CA1314540C - Apparatus for mixing viscous liquid in a container - Google Patents
Apparatus for mixing viscous liquid in a containerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1314540C CA1314540C CA000614773A CA614773A CA1314540C CA 1314540 C CA1314540 C CA 1314540C CA 000614773 A CA000614773 A CA 000614773A CA 614773 A CA614773 A CA 614773A CA 1314540 C CA1314540 C CA 1314540C
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- shaft
- vanes
- mixing
- flow
- disc
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A rotary device for mixing viscous liquids within a container. A vertical rotary driven shaft is connected to a circular disc at its terminal end. Radial or tangential mixing vanes are connected to the top surface of the disc and a baffle plate or cover disc is located over the vanes to prevent vertical flow in the area of the vanes. A central flow passage is provided about the shaft. Fluid is driven laterally out-wardly by the vanes and replacement fluid is pulled downwardly by a pumping action along the shaft and likewise driven later-ally outwardly for mixing. A removable washer shaped flow re-strictor is placed in the central flow passage, vertically sup-ported by the inner ends of the vanes and held in place by the downward flow during rotation of the mixing device.
A rotary device for mixing viscous liquids within a container. A vertical rotary driven shaft is connected to a circular disc at its terminal end. Radial or tangential mixing vanes are connected to the top surface of the disc and a baffle plate or cover disc is located over the vanes to prevent vertical flow in the area of the vanes. A central flow passage is provided about the shaft. Fluid is driven laterally out-wardly by the vanes and replacement fluid is pulled downwardly by a pumping action along the shaft and likewise driven later-ally outwardly for mixing. A removable washer shaped flow re-strictor is placed in the central flow passage, vertically sup-ported by the inner ends of the vanes and held in place by the downward flow during rotation of the mixing device.
Description
13145~0 APPARAT~IS EQR MIXING VISCOUS LIQUID IN A CONTAINER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELI) OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relate~s to rotary devices for mixing viscous liquid within a container~ more particularly the invention relates to such mixing wherein obtaining highly homogeneous consistencies i~ important as For instance with paint products and the like~ The present apparatus is not, however, limited to the mixing of any particular viscous liquid and may be utilized in the mixing of liquids within a wide range of viscosities. Although the present disclosure discusses applications such as mixing of paints and asphaltic compositions such as roofing materials, such disclosure is intended to be by ~ay of illustration and not limita-tion. The apparatus of the present invention is adaptable from home of shop use as well as for most commercial wses and may be designed for either stationary mounting or mounting in a conventional hand held drive motor unit such as a variable speed electric drill. The device may also be adapl;ed, without structural modification, to effectively oPerate with liquids of dif-Ferent viscosities.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART:
Commercially available prior art devices for mixin~
such fluids as paints and the like within plastic or metal containers have su-FFered from a number o-F inadequacies. This has 1~3145~V ~ --been especially true with respect to power driven mixing devices which, although producing adequate agitation, run the risk of damaging the container if not properly handled. Those devices which do not depend upon extreme agitation, tend to be in-efficient in the mixing function in terms of the time required for mixing and the degree of mixing. Prior art devices ofttimes are also unable to affect highly settled or semi-solidified material in certain areas of the container, as for inætance the inside bottom periphery of a paint can. In addition, mixing devices are ususally limited in effectiveness when u~ed with a wide range of vlscosities. For instance, a mixing device de-signed for use with a low viscosity substance such as paint would not be suitable for mixing highly viscous fluids such as asphalt or tar roofing sub~tances.
~ he primary problems with prior art devices are there~
fore; inefficiencies in the mixing operation within a container, the time consuming nature of the operation, inability to mix certain areas of containers to any degree, and the destructive nature of certain types of devices with respect to the container surfaces. The range of viscosities to which prior art liquid mixers can be adapted may also be limited~
SUMI!1ARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus which produces an extremely efficlent mixing flow in a controlled fashion, especlally adapted for use wlthin containers. The mixing device produces a positive multidirectional controlled flow which is enhanced even further by interaction with the P2ge -2-1 3 1 ~ 4 0~ ~ ~ sr ~; ~
container walls. Thu~ a positive mixing rather than simple agitation is accomplished with superior results regardless of the viscosity of the liquid being treated. Because of the cir-cular configuration of the mixer element and protection of the mixing vanes, the power driven rotary element may be placed on or near the bottom of a cylindrical can~ The mixing element may be moved about the inner periphery of the can to absolutely clear all unmixed concentrations. This action takes place with no danger of destruction to the container bottom or side walls.
Becau~e of the baffling effect of a top circular cover the liquid is positively pulled upwardly or downwardly through the center portion of the rotating mixer element and then driven with great force radially or tangentially outwardly at right angles. In certain embodiments of the invention the act~on of the top baffle plate is accomplished by curved or angled por-tions of the mixing vanes themselves. The force of the liquid driven by the rotating vanes along with the ability to move the mixing element in circular motion about the inner periphery of the can insures that all thickened or settled areas of the liquid will be dislodged and thoroughl~ mixed. In order to reach all areas oE the container the mixing element may also be moved up and down within the container which al~o serves to prevent or counteract any vortexing during mixing. The rate of flow de~ired for different V~8CoBitie8 of fluids may be con-trolled by controlling the open acces~ area in the top baffle plate without ~tructural modification of the mixing element simply by adding or removlng washer like baffles to the top Page -3-1314~0 baffle plate. The mixing element is carried on a central rotat-able shaft which may be made adaptable for use with any variable speed motor such as a common electric drill. In order to adapt the apparatus to different size containers or to increase the mixing efficiency and decrease the mixing time, multiple mixing elements may be mounted on a single drive shaft.
