EP3095510B1 - Stirrer and container with a stirrer - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container with an agitator for mixing and moving substrates in the container in the form of liquids or liquid-solid mixtures, with at least one rotor having one or more stirring blades, arranged in the container and mounted in at least one rotor bearing, the is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and with a drive that drives the rotor, wherein the / each rotor of the agitator in the container containing the substrates to be mixed and moved occupies only a fraction of the volume of the container and wherein by means of the agitator a substrate flow outside the Movement range of the rotor or rotors can be brought about in the container, the rotor being designed with at least two rotor areas with different conveying effects on the substrate, seen along its axis of rotation, a first rotor area with a predominantly axial conveying effect in the direction of the axis of rotation and a second Rotor area is designed with a stronger radial conveying effect transversely to the direction of the axis of rotation, wherein the / each agitator blade is designed as a flat, continuous or segmented strip of material running along a helical line over the full axial length of the rotor, carried by at least two spokes of the rotor, and wherein the / each stirring blade, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the stirring blade, has an orientation of its blade surface that changes from one rotor end to the other rotor end relative to the radial direction of the rotor.

The document WO 2008/145 729 A1 shows a reactor with a stirring system with at least one radial flow impeller and at least one axial flow impeller. Elements that extend outward from a central shaft and can be designed in different ways represent the stirring tool.

The document US 2014/0 086 006 A1 shows an agitator with a shaft and two agitator blades arranged directly on the shaft at an axial distance, the two agitator blades having opposite axial conveying directions.

The document DE 10 2004 027 077 A1 shows an agitator with a heatable agitator shaft, with heat conducting plates attached to the agitator shaft and with stirring blades attached to the heat conducting plates. The angle of the stirrer blades can be adjusted against the heat conducting plates using hole circles.

The document DE 20 2013 006 429 U1 shows a device for mixing the contents of substrate containers by means of an agitator, in which the substrate container comprises at least one circumferential wall and a base, wherein the circumferential wall is oriented on a vertical main axis, and the agitator comprises a shaft which is below one of the vertical and horizontally different installation angle protrudes into the substrate container. The agitator comprises at least two agitator blades which each extend radially on both sides of the shaft and are rotated relative to one another and are arranged on the shaft at a distance from one another in the longitudinal extension of the shaft. The entire substrate within the fermentation vessel is set in rotation by means of the stirring paddles.

The document WO 87/00449 A1 shows a device for mixing building materials, with two helically curved mixing arms and with a coupling strut connecting the mixing arms in the center, which runs in the radial direction and which is oriented obliquely when viewed in cross section and thus has an axial conveying effect.

The document JP 2004 105 892 A shows a kneading machine with a housing and with a shaft which is vertically immersed in the housing and has a top drive. Two parallel transverse arms are connected to the shaft at the top and bottom, the free ends of which are connected by connecting elements parallel to the shaft. Furthermore, two strip-shaped stirring blades are provided, each starting from the upper cross arm, extending in an arc downward and in the circumferential direction and ending at the lower cross arm. The shape of the stirring blade and the direction of rotation of the shaft are designed so that material to be kneaded is conveyed upwards by means of the stirring blades when the kneading machine is in operation.

The document EP 0 598 253 A1 shows a mixing device with an upright cylindrical housing into which a shaft with rotary drive dips from above. Two mixing blades are attached to the shaft via cross struts, which, starting from the upper cross strut, run downwards in a helical manner and then in a spiral shape radially inwards.

The document DE 30 12 707 A1 shows a mixer for trough mixers, with at least two horizontal, counter-rotating mixing shafts for mixing powdery, granular or plastic mix, in particular building material mixtures, with two helical screw flights in opposite directions being arranged on each mixing shaft and with the helical screw flights of each mixing shaft having different system lengths and a Form asymmetrical spiral screw mixer. The long helix is used to transport the mix in the longitudinal direction of the mixing trough and the short helix for transporting mix in the transverse direction of the mixing trough, so that a cyclical mix movement is created. The helical screw flights can be designed to be interrupted with individual helical blades which are attached to the arms of the respective mixing shaft and lie one behind the other in helical lines.

Another agitator is from the document DE 20 2006 004 982 U1 known. The agitator comprises at least one drive, an agitator shaft bearing attached to the wall of the container, an agitator shaft bearing supported on the bottom of the container via at least one support and at least one rotor with an agitator shaft with at least one agitator blade attached to the agitator shaft. The agitator shaft extends parallel to the bottom of the container from the wall of the container in the direction of the main axis of the container. A plurality of agitator blades are preferably attached to the agitator shaft, the agitator blades further preferably being attached to the agitator shaft, offset from one another along the agitator shaft axis, pointing radially outward. The stirring blades preferably each comprise two side parts and at least one bridge profile, the two side parts being connected to one another by the bridge profile. The radial length of the stirring blades is significantly greater than the axial width of the stirring blades.

The document DE 102 60 972 B4 shows another agitator for circulating liquid manure and / or waste water in a storage tank, in particular an agitator for stimulating liquid manure circulation in a liquid manure storage tank in biogas plants. The agitator has a shaft running along an axis of rotation, which is rotatably mounted on parts of the container via bearing devices and can be driven by a drive device. Furthermore, the agitator has agitator elements extending transversely to the axis of rotation, which are arranged on the shaft in several mutually parallel planes along the longitudinal extent of the shaft transversely to its axis of rotation and are opposite one another within the plane. The shaft equipped with stirring elements extends radially into the storage container and the stirring elements are designed as blades in the form of paddles, which can be rotated and adjusted about their own longitudinal axis and are arranged on the shaft in such a way that the stirring elements of a plane are each at an angle are attached, which differs from the mounting bracket of the stirring elements of the other level. With such inclined paddles, only a predominantly axial flow parallel to the shaft can be generated, depending on the rotational position of the paddles and the direction of rotation of the shaft in one direction or the other.

Another agitator is from the document EP 2 656 909 B1 known. The agitator here comprises a rotor with a shaft that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and at least two stirring paddles that are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction of the shaft. The stirring paddles are each connected to the shaft at their radially inner end, so that the stirring paddles move in the circumferential direction during operation. The agitator further comprises a connector which extends between the agitator paddles, the connector being spaced radially inward from the outer end of the agitator paddles. The connector connects the stirring paddles along a helical line.

A disadvantage of the known agitators is that their efficiency, i.e. the achieved mixing and movement of the substrates located in the container in relation to the drive power used on the agitator is low, which causes an unfavorably high energy consumption.

The task is therefore to create a container with an agitator, in which an improved efficiency and thus a lower energy consumption can be achieved with intensive mixing and movement of the substrates in the container, even if the rotor or rotors of the agitator are only a fraction of the Volume of the container occupies / occupy.

The solution of the first part of the task concerning the agitator is achieved according to the invention with an agitator of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is characterized in that the spokes are designed as conveying elements for the substrate, that in the first rotor area arranged first spokes with a predominantly axial conveying effect in Direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor and that arranged in the second rotor area second spokes are designed with a predominantly radial conveying effect transverse to the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor or with a predominantly axial conveying effect counter to the axial conveying effect of the first spokes.

