Impeller With Outer Stationary Ring Patents (Class 366/264)
  • Patent number: 11806682
    Abstract: Viscosity and other properties are determined at desired temperatures in drilling mud and other fluids by using a versatile cavitation device which, operating in the cavitation mode, mixes and heats the fluid to a specified temperature, and, operating in the shear mode, acts as a spindle for application of Couette principles to determine viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate. The invention obviates the practice of adjusting rheology of a drilling fluid by passing it through the drill bit. Drilling fluid may be managed by a “straight-through” method to the well, or by placing the cavitation device in a loop which isolates an aliquot of known volume and circulating the fluid through the loop including the cavitation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SCIDEV ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11602571
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aqueous freshening composition having a plurality of particles suspended by a structurant system is provided. The method includes the steps of: mixing an aqueous carrier and at least 80 wt. % of ion-forming water-soluble ingredients of the freshening composition to form an aqueous premix; subsequently mixing a first polysaccharide into the aqueous premix; mixing a second polysaccharide into the aqueous premix after mixing the first polysaccharide into the aqueous premix to form a structured aqueous composition; and dispersing a plurality of particles into the structured aqueous composition to form the freshening composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Schmitt, Carla Jean Colina, Laura Lynn Heilman, Steven Anthony Horenziak, Brandon Philip Illie, Matthew Lawrence Lynch, Melinda Phyllis Steffey
  • Patent number: 11241661
    Abstract: A stirrer is provided such that a fluid being processed can be more efficiently shown by way of the action of an intermittent jet flow and processing capacity can be improved. The stirrer concentrically includes a rotor that includes a plurality of flat vanes and that rotates, and a screen that is place around the rotor. The screen includes a plurality of slits in the circumferential direction thereof, and screen members that are positioned between adjacent slits. The fluid being processed is discharged by rotation of the rotor from the inside of the screen to the outside as an intermittent jet flow through the slits. The width of the distal working face on the distal end of the vane in the rotational direction is smaller than the width of the basal end of the vane in the rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: M. TECHNIQUE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masakazu Enomura
  • Patent number: 10662951
    Abstract: A fluid pump kit is provided. The kit includes a magnetic driven member for coupling with and rotating a propeller, and a magnetic driver for magnetically coupling to and driving the magnetic driven member by a magnetic attraction force establishable between the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member. A motor of the kit operates the magnetic driver. First and second casings are provided for housing the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member, respectively. The first and second casings with housed magnetic driver and magnetic driven member, respectively, are detachably securable to opposite sides of a non-magnetic spacer solely by the magnetic attraction force establishable between the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member sufficient to support the second casing and the housed magnetic driven member in a particular position without the use of mechanical aids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: EcoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Lawyer, Patrick Clasen, Timothy Marks
  • Patent number: 10040037
    Abstract: A foam material generator has a housing; transmission device on the housing; housing cavity within the housing; pressurizing stirring foaming wheel within the cavity; transmission device transmission shaft connected to the wheel; pressurizing stirrers on the wheel; pressurizing stirrer airflow-facing surface forms an inclined angle with a cross sectional surface in a wheel rotational axis direction; housing cavity inlet is on a cavity end, and a housing cavity outlet is on another end; encircling abrasive disc is on a cavity inner wall adjacent to the outlet; encircling abrasive disc inlet is at a encircling disc middle portion; vortex current abrasive foaming disc is on a wheel end adjacent to the encircling disc; vortex current abrasive foaming disc surface conforms to be in close proximity with an encircling disc surface; and vortex current abrasive foaming cavity is between the surfaces of the vortex current abrasive foam disc and encircling disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventor: Jiubin Chen
  • Patent number: 9572747
    Abstract: The coupling includes drive and driven hubs. The drive hub is mounted to a rotating element and has a surface presenting away therefrom. In the absence of externalities, a magnetic field is produced wherein, if depicted graphically, concentrations of field lines extend from two or more North pole domains defined in the surface to two or more South pole domains defined in the surface, the domains being spaced apart and encircling the rotation axis in alternating relation. The driven hub is disposed in spaced, frontwardly adjacent relation to the drive hub, is fixed to the rotatable element and is at least substantially constrained against movement but for rotation with the rotatable element. The driven hub includes: a rotor body of a non-magnetic, electrically-conductive material having relatively low magnetic permeability; and a flux ring of material having a relatively high magnetically permeability arranged in spaced relation to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Gulfstream Inc.
