EP2112952A1 - Malaxage vibrant résonant - Google Patents

Malaxage vibrant résonant

Info

Publication number
EP2112952A1
EP2112952A1 EP07835660A EP07835660A EP2112952A1 EP 2112952 A1 EP2112952 A1 EP 2112952A1 EP 07835660 A EP07835660 A EP 07835660A EP 07835660 A EP07835660 A EP 07835660A EP 2112952 A1 EP2112952 A1 EP 2112952A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movable mass
mass
movable
mixing
composition
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP07835660A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2112952B1 (fr
EP2112952A4 (fr
Inventor
Harold W. Howe
Jeremiah J. Warriner
Aaron M. Cook
Scott L. Coguill
Lawrence C. Farrar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RESODYN ACOUSTIC MIXERS Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to PL07835660T priority Critical patent/PL2112952T3/pl
Priority to EP18202371.3A priority patent/EP3450006B1/fr
Publication of EP2112952A1 publication Critical patent/EP2112952A1/fr
Publication of EP2112952A4 publication Critical patent/EP2112952A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2112952B1 publication Critical patent/EP2112952B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/04—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with electromagnetism
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
    • B01F31/20—Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes
    • B01F31/265—Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes the vibrations being caused by an unbalanced rotating member
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
    • B01F31/20—Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes
    • B01F31/27—Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes the vibrations being caused by electromagnets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/10—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of mechanical energy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
    • B01F2101/44—Mixing of ingredients for microbiology, enzymology, in vitro culture or genetic manipulation

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to mixing and mass transport.
  • the invention relates to an apparatus and method for resonant- vibratory mixing.
  • the mixing of fluids involves the creation of fluid motion or agitation resulting in the uniform distribution of either heterogeneous or homogeneous starting materials to form an output product.
  • Mixing processes are called upon to effect the uniform distribution of: miscible fluids such as alcohol in water; immiscible fluids such as the emulsification of oil in water; of particulate matter such as the suspension of pigment particles in a carrier fluid; mixtures of dry materials with fluids such as sand, cement and water; thixotropic (pseudo plastic) fluids with solid particulates; the chemical ingredients of pharmaceuticals; and biological specimens, such as bacteria, while growing in a nurturing media without incurring physical damage.
  • miscible fluids such as alcohol in water
  • immiscible fluids such as the emulsification of oil in water
  • of particulate matter such as the suspension of pigment particles in a carrier fluid
  • mixtures of dry materials with fluids such as sand, cement and water
  • Mixing may be accomplished in a variety of ways: either a rotating impeller(s) mounted onto a shaft(s) immersed in the fluid mixture agitate(s) the fluid and/or solid materials to be mixed, or a translating perforated plate does the agitation, or the vessel itself containing the materials is agitated, shaken or vibrated. Mixing may be continuous (as when a rotating impeller is used or the containing vessel is vibrated) or intermittent as when the drive mechanism starts and stops in one or several directions.
  • the amplitude can be varied within very narrow limits, and the frequency is generally set at the frequency of the alternating current (AC) power source.
  • AC alternating current
  • the vibrational frequency of a conventional vibrational mixer can be varied only within relatively narrow limits. Mixing at the natural resonant frequency of the mechanism is usually avoided do to the high loads and associated wear of the mechanisms.
  • This invention is limited in that only a single-mass system is disclosed.
  • the O'Conner patents disclose vibrational mechanisms comprised of two masses. A means of imposing a cyclical force is attached to the first mass. The second mass, which holds or includes the material to be affected, is resiliently mounted to the first. The assembly is then held by resilient members to a fixed ground position.
  • This mechanism can be effectively tuned by proper resilient member selections to substantially reduce transmitted forces to the ground position but is limited in its ability to reduce accelerations imposed on the first mass. Accelerations on the first mass, which includes the driver inducing the cyclical forces, induce high forces which in turn lead to premature failures. To lower the failure rates of the driver, either the induced forces must be reduced or the mass of the material to be affected must be severely limited. Both cases limit the available applications of the device.
  • the preferred operating conditions are between the first and second modes of peak vibrations. This further limit the device's effectiveness due to the additional power required to operate in this range for optimum mixing accelerations and amplitudes. If the device were to operate at one of the peek modes only enough power to overcome inherent damping of the device would be required to effect maximum acceleration and amplitude at mass two.
  • the Kossman patent discloses a method of controlling the driver motor or motors of a vibrational device similar to the O'Conner patent.
  • the desclosed device lacks the ability to operate at the natural frequency peaks and also suffers from a lack of ability to limit transmitted forces to either the driver or ground positions.
  • Ogura in U.S. Patent No. 3,498,384 discloses a vibratory impact device. This invention is limited in that only a two-mass system is disclosed. It is not possible to achieve high payload accelerations, force cancellation and low driver accelerations with a two-mass system.
  • Dupre et al. in U.S. Patent No. 3,767,168 disclose a mechanical agitation apparatus. This invention is limited in that only a single-mass system is disclosed.
  • This invention is limited in that only a single-mass system is disclosed.
  • Maurer et al. in U.S. Patent No. 6,263,750 disclose a device for generating directed vibrations. This invention is limited in that only a single-mass system is disclosed. Bartick et al,. in U.S. Patent No. 6,579,002 disclose a broad-range large-load fast- oscillating high-performance reciprocating programmable laboratory shaker. This invention is limited in that only a single-mass system is disclosed. This invention is not capable of operating in a resonant condition as it is displacement rather than vibration driven.
  • the background art does not teach a three-mass system having a structure that is capable of achieving low- frequencies of 0-1000 Hertz (Hz) 5 high accelerations of 2-75 accelerations equal to that caused by gravity (g's) and large displacement amplitudes of 0.01-0.5 inches.
  • What is needed is an apparatus and method for mixing fluids and/or solids in a manner that can be varied from maintaining the integrity of fragile molecular and biological materials in the mixing vessel to homogenizing heavy aggregate material by supplying large amounts of energy.
  • the purpose of the invention is to provide intimate processing, for example, mixing a plurality of fluids, e.g., intimately mixing a gas in a liquid, or a liquid in another liquid, or more than two phases.