The invention creates a container with an agitator, the rotor or rotors of which, with their different conveying effects or directions, bring about a particularly effective movement and mixing of the substrate in the container which is large in relation to the rotor or rotors. The different rotor areas are appropriately selected and determined depending on the arrangement of the rotor in the container and the geometry of the container with the aim of generating the desired flow as effectively as possible, with an effective substrate flow also being generated outside the range of motion of the rotor or rotors . Because the / each stirring blade is designed as a flat, continuous or segmented strip of material running along a helical line over the full axial length of the rotor, carried by at least two spokes of the rotor, and that the / each stirring blade, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the stirring blade, extends from one end of the rotor having changing the orientation of its blade surface relative to the radial direction of the rotor at the other end of the rotor, the rotor areas with different conveying effects on the substrate can be produced in a technically relatively simple but effective manner, which keeps the production of the agitator, in particular the rotor, relatively inexpensive. In a simple embodiment, the strips of material that form the stirring blades are of constant width over their length. However, it is also possible to specifically vary the width of the material strips, viewed in the longitudinal direction, in order to achieve different, respectively desired conveying effects depending on the location. The fact that the spokes are designed as conveying elements for the substrate, that first spokes arranged in the first rotor area are designed with a predominantly axial conveying effect in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor and that second spokes arranged in the second rotor area with a predominantly radial conveying effect transverse to the direction of the Axis of rotation of the rotor or with a predominantly axial conveying action are designed against the axial conveying action of the first spokes, the spokes are also involved in generating the flow of the substrate and thus support the flow generation by the agitator blades, whereby the efficiency of the agitator is increased.

For example, in the case of a modernization, parts of an older agitator, such as the bearings and possibly the drive, can continue to be used while the rotor is being replaced. Seen in its axial direction, the rotor expediently extends only over part of the diameter, for example approximately a quarter of the diameter, of the container, so it only takes up a small part of the volume of the container.

The rotor is mounted or mountable at one end in a first container-side rotor bearing supported by a support in the container and at its second end in a second, on or in a container wall or near a container wall outside or inside of this wall-side rotor bearing.

When the agitator is in operation, the substrate can be conveyed by the rotor with its axially inner, container-side rotor area predominantly in the radial direction of the container from the inside to the outside and with its axially outer, wall-side rotor area away from the rotor radially in the circumferential direction of the container. This creates a flow that effectively moves and mixes the entire contents of the container. The centrifugal force effect on the substrate generated by the rotation of the rotor is particularly advantageously used for conveying in the axially outer, wall-side rotor area away from the rotor, radially in the circumferential direction of the container. Alternatively, by reversing the direction of rotation of the rotor or rotors, a reversed flow can also be generated.

Depending on the desired or required currents in the container, the axis of rotation of the rotor can run in a horizontal direction or in a direction from the container wall to the container interior at an angle of up to 30 ° obliquely downwards or upwards. The rotor can be fixed at a certain angle or, alternatively, can also be arranged in an angle-adjustable manner.

Another possibility of targeted influencing of the flow is that the axis of rotation of the rotor extends at an angle of up to 30 ° obliquely to the radial direction of the container. Here too, the rotor can be fixed at a certain angle or, alternatively, can also be arranged in an angle-adjustable manner.

In a further embodiment of the agitator, in which it is also designed for a standing, round or polygonal container, it is provided that the at least one rotor is arranged upright in the axial direction of the container or in a direction inclined to it and eccentrically or centrally in the container. With this arrangement of the rotor or a plurality of rotors, an effective movement and thorough mixing of the substrate in the container can also be produced, even if the rotor or each rotor only takes up a fraction of the volume of the container.

To achieve stable mounting of the rotor, it is preferably provided that the rotor at its one, upper end in a first upper rotor bearing arranged in or above the container and at its second, lower end in a second one below in the container or on one Container bottom arranged lower rotor bearing is stored or storable.

During operation of the agitator described last, the substrate can advantageously be conveyed by the rotor with the axially upper rotor area predominantly in the axial direction of the container from top to bottom and with the axially lower rotor area away from the rotor in the radial direction of the rotor outwards. Components floating on the substrate are conveyed downwards and effectively mixed into the substrate. In addition, the centrifugal force effect on the substrate generated by the rotation of the rotor is also advantageously used here for the conveyance in the axially lower rotor area away from the rotor in order to generate an intensive substrate flow even outside the range of motion of the rotor, whereby the entire substrate volume in the container is intensively circulated and is mixed. Alternatively, by reversing the direction of rotation of the rotor or rotors, a reversed flow can also be generated here.

In an alternative embodiment, the agitator is designed for a horizontal, round or polygonal container, the at least one rotor then in a direction running parallel or transversely or obliquely to the axial direction of the container is arranged in the container. With the agitator, intensive mixing and movement of the substrate can thus also be brought about in a horizontal container, with the rotor or each rotor expediently taking up only a fraction of the volume of the container.

A further contribution to achieving good efficiency and generating favorable flow conditions is that the rotor areas with different conveying effects are preferably designed to continuously merge into one another.

A preferred further development of the agitator provides that the / each agitator blade has an alignment of its blade surface pointing in the radial direction of the rotor at one end of the rotor and an alignment of its blade surface that is tilted to the radial direction of the rotor at the other end of the rotor. The rotor area, in which the helical stirring blades have an orientation of their blade surface in the radial direction of the rotor, thus has a predominantly axial conveying effect, while the rotor area, in which the stirring blades have an orientation of their blade surface that is tilted to the radial direction of the rotor, has a stronger radial one Has promotional effect.

In the case of the agitator, the helical line along which the / each agitator blade runs, viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor, can have a constant helical pitch. This is then associated with an essentially uniform conveying effect in the axial direction of the rotor over the axial length of the rotor.

Alternatively, the helical line along which the / each agitator blade runs can have a changing helical pitch as viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor. In this way, an axial conveying effect that changes over the axial length of the rotor can be generated.

In a further embodiment, the helical line along which the / each agitator blade runs preferably has a smaller helical pitch in one rotor area than in the other rotor area, whereby correspondingly different conveying effects are generated in the rotor areas.

Another embodiment of the agitator provides that the helical line along which the / each agitator blade extends has a constant distance from the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Alternatively, the helical line along which the / each agitator blade extends can have a distance from the axis of rotation of the rotor that changes when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor.

It is then preferably provided that the helical line along which the / each agitator blade runs is at a smaller distance from the axis of rotation of the rotor in one rotor area than in the other rotor area. This type of rotor can e.g. be advantageous if the axis of rotation of the rotor of the agitator in the container has an inclination to the horizontal direction.

The invention further provides that the / each rotor has a continuous rotor shaft, each supported at the end in a rotor bearing, or that the / each rotor has two end-side shaft stubs which are each supported in a rotor bearing. The choice between the two versions specified here depends in particular on the loads that occur when the agitator is in operation.

In designs of the agitator in which one or more rotor bearings are provided on or in a container wall or on or in a container bottom, a stationary flow guide element can be arranged on the container wall in front of the rotor bearing on the wall side or on the container bottom in front of the rotor bearing on the bottom side or can be arranged on the rotor A rotating flow guide body can be arranged in front of the wall-side or the bottom-side rotor bearing. This reduces the load on the bearings from the oncoming substrate, which simplifies the sealing of the bearings and extends their service life. Such flow-guiding bodies can also be used sensibly in connection with shaft bushings through a wall of the container.

The spokes that carry the stirring blades of the agitator are preferably designed to run in a straight line or curved to the radial direction of the rotor, depending on what effect the spokes are to exert on the substrate when the rotor rotates.

In one embodiment of the agitator, it is provided that the rotor has a single agitator blade, that the agitator blade extends over a helical angle of 360 ° or an integral multiple thereof, and that the rotor has at least two spokes that support the agitator blade at least at the end. The fact that the stirring blade extends over a helix angle of 360 ° or an integral multiple thereof ensures that even at a low level of the substrate in the container, in which the rotor is partially above the substrate surface, a completely uniform moment of resistance at the rotating Rotor accumulates, whereby torque fluctuations or surges, which are harmful to the bearings and drive of the rotor, are avoided.

