US20110197349A1

US20110197349A1 - Magnetic Force Enhanced Drain Plug

Info

Publication number: US20110197349A1
Application number: US13/029,088
Authority: US
Inventors: Seong-Jae Lee; Dennis O'Neel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-16
Filing date: 2011-02-16
Publication date: 2011-08-18

Abstract

A drain plug comprising of a plurality of polarity magnets arranged in an alternating fashion. The plurality of polarity magnets are arranged in line with the drain plug. A magnet cover envelops the plurality of polarity magnets for easy cleaning. The unique alternating arrangements of the plurality of polarity magnets help increase the magnetic gradient for stronger attraction forces for metal wear particles. The use of a plurality of polarity magnets also increase the surface area where the metal particles can be held.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/304,995 filed on Feb. 16, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a drain plug which employs specially arranged permanent magnets as to attract and hold ferrous metal particles effectively. The objective of the present invention is to remove ferrous metal particles from a lubricating or hydraulics system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In lubricating or hydraulic systems, any moving parts generate abrasive ferrous metal particles which are harmful to the moving parts. These ferrous particles range in size from sub-micron and larger. It is important to prevent these wear particles from circulating through the lubricating or hydraulic systems.
One method that has been practiced for this purpose is magnetic drain plug. Typically magnetic drain plug uses a simple cylindrical rod permanent magnet of which magnetization direction is along the cylindrical axis of the rod. In this simple design, ferrous wear particles are captured only at the tip of cylinder rod, which is a small area. Furthermore, magnetic field force from the tip of the cylinder magnet rod is not strong enough to capture and hold sub-micron sized ferrous wear particles. This simple design offers simple fabrication and compact shape, but no large capturing area and no strong magnetic force enough to produce strong pulling power enough to hold captured particles of sub-micron size. Also, this elementary design does not hold such tiny particles on magnet surface under violently turbulent oil movements. Therefore, it is necessary to design a new magnetic drain plug, which offers bigger surface capturing area and strong magnetic force. The presented invention overcomes such problems by providing a larger surface area and strong magnetic force for capturing ferrous metal particles. A secondary application for present invention achieves bonding iron particulates to a chemical which in turn bonds to a pollutant or an unwanted substance within a mixture then the magnetic field of the present invention will pull/filter out the un-wanted material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention where there are two polarity magnets for the plurality of polarity magnets.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention where the magnet cover is removed from the plurality of polarity magnets. The arrows shown on the plurality of polarity magnets represent the direction of the magnets polarity. The unique arrangement allows the present invention to have an increased magnetic field gradient for stronger magnetic attraction force for ferrous metal wear particles.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention where the magnet cover is removed from the plurality of polarity magnets. The arrows shown on the plurality of polarity magnets represent the direction of the magnets polarity. In this embodiment of the present invention the direction of the magnet's polarity is parallel to the length of each magnet. The magnets are arranged with alternating polarities to have an increased magnetic field gradient for stronger magnetic attraction force for ferrous metal wear particles.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention where there are four polarity magnets for the plurality of polarity magnets. The magnet cover is shown removed from the plurality of polarity magnets. The arrows shown on the plurality of polarity magnets represent the direction of the magnets polarity. The unique arrangement allows the present invention to have an increased magnetic field gradient for stronger magnetic attraction force for ferrous metal wear particles.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
A larger surface area can capture more number of wear particles and a stronger magnetic force produces bigger pulling and holding power for ferrous wear particles. A stronger magnetic force is required to attract smaller mass or volume of ferrous wear particles. The present invention follows such parameters for a design that offers much larger magnetic surface area on which ferrous particles can be attached and also offers much stronger pulling and holding magnetic power enough to attract particles of sub-micron size and to hold such tiny particles under fast moving oil around magnet surfaces of magnetic drain plug 1. Another application for the present invention is to achieve bonding of iron particulates to a chemical which in turn bonds to a pollutant or an unwanted substance within a mixture. The magnetic field emitted by the present invention will pull and filter out the unwanted materials. The present invention comprises of a drain plug 1, a plurality of polarity magnets 2, and a magnet cover 3. The drain plug 1 in the present invention is specially shaped to accommodate the plurality of polarity magnets 2 to create a strong magnetic gradient for a strong magnetic field to attract and hold ferromagnetic particles. The plurality of polarity magnets 2 are arranged and held in a manner that a larger magnetic field is created. The magnet cover 3 also serves to hold the plurality of polarity magnets 2 together, but also serves as a covering mechanism that provides easy cleaning of the drain plug 1.
In reference to FIG. 2, the drain plug 1 comprises of a threaded portion 11 and a bolt head 12. The threaded portion 11 of the drain plug 1 has a tip end and also comprises of a magnet port 111. The magnet port 111 is a cavity that is positioned on the tip end. The cavity of the magnet port 111 traverses through the threaded portion 11. The bolt head 12 is connected to the threaded portion 11 opposite of the magnet port 111. The plurality of polarity magnets 2 are inserted and secured inside the magnet port 111. The plurality of polarity magnets 2 are arranged in alternating relationship with the polarities of each magnet positioned in an alternating fashion. The magnet port 111 is shaped to fit the cross section of the bundle of the plurality of polarity magnets 2. The alternating positioned of each of the plurality of polarity magnets 2 creates a stronger magnetic field gradient for a stronger attracting force for the ferromagnetic metal particles inside the oil of a lubricating or hydraulics system.
In reference to FIG. 1-5, to additionally secure the plurality of polarity magnets 2, the present invention makes use of the magnet cover 3. With the plurality of polarity magnets 2 being elongated magnets, the magnet cover 3 having is a sheath like component that conforms to the shape of the plurality of polarity magnets 2. The magnet cover 3 has a base end. The magnet cover 3 envelops the plurality of magnets to completely cover and hold the magnets together. In addition to its ability to structurally stabilize of the present invention, the magnet cover 3 also serves as a convenient component that allows for easy cleaning. The magnet cover 3 can be made of a ferromagnetic material or a large portion of non-magnetic material on the outer surface with a small portion of ferromagnetic material on the inner surface. Although the magnet cover 3 envelops the plurality of polarity magnets 2, the plurality of polarity magnets 2 are still able to attract metal particles from the lubrication and hydraulics system. The metal particles are held directly onto the magnet cover 3. The magnet cover 3 serves as a barrier for the metal particles from directly contacting the plurality of polarity magnets 2. Being a removable cover, the user of the present invention is able to slide the magnet cover 3 and wipe the magnet cover 3 clean of the metal particles. To additionally ensure that the metal particles do not directly contact the plurality of polarity magnets 2, the magnet cover 3 further comprises of a base brim 31. The base brim 31 is peripherally positioned on the base end of the magnet cover 3. The base brim 31 ensures that metal particles only contact the magnet cover 3. When the magnet cover 3 is being slid off for cleaning, the base brim 31 ensures that the metal particles do not slide off onto the plurality of polarity magnets 2. The brim is no larger than the diameter of the drain plug 1.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are two magnets for the plurality of polarity magnets 2. The two magnets are adjacently placed to each other with alternating polarities, as shown in FIG. 3-4. By placing the paired magnets with opposite magnetic polarities, the unit produces a larger magnetic gradient leading to a stronger magnetic force for attracting and holding the ferrous metal wear particles.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of polarity magnets 2 can include more magnets to increase the surface area for capturing more ferrous metal wear particles. The additional number of magnets can contribute in creating a stronger magnetic attracting force for the ferrous metal wear particles. In this embodiment of the present invention, two magnet pairs are placed adjacent to each other, as shown in FIG. 5.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A magnetic force enhanced drain plug comprises,

