USOO77.

04364B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7.704,364 B2

Merrill et al. (45) Date of Patent: Apr. 27, 2010
(54) FULL WAVE RECTFED POWER WATER 5,702,600 A 12, 1997 Pandolfo
TREATMENT DEVICE 6,063,287 A 5, 2000 Smith et al.
6,146,526 A 11/2000 Pandolfo
(75) Inventors: Richard P. Merrill, Columbia, MD 6,203,710 B1* 3/2001 Woodbridge ................ 210,695
(US); John W. Lane, Finksburg, MD 7,524.423 B2 * 4/2009 Wittmer et al. ............. 210,748
(US)
(73) Assignee: Evapco, Inc., Taneytown, MD (US) * cited by examiner
Primary Examiner Arun SPhasge
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Morrison & Foerster LLP
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 1233 days. (57) ABSTRACT
(21) Appl. No.: 11/248,776
A fluid treatment device includes an AC power source con
(22) Filed: Oct. 11, 2005 nected to first, second and third conductors. A electromag
netic field generating device is positioned adjacent to a fluid
(65) Prior Publication Data conduit, electrically connected to the first and third conduc
US 2007/OO80588A1 Apr. 12, 2007 tors to form a first circuit. A second electromagnetic field
generating device is positioned adjacent to a second fluid
(51) Int. C. conduit, electrically connected to the second and third elec
CO2F I/48 (2006.01) trical conductors to form a second circuit. A circuit element in
(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 204/660; 204/664; 204/666 the first circuit initiates a high frequency electromagnetic
field at said first electromagnetic field generating device dur
(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 204/660,
ing a first half of the AC wave form in the first circuit, and a
204/664, 666 circuit element in the second circuit initiates a high frequency
See application file for complete search history. electromagnetic field at said first electromagnetic field gen
(56) References Cited erating device during a second half of the AC wave form in the
second circuit.
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,938,875 A 7, 1990 Niessen 29 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Apr. 27, 2010 Sheet 1 of 4 US 7.704,364 B2

FIG. I.
U.S. Patent Apr. 27, 2010 Sheet 2 of 4 US 7.704,364 B2

FIG 3
U.S. Patent Apr. 27, 2010 Sheet 3 of 4 US 7.704,364 B2
U.S. Patent Apr. 27, 2010 Sheet 4 of 4 US 7.704,364 B2

172
 US 7,704,364 B2
1. 2
FULL WAVE RECTFED POWER WATER transformer coil. A first electrical conductor is electrically
TREATMENT DEVICE connected to a first point on the secondary coil. A second
electrical conductor is electrically connected to a second
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION point on the secondary coil spaced from the first point. A third
electrical conductor is electrically connected to a third point
The present invention relates to devices for treating fluids, on the secondary coil intermediate the first and second points.
Such as water, and more particularly, to fluid treatment A first coil is wrapped around a first fluid conduit and is
devices which are powered to provide electrical and magnetic electrically connected to the first and third electrical conduc
fields in the fluid. tors to form a first circuit. A second coil is wrapped around a
Fluid treatment with DC-powered solenoid coils has been 10 second fluid conduit and is electrically connected to the sec
used for many years. Such an arrangement is shown in U.S. ond and third electrical conductors to form a second circuit.
Pat. No. 4,938,875. The DC power can be provided by a DC A first circuit element is provided in the first circuit to allow
source (battery) or a rectified AC source. For example, U.S. passage of current in a first direction in the circuit and to
Pat. Nos. 5,702,600; 6,063,287 and 6,146,526 have modified Substantially prevent passage of current in a second direction
the AC method by using only a rectified half-wave to generate 15 in the first circuit, and a second circuit element in the second
the DC power (without a smoothing power capacitor) and circuit to allow passage of current in the second direction in
letting the coils ring with the current closed off for the second the circuit and to Substantially prevent passage of current in
half wave. During the no-current period, the coils will ring at the first direction in the second circuit.
