IES86772B2 - Slurry agitator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a slurry agitator comprising a means for pumping slurry, an associated conduit having an opening for slurry adjacent the means for pumping, at least one outlet for slurry, a mixing means having protrusions, wherein the missing means is provided adjacent the conduit and, in use, the mixing means is driven to rotate. <Figure 1>

Description

The present application relates to a slurry agitator and in particular a slurry agitator for use in a slurry tank or lagoon.

Background Of The Invention Most slurry agitators are tractor powered via a PTO although they can also be electrically powered. The basic way a slurry agitator or pump works is that the pump is lowered into a slurry tank or lagoon, which is usually between 1.5m and 4.5m deep. A powered impeller at the bottom of the pump lifts the slurry through a conduit. The slurry is then jetted out of the conduit from an outlet at high pressure.

The jet of slurry passes through the unmixed slurry. To create a good mix the outlet can be moved up or down and from left to right. When mixing, the jet of slurry "punches" a hole through the unmixed slurry and over time causes the whole tank to circulate andmix.

A slurry agitator is conventionally used for mixing slurry which has been collected over a period of time, generally the winter months when animals are housed. Slurry collected in a tank or pit needs to be mixed to a uniform viscosity so that it can be easily transferred to other tanks or made ready for disposal on the field. Generally tanks are only mixed using a slurry agitator immediately prior to the transfer or removal of slurry from the tank.

If a slurry pit or tank is an awkward shape, there is limited access, or the slurry is very thick, mixing can be a very difficult and time consuming job. In particular, a crust forms on the slurry during periods of stagnation in the slurry tank e.g., during the winter months. The crust is formed by fibrous particles floating to the top of the lagoon/tank. in order to mix the slurry to the required uniform viscosity, the crust must be completely disintegrated. With respect to conventional slurry agitators, this is done exclusively by the jet of slurry that is projected from the agitator. However, it is often necessary to add large volumes of water to the slurry in order to aid in the mixing process. Mixing of slurry in this manner can be particularly time consuming task such that many wasted man hours are lost with a tractor consuming large volumes of fuel. Furthermore, the more time spent agitating or mixing the slurry the greater the loss of available Nitrogen (N) in the slurry to the atmosphere in the form of ammonia. Slurry is a valuable source of nutrients and there is an increased awareness that these nutrients should not be lost to the atmosphere before application to the field.

Another problem associated with conventional slurry agitators is they can become blocked by material in the slurry tank or lagoon. Slurry pumps are known for agitating the slurry under slatted housing for cattle. Undesired materials can enter the slurry tank through the slats. In particular, elongate material such as twine used to bind bales of bales of silage, straw or hay; as well as longer strands of fodder which can be trodden on by cattle and pressed down between the slats of the slatted house and thereby unintentionally end up in the slurry tank. This elongate material can become entangled in known slurry pumps and can cause serious blockages to the pump and damage to the equipment. Even if a conventional slurry agitator does not become blocked while mixing slurry with elongated material therein,the material remains in the slurry tank and can cause future problems. For example, different equipment used to extract the slurry from the tank can become blocked by the elongated material.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with known slurry pumps.

Summary According to the present invention there is provided a slurry agitator comprising a" means for pumping slurry, an associated conduit having an opening for slurry adjacent the means for pumping, at least one outlet for slurry, a mixing means having protrusions, wherein the mixing means is provided adjacent the conduit and in use the mixing means is driven to rotate.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a mixing means which works in conjunction with the means for pumping slurry such that the slurry is mixed and macerated in a more efficient manner than the conventional slurry agitator.

Optionally, the slurry agitator further comprises a cutting means cooperably positioned adjacent the mixing means and configured to shear elongated between the protrusions and the cutting means.

Advantageously, the cooperation of the cutting means and mixing means ensures that any elongated material is macerated in a manner not achievable using a conventional slurry agitator. This prevents the slurry pump or agitator from becoming blocked by elongated material.

Optionally, the protrusions comprise at least one of paddles, blades and chains. Advantageously different types of protrusion can be provided on the mixing means i.e., the most appropriate protrusion for the slurry environment may be chosen.

Optionally, the protrusions are detachable for ease of replacement. This allows new protrusions to be fitted to the mixing means or allows the protrusions to be replaced with alternative protrusions.

