Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
In an apparatus for inhibiting the formation of scale on surfaces which contact liquids, the apparatus including a conduit member through which a liquid flows, the improvement comprising: a plurality of magnetic members arranged in series and carried by the conduit member, adjacent magnetic poles of the magnetic members being of like polarity, each pair of adjacent magnetic poles generating a region of maximum effective magnetic field intensity within the interior of the conduit member and radially proximous to the adjacent magnetic poles, the liquid passing through the region of magnetic intensity thus generated; and, an annular constriction formed in the conduit member radially outwardly of each of the regions of maximum magnetic field intensity, the constriction effectively lying in a plane essentially coincidental with the loci of maximum magnetic flux within the region of maximum magnetic field intensity, the annular constriction acting to constrict liquid flow to thereby increase the velocity of the liquid in the radially adjacent region of maximum magnetic field intensity, thereby to initiate auto-nucleation of scale within the body of the liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
In an apparatus for inhibiting the formation of scale on surfaces which contact liquids, the apparatus including a conduit member through which a liquid flows, the improvement comprising: a plurality of magnetic members arranged in series and carried by the conduit member, adjacent magnetic poles of the magnetic members being of like polarity, each pair of adjacent magnetic poles generating a region of maximum effective magnetic field intensity within the interior of the conduit member and radially proximous to the adjacent magnetic poles, the liquid passing through the region of magnetic intensity thus generated; and, an annular constriction formed in the conduit member radially outwardly of each of the regions of maximum magnetic field intensity, the constriction effectively lying in a plane essentially coincidental with the loci of maximum magnetic flux within the region of maximum magnetic field intensity, the annular constriction acting to constrict liquid flow to thereby increase the velocity of the liquid in the radially adjacent region of maximum magnetic field intensity, thereby to initiate auto-nucleation of scale within the body of the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the planes in which the annular constrictions lie are perpendicular to the flow of the liquid through the conduit member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
In the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the formation of each annular constriction in the conduit member forms an annular depression on the surface of said conduit member, the apparatus further comprising ferromagnetic material disposed within the annular depressions and forming rings of ferromagnetic material within said annular depressions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising ferromagnetic material disposed on the conduit member in the region of each annular constriction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising spacer means disposed between the adjacent magnetic members for holding the magnets in a spaced relation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising members for mounting the magnetic means to the conduit member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
In the apparatus of claim 6 wherein the mounting means comprise a tubular receptacle disposed interiorly of the conduit member in contact with the liquid, the magnetic members being held within the interior of the tubular receptacle and witheld from contact with the liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the apparatus of claim 7 wherein the mounting means further comprise spider members disposed at the ends of the tubular receptacle, the spider members abutting inner surfaces of the conduit member to hold the tubular receptacle therewithin without impeding liquid flow through the conduit member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
In the apparatus of claim 7 wherein the mounting means further comprise crimped portions located at the respective ends of the tubular receptacle, the planes of the crimped portions being disposed in annularly offset relation to each other, lateral edge portions of the crimped portions abutting inner surfaces of the conduit member to hold the tubular receptacle therewithin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
In the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic members are annular and are disposed on the exterior of the conduit member, the apparatus further comprising a core of ferromagnetic material disposed within the interior of the conduit member.