WO2006016011A1

WO2006016011A1 - Device and method for stopping capillary rise of water and moisture

Info

Publication number: WO2006016011A1
Application number: PCT/FR2004/001801
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Stumpp
Original assignee: Bernard Stumpp
Priority date: 2004-07-08
Filing date: 2004-07-08
Publication date: 2006-02-16
Also published as: EP1774113A1; EP1774113B1; DE602004016055D1; ATE405710T1; ES2310750T3; PL1774113T3

Abstract

The aim of said invention is to provide an electronic device for stopping capillary water and moisture or the like rise in walls, masonry, wherein the inventive device comprises means for generating a modulated signal feeding at least one resonator placed near at least a part of the treatable wall or masonry. The inventive method is characterised in that that the modulated signal (SM) feeding said at least one resonator (6) comprises a signal carrier whose frequency ranges from 25 to 65 KHz or from 143 to 150 KHz and which is modulated by a modulating signal (SI) whose frequency ranges from 45 to 49 Hz, each said resonator(s) (6) transmits a magnetic field according to said modulated signal (SM) and modifies the electric characteristics of water molecules in the wall or masonry parts (2') exposed to said magnetic field action and the molecules of the capillary surfaces of said part (2') contacting the water molecules.

Description

Device and method for stopping upwellings of water and moisture by capillarity

The present invention relates to the field of protection of buildings, houses and similar constructions against damage related to the presence of water or moisture in walls, masonry or similar. The invention is aimed more particularly at combating upwellings in the aforementioned context and has for its objects an electronic device and a method for stopping the upwelling and humidity by capillarity.

In a construction, the damage or disorders due to the humidity can have various origins: infiltrations in frontage, infiltrations in the buried basement, problems of condensation due to bad insulation (or over-insulation) or a lack of sufficient ventilation, or, in the most frequent cases, to a problem of capillary rise. In the latter case, it is found that there is at the origin of the phenomenon of capillary rise, what is called the electro-osmotic thrust generated or favored by telluric phenomena related to the presence of natural electromagnetic fields. We can measure the existence and effects, but to date, modeling has not yet been able. be carried out because of a lack of knowledge of the laws relating to earth sciences and physico-chemical phenomena involved.

In the presence of such lifts, it is found that the lower structures of the walls are positively charged at their base and negatively in height. These two zones with opposite electrical charges give rise to an electric field directed from the bottom to the top of the wall, thus causing the water molecules, as well as the salt ions, in the capillaries towards the top of the wall.

The water molecules in the capillaries, by their high dielectric constant and their bipolar character (dipole) are very sensitive to telluric phenomena, even weak, but whose energy is nevertheless sufficient to exert the capillary thrust. To this force are added the effects of the Zeta potential produced by the friction of the water in the capillaries, which further increases the capillary thrust. The destructive effects of capillary rise are variable and depend on the nature and the capillary structure of the materials in the presence, as well as the nature and the amount of salts dissolved in the capillaries. Currently, most of the existing methods used to combat hairline lift are destructive. They require heavy and expensive work with, for example, in some cases the use of chemicals harmful to the environment, in other cases the laying of electrodes consuming in some cases large amounts of energy, or cutting the walls with insertion of a stainless steel plate.

Passive electronic devices that are perfectly ecological and based on interference are also known.

Unfortunately all these known processes often require long periods of drying, which may be incompatible with the short time currently imposed during repairs or rehabilitations of old buildings.

Finally, there are also known electronic devices based on the creation of electromagnetic fields and generally comprising means for generating a fixed frequency signal (generally 141 kHz) supplying at least one resonator or similar radiating element located in the vicinity of the part at least wall or masonry to be treated.

