. End caps 90 and 92 also serve to 
space the magnet 88 from the inner surface 94 of the inner casing 62. 
Inner casing 62 is centered within intermediate casing 54 so as to form an 
annular treatment chamber 96 defined by the inner surface 98 of 
intermediate casing 54 and the outer surface 100 of inner casing 62. In 
order to permit fluid flow between the interiors of the tubular end 
portions 64 and 66 of inner casing 62 and the annular treatment chamber 
96, apertures 102 and 104 are cut in the tubular end portions 64 and 66, 
respectively. Apertures 102 and 104 are displaced 180.degree. from each 
other about the longitudinal axis of the device so that the water or fuel 
which enters the treatment chamber 96 through one of the apertures will be 
caused to make a 180.degree. revolution about the axis within chamber 96 
before flowing out of the opposite aperture. This allows more of the 
chamber 96 to be utilized, because otherwise, a portion of the treatment 
chamber 96 would receive little or no fluid flow. Depending on the flow 
capacity of the device, additional apertures (not shown) may be cut in the 
tubular end portions 64 and 66, and if only two additional apertures are 
so provided, they are preferably aligned diametrally opposite the existing 
apertures 102 and 104, but apertures 102 and 104 would then be displaced 
90.degree. from each other rather than 180.degree.. In most cases, it is 
desirable that the cross-sectional areas of the passages 72 and 74, 
apertures 102 and 104, and chamber 96 be selected so as to maintain the 
pressure drop at a low level for the rated flow capacity of the device. 
Although the frictional forces between the plastic or brass end caps 90, 92 
and the inner surface 94 of inner casing 62 are generally adequate to 
prevent axial shifting of the magnet and end cap assembly during normal 
use, dropping the device on its end during shipping or installation may 
result in blockage of one of the apertures 102 and 104. This is caused by 
the magnet and end cap assembly shifting axially over one of the apertures 
102 or 104, thereby either completely blocking or substantially reducing 
the rate of flow through the obstructed aperture 102 or 104 so that the 
throughput of the device is substantially lowered. In the case where the 
device is used as a water conditioner, this may result in unacceptable 
losses in line pressure, and in the case where the device is used as a 
fuel treater, stalling of the engine due to inadequate supply of fuel to 
the carburetor or fuel injectors is a possibility. 
In order to positively lock the magnet and end cap structure within the 
inner casing 62, the tubular end portions 64 and 66 of inner casing 62 are 
crimped inwardly at points 106 and 108 (FIGS. 5 and 6) in the area of the 
edges 110 and 112 of apertures 102 and 104 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). Preferably, 
the crimped portions are located in the areas indicated by numeral 114 
which is the inside corner nearest the magnet 88. 
The crimped portions 106 and 108 form inwardly projecting locking 
protrusions 116 that prevent the end caps 90 and 92 from shifting past the 
crimped portions 106 and 108 just inside the apertures 102 and 104. 
The structure described above is designed to concentrate the magnetic field 
produced by magnet 88 in the annular chamber 96 immediately adjacent 
thereto and at the same time insulate this field from the supporting 
structure. Due to the high permeability of intermediate casing 54, the 
flux produced by magnet 88 will extend radially outward therefrom, flowing 
within intermediate casing 54, and then return to magnet 88 without 
straying from the treatment chamber 96. By thus containing the magnetic 
field, maximum efficiency in subjecting the water or fuel flowing through 
the device to the magnetic field is achieved. Containment of the magnetic 
field is further enhanced through the use of non-magnetic materials for 
the outer casing 10, fittings 12 and 14, inner casing 62 and plastic or 
brass end caps 90 and 92. 
The device is assembled by first inserting the magnet 88 within inner 
casing 62 and then pressing the brass end caps 90 and 92 over the ends of 
the magnet 88 so that they are compressed between the magnet 88 and the 
inner surface of inner casing 62. If plastic end caps 90 and 92 are 
utilized, however, they are first placed over the ends of the magnet 88, 
and then this assembly is pressed into the inner casing 62. After the 
magnet 88 and end caps 90 and 92 are in place, the tubular end portions 64 
and 66 are crimped as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
Inner casing 62 is then inserted within the recess 70 of fitting 14, and 
intermediate casing 54 is loosely screwed into fitting 14. The outer 
casing 10 is then slipped over intermediate casing 54 and guided onto 
annular shoulder 26. The other fitting 12 is screwed onto the other end of 
intermediate casing 54 and, as mentioned earlier, the tapered surface 84 
of fitting 12 assists in guiding the end 64 of inner casing 62 into recess 
68. Fittings 12 and 14 are then tightly screwed onto intermediate casing 
54 until the ends 76 and 78 bottom out against the axial surfaces 80 and 
82 of recesses 68 and 70. Outer casing 10 is preferably dimensioned so 
that it will fit snugly between shoulders 24 and 26 of fittings 12 and 14 
when fittings 12 and 14 are tight. The threaded portions 56 and 58 of 
intermediate casing 54 are preferably tapered slightly so that as fittings 
12 and 14 are screwed thereon, a fluid-tight seal is achieved. 