their resonant frequency (which can be modified by the addi These and other features and advantages of the present
tion of a Small amount of capacitance) and emit a high fre invention will become apparent upon a reading of the detailed
quency field into the fluid to be treated. In the 600 patent, a description and a review of the accompanying drawings. Spe
diode is used to rectify the wave and in the 287 patent, a cific embodiments of the present invention are described
triode is used to rectify the wave. herein. The present invention is not intended to be limited to
Use of a rectified (half wave) AC current for providing the only these embodiments. Changes and modifications can be
DC power is inefficient, decreases the life of the transformer 25 made to the described embodiments and yet fall within the
used in Such circuits, and results in an unfavorable power Scope of the present invention.
factor.
While the first half wave is used in an almost purely induc BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
tive load in the coils, creating electromagnetic fields in the
fluid, the second half wave is not used at all. This creates an 30 FIG. 1 is a schematic electrical diagram of an embodiment
inefficient and unbalanced load on the transformer. of the invention.
Since only half of the wave is used, the transformer con FIG. 2 is a schematic electrical diagram of a second
tinually runs at magnetic Saturation rather than operating in embodiment of the invention.
its design region. Operating a transformer at Saturation will FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of arrangements and
result in increase eddy current losses and hysteresis losses. 35 orientations for the inductor coils of FIG. 2.
The combination of excess heat generation and operating at FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a particular arrange
magnetic saturation significantly reduces efficiency and ment and orientation for the inductor coils FIG. 2.
negatively affects transformer life. FIG. 5 is a voltage and current vs. time illustration for the
While the 600 and 287 patents further describe using a inductor coils of FIG. 1.
full wave rectifier to power the coils, such an arrangement 40 FIG. 6 is a schematic electrical diagram of a further
also has problems. With full wave rectification, the coil ring is embodiment of the invention.
limited by the other half of the AC cycle. Devices built using
this design will have a weak and truncated ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
It would be an advance in the art if a fluid treatment device EMBODIMENT
were provided that addressed the above described problems. 45
The present invention relates to fluid treatment devices
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION which can be used in a wide variety of applications. In an
embodiment, the fluid treatment device could be used in an
The present invention provides a fluid treatment device environment Such as an evaporative cooler in which water is
with an arrangement for using a fully rectified wave to power 50 recirculated through the cooler, and is subject to Scaling and
two matched, independent sets of coils, with each set using developing microorganisms. Other types of environments are
only one half of the AC wave. Each set of coils will fully ring contemplated for use of this device as well. Such as heating
at its resonant frequency and the full AC primary power is systems. In order to provide a description of an embodiment
used to generate the electromagnetic fields. This invention of the invention, the fluid treatment device is discussed in
doubles the efficiency of the device, improves transformer 55 terms of being used with one or more fluid conduits, it being
life, and improves the utility power factor, while maintaining understood that the conduits could be used to carry heating or
the desired ringing fields. cooling water, or other fluids, as desired.
In an embodiment, the coils are matched such that the As illustrated schematically in FIG. 1, a fluid treatment
current flowing through each set of coils is approximately device 20 is provided for being connected via a plug 22 or
equal. 60 other electrical connection, Such as a direct hard wired con
In an embodiment, a fluid treatment device is provided nection, to a source of AC power 24 having a maximum
which may be connected to a source of AC power having a Voltage. The source of AC power might typically be an elec
maximum Voltage. A transformer is connected to the Source trical line Supplied by a power company, in which the Voltage
of AC power at a primary transformer coil to provide an Supplied oscillates between a maximum positive Voltage and
alternating current flow at a secondary transformer coil, 65 a maximum negative Voltage, with an alternating current.
