PHYSICAL WATER TREATMENT DEVICE

Abstract

The physical water treatment device, in particular in a flexible water inlet (1), comprises at least one pair of electrodes (2) for water galvanization and at least one means for inserting and fixing the electrodes (2). The means for inserting and fixing the electrodes (2) together with the electrodes (2) form an integral body (3), the resulting shape of which is adapted for the insertion into the flexible water inlet (1). The integral body (3) completely blocks the flexible water inlet (1) and is hollow so that the water flowing through the flexible inlet (1) flows through the electrodes (2) of the integral body (3). The electrodes (2) form a flow-through galvanization system in the integral body (3).

Claims

1. Physical water treatment device, in particular in a flexible water inlet (1), comprising at least one pair of electrodes (2) for water galvanization and at least one means for inserting and fixing the electrodes (2) characterized in that the means for inserting and fixing the electrodes (2) together with the electrodes (2) form an integral body (3) having the shape adapted for insertion into the flexible water inlet (1) and for complete blocking of the cavity of flexible water inlet (1), while the integral body (3) is hollow for the flow of water through it and the electrodes (2) of the integral body (3) form a flow-through turbulent galvanization system of electrodes.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the integral body (3) is adapted for fixed or loose insertion into a flexible water inlet (1).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed by at least two integral bodies (3) arranged in a flexible water inlet (1) in a row one behind the other, or with arbitrary spacing.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrodes (2) of the integral body (3) are provided with openings for the flow of water through the electrodes (2), while at least some of the openings are provided with stirring-up vanes (4).

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the integral body (3) is a capsule whose outer bases are straight, pyramidally raised, roundly convex, or a combination of the list of variants, with the end bases being provided with openings (5) for the flow of water through the capsule.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the electrodes (2) in the capsule are made of corrugated sheet metal and are sandwiched on top of one another.

7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the electrodes (2) in the capsule form at least one pair in which they interlock.

8. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the electrodes (2) in the capsule form at least one row of three electrodes for blocking the flow of water, in which they are arranged bevelled and parallel next to each other, while the central bevelled electrode (6) is inclined from the end bevelled electrodes (7) in the opposite direction and forms a pair with each of the end bevelled electrodes (7) for water galvanization.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for inserting and fixing the electrodes (2) is formed by a ring (8) for creating a contact surface with the inner side of the flexible water inlet (1), and at the same time the flexible terminals (9) of the electrodes (2) protrude from the front and the rear of the ring (8).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the flexible terminals (9) of the electrodes (2) protrude symmetrically from the ring (8) and are provided with grooves (10) for the insertion of electrodes (2).

11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the electrodes (2) have the shape composed of a cross (11) for inserting its arms into the grooves (10) of the flexible terminals (9) and further of the stirring-up vanes (4) having a shape substantially similar to the shape of propeller blades.

12. The Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for inserting and fixing the electrodes (2) is formed by an assembly of at least three concentric rings (8) to form an interface with the inside of the flexible water inlet (1), in which the adjacent rings (8) are connected to each other by at least one flexible spacer (12), with at least some of the central rings (8) being provided with at least one groove for inserting the electrodes (2).

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the electrodes (2) have the shape composed of a cross (11) for inserting its arms into the ring (8) and further of the stirring-up vanes (4) having a shape substantially similar to the shape of propeller blades.

14. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the electrodes (2) are made of sheet metal “U” profile.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the two electrodes (2) of the “U” profile form at least one pair in which they interlock.

16. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for inserting and fixing the electrodes (2) is formed by at least one inner rod (15) running through the electrodes (2), and at least two peripheral rods (16) running through the electrodes (2) at their perimeter, with the ends of the rods (15, 16) being provided with locking means (17), and further the peripheral rods (16) are provided with locking means (17) at the intersections through the electrode (2), with the spacer rollers (18) being loosely mounted on the rods (15, 16) between the two adjacent electrodes (2).

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the integral body (3) is inserted into an electrically non-conductive sleeve (19).

18. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is provided with a shielding (13) of electromagnetic fields in each of the integral bodies (3), or a common shielding arranged on the flexible water inlet (1) for at least two integral bodies (3) arranged in a row, or the device is provided with a shielding for arrangement between the inner wall of the flexible water inlet 1) and the integral body (3).

19. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one flow-through turbulent galvanization system of electrodes is provided with at least one permanent magnet (14).

