Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for the treatment of pipes, pipe systems and related equipment, and the fluid and gas carried in the pipes to prevent scaling and build-up of deposits in the pipe. A first exemplary embodiment of the system comprises a pipe for carrying a fluid and at least one magnet assembly abutting portions of the exterior of the pipe to be treated. The magnet assembly preferably includes a plurality of magnet structures, the magnet structures being disposed at different radial positions around the exterior of the pipe. Each of the magnet structures includes a housing having first and second parallel sidewalls and a top wall connecting the pair of sidewalls; at least one first magnet disposed parallel to the top wall, and so that its north pole abuts the first sidewall; at least one second magnet disposed perpendicular to the top wall, and so that its south pole abuts a south pole of the at least one first magnet; at least one third magnet disposed parallel to the top wall, and so that its south pole abuts the south pole of the at least one second magnet; at least one fourth magnet disposed perpendicular to the top wall, and so that its north pole abuts a north pole of the at least one third magnet; and, at least one fifth magnet disposed parallel to the top wall, and so that its south pole abuts the second sidewall.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a system and method for the separation of dissolved solids and purification of liquids and gases which are carried in pipes, and in particular, to the purification of such liquids and gases by using a magnetic assembly.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
         [0002]    Ground and surface water supplies typically contain dissolved solids, such as calcium carbonate, which are leached from the ground, air, or from pipes carrying the water and are carried along with the water. Over time, these dissolved solids are deposited on the interior of the pipes and lead to buildup in the form of scale (e.g., calcite) within the pipes. Eventually, this buildup results in a constriction and corrosion of the pipes, and a reduction in the flow of water through the pipes. Similar materials also deposit on cooling towers, heat exchangers, boilers and other equipment which carries fluids such as water, reducing their efficiency, which in turn results in increased operation costs. Material such as iron dissolved in water can be deposited on fountains or other surfaces that are constantly in contact with water, resulting in unsightly stains. In addition, water pools, lakes, fountains, and spas often contain microorganisms, which breed algae and effect the quality of the water.  
           [0003]    Currently, removal of scale and microorganisms is achieved by treatment with chemicals, such as hexavalent chromium, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hypochlorite. Treatment with such chemicals results in a considerable cost for the continued use of the chemicals themselves and the constant monitoring which is required to ensure that the chemicals are at the correct “working” concentrations. The use of such chemicals may lead to increased rates of corrosion of the pipes and of other structures which are subjected to them. In addition, while treatment of scale on pipes with chemicals may lead to an increased water flow by enlarging the effective internal diameter of the pipes, the scale is not removed completely, and significant amounts of scale remain in the pipes. An additional cost of the use of chemicals is to the environment. Chemicals that are used in treating the water cause contamination of the water, and such water may require collection (for additional treatment) and dumping after use. Such dumping results in a significant economic, as well as environmental, costs (e.g. to water supplies, sea life, plants and humans). Additionally, evaporated water containing chemicals releases those chemicals into the air which fall back as acid rain.  
           [0004]    Another source of environmental pollution is the inefficient burning of gasoline in internal combustion engines, where unburned gasoline is exhausted into the environment. Also, inefficient burning of gasoline in an internal combustion engine results in a buildup on spark plugs, which necessitates frequent tune-up of engines in order to maintain their operation at a reasonable level of efficiency.  