    Inventors: Minh Sang Tran, Chris Alexander
  • Patent number: 9534602
    Abstract: A fluid pump kit is provided. The kit includes a magnetic driven member for coupling with and rotating a propeller, and a magnetic driver for magnetically coupling to and driving the magnetic driven member by a magnetic attraction force establishable between the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member. A motor of the kit operates the magnetic driver. First and second casings are provided for housing the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member, respectively. The first and second casings with housed magnetic driver and magnetic driven member, respectively, are detachably securable to opposite sides of a non-magnetic spacer solely by the magnetic attraction force establishable between the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member sufficient to support the second casing and the housed magnetic driven member in a particular position without the use of mechanical aids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ecotech Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Lawyer, Patrick Clasen, Timothy Marks
  • Patent number: 9259699
    Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of solid refinery waste is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mixing apparatus for mixing refinery solid waste in a mobile tank. The mixing apparatus may include an agitator, an external support, and an actuator connectable to the external support. The external support may be configured for disposition adjacent to a manhole opening in a top of the mobile tank for supporting the agitator in the mobile tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Maitland Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Rumph
  • Patent number: 9090829
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlled blowing of asphalt comprises a stator block, a rotor, a motor, a gap, a gas conduit, and a porous plug. The rotor resides within a cylindrical interior chamber of the stator block. When engaged, the motor causes the rotor to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rotor. A porous plug is within a gas conduit at an opening into the interior chamber of the stator block. The porous plug allows the gas to pass from the gas conduit into the gap as tiny bubbles. In this way, the asphalt continuously enters the apparatus at the inlet end of the interior chamber, passes through a gap between the interior chamber and the rotor where gas is blown through the porous plug and into the asphalt while the motor rotates the rotor, and exits the apparatus at the outlet end of the interior chamber as blown asphalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: STRATEGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Nigel McGrevy, Jack Nelson Dunigan, Rocky C. Costello
  • Patent number: 8960993
    Abstract: A blender device including a rotor designed to engage with a motor device to be rotated; and an annular ring enclosing the rotor and having at least one axial orifice and a plurality of radial orifices for the passage of the blend. The blender also includes an admission duct for admitting particles intended to be incorporated into the blend, leading into the interior of the annular ring. The blender also effectively dispenses particles in a blend by introducing the particles with a high flow and decreasing product losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: VMI
    Inventors: Jose Cheio De Oliveira, Henri Daheron, Pascal Ricard
  • Patent number: 8911141
    Abstract: A mixing device having at least one rotor supporting mixing blades that is also capable of being rotated. The device further includes an annular ring surrounding the rotor and having at least one axial opening and radial mixing openings associated with the mixing blades so as to allow the passage of the mixture therethrough. At least one particle-conveying line leads to the inside of said ring. The annular ring has a recirculation stage placed between the conveying line and the radial mixing openings and further includes at least two axially consecutive rows of radial openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: VMI
    Inventors: Jose Cheio De Oliveira, Henri Daheron, Pascal Ricard
  • Patent number: 8684590
