CN1985549A - Method and apparatus for providing electric current into an object or medium - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of providing and/or inducing current in an object or medium. Specifically, the current is used to interfere with, kill, inhibit activity, or stun one or more organisms in an object or medium. The invention discloses a novel device having a conductive medium (in a conduit) serving as the secondary (3) of a transformer, and a device having distributed primary windings (1) on a distributed magnetic core (2). The invention possesses relative electrical symmetry and measurability.

Description

Method and device for supplying electric current to object or medium

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of supplying and/or inducing electrical currents into objects or media. Specifically, the current is used to interfere with, kill, inhibit or stun one or more living beings in the object or medium.

The present invention has many applications, some of which are specified herein (without limitation), including marine or marine applications, aquaculture applications, waste treatment applications, and any other application requiring treatment of fluids.

In one aspect, the invention relates to the induction of electric voltage fields or currents into media such as fluids (eg, water, body fluids, or food) and related products.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus and/or method by which a voltage field or current can be transmitted to a remote object.

In a particular application, the present invention relates to the so-called "biofouling" in which catheters or other fluid conduits become constricted or even clogged due to the presence of organisms in the medium flowing through the conduit. For example, conduits or water storage devices (such as ballast) inside a boat, ship, or submarine can become constricted by organisms present in the seawater. The present invention relates to mitigating or preventing the transport of biofouling and invasive species.

In another specific aspect, the invention relates to the induction of electric current into a medium as the induction of a voltage field or current into the medium in a relatively "non-contact" transfer form. For example, delivering an electrical current into the medium without requiring the electrodes to be in direct contact with the medium.

It will be helpful to hereinafter describe the invention, which relates to the induction of voltage fields or currents into pipelines to mitigate biofouling, however, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the applications described above. The term "BioBlock" is the name of the method and/or device which is the subject of this specification.

Background technique

The inventors have realized that fouling and subsequent clogging of vessels' pipes by marine organisms such as barnacles and mussels contribute to the failure of seawater cooling and fire protection systems. Furthermore, a further global environmental concern caused by shipping is that various organisms in the ballast water of ships can be transported from one country to another. When loading or unloading a ship, the ship drains or sucks seawater respectively to maintain stability against sea waves. The result of this has been the discovery that the movement of marine life and species from port to port, and from country to country, has potentially damaging effects on the environment and the aquaculture industry.

The inventors have recognized that various methods have been proposed in the past to treat biofouling. The idea of using pulsed electric fields or electric currents to kill biological cells, especially potential marine biofoulants, is not entirely new. For example, there are two papers, namely

1. Amr, A.G. and K.H. Schoenbach (2000). "Biofouling prevention with pulsed electric fields" IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science 28(1): 115-21, and

2. Block, R., F. Leipold, et al. (2001). "Pulsed electric field based antifouling method for salinometers." PPPS-2001 Pulsed Power PlasmaScience 2001.28th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Scienceand 13th IEEE International est Pulsed Power Conference. of Paper (Cat No.01 CH37251), IEEE.Part vol.2, 2001: 1146-9 vol.

However, while this disclosure has been experimentally proven to be successful, the inventors have found that these disclosures are not practical in large-scale applications such as ships, or for other common applications. For example, electrodes are placed on conduits through which water flows for making electrical contact with the water and supplying electrical current to the water. The electrodes are spaced about 1.5 mm to 1 cm apart and, therefore, are only suitable for catheters of similar small diameter. The voltage distributed through the electrodes is close to 8KV/cm. Therefore, to be able to accommodate larger conduits, several hundred thousand volts would be required. This creates safety concerns, especially when using such large voltages with conductive media such as sea water. There are also difficulties in generating and switching such large voltages, as well as electrode aging and ion dissociation at the electrodes.

Other problems exist in aquaculture. The inventors have realized that the future of aquaculture depends largely on easy access to natural resources such as space for animal rearing, water and fishmeal. Other issues relate to the number of different viral diseases that are causing widespread concern to the European aquaculture industry. For example, infectious salmon anemia (ISA), a devastating disease encountered by Atlantic salmon, has been reported in Scotland, Norway and Canada.

Within EU regulations, the disease is considered to be introduced into EU waters. When the disease is confirmed, the fish need to be removed immediately, and when the disease is suspected, various control measures will be taken on the spot. Measures include restricting the movement of fish, equipment, materials and personnel, sanitizing nets and falling. Based on the risk assessment, establish zones around suspected and confirmed sites and apply largely similar control measures to uninfected aquaculture sites located in those zones.

In EU guidelines, blood and wastewater from infected stocked fish must be treated before discharge. Other predisposing diseases include viral hemorrhagic sepsis and infectious pancreatic necrosis. These diseases are often found in large numbers in wild populations of salmon and salmonids and often result in high mortality. Therefore, maintaining a high standard of water supply and ensuring that no wild fish enter the farmed aquaculture area is an important goal.

