With Projection Patents (Class 366/317)
  • Patent number: 10792665
    Abstract: An agitator ball mill comprises agitating discs (18) on an agitating shaft, wherein two adjacent agitating discs (18) are bounding a grinding cell, respectively. The agitating discs (18) comprise grinding material passage openings (28) which are only arranged in the immediate proximity of a grinding chamber inner boundary (19), which connect adjacent grinding cells, and which have a radially outer boundary that has a distance R28 starting from the grinding chamber inner boundary (19) in the radial direction of the agitating disc (18). For the ratio of the distance R28 of the radially outer boundaries of the grinding material passage openings (28) to a radial extension R18 of the agitating discs (18), the following condition applies: 0.05·R18?R28?0.25·R18. Otherwise the agitating discs (18) are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Willy A. Bachofen AG
    Inventors: Benedikt Simons, Lionel Gross, Norbert Stehr
  • Patent number: 8951419
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of water and, more particularly, to the mineralization of water in order to improve pH, hardness, turbidity, and/or alkalinity is described. More particularly, a system is provided for the treatment of water that needs additional hardness, alkalinity, and/or pH adjustment while also meeting turbidity requirements. The use of sodium hydroxide and other methods for avoiding turbidity problems can be eliminated and/or minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Burnett Lime Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas H. Burnett, C. Hugh Burnett, Wade L. Burnett, Tom M. Burnett
  • Patent number: 8721168
    Abstract: In the case of a homogenizer device (100) for dispersing and/or homogenizing liquid to viscous substances, having a container (110) having one or more openings for introducing the substances to be processed, which has an opening for feeding the substances into a processing unit (120) in the central region of its bottom, which opening contains two gear rims (130, 140), which can be driven independent of one another, are disposed concentrically and configured in circular shape, and are separated from one another by way of a predetermined interstice, whereby the substances are guided from a central region, through the interstice, into a peripheral region of the gear rims, formation of cavitation is prevented, to the greatest possible extent, in that a conveyance device (150) is additionally provided in the processing unit (120), which device conveys the substances in the direction of the gear rims (130, 140), under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: FrymaKoruma AG
    Inventors: Urs Nadler, Uwe Klaumünzner, Sascha Lais, Hans-Ruedi Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20140127756
    Abstract: A reactor vessel including: a mixing chamber having a vertical length, an upper inlet, and a lower outlet; and a vertically oriented paddle within the mixing chamber and having a cross-sectional shape of a hydrofoil, wherein the paddle moves with respect to the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Andritz Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin William Bolz, Rodolfo Romero
  • Publication number: 20140010039
    Abstract: A system for processing material has a power supply and a machine having a hopper for receiving and passing material to an auger. The auger has a shaft with an axis about which it rotates, a helical flighting mounted to the shaft, pins mounted to the helical flighting, and paddles mounted to the shaft. The radial outer edge of the helical flighting is crenelated with periodic notches that form rectangular blades on the helical flighting. The pins are rotationally and angularly aligned with leading edges of the rectangular blades. The system may include a vehicle, such as a trailer, having first and second compartments separated by a partition. The power supply is located in the first compartment and has a power supply member extending though the partition. The machine is located in the second compartment and coupled to the power supply member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Tony S. Piotrowski, Jack D. Coulter, Bruce A. Hartzell
  • Patent number: 8425107
    Abstract: A blender has a base, an axle assembly mounted on the base, a container securely attached to an axle housing of the axle assembly, and a stirring disk securely mounted on an axle of the axle assembly. A user puts foodstuffs, such as powder material, syrup, liquid material, ice cubes and so on, or tea leaves and water, into the container, and then drives the axle assembly and the stirring disk to rotate. Thus, stirring ribs of the stirring disk stir and mix the foodstuffs without crushing the foodstuffs, or the tealeaves and the water are brewed into tea. The blender is simple, easy and safe, especially for a person or a household to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Wen-Hung Tsai
  • Patent number: 8329043
    Abstract: In a method of treating a liquid, a liquid to be treated is introduced into a space, a mechanical cavitation element acts upon the liquid while gas is supplied into the region of the surface of the cavitation element and introduces the gas into the liquid by moving the cavitation element, and sound waves are introduced directly into the liquid by at least one acoustic power transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ultrasonic Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Poeschl