Alternatively, it is provided for the agitator that the rotor has a number of n agitator blades, where n> 1, that the agitator blades are evenly distributed over the circumference of the rotor, that each agitator blade extends over a helix angle of 360 ° / n or a an integral multiple thereof and that the rotor per agitator blade has at least two spokes which support the agitator blade at least at the end. In this embodiment, too, the advantage of a uniform resistance or torque is achieved when the rotor is partially above the substrate level or surface.

Another embodiment of the agitator suggests that the rotor axially behind the second rotor area, which has a predominantly radial conveying effect transverse to the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor, also has a third rotor area with a conveying effect of the first rotor area with the predominantly axial conveying effect in the direction of the axis of rotation of the Rotor has opposite predominantly axial conveying effect.

Depending on the size of the container in which the substrate is to be moved and mixed, agitators with one or more rotors can be provided, whereby in the case of several rotors these can be arranged in the container in the circumferential direction of the container or in the axial direction of the container.

The agitator can be used particularly advantageously in fermenter containers, for example in biogas plants, but also in other applications in which substrates in a container are in the form of liquids or liquid-solid mixtures have to be mixed and moved, for example in liquid manure tanks of agricultural businesses or in waste water basins of sewage treatment plants.

Figur 1

ein Rührwerk in einer ersten Ausführung, in einem stehenden, nur teilweise dargestellten Behälter, in Ansicht schräg von oben,

Figur 2

das Rührwerk aus Figur 1 zusammen mit dem Behälter, in Draufsicht,

Figur 3

das Rührwerk aus Figur 2 mit durch Strömungspfeile angedeuteter Strömung eines Substrats im Behälter, ebenfalls in Draufsicht,

Figur 4

das Rührwerk in einer geänderten Ausführung, in gleicher Darstellung wie in Figur 2,

Figur 5

das Rührwerk aus Figur 4 in einer Stirnansicht in Radialrichtung des Behälters von innen nach außen gesehen,

Figur 6

das Rührwerk in einer weiteren Ausführung, in Draufsicht,

Figur 7

das Rührwerk in einer weiteren Ausführung, in Draufsicht,

Figur 8

das Rührwerk in einer weiteren Ausführung, in Stirnansicht,

Figur 9

das Rührwerk in einer weiteren Ausführung, in Draufsicht,

Figur 10

das Rührwerk aus Figur 9 mit durch Strömungspfeile angedeuteter Strömung eines Substrats im Behälter, in Draufsicht,

Figur 11

das Rührwerk in einer weiteren Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 12

einen Rotor des Rührwerks mit einem Rührblatt, in einer ersten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 13

den Rotor mit einem Rührblatt, in einer zweiten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 14

den Rotor mit zwei Rührblättern, in einer ersten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 15

den Rotor mit zwei Rührblättern, in einer zweiten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 16

den Rotor mit vier Rührblättern, in einer ersten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 17

den Rotor mit vier Rührblättern, in einer zweiten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 18

den Rotor mit sechs Rührblättern, in einer ersten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 19

den Rotor mit sechs Rührblättern, in einer zweiten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 20

den Rotor mit acht Rührblättern, in einer ersten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 21

den Rotor mit acht Rührblättern, in einer zweiten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 22

den Rotor mit vier Rührblättern, in einer geänderten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 23

den Rotor aus Figur 22 im Querschnitt gemäß der Schnittlinie A-A in Figur 22,

Figur 24

den Rotor aus Figur 22 im Querschnitt gemäß der Schnittlinie B-B in Figur 22,

Figur 25

den Rotor aus Figur 22 im Querschnitt gemäß der Schnittlinie C-C in Figur 22,

Figur 26

den Rotor mit vier Rührblättern, in einer geänderten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 27

den Rotor mit vier Rührblättern, in einer nochmals geänderten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 28

den Rotor mit vier Rührblättern, in einer weiteren geänderten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht,

Figur 29

einen Abschnitt einer Rotorwelle mit einer im Schnitt sichtbaren Speiche, in einer ersten Ausführung,

Figur 30

einen Abschnitt der Rotorwelle mit der im Schnitt sichtbaren Speiche, in einer zweiten Ausführung,

Figur 31

das Rührwerk in einer weiteren geänderten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht, in einem stehenden Behälter,

Figur 32

das Rührwerk in einer nochmals geänderten Ausführung, in Seitenansicht, in einem stehenden Behälter,

Figur 33

ein Rührwerk mit drei in einem stehenden Behälter angeordneten Rotoren, in einer Draufsicht,

Figur 34

ein Rührwerk in Seitenansicht in einem liegenden Behälter, in einer ersten Ausführung,

Figur 35

ein Rührwerk mit zwei nebeneinander angeordneten Rotoren in einem liegenden Behälter, in einer perspektivischen Ansicht, mit aufgeschnittenem Behälter, und

Figur 36

ein Rührwerk in Seitenansicht in einem liegenden Behälter, in einer weiteren Ausführung.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained using a drawing. The figures in the drawing show:

Figure 1

an agitator in a first version, in an upright, only partially shown container, viewed at an angle from above,

Figure 2

the agitator off Figure 1 together with the container, in plan view,

Figure 3

the agitator off Figure 2 with flow of a substrate in the container indicated by flow arrows, also in plan view,

Figure 4

the agitator in a modified version, in the same representation as in Figure 2 ,

Figure 5

the agitator off Figure 4 seen in an end view in the radial direction of the container from the inside to the outside,

Figure 6

the agitator in a further version, in plan view,

Figure 7

the agitator in a further version, in plan view,

Figure 8

the agitator in another version, in front view,

Figure 9

the agitator in a further version, in plan view,

Figure 10

the agitator off Figure 9 with flow of a substrate in the container indicated by flow arrows, in plan view,

Figure 11

the agitator in a further version, in side view,

Figure 12

a rotor of the agitator with an agitator blade, in a first embodiment, in side view,

Figure 13

the rotor with a stirring blade, in a second version, in side view,

Figure 14

the rotor with two stirring blades, in a first version, in side view,

Figure 15

the rotor with two stirring blades, in a second version, in side view,

Figure 16

the rotor with four stirring blades, in a first version, in side view,

Figure 17

the rotor with four stirring blades, in a second version, in side view,

Figure 18

the rotor with six stirring blades, in a first version, in side view,

Figure 19

the rotor with six stirring blades, in a second version, in side view,

Figure 20

the rotor with eight stirring blades, in a first version, in side view,

Figure 21

the rotor with eight stirring blades, in a second version, in side view,

Figure 22

the rotor with four stirring blades, in a modified design, in side view,

Figure 23

the rotor off Figure 22 in cross section according to section line AA in Figure 22 ,

Figure 24

the rotor off Figure 22 in cross section according to section line BB in Figure 22 ,

Figure 25

the rotor off Figure 22 in cross section according to section line CC in Figure 22 ,

Figure 26

the rotor with four stirring blades, in a modified design, in side view,

Figure 27

the rotor with four stirring blades, in a further modified version, in side view,

Figure 28

the rotor with four stirring blades, in another modified version, in side view,

Figure 29

a section of a rotor shaft with a spoke visible in section, in a first embodiment,

Figure 30

a section of the rotor shaft with the spoke visible in section, in a second version,

Figure 31

the agitator in another modified version, in side view, in a standing container,

Figure 32

the agitator in a further modified version, in side view, in a standing container,

Figure 33

an agitator with three rotors arranged in a standing container, in a top view,

Figure 34

an agitator in a side view in a horizontal container, in a first version,

Figure 35

an agitator with two rotors arranged next to one another in a horizontal container, in a perspective view, with the container cut open, and

Figure 36

an agitator in a side view in a horizontal container, in a further embodiment.

