Passive Electromagnetic Device for Rising Damp Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for addressing capillary rise in building walls are either laborious, destructive, environmentally harmful, require continuous electricity, or have maintenance issues, and lack reliability and compactness.

Innovation Solution

A passive electromagnetic device with concentric electrical circuits embedded in an insulating medium, capable of phase-shifting the earth's electromagnetic field to neutralize capillary rise, operating without power supply and allowing for discreet, localized treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrophoresis or electro-osmosis processes are implemented with electrodes, then capillary rise can be stopped, but the device requires continuous electricity and periodic maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of stopping capillary riseVSAvoidcontinuous electricity requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic device operates passively using the Earth's natural electromagnetic field, eliminating the need for external power sources. The device self-regulates by detecting and counteracting the capillary rise phenomenon through its resonant circuits, requiring no human intervention or energy input once installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the active electro-osmosis system with electrodes and power sources with a passive electromagnetic resonant system. Instead of using electrical fields generated by powered electrodes, the device uses naturally occurring Earth electromagnetic fields interacted with through resonant LC circuits to achieve the same capillary rise prevention effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If resin or gel based on active chemical compounds is injected into damp walls, then capillary rise is stopped, but the process is laborious, destructive, and uses harmful products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of stopping capillary riseVSAvoidinstallation complexity and destructiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical injection process of chemical resins or gels with a passive electromagnetic field-based system. Instead of physically penetrating and injecting substances into wall structures, the device uses electromagnetic resonance to interact with and neutralize the capillary rise phenomenon at a distance, eliminating the need for drilling, injection equipment, and chemical materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic device acts as an intermediary between the Earth's electromagnetic field and the damp wall structure. Rather than directly injecting chemicals into the wall, the device uses electromagnetic fields as a mediator to transmit energy and achieve capillary rise prevention without physical contact or destruction of the wall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If complex windings and electronic components are used in passive electromagnetic devices, then power supply is not required, but operating failures can occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveno power supply requiredVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple, localized conductive elements arranged in specific geometric patterns rather than complex windings. Each conductive element is a simple loop or trace on the film, minimizing the number of components and potential failure points while maintaining the necessary electromagnetic functionality through their geometric arrangement and resonance properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses a composite structure combining conductive material traces on an electrically insulating flexible film. This composite design integrates the electromagnetic functionality directly into a single flexible component, eliminating the need for separate complex windings, capacitors, and electronic components that could fail, while maintaining the passive resonant operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Area of stationary object

If treatment devices are installed to cover large areas, then more walls can be treated, but the device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage area of treatmentVSAvoiddevice construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple independent flexible treatment films that can be individually installed on different wall sections. Each film is a simple, self-contained unit that can be easily positioned and activated independently, allowing coverage of large areas through modular installation rather than using a single large complex device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from three-dimensional complex electromagnetic structures to two-dimensional flexible films with printed or traced conductive patterns. This dimensional reduction simplifies the device construction dramatically while maintaining treatment effectiveness, as the electromagnetic resonance can be achieved through planar conductive geometries on flexible substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively and sustainably treats rising damp in walls by canceling the potential difference driving water migration, leading to complete drying of walls within 6 to 18 months, with no maintenance or electricity requirements, and covering a significant area.

Implementation Method 1

A passive electromagnetic device with concentric electrical circuits embedded in an insulating medium, capable of phase-shifting the earth's electromagnetic field to neutralize capillary rise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field phase-shifting: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The device includes four parallel oscillating circuits associated with two radiating dipoles which create a counter-field electrically out of phase with the initial electromagnetic field which generates the capillary rises

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCounter-field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

rising water from the ground. In the latter case, these are the foundation walls of a house which does not have a watertight capillary break level and which are often subject to the geology of the soil or which are built on damp land or close to 'a water table. The humidity then penetrates into the foundation walls, then into those of the building by capillary effect.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP2246494B1Electromagnetic device for treating damp and treatment method comprising same
Publication Date: 2012.04.25 AXE ASSECHEMENT
  • EP2246494B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2246494B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2246494B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4d

AI summary

The device has a plate (22) arranged in a case that is made of a material permeable to electromagnetic field, where the plate has an electric circuit assembly (25) comprising three coplanar electric circuits. Each circuit is made of electric wired conductor, where each conductor is enrolled for forming continuous plane loops (b1-b14). The loops are in the form of a ring, where the loops are arranged in a concentric manner with respect to each other. Slots (f1-f9) of the loops are diametrically opposite, and the circuits are embedded in an insulated electric medium. An independent claim is also included for a method for treating ascent humidity in wall of a building.