This invention relates to a fluid conditioning apparatus. The invention is directed particularly but not solely towards a water conditioning device for use in any water pipe.

Background of Invention

There are systems for improving water comprising apparatus designed to be added to water supplies to improve water quality and improve health. Water supplies can be reticulated or non-reticulated such as in tank water. Existing add-on systems include adding chemicals to clean a water source by removing bacteria or filtering to remove solids or to improve health for teeth by adding fluoride. In general other chemicals are added to improve water clarity or reduce any corrosive or harmful effects to humans, animals and equipment.

These systems are normally owned and operated by territorial authorities and are sited close to any water supply rather than being close to the user or consumer. This type of add on system also does not allow for personal choice for any reasons such as personal health, ethics or beliefs. Existing systems are often large and expensive to construct and maintain. Specialised workpeople are also required.

Water is such an important part of our diet, health and well being that any improvement to it can be very important and so provides a real need. Some means that are used to attempt to improve water quality include water filters, bottled water and tablets.

The discussion herein of the background to the invention is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as of the priority date of any of the claims.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fluid conditioning apparatus that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice. Summary of invention.

In a first aspect, the invention comprises a fluid conditioning apparatus, the apparatus including a. housing forming a fluid path therein, there through and therefrom, the apparatus including magnetic means to produce a magnetic field and fluid agitating means whereby the. -magnetic means is operatively attached to the housing which is adapted to allow fluid to pass there-through in a first fluid path direction or horizontal path, to then be agitated by the agitating means and then flow through the magnetic field to be magnetized, to condition the fluid..

Preferably, the apparatus includes or can be attached to a filter means located within the housing between an entry fluid path and exit fluid path, filter means being shaped having filters and being located within the housing such that there is provided an inner fluid filter path and an outer fluid filter path whereby in use fluid downwardly or angled with respect to the first fluid path, enters the outer fluid filter path and then concentrically through one filter to be filtered and into the inner fluid filter path through another filter to travel upwards and out of the filter means to the exit fluid path.

Preferably there is provided a downwardly extending fluid path portion leading from the inner fluid filter path whereby fluid flows to the exit fluid path.

Preferably the fluid agitating means is located in the downwardly extending fluid path portion whereby the fluid agitating means is a stationary turbine means (or series of angled/curved vanes) being adapted to agitate the fluid flow and further aerate and condition the fluid.

Alternatively the agitating means includes a fluid path comprising a tubular housing whereby the fluid enters and leaves the housing while remaining in the same general direction through out the housing, whereby the tubular housing includes tubular fluid paths parallel to a length of the housing, the housing having radial recesses for locating magnetic means therein and entrance recesses to direct incoming fluid to the fluid paths wherein the fluid paths are provided with shoulders or raised portion protruding into the fluid path to also assist in agitating the fluid flow without spirally therethrough whereby the shoulders are located closer to the exit end of the housing. Preferably.the magnet means comprises a first magnet means comprising a pair of magnet located in a housing attached or connected to the exit fluid path wherein the magnets are spaced on either side of the fluid flow.

Preferably the fluid is pressurised water.

Preferably, a second magnetic means is located in the housing to retain any metallic impurities wherein the second magnetic means comprises a pair of magnets located on the side of the housing and a third magnet means comprising a single magnet is located at the bottom of the housing.

Preferably, a biasing means located in the lower portion ot the housing and below tne inter means upwardly supports said filter means.

Preferably, other devices such as cut-off valves, other filter means, various couplings or joints, controlling means or UV sterilizing means can be fluidly attached to the apparatus as required and shown in the drawings.

Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to be fitted or located in a meter box

Brief Description

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective front view of the conditioning apparatus. Figure 2 is an upper perspective rear view of the conditioning apparatus without the inspection cover and showing the filter means within the housing. Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the conditioning apparatus.

Figure 4 is a right side elevation view of the conditioning apparatus. Figure 5 is a top plan view of the conditioning apparatus. Figure 6 is a cross sectional view (section AA) of through the centre of the conditioning apparatus.