    Abstract: A device for mixing powder of the like with a liquid, the device including both a dispersion tube having its bottom portion open and designed to be in the liquid and having a delivery orifice for powder or the like in its top portion, and a mixer located in the dispersion tube and including a first rotary stirrer disposed in the vicinity of the bottom end of the dispersion tube and suitable for creating a first downward stream in the dispersion tube. The mixer further includes a second rotary stirrer disposed between the delivery orifice for powder or the like and the first rotary stirrer, and suitable for creating a second downward stream in the dispersion tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sodimate
    Inventors: Carlo Giangrande, Francois-Eudes Lefevre
  • Patent number: 8506156
    Abstract: Provided is a device for diluting a viscous substance which is advantages in increasing frequency of contact between the viscous substance and a diluent in order to finely fragment the viscous substance, even when the viscous substance has a high viscosity, and efficiently dilute the viscous substance with the diluent. The device comprises a viscous substance supply portion 27 for supplying the viscous substance to the dilution chamber 20, a rotor 3 rotatably provided in the dilution chamber 20 and finely fragmenting the viscous substance supplied to the dilution chamber 20 by rotation to form a number of small fragments 92 of the viscous substance, and a diluent supply portion 28 for supplying a diluent such as water vapor to the dilution chamber 20 so that the diluent is contacted with the small fragments 92 formed by rotation of the rotor 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsubouchi, Fumio Takemura
  • Patent number: 8500321
    Abstract: A collapsible water circulation system for relatively small, enclosed tanks such as used by municipalities, fire districts, and industries. The system in its collapsed configuration is designed to fit through the often small access opening in the tank and then to automatically expand to its extended operating configuration, all without the need for any personnel to enter the tank. The system includes a draft tube extending downwardly from a distribution dish to an inlet anchored on the floor of the tank. The system also includes at least three, elongated flotation arms that can be deployed to extend substantially horizontally and outwardly of the dish. An impeller within the dish is operated to draw water up from the anchored inlet through the draft tube to the dish. The water subsequently passes upwardly through the dish over its upper lip and substantially radially outwardly of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey M. Simnioniw, Gary A. Kudrna, Willard R. Tormaschy, Jonathan L. Zent, Joel J. Bleth
  • Patent number: 8444823
    Abstract: A method of mixing paper stock, having improved outlet consistency, includes: (a) feeding liquid and feeding paper pulp into a vessel to form a mixture; (b) providing at least one counterflow impeller that is submerged in the mixture, the counterflow impeller being capable of simultaneously inducing both upward flow and downward flow; (c) rotating the counterflow impeller such that downward flow from the impeller is partially recirculated by upward flow from the impeller to form a mixing zone; (d) sensing a parameter of the mixture discharged from the vessel; and (e) controlling the feed rate of the liquid and the feed rate of the paper pulp in the feeding step (a) based on the sensing step (d). An apparatus for mixing of paper stock, having improved outlet consistency, includes a vessel for containing liquid and paper pulp, at least one counterflow impeller, and a feedback system for controlling outlet consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Philadelphia Mixing Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wojciech Roman Wyczalkowski, Todd Michael Hutchinson, Marc Robards Moseley
  • Patent number: 8398293
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing viscous material includes a chamber having a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom and receiving viscous material to be mixed; a cylindrical draft tube fixed at an inside center of the chamber to be spaced from the bottom and the sidewall and forming a space between the draft tube and the sidewall to allow passage of the viscous material, and including a heat medium passage therein; a carrying impeller installed in the draft tube and driven by a motor to transfer the viscous material above or below the draft tube and suck the viscous material in the space into the draft tube; and a sweeping impeller installed in the space and rotated in a circumferential direction by a motor to apply a pressure to the viscous material so that the viscous material in the space is not adhered to the draft tube and the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: In-Seon Kim, Hyun-Seob Song, Sang-Phil Han, Ji-Hyun Lee, Hyo-Sook Cha