FIG. 8 illustrates the manner in which the above-described device may be 
mounted within the gasoline-fuel engine 118 of an automobile. The fuel 
treatment device, which is indicated generally by the numeral 120, is 
preferably connected in the fuel line, which has been severed so as to 
form portions 46 and 48, as close to the inlet of the carburetor 124 as 
possible. Thus, as the fuel is pumped from the gasoline reservoir (not 
shown) by fuel pump 126, it will flow through fuel line 46, passage 72, 
tubular end portion 64, aperture 102, annular treatment chamber 96, 
aperture 104, tubular end portion 66, passage 74, and fuel line portion 48 
into carburetor 124. As the fuel flows through the annular chamber 96, it 
is subjected to the high density, substantially radial magnetic field 
produced by magnet 88. Although the effect of the magnetic field on the 
fuel is not fully understood, it is believed that this treatment causes 
the vaporized fuel to disperse more rapidly once it enters the expanded 
area of the combustion chamber thereby causing more complete combustion 
resulting in greater fuel efficiency and performance and a reduction of 
exhaust emissions. 
Although not illustrated, the device 120 may also be used in conjunction 
with a diesel engine by connecting it in the fuel line prior to the fuel 
filter and the fuel injectors. Furthermore, the device may be used for 
treating propane, both in vehicles and other installations, as well as 
natural gas and oil, such as in furnace installations and electricity 
generating plants. In each case, it is important that the fuel be treated 
prior to its reaching the air/fuel mixing apparatus, such as the 
carburetor, fuel injector, nozzle, burner, etc. 
As indicated earlier, the device is useful for conditioning or treating 
water, in which case it is series connected directly in the water supply 
line, prior to the boiler, humidifier, ice maker, or other apparatus 
wherein scale is a problem. 
The water and fuel treatment device has been shown and described as having 
an overall shape which is generally symmetrical about a straight axis, but 
other configurations are not excluded. Although a North-South-South-North 
arrangement for the poles of magnet 88 have been illustrated in connection 
with the preferred embodiment, other arrangements, such as 
South-North-North-South will also be effective. Furthermore, the number of 
poles can be increased or decreased depending on the space and flow 
capacity requirements of the device. 
FIGS. 9-11 illustrate an alternative technique for locking the magnet and 
end cap assembly against axial movement within inner casing 62. Similarly 
to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 121,646 filed Feb. 14, 1980 
now U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,700 in the name of Charles H. Sanderson, apertures 
102 and 104 may be crimped by means of a tool 130, which is inserted in 
the apertures as shown in FIG. 9 and pivoted downwardly so as to bend edge 
132 of aperture 102 upwardly and bend edge 134 downwardly at angles of 
45.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis. Edges 136 and 138 of 
aperture 104 are similarly deformed. 
Inwardly deformed edges 134 and 138 form locking protrusions on the inner 
surface 94 of inner casing 62 so as to prevent magnet 88 and end caps 90 
and 92 from shifting axially. An additional advantage to this 
configuration is that apertures 102 and 104 are shaped such that they form 
deflector surfaces which tend to scoop the incoming water or fuel into 
annular chamber 96, and then scoop the fuel or water out of chamber 96 
toward outlet end 66. This provides an easier flow path for the liquid 
and, therefore, produces less pressure drop than in the case where the 
liquid must make a right angle turn before it begins to flow in chamber 96 
and then another right angle turn as it leaves chamber 96. 
FIG. 10 illustrates the crimping device 130 which is used to deform 
apertures 102 and 104. It comprises a handle 141 adapted to be gripped by 
the person crimping apertures 102 and 104, and a tool portion 143 having 
an upper surface 147, which has the same curvatures as the inner edge of 
apertures 102 and 104 when tool 130 is inserted into apertures 102 and 
104. If desired the lower surface of portion 143 may taper gradually into 
a concave surface toward handle 141, as shown in FIG. 10. 
As discussed earlier, one of the problems with the embodiment illustrated 
in FIG. 1 is that tightening of the end fittings 12 and 14 onto 
intermediate casing 54 is critical because it is desirable that the 
surfaces 80 and 82 of recesses 68 and 70 just bottom out against the ends 
76 and 78 of inner casing 62. If end fittings 12 and 14 are tightened too 
far on intermediate casing 54, as may be the case if outer casing 10 is 
too short, inner casing 62 may be buckled at the apertures thereby 
allowing the inner casing 62 to come in direct contact with the 
intermediate casing 54. This would cause a partial obstruction in the 
annular treatment chamber 96, and would result in a reduction in 
efficiency of the device. Additionally, inner casing 62 may pull away from 
end caps 90 and 92 thereby exposing the magnet 88 to the liquid. A further 
difficulty with the embodiment of FIG. 1, is the necessity to have the 
outer diameter of inner casing 62 be within very close tolerances so that 
it will not rattle within end fittings 12 and 14. 
