US4073712A — Electrostatic water treatment

Claim 1

Independent Claim 139 words

A device for treating a fluid with an electrostatic field comprising: (a) a pair of electrodes mounted in spaced relation; (b) means for directing a fluid between said electrodes; (c) said electrodes each having a respective dielectric covering insulating said electrodes from said fluid, said insulating covering on at least one of said electrodes being a hard anodized coating; (d) power supply means establishing a direct current potential between said electrodes, said power supply means having a positive terminal connected to one of said electrodes and a negative terminal connected to the other electrode; and (e) said electrodes, dielectric coverings and fluid forming the equivalent of three capacitors connected in series, said electrodes being spaced apart and sized and said dielectric coverings having thicknesses and dielectric constants whereby the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 50%.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 139 words

A device for treating a fluid with an electrostatic field comprising: (a) a pair of electrodes mounted in spaced relation; (b) means for directing a fluid between said electrodes; (c) said electrodes each having a respective dielectric covering insulating said electrodes from said fluid, said insulating covering on at least one of said electrodes being a hard anodized coating; (d) power supply means establishing a direct current potential between said electrodes, said power supply means having a positive terminal connected to one of said electrodes and a negative terminal connected to the other electrode; and (e) said electrodes, dielectric coverings and fluid forming the equivalent of three capacitors connected in series, said electrodes being spaced apart and sized and said dielectric coverings having thicknesses and dielectric constants whereby the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 50%.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 65%.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 75%.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said other electrode is connected to an earth ground by a low resistance conductor.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 78 words

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: (a) said one electrode is an elongated conductive cylinder having a respective dielectric covering on the external surface thereof; (b) said other electrode is an elongated, cylindrical conductive shell having a respective dielectric covering on the internal surfaces thereof; (c) said one electrode is mounted coaxially within said shell with an annular flow passage therebetween; and (d) said shell has dielectric fittings for fluid connection to a fluid system.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device as set forth in claim 5 wherein: (a) said shell is formed of aluminum; and (b) said hard anodized coating is on the internal surfaces of said shell.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 184 words

A device for electrostatically treating a fluid, said fluid having a dielectric constant k f , said device comprising: (a) an elongated conductive cylinder having a radius r 1 and a length L; (b) said cylinder being covered by a dielectric material having a thickness t 1 and a dielectric constant k 1 ; (c) an elongated, cylindrical conductive shell having a length greater than L, an internal radius r 2 , and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; (d) said shell having the internal surfaces thereof covered with a dielectric material having a thickness t 2 and a dielectric constant k 2 ; (e) said cylinder being mounted coaxially within said shell with a flow passage therebetween; and (f) the values of r 1 , r 2 , L, t 1 , t 2 , k 1 , and k 2 being such that in the relationship ##EQU6## wherein: ##EQU7## the term (C eq /C 2 ) has a value greater than 0.5 and the dielectric material on at least one of said cylinder and shell is a hard anodized coating.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 184 words

A device for electrostatically treating a fluid, said fluid having a dielectric constant k f , said device comprising: (a) an elongated conductive cylinder having a radius r 1 and a length L; (b) said cylinder being covered by a dielectric material having a thickness t 1 and a dielectric constant k 1 ; (c) an elongated, cylindrical conductive shell having a length greater than L, an internal radius r 2 , and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; (d) said shell having the internal surfaces thereof covered with a dielectric material having a thickness t 2 and a dielectric constant k 2 ; (e) said cylinder being mounted coaxially within said shell with a flow passage therebetween; and (f) the values of r 1 , r 2 , L, t 1 , t 2 , k 1 , and k 2 being such that in the relationship ##EQU6## wherein: ##EQU7## the term (C eq /C 2 ) has a value greater than 0.5 and the dielectric material on at least one of said cylinder and shell is a hard anodized coating.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the term (C eq /C 2 ) has a value greater than 0.65.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the term (C eq /C 2 ) has a value greater than 0.75.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

The device as set forth in claim 7 including power supply means for supplying a non-pulsating direct current voltage of a selected value, said power supply means having a positive terminal connected to said cylinder and a negative terminal connected to said shell.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein: (a) said shell is formed of aluminum; and (b) said hard anodized coating is on said shell.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shell is connected to an earth ground by a low resistance conductor.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 141 words

In a device for electrostatic treatment of fluid in a fluid system, said device being of the type comprising a pair of electrodes mounted in spaced relation with a flow passage therebetween, one of said electrodes having a dielectric covering insulating said one electrode from said fluid, there being a direct current potential between said electrodes, said one electrode being electrically positive, the improvement comprising: (a) a respective dielectric covering on the other of said electrodes insulating said other electrode from said fluid; and (b) one of said dielectric coverings being a hard anodized coating; (c) said electrodes, said dielectric coverings, and said fluid forming the equivalent of three capacitors connected in series, said electrodes being sized and spaced apart and said dielectric coverings having thicknesses and dielectric constants whereby the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 50%.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 141 words

In a device for electrostatic treatment of fluid in a fluid system, said device being of the type comprising a pair of electrodes mounted in spaced relation with a flow passage therebetween, one of said electrodes having a dielectric covering insulating said one electrode from said fluid, there being a direct current potential between said electrodes, said one electrode being electrically positive, the improvement comprising: (a) a respective dielectric covering on the other of said electrodes insulating said other electrode from said fluid; and (b) one of said dielectric coverings being a hard anodized coating; (c) said electrodes, said dielectric coverings, and said fluid forming the equivalent of three capacitors connected in series, said electrodes being sized and spaced apart and said dielectric coverings having thicknesses and dielectric constants whereby the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 50%.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device as set forth in claim 13 wherein the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 65%.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device as set forth in claim 13 wherein the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 75%.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said other electrode is connected to an earth ground by a low resistance conductor.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 69 words