  • Patent number: 8398294
    Abstract: The disclosed device disperses a substance in a liquid. The device has at least one dispersing chamber, which has at least one liquid inlet, at least one substance inlet, and at least one outlet. At least one driving means is placed inside the dispersing chamber while serving to set the liquid inside the dispersing chamber in motion so that at least one cavity with varying volume forms in the liquid for drawing in the substance through the substance inlet and forcing the substance made wet with liquid through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kinematica AG
    Inventor: Beat Troxler
  • Patent number: 8282267
    Abstract: Mixing system comprising: a flexible bag with a mixing device comprising a magnetic impeller; and an alignment facilitation device adapted to facilitate alignment between the magnetic impeller and a magnetic driver located external to the system. Specific flexible bag and hardware therefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Artelis S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Castillo, Florence Bosco, Samuel Osumba
  • Patent number: 8057091
    Abstract: Circulation systems for ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water using a flotation platform, dish, and impeller. One embodiment has a connecting arrangement between the drive motor and the impeller that permits the two to be easily and quickly coupled and uncoupled. The connecting arrangement also is designed to accommodate slight misalignments between the shafts. An arrangement to adjust and calibrate the depth of the inlet to the draft tube is disclosed. The system further includes solar panels that can be pivotally swung outwardly to open positions, angularly adjusted about a horizontal axis, and mounted to face toward the central axis of the flotation platform rather than away from it. Arrangements are further provided to monitor and control the components of the system including remotely from shore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard R. Tormaschy, Gary A. Kudrna, Tait J. Obritsch, Joel J. Bleth, Corey M. Simnioniw
  • Patent number: 7967498
    Abstract: Submersibly installable and operable high volume and low pressure stirrer type liquid transferring equipment comprises a rotor type stirrer driven via a drive shaft passing without making contact along a sleeve rooting centrally in a housing having a downwardly facing inlet and a tangentially arranged outlet. As the casing of the housing is independent of the remainder of the equipment it is fitted with elevating leg plates. Its operative location is accommodated by a location of equipment installation. The stirrer is bolted to a drive assembly via its shaft. The length of the sleeve is established in conjunction with the circumstances of use of the equipment to maintain the zone encompassed by the housing sealed from above by a liquid seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Zacharias Joseph Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 7942572
    Abstract: A multistage process for the continuous production of an emulsion comprising subjecting at least two immiscible liquids to a sequence of at least two mixing stages carried out in at least two successive stator-rotor devices, wherein a peripheral outlet from a first stator-rotor device is connected to an axial inlet in the successive stator-rotor device by means of a duct in which the Reynold number ReT inside said duct is higher than 5000, and the peripheral velocity of each rotor of said stator-rotor devices ranges from 5 to 60 m/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Basell Poliolefine Italia s.r.l.
    Inventors: Arrigo Arletti, Paolo Vincenzi
  • Patent number: 7906018
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastewater. The apparatus comprises a reactor having a flow channel generally centrally located in a reactor and immersed in the water or wastewater in the reactor. An agitator is disposed within the flow channel and induces water or wastewater to enter the open upper end thereof and to move downwardly through the flow channel where the water or wastewater is discharged via a flow divider. A reagent is injected into the water or wastewater and the agitator within the flow channel serves to mix the reagent with the water or wastewater passing therethrough and in the process causes at least a slightly turbulent and downward axial flow through the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: OTV S.A.