However, these known electronic devices, for example documents AT-392 109, EP-0 395 085, EP-0 928 856 or WO 94/20702, all have complex constitutions and / or are too fragile, that is to say ie do not have an operating reliability over time essential for this type of device, and / or do not have sufficient efficiency to obtain relatively fast and lasting results.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks and to overcome the limitations of the various known solutions mentioned above and to propose a device and a method for stopping the capillary rise of water and moisture that are simple, effective and efficient. reliable, and implement only low energy quantities and harmless radiation. To achieve the goal, the present invention firstly relates to an electronic device for stopping the rise of water and moisture by capillarity in walls, masonry or the like, comprising means for generating a modulated signal supplying at least one resonator located in the vicinity of at least a portion of wall or masonry to be treated, characterized in that the modulated signal supplying said at least one resonator comprises a carrier whose frequency is between 25 and 65 kHz or between 143 and 150 kHz and which is modulated by a modulating signal whose frequency is between 45 and 49 Hz, said one or more resonators each emitting an electric field function of the aforementioned modulated signal and able to modify the electrical characteristics of the water molecules present in the part of wall or masonry affected by the said field, as well as those of the capillary surfaces of the said part in contact with each other. t with these water molecules. The invention also relates to a method for stopping the upwelling and humidity by capillarity in walls, masonry or the like, characterized in that it consists in subjecting, sequentially or continuously, a part of at least one wall or masonry structure to be treated at an electric field emitted by at least one resonator fed by means for generating a modulated signal formed by a carrier whose frequency is between 25 and 65 kHz or between 143 and 150 kHz and which is modulated by a modulating signal whose frequency is between 45 and 49 Hz, the electric field (s) emitted being able to modify the electrical characteristics of the d molecules. water present in the part of wall or masonry affected by said field, as well as those of the capillary surfaces of said part in contact with these water molecules.

The basic principle of the present invention therefore consists in subjecting the portion of wall or masonry to be treated to a low power electric field (typically a few milliwatts, for example between 0.5 and 20 milliwatts) generated by a signal having a frequency composition as indicated above.

Indeed, the inventor has found, unexpectedly and surprisingly, that by subjecting the part of wall or masonry similar to such a field, one obtained fast and durable results over time in terms of suppression of capillary rise of water and humidity. It should be noted that this principle underlying the invention has nothing in common with the reverse polarity systems of the walls used in electroosmosis-phoresis which require much higher powers to modify the direction of migration of the water molecules. Indeed, the invention is not intended to reverse the polarity of the walls at a distance to combat the "electro-osmotic thrust", which would require significant energy, but to change by the emission of an electric field, the orientation water molecules, as well as the nature of the electric charge of said water molecules and the capillaries of the walls in contact therewith, as well as the surface tension of the water so as to suppress the attraction effect of water up the wall.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which: FIG. a synoptic representation of a device according to the invention; 2A and 2B schematically illustrate configurations capable of forming passive resonators trapping microwave, may be part of the device of Figure I ₅ Figure 2C is a perspective view of the passive resonator configuration of Figure 2B, and FIG. 3 shows an example of a wave train or excitation signals that can be sent to the active resonators. As shown in Figure I ₅ the electronic device 1 comprises means 3, 4 and 5 for generating a modulated signal SM supplying at least one resonator 6 in the vicinity of a portion 2 'of at least one wall or a masonry work 2 to be treated.

According to the invention, the modulated signal SM supplying said at least one resonator 6 comprises a carrier whose frequency is between 25 and 65 kHz or between 143 and 150 kHz and which is modulated by a modulating signal SI whose frequency is included between 45 and 49 Hz, said one or more resonators 6, each emitting an electric field according to the abovementioned modulated signal SM and able to modify the electrical characteristics of the water molecules present in the part of wall or masonry 2 'affected by said field, as well as those of the capillary surfaces of said portion 2 'in contact with these water molecules. According to an advantageous embodiment, having an increased efficiency, the frequency of the carrier is variable and the modulating signal SI consists of a pulse signal having a frequency of about 47 Hz, preferably consisting of square-shaped pulses. According to a preferred variant of the aforementioned embodiment, the means 3, 4, 5 of modulated signal generation SM generate a modulated signal whose carrier has a frequency alternately in the range 25 to 65 kHz and in the range 143 to 150 kHz , said frequency being moreover preferably variable in these two ranges. Each resonator 6 may, for example, be constituted by one or two oscillating circuit (s) LC parallel (s), where appropriate, with opposite inductances, preferably in the form of circuit (s) printed (s) or wound in enamelled copper wire, if necessary arranged parallel to each other. The opposite inductances are connected mutually two by two at one of their ends in each resonator 6 (presence of two inductances L by resonator).