The device as set forth in claim 13 wherein: (a) said one electrode is an elongated conductive cylinder with a respective dielectric covering on the external surface thereof; (b) said other electrode is an elongated, cylindrical conductive shell having a respective dielectric covering on the internal surface thereof, said shell having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and (c) said one electrode is mounted coaxially within said shell.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device as set forth in claim 17 including dielectric fittings cooperating with said fluid inlet and outlet for fluid connection of said device to said fluid system.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device as set forth in claim 17 wherein: (a) said shell is formed of aluminum; and (b) said shell dielectric covering is said hard anodized coating.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 153 words

A method of inhibiting colloidal particles in a fluid from adhering to the internal surfaces of a fluid system comprising: (a) establishing a direct current potential between a pair of electrodes wherein: (1) one electrode is a positive electrode and the other electrode is a negative electrode, said negative electrode being connected by a low resistance conductor to an earth ground, (2) each of said electrodes is covered by a respective dielectric material insulating said electrodes from said fluid, said dielectric material on at least one of said electrodes being a hard anodized coating, (3) said electrodes, said dielectric materials, and said fluid form the equivalent of three capacitors connected in series, and (4) said electrodes are sized and spaced apart and said dielectric materials have thicknesses and dielectric constants such that the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 50%; and (b) causing said fluid to flow between said electrodes.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 153 words

A method of inhibiting colloidal particles in a fluid from adhering to the internal surfaces of a fluid system comprising: (a) establishing a direct current potential between a pair of electrodes wherein: (1) one electrode is a positive electrode and the other electrode is a negative electrode, said negative electrode being connected by a low resistance conductor to an earth ground, (2) each of said electrodes is covered by a respective dielectric material insulating said electrodes from said fluid, said dielectric material on at least one of said electrodes being a hard anodized coating, (3) said electrodes, said dielectric materials, and said fluid form the equivalent of three capacitors connected in series, and (4) said electrodes are sized and spaced apart and said dielectric materials have thicknesses and dielectric constants such that the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 50%; and (b) causing said fluid to flow between said electrodes.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 65%.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the percentage of said potential appearing across said fluid exceeds 75%.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein: (a) said one electrode is an elongated conductive cylinder with said respective dielectric material on the external surfaces thereof; (b) said other electrode is an elongated, cylindrical conductive shell having said respective dielectric material on the internal surface thereof; and (c) said one electrode is mounted coaxially within said shell.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein: (a) said shell is formed of aluminum; and (b) said shell dielectric material is said hard anodized coating.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 185 words

A method of manufacturing a device for electrostatically treating a fluid having a dielectric constant k f , said method comprising: (a) providing an elongated conductive cylinder having a radius r 1 and a length L; (b) covering said cylinder with a dielectric material having a thickness t 1 and a dielectric constant k 1 ; (c) providing an elongated, cylindrical conductive shell having a length greater than L, an internal radius r 2 , and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; (d) covering the internal surfaces of said shell with a dielectric material having a thickness t 2 and a dielectric constant k 2 ; at least one of said cylinder and shell dielectric material being a hard anodized coating; (e) mounting said cylinder coaxially within said shell with a flow passage between said cylinder and said shell; and (f) choosing the values of r 1 , r 2 , L, t 1 , k 1 , and k 2 such that in the relationship ##EQU8## wherein: ##EQU9## the term (C eq /C 2 ) ) has a value greater than 0.5.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 185 words

A method of manufacturing a device for electrostatically treating a fluid having a dielectric constant k f , said method comprising: (a) providing an elongated conductive cylinder having a radius r 1 and a length L; (b) covering said cylinder with a dielectric material having a thickness t 1 and a dielectric constant k 1 ; (c) providing an elongated, cylindrical conductive shell having a length greater than L, an internal radius r 2 , and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; (d) covering the internal surfaces of said shell with a dielectric material having a thickness t 2 and a dielectric constant k 2 ; at least one of said cylinder and shell dielectric material being a hard anodized coating; (e) mounting said cylinder coaxially within said shell with a flow passage between said cylinder and said shell; and (f) choosing the values of r 1 , r 2 , L, t 1 , k 1 , and k 2 such that in the relationship ##EQU8## wherein: ##EQU9## the term (C eq /C 2 ) ) has a value greater than 0.5.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method as set forth in claim 25 wherein the term (C eq /C 2 ) has a value greater than 0.65.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method as set forth in claim 25 wherein the term (C eq /C 2 ) has a value greater than 0.75.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as set forth in claim 25 including: (a) forming said shell of aluminum; and (b) covering the internal surface thereof with said hard anodized coating.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method as set forth in claim 25 including providing a non-pulsating direct current power supply having a selected voltage output, said power supply having a positive terminal connected to said cylinder and a negative terminal connected to said shell.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method as set forth in claim 25 including providing a low resistance conductor for connection of said shell to an earth ground.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1981-02-13	1981-08-15	1982-02-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1985-02-13	1985-08-15	1986-02-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1989-02-13	1989-08-15	1990-02-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrostatic water treatment

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