BRIEF D~SCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the mixing element and the drive shaft therefore;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the mixing element utilizing radial mixing vanes with the top baffle plate removed;
Fig. 3 is a third embodiment of the mixing element utilizing right angled protrusions on the mixing vane~ in place of the top baffle plate Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the invention wherein curved sections of the mixing vanes per-form the baffling function;
Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the operation of a mixing element of either the Figs. 1 or 2 embodiment with the arrows indicating the flow pattern of fluid during the mixing action;
Fig. 6 i8 a schematic illustration of the flow pattern during mixing with the use of multiple mixing elements on a ~ingle rotating shaftJ
Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the missing element of Fig. 2 including a flow restrictor and the top baffle plate in place~ and Page -4-i31 45~0 Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the mixing element of Fig. 2 including a second embodiment of the flow restrictor and top baffle plate in place.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 'i Fig. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the mixing , device wherein the mixing element is fixedly mounted on the end of a rotatable drive shaft 1 which may be driven by a hand held electric drive motor (not shown). A flat circular bottom plate 2 may be provided with a central hub 3 designed to receive the end of the drive shaft 1. The drive shaft 1 may be conveniently screw threaded into the central opening of the hub 3 or, if desired, may be otherwise directly connected to the top face 4 of the bottom plate. As illustrated in Fig. 1 the bottom plate 4 may comprise a flat disc and may be constructed from either sheet metal or a durable plastic if desired. ~ plurality of mixing vanes 5 are connected to the upper face 4 of the plate 2 and arranged uniformly about the circumference of the bottom plate. The vanes S are disposed in an upright position at right angles to the bottom plate 2 and extend from the outer periphery of the plate inwardly to a position adjacent the hub 3. ~B shown in E~ig. 1, the vanes S extend tangentially to a circle which i8 concentric to the rotating shaft 1.
A top baffle ring or plate 6 is mounted on the top edges of the vanes 5 and may be in the form of a flat ring hav-ing the ~ame out~ide diameter as the bottom plate 2. The plate 6 has a central opening 7 which provides a passage about the base of the shaft 1 for the flow of liquid during mixing as will Page -5-be presently described. The ring 6 may be made of the same material as the bottom plate and vanes and the entire structure may be welded or otherwise rigidly connected to form the mixing element.
Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the operation of the mixing element driven by a hand held motor 8, such as an electric drill motor. The mixin~ element i8 shown in operation within a can 9 of viscous liquid such as paint or other liquid substance to be mixed. With the vane arrangement shown in Fig.
1 for instance, the shaft 1 will be rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed from the top, illustrated by the directional arrow in Fig. 1. During rotation, liquid within the container 9 is thrown outwardly horizontally in a tangential direction by the vanes 5. Simultaneously, liquid is drawn downwardly about the shaft 1 and through the opening 7 in the baffle plate 6 80 as to produce a circular flow pattern about the entire circum-ference of the mixing element. This action is illustrated by the directional arrows in Fig~ 5. The circular pattern results since the top baffle plate or ring 6 prevents the liquid from rising upwardly Ln the area above the vanes, requiring the liquid to follow a horizontal path when impelled by the vanes 5.
As the liquid is forced laterallyl of course, replacement fluid is drawn downwardly by pumping action about the shaft 1 and likewise impelled laterally. Because of the action of the baffle with respect to each vane, as the shaft iB rotated, the liquld is actually impelled laterally with great force ~o as to po&itively circulate and mix even the moRt thickened portions of Paqe -6-the liquid. The size of the opening 7 may be varied depending upon the viscosity of the liquid and/or mixing rate desired.
hikewise, the vertical height of the vanes 5 may be varied in order to promote or restrict flowO
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the bottom plate 4 may be allowed to operate closely adjacent to or even rest on the bot-tom wall 10 of the container without damage thereto during rotation. The outer edge 11 of the plate 4 may be moved in a circular path around the periphery of the container bottom to positively dislodge and circulate any sediment or thickened portions of the liquid. As seen in Fig. 5, the proximity of the mixing element to the can side and bottom walls along with the force of the moving liquid creates extreme turbulence and mixing. In most cases it i8 po6sible to obtain one hundred percent mixing of the fluid in a very short time regardles~ of the condition of the liquid. The mixing element i~, of course, moved upwardly and downwardly in the can to reach all areas of the body of liquid. This is especially effective in the csse of deep containers and heavy liquid substances. Thi~ reciprocating or pumping action al~o prevents any tendency to create a vortex in the moving fluid.
Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement of multiple mixing elements on a single vertical drive shaft. The shaft is pro-vided with a first mixing element indicated generally at 12 on its bottom end in the manner described relative to Fig. 5, pro-ducing a first circular flow pattern in the container bottom as illustrated by the directional arrows. A second mixing element, P~ge -7-131~540 cally spaced above the mixing element 12. Thi~ spacing may, of course, be varied depending on the desired results. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, the element 13 may be inverted from the element 12, i.e. with its solid disc plate 14 located on top, such that a reversed circular flow pattern, illustrated by the arrows~ is produced from that of the bottom element 12.
Needless to say the mixing efficiency is tremendously increased and, depending upon the si~e of the container and the viscosity of the liquid to be mixed, additional mixing elements may be located on the shaft if desired. As shown in Fig. 6, the drive shaft may be in two parts, the lower shaft section 16 and the upper shaft section 17, both of which may be screw threaded into the hub 18 of the top mixing element 13. In the alternative, a single rotatable drive shaft may be utilized with the plurality of mixing elements rigidly connected and vertically spaced ther-ealong in any well known manner. With the arranqement shown in Fig. 6, the vertical reciprocating or pumping action of the mixing element is important since the greatest turbulence is created in the area between the mixing elements 12 and 13. This action is also important in this embodiment to prevent vortexing.
Figs. 2 and 7 illufitrate a second embodiment of the invention wherein the mixing vanes 19 extend vertically from the bottom di~c 20 and radially outwardly from the central drive shaft 21. The bottom plate or disc 20 may be identical to the disc 4 as described for Fig. 1. The mixing vanes as viewed in plan in Fig. 2 are evenly paced about the circumference of the Page -~-bottom disc 20 and extend to a position closely adjacent the shaft 21. The top baffle ring or plate 22 i5 shown in phantom in Fig. 2 with the inner ends of the vanes 19 extending inwardly beyond the edge 23 of the baffle ring. The operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is identical to that shown in Fig. 1 insofar as the mixing flow pattern produced. Figs. 2 and 7 also illustrate a means for varying the cro~s sectional flow area about the central shaft 21 and through the opening in the top baffle plate defined by the edge 23. A washer shaped disc or flow restrictor 24 having its central opening sized 80 as to pass easily over the central shaft 21, may be placed on top of the inner ends of the vanes 19. The diameter of the washer element 24 may be chosen such that the distance between the outer periphery of the washer 24 and the opening 23 provides a predetermined cross sectional area of liquid flow, depending upon the viscosity of the liquid to be mixed and/or the mixing rate desired. During the mixing action~ of course, the downward flow of the liquid impinging against the washer 24 will hold it in place on top of the inner ends of the vanes 20. In this manner a single mixing element may be adapted for performing the desired mixing action on a wider range of viscosities. It will also be understood that the flow restrictor shown in the Fig. 2 embodiment of the mixing element may also be used in the FigD 1 embodiment.
Fig. 8 illustrate~ a second embodiment of the flow restrictor which may al~o be used on either the Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 embodiment of the mlxing element. In the Fig. 8 embodiment, the ~age -9-13145~
washer shaped flow restrictor 24a has an enlarged central open-ing 25 and has its outside diameter chosen so as to conveniently fit within the opening 23 of the top baffle plate 22. As in the case of use of the flow restrictor 24, no modification of the mixing element is necessary in order to install the flow restrictor. In the Fig. 8 embodiment, the central opening 25 will be sized so as to permit a predetermined flow rate about the drive shaft 21. The flow restrictor 24a i8 supported verti-cally on the inner ends of the vanes 19 as de~cribed relative to the flow restrictor 24 and similarly is held in place by the downward flow of liquid impinging against the restrictor during operation. In some respects the flow restrictor 24a has advan-tages not present with the restrictor 24 since it is easier to install because of the larger central opening 25. It allows for liquid flow downwardly about the shaft 21 which is normally the main flow path of the liquid during rotation of the mixer.
Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention wherein the baffling action of the ring 6 a shown in Fig. 1, is performed by horizontally directed extensions of the mixing v2nefi. A~ seen in Fig. 3, the bottom disc 26 may be identical to the bottom discs 5 and 20 previously described for the Figs.
1 and 2 e~bodiments and likewise, the drive shaft 27 and its connection to the disc 26 may be identical to that previously described. The mixing vanes 28 each have a vertical ~ection 29 extending upwardly from the bottom disc 26 and may reach from the outer periphery of the disc 26 to a position adjacent the Pa~e -10-~314~
bottom end of the shaft 27 as previously described. Each verti-cal section 29 has a horizontal baffle 31. If ~he vanes are constructed from sheet metal, the horizontal baffle 31 may be a right angular portion bent over from the top part of the vane.
The horizontal width of the baffle 31 may be varied depending upon the flow pattern desired. As in the case of the baffle plate 6 of Fig. 1, the baffles 31 prevent the liquid from rising vertically in the area of the vane and, as the shaft is rotated, cause the fluid to be driven in a radial or tangential direction away from the central shaft. This in turn causes a downward flow about the shaft 27 resulting in substantially the same fluid flow pattern shown in Fig. 5.
Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 wherein the bottom plate 32 and shaft 33 are identical to the shaft and bottom plates previously described. The vanes ~4 in this embodiment include verticzl portions 36 secured to the bottom plate 32 and curved top edges 37 which are slanted down-wardly and outwardly from the central shaft and curved smoothly into the vertical section 36. The action of the curved vanes when the shaft 33 is rotated in the direction of the arrow is substantially the same as that described for the Fig. 3 em-bodiment wherein liquid i8 prevented from rising in the general area adjacent the vane and i8 caused to flow horizontally and radially outwardly from the central shaft resulting in a down-ward flow of liquid about the shaft 33. The flow pattern of the liquid during mixing i8 substantially the same as that il-lustrated in Flg. 5 and previously described for the other embodiments.
Page -11-1 3 ~ 0 Although the present invention has been described and il].ustrated with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.
Page -12-
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELI) OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relate~s to rotary devices for mixing viscous liquid within a container~ more particularly the invention relates to such mixing wherein obtaining highly homogeneous consistencies i~ important as For instance with paint products and the like~ The present apparatus is not, however, limited to the mixing of any particular viscous liquid and may be utilized in the mixing of liquids within a wide range of viscosities. Although the present disclosure discusses applications such as mixing of paints and asphaltic compositions such as roofing materials, such disclosure is intended to be by ~ay of illustration and not limita-tion. The apparatus of the present invention is adaptable from home of shop use as well as for most commercial wses and may be designed for either stationary mounting or mounting in a conventional hand held drive motor unit such as a variable speed electric drill. The device may also be adapl;ed, without structural modification, to effectively oPerate with liquids of dif-Ferent viscosities.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART:
Commercially available prior art devices for mixin~
such fluids as paints and the like within plastic or metal containers have su-FFered from a number o-F inadequacies. This has 1~3145~V ~ --been especially true with respect to power driven mixing devices which, although producing adequate agitation, run the risk of damaging the container if not properly handled. Those devices which do not depend upon extreme agitation, tend to be in-efficient in the mixing function in terms of the time required for mixing and the degree of mixing. Prior art devices ofttimes are also unable to affect highly settled or semi-solidified material in certain areas of the container, as for inætance the inside bottom periphery of a paint can. In addition, mixing devices are ususally limited in effectiveness when u~ed with a wide range of vlscosities. For instance, a mixing device de-signed for use with a low viscosity substance such as paint would not be suitable for mixing highly viscous fluids such as asphalt or tar roofing sub~tances.
~ he primary problems with prior art devices are there~
fore; inefficiencies in the mixing operation within a container, the time consuming nature of the operation, inability to mix certain areas of containers to any degree, and the destructive nature of certain types of devices with respect to the container surfaces. The range of viscosities to which prior art liquid mixers can be adapted may also be limited~
SUMI!1ARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus which produces an extremely efficlent mixing flow in a controlled fashion, especlally adapted for use wlthin containers. The mixing device produces a positive multidirectional controlled flow which is enhanced even further by interaction with the P2ge -2-1 3 1 ~ 4 0~ ~ ~ sr ~; ~
container walls. Thu~ a positive mixing rather than simple agitation is accomplished with superior results regardless of the viscosity of the liquid being treated. Because of the cir-cular configuration of the mixer element and protection of the mixing vanes, the power driven rotary element may be placed on or near the bottom of a cylindrical can~ The mixing element may be moved about the inner periphery of the can to absolutely clear all unmixed concentrations. This action takes place with no danger of destruction to the container bottom or side walls.
Becau~e of the baffling effect of a top circular cover the liquid is positively pulled upwardly or downwardly through the center portion of the rotating mixer element and then driven with great force radially or tangentially outwardly at right angles. In certain embodiments of the invention the act~on of the top baffle plate is accomplished by curved or angled por-tions of the mixing vanes themselves. The force of the liquid driven by the rotating vanes along with the ability to move the mixing element in circular motion about the inner periphery of the can insures that all thickened or settled areas of the liquid will be dislodged and thoroughl~ mixed. In order to reach all areas oE the container the mixing element may also be moved up and down within the container which al~o serves to prevent or counteract any vortexing during mixing. The rate of flow de~ired for different V~8CoBitie8 of fluids may be con-trolled by controlling the open acces~ area in the top baffle plate without ~tructural modification of the mixing element simply by adding or removlng washer like baffles to the top Page -3-1314~0 baffle plate. The mixing element is carried on a central rotat-able shaft which may be made adaptable for use with any variable speed motor such as a common electric drill. In order to adapt the apparatus to different size containers or to increase the mixing efficiency and decrease the mixing time, multiple mixing elements may be mounted on a single drive shaft.
