Fi .d of Invention

The present invention relates in general to the treatment of fuel and more particularly to a magnetic fuel treatment device and method.

Rarlcyround of the Invention

It is known that fuel combustion efficiency in an internal combustion engine can be improved by exposing fuel to a magnetic field. It is also known that this exposure to a magnetic field has the effect of reducing hydrocarbon emissions in gasoline- fueled vehicles, reducing nitrous oxide emissions in diesel-fueled vehicles as well as reducing paraffin gel accumulation in diesel smd home fuel systems. It is believed that particles in a fluid, such as water or fuel, passing through a magnetic field at right angles become polarized, causing them to be attracted to each other rather than to other surfaces. This magnetic field exposure or magnetic conditioning maintains the minute minerals contained in a fluid in suspension clinging to each other instead of accumulating as scale and causing corrosion in pipes, engine parts and other surfaces through which the fluid passes.

There are many known methods by which fuel is exposed to a magnetic field prior to combustion in car and truck engines. In these methods the magnetic device for conditioning the fuel is generally placed in such a way so as to treat the fuel which passes through the fuel line. For instance, in U.S. Patent 3,116,726, (Kwartz, issued January 7, 1964) , the magnetic device of that invention is placed between the fuel pump and the carburetor to subject the fuel to a high intensity magnetic field. Further examples of inventions in which magnetic devices are either placed around a fuel line or are inserted into the fuel line include U.S. Patent 5,329,911 (Jeong) issued July 19, 1994, U.S. Patent 5,080,080 (Melendrez) issued January 14, 1992, U.S. Patent 5,129,382 (Stamps, Sr. et al) issued July 14, 1992, U.S. Patent 5,243,946 (Dalupan)

issued September 14, 1993, U.S Patent 3,349,354 (Miyata) issued October 24, 1967, U.S. Patent 4,930,483 (Jones) issued June 5, 1990, Canadian Patent Application No 2,094,066 (Dalupan) filed April 15, 1993, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,050,025 (Dalupan) filed April 27, 1991, Canadian Patent Application 2,047,626 (Melendrez) filed

July 23, 1991, Canadian Patent 1,092,917 (Dalupan) issued January 6, 1981, Canadian Patent 1,224,747 (Ament et al. ) issued July 28, 1987, Canadian Patent 1,162,512 (McMahon) filed February 21, 1984, Canadian Patent 1,161,707 (Chow) issued February 7, 1984 and Canadian Patent 1,131,171 (Robinson) issued September 7, 1982.

Magnetic devices have also been placed n fuel tanks. Canadian Patent Application No. 2,014,541 (Sakuma) filed April 12, 1990 describes magnetic metal placed in a fuel tank of a car or stock tank. Canadian Patent Application 2, 055, 618 (Brooks) filed May 23, 1990 describes a specially constructed fuel additive, composed of metals, located within the magnetic field of a magnet, which is placed in a fuel storage tank, fuel filter or fuel line.

The prior art describes special magnetic devices which are difficult to install since they require insertion into the fuel line or other component of the fuel system Thus a magnetic fuel treatment device which does not require a specially manufactured magnetic device nor involve difficult installation is desirable.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of one embodiment of the invention, a fuel treatment device is provided, comprising an inlet through which fuel enters the device, an outlet through which fuel exits the device, an annular fuel filtering element, and a magnet, the annular fuel filtering element comprising an inner wall forming the annulus of the annular fuel filtering element, the magnet and the annular fuel filtering element being arranged such that fuel passes in proximity to the magnet at one point as it flows from the inlet, through the annular fuel filtering element into the annulus and through the outlet.

Advantageously, the inner wall of the annular fuel filtering element is para-magnetic (a magnet is attracted to the inner wall) and the magnet is affixed to the inner wall by a magnetic force.

Furthermore, the fuel may be diesel fuel and the device mounted in the fuel line of a recirculating diesel fuel engine system such that a portion of the fuel passing through the device will pass through more than once.

