Fed Through Stirrer Or Stirrer Drive Shaft Patents (Class 366/169.1)
  • Patent number: 11299413
    Abstract: A method for modifying a wastewater treatment device, the method including: 1) fixing a filling support in a wastewater pool, where the filling support includes a support frame; the support frame includes a hollow shaft, a fixed ring, and at least one vane; 2) adjusting the height of the filling support, until the fixed ring is submerged below the liquid level of the wastewater pool, where the water intake velocity of the wastewater pool is no less than 0.25 m/s, whereby a water current is produced and drives the support frame to rotate; 3) adding a functional liquid into the hollow shaft; and 4) adding an enzyme mixture to the hollow shaft when the rotation speed of the support frame is less than a first preset value, until the rotation speed of the support frame reaches a second preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jinfeng Wang, Hongqiang Ren, Bing Wu
  • Patent number: 10799840
    Abstract: A stirring member (90) for an industrial stirrer, in particular for a stirring rod arrangement, for connecting to a stirring mechanism combinable with a container for receiving liquids, wherein the container comprises a filling opening closable with a lid for filling the container in an upper bottom wall, wherein the stirring member is connectable to a rod-shaped stirring member carrier of the stirring rod arrangement, wherein the stirring member comprises a bearing end (91) and a stirring member end (94) connected to the bearing end (91) via a link (92) and having a flow tube (93), wherein the flow tube comprises a tube wall, wherein the flow tube comprises an annularly formed accumulating surface (95) at its flow inlet cross section, wherein the accumulating surface comprises at least one circular ring sector (96) which is inclined with respect to an inflow plane of the flow inlet cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: PROTECHNA S.A.
    Inventors: Peter Blömer, Carsten Büsch
  • Patent number: 10717058
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer insert having a support rod element and at least one vortexing element and a rotary drive connection structure, wherein the mixer insert, for insertion into a tubular passage element, and together therewith, is adapted to a device for mixing at least two fluid components to be placeable by means of the rotary-drive connection structure in drive connection with a driveshaft of the device, when the mixer insert is inserted into the passage element and the passage element is placed in fluid-tight flow connection with at least two component feed lines of the device, characterized in that the rotary-drive connection structure has a bore hole having a bore hole wall which are adapted to a thread on the driveshaft in such a manner that the bore hole, for producing the drive connection, can be screwed onto the thread, wherein the bore hole wall is shaped by the thread. The invention also relates to such a device for mixing and also to a system of such a device and such a mixer insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Udo Tartler
  • Patent number: 10625223
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus for mixing high viscosity fluids has a mixer shaft with a plurality of sets of blades affixed thereto. A lowermost set of blades is pivotally mounted so as to be movable between a first position pivoted upwardly and a second position pivoted outwardly. The mixer apparatus has a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the mixer said shaft so as to rotate the mixer shaft, a hydraulic pump connected by fluid circuit to the hydraulic motor, and electric motor connected to the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to the fluid circuit so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. The mixer shaft has a base at the lowermost end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: GREEN SHIELD PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Travis Todd Brandt, Cody Roy Atkinson, Howard W. Scoggins, III
  • Patent number: 10625227
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus for mixing a high-viscosity fluid has a mixer shaft with a plurality of blades affixed thereto, a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the mixer shaft so as to rotate the mixer shaft, a hydraulic pump connected by a fluid circuit to the hydraulic motor so as to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor, an electric motor drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to the fluid circuit so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. The plurality of blades are pivotally mounted to the mixer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: GREEN SHIELD PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Travis Todd Brandt, Cody Roy Atkinson, Howard W. Scoggins, III
  • Patent number: 9943815
    Abstract: A mixing device includes a mixing section that mixes a first liquid-phase fluid with one kind or two or more kinds among a solid, a gas, and a second liquid-phase fluid different from the first liquid-phase fluid, in which the mixing section includes a supply hole for a fluid, a discharge hole for the fluid, a flow path that makes the supply hole and the discharge hole communicate with each other, and pins that protrude from the mixing section such that a fluid that includes materials to be mixed is supplied from the supply hole to the flow path, mixed by passing through the flow path with contact with the pins, and discharged from the discharge hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TAKAAKI MATSUMOTO