Figure 7 is- a cross sectional view (section EE) of the upper fluid path and turbines.

Figure 7a is a variation of figure 7 with the turbine rotation being clockwise. Figure 8 is a cut out cross sectional front view of the conditioning apparatus in a housing or box.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the conditioning apparatus of figure 8.

Figure 10 is an upper perspective view of the conditioning apparatus of figure 8.

Figure 11 is a lower perspective view of the conditioning apparatus of figure 8. Figure-12 is an end elevation view of the conditioning apparatus of figure 8.

Figure 13 is a.schematic flow chart showing another forπvof the conditioning apparatus in a domestic installation.

Figure 14_is a schematic flow chart showing another form of the conditioning apparatus in a trade/industry installation.

Figure IS is a schematic flow chart showing another form of the conditioning apparatus in an executive installation.

Figure 16 is a schematic cross sectional side view of a magnet mounting.

Figure 17 is a schematic cross sectional end view of the magnet mounting of figure 16

Description of Drawings

The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a fluid conditioning apparatus. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and-modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figures l-7a, show the fluid conditioning apparatus 1 in a non-installed state. Figures 8-12 show the apparatus installed in a water supply line and within a meter box. As shown apparatus 1 in use includes a housing 2 having a wall thickness 3 (figures 7 and 7a) forming a substantially cylindrically-shaped upright enclosed space 4 with an internal surface 5 and outer surface 6, having an upper end 7, a lower end 8, entry means 9, exit means 10 and sides 11 whereby a flow'12 in said direction in use enters via entry means 9 passing through the inside space 4 and out of the housing 2 via-exit means ! 0. The fluid which can be water can be pressurised.

Entry means 9- is shown to be substantially level with the exit means 10 though other -orientations are equally possible. Entry means 9 includes a tubular portion sized and positioned to allow fluid to flow to enter and pass there-through and into the housing. Also entry*and exist- means are shown in the figures having threading to allow any suitable - connection to other fittings or other fluid lines:

Inside tibe enclosed space 3 which in this example is-an upright (in use) within the cylindrical volume or space 4 which has a base there is located a filter means 15 (see figures 7 and 7a) therein which is supported from the lower end of the base of housing 2 by a biasing means -16. Biasing means 46 comprises a spring housed in a complementary tubular recess 17 within the base of the filter means 15.

Filter means 15 can be any suitably structured filter designed and adapted to remove any particular contaminants required. Also other related components can be use such as replaceable filter pads or different sized holes or perforations etc. In this example filter means 15 is a tubular structure with the fluid able to enter the filter means concentrically and horizontally through the filter wall to be filtered. The filtered fluid is then able to be directed upwards and out.

Filter means 15 can easily be checked, replaced or cleaned via a first access means such as an inspection means 18 or end cap. Located at upper end 7 is a second access means comprising a removable cap 19. In this example the cap 19 removably fitted with a plurality of screws or whatever. Both access means can have a variety of different means of gaining access such as for example snap fitting caps or doors or screw threaded caps.

Fluid conditioning apparatus 1 is adapted to provide at least one fluid path for the fluid to pass there through from entry means 9 to exit means 10 in a generally first fluid path which -is this example is horizontal. The fluid path between the entry and exit a second fluid path which is at angle'to the first fluid path or in this example in a downwards with concentric direction and then in an upwards direction. The fluid path includes an entry fluid path 20 leading to a filter fluid path which then leads to an exit fluid path 21. As the filter means 15 is dimensioned as a volume to be less that the enclosed space 4 there is a further enclosed space between the outer surface of the filter and inner surface 5 of housing 2. Said further enclosed space _J forms an outer filter fluid path 22. Filter means 15 has an inner space forming an inner filter fluid path 23. Located in use at the upper end or exit end of theϋlter means J 5 and fluidly connected, there is an upper filter fluid path 24 which leads to the exit - fluid path 21. The upper fluid path 24 includes a horizontal distributor portion 24a leading a vertical portion 24b -which allows the fluid to drop into the exit fluid path 21. Adjacent is a disc mandrill 24c, retainer washer 24d and filter disk 24e. As shown in the drawings the filter can comprise an outer filter or first filter and an inner filter-or second filter which can be formed-as one filter unit or as separate parts.

