GB2288553A - Magnet for treatment of liquids - Google Patents

Description

A_ 2288553 AN APPARATUS FOR THE MAGNETICAL TREATMENT OF A FLOWING LIQUID

AND MAGNETIC ASSEMBLY FOR THE USE IN THE APPARATUS The present invention refers to an apparatus for the magnetical treatment of a fluid medium, comprising a tube portion consisting of a non- magnetizable material through which the liquid medium to be treated flows, and with a plurality of magnet assemblies each comprising at least one permanent magnet. Moreover, the present invention refers to a magnet assembly adapted to be used in such an apparatus.

Apparatuses of this kind are known in the art in numerous embodiments and are preferably offered and used for the physical treatment of water.

Most of the apparatuses known in the art and suitable for treating water are in the form of ready-to-use modules, comprising a tube portion with magnets incorporated therein. In order to make possible the use of relatively small permanent magnets having a low field strength, the magnets are usually located in the interior of the tube portion and the apparatusf respectively.

Such a module is normally inserted into a water feed pipe and treats the water flowing through the pipe in a manner known per se. The object of treating the water by means of such an apparatus is to crack and/or crunch mineralic conglomerates present in the water, particularly calcium and magnesium conglomerates, with the result that e.g. furring does not occur or is at least greatly reduced.

However, practice has shown that many of these known apparatuses do not function properly. Moreover, many of the known apparatuses are of a complicated mechanical construction and are, consequently. expensive to manufacture. Those apparatuses which comprise a tube portion and designed to be inserted into an existing feed pipe must have a tube portion with a suitable diameter matching the diameter of the feed pipe. In other words, at each place where such an apparatus should be installed, one has to dispose of an apparatus with a tube portion having a matching diameter. Finally, it must be mentioned that the dimensions of the known apparatuses are relatively large, with the result that they cannot be inserted into existing pipings or that such an installation is difficult to perform.

In Swiss Patent No. 678 721, an apparatus for magnetically treating a fluid is disclosed which comprises a tube-like jacket in which there is provided a centrally located magnet assembly having a plurality of rodshaped magnets such that an annular space is formed between the centrally located magnet assembly and the interior of the jacket wall. Both ends of the jacket are provided with end pieces comprising channels running transversely to the central longitudinal axis of the jacket; these channels connect the inlet and the outlet of the apparatus with the annular space. The purpose of these channels is that the fluid flowing through the 1 -. J 3 - apparatus follows a spiral-shaped path through the afore mentioned annular gap along the magnet assembly.

The disadvantage of this design is that such an apparatus is complicated and expensive in manufacturet and that a substantial pressure drop can be observed, particularly in the case of high flowing velocities, due to the relatively narrow cross sectional area of the transversely running channels. Thus, such an apparatus can be used only in an installation in which relatively small water quantities are consumed. A further disadvantage of this apparatus is that the efficiency is substantially impaired at higher flow velocities which are caused by the low cross sectional area.

Thus, it is the object of the invention to improve an apparatus for the magnetic treatment of a fluid medium according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that it has a higher efficiency than comparable apparatuses, that it can be manufactured at lower costs, and that no reduction of the cross sectional area of the tube or pipe through which the fluid medium flows is caused by the magnets.

These and other objects are met according to the invention by an apparatus which has the following characteristics:

the magnet assemblies are fixed to the outside of the tube portion; e the two poles (N, S) of each permanent magnet are oriented transversely to the direction of flow of the liquid medium to be treated; in each case, the same pole (N. N) of each permanent magnet is directed towards the liquid medium to be treated, while in each case the other pole (S, S) of each permanent magnet is directed away from the liquid medium to be treated; the magnetic induction of each permanent magnet amounts to at least 0.005 Tesla, measured in a radial distance of 50 mm in the region of the longitudinal centre of the respective magnet assembly.

An apparatus consisting of a plurality of such individual magnet assemblies which are fixed to the outside of a tube portion can be installed in an existing installation without any problems. The only prerequisite is that the tube portion to which the magnet assemblies are fixed consists of a non-magnetizable material.