    Inventors: Takaaki Matsumoto, Junichi Kumakura
  • Patent number: 9289705
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating slurries, in particular biogenic or industrial slurries, can include at least one treatment rotor which is arranged or can be arranged in the slurry and which rotates or is rotatable about an axis of rotation (R), with treatment elements which project outward, as seen from the axis of rotation (R), and between which interspaces are formed, at least some of the treatment elements having, at—at least one, preferably each—adjacent interspace, in each case at least one treatment edge, preferably at least two treatment edges spaced apart from one another, each of these treatment edges running from the inside outward, as seen from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Jochen Friedrich Knauer
  • Patent number: 8979356
    Abstract: Coaxial, dual agitator top-entering mixer has coaxial vertical drive shafts penetrating the center of the head of the vessel, driving a lower-speed outer scraper agitator and a higher-speed inner agitator. An inner rotary seal closes the upper end of an annular space between the inner and outer shafts. An outer rotary seal closes the opening around the outer drive shaft in the head of the vessel. A central bore along the inner drive shaft axis extends from its upper end down to a position just below the inner seal, with one or more cross-bored radial passages to the annular space between the drive shafts. A rotary fitting at the upper end of the inner drive shaft permits the introduction of a cleaning fluid into the central bore. The cleaning fluid passes through the bore and the radial passage into the annular space to clean accumulations from within the annular space. The cleaning fluid exits the annular space into the interior of vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Feldmeier Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle A. Brown
  • Patent number: 8545091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending liquids and granular materials in which an impeller assembly is mounted for rotation within a housing at a lower end of a particles inlet and characterized in particular by circumferentially spaced impeller vanes in outer concentric relation to a series of expeller vanes surrounding the particles inlet and which together propel the solid particles outwardly to intermix with the liquid introduced into the annulus surrounding the impeller assembly, and different selected vane configurations are provided with circumferential portions protruding into the path of counterflow of the slurry from the annulus in order to keep the eye or central area of the impeller assembly dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Jorge O. Arribau
  • Publication number: 20130176813
    Abstract: A dispersing device (1) has a dispersing tool (3), which has a shaft tube (2), and a drive (4). A dispersing rotor is provided at the free shaft tube (2) end (5) remote from the drive (4), the dispersing rotor being connected to the drive (4) via a shaft which can be coupled to the drive (4) and which is arranged within the shaft tube (2). In order to monitor the temperature of the medium to be dispersed, a temperature sensor (7) with a corresponding electric input and output line (8) is provided on the shaft tube (2), which is stationary relative to the dispersing rotor and the rotatable shaft, the input and output lines (8) connecting the temperature sensor (7) to the drive (4) and/or analyzing electronics and/or a control or regulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: IKA - WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Axel Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8449680
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-treating a cellulosic feedstock are disclosed. Embodiments of the method comprise conveying the cellulosic feedstock through an enclosed volume, adding moisture to the cellulosic feedstock simultaneously at multiple spaced-apart moisture injection points as the cellulosic feedstock travels through the volume, and heating the cellulosic feedstock as it travels through the volume to obtain a heated moistened feedstock. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise a shell defining a treatment chamber having a lower inner surface. The treatment chamber has an inlet and an outlet spaced longitudinally apart from the inlet to define an axial length. A conveyance member is housed within the shell and is configured to sweep the lower inner surface. A plurality of injection ports are provided in at least one of the shell and the conveyance member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mascoma Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Murray J. Burke, Sunalie N. Hillier
  • Patent number: 8402912
    Abstract: A spin coating device includes a container and a rotating member. The container is used for holding a first solution and includes a sidewall which a plurality of substrates are arranged on. The rotating member is rotatable within the container and includes an inlet and at least one outlet. A second solution flows into the rotating member through the inlet, and flows into the container through the at lease one outlet. A mixture of the first solution and the second solution is spread onto the substrate by centrifugal force of the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8342737