In the following description of the figures, the same parts in the various drawing figures are always designated by the same reference numbers, so that not all reference numbers have to be explained anew for each drawing figure.

Figure 1 the drawing shows an agitator 1 in a first embodiment, in a standing, only partially shown container 3, in a view obliquely from above. The standing container 3 has an annular, circumferential wall 31 and a bottom 32 and is shown open at the top so that the agitator 1 arranged inside the container 3 is visible. The container 3 is, for example, a fermentation container of a biogas plant in which a substrate consisting of liquid and solids is to be moved and mixed. In practice, a known roof, not shown here, is provided in such a container 3, which covers the container 3 on the top in a gas-tight manner, the roof being, for example, a plastic membrane.

The agitator 1, which has a rotatable rotor 2 with four agitator blades 25 here, is used to move and mix the substrate in the container 3. The rotor 2 furthermore comprises a continuous rotor shaft 21 which runs horizontally and essentially in the radial direction of the container 3. At its end on the container side, the rotor shaft 21 is rotatably mounted in a rotor bearing 22.1, which in turn is arranged in a support 23 standing on the bottom 32 of the container 3. The other end of the rotor shaft 21 is led out of the container 3 through a shaft duct 38 in the container peripheral wall 31 and is supported there by means of a further rotor bearing. A drive, not visible here, such as an electric motor or hydraulic motor, for the rotor 2 is also arranged there.

Furthermore, the rotor 2 each has four first spokes 24.1 and second spokes 24.2, which are attached to the rotor shaft 21, aligned at right angles to the latter. The ends 25.1, 25.2 of the stirring blades 25 are held at the free ends of the spokes 24.1, 24.2.

The stirring blades 25 each consist of a flat, narrow strip of material, preferably made of steel, and have a relatively small width relative to their length. Furthermore, the stirring blades 25 are connected to the spokes 24.1, 24.2 in such a way that the stirring blades 25 on the one hand run along a helical line and that, on the other hand, the alignment of the surface of the stirring blades 25 changes relative to the radial direction of the rotor 2 in its course. The stirring blades 25 are therefore twisted to a certain extent. In the embodiment according to Figure 1 the plane of the agitator blades 25 is at their first end 25.1 in the longitudinal direction of the spokes 24.1 there, i.e. in the radial direction of the rotor 2. At the second end 25.2 of the agitator blades 25, their plane is no longer in the radial direction of the rotor 2, but in a twisted or rotated direction tilted level like that Figure 1 in the area of the connection between the second spokes 24.2 and the ends 25.2 of the stirring blades 25 there.

With this design and arrangement of the stirring blades 25 of the rotor 2 it is achieved that the rotor 2 receives two areas 2 'and 2 "with different conveying effects on a substrate located in the container 3. In the rotor area 2', the rotor 2 predominantly exercises a in the axial direction of the rotor 2 pointing conveying effect on the substrate, while the rotor 2 in the rotor area 2 ″ exerts a greater conveying effect pointing in the radial direction of the rotor 2 on the substrate. In the case of a clockwise drive of the rotor 2, for example, its rotor area 2 'generates a conveying effect there in the axial direction of the rotor 2 and thus in the radial direction of the container 3 from the inside to the outside, while the rotor area 2 "there a conveying effect in the radial direction of the rotor 2 and thus in the circumferential direction of the container 3 away from the rotor 2. In the rotor area 2 ', the centrifugal force acting on the substrate anyway as a result of the rotation of the rotor 2 is advantageously generated to support the desired conveyance of the substrate in the circumferential direction of the container 3 by the rotor 2 used away, which contributes to the high efficiency of the agitator 1.

As from the Figure 1 As can also be seen, the helical line along which each stirring blade 21 runs has a helical angle of 90 ° here. With four stirring blades 25, each extending over a helical angle of 90 °, there is advantageously always uniform engagement of the rotor 2 with its stirring blades 25 in the substrate in the container 3, independent of the respective rotational position of the rotor 2, even when the mirror of the substrate is so low that an upper part of the rotor 2 lies above the substrate mirror. As a result, irregularities are applied in the rotation of the rotor 2 by a drive motor Torque and the bearings of the rotor 2 avoiding impacts or shocks during operation of the agitator 1.

A reverse direction of rotation of the drive of the rotor 2 is also possible; this inevitably results in a conveying effect of the rotor 2 on the substrate which is opposite to the conveying effect described above.

Figure 2 shows the agitator 1 from Figure 1 together with the container 3 in plan view. It is particularly clear here that the container 3 has a circular outline with the container peripheral wall 31 and the circular base 32. Alternatively, the container 3 can also have a polygonal or polygonal outline.

In the in Figure 2 The agitator 1 with the rotor 2 is arranged on the left-hand side of the container 3, the axial length of which here extends over approximately a quarter of the diameter of the container 3. The Figure 2 thus illustrates particularly clearly that the rotor 2 of the agitator 1 only takes up a fraction of the volume of the container 3.

The rotor shaft 21 runs here in the radial direction of the container 3 and is mounted in the support 23 at its end pointing towards the center of the container 3. By means of the shaft bushing 38, the other end of the rotor shaft 21 is passed through the container peripheral wall 31 in a sealing manner. The drive 28, here an electric motor, for the rotor 2 of the agitator 1 is arranged outside the container 3. The number and arrangement of the stirring blades 25 of the rotor 2 in Figure 2 corresponds to the example below Figure 1 .

Figure 3 shows the agitator 1 from Figure 2 with the flow of a substrate in the container 3 indicated by flow arrows, also in plan view, with the agitator 1 in operation. The rotating arrow on the rotor shaft 21 indicates the working direction of rotation 20 'of the rotor 2 here. Due to the above-described different conveying effects of the rotor regions 2 'and 2 ", the flow illustrated by the flow arrows 30' and 30" occurs in the container 3 within the substrate 30 located therein. The rotor 2 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless generates a flow which sets the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion and mixes it.

In the rotor area 2 'there is a flow that runs essentially in the axial direction of the rotor 2 and in the radial direction of the container 3 from the inside to the outside, while in the rotor area 2 "the conveying effect acts more strongly in the radial direction of the rotor 2, whereby there the in the circumferential direction of the container 3 pointing circular flow 30 ″ is generated. As in Figure 3 illustrated, the entire contents of the substrate 30 are set in motion with an agitator 1 in the container 3, which has only one rotor 2, and the constituents of the substrate 30 are intensively mixed.

Figure 4 shows the agitator 1 in a modified version, in the same representation as in FIG Figure 2 . Different from the example after Figure 1 and 2 is here that the orientation of the rotor 2 with its two different rotor areas 2 'and 2 "is reversed. The rotor area 2' with the conveying effect pointing predominantly in the axial direction of the rotor 2 is here near the container circumferential wall 31, while the rotor area 2" with the predominantly or more strongly in the radial direction of the rotor 2 is the conveying action on the side of the rotor 2 remote from the container peripheral wall 31. This results, additionally depending on the direction of rotation of the rotor 2, further, changed conveying effects on a substrate in the container 3, which, depending on the operating conditions present, can be advantageous. In this embodiment, too, the rotor 2 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless generates a flow which sets the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion and mixes it.

Figure 5 shows the agitator 1 from Figure 4 seen in an end view in the radial direction of the container 3 from the inside to the outside. Facing the viewer is the support 23, which carries the rotor bearing 22.1, in which the rotor shaft of the rotor 2 (not visible here) is mounted. In the radial direction, the spokes 24.1 here extend in a straight line from the rotor shaft 21 to the outside. The stirring blades 25 are connected in the orientation described above to the respective outer end area of the spokes 24.1. Far left and far right in Figure 5 the peripheral wall 31 of the container 3 is visible. The container 3 is delimited at the bottom by the container base 32.

