Magnetic filter and method for purifying and treating liquids using permanent magnetic balls

Abstract

A filter for and a method of removal of magnetic particles and treating a liquid with a magnetic field in which a liquid flows through a filter containing permanent magnetic balls tightly packed together so that there is no straight flow path through the filter but only around these magnetic balls. Increased mixing and turbulence of flow coupled with strong intensity of a magnetic field across the direction of the flow promotes better attraction and retention of magnetic particles on the magnetic balls. The filter is particularly useful as a fuel or oil filter for an internal combustion engine. Other advantageous applications include water treatment filters. The filter is capable of removing magnetic particles for an extended period of time without clogging.

What I claim is:  
     
         1 . A magnetic filter for purifying and treating a liquid with a magnetic field, said filter comprising: 
 a filter housing with an inlet and an outlet; and    a plurality of permanent magnetic balls of generally round shape, said magnetic balls contained in said housing,    whereby said permanent magnetic balls being adapted to expose said liquid to said magnetic field as said liquid flows through said filter.    
     
     
         2 . The filter as in    claim 1   , wherein said permanent magnetic balls being tightly packed.  
     
     
         3 . The filter as in    claim 1   , wherein the orientation of magnetic poles of all of said permanent magnetic balls being in the same direction.  
     
     
         4 . The filter as in    claim 3   , wherein said liquid flows through said filter in a direction from said inlet to said outlet, and the direction of said orientation of magnetic poles being perpendicular to the direction of said liquid flow through said filter.  
     
     
         5 . The filter as in    claim 1   , where said magnetic balls forming a plurality of adjacent layers, the orientation of magnetic poles of all magnetic balls in a particular layer is the same, said orientation being perpendicular to the corresponding orientation of the next layer.  
     
     
         6 . The filter as in    claim 1   , wherein said permanent magnetic balls being made from a magnetic material selected from the group consisting of Strontium ferrite, Barium ferrite, Samarium Cobalt, Nd-Fe-B, and Nd-Fe-B-Co.  
     
     
         7 . The filter as in    claim 1   , wherein said permanent magnetic balls all having a first diameter.  
     
     
         8 . The filter as in    claim 7   , further comprising a second plurality of permanent magnetic balls, said balls all having a second diameter, said balls placed between the magnetic balls having said first diameter, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter.  
     
     
         9 . The filter as in    claim 8   , wherein said second diameter being about 0.15 of said first diameter.  
     
     
         10 . The filter as in    claim 8   , wherein said second plurality magnetic balls made of a soft magnetic material.  
     
     
         11 . The filter as in    claim 1   , wherein said permanent magnetic balls having a diameter being in the range between about 2 to about 20 mm.  
     
     
         12 . The filter as in    claim 1   , wherein said permanent magnetic balls having a diameter being in the range between about 4 to about 7 mm.  
     
     
         13 . The filter as in    claim 1   , wherein said filter housing made of soft magnetic material.  
     
     
         14 . The filter as in    claim 13   , wherein said soft magnetic material being steel.  
     
     
         15 . The filter as in    claim 1   , wherein said housing having a round interior, said magnetic balls being tightly packed against said round interior forming complete uninterrupted circular lines, whereby any leakage of said magnetic field is substantially reduced.  
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a liquid with a magnetic field, said method including a step of passing said liquid through a filter comprising a housing and a plurality of permanent magnetic balls of generally round shape, said magnetic balls contained in said housing, said permanent magnetic balls adapted to expose said liquid to said magnetic field as said liquid flows through said filter.  
     
     
         17 . A method of removal and retention of magnetic particles from a liquid, said method including a step of passing said liquid through a magnetic filter comprising a filter housing, and a plurality of permanent magnetic balls of generally round shape, said magnetic balls contained in said housing, said permanent magnetic balls adapted to expose said liquid to said magnetic field as said liquid flows through said filter, said permanent magnetic balls also adapted to retain said magnetic particles thereon.