which may have a lower maximum Voltage, a higher maxi Usually in the United States, power companies Supply alter
mum Voltage or the same maximum Voltage as at the primary nating current electricity which alternates at a rate of 60 times
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3 4
per second, and in Europe and other parts of the world, power another type of rectifier device. Such as a triode, a Switch
is Supplied at an alternating current rate of 50 times per arranged to open or close based on a Zero (or other Voltage)
second. The present invention is contemplated to be able to crossing of the current (including microprocessor controlled
operate at either of these rates, or other alternating rates that switches), or other known types of circuit devices. The use of
may be provided by various types of power Supply devices or such a first circuit element 80 causes the first coil 60 to ring at
other electrical devices. a relatively high frequency, providing the benefits of treating
The fluid treatment device 20 includes a transformer 26 the fluid in the conduit 62 as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
connected to the Source of AC power 24 at a primary trans 5,702,600; 6,063,287 and 6,146,526, the disclosures of which
former coil 28 to provide an alternating current flow at a are incorporated herein by reference.
secondary transformer coil 30 which may have a lower maxi 10 A second circuit element 82 is provided in the second
mum Voltage, a higher maximum Voltage or the same maxi circuit 74 to allow passage of current in the second direction
mum Voltage as at the primary transformer coil. A first elec in the second circuit and to Substantially prevent passage of
trical conductor 32 is electrically connected to a first point 34 current in the first direction in the second circuit. In an
on the secondary coil 30. A second electrical conductor 36 is embodiment, the second circuit element 82 may be a rectifier,
electrically connected to a second point 38 on the secondary 15 such as a diode. The second circuit element 82 may also be
coil 30 spaced from the first point 34. A third electrical con another type of rectifier device. Such as a triodes, a Switch
ductor 40 is electrically connected to a third point 42 on the arranged to open or close based on a Zero (or other Voltage)
secondary coil 30 intermediate the first 34 and second 38 crossing of the current (including microprocessor controlled
points. switches), or other known types of circuit devices. The second
In an embodiment, the first point 34 may be located near a circuit element 82 provides the same ringing result of the
first end of the secondary coil 30. second coil 70 as the first circuit element 80 provides for the
In an embodiment, the second point 38 may be located near first coil 60.
a second end of the secondary coil 30. In various embodiments, the first coil 60 may be spaced
In an embodiment, the third point 42 may be located near a from the second coil 70 on the first fluid conduit 62, the first
middle of the secondary coil 30. 25 coil 60 may abut the second coil 70 on the first fluid conduit
In an embodiment, the third point may be substantially half 62, or the second coil 70 may at least partially overlap the first
way between the first 34 and second 38 points. coil 60 on the first fluid conduit 62. If the magnetic field of one
In an embodiment, the first 34, second 38 and third 42 coil is intended to interact with the magnetic field generated
points may be arranged such that Substantially identical cur by the other coil, then any gap between the two coils should be
rent flow and Substantially identical lower maximum Voltage 30 limited to no more than about 1.25 cm (0.5 inches) in a typical
is provided in the first 64 and second 74 circuits. In other coil wrapped on a 5 cm (2 inch) diameter conduit.
embodiments, varying relative levels of current and voltage In an embodiment, the first coil 60 may be wired such that
may be provided in the first 64 and second 74 circuits so that current flows in a first circumferential direction around the
resulting electric and magnetic fields are obtained at desired first fluid conduit 62 and the second coil 70 may be wired such
magnitudes. 35 that current flows in a second, opposite circumferential direc
As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, a first coil 60 formed tion around the first fluid conduit. Alternatively, the first coil
from current carrying wire is wrapped around a first fluid 60 may be wired such that current flows in the first circum
conduit 62 and is electrically connected to the first 32 and ferential direction around the first fluid conduit 62 and the
third 40 electrical conductors to form a first circuit 64. second coil 70 may also be wired such that current flows in the
A second coil 70 formed from current carrying wire is 40 first circumferential direction around the first fluid conduit.
wrapped around a second fluid conduit 72 and is electrically In an embodiment, the first coil 60 may be wrapped around
connected to the second 36 and third 40 electrical conductors the first fluid conduit 62 in a first direction and the second coil
to form a second circuit 74. The second fluid conduit 72 may 70 may also be wrapped around the second fluid conduit 72 in
be separate and distinct from the first fluid conduit 62 as the first direction. In an alternate embodiment, the first coil 60
indicated by the phantom lines 62 and 72', or the two conduits 45 may be wrapped around the first fluid conduit 62 in the first
may be one in the same. In this way, a single fluid treatment direction and the second coil 70 may be wrapped around the
device 20 may be used to treat two fluid circuits at the same second fluid conduit 72 in a second, opposite direction.