BRIEF D~SCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the mixing element and the drive shaft therefore;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the mixing element utilizing radial mixing vanes with the top baffle plate removed;
Fig. 3 is a third embodiment of the mixing element utilizing right angled protrusions on the mixing vane~ in place of the top baffle plate Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the invention wherein curved sections of the mixing vanes per-form the baffling function;
Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the operation of a mixing element of either the Figs. 1 or 2 embodiment with the arrows indicating the flow pattern of fluid during the mixing action;
Fig. 6 i8 a schematic illustration of the flow pattern during mixing with the use of multiple mixing elements on a ~ingle rotating shaftJ
Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the missing element of Fig. 2 including a flow restrictor and the top baffle plate in place~ and Page -4-i31 45~0 Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the mixing element of Fig. 2 including a second embodiment of the flow restrictor and top baffle plate in place.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 'i Fig. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the mixing , device wherein the mixing element is fixedly mounted on the end of a rotatable drive shaft 1 which may be driven by a hand held electric drive motor (not shown). A flat circular bottom plate 2 may be provided with a central hub 3 designed to receive the end of the drive shaft 1. The drive shaft 1 may be conveniently screw threaded into the central opening of the hub 3 or, if desired, may be otherwise directly connected to the top face 4 of the bottom plate. As illustrated in Fig. 1 the bottom plate 4 may comprise a flat disc and may be constructed from either sheet metal or a durable plastic if desired. ~ plurality of mixing vanes 5 are connected to the upper face 4 of the plate 2 and arranged uniformly about the circumference of the bottom plate. The vanes S are disposed in an upright position at right angles to the bottom plate 2 and extend from the outer periphery of the plate inwardly to a position adjacent the hub 3. ~B shown in E~ig. 1, the vanes S extend tangentially to a circle which i8 concentric to the rotating shaft 1.
A top baffle ring or plate 6 is mounted on the top edges of the vanes 5 and may be in the form of a flat ring hav-ing the ~ame out~ide diameter as the bottom plate 2. The plate 6 has a central opening 7 which provides a passage about the base of the shaft 1 for the flow of liquid during mixing as will Page -5-be presently described. The ring 6 may be made of the same material as the bottom plate and vanes and the entire structure may be welded or otherwise rigidly connected to form the mixing element.
Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the operation of the mixing element driven by a hand held motor 8, such as an electric drill motor. The mixin~ element i8 shown in operation within a can 9 of viscous liquid such as paint or other liquid substance to be mixed. With the vane arrangement shown in Fig.
1 for instance, the shaft 1 will be rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed from the top, illustrated by the directional arrow in Fig. 1. During rotation, liquid within the container 9 is thrown outwardly horizontally in a tangential direction by the vanes 5. Simultaneously, liquid is drawn downwardly about the shaft 1 and through the opening 7 in the baffle plate 6 80 as to produce a circular flow pattern about the entire circum-ference of the mixing element. This action is illustrated by the directional arrows in Fig~ 5. The circular pattern results since the top baffle plate or ring 6 prevents the liquid from rising upwardly Ln the area above the vanes, requiring the liquid to follow a horizontal path when impelled by the vanes 5.
As the liquid is forced laterallyl of course, replacement fluid is drawn downwardly by pumping action about the shaft 1 and likewise impelled laterally. Because of the action of the baffle with respect to each vane, as the shaft iB rotated, the liquld is actually impelled laterally with great force ~o as to po&itively circulate and mix even the moRt thickened portions of Paqe -6-the liquid. The size of the opening 7 may be varied depending upon the viscosity of the liquid and/or mixing rate desired.
hikewise, the vertical height of the vanes 5 may be varied in order to promote or restrict flowO
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the bottom plate 4 may be allowed to operate closely adjacent to or even rest on the bot-tom wall 10 of the container without damage thereto during rotation. The outer edge 11 of the plate 4 may be moved in a circular path around the periphery of the container bottom to positively dislodge and circulate any sediment or thickened portions of the liquid. As seen in Fig. 5, the proximity of the mixing element to the can side and bottom walls along with the force of the moving liquid creates extreme turbulence and mixing. In most cases it i8 po6sible to obtain one hundred percent mixing of the fluid in a very short time regardles~ of the condition of the liquid. The mixing element i~, of course, moved upwardly and downwardly in the can to reach all areas of the body of liquid. This is especially effective in the csse of deep containers and heavy liquid substances. Thi~ reciprocating or pumping action al~o prevents any tendency to create a vortex in the moving fluid.
Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement of multiple mixing elements on a single vertical drive shaft. The shaft is pro-vided with a first mixing element indicated generally at 12 on its bottom end in the manner described relative to Fig. 5, pro-ducing a first circular flow pattern in the container bottom as illustrated by the directional arrows. A second mixing element, P~ge -7-131~540 cally spaced above the mixing element 12. Thi~ spacing may, of course, be varied depending on the desired results. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, the element 13 may be inverted from the element 12, i.e. with its solid disc plate 14 located on top, such that a reversed circular flow pattern, illustrated by the arrows~ is produced from that of the bottom element 12.
Needless to say the mixing efficiency is tremendously increased and, depending upon the si~e of the container and the viscosity of the liquid to be mixed, additional mixing elements may be located on the shaft if desired. As shown in Fig. 6, the drive shaft may be in two parts, the lower shaft section 16 and the upper shaft section 17, both of which may be screw threaded into the hub 18 of the top mixing element 13. In the alternative, a single rotatable drive shaft may be utilized with the plurality of mixing elements rigidly connected and vertically spaced ther-ealong in any well known manner. With the arranqement shown in Fig. 6, the vertical reciprocating or pumping action of the mixing element is important since the greatest turbulence is created in the area between the mixing elements 12 and 13. This action is also important in this embodiment to prevent vortexing.