    Abstract: A vibrational mixer (1), in particular a single-path mixer for use in single-path bioreactors (4) with flexible walls, consisting of a mixer shaft (2) that can be set into longitudinal motions by a drive (8), with at least one mixing element (3), wherein at least one channel (13) is arranged in the mixer shaft with an opening to an interior reactor space (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Greller, Oscar-Werner Reif
  • Patent number: 8267572
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the mechanically protective production of finely dispersed micro-/nanoemulsions with narrow droplet size distribution, whereby drops are produced on the surface of a membrane or of a filter fabric, and the drops are detached from the membrane or filter fabric surface by motion of the membrane or of the filter fabric in a first immiscible liquid phase in which pronounced stretching flow components in particular, besides shear flow components, bring about the detachment of the drops formed on the membrane surface especially efficiently and protectively. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method according to the invention with a membrane or filter unit that is positioned to move, in particular to be able to rotate, in a housing with a gap that may be eccentric toward the inner wall of the housing and/or provided with flow baffles that produce stretching flow components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: ETH-Zurich Institut fur Lebensmittelwissenschaft, Laboratorium fur Lebensmittelverfahren-Stechnik ETH-Zentrum/LFO, Kinematica AG, Ion Bond AG, Processtech GmbH
    Inventors: Erich J. Windhab, Verena Schadler, Beat Troxler, Andreas Kurt Dürig, Fred-Rainer Grohmann
  • Patent number: 8163248
    Abstract: According to the method of an aspect of the present invention, by forming the laminated body of the liquids by laminating a plurality of liquids after discharging the plurality of liquids from a central portion of the rotational stage onto the rotational stage and rotating the rotational stage after the formation, the centrifugal force by the rotation enables the laminated body to form a thin layer. Accordingly, because the diffusion between the layers can be executed rapidly in the latter mixing process, a mixing of liquids is allowed to advance immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8162533
    Abstract: A mixer of the present invention includes an outer cylinder into which powder material is loaded, a rotational axis which is located coaxially with the outer cylinder and discharges liquid material while forming the liquid material to fine particles, and a fin which has a rectangular shape and is disposed along an inner wall of the outer cylinder. The fin is independently revolvable around the rotational axis. The fin has side faces in a direction of revolution of the fin, each of which forms an inclined face such that a width of the fin becomes wider from an inner surface to an outer surface of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Falxer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naganobu Hayabusa, Kyoko Hayabusa, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20110317512
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing and dispensing dental alginate compound comprising a disposable alginate mixing container containing a pre-measured amount of alginate compound powder, a water storage and dispensing means, and an alginate dispensing means. The alginate mixing container is comprised of an agitator utilizing mixing cords that are oriented at an angle to the plane of the arms of the agitator receiving the cords, and a plunger that is slidably engaged with the walls of the cylindrical mixing container. The angular relationship of the cords to the agitator arm pre-stresses the cords against the reactive forces generated by the impingement of the mixing cords and the alginate compound during mixing, and also provides a means to initiate the folding of the cords during the linear movement of the plunger as the alginate compound is dispensed from the mixing container into an impression tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Bradford D. Overton, James K. Hays
  • Patent number: 7988348
    Abstract: An improved fluid mixing apparatus is disclosed for the mechanical mixing of fluids or solids-laden slurries contained within a vessel. The invention utilizes a fluid driven turbine to drive a submerged mixing impeller through a speed reducing gearbox. A fluid conducting stator houses one or more turbine blade row(s) that are rotated as a working fluid is pumped through the turbine section by an external pump that circulates fluid at the required flow rate and head. The turbine shaft is rigidly connected to the high speed input shaft of a speed reducing gear box. The low speed output of the gearbox is rigidly attached to submerged mixing impeller(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Michael R. Morgenthaler
  • Patent number: 7713730
    Abstract: A pneumatic bioreactor having a containment vessel which includes a semi-cylindrical concavity defined by the vessel bottom. A mixing apparatus includes a rotational mixer rotatably mounted within the containment vessel about a horizontal axis. The rotational mixer has buoyancy-driven mixing cavities which are fed by a gas supply beneath the rotational mixer. The mixing apparatus extends into the semi-cylindrical concavity to substantially fill that concavity. The rotational mixer is divided into two wheels with outer paddles extending axially outwardly and inner paddles extending axially inwardly on either side of each wheel. Blades between the outer and inner paddles form impellers in the wheels to induce axial flow through the wheels in opposite directions. Stationary baffles fixed relative to the containment vessel are inclined toward the rotational mixer in the direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: PBS Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Gregory Zeikus, Kyungnam Kim, Thomas A. Post, Keith E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7252429
