GB2367106A - Method and apparatus for the treatment of conduits by means of a pulsed or varying energy input signal - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus for the treatment of conduits for liquid, such as pipes for transmitting beer from a supply to a dispensing valve, provides for treatment by means of an energy signal, for example an electromagnetic waveform having a defined wave format, for example saw tooth, which is applied to the conduit by means of a winding around a portion thereof. The method and apparatus substantially reduce the extent fo maintenance required for compliance with hygiene regulations.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF CONDUITS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the treatment of conduits and the like. The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of conduits used for the transfer of beer from storage vessels to a point of dispensing or delivery. Typically, such apparatus and method is employed in public houses and other such locations in which beer is dispensed from pressurised containers located in a store and transferred through suitable pipe work to beer-dispensing taps or outlets at a bar.

The invention may well find application to conduits for conveying other liquids to be dispensed and possibly also to treat the treatment of apparatus which is not strictly a conduit in the usual sense of the word, however the invention is particularly applicable to tubes and the like in which beer or a similar liquid is resident for significant periods of time and this leads to a need for treatment by way of cleansing or otherwise in order to avoid the build up of matter or the occurrence of reactions whether chemical or biological or the like, or indeed any other progressive or similar change which could lead to contamination of the beer or a decrease in its quality.

In short, it is well know that beer pipes or the like need regular cleaning and much effort has been put into providing systems and methods and apparatus which ease or simplify or make more rapid such treatment of the beer pipes. Mechanical systems and chemical systems and hybrid systems have been attempted, but all with limited success.

Equally, attempts have been made to provide a system in which energy is applied to the conduit, for example in the form of an oscillating magnetic field or an oscillating or pulsating wave in a fluid medium.

However previous attempts to achieve the necessary effects by the use of energy input employing magnetic fields and wave formats have not been successful. Amongst other factors leading to other such lack of success has been inability to comply with regulatory requirements for systems which generate and release energy waves such as magnetic radition due to the potential of such systems for causing interference with important equipment such as heart pacemakers radios, TVs and the like in which the application of an energy signal can lead to defective operation.

Accordingly, I have identified a requirement for a method and apparatus capable of effecting treatment of conduits and the like which are used for conveying beer and like liquids which is capable of effecting the required treatment to produce sustained cleaning and/or avoidance of contamination and/or other benefits as discussed above and which achieves a better compromise with the requirement to avoid interference with other systems and apparatus and/or complies with regulatory requirements and/or provides general improvements.

In short, I have realised that there is a requirement for apparatus and a method which is at the same time adequately effective for treatment purposes while the operation of such apparatus is not rendered illegal or unacceptable by virtue of the regulatory requirements discussed above.

Such a compromise is technically difficult to achieve because technical investigation has shown that adjustment of the energy input signal to a level which allows the apparatus to meet the regulatory requirements has the effect that the level of treatment of the conduit is no longer acceptable for practical purposes. Accordingly, some significant difference of approach is required and I have discovered that by the adoption of a modified energy input signal, there can be achieved just such a compromise and

according to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method and apparatus in which a modified energy signal is applied to the conduit or the like in accordance with matters discussed below.

In an embodiment of the invention representing one aspect of the invention the modified energy signal provides a pulsed or varying energy input in contrast to the static fields provided by previously proposed apparatus.

In another embodiment of the invention according to a second aspect of the invention the modified energy signal comprises a wave form adapted to effect the aforesaid compromise. One such wave form known to the applicant is a saw tooth waveform. The saw tooth waveform may have a variety of saw tooth formats including the format produced by the disclosed apparatus in the accompanying drawing and variants thereof. The signal applied to the beer conduit may be generally of square wave format. The frequency of the signal may lie between audio and radio frequencies.

Broadly, embodiments of the invention provide waveforms of the kind generated by the apparatus and circuit diagram disclosed herein.

Typically, in an embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises a signal generator operating between audio and radio frequencies. The signal generator comprises an oscilator generating a saw tooth or ramp-profile signal connected to a wave profile modifying circuit such as a voltage controlled oscillator, which produces a square wave which represents the output of the energy signal generating circuit. This signal is feed to signal application means comprising in the embodiment a coil of wire wrapped around the beer conduit.. Similar or different signal application means may be provided at intervals along the beer conduit as required.

There now follows a description of an embodiment of the invention together with corresponding circuit diagrams and other data to which reference is directed.