Figure 6 shows the agitator 1 in a further embodiment in plan view. The rotor 2 with the rotor shaft 21 and the stirring blades 25 here corresponds to the example according to FIG Figures 1 and 2 executed. The following example is different Figure 6 that here, as part of the agitator 1, a flow guide body 36 is arranged on the inner surface of the container peripheral wall 31 of the container 3 to support the flow of the substrate in the container 3, to avoid flow-free dead areas and to close the shaft duct 38 in the container peripheral wall 31 relieve. The flow guide body 36 has a rounded wedge shape, the tip of the wedge pointing to the side of the rotor 2 facing the container peripheral wall 31 and the concavely rounded wedge surfaces on both sides of the tip merging tangentially into the inner surface of the container peripheral wall 31. In this embodiment, too, the rotor 2 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless generates a flow which sets the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion and mixes it.

Figure 7 shows the agitator 1 in a further embodiment in plan view. Here, too, the rotor 2 corresponds to the example according to FIGS Figures 1 and 2 executed. A characteristic of this exemplary embodiment is a flow guide body 26 which is attached to the rotor shaft 21 and rotates together with the rotor 2 when the agitator 1 is in operation. The flow guide body 26 is here a rotationally symmetrical body, its side facing the rotor 2 forming a concavely rounded cone shape. In this way, too, the substrate flow generated by the rotor 2 during operation of the agitator 1 is favorably directed and supported and at the same time the shaft feed-through 38 in the container peripheral wall 31 is also relieved of the flow pressure of the substrate. In this embodiment, too, the rotor 2 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless generates a flow which sets the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion and mixes it.

Figure 8 shows the agitator 1 in a further embodiment, in front view, as a modification of the example according to Figure 5 . Characteristic of the agitator 1 according to Figure 8 is that its spokes 24.1 do not run in a straight line in the radial direction of the rotor 2, but each have a curved shape. In addition to the spokes 24.1, this curved shape can also be used in Figure 8 have invisible spokes 24.2. This shape of the spokes 24.1, 24.2 can be used to generate a conveying effect serve and be favorable for absorbing the mechanical loads occurring on the spokes 24.1, 24.2 during operation of the agitator 1.

Figure 9 shows the agitator 1 in a further embodiment in a plan view, together with a standing container 3, which is round again here. What differs from the previously described embodiments is that the rotor shaft 21 of the rotor 2 of the agitator 1 is inclined in relation to the radial direction of the container 3 extending direction is arranged. Otherwise, the agitator 1 corresponds to Figure 9 the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 . The inclined alignment of the rotor shaft 21 can be fixed or, alternatively, also variable, the change in the alignment of the rotor shaft 21 being able to take place when the agitator 1 is at a standstill or also while the agitator is in operation.

Figure 10 shows the agitator 1 from Figure 9 with the flow of a substrate 30 in the container 3 indicated by flow arrows, in plan view. Here, too, the agitator 1 in the rotor area 2 'produces a conveying effect that runs predominantly in the axial direction of the rotor 2 in the direction of the flow arrows 30' in the substrate, while the rotor area 2 "facing the container peripheral wall 31 has a stronger conveying effect in the radial direction of the rotor 2 and thus the flow 30 ″ running in the circumferential direction of the container 3 is generated in the substrate. Overall, two flow circles of different sizes result here, the substrate 30 being mixed and exchanged between the flow circles in the area of the rotor 2. Even in the embodiment according to Figures 9 and 10 the rotor 2 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless generates a flow which sets and mixes the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion.

Figure 11 shows the agitator 1 in a further embodiment, in side view. Two features are characteristic of this agitator 1, namely on the one hand that the rotor shaft 21 runs at an inclination to the horizontal direction, and on the other hand that the radial distance between the agitator blades 25 and the rotor shaft 21 is different over its axial length.

The inclination of the rotor shaft 21 here runs downwards as seen from the container peripheral wall 31 in the direction of the interior of the container. Here, too, the inner end of the rotor shaft 21 is mounted and supported in a support 23.

The radial distance between the agitator blades 25 and the rotor shaft 21 is smaller at the end of the rotor 2 facing the interior of the container 3 and larger at the end of the rotor 2 facing the container peripheral wall 31. Accordingly, the first spokes 24.1 of the rotor 2 are also shorter than the spokes 24.2 close to the wall. What is achieved hereby is that the stirring blades 25 of the rotor 2 can be moved relatively close over the container base 32 over their entire length in order to prevent solids from the substrate from settling on the container base 32. In this exemplary embodiment, too, the rotor 2 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless generates a flow which sets the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion and mixes it.

In all embodiments according to Figures 1 to 11 the spokes 24.1, 24.2 can be seen as flat, inclined webs and thus designed as conveying elements for the substrate within the meaning of claim 1.

The rotor 2 of the agitator 1 can be designed differently in various respects, in particular with regard to its shaft and the number of its agitator blades, as will be explained below with reference to several corresponding exemplary embodiments.

The Figure 12 shows a rotor 2 of the agitator 1 with a single agitator blade 25, in a first embodiment, in side view. Here, too, the stirring blade 25 runs along a helical line over a helical line angle of 360 °. To support it, the rotor 2 has two stub shafts 21.1, 21.2 at its two rotor ends 2.1, 2.2. A spoke 24.1, 24.2 is connected to each stub shaft 21.1, 21.2. With the free end of the spokes 24.1, 24.2, the stirring blade 25, which here also has the shape of a narrow strip of material, is connected at its ends 25.1, 25.2. At the in Figure 12 right end 25.1 of the stirring blade 25, the surface plane of which lies in the radial direction of the rotor 2, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the radially extending right spoke 24.1. At the in Figure 12 left end 25.2 of the stirring blade 25, its surface plane runs obliquely to the radial direction of the rotor 2 and thus also obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the spoke 24.2 extending there in the radial direction. Here too, the stirring blade 25 is twisted in its course along the helical line. This also helps with This rotor 2, which has only a single agitator blade 25, forms two rotor areas 2 'and 2 "with different conveying effects, with the rotor area 2' having a stronger conveying effect in the axial direction of the rotor 2 and the rotor area 2" having a stronger conveying effect due to the respective alignment of the surface plane of the agitating blade 25 having in the radial direction of the rotor 2.

By means of its stub shafts 21.1, 21.2, the rotor 2 can be rotatably supported about an axis of rotation 20 and can be set in rotation by means of a drive engaging one of the stub shafts 21.1, 21.2.

Figure 13 shows the rotor 2 with a single stirring blade 25 in a second embodiment, in side view. What differs from the previously described exemplary embodiment is that the rotor 2 has a continuous rotor shaft 21 instead of the two stub shafts. With regard to the other parts and properties, the rotor 2 corresponds to FIG Figure 13 following the example Figure 12 .

Figure 14 shows the rotor 2 with two stirring blades 25 in a first embodiment in a side view. The two stirring blades 25 are arranged offset from one another by 180 ° in the circumferential direction in the rotor 2 and again each run along a helical line, which here describes a helical angle of 180 °. Two stub shafts 21.1 and 21.2 are again used here for the rotatable mounting of the rotor 2. Two first spokes 24.1 extend from the stub shaft 21.1 and two second spokes 24.2 extend from the stub shaft 21.2 in the radial direction, the spokes 24.1, 24.2 each being offset from one another by 180 ° in the circumferential direction of the rotor 2. At the free end of the spokes 24.1, 24.2, the ends 25.1 and 25.2 of the stirring blades 25 are attached. As in the previous example, the surface plane of the agitator blades 25 lies at its end 25.1 in the radial direction of the rotor 2, while at the other end of the rotor 2 at the end 25.2 of the agitator blades 25, the surface plane thereof is oriented obliquely to the radial direction of the rotor 2. The previously described rotor regions 2 ′ and 2 ″ with different conveying effects on a substrate during the rotation of the rotor 2 thus result here as well.