Figs. 2 and 7 illufitrate a second embodiment of the invention wherein the mixing vanes 19 extend vertically from the bottom di~c 20 and radially outwardly from the central drive shaft 21. The bottom plate or disc 20 may be identical to the disc 4 as described for Fig. 1. The mixing vanes as viewed in plan in Fig. 2 are evenly paced about the circumference of the Page -~-bottom disc 20 and extend to a position closely adjacent the shaft 21. The top baffle ring or plate 22 i5 shown in phantom in Fig. 2 with the inner ends of the vanes 19 extending inwardly beyond the edge 23 of the baffle ring. The operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is identical to that shown in Fig. 1 insofar as the mixing flow pattern produced. Figs. 2 and 7 also illustrate a means for varying the cro~s sectional flow area about the central shaft 21 and through the opening in the top baffle plate defined by the edge 23. A washer shaped disc or flow restrictor 24 having its central opening sized 80 as to pass easily over the central shaft 21, may be placed on top of the inner ends of the vanes 19. The diameter of the washer element 24 may be chosen such that the distance between the outer periphery of the washer 24 and the opening 23 provides a predetermined cross sectional area of liquid flow, depending upon the viscosity of the liquid to be mixed and/or the mixing rate desired. During the mixing action~ of course, the downward flow of the liquid impinging against the washer 24 will hold it in place on top of the inner ends of the vanes 20. In this manner a single mixing element may be adapted for performing the desired mixing action on a wider range of viscosities. It will also be understood that the flow restrictor shown in the Fig. 2 embodiment of the mixing element may also be used in the FigD 1 embodiment.
Fig. 8 illustrate~ a second embodiment of the flow restrictor which may al~o be used on either the Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 embodiment of the mlxing element. In the Fig. 8 embodiment, the ~age -9-13145~
washer shaped flow restrictor 24a has an enlarged central open-ing 25 and has its outside diameter chosen so as to conveniently fit within the opening 23 of the top baffle plate 22. As in the case of use of the flow restrictor 24, no modification of the mixing element is necessary in order to install the flow restrictor. In the Fig. 8 embodiment, the central opening 25 will be sized so as to permit a predetermined flow rate about the drive shaft 21. The flow restrictor 24a i8 supported verti-cally on the inner ends of the vanes 19 as de~cribed relative to the flow restrictor 24 and similarly is held in place by the downward flow of liquid impinging against the restrictor during operation. In some respects the flow restrictor 24a has advan-tages not present with the restrictor 24 since it is easier to install because of the larger central opening 25. It allows for liquid flow downwardly about the shaft 21 which is normally the main flow path of the liquid during rotation of the mixer.
Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention wherein the baffling action of the ring 6 a shown in Fig. 1, is performed by horizontally directed extensions of the mixing v2nefi. A~ seen in Fig. 3, the bottom disc 26 may be identical to the bottom discs 5 and 20 previously described for the Figs.
1 and 2 e~bodiments and likewise, the drive shaft 27 and its connection to the disc 26 may be identical to that previously described. The mixing vanes 28 each have a vertical ~ection 29 extending upwardly from the bottom disc 26 and may reach from the outer periphery of the disc 26 to a position adjacent the Pa~e -10-~314~
bottom end of the shaft 27 as previously described. Each verti-cal section 29 has a horizontal baffle 31. If ~he vanes are constructed from sheet metal, the horizontal baffle 31 may be a right angular portion bent over from the top part of the vane.
The horizontal width of the baffle 31 may be varied depending upon the flow pattern desired. As in the case of the baffle plate 6 of Fig. 1, the baffles 31 prevent the liquid from rising vertically in the area of the vane and, as the shaft is rotated, cause the fluid to be driven in a radial or tangential direction away from the central shaft. This in turn causes a downward flow about the shaft 27 resulting in substantially the same fluid flow pattern shown in Fig. 5.
Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 wherein the bottom plate 32 and shaft 33 are identical to the shaft and bottom plates previously described. The vanes ~4 in this embodiment include verticzl portions 36 secured to the bottom plate 32 and curved top edges 37 which are slanted down-wardly and outwardly from the central shaft and curved smoothly into the vertical section 36. The action of the curved vanes when the shaft 33 is rotated in the direction of the arrow is substantially the same as that described for the Fig. 3 em-bodiment wherein liquid i8 prevented from rising in the general area adjacent the vane and i8 caused to flow horizontally and radially outwardly from the central shaft resulting in a down-ward flow of liquid about the shaft 33. The flow pattern of the liquid during mixing i8 substantially the same as that il-lustrated in Flg. 5 and previously described for the other embodiments.
Page -11-1 3 ~ 0 Although the present invention has been described and il].ustrated with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.