The concept of inducing current in a conductive fluid by magnetic induction was first conceived by the inventors of the present invention in the mid-1970's.

Any discussion of documents, means, acts or knowledge is included in this specification to explain the context of the invention. No admission should be taken that any of the said material formed part of the prior art base, or was common general knowledge in the relevant art, Australia or elsewhere, as at or before the date of priority of the present disclosure and claims herein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus suitable for transmitting electric current into a conducting medium.

Another object of the present invention is to alleviate at least one drawback associated with the prior art.

Contents of the invention

An inventive aspect of the present invention magnetically induces a voltage field or current in a conductive medium such as sea water, without the use of electrodes nor the generation of any external electric field.

Another inventive aspect of the present invention also provides a method and/or apparatus for inducing current in a conductive fluid wherein there is no electrical contact (ie complete electrical isolation) and preferably no external electric field is generated.

Furthermore, a further inventive aspect of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for inducing a voltage gradient in a fluid or other medium, wherein there is no electrical contact (ie, electrical isolation) and (preferably) no external electric field is generated.

In essence, the present invention provides a method and/or apparatus adapted to generate a voltage gradient in a conductive medium to disturb, kill, or stun biological entities in the medium.

Studies have shown that some organisms may be affected by the current density in the fluid in which they exist. Alternatively, other organisms may be affected by voltage gradients within their medium. The physical size of the organism may be a factor in the strength required to practice the invention.

One aspect of the present invention provides a method and/or apparatus for applying any desired voltage gradient by manipulating the applied voltage and the number and distribution of the plurality of transformer cores for the treatment of relatively insulating media such as fresh water . This process is considered to be relatively inexpensive due to the minimal power consumption in the medium of this process.

For the treatment of relatively conductive media such as seawater or blood, the present invention provides, in one aspect, a method and/or apparatus for applying any desired the current density. Since power usage is proportional to the product of applied voltage and current, the geometry of the present invention can also be tuned to tune the capacitance of the power electronics.

Other and preferred aspects are disclosed in the description and/or defined in the claims forming a part of the description of the invention.

Other inventive aspects relate to:

the physical structure of the magnetic circuit and the electrical circuit, specifically with the conducting medium (in the pipes) as the secondary of the transformer,

Distributed primary windings on distributed cores to block emitted electric or magnetic fields and

● increase the effective voltage induced in the secondary winding of the medium,

A single seawater secondary winding to achieve the required voltage and current density for seawater and conductive fluid applications,

● the electrical symmetry and scalability of the invention, and

- Disturbs, kills, or stuns organisms as they pass through fluid conduits, but substantially does not radiate external electric fields.

One application of the device of the present invention may be in the infrastructure of ships and ports to sterilize sea water and ballast for ship cooling, fire fighting systems.

Other ranges of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given subsequently. It should be understood, however, that since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description, it is given by way of illustration only, while indicating a preferred embodiment of this invention. Description and specific examples.

Description of drawings

Those skilled in the art will better understand other objects, advantages, and various aspects of the present invention by referring to the subsequent description of preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings are only for illustration and are not Do not constitute a limitation to the present invention, in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows the prior art where there is a magnetic field around a wire through which current flows;

Figure 2 shows the prior art where there is a magnetic field around a coil through which current flows;

Figure 3 shows the magnetic flux in a prior art magnetic core;

Figure 4 shows a prior art transformer;

Fig. 5 shows the magnetic flux of the transformer under loading condition in the prior art;

Figure 6 shows an example of components of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 shows a block diagram of the bioinhibition enablement of the present invention; and

Figure 10 shows the types of voltage/current waveforms applied to a conductive medium to achieve desired efficiency and effectiveness.

Detailed ways

By way of background, the inventors have developed the present invention with an eye towards alternative solutions to the problems of the prior art. This alternative solution comes from some other developments on some relatively known electrical principles.

In this regard, referring to FIG. 1 , the inventors have realized that it is known that a magnetic field exists around a wire through which current flows. The iron filings are magnetically polarized by a magnetic field and aligned "end to end", or more properly "pole to opposite pole". During this alignment, the iron filings formed a circular pattern, indicating the presence of a magnetic field around the current.

