APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING A FLUID

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning a liquid comprises support means (10) of non-magnetic material for mounting around a pipe (12) carrying a liquid, and at least one pair of permanent magnets (26) mounted in the support means. When the support means is mounted on the pipe the magnets are on opposite sides of the pipe with their poles lying substantially along a common diameter relative to the pipe access. The magnetic field thereby generated in the pipe magnetically treats the fluid within the pipe. This may be done, for example, in order to increase fuel efficiency or in order to treat water hardness.

Description: APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING A FLUID This invention relates to an apparatus for conditioning a fluid. According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for conditioning a fluid flowing in a pipe, comprising a non-magnetic support means for mounting around the pipe, and at least one permanent magnet mounted in the support means such that when the support means is mounted on the pipe the magnetic field passes through the fluid in the pipe. In an embodiment of the invention for use with fuel pipes, at least one pair of magnets are mounted diagonally opposite one another on opposite sides of the pipe, the magnets having opposite poles facing the pipe. In an alternative embodiment of the invention for use with pipes carrying mineral fluid, a plurality of magnets are spaced angularly around the axis of the pipe, all the magnets having like poles facing the pipe. In such case the magnets are preferably arranged in at least two pairs of magnets, the magnets in each pair being disposed diagonally opposite one another on opposite sides of the pipe. The magnets may be made of sintered and compressed neodymium particles, and the support means may comprise two substantially semi-annular parts which can be assembled to form a substantially annular body surrounding the pipe. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention mounted on a fuel pipe; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the support means of the embodiment of Fig. 1 taken in a plane normal to the axis of the pipe; Fig. 3 is a side view of the support means of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention for mounting on a water pipe; and Fig. 5 is a partially cut away perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate an embodiment of the invention useful for mounting on a fuel pipe, such as a petrol or gas pipe. The apparatus includes a non-magnetic support means in the form of a substantially annular body 10 adapted for mounting around a pipe 12 carrying the fluid 14 to be conditioned, the pipe passing through the central circular aperture 16 (Fig. 2) . Flanges 18 at each axial end of the body 10 define a shallow trough 20 around the circumference of the body. The body 10 consists of two substantially semi-annular halves 10' and 10" which are hinged together by a narrow flexible connecting part 22 made of neoprene so that they may be opened and closed in the manner of jaws for mounting around and removal from the pipe 12. The halves 10' and 10" and the connecting part 22 may be moulded as an integral structure from a plastics material such as "PVC". Each half 10' and 10" of the body 10 has a respective substantially cylindrical bore 24. When the two halves 10', 10" of the body 10 are closed together and mounted on the pipe 12, the bores are disposed diagonally opposite one another on opposite sides of the pipe with the axis of each bore 24 substantially passing through the centre of the circular aperture 16 and, accordingly, through the longitudinal axis of the pipe 12. A respective permanent magnet 26 is mounted in each bore 24 and secured in position therein by, for example, glue or mechanical fixture. Each magnet 26 is a cylinder whose diameter is fractionally less than the diameter of the respective bore to permit a snug fit in the respective bore. Each magnet is magnetised so that its North and South poles are aligned on its axis and, as seen in Fig. 1, the magnets are mounted in the body 10 such that opposite poles face one another on opposite sides of the pipe 12. Thus a magnetic field 28 passes directly across the gap between the facing N- S poles of the magnets, thereby passing through the fluid 14. Each permanent magnet is preferably made of sintered and compressed neodymium (Nd-Fe-B) particles which provides particularly strong permanent magnetism. In use the apparatus is mounted on a fuel pipe and held in place on the pipe by applying an adhesive tape or elastic band (not shown) around the circumference of the body in the trough 20. The fuel flowing in the pipe is conditioned in such a manner as to result in an even and efficient combustion in the engine, which can be measured by monitoring the exhaust gas. In addition, there is a reduction of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide production. Thus, through the magnetic alignment and separation of the fuel molecules, optimal combustion is obtained which effectively ' reduces motor fuel consumption by 10% to 25% depending upon the particular motor and its use. Motor clogging is substantially eliminated. This results in less pollution, clean valves, clean fuel line injection, and the elimination of combustion residue. Fig. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention useful for mounting on a pipe carrying mineral fluid, such as water and varied in size depending on the pipe's diameter. The basic construction of the second embodiment is in large part the same as the first embodiment, and thus only the differences will be described. Firstly, the two halves 10' and 10" of the body 10 are not connected by the flexible hinge 22 but are entirely separate. They are held in place around the pipe 12, as before, by applying an adhesive tape or elastic band (not shown) around the circumference of the body in the trough 20. Of course, a hinged body 10 like that shown in Figs. 1 to 3 could be used in this embodiment, and likewise two entirely separate halves 10', 10" could be used in the first embodiment. Secondly, there are in this case six permanent magnets 26 secured in respective bores 24 in the body 10, three in the body half 10' spaced at 45 degrees from one another and three in the body half 10" also spaced at 45 degrees from one another. When the body 10 is mounted around the pipe 12, the three magnets in the body half 10' form, together with the three magnets in the body half 10", three pairs of magnets with the two magnets in each pair being disposed diagonally opposite one another on opposite sides of the pipe 12. As before, each magnet 26 is a cylinder whose diameter is fractionally less than the diameter of the respective bore 24 to permit a snug fit in the respective bore, and each magnet is magnetised so that its North and South poles are aligned on its axis. However, in this embodiment all the magnets have like poles (in this case their North poles) facing the pipe. Again, neodymium magnets may be used, and preferably the magnetic field emerges from each at an angle of 25 to 28 degrees . In use the apparatus is mounted on, for example, a mains water pipe or other water supply and held in place as described. Water containing heavy lime deposits (hard water) flows through the strong magnetic field established by the six magnets or greater number depending on pipe diameter. The magnetic field effects the polarity of calcium and magnesium entities causing them to remain in solution. The result is an effective softening of hard water without chemical additives. The example shows a pipe of 1 inch diameter. This second embodiment is applicable to household water supplies, coffee machines, hot water tanks, steamers, vaporisers, ovens, washing machines, refrigerated display cases and ice cube making machines, and may be installed in dentists, apartment complexes, hairdressers, etc. Examples of the above embodiments designed for use with a pipe 12 having a diameter of about 10 mm had approximately the following dimensions: Dl = 35mm D2 = 32mm d3 = 20mm d4 = 10mm LI = 25mm L2 = 20mm The length of each magnet 26, i.e. the dimension in the direction radially of the pipe axis, was 5mm. The magnets were Type BM 35 neodymium magnets as marketed by Bakker Magnetics of the Netherlands. Naturally in either embodiment the apparatus can be adapted for use with pipes whose diameter is smaller or larger than 10mm, in which case the dimensions of the body 10 and magnets 26 would be correspondingly chosen.

Claims: Claims 1. An apparatus for conditioning a liquid, comprising a support means of non-magnetic material for mounting around a pipe carrying a liquid, and at least one pair of permanent magnets mounted in the support means such that when the support means is mounted on the pipe the magnets are on opposite sides of the pipe with their poles lying substantially along a common diameter relative to the pipe axis. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is only one pair or magnets mounted in the support means, the magnets having opposite poles facing one another on opposite sides of the pipe. 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of pairs of magnets disposed substantially equi- angularly around the axis of the pipe, all magnets having like poles facing the pipe. 4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the magnets are made of sintered and compressed Neodymium particles. 5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support means comprises two substantially semi- annular parts which can be assembled around a pipe to form a substantially annular body surrounding the pipe. 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the semi- annular parts are hinged together in the manner of jaws. 7. A method of conditioning a liquid comprising mounting an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim around a pipe and passing the liquid through the pipe.

Inventors: KIESINGER WERNER, KIESINGER, WERNER
Applicants: KIESINGER WERNER, TARELLA TRADING LIMITED, KIESINGER, WERNER
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F02M27
IPC codes: F02M27