  • One application is the mixing and dispersion of solids in liquids, in particular hard to wet solids and small particles.
  • Other applications include preparing emulsions for chemical and pharmaceutical applications, gasifying liquids for purification and for chemical reactions, accelerating physical and chemical reactions, and suspending fine particles in fluids.
  • the fluids to which reference is made herein may or may not include entrained solid particles.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus and method for mixing materials, which apparatus and method afford extremely control over mixing in a wide range of applications.
  • the range of applications extends from heavy-duty agitation for preparation of concrete to delicate and precise mixing required for the preparation of pharmaceuticals and the processing of biological cultures in which living organisms must remain viable through the mixing process.
  • the present invention provides a vibration mixer, driven by an electronically controllable motor or motors, adapted so as to allow virtually unlimited control of the mixing process.
  • the present invention is comprised of three masses with a cyclical linear force applied to one of the masses. The linear force applied to the first mass produces a vibratory motion which is transmitted through resilient members to a second coupling mass then to a third mass.
  • a vessel is attached to the second or third mass for the purpose of mixing two or more constituents.
  • the three masses are coupled together with resilient members which are optimized to transfer the vast majority of the force to the mixing vessel and minimize the transmitted force to the ground and supporting structure. Minimizing the transmission of force to ground and maximizing the transmitted force to the vessel most efficiently affects work done on the vessel contents and reduces wear on the linear force transducer. Most efficient operation is achieved by operation at or near resonant frequencies of the mechanism. Levels of intensity that are nearly impossible with conventional methods of vibration mixing are attained with ease by employing the resonating system disclosed herein.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to facilitate gasification of liquids. Yet another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to facilitate de-gasification of liquids. Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to accelerate physical and chemical reactions. A further object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to accelerate heat transfer. Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to accelerate mass transfer. Yet another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to suspend and distribute particles. A further object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to suspend nanoparticles distribute particles. Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to cause micromixing. Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to create Newtonian instabilities. Yet another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to cause high rates of gas-liquid and liquid-gas mass transfer.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to cause dispersion of vapor bubbles into the surface and disperse into the liquid.
  • a further object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to cause bubbles to move downward into a liquid.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to cause bubbles to be suspended in a liquid.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to cause vapor to cavitate in a liquid.
  • a further object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to combine three or more masses in such a manner to provide a force-canceling mode of operation.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to produce low-frequencies of 0-1000 Hertz (Hz), high accelerations of 2-75 accelerations equal to that caused by gravity (g's) and large displacement amplitudes of 0.01-0.5 inches.
  • Yet another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to provide a self-contained system for placing the fluids and solids to be mixed on a platform and a mechanism for securing the system to the platform.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is provides a means for force cancellation to the base of the device.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to reduce acceleration on the oscillator, thereby increasing bearing life and extending the useful life of the components of the device. Yet another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to provides mechanisms for operation at the resonant frequency of the device for increased efficiency and effectiveness. Another object of preferred embodiment of the invention is to employ internal force cancellation and reduce forces transmitted to the surroundings of the device. A further object of the invention is to efficiently transfer applied forces and related accelerations to the payload mass and reduce acceleration of the oscillator.. Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to allow for automatic and/or manual adjustment of oscillatory force during operation. Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is provide a a three, or more, mass system where operating parameters (frequency and displacement) are less sensitive to payload mass changes and provides consistent operation in a variety of situations.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is a device that has three modes of vibration and operates at the highest, thereby affording the use of more compliant springs, which reduces intrinsic damping and increases efficiency.
  • Yet another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to provide high mass transport of gases, liquids and nutrients to cells with low shear.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide high mass transport of gases and waste products from cells at low shear.
  • a further object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to provide high mass transport of gases, liquids and nutrients to and into microcarriers with low shear while causing a minimum of microcarrier collisions.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention to provide high mass transport of gases out of and from microcarriers with low shear while causing a minimum of microcarrier collisions.
  • Yet another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to provide a vibratory device that can be adjusted to produce frequencies and displacements that cause fluids (gas- liquid, gas-liquid-solid systems and combinations of these systems) in the pay load vessel to develop a resonant/mixing condition that establishes high levels of gas-liquid contact, a standing acoustic wave, and axial flow patterns that result in high levels of gas-liquid mass transport and mixing.
  • Another object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to provide a vibratory device that can be adjusted to displace a payload such as a vessel filled with a variety solids that are highly loaded, e.g., very close to theoretical density, at a frequency and amplitude that cause the material to fluidize and become highly mixed.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a vibratory device that can be adjusted to displace a payload, such as a vessel filled with variety of solids and liquids that are highly loaded, e.g., very close to theoretical density, at a frequency and amplitude to cause the material to fluidize and become highly mixed.
  • a vibratory device comprised of two or more masses, a substantially linear vibrator and a method of control, which allows for variable force cancellation during operation, the masses being connected by resilient members in order to transfer the forces generated by the vibrator to the vessel and wherein force cancellation is controllable such that substantially linear forces can be generated in any direction.
  • the invention is an apparatus comprising: a base assembly comprising a plurality of base legs with each adjacent pair of legs being connected by at least one leg connector assembly, each of said base legs having a bottom resilient member (e.g., spring) support and a top resilient member support attached thereto; a driver assembly, said driver assembly being movable in a first linear direction and in an opposite linear direction and said driver assembly comprising a plurality of resilient member shafts having ends, each of which resilient member shafts has a driver to payload resilient member attached to each end thereof; a plurality of motor assemblies comprising a motor having a motor shaft to which an eccentric mass is attached, each of said eccentric masses having a centroid, each of said motor assemblies being rigidly connected to said driver assembly and being adapted to rotate the centroid of its eccentric mass in a plane that is parallel to another plane in which said first direction and said opposite direction lie; a payload assembly, said payload assembly being movable in the same directions as said driver assembly and being movably connected to said driver assembly by the
  • the apparatus of further comprises: four base legs; four resilient member shafts; four motor assemblies; and four reaction mass • assemblies.
  • the apparatus further comprises: a controller that is operative to control the rotation of the motor shafts.
  • the apparatus further comprises: a mixing vessel attached to said payload assembly.