           [0005]    Over the last fifty years, non-ionizing irradiation processes, such as magnetic fields, have been advertised as a kind of panacea for water treatment. It has been claimed that these devices require no technical training or control and will treat water non-chemically to control microorganism growth, prevent scale, and inhibit corrosion. Variable effectiveness and little scientific understanding of the process mechanisms have produced substantial skepticism.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,558 to Curtis shows a system which utilizes magnetic fields for pipe treatment. The system  10  is shown in FIG. 1 of the patent, it includes a plurality (e.g. six) of magnet units  12  disposed at different radial positions around the periphery of a pipe  14 . The particular structure of the magnet units  12  is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the patent. Each magnet unit  12  includes a pair of end pole pieces  22  and a top pole piece  20 . Sandwiched between the pole pieces  22 ,  20  are permanent magnets  18 ,  19  and  27 . The magnets  18  are arranged so that their poles are parallel to the pole pieces  22  and so that they are alternating in polarity (i.e. the left magnet  18  has its north pole facing up and the right magnet  18  has its south pole facing up). The magnets  19  are arranged so that their poles are perpendicular to the pole pieces  22 . Both north poles of the magnets  19  are facing towards the right. The magnets  27  have the same orientation and polarity as the magnets  18 . The system  10  operates by creating a magnetic flux in the pipe  14  which suspends charged particles (i.e. impurities) traveling through the pipe. The charged particles are then removed from the pipe  14  by a separate drainage system (not shown). The particles are suspended by creating a magnetic flux in the pipe  14  which has a greater magnetic charge than the particles themselves.  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 shows an example of the type of magnetic flux  50 ,  50 ′ created by the magnet units  12  of the system  10  described above. The magnetic flux  50 ,  50 ′ is arc-shaped, and extends between a “north” and “south” pole of each magnet unit  12 . As can be seen, the field  50 ,  50 ′ created by magnets  12  of system  10  has a large circumference and extends only partially into the interior of the pipe  14 . Thus, many particles (e.g. particle X in FIG. 1) which pass through the pipe  14  are not affected by the field  50 , and consequently, the above-described system  10  will not completely treat and clean pipes to which it is attached.  
           [0008]    In view of the above, there is a need for a improved system which will prevent and remove scale buildup, and inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Additionally, there is a need for a system which will aid in the complete combustion of gasoline in an internal combustion engine.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention is a magnet apparatus including a housing with at least two sidewalls, and top and bottom walls connecting the sidewalls; at least two first magnets disposed orthogonal to and abutting the bottom wall of the housing; and at least three second magnets disposed parallel to and abutting the bottom wall of the housing, one of the at least three second magnets being disposed between the at least two first magnets.  
           [0010]    The above and other advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a side cross section view showing a conventional magnetic treatment system.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a side cross section view of a magnet apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a side cross section view showing a magnetic treatment system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the magnetic treatment system shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a side cross section view showing a magnetic treatment system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the magnetic treatment system shown in FIG. 5. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    The present invention relates to a non-invasive system and method for the non-chemical separation of magnetically susceptible dissolved solids in any fluid or gas. It also enhances the removal of built-up contaminants that occur in pipe lines and equipment that carries fluids and gases. As such, the present invention assists in the non-chemical conditioning, treatment and purification of fluids and gases, and the associated transmission systems (e.g. pipes).  
         [0018]    The present invention is made to satisfy Faraday&#39;s Laws of Motion which state that whenever an electrically charged particle in a fluid or gas comes across a stronger magnetic flux, it polarizes. Thus, the present invention creates a magnetic flux which is stronger than the electrical charge on particles dissolved in the fluid or gas. The present invention is also disposed such that the fluid or gas flows across the magnetic flux at approximately a ninety (90) degree angle. By causing a polarization of the electrically charged particles present in the fluid or gas, the present invention causes the particles to go from a dissolved state to a suspended state. When the particles are in a suspended state, they are physically disposed in the fluid or gas, but are not part of the fluid or gas, much as a spoon placed in a glass of water, and thus may be easily removed. In order to create such a magnetic flux, the present invention utilizes a series of magnet apparatus (explained below), which surround a pipe carrying the fluid or gas. The magnet apparatus are arranged so that their respective “north” and “south” poles repel each other across the pipe. Thus, the “south” pole of one magnet apparatus will be prevented from seeking the “north” pole of the same magnet apparatus. Instead, the “south” pole of one magnet apparatus seeks the “north” pole of a magnet apparatus disposed on an opposing side of the pipe (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Therefore, a magnetic flux or fluxes are created which reach across the entire pipe, and consequently charged particles which are present in the fluid or gas flowing in the pipe must pass through the magnetic flux. As the charged particles encounter the stronger magnetic flux, they go into a suspended state, and can thus be easily removed from the fluid or gas, thereby purifying the fluid or gas.  