According to an aspect of another embodiment of the invention there is provided a fuel treatment device comprising a housing, an inlet through which fuel enters the housing, an outlet through which fuel exits the housing, and a magnet within the housing, such that fuel flows from the inlet, passes in proximity to the magnet and through the outlet.

Advantageously, the housing is adapted to replace a standard fuel filter for an engine in a motor vehicle.

According to an aspect of another embodiment of the invention a fuel treatment method is provided comprising the following steps:

a) passing fuel through an inlet into a fuel treatment device,

b) passing the fuel in proximity to a magnet within the fuel treatment device,

c) passing the fuel through an outlet out of the fuel treatment device, wherein the fuel treatment device comprises an annular fuel filtering element comprising an inner wall forming the annulus of the annular fuel filtering element such that in passing from the inlet to the outlet the fuel passes through the fuel filtering element.

R-r-i naaenption of the Drawings

A detailed description of the preferred embodiment is provided herein below with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1, in a cross-section elevational view, illustrates a fuel treatment device m accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 represents a cross-sectional view of figure 1 at 2-2.

Figure 3, m an elevational cut-away view, illustrates a fuel treatment device in accordance w th the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated in a cross- sectional elevational view, a fuel treatment device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fuel treatment device 10 includes a housing 20 having an inlet 30 for the fuel to enter into the device and an outlet 40 for the fuel to exit. After entering the device, the fuel passes into an outer space 50, is filtered through the annular fuel filtering element 90, and then passes through holes (not shown in Figure 1) in the metallic inner wall 70 to the inner space 60 Within the inner space 60 the fuel comes into physical contact with, or within the magnetic field of, a magnet 80 magnetically attached to the para-magnetic inner wall 70. The fuel then exits at the outlet 40.

Figure 2, represents a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 at 2-2. The magnet 80 is shown magnetically attached to the metallic inner wall 70. The magnet in this embodiment only attaches to a segment of the inner wall, however in other embodiments the magnet may be shaped so as to be attached along an entire circumferential

section of the inner wall or to an entire vertical section of the inner wall.

Referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated in a cut-away view, a fuel treatment device of the preferred embodiment of the present invention demonstrating the perforations 100 of the inner wall 70, which inner wall supports the pleated paper portion of fuel filtering element 90.

The present invention relates to a fuel treatment device for use in a motor vehicle to provide improved fuel efficiency, reduction of hydrocarbon emissions in gasoline-fueled vehicles, reduction of nitrous oxide emissions n diesel-fueled vehicles and reduction of paraffin gel temperature in diesel-fueled vehicles. The fuel treatment device comprises a fuel filter having a magnet within it. The magnet in the fuel treatment device may be inserted into an existing fuel filter or included during manufacture of a fuel filter. For best performance of the device, the magnet should have a strength of at least 10 gauss.

The fuel filtering element functions to remove impurities from fuel and is comprised of a material suitable for this function, such as a paper filter. The fuel treatment device may be constructed using any type of fuel filter and may be used to condition all types of fuels including gasoline, gasolme-ethanol mixtures, diesel and oio-diesel.

There are many advantages to the fuel treatment device over the prior art. In one embodiment of the invention, the fuel treatment device replaces a regular fuel filter and this is very simply achieved. The fuel treatment device allows a magnet to be in full physical contact with the fuel. Locating the bare magnet within a fuel filter results in the attraction of metal particles to the magnet and removal of these metal particles from the fuel. The removal of iron particles from the fuel will prevent the iron from lodging in the system where the iron can cause rusting.

A further advantage of the present invention is realized when the fuel treatment device is placed in a recirculating system. The fuel system of a gasoline engine or a diesel engine has the very important function of supplying filtered fuel to the engine. In a gasoline engine the fuel system is known as a non-recirculating system, that is, the gas which is drawn for the engine only passes through one time before being consumed by the engine. This "single pass" system is also found in the fuel system of diesel engines, but it is an older design which now has limited use. Presently the more common type of fuel system in diesel engines is known as a recirculating system. The basic design is similar to a non- recirculating system, however, an extra fuel line is added to recycle the fuel back to the supply tank. The recirculating system circulates several times more fuel than is used by the engine. For example, an engine which burns five gallons of fuel may pump 50 gallons through the fuel system during that time.

