Abstract: An apparatus for imparting an electric field to water travelling within a pipe. The apparatus includes a plurality of rectangularly-shaped coils of electric wire connected in an electrically parallel arrangement. Each coil is sandwiched between flexible cover sheets. The resulting assembly is applied to the outer circumference of the pipe, with the lengthwise dimension of the coil extending perpendicularly to the flow inside the pipe. A time-varying electric current is applied to the coil to produce a corresponding electric field. This, in turn, produces controlled precipitation of mineral ions from the water.

Abstract: The "hardness" of water flowing through a pipe, and attributable to ions dissolved in the water, is reduced by producing molecular agitation in the water to transform the ions into much larger crystals, followed by filtration using a conventional filter having a mesh size much larger than the size of the ions, but smaller than the size of the crystals.

Abstract: A humidifier is provided of the type which has a water tank or reservoir for holding tap water. Common tap water frequently is "hard" due to dissolved minerals which result in the humidifier emitting a fine dust when such water is used. By affixing electroplated electrodes to the interior of the tank minerals such as calcium carbonate can precipitate on the surface of the cathodes. Temporarily reversing the polarity of the electrodes will cause the calcium carbonate to be dislodged from the electrodes and fall to the bottom of the reservoir where it can be removed.

Abstract: For producing controlled precipitation in fluid flowing through a pipe, a coil of electric wire is applied to the pipe segment in which this controlled precipitation is to be produced. This coil may be in the form of an induction coil wrapped around the pipe. Or the coil may be of a flat, rectangular spiral form. In any case, the coil is applied in such a way that the center of its curvature does not coincide with the pipe axis. Instead, this center of coil curvature is offset from the pipe axis. Preferably, this offset is approximately equal to the radius of the pipe.

Abstract: For producing controlled precipitation in fluid flowing through a pipe, a coil of electric wire, of flat, generally rectangular spiral shape, is sandwiched between flexible cover sheets. The resulting assembly is applied to the outer circumference of the pipe, with the lengthwise dimension of the coil extending perpendicularly to the flow inside the pipe. A time-varying electric current is applied to the coil to produce a corresponding magnetic field. This, in turn, causes induction which produces the controlled precipitation.

Abstract: An electronic descaling system to prevent or remove mineral deposits by exposing moving fluids to magnetic and electric fields includes an improved power supply. In particular, the power supply adapts to the varying length, diameter and impedance of attached coil and cable combinations, and still provides the proper current and power levels to effectuate electronic descaling. A constant current D.C. power supply having a regulated D.C. current output level is provided. The substantially constant D.C. current output is then switched in a switching circuit responsive to a switching control signal to provide a bi-directional current through the coil in one direction and then switched to conduct current through the coil in the other direction. The switching frequency of the switching control signal is time variable or constant. The present improved current driver adapts for such varying frequencies while providing a substantially constant D.C.