a drain plug;

a plurality of polarity magnets;

a magnet cover;

the drain plug comprises of a threaded portion and a bolt head; and

the magnet cover comprises of a base brim.

2. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the threaded portion having a tip end comprises of a magnet port; and

the magnet port being a cavity positioned on the tip end and traversing through the threaded portion.

3. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 2 comprises,

the bolt head being connected to the threaded portion opposite to the magnet port.

4. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 2 comprises,

the plurality of polarity magnets being inserted and secured inside the magnet port; and

the plurality of polarity magnets being arranged in alternating relationship with the polarities of each magnet positioned in alternating fashion.

5. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 4 comprises,

wherein the alternating positioning of each of the plurality of polarity magnets creates a stronger magnetic field gradient.

6. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the magnet cover having a base end;

the magnet cover being a sheath shaped to conform to the plurality of polarity magnets; and

the base brim being peripherally positioned on the base end.

7. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 6 comprises,

the magnet cover being enveloped about the plurality of magnets.

8. A magnetic force enhanced drain plug comprises,

a drain plug;

a plurality of polarity magnets;

a magnet cover;

the drain plug comprises of a threaded portion and a bolt head;

the magnet cover comprises of a base brim;

the threaded portion having a tip end comprises of a magnet port;

the magnet port being a cavity positioned on the tip end and traversing through the threaded portion;

the magnet cover having a base end;

the base brim being peripherally positioned on the base end.

9. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 8 comprises,

10. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 8 comprises,

11. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 10 comprises,

12. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 8 comprises,

the magnet cover being enveloped about the plurality of magnets.

13. A magnetic force enhanced drain plug comprises,

a drain plug;

a plurality of polarity magnets;

a magnet cover;

the drain plug comprises of a threaded portion and a bolt head;

the magnet cover comprises of a base brim;

the threaded portion having a tip end comprises of a magnet port;

the magnet cover having a base end;

the magnet cover being a sheath shaped to conform to the plurality of polarity magnets;

the base brim being peripherally positioned on the base end;

14. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 13 comprises,

15. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 13 comprises,

16. The magnetic force enhanced drain plug as claimed in claim 13 comprises,

the magnet cover being enveloped about the plurality of magnets.