In order to provide an automatic control of drying, it can be advantageously provided that the power of the electric field emitted by each resonator 6 is regulated by means of one or more probe (s) 7 mounted on or in the part of wall or masonry 2 'to be treated and sensitive to the humidity level or to another physical parameter characterizing this part T, the output signal SA of the or each probe 7 being delivered to the means 3, 4 Generating the modulated signal supplying the at least one resonator 6 as a parameter for controlling the power of said modulated signal.

As is shown by way of example of a simple and robust practical embodiment, FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the means 3, 4, 5 for generating the modulated signal SM supplying the resonator (s) 6 are composed of a transformer / rectifier unit 3 connected to the mains, a pulse signal generator 4 supplied by said unit 3, and an oscillator 5, for example a voltage controlled oscillator, receiving the pulse signals SI delivered by said generator 4, delivering a modulated signal to the resonator (s) 6 and, if necessary, controlled in terms of the power of the modulated signal delivered by said signal or the SA output signals from one or more probe (s) mounted ( s) on or in the part 2 'of wall or masonry to be treated, the various components 3, 4, 5 of said generating means being preferably installed in a sealed protective housing 8.

This housing can be hung on the wall or the masonry work to be treated, or alternatively be mounted in a recess or be embedded in the latter.

The electronic circuits of the pulse generator and the oscillator may be constituted by integrated or conventional components that are commercially available, such as those used for producing astable multivibrators or circuits of the same type. The constitution of such circuits is known and will not be described further herein.

In order to combat the effects of possible electromagnetic fields of telluric origin, causing or promoting the capillary rise, the device 1 can also include or be associated with at least one passive resonator 9 neutralizing the microwave radiation affecting the volume of action of the electric field (s) emitted by the resonator (s) 6, in particular those having a frequency between 2.10 and 2.50 GHz.

This or these passive resonator (s) 9 provides (ssent) an additional action complementary to that of the active resonators 6, acting in a different frequency range and without interfering with the action of said active resonators.

The invention also relates to a method for stopping the upwelling and humidity by capillarity in walls, masonry structures or the like, preferably implementing at least one device 1 of the type described above.

This method consists in subjecting, sequentially or continuously, at least part 2 'of a wall or a masonry structure 2 to be treated to an electric field emitted by at least one resonator 6 fed by means 3, 4 Generating a modulated signal SM formed by a carrier whose frequency is between 25 and 65 kHz or between 143 and 150 KHz and which is modulated by a modulating signal IF whose frequency is between 45 and 49 Hz, the electric field or fields emitted being capable of modifying the electrical characteristics and the orientation of the water molecules present in the portion of wall or masonry 2 'affected by said field, as well as those capillary surfaces of said portion 2 'in contact with these water molecules. Advantageously, it is possible to vary the frequency of the carrier of the modulated signal SM and to use a modulating signal SI having a frequency of approximately 47 Hz, preferably consisting of square-shaped pulses. Preferably, the carrier of the modulated signal SM feeding the resonator (s) 6 has a frequency alternately in the range 25 to 65 KHz and in the range 143 to 150 KHz, said carrier frequency being moreover preferably variable in these two frequency ranges so as to scan at least a portion of each of these two ranges.

The variation of the frequency can for example result from the inherent instability in terms of frequency of certain types of transistors used (for example those known under the designation BC, ...). This instability and the resulting frequency variability can be further enhanced by the absence of a voltage stabilizing stage.

In order to adjust the intensity of the treatment to the degree of dewatering of the wall or masonry part 2, and to its evolution, the method may also consist in regulating the power of the electric field produced and emitted by the or each resonator 6 via one or more probe (s) 7 mounted (s) on or in the wall or masonry portion 2 'to be treated, and sensitive to the humidity or other physical parameter characterizing this part 2 ', the output signal SA of the or each probe 7 being delivered to the means 3, 4, 5 for generating the modulated signal supplying the resonator (s) 6, as a parameter for controlling the power of said modulated signal SM .

The probes 7 used may for example be of two different types.