Page -12-
Claims (14)
1. A mixing device for mixing a body of liquid and dis-persed solids confined in an open top container comprising in combination;
a rotatable mixing shaft, said shaft being substan-tially vertical and having a top and bottom end for insertion into said container, a planar imperforate circular disc having top and bottom surfaces with the top surface thereof fixedly connected to the bottom end of said shaft at the center point of the disc for rotation therewith, said disc being normal to said shaft and having a sub-stantially smooth circular unobstructed flat bottom surface, a plurality of vane means fixed to the top surface of said disc and spaced equidistantly about the circumference thereof for driving liquid in a lateral direction away from said mixing shaft upon rotation of the shaft in one direction, said vane means being located within the peripheral confines of said disc, and baffle means overlying each said vane means for preventing upward vertical flow in the area of said vanes so as to concentrate the flow of liquid laterally along said vanes, said baffle means being spaced radially outwardly from said shaft to provide a controlled flow passage for downward vertical flow of liquid as it is drawn downwardly by the lateral flow produced by said vanes, whereby liquid is caused to flow vertically downwardly along said shaft and then moved laterally along said vanes with great force upon rotation of said shaft in said one direction, said flat smooth bottom and the circular configuration of the disc permitting operation of the mixing device on the bottom surface and inside peripheral edge of the container without damage to the container walls.
a rotatable mixing shaft, said shaft being substan-tially vertical and having a top and bottom end for insertion into said container, a planar imperforate circular disc having top and bottom surfaces with the top surface thereof fixedly connected to the bottom end of said shaft at the center point of the disc for rotation therewith, said disc being normal to said shaft and having a sub-stantially smooth circular unobstructed flat bottom surface, a plurality of vane means fixed to the top surface of said disc and spaced equidistantly about the circumference thereof for driving liquid in a lateral direction away from said mixing shaft upon rotation of the shaft in one direction, said vane means being located within the peripheral confines of said disc, and baffle means overlying each said vane means for preventing upward vertical flow in the area of said vanes so as to concentrate the flow of liquid laterally along said vanes, said baffle means being spaced radially outwardly from said shaft to provide a controlled flow passage for downward vertical flow of liquid as it is drawn downwardly by the lateral flow produced by said vanes, whereby liquid is caused to flow vertically downwardly along said shaft and then moved laterally along said vanes with great force upon rotation of said shaft in said one direction, said flat smooth bottom and the circular configuration of the disc permitting operation of the mixing device on the bottom surface and inside peripheral edge of the container without damage to the container walls.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein;
said baffle means comprises a ring shaped circular plate with a central opening therein defining said central flow passage to permit downward flow of liquid along said shaft during rotation of the shaft, said baffle plate being connected to the top surface of said vanes.
said baffle means comprises a ring shaped circular plate with a central opening therein defining said central flow passage to permit downward flow of liquid along said shaft during rotation of the shaft, said baffle plate being connected to the top surface of said vanes.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein;.
each said vane means extends from the peripheral edge of the disc and has an inward end adjacent the bottom end of the shaft, and flow restrictor means removably engagable about said shaft and seated on the inward ends of said vanes for varying the effective area of said central flow passage.
each said vane means extends from the peripheral edge of the disc and has an inward end adjacent the bottom end of the shaft, and flow restrictor means removably engagable about said shaft and seated on the inward ends of said vanes for varying the effective area of said central flow passage.
4. The device according to claim 3 wherein;
said flow restrictor comprises a flat annular ring having a central opening with a diameter conforming to the diameter of said shaft so as to be easily engagable thereon and an outside diameter less than the diameter of the central opening of said baffle plate, the annular space between the outside edge of said flow restrictor and the edge of the central opening in said baffle plate comprising said central flow passage.
said flow restrictor comprises a flat annular ring having a central opening with a diameter conforming to the diameter of said shaft so as to be easily engagable thereon and an outside diameter less than the diameter of the central opening of said baffle plate, the annular space between the outside edge of said flow restrictor and the edge of the central opening in said baffle plate comprising said central flow passage.
5. The device according to claim 3 wherein;
said flow restrictor comprises a flat annular ring having an outside diameter conforming to the diameter of the central opening in said baffle plate so as to be easily received therein and a central opening with a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft, the central opening in said flow restrictor defining said central flow passage.
said flow restrictor comprises a flat annular ring having an outside diameter conforming to the diameter of the central opening in said baffle plate so as to be easily received therein and a central opening with a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft, the central opening in said flow restrictor defining said central flow passage.
6. The device according to claim 3 wherein:
said vanes extend from the peripheral edge of said disc in a direction tangential to a circle concentric with said shaft.
said vanes extend from the peripheral edge of said disc in a direction tangential to a circle concentric with said shaft.
7. The device according to claim 3 wherein;
said vanes extend from the peripheral edge of said disc in a radial direction relative to said shaft.
said vanes extend from the peripheral edge of said disc in a radial direction relative to said shaft.
8. The device according to claim 1 wherein;
said baffle means comprises a projection on the top portion of each said mixing vanes, said projection being positioned to restrict flow of fluid in an upward direction in the area of each said vanes.
said baffle means comprises a projection on the top portion of each said mixing vanes, said projection being positioned to restrict flow of fluid in an upward direction in the area of each said vanes.
9. The device according to claim 8 wherein;
each said vane comprises a vertical planar portion and an integral horizontal planar portion extending in the direction of rotation of said shaft during mixing.
each said vane comprises a vertical planar portion and an integral horizontal planar portion extending in the direction of rotation of said shaft during mixing.
10. The device according to claim 8 wherein;
each said vane comprises a vertical planar portion and a horizontally curved integral portion extending in the direc-tion of rotation of said shaft during mixing.
each said vane comprises a vertical planar portion and a horizontally curved integral portion extending in the direc-tion of rotation of said shaft during mixing.
