US4265746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water treating apparatus and methods
Assignee: Bon Aqua Inc
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Filing: 1979-07-30
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Granted: 1981-05-05
•
Expires: 1999-07-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for treating fresh water by producing a magnetic field in proximity to a flow of such water within a water conduit having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth. The magnetic field has north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, with its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.
Inventors
- 👤 George M. Zimmerman, Sr.
- 👤 Herman E. Menold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:42
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/48; C02F1/481; C02F1/482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A water system for supplying treated water, comprising: a fluid conduit having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth; fresh water flowing through said conduit in a predetermined direction; and means in proximity to said conduit for producing a magnetic field having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow; said magnetic field being oriented to have its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A water system for supplying treated water, comprising: a fluid conduit having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth; fresh water flowing through said conduit in a predetermined direction; and means in proximity to said conduit for producing a magnetic field having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow; said magnetic field being oriented to have its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said conduit is a water pipe and said means for producing a magnetic field is adapted to engage the exterior surface of said pipe in a region where the surface is continuous and uninterrupted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
A water system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for producing a magnetic field comprises: at least one permanent magnet at the outside of said conduit with north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow and with said south pole upstream of the north pole; and two ferromagnetic elements at opposite axial sides of said permanent magnet and projecting into close proximity to an outer surface of said conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A water system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for producing a magnetic field comprises a plurality of permanent magnets arranged linearly along the direction of water flow in alternating polarities such that similar poles of any two adjoining magnets face generally axially toward each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A water system as recited in claim 4, including ferromagnetic elements received at locations spaced apart in the direction of water flow and between pairs of said permanent magnets and received in close proximity to an outer surface of said conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A water system as recited in claim 5, wherein said means for producing a magnetic field includes ferromagnetic means providing a flux return path between different ones of said magnets at a location spaced outwardly from said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A water system as recited in claim 6, wherein said ferromagnetic elements contain recesses receiving portions of said conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
183 words
A water system as recited in claim 1, in which said means include a first permanent magnet at the side of said conduit having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, with said south pole being upstream of the north pole; a second permanent magnet upstream of said first permanent magnet and having a south pole opposite the south pole of said first magnet and a north pole upstream thereof; a third permanent magnet downstream of said first magnet and having a north pole opposite the north pole of said first magnet and a south pole downstream of said north pole of the third magnet; a first ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and second permanent magnets and forming a net south pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and second permanent magnets and into close proximity with said conduit; and a second ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and third permanent magnets and forming a net north magnetic pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and third magnets and into close proximity with said conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A water system as recited in claim 8, including a ferromagnetic flux return element defining a flux return path and having end portions received at an upstream side of said second magnet and a downstream side of said third magnet respectively, and having a connector portion joining said end portions at a location spaced outwardly from the conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A water system as recited in claim 9, including a layer of insulating material interposed radially between radially outer sides of said magnets and ferromagnetic elements and said connector portion of said flux return element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A water system as recited in claim 10, including a housing element received about and containing said magnets and said flux return element and having an open side placed against said conduit, and means retaining said housing element and its contents against the conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A water system as recited in claim 10, including a housing element received about and containing said magnets and said flux return element and having an open side placed against said conduit, and a second housing element received at an opposite side of the conduit and having an open side facing the conduit and having teeth engaging coacting teeth on the first housing element to retain the two housing elements together about the pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
A water system for supplying treated water, comprising: a fresh water source; a water distribution system for said water source; a water conduit connected to said distribution system for the flow of water therethrough from said source in a predetermined direction and having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth; and means in proximity to said conduit for producing a magnetic field having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow; said magnetic field being oriented to have its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
A water system for supplying treated water, comprising: a fresh water source; a water distribution system for said water source; a water conduit connected to said distribution system for the flow of water therethrough from said source in a predetermined direction and having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth; and means in proximity to said conduit for producing a magnetic field having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow; said magnetic field being oriented to have its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
66 words
The method of treating water which comprises: passing fresh water through a fluid conduit having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth; and subjecting the water to a magnetic field having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, said magnetic field being oriented to have its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
66 words
The method of treating water which comprises: passing fresh water through a fluid conduit having an electrically conductive portion connected electrically to earth; and subjecting the water to a magnetic field having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, said magnetic field being oriented to have its overall effective south magnetic polarity located upstream of its overall effective north magnetic polarity.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for treating fresh water flowing through a conduit comprising: a first housing element to be received at a first side of said conduit; means contained in said housing element at a location to be received in proximity to said conduit for producing a magnetic field at the location of the conduit wall with spaced poles; a part to be received at a side of the conduit opposite that at which said housing element is received so that the housing element and part may be moved relatively toward one another and against the conduit; and detenting connector means on said housing element and said part interengageable as a result of movement of the housing element and part relatively toward one another to detent the housing element and part against relative separation and thus retain them on the conduit.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for treating fresh water flowing through a conduit comprising: a first housing element to be received at a first side of said conduit; means contained in said housing element at a location to be received in proximity to said conduit for producing a magnetic field at the location of the conduit wall with spaced poles; a part to be received at a side of the conduit opposite that at which said housing element is received so that the housing element and part may be moved relatively toward one another and against the conduit; and detenting connector means on said housing element and said part interengageable as a result of movement of the housing element and part relatively toward one another to detent the housing element and part against relative separation and thus retain them on the conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as recited in claim 15, in which said detenting connector means include teeth on said housing element and said part interengageable in connecting relation as a result of movement of the housing element and part relatively toward one another.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
