Patent Publication Number: US-2004042941-A1

Title: Miniature apparatus for delivering electromagnetic energy into a solution

Description:
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for delivering electromagnetic energy into a solution and in particular to a miniature version which can easily be transported and can be used for many applications where it is desired to deliver electromagnetic energy into a solution to modify its characteristics such as Zeta potential.  
       [0002] WO-A-9622831 discloses a apparatus for delivering electromagnetic energy into a solution Preferred embodiments of delivery apparatus disclosed in this prior art document comprise a tubular housing having closed ends and forming a water tight chamber, a coil contained within the chamber delivering a magnetic field into a solution, at least one electric field probe coupled to the coil for delivering an electric field into the solution and coupling means for coupling an electromagnetic signal to the coil.  
       [0003] This apparatus is very useful for treating large volumes of a solution, usually water, however the apparatus is only suitable for a large installation and is not suitable for use in many situations and is not readily transportable.  
       [0004] The present invention provides an apparatus for delivering electromagnetic energy into a solution comprising a power source, an oscillator crystal means for generating an electromagnetic signal such as a radio frequency (RF) signal, and an antenna for transmit the generated signal into a solution.  
       [0005] The power source may be a battery, a DC mains adaptor, a rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery with a backup battery, or a rechargeable battery with a DC generator powered by water flow.  
       [0006] Conveniently, the apparatus includes an indicator for indicating that the battery is charging when a rechargeable battery is used as a power source.  
       [0007] Conveniently, the apparatus includes a zener diode to regulate the voltage applied across the oscillator crystal means.  
       [0008] Conveniently, the apparatus includes a buffer chip to regulate the output of the oscillator crystal means to the antenna.  
       [0009] Preferably, the apparatus includes a switch and a separate means for indicating when the apparatus is operating and optionally includes one or more diodes to allow current to flow in one direction and to protect a rechargeable battery from being improperly charged. The antenna may be an elongate wire the length of which approximates to a fractional length of the RF signal generated by the oscillator crystal means, can include a bras ball, at its end and an optional covering element and may be locatable along the inside of a pipe used to supply water.  
       [0010] Conveniently, the apparatus includes a filter to reduce or eliminate secondary or tertiary harmonics from the output of the generated signal. 
     
    
    
     [0011] The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, a number of embodiments in accordance with the invention.  
     [0012] In the drawings:  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of an apparatus for delivering electromagnetic energy into a solution;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; the second embodiment having a power on light, a back-up battery and power on switch;  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a third embodiment of apparatus according to the invention, which includes an indicator to indicate that a mains adapter powers the unit;  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a fourth embodiment of apparatus according to the invention, similar to the first embodiment but having a power on indicator and a switch;  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a fifth embodiment of apparatus according to the invention similar to the first embodiment with a power on indicator;  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a sixth embodiment of apparatus according to six invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a seventh embodiment of apparatus according to the invention which combines the features of the first six embodiments.  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an eighth embodiment of apparatus according to the invention which is a modification of the seventh embodiment; and  
     [0021]FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a ninth embodiment of apparatus according to the invention which is a further modification of the seventh embodiment. 
    
    
     [0022] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, the first embodiment  10  of apparatus for delivering electromagnet energy into a solution comprises a 9V mains adapter  11 , an oscillator crystal  12 , a buffer chip  13  and an antenna  14 . A Zener diode  15  allows only 5.1 volts to pass through as the oscillator crystal  12  only requires a supply voltage of 5 volts±0.1 volts. The oscillator crystal is the main component of the apparatus and in this particular embodiment outputs a radio frequency signal of 20 MHz which is sent through the buffer chip  13  to the antenna  14 . Similar components in the other embodiments are given similar numbers as in the first embodiment.  
     [0023] The second embodiment  20  is similar to the first embodiment, except that it includes a rechargeable battery  21  as well as the 9V mains adapter  11 . Battery  21  acts as a backup power source. It also includes a switch  23  and a light emitting diode (LED)  24  which emits light when the switch  23  is closed and the unit is operating.  
     [0024] The third embodiment  30  is similar to the second embodiment  20  but includes a separate LED  35  which is used to indicate that the unit is being powered by a mains adapter. The LED  35  emits a red light to distinguish it from the LED  24  which emits a green light.  
     [0025] The fourth embodiment  40  includes a 9V mains adapter power supply  11 , an LED  24  for indicating power on and a switch  23  for operating the unit.  
     [0026] The fifth embodiment  50  is similar to the first embodiment  10  and includes a power on light LED  24 .  
     [0027] The sixth embodiment  60  is similar to the second embodiment  20  but includes a mains adapter  61  which gives a 12V DC supply of 700 mA. It has a power supply socket (not shown) which accepts a jack plug from the adapter. The circuit also includes two diodes  63  and  64  which only allow current to flow in the direction which it is pointed. Diode  63  enables the battery  21  to drive the main circuit when the mains adapter  61  is not charging or plugged into the apparatus. Diode  63  also protects the battery from being improperly charged when adapter  61  is plugged in and opening the circuit.  
     [0028] The seventh embodiment  70  shown in FIG. 7 includes the majority of the components used in the first six embodiments, namely a rechargeable battery  21 , a crystal oscillator  12 , a buffer chip  13 , an antenna  14 , a switch  23 , an LED  24 , an LED  35 , a mains adapter  61 , 3 diodes  63 ,  63 ( a ) and a diode  64 . Diode  63 ( a ) only allows LED  35  to illuminate when the mains adapter  61  is plugged into the apparatus.  
     [0029] The eighth embodiment  80  shown in FIG. 8 is similar to the seventh embodiment  70  except that it has an output modified by filter circuit  85  to reduce secondary and tertiary harmonics so as to reduce interference with other wavelengths and keep the output frequency to a constant value which in the eighth embodiment in the range 27.225 MHz to 27.255 MHz. The filter circuit  85  includes three capacitors  86  and three impedances  87 .  
     [0030] The ninth embodiment  90  shown in FIG. 9 is also similar to the seventh embodiment  70  except that it has a generator  95  for generating a DC supply from the flow of water which is used to recharge battery  21 .  
     [0031] In relation to all of the above embodiments, the antenna  14  is an elongate wire which in the particular embodiments used us 0.889 m in length which approximates to {fraction (1/16)} of the particular wavelength of the RF signal generated by the crystal oscillator  12 . In a modification (not shown) the antenna has a brass ball on the end of it with a cover.  
     [0032] The apparatus according to the invention has numerous applications; it can be used to treat water used to irrigate plants and flowers. The antenna can extend along the inside of a hosepipe used to supply water to the plants. It can be demonstrated that it enhances plant growth by achieving higher yields of fruit, vegetables, plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and other plant life. The apparatus can also be used to treat water used in domestic applications, it helps prevent or eliminate scaling in kettles, coffee making machines, taps, faucets and showerheads.  
     [0033] It will of course be understand that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.