  • Patent number: 8322911
    Abstract: A method for dispersing a water-soluble polymer includes: metering and prewetting polymer with primary water; grinding and draining of the dispersed polymer in a chamber comprising a rotor and a stator; and providing a ring with perforations fed by a secondary water circuit on all or part of the periphery of the chamber for spraying of pressurized water on the blades of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: Rene Pich, Philippe Jeronimo
  • Patent number: 8298621
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for stirring liquid inside a flow cell. In one implementation, the apparatus includes a rotatable disc configured to receive liquid at a top side of the disc and distribute the liquid substantially evenly around a periphery of the flow cell. The disc has a triangular cross sectional area. The apparatus may further include a set of fins attached to a bottom side of the disc, wherein the set of fins is configured to draw the liquid from the periphery of the flow cell into the center of the flow cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh Kelekar
  • Patent number: 8186871
    Abstract: Device for dispersing a water-soluble polymer comprising: a chamber for grinding and draining of the dispersed polymer comprising a rotor and a stator, and on all or part of the periphery of the chamber, a ring fed by a secondary water circuit. The ring communicates with the chamber for spraying of pressurized water on the blades of the stator. A method implementing the device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: Rene Pich, Philippe Jeronimo
  • Patent number: 8146487
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing device for aerating and frothing a product that comprises a fluid component and at least one further component, comprising a rotor (101) having a rotational axis (102) and a surface of revolution (4) defined by the rotor (101) upon rotation around its rotational axis (102), the surface of revolution (4) extending from a first axial (105) end to a second axial end (106), and the first axial end (105) being arranged upstream with respect to the second axial end (106); a motor in driving association with the rotor (101) for rotating the rotor about the rotational axis (102); and a product exit conduit disposed downstream of the rotor and configured for dispensing the aerated and frothed product of the fluid and at least one further component, which rotor (101) comprises a downstream part (108) and an upstream part (107). The invention relates furthermore to a beverage machine provided with the aforementioned mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Carlos Nikolaas Jozef Maria Koopman, Andreas Raymond Van de Leijgraaf, Romanus Eduard Verhoeven, Johannes Theodorus Emerentia Huiberts
  • Patent number: 8058171
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for stirring liquid inside a flow cell. In one implementation, the apparatus includes a rotatable disc configured to receive liquid at a top side of the disc and distribute the liquid substantially evenly around a periphery of the flow cell. The disc has a triangular cross sectional area. The apparatus may further include a set of fins attached to a bottom side of the disc, wherein the set of fins is configured to draw the liquid from the periphery of the flow cell into the center of the flow cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh Kelekar
  • Patent number: 8028944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of manufacturing the apparatus for grinding and evenly disseminating solid materials within a vehicle or carrier. More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention may be comprised of an impeller with a plurality of grinding pegs extending therefrom. The plurality of grinding pegs extend from two faces of the impeller wherein the grinding pegs work in concert with a plurality of grooves on the impeller to finely grind the solid material and improve the turbulent flow within the vehicle. The end result is that the impeller of the present invention improves the efficiency of finely grinding and evenly dispersing the solid particles within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Daniyel Firestone
  • 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: 7967500
    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, the upper vanes being radially split and lower vanes having outer split tips, 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. In one embodiment, inner concentric expeller blades are employed with the upper impeller vanes to accelerate the flow of solid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: CE & M LLC
    Inventors: Jorge O. Arribau, Michael G. Dubic
  • Patent number: 7740401
    Abstract: A food mixer (10) includes a rotatable shaft (18) which is connected to the shaft (21) of an agitator (20). The agitator (20) includes an upper disk (23) attached to the shaft (21) and a lower disk (28). Slat walls (27, 29) extend from the upper disk (23) to the lower disk (22) and slat walls (27, 29) are curved so as to together forming a parabolic ring. A central blade (33) extends from the upper disk (23) to the lower disk (28) between the slat walls (27, 29). Both the upper and lower disks (23, 28) are circular and are curved upwardly in one direction and curved downwardly in a direction transverse to the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Fred H. Mehlman, Laura L. Manson