time, each circuit being provided with the same power and FIG. 1 illustrates that in an embodiment, the first circuit 64
field level as with previously available fluid treatment may include a capacitor 84 connected in parallel with the first
devices, while using the size of fluid treatment device previ 50 circuit element 80. Such a capacitor may include any type of
ously used for treating a single circuit. Further, the trans capacitive device that can be used to store electrical charge.
former will operate more efficiently and the power factor will The size or capacity of the capacitor 84 can be selected to have
be higher, thereby reducing the strain on the power utility a desired effect on changing the ringing frequency of the first
distribution system. coil 60.
If this fluid treatment device 20 is used to treat a single fluid 55 In an embodiment, the second circuit 74 may also include
circuit, then a smaller sized fluid treatment device may be a capacitor 86 connected in parallel with the second circuit
used to treat the fluid flowing through the single circuit than element 82. Such a capacitor may be similar to capacitor 84
previously used, since electromagnetic fields are being which may be used in the first circuit 64.
applied to the fluid at each reversal of the current flow, rather The wiring and wrapping of the coils 60 and 70 may be
than at every second reversal of the current flow. 60 selected to generate electromagnetic fields in the conduits 62
FIG. 1 further shows a first circuit element 80 provided in and 72, as selected. For example, the first coil 60 may gener
the first circuit 64 to allow passage of current in a first direc ate a first electromagnetic field in a first direction and the
tion (for example, counterclockwise) in the first circuit and to second coil 70 may generate a second electromagnetic field in
Substantially prevent passage of current in a second, opposite a second direction opposite the first direction. Alternatively,
direction (for example, clockwise) in the first circuit. In an 65 the first coil 60 may generate a first electromagnetic field in
embodiment, the first circuit element 80 may be a rectifier, the first direction and the second coil 70 may also generate a
such as a diode. The first circuit element 80 may also be second electromagnetic field in the first direction. In this
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5 6
manner, if the coils are arranged in close proximity on the As illustrated in FIG. 4, another embodiment is to have the
same fluid conduit, they may provide opposed or bucking first 70a and second 70b parts of the second coil 70 wound on
fields, or they may provide fields that are additive or comple the first fluid conduit 62 in a space 88 between the first 60a
ment one another. and second 60b parts of the first coil 60. This will allow for the
In some embodiments, the coils may be formed in two or same permutations of field orientations as described above,
more segments or parts, such that two or more separate coils however, the effects may be somewhat different due to the
will be provided for either the first circuit 64 or the second alternating arrangement of the two circuits 64 and 74. Each of
circuit 74 or both. In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the parts of the coils may be separated from each other, or
the first coil 60 is formed in a first part 60a and a second part Some or all of the parts may be abutting or overlapping with
60b on the first fluid conduit 62. The first coil 60 could also be 10 adjacent coil parts. In the embodiment illustrated, the first
provided in more than two parts. FIG. 2 also illustrates the part 60a of the first coil 60 and the first part of the second coil
second coil 70 as being formed in a first part 70a and a second 70 have their fields oriented in the same direction as each
part 70b. other and the second part of the second coil and the second
With each coil being formed in more than one part, such as part of the first coil have their fields oriented in the same
in two parts, various options for winding and wiring the 15 direction as each other, but opposite to the orientation of the
separate parts of each coil. For example, the first part 60a may fields of the first parts.
be wound in a first direction around the first fluid conduit 62 Still other orientations and arrangements of the fields and
and the second part 60b may also be wound in the first direc parts of the coils may be provided, such as alternating the first
tion around the first fluid conduit. Alternatively, the first part and second parts of the two coils, rather than putting the entire
60a may be wound in the first direction around the first fluid second coil 70 in the space 88 between the two parts 60a, 60b
conduit 62 and the second part 60b may be wound in a second, of the first coil 60 as illustrated in FIG. 4, as well as providing
opposite direction around the first fluid conduit. more than two parts for each coil.
