WO1992019898A1

WO1992019898A1 - In-line conduit structure to prevent scale formation therein

Info

Publication number: WO1992019898A1
Application number: PCT/AU1992/000113
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Uden
Original assignee: Robert Uden
Priority date: 1991-04-24
Filing date: 1992-03-11
Publication date: 1992-11-12
Also published as: AU629473B1

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing scale formation in systems where a fluid, such as water or the like, is conducted through a conduit wherein: the apparatus forms a part of the conduit (16), the apparatus comprises a longitudinal conduit chamber, multiple ribs (1) which extend in a longitudinal direction within the chamber, protruding inwardly from opposite sides or walls (18) of the chamber. The ribs (1) from opposite sides do not meet each other, but leave a small central gap (15) near the central longitudinal line of the chamber. The ribs (1) preferably do not extend the full length of the conduit (16), but there are several ribs (1) protruding from the chamber walls (8) along any one longitudinal line. There can be several opposing longitudinal lines of ribs (1) in which case there are longitudinal gaps (7) between adjacent longitudinal lines of ribs. The opposite sides (walls) (8) of the chamber are two oppposite sides (walls) (8) divided by a central longitudinal plane.

Description

IN-LINE CONDUIT STRUCTURE TO PREVENT SCALE FORMATION THEREIN

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for preventing scale formation on the interior of conduits, tanks etc through which a fluid, eg. water, flows. The apparatus is a device, (and is also a conduit) which promotes turbulence of the fluid passing through.

Most fluids, especially municipal water supplies, form deposits and scale on the interior of conduits and tanks through which they flow. Also with some fluids, algae and fungi can grow in the conduits and tanks over time. All this has the effect of; (a) decreasing the opening through which the fluid passes, (b) promoting detioration of the interior of the conduit, valves, etc with consequent loss of efficiency and possible malfunction, and (c) pollution of the fluid over time.

PRIOR ART

Many devices have been invented in the past to provide some sort of fluid stabilisation or conditioning or filtering with the device in-line with the fluid flow. Some such devices are shown in U.S. patents 3,448,034, 3,486,999, 3,835,015 , 3,919,068 and 3,974,071. Australian patent 554825 (16641/83) also describes another prior art device (which is an insert in a conduit) and gives a brief description of these US patents.

The present invention primarily aims to provide an improved device that; (1 ) prevents scale formation, (2) inhibits growth of algae and fungus, (3) is easily manufactured,

SUBSTITUTE SHEET 1 (4) forms part of a conduit (rather than being an insert in a conduit

2 which has problems for maintenance, clogging, replacement,

3 inspection etc.)

4 (5) is easily assembled in place. 5

6 Further preferable aims of the present invention are;

7 (1) to provide a new and improved water conditioning device

8 formed as a unitary member,

9 (2) to promote turbulence in the fluid passing through to thereby

I 0 rearrange the molecular structure of particles in suspension,

I I (3) use a venturi effect in low flow situations to further promote 1 2 turbulence within the device for the same effect,

1 3 (4) to add nothing to or remove anything from the fluid,

1 4 (5) that there is no significant loss of pressure across the device.

1 5 6 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 8 The present invention is an in-line device forming part of the conduit 9 line (or general water line) for preventing scale and corrosion in all 0 conduits, cooling towers, heat exchangers, hot water systems, 1 boilers etc, ie, wherever a fluid flows in a conduit system, it can also 2 be used in irrigation systems to improve water percolation into the 3 soil, which then indirectly improves plant growth. An improvement in 4 taste is also apparent in domestic drinking water when the present 5 invention is installed in the supply lines. 6 7 Broadly, the invention is an apparatus for preventing scale formation 8 in systems where a fluid, such as water or the like, is conducted 9 through a conduit, wherein; 0 the apparatus forms a part of the conduit, 1 the apparatus comprises, 2 a longitudinal conduit chamber, 3 multiple ribs, which extend in a longitudinal direction within the 4 chamber, protruding inwardly from opposite sides or walls of the 5 chamber. 6 7 Optional features of the invention are;

SUBSTITUTE SHEET 1 - These opposing ribs do not meet each other in the centre of the

2 chamber but leave a small gap near the centre of the chamber.

3 - These ribs do not extend the full length of the conduit; there

4 may be several ribs protruding from the chamber walls along

5 any one longitudinal line.

6 - The "opposite sides" referred to can be radial in effect or they

7 can be the two opposite sides from a central plane of the

8 conduit.

9 - There may be several longitudinal lines of ribs on each

I 0 opposite side.

