WO1995004000A1

WO1995004000A1 - Device and method to enhance fuel combustion

Info

Publication number: WO1995004000A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/008572
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Mccarthy
Original assignee: Robert Mccarthy
Priority date: 1993-07-29
Filing date: 1994-07-29
Publication date: 1995-02-09
Also published as: AU7517194A

Abstract

A pair of bar magnets (24, 26) are positioned on opposite sides of a flattened section (32a) of a fuel line and surrounded by a casing (28) which forms a return path of the magnetic field formed by the magnets. The magnetic field is applied across the fuel line causing clumped fuel molecules (18) to become more uniformly dispersed, and thus to enhance combustion.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD TO ENHANCE FUEL COMBUSTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to liquid fuel combustion systems, and more particularly to a device to be placed in a fuel line that modifies the characteristics of the fuel in a manner to enhance combustion. Description of the Prior Art

Much effort has been expended to improve the completeness of combustion in liquid fuel, particularly in connection with motor vehicles. Improved combustion, of course, has many advantages, including increased fuel mileage, decreased costs, reduced toxic emissions, and decreased engine maintenance costs. One type of fuel-saving device currently on the market employs a donut shaped casing that fits around a fuel line and has a quantity of magnetic elements in the casing producing an effect on the fuel that purports to improve combustion. However, it is believed that that device has been only partially successful, and improvements in combustion efficiency are always desired.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved magnetic device that may be easily installed in a fuel line, that will affect the molecules of the fuel in a manner to enhance combustion. Briefly stated, the device employs a permanent magnet on one side of a tube through which the fuel passes, with a pole face of the magnet engaging the tube. Another magnet or a bar of magnetically permeable material is positioned on the opposite side of the fuel line. This causes a magnetic field to be applied across the fuel line. The intensity of the magnetic field is enhanced by enclosing the components in an iron casing, which provides a return path for the magnetic field, rather than having the magnetic energy escape into the surrounding space.

In a preferred form of the invention, the fuel line section passing through the device has a flattened configuration which reduces the gap crossed by the magnetic field and maximizes the intensity of the field applied to the fuel. The magnets and the f el line are enclosed in a rubber or plastic housing that protects the components from the elements. Preferably, the magnetic device is positioned closely upstream of the fuel combustion chamber, and preferably there is about six feet of fuel line upstream from the device that is unobstructed by fuel pumps, filters, or other elements. The fuel line can be coiled to obtain the necessary distance without necessarily utilizing much space.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic view of the magnetic fuel enhancing device of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a preferred form of the device to be positioned in a fuel line;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device along line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the device of Figure 2. Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figure 1, there is schematically illustrated a fuel line 10, with a magnetic device 12 of the invention. The device includes an oblong shaped upper bar magnet 14 adjacent the upper side of a fuel line, and a lower bar 16 adjacent the bottom of the fuel line. The bar 16 is either a permanent magnet or is made of magnetically permeable material such as iron. The magnet 14 establishes a magnetic field between the components 14 and 16, with the magnetic field flux lines passing through the fuel in the fuel line. It has been found that the combustion of fuel that flows through the magnetic field is much more complete than what is obtained without the magnetic device. The exact cause of this effect is not fully understood. It is believed, however, that as the fuel molecules pass through the magnetic field, a reorienting effect is caused on the molecules. It is believed that typically the fuel in a fuel line has some molecules that are clumped around a free charge that exists in the fuel, as schematically illustrated at 18 in Figure 1. The free charge may be the result of static electricity produced by the fuel flowing through the fuel line. When the moving molecules cross the flux lines in the magnetic field, it is believed that these clumped molecules become reoriented or reconformed and have a tendency to separate from one another. Thus, the molecules 19 enter the combustion area singly instead of being clumped. Because these molecules are more uniformly spaced they tend to combine more readily and rapidly with the oxygen present in a combustion chamber. The combination of these two effects results in a much cleaner and more efficient burn in the combustion chamber, thus allowing for fewer emissions exiting the exhaust. This further results in increased fuel efficiency or miles per gallon, and increased horsepower. Figures 2 and 3 disclose a more specific embodiment of the invention in its currently preferred form. A magnetic fuel combustion enhancing device is seen to include an upper bar-shaped permanent magnet 24 having a rectangular cross- section. The magnet is spaced from a lower magnet 26 or a lower bar of magnetically permeable material also having a rectangular cross-section. A casing 28 having a rectangular cross section surrounds the bars to complete a magnetic path. That is, the upper pole surface of the magnet 24 engages the casing 28 and the lower pole surface of the bar 26 engages the casing. The casing directs the magnetic field rather than allowing the energy to escape into the surrounding atmosphere. Side legs of the casing are spaced outwardly from the sides of the bars, with non-magnetic spacers 30 positioned between the casing and the bars. Positioned between the bars is a flattened section 32a of a stainless steel fuel tube 32. The tube 32 has circular ends 32b that taper through a transition portion into the central section. Note from Figure 3 that the width of the bars is about equal to the width of the flattened tube section 32a and that the length of the bars is much greater than the width, preferably about three times greater. This enables the entire fuel flow to pass between a considerable length of the flux lines between the bars. Utilizing the flattened tube section creates a small gap between the bars that maximizes the intensity of the magnetic field across the gap to which all of the fuel is subjected. Threaded fittings 34 are positioned on opposite ends of the fuel tube for connection to other fittings (not shown) to be joined to a fuel line.