Figure 15 shows the rotor 2 with two stirring blades 25 in a second embodiment, in a side view. Different for example after Figure 14 is here that the rotor 2 has a continuous rotor shaft 21 instead of two stub shafts. Otherwise, the rotor 2 corresponds to in Figure 15 following the example Figure 14 .

Figure 16 shows the rotor 2 with four stirring blades 25 in a first embodiment in a side view. The rotor 2 here again has two shaft stubs 21.1, 21.2 arranged in alignment with one another, from which four spokes 24.1, 24.2 each extend in the radial direction at an angular distance of 90 ° from one another. The stirring blades 25 are again connected to the free ends of the spokes 24.1, 24.2 by means of their ends 25.1, 25.2. Here, too, the stirring blades 25 run along a helical line, which here each describe a helical line angle of only 90 °. Here, too, the stirring blades 25 are twisted over their length, the surface plane of the stirring blades 25 running in the radial direction at their end 25.1 and at an angle to the radial direction of the rotor 2 at their end 25.2. Thus, in this embodiment of the rotor 2, too, the two rotor regions 2 ′ and 2 ″ which differ in terms of their respective conveying effect result, as already described above.

Figure 17 shows the rotor 2 with four stirring blades 25 in a second embodiment, in a side view, the difference to the example according to Figure 16 consists in the fact that here the rotor 2 has a continuous rotor shaft 21. With regard to the other parts and properties of the rotor 2 in Figure 17 if this matches the example Figure 16 match.

Figure 18 shows the rotor 2 with six stirring blades 25, in a first embodiment, in a side view. This rotor 2 has two stub shafts 21.1, 21.2 for its rotatable mounting. With each stub shaft 21.1, 21.2 six spokes 24.1, 24.2 are connected, which extend outwardly from the stub shaft 21.1, 21.2 at a respective angular distance of 60 ° from one another in the radial direction. The stirring blades 25 are again connected to the free ends of the spokes 24.1, 24.2 by means of their ends 25.1, 25.2. Here, too, the stirring blades 25 run along a helical line, each of which describes a helical angle of 60 ° here. Here, too, the stirring blades 25 are twisted over their length, the surface plane of the stirring blades 25 running in the radial direction at their end 25.1 and at an angle to the radial direction of the rotor 2 at their end 25.2. In this embodiment of the rotor 2 with six agitator blades 25, the two rotor areas 2 ′ and 2 ″, which are different in terms of their respective conveying effect, result, as already described above.

Figure 19 shows the rotor 2 with six agitator blades 25 in a second embodiment, in side view, with here in comparison to the example Figure 18 Instead of two stub shafts, a continuous rotor shaft 21 is provided in the rotor 2.

Figure 20 shows the rotor 2 with eight stirring blades 25, in a first embodiment, in a side view. Two stub shafts 21.1 and 21.2 are again used here for the rotatable mounting of the rotor 2. Corresponding to the number of stirring blades 25, eight spokes 24.1, 24.2 are connected to each stub shaft 21.1, 21.2 at an angular distance of 45 ° from one another and extend outward in the radial direction from the respective stub shaft 21.1, 21.2.

The ends 25.1, 25.2 of the stirring blades 25 are each connected to the end region of one of the spokes 24.1, 24.2. Here, too, the stirring blades 25 are arranged to run along a helical line, the helical lines here each extending over a helical angle of 60 °. At the same time, here too, the stirring blades 25, viewed in their longitudinal direction, have such a twist that the surface plane of the stirring blades 25 at their end 25.1 is aligned in the radial direction of the rotor and at their end 25.2 at an angle to the radial direction of the rotor 2. This rotor 2 thus also has the two rotor areas 2 'and 2 "of different conveying effects.

Figure 21 shows the rotor 2 with eight stirring blades 25, in a second embodiment, in a side view, the difference to the example according to Figure 20 consists in that the rotor 2 here has a continuous rotor shaft 21 instead of stub shafts. The other parts and properties of the rotor 2 according to Figure 21 correspond to those in the example Figure 20 .

Figure 22 shows the rotor 2 in an embodiment with four agitator blades 25, now with two groups of additional spokes 24.3 between the end spokes 24.1 and 24.2, in a side view. The four stirring blades 25 again each run along a helical line which each covers a helical angle of 90 °. The pitch of the helical line is not constant, seen over the axial length of the rotor 2, but increases from right to left as seen in the axial direction of the rotor 2. The spokes 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 are here again each connected to a continuous rotor shaft 21 and extend outward from the rotor shaft 21 in the radial direction at an angular distance of 90 ° from one another. With At their ends 25.1 the stirring blades 25 are connected to the axially outer first spokes 24.1 and at their ends 25.2 to the axially outer second spokes 24.2. The stirring blades 21 are also twisted here, the surface plane of the stirring blades 25 being aligned at their first end 25.1 in the radial direction of the rotor 2 and at their second end 25.2 obliquely to the radial direction of the rotor 2. Here too, rotor areas 2 'and 2 "of different conveying effects are formed. Between the end-face spokes 24.1 and 24.2, the agitator blades 24 are connected to the two additional groups of spokes 24.3 to increase the stability and resilience of the rotor 2, with the spokes 24.1 and 24.3 the stirring blades 25 are not yet twisted; the twisting of the stirring blades 25 here only extends over the rotor area 2 ″.

Figure 23 shows the rotor 2 from Figure 22 in cross section according to section line AA in Figure 22 . In the center of the Figure 23 the cut rotor shaft 21 is visible, from which the spokes 24.3 extend outward in the radial direction. The four stirring blades 25 are connected to the radially outer end region of the spokes 24.3 Figure 23 the front group of spokes 24.3 facing the viewer begins; behind the in Figure 23 The group of spokes 24.3 lying in front, the stirring blades 25 do not yet have any torsion. It can also be seen here that each stirring blade 25 extends along a helical line over a helical line angle of 90 °.

Figure 24 shows the rotor 2 from Figure 22 in cross section according to section line BB in Figure 22 , wherein this section runs through a torsion-free portion of the stirring blades 25 of the rotor 2, like the Figure 24 clearly shows. Behind the spokes 24.3 of the rear additional spoke group, the spokes 24.1 which are offset in the circumferential direction on the end face of the rotor 2 facing away from the viewer are visible.

Figure 25 shows the rotor 2 from Figure 22 in cross section according to section line CC in Figure 22 , this section running shortly before the end of the rotor 2 facing away from the viewer. Thus, in Figure 25 only the spokes 24.1 on the end face, which are attached to the rotor shaft 21, and a short piece of the stirring blades 25 attached there at each end region of the spokes 24.1 are visible.

Figure 26 shows a rotor 2 with four stirring blades 25 in one compared to the example according to Figure 22 slightly modified version, in side view. The change here is that the in Figure 26 Left-hand end 2.2 of the rotor 2 is a disk-shaped, flat flow guide body 26, which is connected to the rest of the rotor 2, specifically to its continuous rotor shaft 21, and thus rotates with the rotor 2 during operation. The flow guide body 26 supports the guidance of the substrate flow in the radial direction of the rotor 2, which flow is generated by its rotor area 2 ″.

Figure 27 again shows the rotor 2 with four stirring blades 25 in a side view, as in FIG Figure 26 , but now with a modified flow guide body 26. The flow guide body 26 here has a three-dimensional shape in the form of a cone arranged concentrically to the rotor shaft 21 and connected to it with a concavely rounded outer surface, which means that when the rotor 2 is driven counterclockwise as seen from its left end a flow deflection of the substrate from a flow in the rotor area 2 'directed from right to left in the axial direction of the rotor 2 into a direction in the rotor area 2 "in the radial direction of the rotor 2 from the inside to the outside is supported.