    Inventors: Karim Essemiani, Valery Ursel
  • Patent number: 7789553
    Abstract: Circulation systems for ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water using a flotation platform, dish, and impeller. One embodiment has a connecting arrangement between the drive motor and the impeller that permits the two to be easily and quickly coupled and uncoupled. The connecting arrangement also is designed to accommodate slight misalignments between the shafts. An arrangement to adjust and calibrate the depth of the inlet to the draft tube is disclosed. The system further includes solar panels that can be pivotally swung outwardly to open positions, angularly adjusted about a horizontal axis, and mounted to face toward the central axis of the flotation platform rather than away from it. Arrangements are further provided to monitor and control the components of the system including remotely from shore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard R. Tormaschy, Gary A. Kudrna, Tait J. Obritsch, Joel J. Bleth, Corey M. Simnioniw
  • Patent number: 7670044
    Abstract: Circulation systems for ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water using a flotation platform, dish, and impeller. One embodiment has a connecting arrangement between the drive motor and the impeller that permits the two to be easily and quickly coupled and uncoupled. The connecting arrangement also is designed to accommodate slight misalignments between the shafts. An arrangement to adjust and calibrate the depth of the inlet to the draft tube is disclosed. The system further includes solar panels that can be pivotally swung outwardly to open positions, angularly adjusted about a horizontal axis, and mounted to face toward the central axis of the flotation platform rather than away from it. Arrangements are further provided to monitor and control the components of the system including remotely from shore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard R. Tormaschy, Gary A. Kudrna, Tait J. Obritsch, Joel J. Bleth, Corey M. Simnioniw
  • Patent number: 7500778
    Abstract: Polymer mixing apparatus strips oil from polymers in an oil phase continuous emulsion and at least partially hydrates the polymers by injecting the emulsion and a pressured aqueous solution into a mixing zone. The emulsion and solution are passed through a confined space, where the oil is stripped from the polymer molecules and at least partially hydrated. The resulting solution is removed from the confined space without recirculation through the confined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Carl Brazelton
  • Patent number: 7357566
    Abstract: Devices for mixing and/or reacting combinations of one or more liquids, gases or solids is provided. The device can generally have at least one cavity into which a fluid flows by way of a tangential orifice, thereby forming cavitation bubbles. The cavity is configured to alternate between a closed position, where pressure increases in the fluid and the cavitation bubbles collapse, and an open position, where the fluid exits the cavity. Also provided are methods for mixing and/or reacting fluids. Also provided are mixture and reaction products made using the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Five Star Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Oleg V. Kozyuk
  • Patent number: 7334937
    Abstract: An impeller vane assembly for blending liquids with solid particulate matter in which a center drive shaft extends through a housing having a solid particle inlet and a liquid inlet together with an outlet, and upper and lower impeller vanes are aligned respectively with the particle inlet and liquid inlet to cause intermixing of the solids and liquids by counterflow of the liquid into the upper impeller region, the upper and lower vanes being separated by a common divider plate, and the vanes are characterized by being curved in the direction of rotation of the impeller and having outer radially extending tips which terminate at the outer peripheral edge of the common divider plate, the vanes being operative to balance the point at which the solids and liquid are intermixed between the solid particle inlet and annular space surrounding the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Jorge O. Arribau, Michael G. Dubic
  • Patent number: 7230037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous mixing of at least one polyol component and at least one isocyanate component and optionally additives to form a polyurethane reaction mixture in a stirrer mixer with an axially conveying stirrer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Hennecke GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Sulzbach, Reiner Raffel, Jürgen Wirth, Wolfgang Pawlik, Florian Thiebes, Lothar Röhrig
  • Patent number: 7201884
    Abstract: An improved process, such as a microbiological or enzymatic process, and apparatus, such as an apparatus for producing a cellular product, comprising introducing a gaseous feed stream of at least one gas of low solubility into an aqueous medium containing a microorganism capable of converting said gaseous feed stream to a cellular product, entraining the gas in the aqueous medium, stirring the gas-entrained aqueous medium so that the gas is retained within the reactor for a time sufficient for the microorganism to convert the majority of the gas to product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey David Cohen
  • Patent number: 7178975
