Abstract: An axial impeller has blades formed from sheet metal blanks that are configured from taking a desired impeller blade and mathematically “unwinding” the blade to its flat counterpart. Preferably, the impeller blade is formed from a single rolling operation. The result of a thin, elongate blade, preferably having a trailing edge that defines a helix with rearwardly skewed, forwardly raked blades, provides an efficient impeller having good anti-ragging properties.

Abstract: An axial impeller has blades formed from sheet metal blanks that are configured from taking a desired impeller blade and mathematically “unwinding” the blade to its flat counterpart. Preferably, the impeller blade is formed from a single rolling operation. The result of a thin, elongate blade, preferably having a trailing edge that defines a helix with rearwardly skewed, forwardly raked blades, provides an efficient impeller having good anti-ragging properties.

Abstract: An axial impeller has blades formed from sheet metal blanks that are configured from taking a desired impeller blade and mathematically “unwinding” the blade to its flat counterpart. Preferably, the impeller blade is formed from a single rolling operation. The result of a thin, elongate blade, preferably having a trailing edge that defines a helix with rearwardly skewed, forwardly raked blades, provides an efficient impeller having good anti-ragging properties.

Abstract: An axial impeller has blades formed from sheet metal blanks that are configured from taking a desired impeller blade and mathematically “unwinding” the blade to its flat counterpart. Preferably, the impeller blade is formed from a single rolling operation. The result of a thin, elongate blade, preferably having a trailing edge that defines a helix with rearwardly skewed, forwardly raked blades, provides an efficient impeller having good anti-ragging properties.

Abstract: An impeller, a system for mixing a fluid, and a method of mixing a fluid in a tank are disclosed. For a sufficiently small impeller diameter and maximum blade tip velocity, the disclosed impeller, system, and method are capable of accelerating a near-zero intake velocity fluid, to generate a mixing zone that is collimated enough to have sufficient velocity vectors to suspend particles at a large distance away from the impeller, while minimizing the required power draw. An impeller may include a hub defining a longitudinal axis and plural blades spaced circumferentially about the hub. Each blade may include a root portion and a tip portion. Each blade may define a leading edge having an approximately circular raked helical geometry. A system for mixing a fluid may include a tank for containing the fluid, a drive shaft for extending into the tank, and the impeller.

Abstract: A crystallizer system for forming solid crystals includes a vessel defining a cylindrical sidewall, a sparge device located at a bottom of the vessel, a plurality of impellers attached to a shaft, and a plurality of redistribution funnel assemblies vertically spaced apart. Each funnel assembly may be positioned underneath a respective impeller of the plurality of impellers. Each funnel assembly may include a funnel, a disc attached to the shaft such that the disc rotates with the impellers, and a channel extending radially inward from a location near the sidewall. The channel may be adapted to direct gas bubbles from the sidewall to a location near blade outer edges of the respective impeller A lower edge of the funnel and the disc may define a lower gap therebetween, such that solid particles falling from within the funnel are directed out of the lower gap when the disc is rotated.

Abstract: An impeller assembly includes a shaft, multiple scoops spaced circumferentially about the shaft, each scoop including an upper blade portion and a lower blade portion, spaced apart at the leading edges and joined at the inner edges, and a rib extending rearward from the inner edges, each scoop being coupled to the shaft by attachment at the rib. A system and method for mixing gas or liquid into liquid include a vessel for containing liquid, a drive shaft for extending into the vessel, and an impeller assembly adapted for rotating about the drive shaft, adapted for submerging below the liquid surface, and having multiple scoops, each scoop including an upper blade portion and a lower blade portion, spaced apart at the leading edges and joined at the inner edges, and a rib extending rearward from the inner edges, each scoop being coupled to the shaft by attachment at the rib.

Abstract: A crystallizer system for forming solid crystals includes a vessel defining a cylindrical sidewall, a sparge device located at a bottom of the vessel, a plurality of impellers attached to a shaft, and a plurality of redistribution funnel assemblies vertically spaced apart. Each funnel assembly may be positioned underneath a respective impeller of the plurality of impellers. Each funnel assembly may include a funnel, a disc attached to the shaft such that the disc rotates with the impellers, and a channel extending radially inward from a location near the sidewall. The channel may be adapted to direct gas bubbles from the sidewall to a location near blade outer edges of the respective impeller A lower edge of the funnel and the disc may define a lower gap therebetween, such that solid particles falling from within the funnel are directed out of the lower gap when the disc is rotated.

Abstract: An impeller, a system for mixing a fluid, and a method of mixing a fluid in a tank are disclosed. For a sufficiently small impeller diameter and maximum blade tip velocity, the disclosed impeller, system, and method are capable of accelerating a near-zero intake velocity fluid, to generate a mixing zone that is collimated enough to have sufficient velocity vectors to suspend particles at a large distance away from the impeller, while minimizing the required power draw. An impeller may include a hub defining a longitudinal axis and plural blades spaced circumferentially about the hub. Each blade may include a root portion and a tip portion. Each blade may define a leading edge having an approximately circular raked helical geometry. A system for mixing a fluid may include a tank for containing the fluid, a drive shaft for extending into the tank, and the impeller.

Abstract: An impeller assembly includes a shaft, multiple scoops spaced circumferentially about the shaft, each scoop including an upper blade portion and a lower blade portion, spaced apart at the leading edges and joined at the inner edges, and a rib extending rearward from the inner edges, each scoop being coupled to the shaft by attachment at the rib. A system and method for mixing gas or liquid into liquid include a vessel for containing liquid, a drive shaft for extending into the vessel, and an impeller assembly adapted for rotating about the drive shaft, adapted for submerging below the liquid surface, and having multiple scoops, each scoop including an upper blade portion and a lower blade portion, spaced apart at the leading edges and joined at the inner edges, and a rib extending rearward from the inner edges, each scoop being coupled to the shaft by attachment at the rib.

Abstract: An automatic badge making machine comprises a die assembly including a first and second die set relatively movable to form a badge or button from a plurality of badge parts initially placed in one of the die sets. A motor powered drive is provided for relatively moving one of the die sets in an operating cycle comprising a plurality of successive strokes toward and away from the second die set to shape and form a badge between the facing surfaces. A protective safety shield is provided for movement between an open position exposing a work area to permit access to the die sets for loading/unloading badge parts/badges and a closed position enclosing the work area during a badge making operating cycle. The shield comprises a component of a safety system provided for preventing operation of the motor whenever the protective safety shield is out of the closed position.