Using the fuel treatment device as the filter in a recirculating system means that a portion of the fuel will pass through the device several times. Thus the fuel is extensively treated and this results in improved fuel efficiency and decreased nitrous oxide emissions. This advantage is an improvement over the prior art devices, which do not provide for repeated treatment of fuel.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, a magnet or multiple magnets may be placed in an existing fuel filter 10. This procedure is easy and inexpensive compared to the installation of a specially built magnetic device into a fuel line or fuel filter, as described in the prior art. In addition, when filter 10 is replaced, magnet 80 can be reused in the new filter. Filters are replaced approximately every 20,000 km for trucks.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 demonstrate a possible location of magnet 80 in a diesel spin-on fuel filter. To install a magnet into an existing fuel filter it may be easier to use two smaller magnets. The magnet or magnets are inserted through the outlet 40 and into the

inner space 60 Placing the magnet (s) in the inner space provides the fuel passing through the filter with 100% exposure to the magnetic field. This installation of the magnet(s) into the fuel filter does not require the filter to be cut open and as such is fast, easy and inexpensive The prior art which required the magnetic device to be attached to the fuel line or inserted into the fuel line could require the disassembly of hoses, construction of pipes with fittings, adapters, or clamps, an aluminum housing for the magnet and other mechanical adjustments

To produce the fuel treatment device it is also a simple process to place the magnet into a fuel filter during manufacture of the filter The magnet is placed in the filter by affixing it to the inner wall before being closed within the housing 20. The magnet may be magnetically affixed to the inner wall if the inner wall is para¬ magnetic. Figure 1 and Figure 2 also demonstrate a possible location of a magnet m a diesel spin-on fuel filter for a manufactured fuel treatment device. A magnet shaped to cover a circumferential section or a vertical length section of the inner wall may be used when the magnet is installed during manufacture of the device. Such magnets can provide an even greater amount of exposure to a magnetic field for the fuel. Alternatively, a magnet could be located in the outlet 40 to treat fuel as it exits the device. In another alternative, a magnet could be located in the outer space 50 so that fuel passes in proximity to the magnet even before being filtered by the filtering element. The housing wall could be para-magnetic so that a magnet in the outer space could be affixed magnetically to the housing wall.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the magnet in the fuel treatment device, whether inserted into an existing fuel filter or inserted during manufacture of a fuel filter, can be in a charged or uncharged condition. An uncharged magnet may be charged when required, for example, immediately before installation of a fuel treatment device.

It should be noted that a brass-body type filter may negate the effect of a magnet in the fuel treatment device and as such the use of brass filters should be avoided.

The increased fuel efficiency obtained using the present invention is attributed to the polarization of particles in the fuel by the magnetic field. This polarization is believed to replace the naturally chaotic fuel particles with evenly charged, uniformly- aligned fuel particles producing a total burn for a complete BTU output and better fuel efficiency. The fuel treatment device also attracts and removes previous carbon build-up in }ets, injectors and engines for even higher efficiency. Generally, fuel is wasted when fuel injectors and other parts are clogged and the present invention alleviates and then prevents this condition.

The use of the present invention provides better performance for motor vehicles. Road tests with a sensitivity of detection of 0.01 pounds of fuel, have demonstrated a 15% increase in fuel economy using the fuel treatment device of the present invention. However, immediately after installation of the fuel treatment device, previous carbon and paraffin build-up is dislodged and accumulates in the fuel, and thus fuel efficiency may fluctuate until these residues are fully flushed from the system.