Also, the first part 60a may be wired such that current will FIG. 5 illustrates, in the upper part of the figure, the current
flow in a first directionaround the first fluid conduit 62 and the that is directed through the first coil 60 at line 90 as compared
second part 60b may be wired such that current will flow in a 25 to the AC voltage indicated by line 92. In the lower part of the
second, opposite direction around the first fluid conduit. figure, there is illustrated the current that is directed through
Alternatively, the first part 60a may be wired such that current the second coil 70 at line 94 as compared to the AC voltage
will flow in a first direction around the first fluid conduit 62 indicated by line 96. Overlaying these two curves demon
and the second part 60b may also be wired such that current strates that current, and hence power, is being Supplied to the
will flow in the first direction around the first fluid conduit. 30 coils of the system at all times, and is not limited to only part
Further, the first part 60a of the first coil 60 may generate a of the overall alternating cycle. Although these curves illus
first electromagnetic field in a first direction and the second trate an arrangement where the supply of current in each coil
part 60b of the first coil may generate a second electromag is controlled by detecting a Zero crossing event of the Voltage,
netic field in a second direction opposite the first direction. other Voltage levels or other parameters, such as a pulse from
Alternatively, the first part 60a of the first coil 60 may gen
35 a microcomputer clock, could be selected for controlling the
current flow to each coil.
erates a first electromagnetic field in the first direction and the FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present inven
second part 60b of the first coil may also generate a second tion which does not necessarily utilize a transformer or the
electromagnetic field in the first direction. The direction of specific circuit elements shown in FIGS. 1-4 for initiating a
the fields may be controlled by either the winding direction or 40 high frequency electromagnetic field. In this embodiment, a
the wiring of the coils. fluid treatment device 120 is provided for being connected via
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first part 60a of the first coil 60 a plug 122 or other electrical connection, Such as a direct hard
may be spaced from the second part 60b on the first fluid wired connection, to a source of AC power 124 having an AC
conduit 62. Alternatively, the second part 60b may abut or waveform with a maximum voltage. The source of AC power
overlap the first part 60a on the first fluid conduit 62, depend 45 might typically be an electrical line Supplied by a power
ing on the electromagnetic fields that are sought to be gener company, in which the Voltage Supplied oscillates between a
ated, or the first part 60a and the second part 60b may be maximum positive Voltage and a maximum negative Voltage,
placed on different fluid conduits. with an alternating current. Usually in the United States,
The second coil 70, as mentioned above, may include the power companies Supply alternating current electricity which
first part 70a and the second part 70b which can be wound, 50 alternates at a rate of 60 times per second, and in Europe and
wired, and have electromagnetic fields generated in each of other parts of the world, power is Supplied at an alternating
the directions and permutations as set forth for the parts of the current rate of 50 times per second. The present invention is
first coil 60. contemplated to be able to operate at either of these rates, or
Examples of some permutations of the fields to be gener other alternating rates that may be provided by various types
ated are illustrated in FIG. 3. In one orientation, as indicated 55 of power supply devices or other electrical devices.
by linea), the fields of the first part 60a and the second part The source of AC power 124 may also be the outputside of
60b of the first coil 60 are opposed to one another, as are the a transformer, with the Voltage and current being selected and
fields of the first part 70a and the second part 70b of the adjusted in accordance with the demands of the fluid treat
second coil. In lineb), the fields of the first part 60a and the ment device 120. A first electrical conductor 132 is electri
second part 60b of the first coil 60 are oriented in the same 60 cally connected to a first electrical conductor 133 of the AC
direction as the other, as are the fields of the first part 70a and power source 24. A second electrical conductor 136 is elec
the second part 70b of the second coil, however the field trically connected to a second electrical conductor 137 of the
direction of the first coil is opposite the direction of the field AC power source 124. A third electrical conductor 140 is also
of the second coil. Since each part of each coil can have its electrically connected to the first electrical conductor 133 of
field oriented in either of two directions, the remaining per 65 the AC power source 24.