In use fluid enters the entry fluid path 20 which-may be horizontal or at any angle with respect to the housing 2 or exit fluid path 21. Fluid then enters the outer filter fluid path 22 and then enters or travels into the filter means and into the inner filter fluid path 23. After this, fluid flows upwards to and through the upper filter fluid path 24 and downwards past a fluid agitating means 30 and dropping into the exit fluid path 21 and passed and through the first magnetic means 31 which produces a-magnetic field to magnetize the fluid and then out of the apparatus.

Within or adjacent to upper fluid path 24 there is located the agitating means 30 which can be for example at least one stationary turbine or curved vanes or spiral vanes or curved channels to enable the fluid after passing thru or during its travel through path 24 to be agitated, mixed, jet-streamed and softened before going past first magnet means 31. The direction of rotation of the turbines or vanes can be synchronized or not and can be clockwise or in another option anticlockwise. First magnet means 31 comprises at least one magnet removably attached to the side wall of exit means 10 being adapted to produce a magnetic field to magnetise the fluid going past. In this example first magnet means 31 can be four neodymium 15mm outside diameter x 10mm thick magnets which is housed in a tubular housing 32 which is accessed from an outside end. As shown in figures 2, 5, 7 and 7a, there can be four such magnet housings for four- magnets to be located in two pairs thereby creating the magnetic field between them and across the exit fluid path 21. Any number of magnets or pairing and positioning of magnets is possible Such as for example instead of four pairs at the outlet there may be one pair with one of the pair being placed on each side of the fluid flow. The stationary turbine includes a series of fixed curved vanes or alternatively they can be rotating vanes or propellers.

The fluid is conditioned by the apparatus whereby there is any improvement in the _ fluid/water-quality in any way such as-clarity, aeration or magnetised or the flow is affected _in any way. -The actions of agitating and magnetizing assists in the breakdown of any chemical substances in the fluid to ions rendering and possibly eliminating harmful effects in the water.

Jf desired in use below biasing means 16 there is a space for a second magnet means 35.

Second magnet means 35 is located in a tubular housing 36 which upwardly protrudes form the inside of the housing base to meet or abut housing 17 which supports filter means 15. Tubular housing 36 is designed to hold or attract any metal or metal impurities from within the fluid flow which will lie within this space. Located at the lower housing end 8 there is the first access means which comprises the threaded cap 18 which can be unscrewed whereby any impurities or damage etc will lie within the cap for easy removal.

Figures 8-12 show the fluid conditioning apparatus being housed with in any water meter box 37 fluidly connected to a pressurized water system. However the apparatus can be fitted in its own box or at any point in a water supply system such as inside a house or in the ground. The meter box is merely an option with the conditioning apparatus being equally able to simply placed anywhere convenient and protected e.g. on the ground, above ground, in the house in a cupboard, in a roof cavity or outside or in a cage or it can be combined with other apparatus or there can be multiple conditioning apparatus in line or in parallel in combination with any of these examples.

In another option the fluid conditioning apparatus can have at least one cut-off valve 38 attached thereto so that the apparatus can be isolated or inspected or repaired or renewed. For example there can be a first cut-off valve positioned on the inflow side of the apparatus and a second cut-off valve positioned on outflow side or the side from the house or user, of -the apparatus, In use the in flow is first turned off, followed by the second cut-off valve to prevent back flow or air or an air lock from the house from entering the pipe system. 5

In other options the housing can be shaped in any way desired or to fit any sized filter or shaped with a filter. ~With no filter the housing 2 can be a horizontally shaped continuation of the entry means and exit means The housing 2 can be made from any suitable material " sueh as injection moulded plastics or metal or any combination thereof and can be any sized ^• 10 -or dimensioned depending on the desired orneeded required flow rates.