Surprisingly, it has been found during numerous experiments that the best result is achieved, as far as a cracking and/or crunching of the mineralic conglomerates contained in the water are concerned, if in each case the same poles of all permanent magnets used in the apparatus are directed towards the fluid medium flowing through the tube portion. The tests and experiments of the Inventor have further shown that even better results can be ob- 1 11 - tained. as far as a cracking and/or crunching of the mineralic conglomerates contained in the water are concerned. if the magnetic induction of the permanent magnets used in the apparatus amounts to at least 0.005 Tesla. as measured in a radial distance of 50 mm in the region of the longitudinal centre of the respective magnet assembly. This is particularly true in the case in which the tube portion has a diameter of 5.0 mm or more. Due to the fact that the poles of the permanent magnets are directed towards the fluid medium to be treated, the lines of flux of the magnets run mainly transverse to the flow direction of the fluid medium, with the result that the efficiency of the apparatus is higher than in the case in which the poles of the permanent magnet are oriented in a direction parallel to the flow direction of the fluid medium.

Preferred embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention are further defined in the dependant claims 2 to 15.

During the experimentst a further surprising effect has been found: An even better result of the desired treatment can be obtained if in each case the magnetic north poles of all permanent magnets are directed towards the fluid to be treated.

In a further preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, it is provided that the magnet assemblies are equipped with apertures through which are led fasteners or fixing means for fixing the magnet assemblies to the tube portion. In 1 1 this way, the individual magnet assemblies can be composed to a group very easily.

A further object of the invention is to provide a magnet assembly incorporating at least one permanent magnet which is suitable to be used in connection with a liquid treatment apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 15.

Preferred embodiments of such a magnet assembly are defined in the dependant claims 17 to 25.

In the following, some embodiments of the device according to the invention will be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a tube portion with two schematically drawn magnet assemblies mounted on the outside of the tube portion; Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a tube portion with four schematically drawn magnet assemblies mounted on the outside of the tube portion; Fi g. 3 a detailed longitudinal sectional view of a individual magnet assembly; and.

-].L' Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the magnet assembly according to Fig. 3.

Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a tube portion 8 with two just schematically illustrated magnet assemblies 8 mounted on the outside wall of the tube portion 8. Each magnet assembly 1 comprises two permanent magnets 2 and 3 which.are received in a housing 4 in a certain distance from each other. The length 1 of such a magnet assembly 1 is a multiple of its height h. In Fig. 1, a total of two magnet assemblies 1 is shown; however, depending of the diameter of the tube portion 8, another even number of magnet assemblies 1 can be provided on the tube portion 8. The north pole N of each permanent magnet 2, 3 is directed towards the tube portion 8 and, thereby, to the fluid flowing through the tube portion 8. The lines of magnetic flux which are shown by broken lines 5 in Fig. 1 extend substantially transversely to the direction of flow R of the fluid flowing through the tube section 8. In order to minimise a mutual affection of the lines of magnetic flux 5, the two magnet assemblies 1 can be mounted offset to each other as seen in longitudinal direction of the tube portion 8, as is shown in Fig. 1. If the magnet assemblies 1 are asymmetrically designed, moreover. the one magnet assembly 1 can be rotated by 1800 around its height axis with respect to the other magnet assembly 1, as will be further explained herein after.

Fixing of the magnet assemblies 1 to the tube portion 8 can be accomplished, for instance, by means of fixing wire or cable bind- 2_ IL.

ers; such fixing means, howevert are not shown in the drawings for clarity's sake. In order to enable the magnet assemblies 1 to be fixed to the tube portion 8r they are provided with bores through which the fixing means are led.

The magnetic induction of a single magnet 2, 3 is in the order of 0.015 Tesla, measured in a radial distance. of 50 mm in the region of the longitudinal centre of the magnet assembly in question. because one has found in experiments that a reliable cracking and/or crushing of the mineralic conglomerates present in the water is ensured only if the magnetic induction in the region in which the physical effect has to be achieved amounts to more than 0.005 Tesla.

In Fig. 2, there is shown a tube portion 8A having a greater diameter. To this tube portion 8A, a total of four magnet assemblies lt 1A are connected. which again are shown just schematically. The four magnet assemblies 1, 1A are evenly distributed around the circumference of the tube portion 8A in a star-like configuration whereby each two magnet assemblies 1 and 1A, respectively, are diametrically opposite. By this arrangement, it is ensured that the lines of magnetic flux SA, which are again schematically shown by broken lines, are homogeneously distributed over the cross section of the tube portion 8A such that the entire medium flowing through the tube portion 8A is physically treated. It is understood that the number of the magnet assemblies 1, 1A distributed t-mb 9 - around the circumference of the tube portion 8A can be varied according to the diameter of the tube portion 8A.