  • the apparatus further comprises: a motor controller that is operative to cause two of the motor shafts to rotate in a clockwise direction and two of the motor shafts to rotate in a counterclockwise direction.
  • apparatus of claim 5 further comprises: an accelerometer that is attached to the payload assembly or to the driver assembly, said accelerometer being operative to produce a first signal that characterizes the . motion of the assembly to which it is attached.
  • apparatus of further comprises: a polar position transducer (e.g., a resolver) that is attached to each motor shaft, each polar position transducer being operative to produce a second signal that characterizes the absolute position of the motor shaft to which it is attached.
  • a polar position transducer e.g., a resolver
  • the invention is a method of mixing comprising: providing an apparatus disclosed herein; and causing the eccentric masses to rotate at substantially the same rotational speed in opposite rotational directions and around axes that lie in the same plane.
  • the invention is a method of mixing comprising: a step for providing an apparatus disclosed herein; a step for placing a composition to be mixed in said mixing chamber; and a step for causing the eccentric masses to rotate at substantially the same rotational speed in opposite rotational directions and around axes that lie in the same plane.
  • the invention is an apparatus for agitation comprising: a base; a first movable mass, said first movable mass being movable in a first linear direction and in an opposite linear direction; two means for rotating an eccentric mass, each of said eccentric masses having a centroid, each of said means for rotating being rigidly connected to said first movable mass and being adapted to rotate its eccentric mass in a first plane that is parallel to a second plane in which said first direction and said opposite direction lie; a second movable mass, said second movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said first movable mass by a first resilient means and being movably connected to said base by a second resilient means; and a third movable mass, said third movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said second movable mass by a third resilient means and movably connected to said base by a fourth resilient means; wherein each of said eccentric
  • the apparatus further comprises: a mixing chamber that is rigidly connected to said second movable mass.
  • apparatus further comprises: a mixing chamber that is rigidly connected to said third movable mass.
  • the apparatus further comprises: first electronic or electromechanical means for controlling the frequency at which said second mass or said third mass moves cyclically and/or the displacement of said second mass or third mass as it moves cyclically.
  • the apparatus further comprises: second electronic or electro-mechanical means for controlling the frequency at which said second mass or said first mass moves cyclically and/or the displacement of said first mass as it moves cyclically.
  • said resilient means have spring constants that are adjustable.
  • apparatus further comprises: electronic or electro-mechanical means for automatically adjusting the characteristics of said resilient means, the magnitudes of the forces and the frequency at which the forces are imposed, thereby allowing control of the frequency of vibration or displacement of a pay load to provide consistent and/or controlled operation of the apparatus in a variety of situations.
  • at least some of the resilient means are selected from the group consisting of spiral springs, leaf springs, pneumatic springs, rubber springs, piezoelectric variable springs, and pneumatic variable springs.
  • the. second mass comprises a plurality of additional masses, each of additional masses is connected to the third mass by an additional resilient means.
  • the third mass comprises a plurality of additional masses, each of additional masses is connected to the second mass by an additional resilient means.
  • the invention is an apparatus for agitation comprising: a base; a first movable mass, said first movable mass being movable in a first linear direction and in an opposite linear direction; means for cyclically imposing forces on said first movable mass in said first direction and in said opposite direction; a second movable mass, said second movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said first movable mass by a first resilient means and being movably connected to said base by a second resilient means; and a third movable mass, said third movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said second movable mass by a third resilient means and movably connected to said base by a fourth resilient means; wherein each of said means for imposing forces is operative to produce a first force on said first movable mass in said first direction and a second force on said first movable mass in said opposite direction and substantially
  • the invention is an apparatus for agitation comprising: a base; a first movable mass, said first movable mass being movable in a first linear direction and in an opposite linear direction; a driver for cyclically imposing a force on said first movable mass in said first direction or in said opposite direction; a second movable mass, said second movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said first movable mass by a first resilient means and being movably connected to said base by a second resilient means; and a third movable mass, said third movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said second movable mass by a third resilient means and movably connected to said base by a fourth resilient means; wherein said driver is operative to produce a first force on said first movable mass in said first direction or a second force on said first movable mass in said opposite direction and substantially no other forces on
  • the invention is an apparatus for agitation comprising: a base; a first movable mass, said first movable mass being movable in a first linear direction and in an opposite linear direction; two means for rotating an eccentric mass, each of said eccentric masses having a centroid, each of said means for rotating being rigidly connected to said first movable mass and being adapted to rotate its eccentric mass in a first plane that is parallel to a second plane in which said first direction and said opposite direction lie; a second movable mass, said second movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said first movable mass by a first resilient means and being movably connected to said base by a second resilient means; and a third movable mass, said third movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said second movable mass by a third resilient means; wherein each of said, eccentric masses has substantially the same weight and inertial properties,
  • the third movable means is connected to said base by a fourth resilient means.
  • the invention is a method of mixing comprising: cyclically imposing a first force on a first movable mass in a first linear direction and a second force on said first movable mass in an opposite linear direction relative to a base, said first movable mass being moved in said first linear direction and then in said opposite linear direction; the movement of said first movable mass causing movement of a second movable .
  • said second movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said first movable mass by a first resilient means and being movably connected to said base by a second resilient means; the movement of said first movable mass' or said second movable mass causing the movement of a third movable mass, said third movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said second movable mass by a third resilient means and movably connected to said base by a fourth resilient means; the movement of said second movable mass or said third movable mass causing mixing of a composition moved by the movement of said second movable mass or said third movable mass.
  • said composition comprises a plurality of liquids and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing said composition to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 15 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch; thereby achieving micromixing of said composition with generation of bubbles in said composition in the range of 10 microns to 100 microns in size with substantial uniformity of droplet size and droplet distribution.
  • said composition comprises a liquid and a gas and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing said composition to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 10 Hertz to about 100 Hertz and at an amplitude of less than about 0.025 inch; thereby achieving separation of the liquid and the gas.
  • said composition comprises a plurality of reactants and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing the reactants to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 10 Hertz to about 100 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.025 inch; thereby increasing heat transfer toward or away from the reactants, mass transfer among the reactants or suspension of the reactants.
  • said composition comprises a first liquid or a gas entrained in a second liquid and a porous solid media having a boundary layer and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing the porous solid media and the first liquid or the gas entrained in the second liquid to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a frequency between about 5 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch; thereby breaking the boundary layer and forcing the first liquid or the gas entrained in a second liquid into, out and through the porous solid media.
  • said composition comprises a culture comprising a nutrient medium and a microorganism and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing the culture to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a frequency between about 5 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.01 inch to about 0.2 inch; thereby achieving low shear mixing of said composition.
  • said composition comprises a solid and a liquid and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing the solid and the liquid to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 15 Hertz to about 1 ,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch, said vibratory environment having a volume having parts; thereby subjecting all parts of the volume to a substantially equal amount of acoustic energy at substantially the same time and incorporating the solid into the liquid.
  • the invention is a method of mixing comprising: cyclically imposing a first force on a first movable mass in a first linear direction or a second force on said first movable mass in an opposite linear direction relative to a base, said first movable mass being moved in said first linear direction and then in said opposite linear direction; the movement of said first movable mass causing movement of a second movable mass, said second movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said first movable mass by a first resilient means and being movably connected to said base by a second resilient means; the movement of said first movable mass or said second movable mass causing the movement of a third movable mass, said third movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said second movable mass by a third resilient means and movably connected to said base by a fourth resilient means; and the movement of said second movable mass
  • the second movable mass or the third movable mass vibrates at the third harmonic and is operative to produce a force canceling effect, thereby reducing or eliminating forces transmitted to the surrounding environment and increasing mixing efficiency.
  • said composition comprises a plurality of liquids and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing said composition to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 15 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch.
  • said composition comprises a liquid and a gas and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing said composition to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 10 Hertz to about 100 Hertz and at an amplitude of less than about 0.025 inch.
  • said composition comprises a plurality of reactants and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing the reactants to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 10 Hertz to about 100 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.025 inch.
  • said composition comprises a first liquid or a gas entrained in a second liquid and a porous solid media having a boundary layer and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing the porous solid media and the first liquid or the gas entrained in the second liquid to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a frequency between about 5 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch.
  • said composition comprises a culture comprising a nutrient medium and a microorganism and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing the culture to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a frequency between about 5 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.01 inch to about 0.2 inch.
  • said composition comprises a solid and a liquid and said causing mixing step further comprises: exposing the solid and the liquid to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 15 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch, said vibratory environment having a volume having parts.
  • the invention is a method of mixing comprising: a step for cyclically imposing a first force on a first movable mass in a first linear direction or a second force on said first movable mass in an opposite linear direction relative to a base, said first movable mass being moved in said first linear direction and then in said opposite linear direction; a step for the movement of said first movable mass causing movement of a second movable mass, said second movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said first movable mass by a first resilient means and being movably connected to said base by a second resilient means; a step for the movement of said first movable mass or said second movable mass causing the movement of a third movable mass, said third movable mass being movable in the same directions as said first movable mass and being movably connected to said second movable mass by a third resilient means and movably connected to said base by a fourth resilient means
  • the second movable mass or the third movable mass vibrates at the third harmonic and is operative to produce a force canceling effect, thereby reducing or eliminating forces transmitted to the surrounding environment and increasing mixing efficiency.
  • said composition comprises a plurality of liquids and said causing mixing step further comprises: a step for exposing said composition to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 15 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch.
  • said composition comprises a liquid and a gas and said causing mixing step further comprises: a step for exposing said composition to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 10 Hertz to about 100 Hertz and at an amplitude of less than about 0.025 inch.
  • said composition comprises a plurality of reactants and said causing mixing step further comprises: a step for exposing the reactants to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 10 Hertz to about 100 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.025 inch.
  • said composition comprises a first liquid or a gas entrained in a second liquid and a porous solid media having a boundary layer and said causing mixing step further comprises: a step for exposing the porous solid media and the first liquid or the gas entrained in the second liquid to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a frequency between about 5 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch.
  • said composition comprises a culture comprising a nutrient medium and a microorganism and said causing mixing step further comprises: a step for exposing the culture to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a frequency between about 5 Hertz to about 1,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.01 inch to about 0.2 inch.
  • said composition comprises a solid and a liquid and said causing mixing step further comprises: a step for exposing the solid and the liquid to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate said composition at a frequency between about 15 Hertz to about 1 ,000 Hertz and at an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch, said vibratory environment having a volume having parts.
  • Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of the flat plate resonant reactor constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention with some elements omitted for clarity.
  • Fig. 2 is a right side sectional view of the flat plate resonant reactor of Fig 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 with some elements omitted for clarity.
  • Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1-4 with some elements omitted for clarity.
  • Fig. 5 is a diagram representing the transmissive force response behavior of the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1-4.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram representing the phase response behavior of the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1-4.
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative three mass system with a side-mounted vibration drive.
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative three mass system with a low-mounted vibration drive.
  • Fig. 9 is a side or front (they are the same) view of an alternative three mass system with middle-mounted vibration drive.
  • Fig. 10 is a chart showing the performance differences between a two-mass system and a preferred embodiment of a three-mass system.
  • Fig. 11 is schematic free body diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the resonating system of the second preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the base assembly of the second preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a reaction mass assembly of the second preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the driver assembly of the second preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the payload assembly of the second preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the motor block assembly of the second preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a motor assembly of the second preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • driver to shaft mounts 124 driver spring shafts
  • Device 10 comprises three independent movable masses (intermediate mass 11, oscillator mass 12 and payload 13) and four distinct spring beds or spring systems (payload mass to ground springs 24, oscillator to intermediate mass springs 25, intermediate mass to payload springs 26 and intermediate mass to ground springs 27) that are housed in rigid structure 7.
  • Oscillator mass 12 is preferably situated between the other two masses.
  • Intermediate mass 11 is preferably situated below oscillator mass 12.
  • Payload 13 is preferably situated above oscillator mass 12.
  • all of the masses are constructed of steel or some comparable alloy.