Figure 28 shows a rotor 2 with four stirring blades 25, in a further modified embodiment, in a side view. A characteristic of this version of the rotor 2 is that it, in Figure 28 seen from right to left, axially behind the second rotor area 2 ″, which has a predominantly radial conveying effect transversely to the direction of the axis of rotation 20 of rotor 2, additionally has a third rotor area 2 ″ ″. This third rotor area 2 ″ ″ is with one of the conveying effect of the first rotor area 2 'with the predominantly axial conveying effect in the direction of the rotor shaft 21 of the rotor 2, the predominantly axial conveying effect opposite. In this way, a counterflow is created in the third rotor area 2''' which, together with the second rotor area 2 ", is particularly effective Causes flow deflection of the substrate from the axial direction from right to left in the radial direction away from the rotor 2 radially outward.

With regard to the other items and properties of the rotor 2 according to Figure 28 reference is made to the preceding description, in particular the Figure 22 , with which there is agreement in this respect.

Even in the embodiments according to Figures 12 to 28 , in which the spokes 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 are shown with a round cross-section, in practice the spokes 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 are designed so that they have a conveying effect according to claim 1.

Figure 29 shows a section of a rotor shaft 21 with a spoke 24.1 visible in section in a first embodiment. It is characteristic of the spoke 24.1 shown here that it is formed from a flat, inclined strip of material, such as a flat steel profile, whereby the spoke 24.1 itself exerts a conveying effect on the substrate in the manner of a propeller when the rotor shaft 21 rotates and thus supports the conveying effect of the rest of the rotor 2.

Figure 30 also shows a section of the rotor shaft 21 with the spoke 24.1 visible in section, in a second embodiment, which consists in that the spoke 24.1 here is designed as a rectangular hollow profile and thus has a higher mechanical load capacity. The spoke 24.1 here also has an orientation that is inclined to the circumferential direction of the rotor shaft 21, so that it itself also exerts a conveying effect on the substrate.

Even those in the Figures 29 and 30th Spokes 24.2, 24.3 not shown can be designed according to these figures. Except for those in the Figures 30 and 31 The cross-sectional shapes shown, the spokes 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 can also have other cross-sectional shapes, for example the shape of curved blades or of wing profiles, in order to increase their conveying effect.

Figure 31 shows the agitator 1 in a further modified embodiment, in side view, in a standing container. It is characteristic of this embodiment of the agitator 1 that the agitator blades 25 are not designed here as continuous strips of material, but segmented, that is, in the form of agitator blade segments 25 'arranged one behind the other with gaps. At least one spoke 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 is assigned to each agitating blade segment 25 'so that all agitating blade segments 25' are held.

In its other parts and properties, the agitator 1 corresponds to Figure 31 the example according to the Figures 1 and 2 . Also in the embodiment according to Figure 31 the rotor 2 occupies a range of motion in the container 3, which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless generates a flow which sets the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion and mixes it.

Figure 32 shows the agitator 1 in a further modified version, in a side view, in a standing container 3, it being characteristic of this version of the agitator 1 that its rotor shaft 21 runs vertically here. In addition to the rotor shaft 21, the rotor 2 of the agitator 1 has four agitator blades 25, which are attached to four spokes 24.1 extending from the rotor shaft 21 on the first, upper rotor end 2.1 and to four spokes 24.2 extending from the rotor shaft 21 on the second, here lower rotor end 2.2 are. The stirring blades 25 again each run along a helical line, which here each extends over a helical angle of 90 °. In addition, the agitator blades 25 are twisted in themselves, the agitator blades 25 running at their first, upper end 25.1 with their blade surface in the radial direction of the rotor 2, while at their second, lower end 25.2 the blade surface of the agitator blades 25 is inclined to the radial direction of the rotor 2 runs. Thus, here too the rotor 2 has two rotor areas 2 ′ and 2 ″ with different conveying effects on a substrate located in the container 3.

When the rotor 2 is driven counterclockwise as seen from above, the upper rotor area 2 'conveys the substrate from top to bottom with a predominantly axial conveying direction, while the second rotor area 2 "conveys the substrate predominantly in the radial direction of the rotor 2 outwards In this vertical arrangement of the rotor 2 of the agitator 1, a substrate in the container 3 is effectively set in motion and mixed in its entire volume, although here too the rotor 2 in the container 3 occupies a range of motion that is small in relation to the volume of the container 3. A drive for the rotor 2, not shown here, can be conveniently arranged above a substrate surface, a complex shaft feed-through for the rotor shaft 21 through the container wall 31 being avoided.

An upper rotor bearing 22.1, which is arranged in a support 23 protruding from the container wall 31 into the container 3, and a lower rotor bearing 22.2, which is arranged on the container bottom 32, serve for the rotatable mounting of the rotor 2 and the rotor shaft 21.

In the case of containers 3 up to a certain size or volume, the arrangement of a single rotor 2 is sufficient in practice. For particularly large containers 3, it may also be useful or necessary to provide several rotors 2 therein. An example of this is shown by the Figure 34 33 with three rotors 2 arranged in a standing container 3 in a plan view. The rotors 2 and rotor shafts 21 of the agitator 1 each have a vertical orientation and are evenly spaced from one another in the circumferential direction of the container 3 in order to ensure a complete and uniform movement and mixing of the substrates in the container 3 as seen over the volume of the container 3 cause. Depending on the requirements, an operating mode of the rotors 2 can be selected in which either one, two or all three rotors 2 are put into operation. Each rotor 2 can have its own drive, but it is also possible that all rotors 2 are coupled or can be coupled to a common drive.

In this embodiment according to Figure 33 each rotor 2 within the container 3 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless the rotors 2 generate a flow which sets the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion and mixes it.

The Figure 34 shows an agitator 1 in a side view in a lying container 3, in a first embodiment. The container 3 here has a cylindrical shape with a peripheral wall 31 and two front ends 33 and is, for example, part of a so-called plug flow fermenter. The agitator 1 here has a vertically arranged rotor 2 with a correspondingly vertically extending rotor shaft 21 which is rotatably supported at the bottom of the container 3 in a lower rotor bearing 22.1 and at the top in the area of a shaft passage 38 through the container wall 31 in a second rotor bearing 22.2. A drive (not shown here) for the rotor 2 is to be coupled on top of the container 3 to the rotor shaft 21 protruding from the container 3 there. The rotor 2 here again has four stirring blades 25, which are attached with their lower end 25.1 to four lower spokes 24.1 and with their upper end 25.2 to four upper spokes 24.2. The stirring blades 25 again run along helical lines which each describe a helical angle of 90 ° here. At the first, here lower rotor end 2.1, the agitator blades 25 are in the radial direction of the rotor 2 extending blade surface, while at the second, here upper rotor end 2.2, the stirring blades 25 are arranged with the blade surface tilted relative to the radial direction of the rotor 2. This rotor 2 thus also has the two rotor sections 2 'and 2 "which differ in terms of their conveying effect on a substrate located in the container 3. As already described above, the rotor area 2' has a predominantly axial conveying effect, while the rotor area 2" has a stronger one Has radial conveying effect.

In this exemplary embodiment, too, the rotor 2 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3, but nevertheless generates a flow which sets the entire substrate volume in the container 3 in motion and mixes it. With the agitator 1, good mixing and movement of a substrate with a high degree of efficiency can also be produced in a lying hollow cylindrical container 3.