FIG. 12 illustrates one end of a fuel treater or water conditioner 
according to the present invention wherein the ferrous casing and magnet 
structure have been removed for the sake for clarity. The opposite end 
structure is identical. 
Inner casing 142, within which the magnet (not shown) is supported by end 
caps (not shown) similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 1, is directly 
supported by the end fittings 140 so that it is concentrically disposed 
within the outer casing (not shown). It should be noted that the outer 
casing, intermediate casing and magnet structure associated with the 
embodiment of FIG. 12 are identical to that of FIG. 1. End fittings 140 
includes a tapered passage 156 which has a generally uniformly decreasing 
diameter in the axial direction away from the magnet. Thus, as end 
fittings 140 are threaded onto the ferrous casing by means of threads 152 
within portion 150, the ends 158 of inner casing 142 will be deformed 
radially inwardly as illustrated in FIG. 12. This provides a very snug fit 
between the outer surface 157 of inner casing 142 and tapered passages 156 
so that movement in the radial direction as well as the axial direction is 
prevented. It will be seen that any axial movement of inner casing 142 
relative to end fittings 140 will be resisted because of the compression 
between inner casing 142 and the tapered passages 156. 
Assume, for example, that the outer casing which is supported on annular 
steps 153 is cut slightly shorter than its optimum length. This will 
result in end fittings 140 being screwed on the intermediate casing to a 
greater extent than necessary before the ends of the outer casing bottom 
against end fittings 140. This presents no problem relative to inner 
casing 142, however, because it continues to be deformed inwardly so that 
a tight fit between it and tapered passages 156 will exist at all times. 
No buckling of inner casing 142 occurs because relative sliding movement 
between passages 156 and the outer surface 157 of inner casing 142 occurs. 
In fact, end fittings 140 could even be tightened down to the extent that 
inner casing 142 would protrude beyond tapered passages 156 into the area 
defined by tapered surface 154, although this is generally not desirable. 
In order to permit inner casing 142 to be easily inserted within tapered 
passages 156, the larger diameter ends thereof are preferably larger than 
the outer diameter of inner casing 142. It is necessary that the minimum 
inner diameter at the axially outer ends of tapered passages 156 be 
smaller than the outer diameter of the ends 158 of inner casing 142 so 
that the desired tight fit is achieved. End fitting 140 is provided with a 
hexagonal portion 148 to permit the end fitting 140 to be screwed onto the 
intermediate casing. Portion 144 is provided with internal threads 146 for 
attachment to a standard threaded pipe. Alternatively, the embodiment of 
FIG. 12 could be configured for attachment to fuel line hose, a 
compression fitting, or any other liquid conveying means depending on its 
intended use. 
The embodiment of FIG. 12 is assembled by first inserting the magnet 88 
within inner casing 142 and then pressing the brass end caps 90 and 92 
over the ends of the magnet 88 so that they are compressed between the 
magnet 88 and the inner surface of inner casing 142. If plastic end caps 
are utilized, however, they are first placed over the ends of magnet 88, 
and then this assembly is pressed into inner casing 142. After the magnet 
88 and end caps 90 and 92 are in place, the tubular end portions are 
crimped as illustrated in FIG. 5 in the case of the previous embodiment. 
Inner casing 142 is then inserted within the tapered passage 156 of one of 
the end fittings 140, and the intermediate casing is loosely screwed into 
threads 152. The outer casing 10 is then slipped over the intermediate 
casing and guided onto annular shoulder 153. The other fitting 140 is 
screwed onto the other end of intermediate casing 54, and is guided onto 
inner casing 142 by virtue of the fact that the maximum outer diameter of 
tapered passage 156 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of inner 
casing 142. Fittings 140 are then tightly screwed onto the intermediate 
casing 54, and as tapered passages 156 are pressed over the ends 158 of 
inner casing 142, the ends 158 are deformed inwardly by the radial inward 
tapering forces as illustrated in FIG. 12. End fittings 140 are screwed 
onto intermediate casing 54 until the flange portions 150 thereof abut the 
ends of outer casing 10. 
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it 
will be understood that it is capable of further modification. This 
application is, therefore, intended to cover any variations, uses, or 
adaptations of the invention following the general principles thereof and 
including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known 
or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and fall 
within the limits of the appended claims.