    Abstract: A rotary fluid agitator is provided. The rotary fluid agitator essentially comprises a fluid conduit that is positioned vertically within a storage tank holding a quantity of fluid, such as a drilling fluid. At least one nozzle is attached to the fluid conduit for jetting a stream of fluid into to the fluid contained within the tank. A drive means is connected to the fluid conduit and rotates the conduit to sweep the nozzle through a 360-degree arcuate path at a predetermined rotational frequency. A fluid pump is attached in fluid communication with the interior volume of the tank and pumps a quantity of drilling fluid through a fluid circulation line and through the fluid conduit to be jetted out of the nozzle. As the nozzle is swept through the arcuate path a conically shaped fluid flow path is created in the fluid contained within the tank causing the jetted fluid to tangentially act upon the fluid thereby keeping all solid particulates mixed with the fluid in suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: John David Yungblut
  • Patent number: 7070318
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus having a rotating blade mixer affixed to the end of a mixer shaft which is rotatably mounted thru a mixer seal member which is adapted to be brought into sealing engagement with the open filler end of a retail tube of viscous caulking compound, wherein the shaft and mixer are adapted to be rotated and reciprocated thru the viscous compound contained in the tube substantially the entire length of the tube to rapidly and intimately mix the compound with colorant injected thereinto directly in the retail tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Charles K. Renfro
  • Patent number: 7059759
    Abstract: A process plant comprises a tank (1), an outlet conduit (2), a reservoir of cleaning agent (12), or feedstock(s) of additive(s) (13), a loop conduit (3) for returning liquid into the tank, valve means (9) for controlling admission of liquid into the loop conduit and a pump (4) for driving liquid through the loop conduit. Returning of the liquid takes place through a jetting device (5) adapted for introducing jets of liquid into the body of liquid inside the tank in order to cause stirring to the body of liquid. The jet nozzle is adapted for powered rotation about a first axis and about a second axis perpendicular, or non-perpendicular, to the first axis. The jet nozzles may be embodied in a flat jet rotating around one axis only. Upon emptying the tank, the jetting device may serve for cleaning the tank by spraying liquid onto the tank walls. The invention provides a method for treating liquid as well as a process plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: ISO-Mix A/S
    Inventor: Jan Stumpe Hummer
  • Patent number: 6991362
    Abstract: A tank agitator connects to a low head feed and causes agitation by discharging through a port that might rotate, oscillate, or otherwise issue a pulsing stream. This agitator has a housing with a turbine plenum and an exhaust plenum. A turbine in the turbine plenum spins by the flowthrough of the feedwater and exhausts to the exhaust plenum. A hollow drive shaft is spun by the turbine and extends through the exhaust plenum and to terminate outside the housing. It has an aperture that allows water in the exhaust plenum to flow into its lumen. A nozzle caps the shaft and is bent such that the discharge issuing therefrom sweeps in circles with the spinning of the drive shaft. A variant form of the agitator includes a drive train that incorporates a drag link to convert the spinning input of the turbine into an oscillating output in the drive shaft. In another variant form, the discharge is pulsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Anthony E. Seaman
  • Patent number: 6932905
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a mixing tube through which the waste water passes for mixing into the waste water a plurality of chemicals for causing flocculation of contaminants. The mixing tube is connected to a settling chamber for allowing settling of the flocculated contaminants and for supplying clarified water at an outlet of the settling chamber. The mixing tube has a plurality of injection members at spaced positions along the duct, each including a pump and a chemical supply for injecting a selected quantity of a selected chemical into the duct and each including a respective mixing member and drive for mixing the chemical into the water in the duct. An electrical separation section is provided in the system before or after the settling and includes a duct, into which the water is introduced and a plurality of amorphous metal plates across the duct arranged to be charged at low voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Home Farms Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond P. Briltz, Robert J. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 6910799
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus having a blade mixer affixed to the end of a mixer shaft which is rotatably or non-rotatably, but slidably mounted thru a mixer seal member which is adapted to be brought into sealing engagement with the open filler end of a retail tube of viscous caulking compound, wherein the shaft and mixer are adapted to be reciprocated thru the viscous compound contained in the tube substantially the entire length of the tube to rapidly and intimately mix the compound with colorant injected thereinto directly in the retail tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Charles K. Renfro