A device as recited in claim 15, in which said housing element has two spaced walls, and said part has two spaced walls received adjacent said two walls of the housing element respectively, said walls of the housing element and part being slightly resiliently deflectable and having teeth which are resiliently urged toward one another and are deflectable to pass one another as the housing element and part move relatively toward each other, and which then are resiliently urged to a holding relation locking the part and housing element against relative separation and about the conduit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as recited in claim 15, in which said housing element has two spaced walls containing recesses for partially receiving and embracing said conduit when retained thereagainst.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as recited in claim 18, in which said part is a second housing element for closing said first housing element and containing spaced walls with recesses for partially receiving and embracing said conduit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as recited in claim 19, in which said two housing elements are formed of an insulative material and have two pairs of walls received adjacent one another and carrying resiliently deflectable interengageable teeth serving as said detenting connector means for locking the housing elements against relative separation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as recited in claim 15, in which said part has a recess for partially receiving and embracing said conduit when the housing element and part are secured together.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
232 words
A device for treating fresh water flowing through a conduit comprising: a first permanent magnet to be received at a side of the conduit and having north and south poles which are spaced apart in the direction of water flow through the conduit; a second permanent magnet received at one axial side of the first permanent magnet and having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of fluid flow, with the south pole of the second magnet facing axially toward the south pole of the first magnet; a third permanent magnet located at a second axial side of said first magnet and having magnetic poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, with the north pole of the third magnet facing axially toward the north pole of said first magnet; a first ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and second magnets and forming a net south pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and second magnets for reception in close proximity to the conduit; and a second ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and third magnets and forming a net north pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and third magnets for reception in close proximity to said conduit; there being no ferromagnetic parts of said device other than said first and second ferromagnetic elements which project inwardly as far as said first and second ferromagnetic elements.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
232 words
A device for treating fresh water flowing through a conduit comprising: a first permanent magnet to be received at a side of the conduit and having north and south poles which are spaced apart in the direction of water flow through the conduit; a second permanent magnet received at one axial side of the first permanent magnet and having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of fluid flow, with the south pole of the second magnet facing axially toward the south pole of the first magnet; a third permanent magnet located at a second axial side of said first magnet and having magnetic poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, with the north pole of the third magnet facing axially toward the north pole of said first magnet; a first ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and second magnets and forming a net south pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and second magnets for reception in close proximity to the conduit; and a second ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and third magnets and forming a net north pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and third magnets for reception in close proximity to said conduit; there being no ferromagnetic parts of said device other than said first and second ferromagnetic elements which project inwardly as far as said first and second ferromagnetic elements.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
246 words
A device for treating fresh water flowing through a conduit comprising: a first permanent magnet to be received at a side of the conduit and having north and south poles which are spaced apart in the direction of water flow through the conduit; a second permanent magnet received at one axial side of the first permanent magnet and having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of fluid flow, with the south pole of the second magnet facing axially toward the south pole of the first magnet; a third permanent magnet located at a second axial side of said first magnet and having magnetic poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, with the north pole of the third magnet facing axially toward the north pole of said first magnet; a first ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and second magnets and forming a net south pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and second magnets for reception in close proximity to the conduit; a second ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and third magnets and forming a net north pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and third magnets for reception in close proximity to said conduit; and a flux return path structure having two end portions received adjacent the north pole of said second magnet and the south pole of said third magnet and having a connector portion joining said end portions at a location spaced from the conduit.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
246 words
A device for treating fresh water flowing through a conduit comprising: a first permanent magnet to be received at a side of the conduit and having north and south poles which are spaced apart in the direction of water flow through the conduit; a second permanent magnet received at one axial side of the first permanent magnet and having north and south poles spaced apart in the direction of fluid flow, with the south pole of the second magnet facing axially toward the south pole of the first magnet; a third permanent magnet located at a second axial side of said first magnet and having magnetic poles spaced apart in the direction of water flow, with the north pole of the third magnet facing axially toward the north pole of said first magnet; a first ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and second magnets and forming a net south pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and second magnets for reception in close proximity to the conduit; a second ferromagnetic element received axially between said first and third magnets and forming a net north pole projecting radially inwardly beyond said first and third magnets for reception in close proximity to said conduit; and a flux return path structure having two end portions received adjacent the north pole of said second magnet and the south pole of said third magnet and having a connector portion joining said end portions at a location spaced from the conduit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as recited in claim 23, including an insulating material interposed radially between said connector portion of said flux return path structure and radially outer sufaces of the three magnets.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as recited in claim 24, including a housing element received about and containing said magnets and said ferromagnetic elements and said flux return path structure and having an open side at which said ferromagnetic elements are receivable in close proximity to the conduit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as recited in claim 25, including a part receivable at said open side of said housing element with said conduit therebetween and movable toward said housing element, and means for securing said housing element and part together and about the conduit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as recited in claim 25, including a part receivable at said open side of said housing element with said conduit therebetween and movable toward said housing element, and detenting means on said housing element and said part detenting them against separation as a result of movement of the housing element and part relatively toward one another and about the conduit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
91 words
A device as recited in claim 27, in which said part forms a second housing element having an open side facing toward said first mentioned housing element, said two housing elements being formed of non-conductive material and having walls with recesses for partially receiving and embracing opposite sides of said conduit, said two housing elements having resiliently deflectable wall portions with teeth forming said detenting means engageable with one another as a result of movement of the two housing elements toward one another to lock the housing elements against relative separation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as recited in claim 23, in which said first and second ferromagnetic elements project radially inwardly farther than said end portions of said flux return path structure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-05-04 | 1984-11-03 | 1985-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-04 | 1988-11-03 | 1989-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-04 | 1992-11-03 | 1993-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |