Field of the Invention

Our invention relates to the treatment of fluids by exposure to magnetic fields. In particular, our invention relates to the treatment of fuels and recirculated exhaust gases burned in internal combustion engines.

Background of the Invention

For some time it has been observed that improvements in internal combustion engine output characteristics result when fuel is exposed to a magnetic field prior to combustion. In fact, the effects of magnetic fields on a variety of fluids have been observed, resulting in the development of devices to treat everything from fuel to exhaust gases to water and other fluids in a wide range of applications.

For example, U.S. Patent number 4,343,707 to Lucas discloses a magnetic water treating device that provides for inhibiting formation of scale and growth of algae, for eliminating taste and odor from water and for providing corrosion protection. Water is circulated through a helical conduit having magnets arranged along the outside of the path. Alternating poles of the magnets face the water along the flow path such that the combined magnetic and centrifugal forces urge particles in the water toward the outer periphery of the conduit. The water is divided into two streams at the outlet of the conduit, the outer stream containing the contaminants and the inner stream containing purified water.

Another example of a magnetic conditioning device is that disclosed by U.S. Patent number 4,772,387 to Simoni. This device also uses a helical flow path. Instead of using a baffle, however, Simoni uses lateral openings at opposite ends of the conditioner to induce helical flow.

We have found that the effects of magnetic fluid treatment are enhanced by passing the fluid through a single-polarity, constant strength region of a magnetic field. We have particularly observed that treating fuel or exhaust gases in this manner improves engine output characteristics. While some devices, including our own, do this to some degree, none have done it to the degree possible. Consequently, there is room for even further improvements, such as providing a device that exposes fluid to a constant, relatively strong magnetic field for a significant amount of time prior to combustion.

One example of this type of fluid treatment is U.S. Patent number 4,568,901 to one of the inventors of the instant invention. It discloses a magnetic treatment device that provides for focusing magnetic field energy within a conduit. Permanent magnets are encapsulated in polyethylene and are arranged with like magnetic poles facing the conduit. The resulting field boundaries are concentrated within the conduit for exposing fluid flowing through the conduit to a greater amount of magnetic field energy. The device is particularly suitable for enhancing fuel combustion.

Another magnetic fluid conditioner using a region of single magnetic polarity is disclosed in U.S. Patent number 5,161 ,512 to two inventors of the instant invention. This device represents an improvement over the previous patent in that the orientations of the magnetic field lines and the magnets themselves are varied over the length of the conduit while simultaneously circulating the fluid in a helical path through the conduit. The conditioner is particularly suitable for the treatment of fuels and recirculated exhaust gases.

U.S. Patent number 5,171 ,487 to Hudz is an example of a recent magnetic fuel treatment device. This device sends fuel through a coiled fuel line 10a to a vaporization chamber. Electric current is run through the fuel line to cause the line to act as a resistance heating element as well as a solenoid coil. As a result, the fuel in the line is heated and vaporized as it travels through the fuel line. A magnetic field is also established around the fuel line in the shape typical of solenoid-generated fields. The field is oriented such that it is strongest near the outlet 30 of the fuel line in ie vaporization

chamber and is of substantially one polarity in that region. However, the exposure time is relatively brief and the field strength varies within the chamber. The addition of a ring magnet 28 over the coil 10a exposes the fuel to a single-polarity magnetic field while it is in the coil, but the field generated by the ring magnet is relatively weak and decreases in strength as the fuel moves down the coil.

Summary of the Invention

We have discovered that the effects of magnetic fluid treatment are enhanced with increased exposure time. Our invention goes beyond what has been done previously to provide an even better fluid conditioner using a unique arrangement of magnets about a flow path. The arrangement is believed to expose the fluid to even more constant and intense amounts of magnetic field energy than prior art devices. Also, because of the unique arrangement of the flow path and magnets, the duration of exposure of the fluid to the magnetic field is greatly increased.

Fluid is sent through a coil of tubing arranged between two essentially annular magnetic fields with like poles facing the coil. One way of generating the fields is to arrange magnets on the inside and outside of the coil. The fields interact such that a fairly constant single polarity magnetic field of relatively high intensity is present in the tubing over its whole length in the coil. As a result of the coiled form of the tubing, the flow path of the fluid through the magnetic field is greatly increased, thus increasing the duration of exposure to the magnetic field. In the case of fuel and recirculated exhaust gas treatment, significant improvements in the output characteristics of engines result.

Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an isometric schematic view of the coil and magnets of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of the coil and magnets of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an end schematic view of the coil and magnets of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph of cylinder pressure vs. engine speed for an internal combustion (IC) engine with and without the use of our invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph of torque vs. engine speed for an IC engine with and without the use of our invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph of power vs. engine speed for an IC engine with and without the use of our invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph of fuel consumption vs. engine speed for an IC engine with and without the use of our invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph of emissions vs. engine speed for an IC engine with and without the use of our invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

With particular reference to the accompanying Figures, an exemplary embodiment of the magnetic fluid treatment device 1 includes a coil 2 of tubing 11 that has an inlet 3 and an outlet 4. The coil 2 can have any suitable shape, including that of a helix, and can be of any suitable cross section. The tubing 11 is preferably made of a material that is non-magnetic and substantially transparent to magnetic fields. Two magnets 5, 6 or other sources of magnetic fields are placed adjacent inner and outer peripheries of the coil, respectively. The sources are oriented such that one pole of each source faces the tubing 11 , the poles being of like polarity.

While any appropriate sources of magnetic fields could be used, the invention preferably uses permanent magnets. The permanent magnets could take any suitable form, such as annular magnets. In the preferred embodiment, however, the invention uses a .. uraiity of bar magnets 7, 8. While magnets 8 are shown in the F:-: jres as having rectangular cross sections, it should be clear that

magnets of any cross section and shape can be used, including bar magnets of square or arcuate cross section. Though either polarity can be used to permeate the coil 2, we have observed better performance using South polarity. The actual number of magnets 7, 8 used will depend on the field strength desired in the tubing as well as the dimensions of the magnets 7, 8 and the coil 2 and tubing 11.

FIG. 4 is illustrative of the arrangement of the magnets 7, 8 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown, the outer magnets 7 are arranged such that like poles face the tubing 1 1. In this case, the South poles of the outer magnets 7 face the tubing 1 1. The inner magnets 8 are also arranged so that like poles face the coil 2 and so that the poles facing coil 2 are of the same polarity as the facing poles of the outer magnets 7. This arrangement forms a nearly constant magnetic field within the tubing 1 1 that is substantially of one magnetic polarity. In this case, the field is of South polarity.

In the preferred embodiment, the coil 2 and the magnets 5, 6, 7, 8 are contained in an outer housing 9 to protect the assembly and contain the parts. The inner magnets 6, 8 are also preferably held in place by an interior spacer 10.

In operation, fluid, such as fuel or recirculated exhaust gases, is sent through the coil 2 via inlet 3. As the fluid progresses through the coil 2, it is exposed to the magnetic field formed by the magnets 7, 8. As a result of the use of the coil 2, the fluid remains within the magnetic field for a much longer period of time than it would in prior devices. The fluid then exits through outlet 4 and is passed on, in the case of an internal combustion (IC) engine, to the combustion chamber where it is burned.

The magnets 5, 6, 7, 8 form essentially annular magnetic fields. A first annular magnetic field is generated by the outer magnets 5, 7 such that one pole of the field is oriented towards the center or central axis of the annular field. A second annular field is generated by the inner magnets 6, 8 coaxially within the first annular field and with its poles oriented such that the second annular field's outer pole is of the same polarity as the first annular

field's inner pole. This means that like poles of the two annular fields face each other, creating the annular region of substantially one magnetic polarity. This single-polarity region is juxtaposed with the coil 2. These fields interact in the space occupied by the tubing 11 to create a complex magnetic field with an annular region of substantially one magnetic polarity sandwiched between two annular regions of opposite magnetic polarity. In other words, if bar magnets are used and are oriented with their South poles facing the tubing 11 , an annular region of South magnetic polarity will permeate the tubing 11 , an annular region of North polarity will surround the device, and an annular region of North polarity will form within the inner periphery of the inner magnets. The resulting field is substantially constant and relatively strong through the whole length of the tubing 11.

FIGS. 5-9 are graphs illustrating the results of tests performed to confirm the effect of the invention. The tests compared various output characteristics of an IC engine burning treated fuel to those of an IC engine burning untreated fuel. Apparently as a result of exposure to the magnetic field, fuel or exhaust gases passed through the device burn better and more completely, resulting in improved engine output characteristics. For example, FIG. 5 clearly indicates an increase in the cylinder pressure of the engine over the range of engine speed tested. Similar results are apparent in output torque and output power as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Likewise, decreases in fuel consumption and emissions are evident from the graphs of FIGS. 8 and 9, indicating significant improvement in both fuel efficiency and emissions using the device when compared to the use of untreated fuel. With such dramatic changes in the output characteristics, it is clear that use of this invention can result in fuel savings, better engine performance, and a cleaner environment.