  • Patent number: 6675840
    Abstract: A fill probe with an in-line mixer accelerates and facilitates automation of a fill and mix procedure required in formulating certain chemical products. In some formulas, the concentrated chemical components that combine to form the resulting formula (e.g., teat dip) have a wide range of viscosities. The in-line positioning of the mixing attachment with the fill probe on the outside of the fill probe creates a dual action mixing operation that mixes the components as they are deliver to a mixing container and continues to mix them after they are combined with other chemicals within the mixing container. By using a combination fill probe and in-line mixer of the claimed design, a user can automate the fill and mix process, decrease the required mix time, and reduce foaming and spillage of chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Jungmann, Roy F. Johnson, Richard V. Mullen
  • Patent number: 6655830
    Abstract: A tank agitator connects to a low head feed and causes agitation by discharging through a port that might rotate, oscillate, or otherwise issue a pulsing stream. This agitator has a housing with a turbine plenum and an exhaust plenum. A turbine in the turbine plenum spins by the flowthrough of the feedwater and exhausts to the exhaust plenum. A hollow drive shaft is spun by the turbine and extends through the exhaust plenum and to terminate outside the housing. It has an aperture that allows water in the exhaust plenum to flow into its lumen. A nozzle caps the shaft and is bent such that the discharge issuing therefrom sweeps in circles with the spinning of the drive shaft. A variant form of the agitator includes a drive train that incorporates a drag link to convert the spinning input of the turbine into an oscillating output in the drive shaft. In another variant form, the discharge is pulsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony E. Seaman
  • Publication number: 20030137895
    Abstract: A process plant comprises a tank (1), an outlet conduit (2), a reservoir of cleaning agent (12), or feedstock(s) of additive(s) (13), a loop conduit (3) for returning liquid into the tank, valve means (9) for controlling admission of liquid into the loop conduit and a pump (4) for driving liquid through the loop conduit. Returning of the liquid takes place through a jetting device (5) adapted for introducing jets of liquid into the body of liquid inside the tank in order to cause stirring to the body of liquid. The jet nozzle is adapted for powered rotation about a first axis and about a second axis perpendicular, or non-perpendicular, to the first axis. The jet nozzles may be embodied in a flat jet rotating around one axis only. Upon emptying the tank, the jetting device may serve for cleaning the tank by spraying liquid onto the tank walls. The invention provides a method for treating liquid as well as a process plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Jan Stumpe Hummer
  • Publication number: 20030099153
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus having a blade mixer affixed to the end of a mixer shaft which is rotatably or non-rotatably, but slidably mounted thru a mixer seal member which is adapted to be brought into sealing engagement with the open filler end of a retail tube of viscous caulking compound, wherein the shaft and mixer are adapted to be reciprocated thru the viscous compound contained in the tube substantially the entire length of the tube to rapidly and intimately mix the compound with colorant injected thereinto directly in the retail tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Charles K. Renfro
  • Patent number: 6547850
    Abstract: A method for mixing particles in a liquid or semi-liquid medium, such as ceramic reinforcing particles in a molten metal or metal alloy matrix for the production of stir-cast metal matrix composite (MMC) materials. The particles can be introduced under the surface of the matrix by feeding the particles through the inner passage of a rotatable hollow impeller tube. The impeller tube is terminated at its lower end by an impeller head that includes teeth positioned proximate to an impeller base. The particles enter the matrix through a shear region in and around the volume between the impeller base and the impeller head. The rotating impeller and the high shear force thereby created wet the particles in the composite matrix and effect homogenization of the composite matrix. The present invention may be practiced either under vacuum or atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: MC21 Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael D. Skibo, David M. Schuster
  • Patent number: 6491423
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing particles in a liquid or semi-liquid medium, such as ceramic reinforcing particles in a molten metal or metal alloy matrix for the production of stir-cast metal matrix composite (MMC) materials. The particles can be introduced under the surface of the matrix by feeding the particles through the inner passage of a rotatable hollow impeller tube. The impeller tube is terminated at its lower end by an impeller head that includes teeth positioned proximate to an impeller base. The particles enter the matrix through a shear region in and around the volume between the impeller base and the impeller head. The rotating impeller and the high shear force thereby created wet the particles in the composite matrix and effect homogenization of the composite matrix. The present invention may be practiced either under vacuum or atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: MC21, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael D. Skibo, David M. Schuster