    Abstract: Devices for mixing and/or reacting combinations of one or more liquids, gases or solids is provided. The device can generally have at least one cavity into which a fluid flows by way of a tangential orifice, thereby forming cavitation bubbles. The cavity is configured to alternate between a closed position, where pressure increases in the fluid and the cavitation bubbles collapse, and an open position, where the fluid exits the cavity. Also provided are methods for mixing and/or reacting fluids. Also provided are mixture and reaction products made using the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Five Star Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Oleg V. Kozyuk
  • Patent number: 7178977
    Abstract: In a homogenizer for the processing of products to be homogenized, in particular foodstuffs incorporating dairy products, where the homogenizer is of the mixer type with a blade wheel(8) in a mixer tank (1) and a tubular perforated skirt (3) located radially closely outside the blades (10) of the blade wheel (8), that the skirt stationary relative to the rotor on the hub (6) is arranged axially displaceable also during the rotation of the blades (10) for displacement from a position in which a perforated skirt section (3.2) having a set of flow perforations or orifices (4) is located radially opposite the blades (10) of the rotor, to at least one other position in which another perforated skirt section (3.1 or 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Scanima A/S
    Inventors: Holger Colding-Kristensen, Hans Henrik Mortensen
  • Patent number: 6997598
    Abstract: An impact-type rotary fining, homogenizing and emulsifying device is constituted by a casing body disposed on a base, a feed port and a discharge port disposed in the casing body, and a power shaft disposed inside of the casing body. The power shaft is equipped with rotary impellers in such a manner that the rotary impellers are disposed on the power shaft and include a first rotary impeller rotated in a positive direction and a second rotary impeller rotated in negative direction. A power shaft portion is located in the feed port and is equipped with a feed impeller. A valuable advantage is obtained in that its new and distinct structure and innovative design enable the device to heighten the impact velocity applied to treated materials many fold, without raising the rotating speed of the impellers. Functions of fining, homogenizing and emulsifying are improved, while effectively enhancing the overall performance of the apparatus, within the motor's allowable rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Nan Ding
  • Patent number: 6974246
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending liquids with solid particulate matter in which a center drive shaft extends through a housing having a solid particle inlet and a liquid inlet together with an outlet, and upper and lower impeller vanes are aligned respectively with the particle inlet and liquid inlet to cause intermixing of the solids and liquids by counterflow of the liquid into the upper impeller region. In one embodiment, expeller blades are employed in inner concentric relation to the upper impeller vanes to accelerate the flow of solid particles into the upper impeller region, and baffle plates or deflector members are employed above and below the upper and lower impellers to prevent any leakage of liquid into the center of the impeller. In preferred and alternate forms, the impeller vanes are sized to balance the point at which the solids and liquid are intermixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventors: Jorge O. Arribau, Michael G. Dubic
  • Patent number: 6869212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotor/stator type homogenizer which allows the gap between the rotor and the stator to be set to a very small dimension and which does not involve generation of abrasion particles or the like even if the rotor is rotated at high speed, making it possible to efficiently homogenize a plurality of liquids having no mutual compatibility. The inner peripheral surface of the stator and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor are opposed to each other through a predetermined gap and a portion of the solutions is introduced into the gap to form a hydrodynamic bearing, thereby supporting rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Uesugi, Masahiro Tsunofuri, Jun Nagano, Shotaro Mizobuchi
  • Patent number: 6863431
    Abstract: A plastic disruption and homogenization device. The device has rotor that is axially disposed within a stator. The stator and the rotor have several teeth to aid the disruption and homogenization process. The device consists of plastic material that allows the rotor to rotate smoothly without the use of bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Omni International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Yacko, Jeffrey Myer, Roy R. Blair
  • Patent number: 6855299
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a stator and a rotor disposed for rotation within the stator. An inner wall of the stator defines one or more collider chambers. Rotation of the rotor causes movement of fluid disposed between the rotor and stator and establishes a rotational flow pattern within the collider chambers. The fluid movement induced by the rotor increases the temperature, density, and pressure of the fluid in the collider chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Southwick
  • Publication number: 20040218465