Optionally, the cutting means comprises at least one blade positioned such that during rotation of the mixing means, the at least one blade passes between corresponding protrusions. Advantageously, the use of at least one blade ensures that any elongated material is macerated in an efficient manner.

Optionally, the slurry agitator further comprises a hydraulic pump configured to drive the mixing means to rotate. Alternatively, the mixing means may be driven to rotate by the same drive means that drives the means for pumping slurry.

Optionally, a distal end of the mixing means is mounted adjacent the opening for slurry and the mixing means extends parallel to the conduit. Advantageously, this configuration ensures that mixing is achieved along the full length of the agitator.

According to the present invention there is also provided a slurry agitator comprising a means for pumping slurry, an associated conduit having an opening for slurry adjacent the means for pumping, at least one outlet for slurry, and a mixing means having protrusions, wherein the mixing means is provided transverse to the conduit and in use the mixing means is driven to rotate.

Brief Description Of The Drawings The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a slurry agitator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2a is a side view of a slurry agitator according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2b is a side view of a slurry agitator according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of a slurry agitator according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a slurry agitator according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is perspective view of the a hydraulic pump that may be used in any of the embodiments of the slurry agitator of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a cut out view of a portion of the slurry agitator in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings The present teaching will now be described with reference to an exemplary slurry agitator. It will be understood that this exemplary slurry agitator is provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and is not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one figure may be interchanged with those of other figures without departing from the scope of the present teaching. it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Referring to the drawings and initially to figure 1, there is illustrated a slurry agitator 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As is known in the art, the slurry agitator 100 is provided with a pumping means in the form of an impeller (not shown) within an impeller housing 101. The impeller is driven through a gearbox 102. The most common means of driving a slurry agitator is using a power take-off (PTO) from a tractor. A PTO shaft 103 is shown for attachment between the gearbox 102 and a tractor. Lift arms 104 are attached to a frame 114 of the slurry agitator for mounting of the agitator to a tractor. However, the slurry agitator of the present invention does not have to be mounted to a tractor.

Furthermore any suitable power source may be used to provide power to the gearbox 102 in place of a tractor.

The gearbox 102 can change the ratio of drive from the PTO shaft 103 and the direction of drive through ninety degrees. The gearbox 102 drives the impeller through a drive shaft 105. The drive shaft 105 is generally held within a housing to prevent exposure to slurry while the agitator is in a tank. As can be seen from Figure 1 the drive shaft 105 runs centrally along the length of the agitator 100. A conduit 106 for slurry runs adjacent the drive shaft 105 from the impeller housing 101 to an opening 107 at the opposite end. The conduit 106 opens into the impeller housing 101 such that impeller pumps slurry into the conduit 106. As is known to those skilled in the art, the underside of the impeller housing 101 is open to allow slurry to enter. The conduit 106 is generally used for pumping slurry from the tank and the opening 107 may be provided with a gate valve and a coupling (not shown).

An outlet pipe 108 is also provided from the impeller housing 101 and terminating in a mixing nozzle 109. If the outlet 107 of the conduit is closed, the impeller pumps slurry through the outlet pipe 108, which in turn jets out through the outlet 107. in use, the slurry agitator 100 is lowered into a slurry tank (not shown) and the impeller is powered by either a tractor or electric motor. The slurry is raised by the action of the impeller and forced into the nozzle outlet pipe 108 and through the nozzle 107, producing a high pressure jet of slurry that punches a hole in the surrounding unmixed slurry.

As can also be observed from Figure 1, the agitator of the present invention is also provided with a mixing means 110. As will be explained hereinafter, this mixing means 110 provides improved agitating and mixing of the slurry with respect to conventional slurry agitators, which rely solely on a pressure jet of slurry from the nozzle 109 for mixing.

The mixing means 110 comprises a mixing shaft 111 running adjacent the aforementioned drive shaft 105 and conduit 106. The mixing shaft 111 has a plurality of protrusions 112 thereon. in the embodiment of figure 1, the protrusions are shown as flat plates that are attached to alternative positions on the shaft 111.

In particular, two plates 112 are positioned together at opposite sides of the mixing shaft and the next two plates are at ninety degrees to the previous set of plates 112.