  • Oscillator mass 12 is rigidly connected to two oscillator drives 38 (e.g., two direct current
  • DC servo motors
  • intermediate mass 11 is movably connected to intermediate mass 11 by means of oscillator to intermediate mass alignment struts 43 (two of them that are preferably rigidly connected to oscillator mass 12), oscillator to intermediate mass springs 25 (comprising four compliant springs), two retainers 40 and two locking nuts 41.
  • Intermediate mass 11 is movably connected to rigid structure 37 by means of intermediate mass to ground alignment struts 53 (four of them that are preferably rigidly connected to rigid structure 37), intermediate mass to ground springs 27 (comprising eight compliant springs), four retainers 40 and four locking nuts 41.
  • Payload 13 is movably connected to intermediate mass 11 by means of payload mass to intermediate mass struts 55 (two of them that are preferably rigidly connected to payload mass 13), payload mass to intermediate mass springs 26 (comprising four compliant springs), two retainers 41 and two locking nuts 40.
  • One end of payload mass to intermediate mass springs 26 rests on stops 30 that are preferably rigidly connected to payload mass to intermediate mass struts 55.
  • Payload 13 is also movably connected to rigid structure 37 by means of payload mass to ground alignment ' struts 39 (four of them that are preferably rigidly connected to payload 13 ), payload mass to ground springs 24 (comprising eight compliant springs), four retainers 40 and four locking nuts 41.
  • Fig. 2 is a right side view of the embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 1 showing further detail. It is apparent that intermediate mass 11 supports payload mass 13 and oscillator mass 12 in parallel. Furthermore, oscillator mass 12 is not directly connected to payload mass 13. In this figure, a portion of the cover of one of the servo motors 38 is not shown so that one of the motor shafts 57 and one of the eccentric masses 56 are visible.
  • device 10 further comprises mixing chamber 60.
  • Mixing chamber 60 is preferably attached to either intermediate mass 11 or payload 13.
  • the mass that does not have mixing chamber 60 attached to it may also be divided into multiple masses, each with its own resilient member attachment means for attaching the mass to the mass that does not have mixing chamber 60 attached to it.
  • FIGs. 3 and 4 the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated with elements deleted from the corner of device 10 that is nearest the viewer in Fig. 3. In these views,- both of the oscillator drives 38 are visible.
  • additional servo motors 38 can be added to device 10 to provide for variability of the impulse force while device 10 is in operation.
  • total force cancellation can be achieved. This is accomplished by setting all motor axes to be parallel to one another with two motors rotating clockwise and two motors rotating counterclockwise.
  • the eccentric masses 56 are selected so as to cancel out all forces at startup by setting the phase angle to 180 degrees for counter rotating pairs of motors. When the motors have reached the desired frequency of rotation, eccentric masses 56 are moved out of phase, thus creating an impulse force.
  • phase angle movement is accomplished by decelerating two of the motors for a fraction of a revolution and then reestablishing the selected frequency of rotation such that the eccentric masses no longer oppose each other. Deceleration of the motors is accomplished through a servo motor motion control unit.
  • each of the shafts 57 and the centroid of the attached eccentric masses 56 form a mass plane.
  • the initial position has the mass • planes parallel to one another with the eccentrics 56 on each shaft above the motor plane defined by the two parallel motor shafts 57.
  • the mass planes are coincident with the motor plane and the eccentric weights 56 of each of the shafts 57 are nearest each other.
  • the centrifugal forces created by eccentric masses 56 are translated in the motor plane. This force is of the same magnitude but opposite direction for each of the shafts 57. This effectively cancels the force in the plane of the motor.
  • the mass planes are again perpendicular to the motor plane and the eccentrics 56 are all below the motor plane.
  • the centrifugal force acting on each of the shafts 57 is in the same direction, perpendicular to the motor plane.
  • the mass planes and the motor plane are again coincident but the eccentric masses 56 of each of the shafts 57 are oriented away from each other.
  • the centrifugal forces created by the eccentric masses 56 are translated in the motor plane. Again, this force is of the same magnitude but opposite direction for each of the shafts 57. This effectively cancels the force in the plane of the motor.
  • the mass planes are again perpendicular to the motor plane and the eccentrics 56 are all above the motor plane.
  • the centrifugal force acting on each of the shafts is in the same direction, perpendicular to the motor plane.
  • the force acting perpendicular to the motor plane is translated vertically through connecting springs to intermediate mass 11.
  • a further translation is then achieved through linear guides and springs from intermediate mass 11 to payload mass 13.
  • the springs that comprise spring beds 24, 25, 26 and 27 are selected to optimize force transmission through intermediate mass 11 to payload mass 13 and minimize transmission to supporting structure 37 and surrounding environment.
  • Operation at resonance is determined when the disparity between the payload mass level of vibration and the driver mass level of vibration is maximized.
  • This resonant condition is dependent on the selected spring/mass system.
  • springs characteristics and mass weights are chosen such that the resonant condition is achievable for the anticipated payload weight.
  • Operation at the resonant condition is not always be required to achieve the level of mixing desired. Operation near resonance provides substantial amplitude and accelerations to produce significant mixing. Desired levels of mixing are set by satisfying time requirements with dispersion requirements. To mix faster or more vigorously, amplitude is increased by operating closer to resonance. Operation is typically within 10 Hz of resonance. As the frequency approaches the resonant condition, small changes produce large results (the slope of the curve - frequency vs. amplitude - changes rapidly as the resonant condition is approached).
  • Mixing vessel 60 (in which materials are placed for mixing) is preferably attached to payload mass 3. Vigorous mixing is achieved when the transmitted force is converted to acceleration and displacement amplitude thrusting the mix constituents up and down producing a toroidal flow with sub-eddy currents.
  • two more servo motors 38 are added to the mechanism shown in Figs. 1-4.
  • the two additional servo motors 38 are fitted with eccentric weights 56 having the same physical characteristics as those above noted. With these additional motors 38, control of the impulse force is possible. This is accomplished by controlling the relative phase angle between the two sets of motors 38.
  • the two sets of servo motors 38 are electrically controlled to accomplish total force cancellation through all frequencies. After the desired frequency has been achieved, the relative phase angle between the two motor sets is changed until the desired impulse force has been achieved. This arraignment has the added advantage of producing variable force and frequency.