    Abstract: An impeller vane assembly for blending liquids with solid particulate matter in which a center drive shaft extends through a housing having a solid particle inlet and a liquid inlet together with an outlet, and upper and lower impeller vanes are aligned respectively with the particle inlet and liquid inlet to cause intermixing of the solids and liquids by counterflow of the liquid into the upper impeller region, the upper and lower vanes being separated by a common divider plate, and the vanes are characterized by being curved in the direction of rotation of the impeller and having outer radially extending tips which terminate at the outer peripheral edge of the common divider plate, the vanes being operative to balance the point at which the solids and liquid are intermixed between the solid particle inlet and annular space surrounding the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Jorge O. Arribau, Michael G. Dubic
  • Publication number: 20040218464
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending liquids with solid particulate matter in which a center drive shaft extends through a housing having a solid particle inlet and a liquid inlet together with an outlet, and upper and lower impeller vanes are aligned respectively with the particle inlet and liquid inlet to cause intermixing of the solids and liquids by counterflow of the liquid into the upper impeller region. In one embodiment, expeller blades are employed in inner concentric relation to the upper impeller vanes to accelerate the flow of solid particles into the upper impeller region, and baffle plates or deflector members are employed above and below the upper and lower impellers to prevent any leakage of liquid into the center of the impeller. In preferred and alternate forms, the impeller vanes are sized to balance the point at which the solids and liquid are intermixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Jorge O. Arribau, Michael G. Dubic
  • Publication number: 20040095842
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for mass transfer of gas or other fluids into a liquid and/or liquid suspension. The present invention is preferably used in conjunction with waste treatment processes and/or fermentation processes that are commonly carried out in a mixing vessel. In such an arrangement, the mass transfer process is utilized to contact air to liquid in a mixing vessel or aeration basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Weetman
  • Patent number: 6698916
    Abstract: An underwater agitation pump comprises an impeller casing in which an impeller driven by a motor is rotatably accommodated, an agitated material suction guide cylinder of a hollow cylinder which has one-end opening portion thereof integrally communicably connected to a center suction opening portion of the impeller while passing through a center opening of the impeller casing and having the other-end opening portion thereof extended downwardly, the suction guide cylinder further forming an agitated material suction passage therewithin, and an agitator mounted on an outer peripheral portion of the other-end opening portion of the agitated material suction guide cylinder. Due to such a constitution, the agitated material suction passage formed in the inside of the agitated material suction guide cylinder can ensure a sufficiently wide agitated material inflow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Denki Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshinobu Araoka
  • Publication number: 20030202421
    Abstract: An impact-type rotary fining, homogenizing and emulsifying device is constituted by a casing body disposed on a base, a feed port and a discharge port disposed in the casing body, and a power shaft disposed inside of the casing body. The power shaft is equipped with rotary impellers in such a manner that the rotary impellers are disposed on the power shaft and include a first rotary impeller rotated in a positive direction and a second rotary impeller rotated in negative direction. A power shaft portion is located in the feed port and is equipped with a feed impeller. A valuable advantage is obtained in that its new and distinct structure and innovative design enable the device to heighten the impact velocity applied to treated materials many fold, without raising the rotating speed of the impellers. Functions of fining, homogenizing and emulsifying are improved, while effectively enhancing the overall performance of the apparatus, within the motor's allowable rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Nan Ding
  • Publication number: 20030147302
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotor/stator type homogenizer which allows the gap between the rotor and the stator to be set to a very small dimension and which does not involve generation of abrasion particles or the like even if the rotor is rotated at high speed, making it possible to efficiently homogenize a plurality of liquids having no mutual compatibility. The inner peripheral surface of the stator and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor are opposed to each other through a predetermined gap and a portion of the solutions is introduced into the gap to form a hydrodynamic bearing, thereby supporting rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Masakazu Uesugi, Masahiro Tsunofuri, Jun Nagano, Shotaro Mizobuchi
  • Patent number: 6523995
    Abstract: A radial impeller includes a cover having a frusto-conical portion and multiple blades extending radially outwardly. Related mixing systems involve positioning the radial impeller with blades adjacent a flow opening of a tank to draw water through the flow opening when the impeller is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Chemineer, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian B. Fasano, Mark Franklin Reeder
  • Publication number: 20020191488