mutations of orientations of the field directions will be readily As schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, a first electromag
apparent to a person of skill in the art. netic field generating device 160 is positioned adjacent to a
 US 7,704,364 B2
7 8
first fluid conduit 162 and is electrically connected to the first type of capacitive device that can be used to store electrical
132 and third 140 electrical conductors to form a first circuit charge. The size or capacity of the capacitor 184 can be
164. In this context, the term adjacent is meant to mean an selected to have a desired effect on changing the ringing
area where the electromagnetic field generated by the elec frequency of the first electromagnetic field generating device
tromagnetic generating device 160 will effectively pass 160.
through the first fluid conduit 162 so as to have an effect on the In an embodiment, the second circuit 174 may also include
fluid flowing in the conduit. The first electromagnet field a capacitor 186 connected in parallel with the second circuit
generating device 160 may be a current carrying electrical element 182. Such a capacitor may be similar to capacitor 184
conductor, such as a wire, wrapped around or abutting the first which may be used in the first circuit 164.
fluid conduit 162. 10 As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the inven
A second electromagnetic field generating device 170 is tion is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations
positioned adjacent to a second fluid conduit 172 and is elec and modifications which may differ particularly from those
trically connected to the second 136 and third 140 electrical that have been described in the preceding specification and
conductors to form a second circuit 174. The second electro description. It should be understood that we wish to embody
magnet field generating device 170 may be a current carrying 15 within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such
electrical conductor, Such as a wire, wrapped around or abut modifications as reasonably and properly come within the
ting the second fluid conduit 172. scope of our contribution to the art.
The second fluid conduit 172 may be separate and distinct
from the first fluid conduit 162 as indicated by the phantom We claim:
lines 162 and 172', or the two conduits may be one in the 1. A fluid treatment device for being connected to a source
SaC.
FIG. 6 further shows a first circuit element 180 provided in of AC power having an AC wave form, comprising:
the first circuit 64 for initiating a high frequency electromag a first electromagnetic field generating device in a first
netic field at the first electromagnetic field generating device circuit positioned adjacent a first fluid conduit,
160 during a first half of the AC wave form. In an embodi 25 a second electromagnetic field generating device in a sec
ment, the first circuit element 180 may be a rectifier, such as ond circuit positioned adjacent a second fluid conduit,
a diode. The first circuit element 180 may also be another type a circuit element in said first circuit for initiating a high
of rectifier device. Such as a triode, a Switch arranged to open frequency electromagnetic field at said first electromag
or close based on a Zero (or other Voltage) crossing of the netic field generating device resulting from a first half of
current (including microprocessor controlled Switches), or 30 the AC wave form, and
other known types of circuit devices. The use of such a first a circuit element in said second circuit for initiating a high
circuit element 180 causes the first electromagnetic field gen frequency electromagnetic field at said second electro
erating device 160 to ring at a relatively high frequency, magnetic field generating device resulting from a second
providing the benefits of treating the fluid in the conduit 162 half of the AC wave form.
as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,702,600; 6,063,287 and 35 2. A fluid treatment device according to claim 1, wherein
6,146,526. said second fluid conduit is said first fluid conduit.