Entry means 6 and exit means 7 are shown as being substantially level though other configurations and numbers of such means are equally possible.

'15 As shown in figures 13-15 other forms of the installation are possible such as for domestic, trade or special situations. Also shown in these drawings is another form of the apparatus whereby the magnets are shown in different^positions such as for example the first magnet means comprising one jnagnet on each side of the outlet or inletpipe 51 rather than being side by-side and/ or more magnets can be placed in the housing 2 such as the second magnet

20 means 35 eomprising-a jnagnet located at the very lower end 8 of the housing 2 and a third magnet means comprising pairs of magnets 52 at specifiedηpositions up the housing 2, to assist in removing by collecting any impurities in the water flow. The magnetic means are housing in separate tubular housings protruding into or adjacent the fluid to cause a magnetic field to be formed and cause the fluid to be magnetized. The magnets create a magnetic field

25 to magnetize the water and also soften the water as well whereas the agitating means (though not labelled can be included in the apparatus shown wherever required), conditions the fluid and may assist in the breakdown of some chemical impurities in the water to make them less harmful to water users. As shown in the drawings 'jointers' or sections of pipe 53 able to join between 'mac unions' or couplings 57 between housing 2 and taps 58 can be used where

30 required,

Other variations depending on client requirements and water quality include the use of extra strainers or self flushing filter strainers 54 as shown in figure 14 and/or UV sterilizing means 55-*as in the installation shown in tigure 15. Additionally other components can De aααeα to the apparatus-suchas a control means 56 and various jointing devices like mac-unions 57 which are double sided-female coupling nuts that allow one side of a pipe flow to be undone withoutninscrewing the other side and taps or valves 58. -They are also for situation where you can't rotate the pipes to couple them together.

-Other components such as filters or washers or chemical additives tan be included if desired. • Further access means can be included. Various forms of bracketing or supports may h& used in combination. Other types and shape for the filter means are also possible. Some form of housing or fluid pressurization can also be used,

As shown hrfigures 16 and 17 the magnets can be located separately to any filter parts in a fluid conditioning device 60 whereby the device 60 includes a cylindrical housing of length 61 with a width 62 (eg 50 mm diameter), an entry or entrance end 63 and exit end or rear end 64.

The housing has at least one through passageway-65 extending completely through the length 61 (say 70 mm for example) of the housing. Also in this example the passageway can be formed of say four cylindrical or tubular holes 65. The device 60 can be formed also having athroat entrance or female fitting 66 to assist in mating with a connecting pipe fluid (not shown) flow having a male end fitting.- The rear end 64 of the device 60 can also be adapted to allow easy joining such as by being formed with a male type extension portion to allow joining with a female fitting pipe. Other means of joining are equally possible such as press fitting bolting-clamping or lapping with adhesive etc. Also shown are raised shoulders 67 located at the rear end of the holes 63 but within a recess portion closer to the exit end which are designed to prevent spiral from being forced through. The device 60 also includes recesses 68 positioned at right angles (or radially to the cylindrical device housing) to the flow F but accessible from an outer periphery of the device housing. The shape and number of the recesses 68 can be varied which are designed to allow the insertion of magnets therein. These recesses 68 can be friction fitted or glued into place or even covered by a cap to hold in place. The magnets can be sized to fit or protrude if necessary. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and application of the invention will suggest themselves ~ without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, ^ The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting.

Throughout the description and statement of invention of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Advantages a) Health benefits b) No additives being used. c) Simple installation d) Able to be retro-fitted e) Straight forward manufacture f) Few moving parts g) Modest cost of manufacture h) Able to be fitted in a meter box i) Does not restrict flow rates j) Minimal maintenance costs k) Improved fluid quality for all uses.

Variations

Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It will also be understood that where a product, method or process as herein described or claimed and that is sold incomplete, as individual components, or as a "kit of Parts", that such exploitation will fall within the ambit of the invention.

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However it is to ,b& understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices

-illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described.