Magnetic fields are characterised by their nature of low reproducibility, moreover the explanations that are given regarding the function of the various devices invoke negative counterclaims of, (They don't work). All of the work and research in relationship to magnetic fields has been to determine the fluid flow through a transverse magnetic field of induced current, Magnetohydrodynamics and fluid velocity in conjunction with the addition of collodial suspensions through a magnetic field is complex, and depends on several important factors of which all have to be taken into account and overcome, by means of constant research and development. Factors that have to be taken into account are (a) Unique product design, superior quality and in conjunction with full conformity are of paramount importance, thus assuring the equipment is efficient, reliable and dependable, so as under no circumstances there are no adverse effects or interference to impair the already high standards of beer quality (b) Radio, Computerised tills, Satellite and television equipment, plus even the more sophisticated electronic equipment etc.

To enable the above factors to be addressed and overcome the system has been designed and developed to operate using AC signals from a PLUS to MINUS on a continually and constantly repetative scale, irrespective of any amount of lines (Power Outlets) of which range from 1 to 13 per PCB, product layout, a 12Volts power supply via a sweep frequency generator. The incorparation of this generator ensures the equipment operates above Audio and under Radio Frequencies and of a two part configuration, the first being a free running oscillator derived by the use of a 555 component which emits a near sawtooth (RAMP) signal. This is fed into a Voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) of which produces a changing square waves

configuration which is dependant on the input voltage from the 555 ramp generator.

This signal, varying in frequency, is fed into each output transistor via a 47k resistor, and in turn is coupled up to each operating coil via a O. luf capacitor on each end, and ensures the assembled and completed equipment is guaranteed to have a uniform output and signal configuration at all power outlets. The Unique design usinq AC signals, as opposed to DC signals is what appears to be the breakthrough in the overall product development for EEC Ltd.

The DC supply equipment designs, which have been used before have failed to have any consistency in signal outputs, strength, uniformity and conformity as this operated on UHF radio frequencies (they in reality) were noise generators of which always ran one way, hence this in turn interfered with almost all receivers and transducers, TV, and satellite, and electronic equipment, etc.

The magnetic induction's run in conjunction with the AC sonic band of frequencies, and the Beer is treated as it passes through the coil of induced current, resulting in flocculation due to the influence of magnetic fields on the hydrodynamic properties in beer, keeping the aggregates under control by creating turbulence in the beer lines, The result is a UNIOUE FOMULATION, AND A BACTERIA INHIBITING SYSTEM THAT WORKS, AND ENDEAVOURS TO AID TOWARDS THE CONSERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

Electronics The Unit is mains powered at 230V 50 Hz A single PCB contains all, a 15 volt power supply for the sweep frequency generator, a 12 Volt power supply for the 13 output circuits, the sweep frequency generator and the output circuits.

The sweep frequency generator runs above audio and under radio frequencies and consists of two parts, first a free running oscillator derived from a 555 which supplies a near sawtooth (ramp) signal. This is fed into a Voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) which produces a changing square wave dependant on the input voltage from the 555 ramp generator. This signal, varying in frequency, is fed into each output transistor via a 47K resistor, the output transistor has its output connected to each operating coil via a 0-1 uF capacitor on each end.

The output coil is a length of instrument wire wrapped around the plastic pipe containing the beer to be treated with a number of coils depending on the length of pipe and other considerations.

The disclosure in this application is intended to be by way of example only and it is to be understood that alternative materials and dimensions and means may be employed, as may be judged appropriate by the man skilled in the art, having regard to the purpose and advantages of the disclosed embodiments. Likewise, it is intended that the features specifically disclosed herein, suitably broadened in accordance with the foregoing sentence, will, in due course, form a basis for a selection of features defining an invention having novelty and inventive step, such selection to be made in due course, in accordance with the purpose and advantages of the disclosed embodiments.

Where, in the foregoing description, certain features are disclosed in combination with each other, it is to be understood that these features are not necessarily intended to be limited to use in combination for the purposes of the invention in general, and it is hereby stated that features disclosed herein are to be treated independently selectable for the purposes of the invention claimed.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS 1. Method for effecting treatment of conduits and the like which are used for conveying beer and like liquids comprising applying to such conduit or the like by means of a coil or the like a pulsed or varying energy input signal adapted to effect cleaning and/or avoidance of contamination.
2. 2. A method according to claim 1 characterised by said pulsed or varying energy input signal comprising a saw tooth waveform or a ramp profile waveform.
3. 3. A method according to claim 1 characterised by said pulsed or varying energy input comprising a square wave waveform.
4. 4. Apparatus for effecting a method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. 5. A method for effecting treatment of conduits and the like which are used for conveying beer and like liquids substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. 6. Apparatus for effecting treatment of conduits and the like which are used for conveying beer and like liquids substantially as described herein.