In Fig. 3, there is shown in more detail a single magnet assembly 1 which is enlarged as compared to the views according to Figs. 1 and 2. As can be seen, the magnet assembly 1 comprises a housing 4 in which are received two permanent magnet.s 2 and 3. Both permanent magnets 2, 3 are provided on both their sides with magnetizable plate members 21, 31 which project on both sides over the front faces of both magnets 2. 3. These plate members 21, 31 serve for focusing and concentrating the lines of magnetic flux. The focusing and concentrating of the lines of magnetic flux moreover can be supported by the housing 4 inasmuch as the latter one consists partially of a magnetizable material. In the present case, both lateral walls as well as the cover of the housing 4 consist of a ferric material. In order to fix the two permanent magnets 2, 3 in the interior of the housing 4, the gaps between the magnets and the housing walls are filled with a two-component mass 44.

One of the permanent magnets 2 is oriented and fixed in the housing 4 such that its longitudinal axis 22 includes an angle (X in the amount of appr. 20 with the longitudinal axis 15 of the magnetic assembly 1. The other permanent magnet 3, however, is oriented such that its longitudinal axis runs parallel to the longitudinal axis 15 of the magnetic assembly 1 and coincides there with, respectively. The plate members 31 of the last named magnet 3 project over the that front face of the magnet 3 which is facing the magnet 2 to a greater extent than over that front face of the magnet 3 which is remote from the magnet 2. In experiments, it has been shown that the afore mentioned arrangement and design of the magnets 2, 3 substantially increases the efficiency of the device as far as the cracking and/or crunching of the mineralic conglomerates is concerned.

The housing 4 of the magnet assembly 1 is provided on each side with mounting flanges 41 which are provided in each case with the afore mentioned bores 42 for receiving the fixing means.

Finally, in Fig. 4, the magnet assembly 1 is shown in a cross sectional view along the line A-A (Fig. 3). In this view, it can be clearly seen that an individual magnet 3 has a certain distance from the bottom face of the magnet assembly 1 which is directed towards the tube portion 8, 8A.

The bottom face of the magnet assemblies 1 which is directed towards the tube portion can be provided with a recess as is shown in Fig. 4 by means of a dashed line 43. Such a recess serves for centring the magnet assembly 1 and enables, if required, the distance between the magnet 2, 3 and the tube portion 8, 8A to be optimised. The depth and the shape of the recess 43, thereby, can be varied and, if required, adapted to the shape of the tube portion 8, 8A.

In the following, the most important measures and characteristics of a magnet assembly 11 are summarised:

1. The orientation of the magnets 2. 3 in the housing 4 is such that in each case the same pole N or Sr particularly the north pole N, is directed towards the bottom face of the housing 4 and, thereby, the unit being mounted on.a tube portion, towards the flowing medium to be treated.

2. One of the two permanent magnets 2, 3 received in the housing 4 is tilted to some degree.

3. The magnetic induction of each permanent magnet 2, 3 is more than 0. 005 Teslar measured in a radial distance of 50 mm in the region of the longitudinal centre of the magnet assembly in question.

Plate members 21, 31 of magnetizable material are provided on both sides of the magnets 2, 3 whereby the plate members of that magnet 3 which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the magnet assembly 1 project over the that front face of the magnet 3 which is facing the magnet 2 to a greater extent than over that front face of the magnet 3 which is remote from the magnet 2.

Thanks to these measures and design characteristics, respectively, of such a magnet assembly 1, the efficiency with respect to the cracking andlor crunching of the mineralic conglomerates can be substantially improved.

Moreover, it has been found that magnet assemblies 1 in which the one magnet 2 is tilted, as mentioned herein above under point 2, should preferably be mounted on the outside of the tube portion in such a way that opposite assemblies of a pair are rotated with respect to each other by 180' around their height axis. Thereby, a tilted magnet 2 faces a magnet 3 which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 4 of the magnet assembly 1; this measure improves the efficiency again.

It is understood that embodiments of the magnet assemblies 1 are possible which have for instance only one magnet 2 or 3. Such magnet assemblies 1 comprise preferably the characteristics listed under points 1. and 3. herein before and should be equipped with the two plate members 21, 31 arranged at both sides of the magnet 2 or 3.