Figure 35 shows one opposite the Figure 34 Modified embodiment with an agitator 1 with two rotors 2 arranged next to one another and a horizontal container 3, in a perspective view, with a cut-open container 3. An arrangement of several rotors 2 in a horizontal container 3 can be particularly useful for particularly large containers 3 and / or for particularly high containers Requirements for the movement and mixing of the substrate in the container 3 may be appropriate. The two rotors 2 of the agitator 1 are identical to one another, but are each arranged vertically in the container 3 with a different orientation. So with the in Figure 35 The rotor 2 arranged on the left in the container 3 has its rotor area 2 'with a predominantly axial conveying effect at the bottom, while this rotor area 2' is at the top in the rotor 2 arranged on the right. Correspondingly, in the left rotor 2, the rotor area 2 ″ with the stronger radial conveying effect is on top, while in the right rotor 2 this rotor area 2 ″ is located below. With this arrangement and alignment of the rotors 2, an intensive flow and good mixing of the substrate can be ensured inside the container 3 over the working areas of both rotors 2 and over the entire volume of the container 3, although each rotor 2 is inside the container 3 occupies a range of motion which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3.

Figure 36 finally, shows an agitator 1 in a side view in a horizontal container 3, in a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the rotor 2 of the agitator 1 is aligned horizontally, so that the rotor shaft 21 here also runs horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the horizontal container 3. The rotor shaft 21 is rotatably supported at its end facing the interior of the container 3 in a first rotor bearing 23.1, which is arranged in a support 23 which, in turn, is connected to the container 3 at the bottom. The other end of the rotor shaft 21 is connected to the in FIG Figure 36 left end wall 33 of the container 3 outwards, so that a drive of the rotor 2, not visible here, can be arranged outside of the container 3 on its left end wall 33. In its further design and function, the rotor 2 corresponds to in Figure 36 the embodiment according to Figure 1 .

In operation of the agitator 1 according to Figure 36 conveys its rotor 2 with clockwise drive with the rotor area 2 'substrate essentially in the axial direction of the rotor 2 from right to left. The second rotor area 2 ″ with the stronger radial conveying effect transports the substrate in the radial direction of the rotor 2 outwards in the direction of the peripheral wall of the container 3. As a result, a helical substrate flow is created in the area near the peripheral wall 31 of the container 3, which is a flow component in the longitudinal direction of the container 3 from left to right Figure 36 right end wall 33 of the container 3 reverses the flow and then runs in the central area of the container 3 in its longitudinal direction from right to left back into the area of the rotor 2. Here, too, an intensive movement and mixing of substrate in the entire container 3 is evident of the agitator 1, although the rotor 2 occupies a range of motion within the container 3 which is small in relation to the volume of the container 3. <u> List of reference symbols: </u> character designation 1 Agitator 2 rotor 2.1, 2.2 Rotor ends 2 ' Rotor area with axial conveying effect 2 " Rotor area with radial conveying effect 2 ''' additional rotor area with axial conveying effect 20, 20 ' Axis of rotation, working direction of rotation 21st Rotor shaft 21.1, 21.2 Shaft stumps 22.1, 22.2 Rotor bearing 23 Support 24.1, 24.2 end spokes 24.3 additional spokes (between 24.1 and 24.2) 25th Stirring blades 25 ' Stirring blade segments 25.1, 25.2 Ends of 25 26th Flow guide body on 2 28 Drive for 2 3 container 30th Substrate in 3 30 ' axial flow 30 " radial flow 31 Container perimeter wall 32 Container bottom 33 Container end walls 36 Flow guide body on 31 38 Shaft feedthrough

Claims (13)

1. Container (3) with a stirrer (1) for mixing and moving substrates (30) in the form of liquids or liquid-and-solid mixtures inside the container (3), comprising at least one rotor (2) with one or more stirrer blades (25), said rotor being mounted in at least one rotor bearing (22.1, 22.2) and arranged in the container (3) for rotary movement about an axis of rotation (20), and comprising a drive (28) powering the rotor (2), wherein the or each rotor (2) of the stirrer (1) in the container (3) holding the substrate (30) to be mixed and moved occupies only a fraction of the volume of the container (3), wherein a substrate flow may also be created by means of the stirrer (1) outside of the range of motion of the rotor (2) or rotors (2) in the container (3), wherein the rotor (2), when viewed along its rotary axis (20) is designed with at least two rotor areas (2', 2") having different conveying effects on the substate (30), with a first rotor area (2') having a predominantly axial conveying effect in the direction of the rotary axis (20) and a second rotor area (2") having a stronger radial conveying effect transverse to the direction of the rotary axis (20), wherein the or each stirrer blade (25) is provided as a continuous or segmented flat material strip extending along a helical line over the full axial length of the rotor (2) and being supported by at least two spokes (24.1, 24.2) of the rotor (2), and wherein the blade surface of the or each stirrer blade (25), when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the stirrer blade, has a varying orientation from one rotor end (2.1) to the other (2.2) relative to the radial direction of the rotor (2),
   characterized in
   that the spokes (24.1, 24.2) are embodied as conveying elements for the substrate (30), that first spokes (24.1) arranged in the first rotor area (2') are designed with a predominantly axial conveying effect in the direction of the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2), and that second spokes (24.2) arranged in the second rotor area (2") are designed with a predominantly radial conveying effect transverse to the direction of the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2) or with a predominantly axial conveying effect opposite to the axial conveying effect of the first spokes (24.1).
2. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the or each stirrer blade (25) is oriented at one rotor end (2.1) in the radial direction of the rotor (2) and at the other rotor end (2.2) in a tilted position relative to the radial direction of the rotor (2).
3. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the helical line along which the or each stirrer blade (25) extends has a uniform pitch when viewed in the direction of the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2).
4. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the helical line along which the or each stirrer blade (25) extends has a varying pitch when viewed in the direction of the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2).
5. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the helical line along which the or each stirrer blade (25) extends has a smaller pitch in one rotor area (2', 2") than in the other rotor area (2", 2').
6. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the helical line along which the or each stirrer blade (25) extends is evenly spaced from the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2).
7. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the helical line along which the or each stirrer blade (25) extends is spaced at varying distances from the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2) when viewed in the direction of the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2).
8. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the helical line along which the or each stirrer blade (25) extends is more closely spaced from the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2) in the one rotor area (2', 2") than in the other rotor area (2", 2').
9. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the or each rotor (2) has a continuous rotor shaft (21) mounted at each end in a rotor bearing (22.1, 22.2) or that the or each rotor (2) has two shaft stubs (21.1, 21.2) on its end faces, each one being mounted in a rotor bearing (22.1, 22.2).
10. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the spokes (24.1, 24.2) extend in a straight line or curved relative to the radial direction of the rotor (2).
11. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rotor (2) has one single stirrer blade (25), that the stirrer blade (25) extends over a helical-line angle of 360° or a whole-number multiple thereof and that the rotor (2) has at least two spokes (24.1, 24.2) supporting the stirrer blade (25) at least at the face ends.
12. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rotor (2) has a plurality of n stirrer blades (25), where n>1, that the stirrer blades (25) are distributed evenly around the circumference of the rotor (2), that each stirrer blade (25) extends over a helical-line angle of 360°/n or a whole-number multiple thereof, and that the rotor (2) has at least two spokes (24.1, 24.2) per stirrer blade (25) that support the stirrer blade (25) at least at the face ends.
13. The container (3) with a stirrer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the rotor (2) additionally has a third rotor area (2''') situated axially behind the second rotor area (2") designed with a predominantly radial conveying effect transverse to the direction of the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2), said third rotor area (2"') having a predominantly axial conveying effect opposite to the conveying effect of the first rotor area (2') with the predominantly axial conveying effect in the direction of the rotary axis (20) of the rotor (2).

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