  • variable resilient members are substituted for springs 24, 25, 26 and/or 27 to provide for changes to the resonant frequency.
  • This addition also allows for a larger variability in the payload without sacrificing performance.
  • Variable resilient members can be either mechanically or electronically controlled. Examples of such devices are air filled bellows, variable length leaf springs, coil spring wedges, piezoelectric bi-metal springs, or any other member which can be used as a resilient member which also has the capability of having its spring rate changed or otherwise affected.
  • ResonantSonic agitation as produced by the present invention mixes by inducing micro-scale turbulence through the propagation of acoustic waves throughout the medium. It is different from ultrasonic agitation because the frequency of acoustic energy is lower and the scale of mixing is larger. Another distinct difference from ultrasonic technology is that the ResonantSonic ® devices are simple, mechanically driven agitators that can be made large enough to perform industrial scale tasks at reasonable cost.
  • a difference between the acoustic agitation technology disclosed herein and conventional impeller agitation is the scale at which complete mixing occurs.
  • impeller agitation the mixing occurs through the creation of large scale eddies which are reduced to smaller scale eddies where the energy is dissipated through viscous forces.
  • acoustic agitation the mixing occurs through acoustic streaming, which is the time-independent flow of fluid induced by a sound field. It is caused by conservation of momentum dissipated by the absorption and propagation of sound in the fluid.
  • the acoustic streaming transports "micro scale" eddies through the fluid, estimated to be on the order of 100-200 ⁇ m.
  • the eddies are of a microscale, the entire reactor is well mixed in an extremely short time because the acoustic streaming causes the microscale vortices to be transmitted uniformly throughout the fluid.
  • FIG. 5 shows an aspect of the response of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented in Figs. 1-4 to operation at various oscillator frequencies.
  • the graph shows the force transmitted to the ground by device 10 when operated at each indicated frequency. Operation at the first harmonic frequency of device 10 (point A) and at the second harmonic frequency of device 10 (point B) are indicated by the force peaks shown on the graph.
  • a user selects an operating frequency at or near the third mode (i.e., at or near the third harmonic frequency of device 10 or point C) as appropriate for the desired level of mixing.
  • Fig. 6 shows another aspect of the response of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented in Figs. 1-4 to operation at various oscillator frequencies.
  • the phase of motion of payload mass 13 and the reaction mass e.g., intermediate mass 11
  • a frequency of about 40 Hetrz (Hz) the phase difference between payload mass 13 and the reaction mass is about 180 degrees, indicating that they are moving in opposite directions.
  • Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are alternative embodiments of the three mass system of Figs. 1-4 but differ from those preferred embodiment in the type of force transducers 38 used. These figures depict a device 10 that is excited by linear electromagnetic force transducers 38 as opposed to the servo motors 38 in the preferred embodiment of Figs 1-4. All other functions of device 10 are equivalent to the previously described preferred embodiment.
  • a single linear electromagnetic force transducer 38 is rigidly attached to one side of oscillator mass 12.
  • Oscillator mass 12 is movably connected to intermediate mass 11 by means of oscillator to intermediate mass springs 25.
  • Payload mass 13 is movably connected to intermediate mass 11 by means of payload to intermediate mass springs 26.
  • Intermediate mass 11 is movably connected to base 37 by means of intermediate mass to ground springs 27.
  • oscillator mass 12 and payload mass 13 are situated at approximately the same elevation and both are above intermediate mass 12. This illustrates that the relative locations of the masses can vary among embodiments.
  • a single linear electromagnetic force transducer 38 is rigidly attached to the middle of oscillator mass 12.
  • Oscillator mass 12 is movably connected to intermediate mass 11 by means of oscillator to intermediate mass springs 25.
  • Payload mass 13 is movably connected to intermediate mass 11 by means of payload to intermediate mass springs 26.
  • Intermediate mass 11 is movably connected to base 37 by means of intermediate mass to ground springs 27.
  • the points on line F represent the accelerations of the oscillator mass produced by the associated force inputs and the points on line G represent the accelerations of the payload mass produced by the associated force inputs in a two-mass system.
  • the points on line H represent the accelerations of the oscillator mass produced by the associated force inputs and the points on line I represent the accelerations of the payload mass produced by the associated force inputs in a three-mass system.
  • a free body diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention of Figs. 1-4 is presented.
  • the dashpot constants are a result of natural damping in the preferred embodiment and are not actual components. Therefore, the values of dashpot constants are preferably determined by testing after an embodiment is fabricated.
  • resonating system 70 is essentially enclosed by base assembly 72 in this embodiment.
  • resonating assembly 70 comprises payload assembly 74, driver assembly 76 and reaction mass assembly 78.
  • Base assembly 70 comprises four base legs 80 with each adjacent pair of the base legs 80 connected by two leg connector assemblies 82.
  • One bottom spring support 84 and one top spring support 86 is attached to each of the base legs 80.
  • a base foot 88 is attached to the bottom of each of the base legs 80.
  • reaction mass assembly 78 is presented.
  • reaction mass assembly 78 comprises two spans 100 that are connected by uprights 102.
  • a tuning weight 104 is attached to each of the uprights 102.
  • Base connectors 106 support each of the two reaction mass to base springs 108.
  • reaction mass to base springs 108 are Part No. RHL 200 - 400 from
  • reaction mass to payload springs 110 movably connect reaction mass assembly 78 to payload assembly 74.
  • reaction mass to payload springs 110 are Part No. RHL 250 - 450 from Moeller Manufacturing Company of Madison, Michigan.
  • a three mass system is tuned in such a .way as to minimize the transmitted forces to ground. This is accomplished by selecting a reaction mass (mass m3) such that the forces to the ground are canceled out. From Fig. 6, it is evident that the mass ml (payload mass) and mass m3 (reaction mass) are 180 degrees out of phase (moving in opposite directions). If the weights of the masses are the same, or modified slightly by the natural damping constants, the forces will be canceled for a net force of zero being transferred to ground.