         [0019]    Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a magnet apparatus  112  according to a first  2   0  exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The magnet apparatus  112  is comprised of a housing  200  made of plastic or similar material with a bottom wall  201 , a top wall  202 , and first  203  and second  204  sidewalls. The bottom wall  201  of the housing  200  preferably abuts a pipe (not shown) when the magnet apparatus  112  is attached thereto. Inside the housing  200  there is disposed a first pole structure  210  for directing the magnetic field of the magnetic apparatus  112 . The housing  200  also includes a second pole structure  220 , also for directing the magnetic field of the magnetic apparatus  112 . Preferably, the pole structures  210 ,  220  are made of ferromagnetic metals, however they may be made of any ferromagnetic material. Although the first pole structure  210  is shown as being formed of a unitary U-shaped member, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the structure may also be formed by separate pieces without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0020]    The magnet apparatus  112  also includes a plurality of magnets  230 - 250  disposed within the housing  200 . Preferably, the plurality of magnets  230 - 250  comprise permanent magnets, however, they may alternatively comprise electromagnets. The magnets  230 - 250  may be made of a rare earth trivalent element such as Neodymium (Nd) mixed with Boron (B) and Iron (Fe). Preferably, the magnets  230 - 250  are made using Neodymium 44 (Neodymium with a heat-flux ratio of 44), however, they may also be made using Neodymium 17, 19, 25, 29, 35 or Neodymium with any other suitable heat-flux ratio. Additionally, the magnets  230 - 250  are preferably coated with a double nickel plating layer, however, they may be coated with any type of suitable layer known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0021]    A first magnet  230  is disposed so that its poles are parallel to the bottom wall  201  of the housing  200 , and so that its “north” pole abuts the first pole structure  210 . A “south” pole of the second magnet  230  abuts a “south” pole of a second magnet  235 . The second magnet  235  is disposed so that its poles are orthogonal to the bottom wall  201  of the housing  200 , and so that its “north” pole abuts the second pole structure  220 . A third magnet  240 , also disposed with its poles parallel to the bottom wall  201  of the housing  200 , is disposed so that a “south” pole thereof abuts the “south”, pole of the second magnet  235 . A “north” pole of the third magnet  240  abuts a “north” pole of a fourth magnet  245 . The fourth magnet  245  is disposed with its poles orthogonal to the bottom wall  201  of the housing, and so that its “south” pole abuts the second pole structure  220 . A fifth magnet  250  is disposed with its poles parallel to the bottom wall  201  of the housing  200 , and so that its “south” pole abuts the first pole structure  210 . The “north” pole of the fifth magnet  250  abuts the “north” pole of the fourth magnet  245 . Areas  205  of the housing  200  which do not include either pole structures or magnets may be filled with a non-magnetic (e.g. plastic) material, or may be left open.  
         [0022]    As shown in FIG. 3, the particular configuration of magnets  230 - 250  and pole structures  210 - 220  in each magnet apparatus  112 ,  112 ′ creates magnetic fluxes  150 ,  150 ′ which are longer and more narrow then the magnetic fluxes created by conventional apparatus (e.g. fluxes  50 ,  50 ′ of system  10 , described above with reference to FIG. 1). In particular, the magnetic fluxes  150 ,  150 ′ created by the magnet apparatus  112 ,  112 ′ extend from each magnet apparatus substantially to a central axis of a pipe (e.g. axis A of pipe  114 ), and across to a magnet apparatus disposed on an opposite side of the pipe. By creating a magnetic fluxes  150 ,  150 ′ which stretch further into a pipe to which the magnetic apparatus  112 ,  112 ′ are attached, more particles traveling in the pipe can be affected by the fluxes, and consequently, a more efficient cleaning and treatment system can be achieved. Preferably, the magnetic fluxes  150 ,  150 ′ are made stronger than the magnetic charge on any particles which may be flowing in the liquid or gas contained in the pipe. Accordingly, when a charged particle encounters the stronger magnetic fluxes  150 ,  150 ′, it will go into a suspended state (as described above). When the particle(s) is in such a suspended state, it can be easily removed from the fluid or gas which is present in the pipe.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 shows a magnetic treatment system  100  which utilizes the magnetic apparatus  112  (or  112 ′) described above with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the magnetic fluxes  150 ,  150 ′ respectively created by magnet apparatus  112 ,  112 ′ according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Each of the fluxes  150 ,  150 ′ includes magnetic field lines which extend from a “south” pole of each respective magnet apparatus  112 ,  112 ′ to a “north” pole of a magnet apparatus disposed on an opposing side of the pipe  114 . As can be seen, the magnetic flux  150  (indicated by dashed lines) of magnet apparatus  112  extends from a “south” pole  201  of the magnet apparatus, substantially to a central axis A of the pipe  114 , and across to a “north” pole  202 ′ of magnet apparatus  112 ′. Similarly, the magnetic flux  150 ′ (indicated by dashed-dotted lines) of magnet apparatus  112 ′ extends from a “south” pole of the magnet apparatus  201 ′, substantially to a central axis A of the pipe  114 , and across to a “north” pole  202  of magnet apparatus  112 . Thus, by the combination of the magnetic fluxes  150 ,  150 ′, a magnetic field band  160  is created which extends across the entirety of the pipe  114 , and consequently, substantially all particles which pass through the pipe (such as particle X) are affected by the magnetic field band.  