  • Patent number: 6488401
    Abstract: A tank agitator connects to a low head feed and causes agitation by discharging through a port that might rotate, oscillate, or otherwise issue a pulsing stream. This agitator has a housing with a turbine plenum and an exhaust plenum. A turbine in the turbine plenum spins by the flowthrough of the feedwater and exhausts to the exhaust plenum. A hollow drive shaft is spun by the turbine and extends through the exhaust plenum and to terminate outside the housing. It has an aperture that allows water in the exhaust plenum to flow into its lumen. A nozzle caps the shaft and is bent such that the discharge issuing therefrom sweeps in circles with the spinning of the drive shaft. A variant form of the agitator includes a drive train that incorporates a drag link to convert the spinning input of the turbine into an oscillating output in the drive shaft. In another variant form, the discharge is pulsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Anthony E. Seaman
  • Publication number: 20020154568
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus having a rotating blade mixer affixed to the end of a mixer shaft which is rotatably mounted thru a mixer seal member which is adapted to be brought into sealing engagement with the open filler end of a retail tube of viscous caulking compound, wherein the shaft and mixer are adapted to be rotated and reciprocated thru the viscous compound contained in the tube substantially the entire length of the tube to rapidly and intimately mix the compound with colorant injected thereinto directly in the retail tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Charles K. Renfro
  • Patent number: 6447158
    Abstract: A fluid handling device to assist in the mixing or separation of two or more fluids utilizing a stack of two types of alternating plates. A first plate has an aperture; a second plate has peripheral spaces around which the fluids may flow. Both types of plates are provided with a plurality of projections that serve to space the plates apart and to provide additional turbulence to the fluids as they flow around the projections. The fluids are forced to proceed back and forth through the alternating plates. The plates may be designed to fit within a housing of circular or polygonal cross-section. The projections may be tapered or non-tapered. The projections may be circular or polygonal in cross-section. Further the heights of the projections may vary to adjust the separation between adjacent pairs of plates to obtain the appropriate degree of turbulence for optimum mixing or separation of the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Frank E. Farkas
  • Publication number: 20020101782
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing at least two reactants is taught wherein a first reactant is delivered to a reaction zone through a first annular flow path and a second reactant is delivered to the reaction zone through a second annular flow path. The first and second annular flow paths are concentric with one another and the two reactants intermix with one another in the reaction zone. There is a rotating disc having a surface, defining one boundary of the reaction zone. The flow of the first and second reactants across the rotating disc and through the reaction zone is generally radial and has a residence time in the reaction zone of not more than about 100 msec, and preferably not more than about 50 msec. The reaction zone resides in a main reactor vessel and there is a driven agitator residing in the main reactor vessel to stir the contents thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Dirk J. Hasberg, Rajesh V. Mehta, Michael Bryan, Ramesh Jagannathan
  • Patent number: 6254335
    Abstract: A device for admixing a first fluid into a second fluid. The device has a housing with a rotationally symmetrical rotation chamber defined therein that is arranged with an inlet for the second fluid and an outlet for the mixed fluids. A distance from a center shaft of the housing to its inner wall is decreasing continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The device has rotation means for setting the second fluid in rotation along the inner wall of the rotation chamber. The device also has adding means for adding the first fluid into the vortex that is formed when the second fluid is rotating in the rotation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB
    Inventors: Rolf Ekholm, Ulf Jansson
  • Patent number: 6168307
    Abstract: A rotor for the treatment of a liquid such as molten metal by the addition of gas and/or particulate material. The rotor includes a hollow rotation body (1) with openings (5, 9, 10) in the base and side. The rotor is mounted on a shaft (2) and driven via the shaft by a drive unit and is designed to be lifted out of and lowered into the liquid. The hollow rotation body (1) is provided, in its cavity, with at least one partition wall (4) or at least one rotationally symmetrical hollow body so that one or more annuli (8) and a central cavity (7) are formed and that the gas and/or particulate material is/are supplied to the annuli (8) and the central cavity (7) via channels (3, 13) and/or holes (11) in the respective partition wall(s) or body(ies).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventor: Karl Venås