A second circuit element 182 is provided in the second 3. A fluid treatment device according to claim 2, wherein
circuit 174 for initiating a high frequency electromagnetic said first electromagnetic field generating device is spaced
field at the second electromagnetic field generating device from said second electromagnetic field generating device on
170 during a second half of the AC wave form. In an embodi 40 said first fluid conduit.
ment, the second circuit element 182 may be a rectifier, such 4. A fluid treatment device according to claim 2, wherein
as a diode. The second circuit element 182 may also be said first electromagnetic field generating device abuts said
another type of rectifier device. Such as a triodes, a Switch second electromagnetic field generating device on said first
arranged to open or close based on a Zero (or other Voltage) fluid conduit.
crossing of the current (including microprocessor controlled 45
5. A fluid treatment device according to claim 2, wherein
switches), or other known types of circuit devices. The second said second electromagnetic field generating device at least
circuit element 182 provides the same ringing result of the partially overlaps said first electromagnetic field generating
second electromagnetic field generating device 170 as the device on said first fluid conduit.
first circuit element 180 provides for the first electromagnetic 6. A fluid treatment device according to claim 2, wherein
field generating device 160. 50
said first electromagnetic field generating device generates a
In various embodiments as described above with reference
to FIGS. 1-4, the first electromagnetic field generating device first electromagnetic field within said conduit in a first direc
160 may be spaced from the second electromagnetic field tion and said second electromagnetic field generating device
generating device 170 on the first fluid conduit 162, the first generates a second electromagnetic field in a second direction
electromagnetic field generating device 160 may abut the 55 within said conduit opposite said first direction.
second electromagnetic field generating device 170 on the 7. A fluid treatment device according to claim 2, wherein
first fluid conduit 162, or the second electromagnetic field said first electromagnetic field generating device generates a
generating device 170 may at least partially overlap the first first electromagnetic field within said conduit in a first direc
electromagnetic field generating device 160 on the first fluid tion and said second electromagnetic field generating device
conduit 162. 60 generates a second electromagnetic field within said conduit
The electromagnetic field generating devices 160, 170 may also in said first direction.
be coils that are wired, wrapped and positioned in the various 8. A fluid treatment device according to claim 1, wherein
configurations described above for the first coil 60 and second said first fluid conduit and said second fluid conduit are sepa
coil 70. rate and distinct from one another.
FIG. 6 illustrates that in an embodiment, the first circuit 65 9. A fluid treatment device according to claim 1, wherein
164 may include a capacitor 184 connected in parallel with said first and second circuit elements include a Switch ele
the first circuit element 180. Sucha capacitor may include any ment.
 US 7,704,364 B2
9 10
10. A fluid treatment device according to claim 1, wherein a second electrical conductor electrically connected to a
said first and second circuits respectively also include a second point on said secondary coil spaced from said
capacitor connected in parallel with said first and second first point,
circuit elements. a third electrical conductor electrically connected to a third
11. A fluid treatment device according to claim 1, wherein point on said secondary coil intermediate said first and
said first electromagnetic field generating device is formed in second points,
at least a first part and a second part on said first fluid conduit. said first electromagnetic field generating device being
12. A fluid treatment device according to claim 11, wherein electrically connected to said first and third electrical
said first part is spaced from said second part on said first fluid conductors to form said first circuit,
conduit. 10 said second electromagnetic field generating device being
13. A fluid treatment device according to claim 11, wherein electrically connected to said second and third electrical
said first part of said first electromagnetic field generating conductors to form said second circuit.
device generates a first electromagnetic field within said con 23. A fluid treatment device for being connected to a source
duit in a first direction and said second part of said first of AC power having a maximum Voltage, comprising:
electromagnetic field generating device generates a second 15 a transformer connected to said source of AC power at a
electromagnetic field within said conduit in a second direc primary transformer coil to provide an alternating cur
tion opposite said first direction. rent flow at a secondary transformer coil,
14. A fluid treatment device according to claim 11, wherein a first electrical conductor electrically connected to a first
said first part of said first electromagnetic field generating point on said secondary coil,
device generates a first electromagnetic field within said con a second electrical conductor electrically connected to a
duit in a first direction and said second part of said first second point on said secondary coil spaced from said
electromagnetic field generating device generates a second first point,
electromagnetic field within said conduit also in said first a third electrical conductor electrically connected to a third
direction. point on said secondary coil intermediate said first and
15. A fluid treatment device according to claim 11, wherein 25 second points,
said second conduit is said first conduit and said second a first coil wrapped around a first fluid conduit and being
electromagnetic field generating device is formed in at least a electrically connected to said first and third electrical
first part and a second part on said first fluid conduit. conductors to form a first circuit,
16. A fluid treatment device according to claim 15, wherein a second coil wrapped around a second fluid conduit and
said first part of said second electromagnetic field generating 30 being electrically connected to said second and third
device is spaced from said second part of said second elec electrical conductors to form a second circuit,
tromagnetic field generating device on said first fluid conduit. a first circuit element in said first circuit to allow passage of
current in a first direction in said circuit and to Substan
17. A fluid treatment device according to claim 15, wherein tially prevent passage of current in a second direction in
said first part of said second electromagnetic field generating
device generates a first electromagnetic field within said con 35 said circuit, and
a second circuit element in said second circuit to allow
duit in a first direction and said second part of said second
electromagnetic field generating device generates a second passage of current in said second direction in said circuit
electromagnetic field within said conduit in a second direc and to Substantially prevent passage of current in said
tion opposite said first direction. first direction in said circuit.