Description

EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention will be explained in detail by means of the following figures where:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a capsule device, in particular one of its bases provided with holes for water flow,

[0031] FIG. 2 shows an axonometric view of one capsule device,

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of a capsule device,

[0033] FIG. 4 shows an axonometric view of a capsule device with one half of the means for inserting and fixing the electrodes removed,

[0034] FIG. 5 shows an axonometric view of one electrode from the system of electrodes of the capsule device,

[0035] FIG. 6 shows the shielding of external electromagnetic fields in the form of a screen copying the shape of the integral body of the device,

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a section of a device consisting of seven capsules installed in a flexible water inlet,

[0037] FIG. 8 shows an axonometric view of the left half of the system of electrodes of the capsule for locking into the right half of the system of electrodes,

[0038] FIG. 9 shows an axonometric view of the right half of the system of electrodes of the capsule for locking into the left half of the system of electrodes,

[0039] FIG. 10 shows an axonometric view of the system of electrodes of the capsule of two interlocking electrodes,

[0040] FIG. 11 shows an axonometric view of a system of standing electrodes for a capsule,

[0041] FIG. 12 shows a system of standing electrodes for a capsule in a top view,

[0042] FIG. 13 shows a system of standing electrodes for a capsule in a front view,

[0043] FIG. 14 shows the left end standing electrode for a capsule in a front, side and axonometric view at the same time,

[0044] FIG. 15 shows the central standing electrode for a capsule in a front, side and axonometric view at the same time,

[0045] FIG. 16 shows the right end standing electrode for a capsule in a front, side and axonometric view at the same time,

[0046] FIG. 17 shows a device with an integral body formed by a ring with flexible electrode holders,

[0047] FIG. 18 shows the means for inserting and fixing the electrodes formed by a ring with electrode holders,

[0048] FIG. 19 shows a detail of an electrode for a device with an integral body formed by a ring with flexible electrode holders,

[0049] FIG. 20 shows a device with an integral body formed by rings with circular electrodes arranged in central rings,

[0050] FIG. 21 shows a device with an integral body formed by rings with linear “U” electrodes arranged in central rings,

[0051] FIG. 22 shows a detail of a linear “U” electrode for a device with an integral body formed by rings,

[0052] FIG. 23 shows an integral body formed by electrodes slid on rods,

[0053] FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional detail of a device with an integral body formed by electrodes slid on rods inserted into a sleeve interwoven with shielding of electromagnetic fields.

EXAMPLES OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0054] It shall be understood that the specific cases of the invention embodiments described and depicted below are provided for illustration only and do not limit the invention to the examples provided here. Those skilled in the art will find or, based on routine experiment, will be able to provide a greater or lesser number of equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention which are described here.

[0055] To carry out the invention, the condition must be fulfilled that the shape of cross-section of the integral body 3 corresponds to the shape of cross-section of the cavity of flexible water inlet 1 typically a pipe or a hose. In the vast majority of cases, the cross-section of the cavity of flexible water inlet 1 is circular, but it is possible to adapt the invention to be implemented with a different shape of cross-section of the inlet 1. By fulfilling this condition, the integral body 3 touches the inner wall of the inlet 1. The contact between the inner wall of the inlet 1 and the body 3 causes the integral body 3 in the inlet 1 not to travel and at the same time prevents water from flowing around the body 3. To increase the friction in the contact area, it is possible to increase the dimension of the body 3 to be pressed against the inside of the inlet 1. Alternatively, it is sufficient to select the material of the body 3 such that it has a high coefficient of shear friction with respect to the material of the inner wall of the inlet 1. It is also possible to create a constriction on the inlet 1 before and after the first integral body 3 of the device, which would block the possibility of displacing the bodies 3 in the inlet 1.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment of the capsule integral body 3, the bases of the body 3, which are transverse against the flow of water, are provided with openings 5 for the flow of water through the capsule and the system of electrodes 2 enclosed therein. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the bases are pyramidal or convex towards the centre of the body 3. Shaping the bases has two tasks. Firstly, it reduces the resistance of the body 3 to the flow of water and, secondly, when arranging several bodies 3 in a row in a single device, the shaping of bases makes it possible to maintain the flexibility of water inlet 1. Again, in the overwhelming embodiments of the invention, the shape of the bases of the capsule bodies 3 will be round convex, but the invention can also be used with other shapes of the bases of capsules, provided that the condition of flexibility of the water inlet 1 is maintained. A person skilled in the art can handle this task for specific water inlet pipes/hoses 1 as part of his/her routine work.

[0057] In the simplest embodiment of the device, the capsule integral body 3 has a spherical shape. The spherical shape meets the requirement to maintain the flexibility of the inlet 1 if the spherical capsules are arranged in a row, since the spherical surfaces do not collide at the point of bending of the water inlet 1. A disadvantage of the spherical embodiment of the invention is that the spherical body 3 provides a small storage space for the electrodes 2 for water galvanization.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the capsule integral body 2 is cylindrical with round convex bases. A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in the figures, the integral body 3 provides sufficient space for the system of electrodes 2. The fixing part of the integral body 3 can be made of plastic. The openings 5 are designed so that the device causes the least possible resistance to the flow of water.