However, as will be explained in more detail below, any number of configurations for the protrusions 112 may be used. As is known in the art, the structural components of the agitator 100 are usually made of steel. in a similar manner, the mixing shaft 111 and the protrusions 112 are preferably fabricated from steel. A suitable diameter for the mixing shaft is 40mm but any dimensioned shaft may be used.

The agitator 100 of the present embodiment is further provided with a drive means 113 for driving the mixing means 110. in the present embodiment the drive means 113 is a hydraulic motor. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the drive means may be any suitable means that drives the mixing means 110 to rotate. For example, the drive means may be an electrical motor.

Alternatively, the drive means 113 may be connected to the gearbox 102 such that the gearbox 102 also drives the mixing means. An alternative gearbox to that shown may be provided such that power from the PTO shaft 103 is provided to both the drive shaft 105 and mixing shaft 111 at the appropriate speeds. in use, the mixing means 110 is exposed directly to the slurry and is driven to rotate by the drive means 113. The mixing means may rotate in either clockwise or anticlockwise motion. it will be appreciated that in use, the slurry agitator 100 is lowered into a slurry tank, which breaks the fibrous crust that may have formed on the slurry. To mix the slurry in a more efficient manner, the pressure jet of slurry from the nozzle 109 and the mixing means 110 cooperate. Specifically, the mixing means 100 mixes the slurry along the full length of the agitator 100. The jet of slurry from the nozzle 109 causes the slurry within the tank to circulate. The slurry then passes the agitator 100 and is further mixed by the mixing means 110. When operating, he mixing means causes an area of turbulence in the slurry around the agitator. If a piece of the fibrous crust enters the turbulent area, it is disintegrated.

In turn, the slurry that has been mixed by the mixing means 100 i.e., entered the turbulent area, is more viscous and therefore it is easier for the impeller to pump this slurry out of the nozzle 109. The time take to mix a tank of slurry is greatly reduced by the synergistic effect of the nozzle 109 and the mixing means 110.

Turning to Figure 2a, another embodiment of a slurry agitator 200a in accordance with the present teachings is shown. The slurry agitator 200a of this embodiment is similar to that shown in Figure 1. However, projections 201, which function as cutting or tearing means, are provided mounted on and extending from the conduit 106. These projections are stationary during operation of the agitator 100 and mixing means 110. The fixed projections 201 and the rotatable mixing means (in particular the protrusions) cooperate to provide improved mixing and maceration of the slurry. in use, any elongated material that may be in the slurry is captured in the space between the fixed projections 201 and the rotatable protrusions 112 of the mixing means 110. The fixed projections 201 and the rotatable protrusions 112 of the mixing means are configured to cooperate such that in use any elongate material which enters between these elements 112, 201 is sheared or torn by the rotation of the mixing means 110. Specifically, the elongated material will catch on to the projections 201 and be sheared or torn by the rotation of the protrusions 112. Thus elongate material is sheared before it can enter into the impeller housing 101 of the slurry agitator or pump 100 and hence clogging of the pump by such elongate material is advantageously prevented.

Figure 2a also provided a better view of the mixing nozzle 109 in accordance with the invention. The outlet of the mixing nozzle 109 comprising a converging duct. The mixing nozzle 109 is attached to a rotatable drum 202 which is mounted on a nozzle box. The nozzle box is mounted on one end of the outlet pipe 108 and is supported by may be supported by a strut. The rotatable drum 202 may be rotated by means of an handle 203.

As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the projections 201 are positioned on the conduit 106 spaced apart such that each rotatable protrusion 112 passes between two projections 201. The inventors have found that a suitable spacing for the projections 201 is 200mm. This is assuming the protrusions 112 are spaced 100m apart. However the dimensions and distance between the protrusions 112 and projections 201 is merely exemplary in the embodiment of Figure 2a. For example, although the projections 201 are shown as quite thin with respect to the protrusions 112, this may not be the case. The projections 201 may have a similar shape to the protrusions 112 i.e., they may be flat paddle shaped projections. in addition, the spacing between the ends of the projections 201 and the rotatable mixing shaft 111 may be different than that shown and chosen as appropriate. For example, the inventors have found that 110mm is a suitable spacing between the mounting of the projections 201 and the mixing shaft 111.