  • driver assembly 76 comprises motor block assembly 120 to which two driver to shaft mounts 122 are fixed.
  • Two driver spring shafts 124 are attached to the ends of each of the shaft mounts 122.
  • a top spring flange 126 is attached to the top of each of the driver spring shafts 124.
  • eight driver to payload springs 128 are attached to each end of each of the driver to shaft mounts 122 and to each top spring flange.
  • Driver to payload springs 128 movably connect driver assembly 76 to payload assembly 74.
  • driver to payload springs 128 are Part No. RHL 125 - 450 from Moeller Manufacturing Company of Plymouth, Michigan.
  • driver assembly 76 comprises eight payload upright supports 130 to which one payload top plate 132 and one payload bottom plate 134 are attached. Both payload top plate 132 and payload bottom plate 134 have four driver spring shaft holes 138 through which the driver spring shafts 124 pass when device 10 is assembled.
  • eight payload to base springs 136 are attached to payload top plate 132 and eight payload to base springs 136 are 10 attached to payload bottom plate 134.
  • Payload to base springs 136 movably connect payload assembly 74 to base assembly 72.
  • payload to base springs 136 are Part No. RHL 200 - 400 from Moeller Manufacturing Company of Plymouth, Michigan.
  • motor block assembly 120 a preferred embodiment of motor block assembly 120 is presented.
  • motor block assembly 120 comprises four motor assemblies 140, two motor brackets 142 and heat sink 144.
  • each of the motor assemblies 140 is connected to a (preferably three-pin) power connector 146 and a (preferably seven-pin) feedback connector 148.
  • One end of the motor shaft 170 of each of the four motor assemblies 140 is preferably visible through two access holes 150 in each of the motor brackets 142.
  • Two of the motor assemblies 0 140 are oriented toward one of the motor brackets 142 and two of the motor assemblies 140 are oriented toward the other of the motor brackets 142.
  • each of the motor assemblies 140 preferably comprises motor 5 stator housing 160, self-aligning bearing 162, two wave springs 164, motor stator 166, motor rotor 168, motor shaft 170, keys 172, counterweight 174, counter weight spacer 176, angular contact ball bearing 178, resolver rotor 180, motor weight housing 182, resolver stator 184 and retaining ring 190.
  • the resolver is Model No. JSSB-15-J-05K, Frameless Resolver, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, Poly-Scientific, Blacksburg, VA. i0 In operation, the motor assemblies 140 of the embodiment of Figs.
  • Variation in the manner of mixing is accomplished using a motor controller or motion controller (not shown) to generate signals to control the frequency and amplitude of the motor assemblies 140 to produce a linear vibratory motion.
  • the motor may be a servo motor, stepper motor, a linear motor or a direct current (DC) continuous motor.
  • a accelerometer (not shown) on payload assembly 74 and/or motor block assembly 120 to provide feedback control of the mixing motor, the characteristics of agitation in the fluid or solid can be adjusted to optimize the degree of mixing and produce a high quality mixant.
  • the motor controller is Model No. 6K4, 4-Axis 6K Controller, manufactured by Parker Hannifin Corporation, Compumotor Division, Rohnert Park, CA.
  • the accelerometer is a Model No. 793, Accelerometer, manufactured by Wilcoxon Research, Gaithersburg, MD.
  • Control of a three mass system includes of two primary aspects.
  • the first aspect includes control of the phase angle or relative position of each of the servo motors with respect to each other. Sensors for this are the resolvers which are attached to the shaft of each motor. These devices send an absolute position signal back to the motion controller which tracks the position error from one motor to another. In turn, the motion controller then calculates and sends a correction signal back to the motors. This keeps the motors phase angles within a tolerance which is set in the control code.
  • the second aspect of the control system is the setting and maintenance of a desired vibration amplitude. This is accomplished by monitoring the amplitude of the payload mass movements (ml) with an accelerometer. Signals from the accelerometer are sent to the motion controller and are compared to a value set by the operator. An error correction signal is then calculated and sent to the motors to increase or decrease their frequency and phase angle to achieve the desired amplitude.
  • Control of the phase angle control of the motors also has two aspects.
  • the first aspect is to maintain motor to motor position and the second aspect is to control the magnitude of the force input to the system.
  • Maintenance of motor to motor position is necessary so that the resultant force input to the system is oriented in a single direction. This is accomplished by controlling the position of motor pairs.
  • the motors are paired in twos or sets such that each set has identical phase angles.
  • the motor pairs are then set in motion such that they have equal but , opposite rotational frequencies.
  • the phase position is then controlled in a manner that sums the resultant forces from the eccentric masses in a singular direction which is parallel to the orientation of the spring axes. Force magnitude is controlled by the controlling the phase angle between motor pairs.
  • Liquid to liquid mixing is enhanced when a composition that comprises a plurality of liquids is exposed a vibratory environment that is preferably operative to vibration the composition at a frequency between about 15 Hz to about 1,000 Hz with an amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch. Liquids that are not miscible are readily mixed when subjected to this condition. Normal boundary layers which prevent mixing are broken and the liquids are freely and evenly distributed with each other. Micromixing with generation of 10 micron to 100 micron droplets is achieved in this vibratory environment. The uniformity of droplet size and distribution is enhanced by this vibratory process thereby achieving greater mass transport, but the mixture is easily separated when the vibratory agitation is removed.
  • Tuning the process between a preferred frequency between about 15 Hz to about 1,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch optimizes the transfer of acoustic energy into the fluid. This energy then generates an even distribution of droplets (larger than those generated with typical related processes) which collide with each other to affect mass transfer from one droplet to another. After the acoustic energy is removed, the liquids easily and quickly separate thus effecting high mass transfer without creating an emulsion.
  • Mixing of a composition comprising a liquid, a gas and a solid is enhanced when it occurs in a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a preferred frequency between about 15 Hz to about 1 ,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch.
  • Fluids (gas-liquid, gas-liquid-solid systems and multiples of these systems) in the payload vessel are caused to develop a resonant/mixing condition that establishes high levels of gas-liquid contact, an acoustic wave, and axial flow patterns that result in high levels of gas-liquid mass transport and mixing.