[0059] In this particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the system of electrodes 2 is formed of corrugated sheet electrodes 2. The electrodes 2 must be different in material and must alternate to create a difference in potential as soon as they are wetted by water. The materials for electrodes 2 are selected according to the doctrine of the Beketov's series of metals and according to the requirements for the quality of galvanically treated water, in particular in terms of health safety. The selection of specific materials for the electrodes 2 is not a task for the person skilled in the art beyond professional skills.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, the electrode 2 is made of corrugated sheet metal and is provided with simple openings and further with stirring-up vanes 4. The stirring-up vanes 4 of the intersections alternate with each other, both on the electrode 2 and the alternation is also respected between successive electrodes 2 in the integral body 3.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a screen cage of the shielding 13 of the electromagnetic field. The shielding 13 shown is inserted into the integral body 3. In other non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, the shielding may be formed by coating of the flexible water inlet 1, or may be, for example, in the form of stocking slid over several successive integral bodies 3, or may lie between the inner wall of the flexible inlet 1 and the outer wall of the bodies 3.

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a device of seven integral capsule-shaped bodies 3 installed in a flexible water inlet 1, which is bent and have a 90° change of direction on the flexible water inlet 1 to show that the bodies 3 do not interfere with each other.

[0063] FIGS. 8 to 10 show another specific embodiment of the system of electrodes 2 for the invention. It consists of a left electrode 2 and a right electrode 2 which interlock. The electrodes 2 are provided with stirring-up vanes 4 to create turbines for changing the laminar flow of water to the turbulent flow of water. FIG. 10 furthermore shows permanent magnets 14 which can streamline the process of physical water treatment. The permanent magnets 14 used in the embodiment of the invention are, for example, made of neodymium.

[0064] FIGS. 11 to 13 show another specific embodiment of the system of electrodes 2 for housing design. In the system of electrodes 2, end bevelled electrodes 7 and a central bevelled electrode 6 are used. The central bevelled electrodes 6 are bevelled in the opposite direction from the end electrodes 7. The detailed illustrations of electrodes 6 and 7 in FIGS. 14 to 16 show that these electrodes 6 and 7 also have stirring-up vanes 4.

[0065] The person skilled in the art will be able to design a wide range of design solutions of electrodes 2 for the systems of electrodes 2 inserted into capsules. The mentioned embodiments of the systems of electrodes 2 do not limit the scope of the invention, the essence of which lies mainly in the use of integral bodies 3 while maintaining the flexibility of the water inlet 1.

[0066] In another example of the invention embodiments according to FIG. 17, the integral body 3 is formed by a ring 8 from the front and rear sides of which four flexible terminals 9 of the electrodes 2 protrude. The terminals 9 are provided with grooves 10 for inserting the electrodes 2, which can be seen in detail in FIG. 18. The flexible terminals 9 copy the bending of the flexible water inlet 1.

[0067] The electrode 2 is shown in detail in FIG. 19. The electrode 2 has the shape of a combination of a support cross 11, whose ends of the arms fit into the grooves 10, and also of the stirring-up vanes 4, which resemble a propeller.

[0068] FIG. 20 shows another possible embodiment of the invention, in which the integral body 3 is formed by an assembly of at least three rings 8, with the electrodes 2 being fixed outside the end rings 8. The end rings 8 serve as protective bumpers. Flexible spacers 12 are between the rings 8 and prevent the rings 8 from detaching from the assembly or from being completely pressed together.

[0069] The electrodes 2 are circular, such as those shown in FIG. 19, or the electrodes 2 may be linear with a “U” profile. The electrodes 2 with a “U” profile are shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0070] FIG. 23 shows the integral body 3 formed by fan-shaped electrodes 2. The electrodes 2 are slid on one inner rod 15 and on four peripheral rods 16. The rods 15 and 16 are flexible and can be made of plastic or metal, provided that the electrical connection between the electrodes 2 is prevented. The ends of the rods 15 and 16 are provided with locking means 17, which are made of plastic and prevent the electrodes 2 from slipping out of the rods 15 and 16. Other locking means 17 are only on the peripheral rods 16 at the points of intersection at the perimeter of the electrode 2. For electrical insulation, the electrodes 2 are provided with cut-outs and the locking means 17, which are plastic, are inserted into the cut-outs. Spacer rollers 18 are loosely slid on the rods 15 and 16 between the adjacent electrodes 2. The rollers 18 are made of rigid plastic.

[0071] FIG. 24 shows the integral body 3 which is inserted into an electrically non-conductive sleeve 19. The sleeve 19 isolates the electrodes 2 from the inner wall of the flexible water inlet 1. In addition, a metal screen forming an electromagnetic shielding 13 is built into the sleeve 19.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0072] The physical water treatment device according to the invention finds its application in particular in flexible water inlet pipes/hoses of domestic water appliances prone to limescale deposition, but also in other applications where it is necessary to physically treat water in a flexible water inlet.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0073] 1 flexible water inlet [0074] 2 electrode for water galvanization [0075] 3 integral body [0076] 4 stirring-up vane [0077] 5 base opening [0078] 6 central bevelled electrode [0079] 7 end bevelled electrode [0080] 8 ring [0081] 9 flexible electrode terminal [0082] 10 groove of flexible electrode terminal [0083] 11 electrode cross [0084] 12 flexible spacer [0085] 13 electromagnetic field shielding [0086] 14 permanent magnet [0087] 15 inner rod [0088] 16 peripheral rod [0089] 17 locking means [0090] 18 spacer roller [0091] 19 sleeve