Referring to Figure 2, the inventors also realized that if the wire of Figure 1 was formed into a cylindrical coil as shown in Figure 2 and passed through a sheet of cardboard, the iron filings would form a dotted line pattern similar to that shown in Figure 2, which Indicates the presence and shape of the magnetic field accompanying the electrified coil.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the inventors have also realized that by adding a magnetic core to the coil as shown in FIG. 3 , the magnetic flux is greatly increased. For example, if the core is made of high-permeability steel, the flux density can increase by a factor of 100,000 compared to the case without the core. The magnetic permeability of a magnetic core represents the increase in magnetic field over the magnetic field produced without the core.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the inventors have further realized that by adding a second coil N ₂ to the magnetic core, a transformer is formed. Essentially, a transformer is a magnetically coupled set of energized coils (N ₁ and N ₂ shown in Figure 4). If an "alternating current (ac)" voltage is applied to one coil _N1 , the alternating magnetic field in the core will induce a voltage, preferably an AC voltage, in the second coil _N2 . Note that there is no electrical connection of any kind between the two coils _N1 and _N2 ; by the expanding and attenuating magnetic field caused by the alternating current in the first or primary coil _N1 , in the second coil _N2 a complete and uniquely generate voltage. For example, if each coil has 5 turns of wire each, and assuming a voltage of 10V is applied to the primary coil _N1 , then a voltage of 10V is induced and measured in the secondary coil _N2 . If the secondary winding _N2 is increased to 10 turns and the first coil _N1 is kept at 5 turns, the ratio between coils _N1 and _N2 is 1: ₂ and the result will be that a A voltage of 20V was measured. therefore, $\frac{V_1}{V_2}=\frac{N_1}{N_2}$ or $V_2=\frac{N_2}{N_1}{V}_1$

Referring to FIG. 5 , the inventors have further realized that by adding a load _RL to the secondary coil N ₂ , the current I ₂ flows through the load _RL and the secondary coil N ₂ that generates magnetic flux (secondary magnetic flux), wherein the The magnetic flux is opposite to the magnetic flux caused by the primary current (primary magnetic flux).

A further improvement that the inventors have made is to use electrical wires to form the primary coil and a circuit to form the secondary coil using a conductive medium such as sea water (for example, when the invention is applied to a ship), which then acts as the secondary coil and A load that can induce current to a conductive medium without making direct electrical contact with the conductive medium.

The inventors have also made a further improvement by utilizing a limited number of turns of the secondary winding to form the secondary. Preferably, the secondary comprises a single winding of an insulated conduit (pipe) carrying an electrically conductive medium. The medium within the insulating conduit itself forms a "load" in which a voltage field/current is induced. Thus, when applied in a nautical environment, the water may be seawater which is electrically conductive. In other applications, the medium may be another fluid.

Figure 6 shows an example of such an improved assembly. A primary winding or windings 1 are arranged around a core 2 . A cross section through the secondary winding 3 of the core is shown. An example of a secondary "winding" is shown in conduit structure 4 .

Figure 7 further illustrates this embodiment of the invention. A conduit for a flow path 5 for the passage of an electrically conductive medium 6 is provided next to the core 2 as the secondary winding 3 . The first primary 7 and the second primary 8 are arranged in reverse configuration. Since they are arranged in opposite fashion, in this way the external electric fields generated by the windings cancel each other out.

A voltage is applied to the first and second primary 7 , 8 and when current is passed through the secondary winding 3 a current is induced in the conductive medium 6 . The voltage and generated current are preferably pulsed and timed in such a way that each "section" or volume of the conductive medium of the secondary winding is induced by the generated current. The present invention applies voltage and timing, and generates an induced current sufficient to disturb, stun or kill living things in a conductive medium.

It has also been advantageously found that, during use of the present invention, the induced current is only sufficient to disturb and/or stun the organism so that, for example, the organism cannot attach itself to the interior of the catheter as it passes through the conduit and is then expelled. However, for applications such as food disinfection, levels must be achieved to effectively kill the organisms.

Obviously, different currents, voltages and timings can be used depending on the desired effect. For example, in nautical applications, to kill or stun barnacles, etc. In view of this, a specific voltage can be applied to the primary to form a specific voltage gradient and thus, a specific current density is induced in seawater.

Along with this, the inventors have made further improvements in arranging multiple primary windings in relation to a single secondary winding. When the current in seawater is high enough, the kill of biofouling species is limited by the resistance of the seawater loop. The secondary voltage is effectively increased by multiple primary and single secondary windings in the form of a boost structure.

Figure 8 shows a preferred form of the invention comprising multiple primary stages. For example, this embodiment may be used on cooling ducts used to provide cooling fluid to marine engines. When seawater 6 or a conductive medium enters the invention, its path is split, wherein some seawater passes through the first primary 7 and some passes through the second primary 8 . Zone 3 and the entire water circuit secondary form the current-induced secondary load of the invention.

The secondary conduit is preferably electrically insulating, such as PVC pipe.

Figure 9 shows a driver circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention. An alternating current (AC) power supply 9 provides power to a high voltage supply (High Voltage supply) 10 . For marine applications, the voltage source may be about 1000V to 2000V. Together with a timer 12 and a driver circuit 13 , a pulse shaper 11 of a suitable circuit is used to deliver energy pulses to the primary 7 and 8 . Conductive media 3 and 6 in the conduit form the secondary.

