Permanent magnet array iron filter

• US 7,662,282 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2006
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Incorporated (Iowa State University)
• Original Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Incorporated (Iowa State University)
• Inventors: Lee, Seong-Jae, O'Neel, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Reifsnyder; David A
• Application Number:
  US11/616,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20080149549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 210/222, 210/223, 184/6.25
• US Class Current: 210/222
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/288 disposed at the outer circumference of a recipient
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/18 Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/22 characterised by the magnetical field, special shape or generation
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/30 for use in or with vehicles

Abstract

A permanent magnet array iron filter has a generally circular collar made of a high magnetic permeability material with a plurality of magnetic assemblies interiorly disposed longitudinally around an interior circumference therein. Each magnetic assembly has two magnets with opposite poles facing the center of the filter and a gap between the adjacent assemblies. This arrangement intensifies the resultant magnetic field and projects the field deeply within the interior region of the filter. Rare earth permanent magnets are used to maximize the magnetic field. The collar may be coated with a plastic coating to protect the filter. The collar has a gap to provide flexibility when sliding the filter over an oil filter. The thickness of the collar may be adjusted to meet the requirements of a particular application.

Claims

1. A permanent magnet array iron filter comprising:

a generally circular collar having an inner surface and outer surface;

a plurality of magnetic assemblies longitudinally disposed at selected intervals along said inner surface;

said magnetic assemblies having two magnets adjacently contacting and parallel with each other;

said two magnets each having an opposite pole radially facing said inner surface; and

said magnetic assemblies being arranged parallel with each other; and

a plurality of longitudinal gaps selectively spaced between each magnetic assembly whereby a magnetic effect is optimized for long range capturing and holding of iron particles within an oil filter.

2. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said collar is made of a high magnetic permeability metal.

3. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said collar is a high magnetic permeability metal selected from the group consisting of iron-silicon alloys, amorphous alloys, nano-crystalline alloys, nickel-iron alloys and soft ferrites.

4. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of magnetic assemblies have a thickness selected to maximize said magnetic field for a selected application.

5. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said generally circular collar is formed of a sheet of magnetic permeability metal.

6. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said generally circular collar is formed of at least two sheets of magnetic permeability metal.

7. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said magnets are rare earth magnets.

8. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said generally circular collar has a height selected to match an application.

9. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of magnetic assemblies have a height selected to match an application.

10. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said generally circularly collar is made of an elastic material and has a gap disposed along a length thereof whereby said generally circular collar flexes to securely fit around an oil filter disposed therein.

11. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 10 wherein said elastic material is spring steel.

12. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said collar is coated with a corrosion resistant material.

13. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 12 wherein said corrosion resistant material is plastic.

14. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 further comprising a flange portion that projects towards a center of said permanent magnetic array iron filter and disposed on at least one of a top and bottom of said generally circular collar to provide protection for said magnetic assemblies.

15. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said magnets are bar magnets.

16. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said collar has a thickness selected to match an application.

17. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said at least two magnets are isosceles trapezoids with dimensions selected to align with a center of said permanent magnetic array iron filter.

18. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein said generally circular collar has a gap disposed along a length thereof whereby said generally circular collar flexes to securely fit around an oil filter disposed therein.

19. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein a gap facing side of said magnetic assembly is arranged to have an opposite polarity as an adjacent gap facing side of another said magnetic assembly.

20. A permanent magnet array iron filter according to claim 1 wherein a gap facing side of said magnetic assembly is arranged to have a like polarity as an adjacent gap facing side of another said magnetic assembly.