Using diesel fuel in cold weather is problematic, since the paraffin in the fuel will solidify at temperatures at and below freezing. As fuel temperature decreases, the fuel first becomes cloudy as the paraffin in the fuel comes out of solution, known as the cloud point. After the cloud point is reached, the paraffin begins to solidify and the solids may become large enough to be lodged in a fuel filter. This solidification of the paraffin is known as the paraffin gel temperature or paraffin gel point which generally occurs at approximately 15°F below the cloud point. At the paraffin gel point, the paraffin begins to form a restrictive coating on the filter which results in a loss of engine power. Use of the fuel treatment device of the present invention lowers the paraffin gel point of the fuel to avoid the loss of engine power. The use of the fuel treatment device of the present invention will result in less need for the diesel fuel additives which address this problem.

Using the fuel treatment device of the present invention, tests have shown that hydrocarbon emissions have been reduced by ₁ 00% in gasoline fueled vehicles and nitrous oxide emissions have been decreased by 50% in diesel fueled vehicles Almost no soot is emitted from diesel engines when the fuel treatment device is use _d

FvaπηplP. 1 - Paraffin Gel Temperature

A Diesel fuel filters were filled with diesel oil and placed upright on a tray inside a walk-in freezer at -20° _F . As the temperature of the filters and the diesel oil decreased, it was observed that the diesel fuel gelling occurred at a lower temperature ⁽ approximately 5°F difference) in the filters containing magnets than in the filters without magnets

B. These same filters at -20°F were then placed in a room at ambient temperature. As the temperature of both filters increased, the filter with the magnet lost its paraffin gel condition approximately 5 minutes before the filter withput the magnet lost its paraffin gel condition. This difference would also equate to a delay of approximately 5 ^β F in the filter without the magnet.

C. By pouring liquid paraffin on a charged magnet and on a non-charged magnet, it is observed that the paraffin on a charged magnet presents a very thin, even and very smooth appearance, whereas the paraffin on the non-charged magnet appears thick in places, uneven and not smooth.

Example 2 - Hydrocarbon Eτnιssirmc

A. A 1993 Ford Ranger V6 engine vehicle was tested for hydrocarbon ⁽ HO emissions. Under normal conditions (control) at a high RPM value, the hydrocarbon emissions were 2 ppm (parts per million) but at a lower RPM were 0 ppm. When a magnet was placed within the fuel filter of the Ranger, the hydrocarbon emissions at high RPM value were reduced to 0 (Table 1) .

B. Using a 1993 Lincoln with a magnet placed in the fuel filter, the test emissions data showed that the hydrocarbon emissions had been reduced to 0 ppm (Table 2) .

Example 3 - Nitrous Oxide Emissions

For a test on nitrous oxide emissions, a 1983 GMC 6.2 diesel-fueled vehicle was utilized. When a magnet was inserted into the fuel filter of the GMC, the nitrous oxide emissions were reduced approximately 50%.

Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible. For example, in a further embodiment of the invention, the fuel improvement device does not include the fuel filtering element, rather a magnet provides conditioning of the fuel within a housing which is shaped to replace a standard fuel filter. In this fuel treatment device, fuel passes through an inlet into the housing of the device where the magnet is located and exits through an outlet of the device. The magnet is located in housing of the device in such a manner that the fuel will pass in proximity to the magnet.

The fuel improvement device without the fuel filtering element may last for the lifetime of a vehicle which will result in considerable savings since t will not need to be replaced like regular filters. For example, a truck lasts an average lifetime of 900,000 km. Over the lifetime of the truck, a regular fuel filter would need to be replaced approximately every 20,000 km, which would equal 45 filter replacements. In comparison, only one fuel improvement device comprising a magnet as the conditioner is required over the lifetime of the truck. This amounts to a considerable saving of time and expense by avoiding the need to change 45 fuel filters over the lifetime of a truck. Commercial trucks and transports often have more than one fuel filter which could each be replaced by the fuel improvement device comprising only a magnet as the conditioning unit. The advantage of this fuel treatment device is that it is easy to install since it merely replaces a regular

filter. In addition, it allows fuel to be treated several times when it is installed in a recirculating engine system.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention are described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

TABLE 1

1993 FORD RANGER V6 EMISSIONS TEST DATA

Control

TABLE 2

1993 LINCOLN EMISSIONS TEST DATA WITH MAGNET IN FUEL FILTER