  • Patent number: 7674034
    Abstract: A food mixing machine (10) has a rotatable shaft (18) which is attached to the shaft (21) of an agitator (20). The shaft (21) carries a ring (24) and a disk (23), and the ring (24) carries a cloverleaf-shaped chip (25). The chip (25) has opposed, generally flat lobes (27) with the opposed lobes (29) positioned between the lobes (27). The lobes (29) are inclined relative to the lobes (27). Cutout areas (31) are formed between the lobes (27, 29), and as the agitator (20) is being rotated by the shaft (18), a leading edge (32) on the lobes (27, 29) at the cutout areas (31) contacts the food being mixed. The leading edges (32) have a larger radius of curvature than the trailing edges (33) on each lobe (27, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Fred H. Mehlman, Laura L. Manson
  • Patent number: 7553065
    Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a first and second supports mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from each support, the vanes defining open ends of the mixer into which fluid is drawn, and openings between the vanes through which fluid is expelled. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Site-b Company
    Inventor: Ronnald B. King
  • Patent number: 7513678
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotary mixing device that is easy to produce, assemble, use and dispose of. The device comprises a shaft, and at least one mixing member. The shaft and mixing member are formed of the same composite material and are produced by molding the components in essentially a single plane. Moreover, the runners that provide the liquid polymer material to form the components of the rotary mixing device also serve as holding elements. Consequently, a one-piece, single shot molded unit is produced containing the components and the holding elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Donald W. Venus
  • Patent number: 7488513
    Abstract: A method of producing microcapsules having an electrophoretic particle dispersion encapsulated comprises the steps of: emulsifying and dispersing a hydrophobic dispersion having electrophoretic particles dispersed in a hydrophobic medium by using a high-speed rotating stirring apparatus wherein the circumferential speed at the end of a stirring part is 2 m/s to 90 m/s, and the distance (a) between the end of the stirring part and that immobile part of the stirring apparatus which is nearest to the end of the stirring part is 0 mm<(a)<20 mm; and forming microcapsules of the emulsified and dispersed hydrophobic dispersion under stirring with a stirring blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Toyo Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Sakai, Kazuhiro Jonai, Toshiyuki Uemura
  • Patent number: 7473025
    Abstract: An impeller blade has a flat central disk portion, at least a pair of extensions extending from a central disk portion, and at least two leading edges defined by the outer periphery of the disk portion. Each leading edge spans from one extension to an adjacent extension, and each leading edge has at least a portion at which the radius of the leading edge from the center increases to form a continuous increasing radius curve. Each leading edge forms an increasing radius spiral edge surface in between the extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Howk
  • Patent number: 7431893
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing polyester comprises three single reactors, i.e. a single esterification reactor (first reactor), a single initial polymerization reactor (second reactor) and a single final polymerization reactor (third reactor or final polymerizer), where at least one of the first reactor and the second reactor is free from an external stirring power source, or the third reactor is a horizontal, one-shaft-type, low speed rotation type reactor. Necessary number of reactors for the esterification and polycondensation reactions can be a minimum and necessary stirring power consumption for the reaction can be a minimum, and thus polyester polymers of good quality can be efficiently produced at a minimum energy cost in a necessary minimum reactor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Nakamoto, Susumu Harada, Chikao Oda, Yasunari Sase, Michio Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080225637
    Abstract: An improved canister assembly for a multi-fluid dispenser is shown and described. The canister assembly comprises an annular outer shell with an outer cylindrical wall connected to a bottom which, in turn, is connected to an inner cylindrical wall that serves as a standpipe. The bottom includes an outlet connected to a pump A hollow agitator shaft slides over the inner standpipe and includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades for stirring or “agitating” the fluid. An annular screen element is disposed below the bottom end of the agitator shaft. Beneath the annular screen element is a lower agitator blade element The lower blade element and the lower end of the agitator shaft are snap-fitted together with the annular screen element sandwiched therebetween. The screen element includes a cylindrical shell with the annular screen disposed upwards from the lower end of the cylindrical shell so that the screen is spaced above the bottom wall and to make room for the lower blade element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim Patrick Hogan