I I - There are gaps, for fluid flow, between the longitudinal lines of 1 2 ribs (as well as the centre gap).

1 3 - In any one longitudinal line of ribs, the ribs may be;

1 4 (1 ) adjacent each other, and/or,

1 5 (2) at spaced intervals with space between, and/or,

1 6 (3) at spaced intervals with smaller "bars" between.

1 7 - The ribs may be lenticular shaped (shape of a double convex

1 8 lens)

1 9 - The whole assembly is a one-piece casting

20 - The lenticular sections of the ribs may be at different heights (ie

21 project different heights into the chamber), thus forming an

22 undulating wave formation along any one longitudinal line of

23 ribs. Opposing longitudinal lines of ribs could form a

24 corresponding wave, thus keeping the centre gap a continuous

25 width for fluid flow throughout the chamber. The centre gap

26 would thus "rise and fall" from any one (eg horizontal) centre

27 line of the chamber, as a wave.

28 - Convex shapes (eg. bumps, mounds etc) could also protrude

29 at longitudinally spaced intervals from the opposite sides of the 30 chamber walls.

31 - The cross sectional open area of the chamber is equal to its

32 corresponding conduit pipe, of which it forms a part. Because

33 of this, there is minimum flow restriction and an insignificant 34 loss of pressure across the device.

35 - A venturi nozzle is located at the inlet section of the chamber. 36 For low flow situations this has the effect of increasing the flow

37 speed and turbulence. This venturi nozzle is preferably not cast

SUBSTITUTE SHEET as part of the device. If it was cast as part of the device, removal of the casting sand and cleaning of the device during use would be more difficult due to the restricted opening. - An earthing lug (for a supply of free electrons) is attached (preferably cast) to the inlet end of the device. The ribs create turbulence which helps eliminate any cohesion between mineral particles. The "earth" also helps eliminate any cohesion between mineral particles by providing additional electrons to the water solution.

Other optional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the rest of this specification in conjunction with the attached drawings.

gRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention FIGURE 2 is an end view of the embodiment of-figure 1 , taken along section 2-2 of figure 1. FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment of figures 1 and 2. FIGURE 4 is an end view of an alternative embodiment to Figs 1 & 2

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the device of the present invention. The device 16 comprises a cylindrical conduit chamber with walls 8, inlet shoulders 9 and outlet shoulders 10. These shoulders may be threaded 13 to allow for connection to the rest of the conduit system. The device 16 is connected in series in the conduit system to ensure all the fluid passes through the conditioning device of the present invention.

Longitudinal, imperforate ribs 1 protrude from two sides (opposite sides) of the cylindrical walls 8 (see figures 1 & 2) and are preferably

SUBSTITUTE SHEET cast integral with the walls. (In this embodiment, "opposite sides" are the opposing sides from a central vertical plane) These ribs 1 are formed along "longitudinal lines" 4, 5, 6. There is a gap 7 between each longitudinal line of ribs 1. This allows a space for the fluid to flow in. In this embodiment, the ribs 1 in any one longitudinal line are evenly separated from each other by smaller "bars" 2. These bars 2 are also preferably integrally cast. The ribs 1 are lenticular shaped (shape of a double convex lens). These ribs 1 do not meet at the centre of the chamber but leave a small gap 15 between opposing longitudinal lines of ribs (figure 2). The ribs 1 can also have a slight taper 14. They are wider at their base, tapering slightly (eg 3° ) to the top of the rib near the centre of the chamber. The gap 15 need only be say 2mm wide to allow for sand core moulding and internal cleaning after casting.

The lenticular ribs 1 are preferably cast at different heights (ie project different heights into the chamber) to form an undulating wave formation along any one longitudinal line of ribs. Opposing longitudinal lines of ribs could form a corresponding wave, thus keeping the centre gap a continuous width for fluid flow throughout the chamber. The centre gap would thus "rise and fall" from any one (eg horizontal) centre line of the chamber, as a wave.

Convex shapes or mounds 3 may also protrude at spaced intervals from two, or opposite, sides of the cylindrical chamber walls.