With reference to Figure 2b, a further embodiment of a slurry agitator 200b in accordance with the present teachings is shown. The slurry agitator 200b of this embodiment is similar to that shown in Figure 2a. However, in this embodiment, the cutting means are not mounted on the conduit 106 but on a separate shaft 301. The shaft 301 is fixed between the impeller housing and the frame of the agitator 200b adjacent the drive means 113. Mounting of the projections 201 on a separate shaft 301 provided more options with regard to replaceability. Optionally, the projections 201 are detachable for ease of replacement. This allows new projections 201 to be fitted to the shaft 301 or allows the projections to be replaced with alternative projections 201.

Turning to Figure 3, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. in this embodiment of the agitator 300, the protrusions of the mixing means are not flat paddles but chains 301. Again, the number and placement of the chains 301 on the mixing shaft 105 may be chosen as appropriate by those skilled in the art. in addition, the length of the chain 301 i.e., how many links, is not limited to that shown in figure 3. During rotation of the mixing means 110, the chains 301 would assume a horizontal position while at rest, they chains hang down.

With reference to Figure 4, another configuration of the protrusions is shown.

In this embodiment, the slurry agitator 400 is provided with blade members 401 as the protrusions. The rotatable blade members 401 are mounted on the rotatable shaft 105 so that the rotatable blade members 401 rotate when the mixing shaft 111 rotates. The rotatable blade members 401 each comprise a first cutting edge and optionally a second cutting edge. Any number of blade members 401 may be provided on the shaft 105. For example, if it is desirable to ensure that any elongated material in the slurry is shredded then a large number of blade members may be provided on the mixing means 110. The blade members 401 may also work in conjunction with the previously described projections. Although not shown in Figure 4, projections may be mounted on the conduit 106 or a stationary shaft as previously described. The projections may be blade members similar to the blade members 401. Alternatively any configuration for the projections may be used that cooperate with the rotations of the mixing means 110.

Turning to Figure 5, a more detailed view of the drive means 113 mounted on the agitator is provided. The drive means 113 in this embodiment is a hydraulic motor with hydraulic hoses 501 for attachment to the tractor (or any other source of oil). As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the drive means 113 operates independently from the gearbox 102, which receives power from the PTO.

Advantageously, this means that in some situations where it is not necessary to use the mixing means 110, for example watery slurry not containing elongated material, the mixing means can remain disengaged and thus save on fuel. This is particularly important for contractors who may encounter a number of different slurry tanks and slurry conditions on a daily basis.

Figure 5 also shows the mounting of the mixing means, in particular the mixing shaft 105. In this exemplary embodiment a bearings is mounted within a flanged housing 502 as the bearing mounting surface is perpendicular to the mixing shaft axis. Specifically, a 4 bold flange with a 40mm bearing is used. Such flanges are commonly available in two; three, or four—hole configurations and any suitable mounting arrangement (not limited to using a flange) may be chose as appropriate by the skilled person. A coupler may also be used with the bearing flange 501 to mount the mixing shaft 111.

Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the mixing shaft (the distal end of the mixing shaft) may also be held at the impeller housing 101 using a bearing and flange e.g. a 40mm bearing. The mixing shaft 111 is thus free to rotate.

Turning to Figure 6, this shows is a cut out view of a portion of the slurry agitator in accordance with the present invention. The protrusions 112 may be flat plates 120mm wide and spaced apart on the mixing shaft 100mm from each other.

The protrusions 112 may be square shaped such they are also 120mm long.

However as previously mentioned, these dimensions are merely exemplary and any dimensions may be chosen as appropriate by those skilled in the art. Although not shown, the protrusions may be detachable. For example, each protrusion may be mounted to a bracket on the mixing shaft 111 using a pin or bold. However any suitable mounting system may be used. Furthermore, the previously described projections 201 may also be detachable using a similar attachment means.

Claims (1)

1. Although not shown in the figures, the present teachings also provides a slurry agitator comprising a means for pumping slurry, an associated conduit having an opening for slurry adjacent the means for pumping, at least one outlet for slurry, and a mixing means having protrusions, wherein the mixing means is provided transverse to the conduit and in use the mixing means is driven to rotate. in particular, unlike the previously described embodiments, the mixing means 110 does not run along the length of the slurry agitator but rather across the width of the agitator. Naturally, this requires separate mountings for each end of the mixing means. This may be done by extending the previously described frame (114 of