  • Patent number: 7334936
    Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Site-b Company
    Inventor: Ronnald B. King
  • 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: 7316502
    Abstract: A blade for mixing a material includes a disk comprising a plastic or composite material. The disk may have one or more circumferentially-spaced openings extending through the disk from a substantially flat top surface to a substantially flat bottom surface. The openings are located at a common radial distance from a center of the disk. The disk may be made from a plastic material such as nylon, Teflon®, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or combinations thereof. The disk may also have one or more sets of mixing teeth extending outwardly from a circumferential edge of the disk. A blending apparatus includes one or more of the disks mounted on a rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: Richard Freeman
  • Patent number: 7281839
    Abstract: A high-speed turbine mixer combines water and cement into a pre-mixed cement paste that is added to aggregates to create a concrete mix. The turbine mixer includes a housing that cooperates with an auger to move dry cement into a mixing chamber where water is added. A mixing plate rotates at high speed to break up water and cement into small particles that enhances the hydration of the cement and increases the air content in the resultant cement paste. The cement paste is then conveyed to a mixing auger to be combined with aggregates to create a concrete mix. The mixing plate divides the mixing chamber to force the mixing water and cement particles to pass through a circumferential annular opening past agitating fins. Admixtures can be added to the cement as a powder or to the water as a liquid for incorporation into the cement paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmerman Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7275857
    Abstract: A device for treating plastics material, in particular thermoplastic plastics material, has a receiving container (1) which has a base (15) and lateral walls (14). In the receiving container at least [one] disc (17) is arranged close to the base (15), and is driven by a vertical shaft (18) so as to rotate about its axis and carries tools (22), as a result of which a circulating movement about the axis of the shaft (18) is imparted to the material present in the receiving container (1). At least one blade (26) which projects beyond the edge of the disc (17) in the direction towards the lateral wall (14) is fastened to the said edge of the disc (17) adjacent to the lateral wall (14). The blade is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in such a way that the plastics material moved by the tool (22) or the tool carrier (16) during its circulation is given an upwardly directed movement component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Helmut Bacher, Helmuth Schulz, Georg Wendelin
  • Patent number: 7134621
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus wherein raw material may be crushed to fine particles of desirous size to be mixed uniformally by multi-layered mixing blocks. The mixing apparatus includes a plurality of mixing units piled up in a housing, and arrays of projections formed at the facing side of the mixing units and located alternately in order to form concentric circles which are not interfered with each other. The mixing units are formed with first and second pairs of upper and lower disks. The arrays of the projections are formed on the outer surface of the pairs of disks, and the fluid passages are formed between the upper and lower disks. The inflow passages are opened to the fluid passages which are formed between the lower disks of each pair and the housing. The outflow passages are formed at the inner surface of the upper disks of each pair and the mixing units are attachable in multiple layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventors: Woon Seung Choi, Woo Ram Choi
  • Patent number: 7127919
    Abstract: The level of precious-metal inclusions in glass products, e.g., glass substrates for liquid crystal displays, is reduced by stirring molten glass in a stir chamber (11) under conditions such that the magnitude of the shear stress ? on the chamber's wall (19) and on the surfaces of the stirrer (13) is reduced while at the same time, the Q•E product for the system is kept high, where Q is the flow of glass through the stirring system and E is the system's stirring effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin H. Goller, James P. Murphy, Daniel A. Nolet, Robert R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7070174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing apparatus and a method for mixing gas in a closed mixing reactor, which uses gas as a process chemical with a high efficiency and where the content of pulverous solids in the solution is great. The aim is to obtain a flow in the reactor which sucks gas from above the surface of the liquid using rotating mixing devices in the centre of the reactor, and to mix said gas throughout the reactor capacity. The mixing apparatus of the invention comprises at least two mixers located at different heights, and on the same shaft. The upper mixer is equipped with a central plate attached to the shaft, with essentially vertical inner blades rising upwards and downwards and outer vanes directed outwards from the central plate, which are inclined from the horizontal. The lower mixer is equipped with a central plate attached to the shaft with vertical blades located on the outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Outokumpu Technology Oy