The earthing lug 11 is attached, preferably cast, to the inlet end of the device. When the lug 11 is properly earthed, the device , and hence the fluid, will be provided with a continuous supply of free electrons in a catalytic manner to ; (1 ) reduce any electron deficiencies in the fluid (eg water), and (2) provide electrons to eliminate cohesion between mineral particles. This separation is clearly visible in water treated by this invention, compared to untreated water, when viewed under a microscope at at least 400 magnifications. Trial test results have also indicated scale and mineral deposits do not form as readily.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET 1

2 Whilst the design of the device 16 promotes turbulence and hence

3 lessening of scale formation, suitable earthing improves the

4 performance even more. This is why the tug 11 should preferably be

5 cast as part of the device to ensure optimum performance without

6 extra installation work involved in attaching a lug. 7

8 At the inlet end of the device 16, a venturi nozzle 12 can be placed.

9 This nozzle 12 has the effect of dramatically increasing the speed of

I 0 flow thus creating more turbulence as the fluid passes through the

I I device. The nozzle 12 is preferably not cast with the device 16 for 1 2 the reasons mentioned earlier. The nozzle 12 can be quickly and 1 3 easily made from UHMWPE (Ultra Hard Molecular Weight Poly-

1 4 Ethelyne) to prevent wear and to keep manufacturing costs down.

1 5 The rapid movement of the fluid through the venturi nozzle 12, the

1 6 internal lenticular shaped ribs 1 and the convex shapes 3 on the

1 7 chamber walls all help to interrupt any laminar flow and cause a

1 8 turbulent flow to occur. This promotes a thorough mixing and 9 conditioning of the fluid. 0 1 The inlet and outlet ends of the device would preferably have 2 internal threads 13 to allow for connection, in series, to a conduit 3 system. This feature ensures that this invention is easy to install and 4 can be replaced, inspected and cleaned very easily. 5 6 The device 16 can be made of any suitable material, preferably one 7 that can be cast, or formed, in one piece and further preferably one 8 which can assist in the supply of free electrons from the earth to the 9 fluid. 0 Considering the corrosive environments that many conduits are 1 subjected to, a suitable material would have to perform well, and be 2 able to be inspected and cleaned easily. If the device was a casting , 3 the material should be easily cast and be able to be easily 4 machined. The material must also be 5 non-contaminating and easily and safely cleaned.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET 1 One tested example of a suitable material is a non-corrosive copper-

2 nickel alloy which comprises, within a plus or minus 0.5% tolerance;

3 80% Copper

4 6.5% Tin

5 6.5% Nickel

6 6.5% Zinc

7 0.5% Lead

8 (impurities - nil or up to 1 %). 9

I 0 The copper-tin-zinc-nickel ratios have been found to give an alloy

I I that is hard, resists corrosion and functions well electrolytically. The 1 2 lead has been included to improve the machineability and general 1 3 workability.

1 4

1 5 The cross sectional open area of the chamber is equal to its

1 6 corresponding conduit pipe, of which it forms a part. Because of this,

1 7 there is minimum flow restriction and an insignificant loss of

1 8 pressure across the device.

1 9

20 The size of the device 16 can be made to accommodate a large

21 range of flows from, for example, domestic use to heavy industrial

22 use. It can also be used for specialist applications, eg medical, solar

23 etc. 24

25 Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement of the ribs 1 and bars 2.

26 Figure 2 (derived from figure 1 ) shows protruding from opposite

27 sides of the chamber, matching, opposing ribs 1 and matching

28 opposing bars 2. Thus, figures 1 and 2 show that down the length of

29 the chamber, each longitudinal line of ribs and bars "matches" its 30 opposing longitudinal line of ribs and bars

31 (ie rib opposes rib and bar opposes bar). Figure 4 however, shows a

32 longitudinally staggerred arrangement. The ribs 1 in any one

33 longitudinal line of ribs are opposite the bars 2 in the opposing

34 longitudinal line of ribs and bars. Similarly, the bars 2 are opposite 35 the ribs 1 in the opposing longitudinal line of ribs and bars. If there 36 are no bars 2, then the same applies to the "space" that would exist 37 between the ribs 1 in any one longitudinal line.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET The invention broadly includes an arrangement where the ribs (and/or bars resp.) of any one longitudinal line are longitudinally staggerred to the ribs (and/or bars resp.) of the opposing longitudinal line. The effect on fluid flow from this arrangement is to provide a cross- flow back and forth across the chamber as the fluid flows along the length of the chamber. This creates further turbulence, thus further enhancing the aims of the invention. With this option, the mounds 3 could be slotted as shown in Figure 4. This slotting option could also apply to any of the other figures.

Figures 5A and 5B represent the opposing sides (Plan view) of the conduit as shown by figure 4 (using a similar representation to that shown by figure 1.)

The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims

claims defining the invention are as follows:

An apparatus for preventing scale formation in systems where a fluid, such as water or the like, is conducted through a conduit wherein ; the apparatus forms a part of the conduit, the apparatus comprises, a longitudinal conduit chamber, multiple ribs, which extend in a longitudinal direction within the chamber, protruding inwardly from opposite sides or walls of the chamber.