11. A mixing device for mixing a body of liquid and dis-persed solids confined in an open top container comprising;
a substantially vertical power driven rotatable mixing shaft, said shaft having a top and a bottom end for insertion into said container, a planar imperforate circular disc having top and bottom surfaces with the top surface thereof fixedly connected to the bottom end of said shaft at the center point of the disc, for rotation therewith, said disc being normal to the axis of said shaft and having a substantially flat smooth unobstructed bottom surface, a plurality of upstanding mixing vanes fixed to the top surface of said disc and spaced equidistantly about the circum-ference thereof, said vanes being located within the outer peripheral edge of said disc and extending inwardly with inner ends located adjacent the bottom end of said shaft, the outer periphery of said disc being unobstructed, whereby upon rotation of said shaft in one direction, liquid is driven radially outwardly by said vanes, an annular baffle plate having substantially the same outside diameter as said disc and connected to the top edges of said upstanding mixing vanes and extending in a plane parallel to the plane of said disc, said baffle plate having a central opening defining a central vertical flow passage about said shaft, whereby said baffle prevents vertical flow in the area of said vanes and concentrates flow in a lateral direction along said vanes, fluid being drawn downwardly through said central flow passage by the lateral flow produced by said vanes, said mixing device and said container being freely movable relative to one another whereby said disc may be operated on the bottom of said container and moved about the inside periphery thereof for dislodging unmixed concentrations of solid particles without damaging the walls of said container, said vanes serving to impel fluid with great force outwardly against the sides of said container.
a substantially vertical power driven rotatable mixing shaft, said shaft having a top and a bottom end for insertion into said container, a planar imperforate circular disc having top and bottom surfaces with the top surface thereof fixedly connected to the bottom end of said shaft at the center point of the disc, for rotation therewith, said disc being normal to the axis of said shaft and having a substantially flat smooth unobstructed bottom surface, a plurality of upstanding mixing vanes fixed to the top surface of said disc and spaced equidistantly about the circum-ference thereof, said vanes being located within the outer peripheral edge of said disc and extending inwardly with inner ends located adjacent the bottom end of said shaft, the outer periphery of said disc being unobstructed, whereby upon rotation of said shaft in one direction, liquid is driven radially outwardly by said vanes, an annular baffle plate having substantially the same outside diameter as said disc and connected to the top edges of said upstanding mixing vanes and extending in a plane parallel to the plane of said disc, said baffle plate having a central opening defining a central vertical flow passage about said shaft, whereby said baffle prevents vertical flow in the area of said vanes and concentrates flow in a lateral direction along said vanes, fluid being drawn downwardly through said central flow passage by the lateral flow produced by said vanes, said mixing device and said container being freely movable relative to one another whereby said disc may be operated on the bottom of said container and moved about the inside periphery thereof for dislodging unmixed concentrations of solid particles without damaging the walls of said container, said vanes serving to impel fluid with great force outwardly against the sides of said container.
12. The device according to claim 11 wherein said mixing vanes extend radially inwardly beyond the edge of the central opening in said baffle plate, and a removable flow restrictor means comprising a flat annular ring engagable about said shaft and seated on the inward ends of said vanes for varying the effective area of said central flow passage.
13.The device according to claim 12 wherein said flow restrictor has a central opening with a diameter conforming to the diameter of said shaft so as to be easily engagable thereon and an outside diameter less than the diameter of the central opening of said baffle plate, the annular space between the outside edge of said flow restrictor and the edge of the central opening in said baffle plate comprising said central flow passage, said flow restrictor being supported on the inner ends of said vanes and held in place by the downward force of the liquid flow through the central flow passage.
14. The device according to claim 12 wherein said flow restrictor has an outside diameter conforming to the diameter of the central opening in said baffle plate so as to be easily received therein and a central opening with a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft, the central opening in said flow restrictor defining said central flow passage, said flow restrictor being supported on the inner ends of said vanes and held in place by the downward force of the liquid flow through the central flow passage.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000614773A CA1314540C (en) | 1989-09-29 | 1989-09-29 | Apparatus for mixing viscous liquid in a container |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000614773A CA1314540C (en) | 1989-09-29 | 1989-09-29 | Apparatus for mixing viscous liquid in a container |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1314540C true CA1314540C (en) | 1993-03-16 |
Family
ID=4140824
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000614773A Expired - Fee Related CA1314540C (en) | 1989-09-29 | 1989-09-29 | Apparatus for mixing viscous liquid in a container |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1314540C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113522102A (en) * | 2021-07-30 | 2021-10-22 | 沈阳铝镁设计研究院有限公司 | Flood absorption efficiency-increasing generating device |
| CN114054268A (en) * | 2021-11-22 | 2022-02-18 | 赵强 | Mural invisible protective layer sprayer with coating multi-filtering fine and smooth device |
-
1989
- 1989-09-29 CA CA000614773A patent/CA1314540C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113522102A (en) * | 2021-07-30 | 2021-10-22 | 沈阳铝镁设计研究院有限公司 | Flood absorption efficiency-increasing generating device |
| CN114054268A (en) * | 2021-11-22 | 2022-02-18 | 赵强 | Mural invisible protective layer sprayer with coating multi-filtering fine and smooth device |
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