A first type consists of room probes, for example capacitive sensors, intended to be arranged in cavities formed in the masonry to be treated. The measurement data collected are processed and then delivered to the electronic circuits (oscillator or other) of the device to serve as a control parameter. This first type of probe is recommended for walls with high concentrations of mineral salts. A second type of probe used consists of two-electrode contact probes, measuring the resistivity of the wall (suitable for walls with low concentration of mineral salts). Measurement data collected can be delivered directly to the electronic circuits of the device.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the method optionally consists in also neutralizing the microwave radiation affecting the wall or the masonry to be treated, in particular those having a frequency of between 2.10 and 2.50 GHz, by setting in place of at least one passive resonator 9 in the vicinity of said wall or masonry portion 2 'to be treated.

This or these passive resonator (s) forming a microwave trap (s) may (for example) be arranged in a space available in the housing 8 enclosing the device.

Certain particular aspects of the invention, as well as their implications, are described in more detail in the following.

It should be noted first of all that the active means 3, 4, 5, 6 implemented by the invention develop low powers in frequencies favorable to the intended use so as to eliminate any risk of harmfulness or biological consequences. harmful to humans and animals.

As an indication, a useful output power of a few milliwatts is usually sufficient to obtain the desired drying results. For comparison, this power is about 100 to 200 times lower than that of mobile phones type GSM (usually about 2 W) and more than 1,000 times lower than that of GSM relays (15 W). It is therefore at a power level much lower than the EMC standards (electromagnetic compatibility).

The research carried out by the inventor showed that the best results were obtained by generating low frequency electromagnetic fields between 25 and 65 kHz, on the one hand, and between 143 and 150 kHz, on the other, modulated by short pulses with square signals of the order of 47 Hz.

This natural frequency of 47 Hz favorable to the drying corresponds to the average of the frequencies between the surface of the earth and the ionosphere (the frequency of 50 Hz omnipresent is to be avoided). A frequency between 45 to 49 Hz has been chosen for its efficiency and because it is the basis of the development of any organism living on the surface of the Earth. This frequency has been verified by measurements and confirmed by calculations.

Moreover, additional tests made it possible to verify that the use of variable frequencies was beneficial in terms of the efficiency of the device 1 against capillary rise.

Thus, according to the invention it is very advantageous to generate electromagnetic fields with a variable frequency of between 25 and 65 kHz, or between 143 and 150 kHz, modulated by short pulses of square signals of the order of 47 Hz, or alternatively to generate electromagnetic fields alternately in the two frequency bands above, which further enhances the effectiveness in the action against capillary rise.

As already described above, the electromagnetic fields thus created supply one or two resonators 6 consisting of one or two LC parallel oscillating circuit (s) with opposite inductances in the form of printed circuits arranged in parallel. The inductors can also be wound using enamelled copper wires.

The electric fields emitted by the resonators 6 induce a weak energy, but sufficient to modify the electrical characteristics and the orientation of the water molecules (their connection, orientation and cohesion) and the surfaces of the capillaries of the walls 2 in contact with the latter, so that water molecules and ions migrate towards the ground. The surface tension of the water in the capillaries is also modified, which reduces the adhesion of the water molecules to the walls of said capillaries.

The natural phenomenon of osmotic pressure at the origin of the capillary rise is thus stopped.

The present invention optionally provides a control system for drying by means of a probes control system 7 arranged in the walls 2 so as to control the operation of the device 1. The lowering of the moisture content in the automatically reduces the power emitted, which further reduces the power required for the efficiency of the device 1. Finally, in certain geological configurations, the presence of electromagnetic fields of telluric origin in the range of microwaves also having an action on the capillary rise.

The present invention provides for this version, optionally, a microwave trap acting by interference (phase shift of 180 ° with respect to the sensed wave).

This trap consists of a passive resonator 9 sensing and neutralizing the microwaves in a frequency range of 2.10 to 2.50 GHz.

Possible embodiments of such passive resonators 9 are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C.

As shown more specifically in FIG. 2C, a passive resonator 9 may for example comprise a split tabular conductor surrounding a strand of wire conductor, the two conductors being mounted coaxially and connected by a dielectric to at least one of their ends.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S

1) An electronic device for stopping the capillary rising of water and humidity in walls, masonry structures or the like, comprising means for generating a modulated signal supplying at least one resonator located in the vicinity of a portion of the less wall or masonry to be treated, characterized in that the modulated signal (SM) feeding said at least one resonator (6) comprises a carrier whose frequency is between 25 and 65 KHz or between 143 and 150 KHz and which is modulated by a modulating signal (IF) whose frequency is between 45 and 49 Hz, said one or more resonators (6) each emitting an electric field according to the aforementioned modulated signal (SM) and able to modify the electrical characteristics of the molecules of water present in the part of wall or masonry (T) affected by said field, as well as those surfaces of the capillaries of said portion (2 ¹ ) in contact with these water molecules. 2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frequency of the carrier is variable and in that the modulating signal (SI) consists of a pulse signal having a frequency of about 47 Hz, preferably consisting of shaped pulses square.

3) Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the means (3, 4, 5) of modulated signal generation (SM) generate a modulated signal whose carrier has a frequency alternately included in the range 25 to 65 KHz and in the range 143 to 150 KHz, said frequency being moreover preferably variable in these two ranges. 4) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each resonator (6) is constituted by one or two oscillating circuit (s) LC parallel (s), if any, with opposite inductances , preferably in the form of circuit (s) printed (s) or wound in enamelled copper son, where appropriate arranged parallel to each other.

5) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the power of the electric field emitted by each resonator (6) is regulated by means of one or more probe (s) (7) mounted on or in the part of wall or masonry (2 ') to be treated and sensitive to the humidity or other physical parameter characterizing this part (2'), the output signal (SA ) of the or each probe (7) being delivered to the means (3, 4, 5) for generating the modulated signal supplying the resonator (s) (6), as a parameter for controlling the power of said modulated signal.

6) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means (3, 4, 5) for generating the modulated signal (SM) supplying the resonator (s) (6) are composed of a transformer / rectifier unit (3) connected to the mains, a pulse signal generator (4) (SI) supplied by said unit (3), and an oscillator (5), for example a voltage controlled oscillator, receiving the pulse signals (SI) delivered by said generator (4), delivering a modulated signal to the resonator (s) (6) and, if appropriate, controlled in terms of the power of the modulated signal delivered by said signal or the output signals (SA) of one or more probes (7) mounted on or in the part (2 ¹ ) of wall or masonry to be treated, the various components (3, 4, 5) said generating means being preferably installed in a sealed protective housing (8). 7) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it also comprises at least one passive resonator (9) neutralizing the microwave radiation .affecting the wall or the masonry to be treated, in particular those having a frequency between 2.10 and 2.50 GHz. 8) Method for stopping the upwelling and humidity by capillarity in walls, masonry or the like, characterized in that it consists in subjecting, sequentially or continuously, at least one part (2 ') a wall or a masonry structure (2) to be treated with an electric field emitted by at least one resonator (6) supplied by means (3, 4, 5) for generating a modulated signal (SM) formed by a carrier whose frequency is between 25 and 65 KHz or between 143 and 150 KHz and which is modulated by a modulating signal (IF) whose frequency is between 45 and 49 Hz, the electric field (s) (s) emitted being capable of modifying the electrical characteristics and the orientation of the water molecules present in the part of wall or masonry (2 ') affected by said field, as well as those of the capillary surfaces of said portion (2 ') in contact with these water molecules.

9) Process according to claim 8, characterized in that it consists in varying the frequency of the carrier of the modulated signal (SM) and using a modulating signal (SI) having a frequency of about 47 Hz, preferably consisting of pulses of square shape.

10) Method according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the carrier of the modulated signal (SM) supplying the resonator (s) (6) has a frequency alternately in the range 25 to 65 KHz and in the range 143 to 150 KHz, said carrier frequency being moreover preferably variable in these two frequency ranges so as to scan at least a part of each of these two ranges.

11) Method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it consists in regulating the power of the electric field produced and emitted by the or each resonator (6) via one or more probe (s) (7) mounted on or in the part of wall or masonry (2 ') to be treated, and sensitive to the humidity or other physical parameter characterizing this part (2'), the signal of output (SA) of the or each probe (7) being delivered to the means (3, 4, 5) for generating the modulated signal supplying the resonator (s) (6), as a parameter for controlling the power of said signal modulated (SM).

12) A method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it consists in neutralizing the microwave radiation affecting the wall or masonry to be treated, particularly those having a frequency between 2.10 and 2 , 50 GHz, by placing at least one passive resonator (9) in the vicinity of said wall or masonry portion (2 ') to be treated.

13) Method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that it implements at least one electronic device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.