Figure 10 shows the preferred timing pulses for this embodiment. According to the application of the present invention, a plurality of pulses 14 with a period of about 700 nanoseconds is preferably used in marine applications. One or more pulses may be used depending on the level of current to be induced in the conductive fluid. For example, depending on the flow rate of the fluid in the conduit and the application of the invention, an 8 to 10 microsecond delay between pulses, or pulse trains, may be provided. Many researchers have examined the effects of electrical pulses on various types of aquatic animals and other living species. It is known and supported by the literature that a pulse of the proper magnitude will kill many types of marine organisms representing biofouling organisms. Depending on the application to which the invention is adapted, suitable pulses may be induced into the conductive medium.

The magnetic core of the present invention can be made of various materials such as steel, metal alloys, ferrite or amorphous alloys (metallic glasses).

There are many applications of the present invention, including but not limited to:

the induction of electric currents in media such as fluids (e.g. water or blood) and related products,

● Favorable treatment or sterilization of food products, wherein the organisms are disturbed, killed or stunned by the electric current delivered by the invention,

● water treatment such as drinking water and/or water used for industrial treatment (such as for cooling towers etc., where (in addition) Legionella and other similar organisms can grow),

devices and/or methods that can deliver electrical current to remote objects, for example, with respect to high voltage stun guns (tasers) used to deliver electrical current to living things such as animals and humans,

Various medical applications, where the delivery of electric current is used in surgery and other medical treatments,

• Conduits or water storage devices (such as ballast) inside boats, ships or submarines may become constricted by the presence of organisms in the seawater. The present invention relates to mitigating or preventing transport of biofouling and species,

• In the treatment of liquid storage containers and sites (such as containers, tanks, dams, irrigation systems, etc.). The present invention may be used with fluid transfer systems in which water is removed from water with algae or other unwanted Treatment of water in dams or storage tanks.

●Sterilize drinking water to prevent diseases such as cholera.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it should be understood that other modifications may be made thereto. This application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as generally follow the principles of the invention and to the extent that they come within known or customary practice in the technical field to which the invention pertains, or so long as they can be applied to the essential features set forth hereinbefore. Any variation uses or adaptations of the invention.

Since the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the present invention, it should be understood that unless otherwise stated, the above-mentioned embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention, but should be broadly understood to include within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various changes and equivalents are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. It is therefore to be understood that the specific examples are illustrative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function claims are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but equivalent structures. For example, when a nail has a cylindrical surface to hold wooden parts together and a screw has a helical surface to hold wooden parts together, the nail or screw may not be structurally In the context of , nails and screws are equivalent structures.

When "comprises/comprising" is used in this specification, they are used to describe the presence of specified features, integers, steps or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers , steps, components, and combinations thereof.

Claims (24)

1. A transformer structure, comprising: primary winding; secondary winding; core, Wherein, the secondary winding is a conductive medium in an insulating pipe. 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive medium is a fluid or a multiphase slurry. 3. A structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein there are a plurality of primary windings. 4. A structure as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein there is only one secondary winding. 5. A structure as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein at least two secondary windings are arranged in parallel. 6. A structure as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the number of turns in the secondary winding is only one turn. 7. A structure as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein there are multiple turns in the secondary winding. 8. A structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the windings are arranged to substantially reduce or provide very little radiated external electric field. 9. A structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the windings are arranged to provide a substantially higher radiating external electric field. 10. A transformer comprising the structure according to any one of claims 1-9. 11. A device adapted to apply electrical current to a living being in a conductive medium, said device comprising: A structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9; pipes to provide the medium as the secondary winding; and The power supply device is used to transmit electric energy to the primary winding. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the medium is a conductive medium. 13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the electrical energy is transferred with electrical isolation of the electrically conductive medium. 14. A device as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the device provides a voltage gradient to the medium. 15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the apparatus provides electrical current to the medium. 16. A fluid treatment device comprising a device as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15. 17. A boat or watercraft comprising a device as claimed in claim 16. 18. Apparatus according to claim 16 for use in fluid handling in said aquaculture industry. 19. A method of constructing a transformer for applying electrical current to a living being in a conductive medium, said method comprising the steps of: set the primary winding; The conductive medium is provided as a secondary winding. 20. A method of applying electrical energy to an organism in a conductive medium, said method comprising the steps of: providing a transformer structure as disclosed herein; At least one pulse of electrical energy is induced into the conductive medium by applying electrical energy to the primary winding of the transformer. 21. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is used to disturb or stun a living being. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is used to kill an organism. 16. A method as disclosed herein. 17. An apparatus and/or apparatus as disclosed herein.

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