Claims (25)

PATENT CIAIMS

1. Apparatus for the magnetical treatment of a fluid medium, comprising a tube portion consisting of a non-magnetizable material through which the liquid medium to be treated flows, and with a plurality of magnet assemblies each comprising at least one permanent magnet, characterised by the combination of the following characteristics:

- the magnet assemblies are fixed to the outside of the tube portion; the two poles (N, S) of each permanent magnet are oriented transversely to the direction of flow of the liquid medium to be treated; in each case, the same pole (N,-N) of each permanent magnet is directed towards the liquid medium to be treatedt while in each case the other pole (S, S) of each permanent magnet is directed away from the liquid medium to be treated; the magnetic induction of each permanent magnet amounts to at least 0. 005 Tesla, measured in a radial distance of 50 mm in the region of the longitudinal centre of the respective magnet assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that in each case, the magnetic north pole (N, N) of each permanent magnet is directed towards the liquid medium to be treated.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each magnet assembly comprises two permanent magnets which are received in a common housing and located in a certain distance from each other.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3r characterised in that the longitudinal axis of one of the permanent magnets includes an angle (a) with the longitudinal axis of the magnet assemblyy while the longitudinal axis of the other permanent magnet runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the magnet assembly or coincides therewith.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, characterised in that the angle (a) measures 1 to 5.

6. The apparatus of anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that both longitudinal faces of each permanent magnet are provided with a magnetizable plate member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6. characterised in that each plate member projects over both front faces of the respective permanent magnet.

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8. The apparatus of one of the claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the plate members of that permanent magnet which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the magnet assembly project over the face directed towards the other magnet to a greater extent than over the face which is remote from said other magnet.

9. The apparatus of anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that the length (1) of one magnet assembly is a multiple of its height (h).

10. The apparatus of anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one pair of magnet assembly is assigned to one tube portion, whereby the magnet 'assemblies of a pair are located on diametrically opposite sides of the tube portion.

11. The apparatus of one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the individual magnet assemblies are fixed to the tube portion in diametrically opposite configuration and offset to each other in longitudinal extension of the tube portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, as far as claim 10 is dependent from claim 4, characterised in that diametrically oppositely located magnet assemblies are fixed to the tube portion such that they are rotated with respect to each other by 1800 around their height axis.

13. The apparatus of anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provided an even number greater than 2 of magnet assemblies which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the tube portion in a star-like configuration.

14. The apparatus of anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that each magnet assembly is provided with a recess located at its inner side which is to be directed towards the tube portion, said recess serving for centring the magnet assembly andlor for optimising the distance between the permanent magnets and the tube portion.

15. The apparatus of anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that each magnet assembly is provided with mounting flanges having openings through which fixing means can be led for fixing the magnet assembly to the tube portion.

16. A magnet assembly, comprising at least one permanent magnet, for use in an apparatus according to anyone of the preceding claims.

17. A magnet assembly according to claim 161 characterised in that it comprises two permanent magnets which have a certain distance from each other.

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a- - 1. 7 -

18. A magnet assembly according to claim 17, characterised in that the longitudinal axis of one permanent magnet encloses an angle (a) with the longitudinal axis of the other permanent magnet.

19. A magnet assembly according to claim 18, characterised in that the angle ((x) measures 1 to 50.

20. The magnet assembly of one of the claims 16 to 19f characterised in that both longitudinal faces of each permanent magnet are provided with a magnetizable plate member.

21. The magnet assembly of claim 20, characterised in that each plate member projects over both front faces of the respective permanent magnet.

22. The magnet assembly of one of the claims 18 to 21. as far as it depends from claim 16, characterised in that the plate members of that permanent magnet which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the magnet assembly project over the face directed towards the other magnet to a greater extent than over the face which is remote from said other magnet.

23. The magnet assembly of one of the claims 16 to 22, characterised in that the length (1) of one magnet assembly is a multiple of its height (h).

a - 18

24. The magnet assembly of one of-the claims 16 to 23, characterised in that each magnet assembly is provided with a recess located at its inner side which is to be directed towards the tube portion, said recess serving for centring the magnet assembly andlor for optimising the distance between the permanent magnets and the tube portion.

25. The magnet assembly of one of the claims 16 to 24. characterised in that each magnet assembly is provided with mounting flanges having openings through which fixing means can be led for fixing the magnet assembly to the tube portion.