    Inventors: Stig-Erik Hultholm, Mikko Juusela, Launo Lilja, Bror Nyman
  • Patent number: 7070317
    Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Site-b Company
    Inventor: Ronnald B. King
  • Patent number: 6997444
    Abstract: A radial disc impeller for use with a liquid or liquid suspension mixing assembly, having an axis of rotation. The radial disc has a hub and at least one disc extending radially away from the axis of rotation. The disc is connected to the hub at first axial location. The disc impeller includes a first blade connected to the disc. The first blade has an extension that extends radially away from the axis of rotation. The disc impeller also includes a second blade connected to the disc. The second blade has an extension that extends radially away from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Weetman, Gary Hodenius, Richard Howk
  • 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: 6860631
    Abstract: A surface aeration impeller for use in a liquid filled tank. The impeller is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the static liquid surface. The impeller has a plurality of blades mounted on the underside of a disc or disc-like surface. Each blade has a multi-faceted or curved geometry ranging from vertical at the point of attachment to the disc to partially inclined at the bottom. The blades are spaced circumferentially about the axis and are disposed at acute angles to radial lines from the axis of rotation of the impeller. The lower portions of the blades, which are inclined but non-vertical, are positioned at or below the static liquid surface. When the impeller is rotated, the lower portion pumps the liquid up onto the vertical portion of the blades where the liquid is discharged into a spray umbrella in a direction upwardly and outwardly away from the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignees: The Penn State Research Foundation, Mixing and Mass Transfer Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. McWhirter, Prakash G. Balan
  • Patent number: 6848823
    Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of the shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extending from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38,40) to maintain their spaced relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Site-b Company
    Inventors: David Marshall King, Ronnald Brian King, Thomas Arnold Martin
  • 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: 20040217492
    Abstract: A radial disc impeller for use with a liquid or liquid suspension mixing assembly, having an axis of rotation. The radial disc has a hub and at least one disc extending radially away from the axis of rotation. The disc is connected to the hub at first axial location. The disc impeller includes a first blade connected to the disc. The first blade has an extension that extends radially away from the axis of rotation. The disc impeller also includes a second blade connected to the disc. The second blade has an extension that extends radially away from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Weetman, Gary Hodenius, Richard Howk
  • Patent number: 6783271
    Abstract: A rotary dispergator comprises a rotor (4) set on a shaft (5) of a stator (2) having a coaxial row of teeth (7) and an outer concentric row of straightening blades (8), encompassing the rotor (4) from the outside, the width of radial cuts between the straightening blades (8) of the stator (2) being several times smaller than their length. The rotor (4) has an impeller comprised of straight or curved blades (10), as well as a coaxial row of blades (11). A method of producing food products consists in that with the help of the dispergator a mechano-acoustic effect with an intensity of 100-500 W/kg of product is produced on the material to be comminuted placed into a container. With the use of rotary dispergator, various food products based on a vegetable material are produced: a soybean paste, a mayonnaise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Zakrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “Katalizatornaya Kompaniya”
    Inventors: Vladimir Grigorievich Makarenko, Mikhail Grigorievich Makarenko, Sergei Petrovich Kildyashev, Mikhail Stepanovich Oshurkov, Sergei Alexandrovich Saushkin, Anatoly Nikolaevich Parfenov
  • Publication number: 20040160854
    Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Ronnald B. King
  • Patent number: 6715912