Rubber-like material, such as that sold under the trademark Neoprene, or other suitable material 36 is molded around the exterior of the casing and the ends of the fuel tube. This arrangement gives the device a central portion with a generally rectangular cross section and end sections tapering to a smaller square cross section. The end sections thus have somewhat of a frusto-pyramid shape. A plurality of holes 37 extend through the material 36 to facilitate mounting the magnetic device.

The lower pole face of the upper magnet 24 engages the upper flattened side of the fuel tube section 32a. The upper side of the bar 24 forms an opposite pole face. With the lower bar either being a permanent magnet or a bar of magnetically permeable material, a magnetic field is established across the gap between the upper and lower bars. Hence, the magnetic flux extends through the flattened fuel tube section 32a. As noted, the contact of the upper and lower bars with the surrounding iron casing 28 completes the magnetic circuit. If a magnetic field of increased strength is desired, the lower bar 26 is chosen to be a permanent magnet similar to that of the upper bar, with its upper portion forming a pole face opposite that of the lower pole of the upper magnet 24. The polarity of the lower portion of the lower magnet is of course opposite that of its upper pole.

As noted above, the magnetic field provided by the device affects the fuel so that more complete combustion is obtained in the combustion chamber. Preferably the combustion chamber is positioned only a short distance downstream from the magnetic device. Also, it is desirable that the fuel line not be obstructed by a pump or filter at least six feet before the device of the invention. A fuel coil can be used to satisfy that requirement if there are distance considerations.

It is believed that the crossing of the magnetic flux lines causes force on the clumps of lightly charged fuel molecules that causes them to be more dispersed than other molecules having a lesser charger. It is believed the more uniformly dispersed molecules enable the atoms in the fossil fuel to become more readily combined with the oxygen atoms.

The flattened tube shape not only reduces the gap between the pole faces of the bars, but also the decreased cross- sectional area increases fuel flow velocity. This means magnetic flux lines are crossed by the fuel molecules more rapidly, and this in turn increases the reorienting effect on the fuel molecules.

If additional magnetic strength is desired additional magnets may be provided. Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement wherein two bar magnets are positioned above a flattened fuel tube section. The engaging surfaces of the two magnets are of course of opposite polarity. The arrangement of Figure 4 is being used for a unit to be placed on autos, whereas the Figure 2 version with larger dimensions is being used for larger trucks.

To enhance the life of the magnetic device of the invention, it is of course preferable to use high intensity magnets. In a production form of the device, permanent bar alnico magnets were employed having a high gauss field intensity.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device for enhancing fuel combustion, comprising: a section of a fuel line having a generally flattened rectangular cross section; a first permanent magnet member having a pole face engaging a flat side of the fuel line section; a second permanent magnet or a magnetically permeable member engaging an opposite flat side of said fuel line section, said members creating a magnetic field with a flux path extending through said fuel line section.

2. The device of Claim 1, including a casing surrounding and engaging the members to provide a flux path for the magnetic field, the casing being made of permeable magnetic material so as to form a complete circuit and so as to minimize the loss of magnetic energy outwardly from the casing.

3. The device of Claim 2, including a molded rubber¬ like polymer housing surrounding the members and sides of fuel line ends.

4. The device of Claim 1, including circular tube sections on each end of the flattened tube section and joined to the flattened tube section by tapered transition portions.

5. A device for establishing a magnetic field across a liquid fuel line to enhance fuel combustion, comprising: a pair of permanent bar magnets having opposite poles facing each other and being separated by a gap, thereby creating a magnetic field with a flux path across the gap; and a fuel line section positioned in the gap in close proximity to the magnets in the path of the magnetic field.

6. The device of Claim 5, including an iron casing surrounding the magnets in position to provide a flux path for the magnets.

7. The device of Claim 6, wherein the fuel line has a flattened configuration in the gap and the magnets engage opposite flattened walls of the fuel line section.

8. The device of Claim 7, including fuel line sections having a circular cross section joined to said flattened section by tapered transition portions.

9. The device of Claim 6, wherein said bar magnets have a rectangular cross section with a width about equal to the width of the flattened fuel line section and a length about three times the width.

10. A method for enhancing the combustion of liquid fuel, comprising: positioning in a fuel line an elongated flattened fuel line section having a pair of permanent magnets with opposing poles engaging opposite sides of the section, to establish a magnetic field across the fuel line section; and having the magnets enclosed in an iron casing with poles of the magnets magnetically connected to the casing to provide a return magnetic path for the magnets.