         [0024]    In order to create such a magnetic field band  160  across the pipe  114 , the magnets  230 - 250  must be selected to ensure a proper distribution of magnetic flux. For instance, the two magnets  235 ,  245  which are disposed with their poles orthogonal to the bottom wall  201  of the housing  200  should be of the same magnetic power, and the three magnets  230 ,  240 ,  250  which are disposed with their poles parallel to the bottom wall of the housing should be of the same magnetic power. Also, the two magnets  235 ,  245  should each be of a greater magnetic power than each of the three magnets  230 ,  240 ,  250 . By selecting the magnets  230 - 250  in such a way, a long and narrow magnetic fluxes  150 ,  150 ′ which extend substantially to a central axis A of the pipe, and a resulting magnetic field band  160 , are ensured.  
         [0025]    It should be noted that although only two magnetic apparatus  112 ,  112 ′ can be seen in FIG. 3, there are actually many such apparatus surrounding the pipe  114 , each providing a separate magnetic flux (e.g. fluxes  150 ,  150 ′). FIG. 4 is a front view of the magnetic treatment system  100 , showing six (6) magnetic apparatus (e.g.  112 ,  112 ′) attached to the pipe  114  by a retaining ring  115 . The number of magnetic apparatus  112  shown in FIG. 4 is exemplary only, and one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the number of magnetic apparatus  112  attached to the pipe  114  may be varied depending on (among other factors) the outer circumference of the pipe and the extent of treatment required.  
         [0026]    The magnetic apparatus  112  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be used in a variety of different systems, most notable being fluid systems (e.g. water or chemical transmission networks), and combustion engine systems for automobiles. However, the magnetic apparatus  112  has application in any environment where the suspension of charged particles in a liquid or gas is required. Furthermore, it should be noted that the magnetic apparatus  112  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be made in various sizes and with various magnetic field (flux) strengths, such that the apparatus may be adaptable to accommodate any conventional pipe size which may be encountered in the routine use of such a device. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a magnetic treatment system  300  according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic treatment system  300  is preferably utilized in a fuel treatment system. The magnetic treatment system includes a pipe  310  with a magnetic apparatus  320  disposed around the periphery thereof. The pipe  310  is preferably made of a non-magnetic material such as copper, aluminum or rubber. The magnetic apparatus  320  includes first  330  and second  340  magnet structures disposed in a housing  321 . Although the housing  321  is shown as being substantially cylindrical in FIGS. 5 and 6, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the housing may be of any suitable shape (e.g. rectangular). The magnetic apparatus  320  further includes pole structures  350 ,  360  for directing the magnetic field created by the magnet structures  330 ,  340 . Preferably, the pole structures  350 ,  360  are made of ferromagnetic metals, however they may be made of any ferromagnetic material. The magnetic apparatus  320  also includes areas  370  which may be filled with a non-magnetic (e.g. plastic) material, or may be left open.  
         [0027]    Each of the first and second magnetic structures  330 ,  340  include a respective plurality of magnets  331 - 333 ,  341 - 343  disposed therein. The magnets  331 - 333  and  341 - 343  may be made as described above with reference to the first exemplary embodiment. The first magnetic structure  330  includes a first magnet  331  with its poles disposed orthogonal to the pipe  310 , and with its “south” pole abutting the pipe. The first magnetic structure  330  also includes a second magnet  332  with its poles disposed parallel to the pipe  310 , and with its “south” pole abutting the first magnet  331 . Finally, the first magnetic structure  330  also includes a third magnet  333  with its poles disposed orthogonal to the pipe  310 , and with its “north” pole abutting the pipe  310 . The second magnetic structure  340  includes a first magnet  341  with its poles disposed orthogonal to the pipe  310 , and with its “south” pole abutting the pipe. The first magnetic structure  340  also includes a second magnet  342  with its poles disposed parallel to the pipe  310 , and with its “south” pole abutting the first magnet  341 . Finally, the first magnetic structure  340  also includes a third magnet  343  with its poles disposed orthogonal to the pipe  310 , and with its “north” pole abutting the pipe  310 .  