    Abstract: A surface aeration impeller for use in a liquid filled tank. The impeller is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the static liquid surface. The impeller has a plurality of blades mounted on the underside of a disc or disc-like surface. Each blade has a multi-faceted or curved geometry ranging from vertical at the point of attachment to the disc to partially inclined at the bottom. The blades are spaced circumferentially about the axis and are disposed at acute angles to radial lines from the axis of rotation of the impeller. The lower portions of the blades, which are inclined but non-vertical, are positioned at or below the static liquid surface. When the impeller is rotated, the lower portion pumps the liquid up onto the vertical portion of the blades where the liquid is discharged into a spray umbrella in a direction upwardly and outwardly away from the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignees: The Penn State Research Foundation, Mixing & Mass Transfer Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. McWhirter, Prakash G. Balan
  • Publication number: 20040062144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing apparatus and a method for mixing gas in a closed mixing reactor, which uses gas as a process chemical with a high efficiency and where the content of pulverous solids in the solution is great. The aim is to obtain a flow in the reactor which sucks gas from above the surface of the liquid using rotating mixing devices in the centre of the reactor, and to mix said gas throughout the reactor capacity. The mixing apparatus of the invention comprises at least two mixers located at different heights, and on the same shaft. The upper mixer is equipped with a central plate attached to the shaft, with essentially vertical inner blades rising upwards and downwards and outer vanes directed outwards from the central plate, which are inclined from the horizontal. The lower mixer is equipped with a central plate attached to the shaft with vertical blades located on the outer edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Stig-Erik Hultholm, Mikko Juusela, Launo Lilja, Bror Nyman
  • Patent number: 6705554
    Abstract: Rotor for a paper stock processing machine, an anti-wear element for protecting a leading front surface of a rotor blade, and a paper stock processing apparatus. The rotor includes at least one rotor blade having a leading front surface to be protected, and an anti-wear element comprising a base body and at least one wear-resistant surface. The anti-wear element is coupled to the leading front surface. The anti-wear element includes a base body with a back side, and at least one wear-resistant working surface. The back side is formed to correspond to a shape of, and to be coupled to, the leading front edge. The apparatus includes a tank, a screen, and a rotor rotatably coupled adjacent the screen. The rotor includes at least one rotor blade having a leading front surface, relative to a rotational direction of the rotor, and an anti-wear element coupled to the leading front edge. The anti-wear element includes a base body and a wear-resistant working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Gunther Kölle
  • Patent number: 6688764
    Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Site-b Company
    Inventor: Ronnald B. King
  • Publication number: 20030227817
    Abstract: The disclosed device is directed towards a mixer apparatus comprising a barrel defining an interior and an exterior. The barrel has a first end and a second end opposite thereof. The barrel defines at least one inlet proximate to the first end and an outlet proximate to the second end. A motor unit is in operative communication with the barrel. A moving element is disposed in the interior of the barrel. The moving element is configured to move material through the barrel to the outlet of the barrel. At least one first mixing element is fluidly coupled to the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Mobius Technologies, Inc., a California corporation
    Inventors: Bryan Louis Martel, Robert Donald Villwock, Bruce Edward Welch, Joseph Richard Cochran, Joshua Eli Een
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6616318
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing material in a container comprising a base mixing element and an upper mixing element wherein the upper mixing element can be rotatably and reciprocatably coupled to the base mixing element. The base mixing element can be formed by an elongate member that is fixed to a base plate. The upper mixing element can be formed by an elongate member, which can comprise a cylinder, that has a plurality of mixing arms fixed thereto. An aperture can be disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the elongate cylinder of the upper mixing element for allowing material to be exhausted and cleaned from within the elongate cylinder. The mixing arms can have a plurality of apertures therein, and the base plate can have a peripheral rim for maintaining the base plate spaced from the bottom surface of the container. A plurality of angled blades can be formed in the base plate for drawing material through apertures in the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Jesse M. LeBlanc, Ajay M. Pathak
  • Publication number: 20030112700
    Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of the shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extending from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38,40) to maintain their spaced relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: David Marshall King, Ronnald Brian King, Thomas Amold Martin