  • Non-Newtonian or thixotropic (pseudo plastic) fluids are typically difficult to mix.
  • a composition comprising these fluids in a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a preferred frequency between about 15 Hz to 1,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between 0.02 inch to 0.5 inch they become fluidized and readily mix. Under these conditions, it is possible to mix such fluids containing one or more solids, one or more gases and one or more liquids.
  • Mixing of a composition comprising a liquid and a gas is enhanced when it occurs in a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a preferred frequency between about 15 Hz to 1,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch to produce a gasified media.
  • Boundary layers are easily broken and gas is entrained into the fluid. Micro sized bubbles are trapped in the fluid for extended periods of time. This process is particularly effective for the gasification of liquids used to supply gasses to bioreactors. Small bubbles subjected to the acoustic energy produce "bubble pumping.” This is the effect of compressing and expanding a bubble trapped in the fluid by acoustic energy.
  • This instability causes the bubbles to be completely engulfed by the fluid at preferred operating conditions.
  • the mass transfer of gas trapped in the bubbles to the liquid is also affected by the increased pressure on the bubble as the acoustic waves pass through the liquid. Henery's law states that the mass transfer of gas to liquid is proportional to the gas pressure in the bubble. This effect is dependent on the head space or volume of gas in relation to the volume of fluid in the mixing vessel. A relatively small volume of gas will produce very small bubbles with higher gas bubble pressure and retention of the bubbles is achieved for longer periods of time after the acoustic agitation is removed.
  • degasification is enhanced when the composition is exposed to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the composition at a lower preferred frequency of about 10 Hz to about 100 Hz and a preferred displacement of less than about 0.025 inch. Reducing the displacement and frequency to these lower levels is particularly useful in driving out entrained gas in fluids. These conditions are effective for both light fluids, such as water, and for highly viscous and solids- loaded fluids.
  • Physical reactions such as heat transfer, mass transfer and suspension of particles are greatly accelerated by exposing the reactants to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the reactants at a preferred frequency between about 15 Hz to about 1,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch.
  • a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the reactants at a preferred frequency between about 15 Hz to about 1,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch.
  • Intrusion or infusion of liquids or gases entrained in liquids into a porous solid media is enhanced by placing the porous media in an environment that is operative to vibrate the porous media at a preferred frequency of about 5 Hz to about 1,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch. Boundary layers are broken and fluids and gases are forced into, out of and through the porous structure.
  • Low shear mixing applications are necessary to prevent damage to biological cultures to reduce damage to the media. This is achieved by placing the cultures in a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the cultures at a preferred frequency of about 5 Hz to about 1 ,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between about 0.01 inch to about 0.2 inch.
  • the cell cultures are physically mixed with gases, solids and liquids in an environment of low shear and minimal cell to cell collisions. Nutrients and waste products are transported to and from the cell cultures with very low shear. This process also produces more conducive cell culture morphology due to the low shear. Cells are kept from agglomerating into large masses that block mass transfer to and from the individual cells.
  • Incorporation of a solid into a liquid is enhanced by exposing the solid and liquid to a vibratory environment that is operative to vibrate the combination at a preferred frequency between about 15 Hz to about 1,000 Hz with preferred amplitude between 0.02 inch to 0.5 inch. Incorporation can be so complete it is approaching the theoretical maximum.
  • micro-mixing is accomplished throughout the vessel while macro-mixing the product. Complete and thorough mixing is accomplished by the use of acoustic energy at previously unachievable solids loadings.
  • solids are mixed by adding acoustic energy so that micromixing is achieved.
  • a vibratory environment operating at a preferred frequency between about 15 Hz to about 1,000 Hz with a preferred amplitude between about 0.02 inch to about 0.5 inch provides the necessary acoustic energy required to mix solids.
  • the size of the solids can be nano-sized to much larger particles.
  • the acoustic energy provided to the particles directly acts on the media to produce mixing.
  • Other processes use components such as propellers to produce fluid motion through eddies which then mix the media. These eddies are dampened by the media and thus the mixing is localized near the component creating them. Acoustic energy supplied to the media is not subject to the localization of input because the entire mixing vessel volume is subject to the energy at the same time.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Mixers With Rotating Receptacles And Mixers With Vibration Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
  • Mixers Of The Rotary Stirring Type (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé consistant à malaxer des fluides et/ou des solides d'une façon qui peut être variée à partir de l'étape consistant à maintenir l'intégrité de matériaux fragiles moléculaires et biologiques dans le réservoir de malaxage jusqu'à l'étape consistant à homogénéiser un matériau d'agrégat lourd en acheminant une grande quantité d'énergie. La variation dans la façon de malaxer est accomplie en utilisant un dispositif électronique de commande pour générer des signaux pour commander la fréquence et l'amplitude du/des moteur(s), qui entraînent un ensemble d'arbre non équilibré pour produire un mouvement vibrant linéaire. Le moteur peut correspondre à un servomoteur, à un moteur pas à pas, à un moteur linéaire ou à un moteur continu en CC. En plaçant un capteur sur la plateforme du réservoir de malaxage pour fournir une commande de réaction du moteur de malaxage, les caractéristiques d'agitation du fluide ou du solide peuvent être ajustées pour optimiser le degré de malaxage et pour produire un agent de malaxage de haute qualité.
EP07835660.7A 2007-01-12 2007-01-12 Malaxage vibrant résonant Active EP2112952B1 (fr)

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EP18202371.3A EP3450006B1 (fr) 2007-01-12 2007-01-12 Malaxage vibrant résonnant

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CN105952841B (zh) * 2016-07-15 2017-12-05 中国地震局地震研究所 基于簧片和十字簧系统的超低频隔振装置
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ES2906337T3 (es) 2022-04-18
EP2112952B1 (fr) 2019-03-13
JP5313924B2 (ja) 2013-10-09
PL2112952T3 (pl) 2019-07-31
WO2008088321A1 (fr) 2008-07-24
EP2112952A4 (fr) 2016-10-12
EP3450006A2 (fr) 2019-03-06
ES2719481T3 (es) 2019-07-10
EP3450006B1 (fr) 2021-12-01
JP2010515565A (ja) 2010-05-13

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