         [0028]    In operation, the magnetic treatment system  300  is inserted between two ends of a fuel line. Although not shown, the system preferably includes clamps on either side of the pipe  310  which allow attachment to the fuel line. Fuel which passes through the fuel line, and consequently the system  300 , is then treated (as described above with reference to FIG. 3) by the magnetic apparatus  320 . It should be noted that, unlike the magnetic treatment system  100  shown in FIG. 3, the pipe  310  preferably forms an integral part of the system. However, it is not necessary that the pipe  310  be an integral part of the system  300 , the magnetic apparatus  320  may be formed so that it clamps around already existing pipes.  
         [0029]    As with the first exemplary embodiment, the particular configuration of magnet structures  330 ,  340  and pole structures  350 ,  360  creates magnetic fluxes  380 ,  380 ′ which extend substantially to a central axis A of a pipe  310 . By creating magnetic fluxes  380 ,  380 ′ which stretch further into the pipe  310 , more particles traveling in the pipe can be affected by the fluxes, and consequently, a more efficient cleaning and treatment system can be achieved. Preferably, the magnetic fluxes (e.g.  380 ,  380 ′) through the pipe is made greater than the magnetic charge on any particles which may be flowing in the liquid or gas contained in the pipe. Accordingly, when a charged particle encounters the stronger magnetic fluxes, it will polarize and separate from the fluid as the particle moves through the pipe  310 . The particle is, in effect, suspended in the pipe at the point where the magnetic flux exists.  
         [0030]    It should be noted that each of the fluxes  380 ,  380 ′ include magnetic field lines which extend from a “south” pole of each respective magnet apparatus to a “north” pole of a magnet apparatus disposed on an opposing side of the pipe  310 . As can be seen, the magnetic flux  380  (indicated by dashed lines) of magnet apparatus  330  extends from a “south” pole  335  of the magnet apparatus, substantially to a central axis A of the pipe  310 , and across to a “north” pole  346  of magnet apparatus  340 . Similarly, the magnetic flux  380 ′ (indicated by dashed-dotted lines) of magnet apparatus  340  extends from a “south” pole  345  of the magnet apparatus, substantially to a central axis A of the pipe  310 , and across to a “north” pole  336  of magnet apparatus  330 . Thus, by the combination of the magnetic fluxes  380 ,  380 ′, a magnetic field band  390  is created which extends across the entirety of the pipe  310 , and consequently, substantially all particles which pass through the pipe are affected by the magnetic field band.  
         [0031]    In order to create such a magnetic field band  390  across the pipe  310 , the magnets  331 - 333  and  341 - 343  must be selected to ensure a proper distribution of magnetic flux. For instance, in the exemplary embodiment, the magnets  331 - 333  and  341 - 343  are all preferably of the same magnetic power. However, a desirable magnetic flux is also created when the two magnets  331 ,  333  and  341 ,  343  which are disposed with their poles orthogonal to the pipe  310  are of the same magnetic power, and the magnets  332  and  342  which are disposed with their poles parallel to the pipe  310  are of the same magnetic power, which is less than the magnetic power of the magnets  331 ,  333  and  341 ,  343 . By selecting the magnets  331 - 333  and  341 - 343  in such a way, magnetic fluxes  380 ,  380 ′ which extend substantially to a central axis A of the pipe, and a resulting magnetic field band  390 , are ensured.  
         [0032]    It should be noted that the “heavy” metals (e.g. Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), etc.) present in the fuel and flowing in the pipe  310  also assist in the creation of an effective magnetic field band  390 . They assist in concentrating the magnetic fluxes  380 ,  380 ′ produced by the magnet structures  330 ,  340  so that the magnetic fluxes extend to a central axis A of the pipe  310  and create the magnetic field band  390 .  
         [0033]    By removing the dissolved solids from the fuel, the fuel passes more easily through a carburetor or fuel injector. In the ignition chamber, the fuel can expand more (due to the absence of the dissolved solids), and therefore can ignite at a lower temperature. Accordingly, the burning of the fuel is more complete, and thus more power is extracted from the same amount of fuel. This, in turn, reduces emissions into the environment.  
         [0034]    Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.