18. A fluid treatment device according to claim 15, wherein 40 24. A fluid treatment device according to claim 22, wherein
said first part of said second electromagnetic field generating said first, second and third points are arranged Such that
device generates a first electromagnetic field within said con substantially identical current flow is provided in said first
and second circuits.
duit in a first direction and said second part of said second 25. A fluid treatment device for being connected to a source
electromagnetic field generating device generates a second 45 of AC power having a maximum Voltage, comprising:
electromagnetic field within said conduit also in said first
direction. a transformer connected to said source of AC power at a
19. A fluid treatment device according to claim 15, wherein primary transformer coil to provide an alternating cur
said first and second parts of said second electromagnetic rent flow at a secondary transformer coil,
field generating device are arranged at said first fluid conduit a first electrical conductor electrically connected to a first
in a space between said first and second parts of said first
50 point on said secondary coil,
electromagnetic field generating device. a second electrical conductor electrically connected to a
second point on said secondary coil,
20. A fluid treatment device according to claim 1, wherein a third electrical conductor electrically connected to a third
said first electromagnetic field generating device comprises a point on said secondary coil spaced from said first and
coiled electrical conductor. 55 second points,
21. A fluid treatment device according to claim 1, wherein a first electromagnetic field generating device positioned
said circuit element in said first circuit comprises a circuit adjacent a first fluid conduit and being electrically con
element that allows passage of current in a first direction in nected to said first and third electrical conductors to
said first circuit and Substantially prevents passage of current form a first circuit,
in a second direction in said first circuit. 60 a second electrical field generating device positioned adja
22. A fluid treatment device according to claim 1, includ cent a second fluid conduit and being electrically con
ing: nected to said second and third electrical conductors to
a transformer connected to said source of AC power at a form a second circuit,
primary transformer coil to provide an alternating cur a first circuit element in said first circuit to allow passage of
rent flow at a secondary transformer coil; 65 current in a first direction in said circuit and to Substan
a first electrical conductor electrically connected to a first tially prevent passage of current in a second direction in
point on said secondary coil, said circuit, and
 US 7,704,364 B2
11 12
a second circuit element in said second circuit to allow coil generate electromagnetic fields within said conduit in a
passage of current in said second direction in said circuit first direction and said second part of said first coil and said
and to Substantially prevent passage of current in said second part of said second coil generate electromagnetic
first direction in said circuit. fields within said conduit in a second direction opposite to
26. A fluid treatment device according to claim 25, wherein said first direction.
said first and second points are identical. 29. A fluid treatment device according to claim 25, wherein
27. A fluid treatment device according to claim 25, wherein said first electromagnetic field generating device and said
said first and second points are spaced from one another and second electromagnetic field generating device respectively
said third point is located intermediate said first and second comprise a first coil wrapped around said first fluid conduit
points. 10 and a second coil wrapped around said second fluid conduit.
28. A fluid treatment device according to claim 25, wherein
said first part of said first coil and said first part of said second k k k k k