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein; the ribs from opposite sides do not meet each other, but leave a small central gap near the central longitudinal line of the chamber.

The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, the ribs do not extend the full length of the conduit, but there are several ribs protruding from the chamber walls along any one longitudinal line.

The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, there are several opposing longitudinal lines of ribs.

The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, the opposite sides (walls) of the chamber are two opposite sides (walls) divided by a central longitudinal plane.

The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, there are longitudinal gaps between adjacent longitudinal lines of ribs.

The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, in each longitudinal line of ribs , the ribs are adjacent each other, and/or, at spaced intervals with space between, and/or,

at spaced intervals with narrower bars between the ribs.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET 1

2 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein,

3 the ribs are of lenticular shape and the bars are a rectangular

4 box shape. 5

6 9. The apparatus of claims 7 or 8, wherein,

7 the ribs may be at different heights, thus forming an undulating

8 wave formation along any one longitudinal line of ribs and the

9 corresponding opposing line of ribs matches the wave

I 0 formation, thus resulting in keeping the central gap a

I I continuous width. _j 1 2

1 3 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein,

1 4 the bars likewise follow the ribs in making the wave formation .

1 5

1 6 11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 7 the ribs (and/or bars resp.) of any longitudinal line of ribs 8 protruding from one side, are directly opposed to the ribs 9 (and/or bars resp.) of a longitudinal line of ribs protruding from 0 the opposite side, or, 1 the ribs (and/or bars resp.) of any longitudinal line of ribs 2 protruding from one side are not directly opposed, but 3 longitudinally staggerred, to the ribs (and/or bars resp.) of a 4 longitudinal line of ribs protruding from the opposite side. 5 6 12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 7 convex mounds are formed on the interior walls of the conduit 8 chamber at spaced intervals in the longitudinal direction. 9 0 13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 1 an earthing lug is located at the flow inlet end of the device and 2 the device is earthed during use. 3 4 14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 5 the whole device is cast in one piece. 6

SUBSTITUTE SHEET 15. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, a venturi nozzle is located at the flow inlet end of the device to increase flow speed and hence resulting turbulence.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, the casting material is an alloy with the following constituents, within a plus or minus 0.5% tolerance; 80% copper, 6.5% tin, 6.5% nickel, 6.5% zinc, 0.5% lead, with incidental impurities nil or up to 1%.

Applicant - Robert Uden P.O. Box 681 Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650. AUSTRALIA

SUBSTITUTE SHEET AMENDED CLAIMS

- [received by the International Bureau on 29 July 1992 (29.07.92) ; original claim 1 amended ; remaining claims unchanged ( 1 page) ]

3 1. An apparatus for preventing scale formation in systems where

4 a fluid, such as water or the like, is conducted through a

5 conduit wherein ;

6 the apparatus comprises,

7 a longitudinal tubular conduit chamber,

8 multiple ribs, which extend in a longitudinal direction within the

9 chamber, protruding inwardly from opposite sides or walls of

I 0 the chamber,

I I the conduit chamber and the ribs being integrally cast. 1 2

1 3 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein;

1 4 the ribs from opposite sides do not meet each other, but leave

1 5 a small central gap near the central longitudinal line of the

1 6 chamber. 7 8 3. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 9 the ribs do not extend the full length of the conduit, but there 0 are several ribs protruding from the chamber walls along any 1 one longitudinal line. 2 3 4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 4 there are several opposing longitudinal lines of ribs. 5 6 5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 7 the opposite sides (walls) of the chamber are two opposite 8 sides (walls) divided by a central longitudinal plane. 9 0 6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 1 there are longitudinal gaps between adjacent longitudinal lines 2 of ribs. 3 4 7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, 5 in each longitudinal line of ribs , the ribs are adjacent each 6 other, and/or, at spaced intervals with space between, and/or, 7 at spaced intervals with narrower bars between the ribs. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19

The International Search Report of 30 June 1992, established two citations, AU 16641/83 and AU 55420/73, as X citations. These citations both have a separate core positioned within a conduit.

I have amended claim 1 only, to more clearly define my invention. My new claim 1 now states that the conduit and the "core feature" are integrally cast. Thus my claimed invention is a one-piece device, wheras the citations are two-piece devices. My device in also being a conduit, enables it to be easily joined to existing conduits without the need for a separate conduit to accomodate a separate core.

My one-piece device thus overcomes problems of fitting, wear, loss of parts, double production costs, tolerances, etc that are associated with two-piece devices.