Method and system for injecting RF signal into a fluid-containing system
A method and system for injecting a pulsed radio frequency signal into a fluid-containing system in order to create and propagate an electromagnetic field throughout the fluid-containing system. The electromagnetic field may be used to prevent the formation and build-up of scale in the fluid-containing system and/or to prevent the proliferation of bacteria within the fluid-containing system. The method and system may also be used to inject a pulsed radio frequency signal at a number of points in a fluid-containing system, or to inject a pulsed radio frequency signal to a number of independent fluid-containing systems.
1. A method of injecting a radio frequency signal into a fluid-containing system to resist the formation and build-up of scale deposits in the system, the method comprising the steps of
introducing a pulsed radio frequency signal in a primary coil of a transformer, and
injecting the signal into a fluid-containing system through an operative connection between a first terminal of a secondary coil of the transformer and a conduit of the fluid-containing system;
wherein a second terminal of the secondary coil of the transformer is operably connected to ground; and
wherein, in use, the method causes propagation of an electromagnetic signal in the conduit, thereby resisting the formation and build-up of scale deposits in the fluid-containing system.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal has a frequency between 100 and 200 kHz.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the signal has a frequency between 120 and 180 kHz.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal is pulsed randomly in the range of 5 to 20 kHz.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transformer is a toroidal transformer having a ferrite ring core.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-containing system comprises a conductive conduit and the signal is injected into the fluid-containing system through a connection between the first terminal and the conductive conduit.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-containing system comprises a non-conductive conduit and the signal is injected into the fluid-containing system through a connection between the first terminal and a conductive material inserted to a section of the non-conductive conduit.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-containing system comprises a non-conductive conduit and the signal is injected into the fluid-containing system through a connection between the first terminal and a conductive material clamped onto a section of the non-conductive conduit.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second terminal of the secondary coil is operably connected to ground through a capacitor.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating a pulsed radio frequency signal.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the pulsed radio frequency signal is generated by a microcontroller having a digital to analog converter.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the pulsed radio frequency signal is increased in voltage and/or amplified before it is introduced to the primary coil of the transformer.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the pulsed radio frequency signal is generated by a series LC circuit, in which the primary coil of the transformer acts as an inductor.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of generating a pulsed radio frequency signal further comprises
generating a pulsed current, and
switching the pulsed current into the series LC circuit.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the pulsed current is shifted and amplified before it is switched into the series LC circuit.
16. A method of injecting a radio frequency signal into a fluid-containing system to resist the formation and build-up of scale deposits in the system, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil, the secondary coil having a first terminal and a second terminal;
operatively connecting the first terminal of the secondary coil to a conduit of the fluid-containing system;
operably connecting the second terminal of the secondary coil to ground;
introducing a pulsed radio frequency signal in the primary coil of a transformer;
injecting the signal into the fluid-containing system through the operative connection between the first terminal of the secondary coil and the conduit in the fluid-containing system; and
in response to injecting the signal into the fluid-containing system, propagating an electromagnetic signal in the conduit, thereby resisting the formation and build-up of scale deposits in the fluid-containing system.
17. A method of treating a fluid-containing system in order to resist the formation and build-up of scale deposits, comprising:
providing a transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil, the secondary coil having a first terminal and a second terminal;
operatively connecting the first terminal of the secondary coil to a conduit of the fluid-containing system;
operably connecting the second terminal of the secondary coil to ground;
introducing a pulsed radio frequency signal in the primary coil of a transformer;
injecting the signal into the fluid-containing system through the operative connection between the first terminal of the secondary coil and the conduit in the fluid-containing system; and
in response to injecting the signal into the fluid-containing system, propagating an electromagnetic signal in the conduit, thereby resisting the formation and build-up of scale deposits in the fluid-containing system.