    Abstract: An underwater agitation pump can suck soil, sand or the like which contains block-like material or string-like material in a dredging site or the like while efficiently agitating such soil, sand or the like and thereafter can discharge such sand, soil or the like to a desired place. The underwater agitation pump comprises an impeller casing in which an impeller driven by a motor is rotatably accommodated, an agitated material suction guide cylinder being constituted of a hollow cylinder which has one-end opening portion thereof integrally communicably connected to a center suction opening portion of the impeller while passing through a center opening of the impeller casing and having the other-end opening portion thereof extended downwardly, the agitated material suction guide cylinder further forming an agitated material suction passage in the inside thereof, and an agitator which is mounted on an outer peripheral portion of the other-end opening portion of the agitated material suction guide cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: TOYO DENKI INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshinobu Araoka
  • Patent number: 6464384
    Abstract: A system for providing improved bulk liquid mixing and effective gas-liquid contacting for mass transfer of the gas to the liquid, especially a non-Newtonian liquid, the viscosity of which decreases when under shearing conditions (shear thinning), in an upright tank. An upright draft tube is mounted within the tank and has a lower end spaced from the tank bottom and an upper end spaced below the surface of the liquid in the tank. A plurality of mixing impellers in the draft tube are sufficiently close to each other to establish a field or pattern of agitation to cause shear thinning and upflow throughout the draft tube and which produces significant turbulence at the liquid surface. A plurality of radially inwardly projecting, circumferentially spaced baffles extend from the draft tube and are proximate the mixing impellers to prevent swirling of the liquid within the draft tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Paul M. Kubera, John R. McWhirter, Bradley S. Dominik, Prakash G. Balan
  • Publication number: 20020136088
    Abstract: Mixing systems including a radial impeller assembly positioned adjacent a flow opening of a tank are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Julian B. Fasano, Mark Franklin Reeder
  • Patent number: 6443613
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of minimizing the delivery cost of a slurry. According to the invention, a mobile tank is incompletely loaded with an at least partially dehydrated component of the slurry. Sufficient room is left in the tank for a diluent to be later added and the slurry constituted in the mobile tank. The incompletely loaded mobile tank is transported to a destination, thereby obviating expense associated with transporting a diluent portion of the slurry. At the destination, diluent is added to the tank and the slurry is constituted by activating a mechanical agitator within the tank. Slurry is then off-loaded from the mobile tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Maitland Company
    Inventor: Robert Rumph
  • Patent number: 6428711
    Abstract: A purification method by mixing and diffusion of a closed water area comprises the steps of sucking bottom layer water and surface layer water, preparing a mixed water by mixing them before discharging, and discharging the mixed water into a water layer having substantially the same temperature as that of the mixed water to form and diffuse a density current of the mixed water. Therefore, convection currents in a vertical direction can be prevented, and the mixed water can be quickly diffused across a broad range of the closed water zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignees: Tokyo Kyuei Co., Ltd, Hitachi Metals, Ltd
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Katsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6422736
    Abstract: A mixer for preparing silver halide grains for photographic use has upper and lower impellers housed in a draft tube. The bottom impeller has flat blades for micromixing silver and halide reactants introduced into the bottom of the draft tube. The upper impeller has pitched blades for macromixing the bulk fluid. The impellers are spaced apart at least the distance of their diameters so that the upper and lower impellers operate independently of one another so that micromixing is independent of macromixing. A flow disrupter structurally associated with the draft tube and positioned above the top impeller prevents vortexing of the fluid during mixing. Baffles may be provided in the draft tube to discourage vortexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Antoniades, Harold G. Judd, Katrin I. Parsiegla, Benjamin T. Chen, Douglas E. Singer, Donald R. Irwin, Sucheta Tandon, Jess B. Hendricks, III, Heinz E. Stapelfeldt
  • Patent number: 6412714
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing, grinding, dispersing or emulsifying including a rotatable drive, a rotor body connected for rotation with the drive and having at least one aperture for fluid flow through the rotor body and a flow divider plate structure extending within the rotor body for preventing conglomeration of particulates contained within the fluid in the rotor body. Preferably, a stator body is secured outside of the rotor body and each of the rotor and stator bodies include respective apertures for allowing fluid flow therethrough. The flow divider plate structure prevents the usual swirling action of liquid and solid particulates within the rotor body such that the mixture has a more desirable flow pattern and so that particulates do not conglomerate to form a mass that clogs the rotor body. Further aspects and embodiments of the invention provide advantageous seal structure and structure for increasing productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony Witsken, A. C. Knox