US2106026A - Liquid homogenizing and the like method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1938.

J. H. GAR'IVDNER LIQUID HOMOGENIZING AND THE LIKE METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1936 .2 Sheets-Sheet l COOLING APPA RATUS PASTEURIZER 0R omen SUPPLY SOURCE FIG- 9.

1NVENTOR. FIG. 2. 39 4 JOHN H. GARDN R 7 BY I 4% 4 Q7 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 18, 1938. J. H. GARDNER 2,106,026

LIQUID HOMOGENIZING AND THE LIK E METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed J an. 25, less 2 Sheet's-Sheet 2 HN H. GARDNER.

TTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 18, 1938 A LIQUID HOMOGENIZING AND, THE LIKE METHOD AND APPARATUS John H. Gardner, Belding, Mich, assignor to Gardner Dairy Equipment Corporation, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 25, 1936, Serial No. 60,844

11 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for homogenizing liquids or plastic semiliquids and the like.

As is well known, liquids are homogenized by forcing them under pressure through orifices or the like of small sectional area.

Homogenizers heretofore proposed have various objectionable features among which are the enormous liquid pressures necessary to force the liquid through the homogenizing orifices the difliculty of manufacture of the apparatus, particularly of the orifice portions; the difiiculty .of cleansing the same to keep them sanitary particularly when milk, cream and other edible materials are the liquids being homogenized; the complications of machinery and accessory apparatus to operate the homogenizing parts of the apparatus. f It is among the objects of this invention, thereore:

To provide a homogenizing apparatus in which the above stated defects and objections are obviated;

To provide generally an improved homogenizing apparatus;

- To provide, in a homogenizing apparatus, an improved form of small area orifice;

To provide an improved method of forming small area orifices for homogenizing purposes;

.To provide a homogenizing apparatus, all the parts of which may be conveniently subjected to cleansing and disinfecting processes;

To provide a homogenizing device of simplified construction adapted to be installed in a conduit flow line through which liquid to be homogenized may be pumped.

Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains.

My invention is fully disclosed in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, in part diagrammatic, of an apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view to an enlarged scale of a homogenizing part or device illustrated in elevation as a part of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating to an enlarged scale a fragment of the device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view taken from the plane A--'A in the direction of the arrows l4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view taken from the plane A-A from the direction of the arrows 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view to a greatly enlarged scale taken from the plane 5-6 of Fig.3;

Figs. '7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 6 illustrating modifications;

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating to an enlarged scale, the operative characteristics of a pump illustrated in elevation in Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, 1 have illustrated generally at i a liquid circulating pump driven by an electric motor 2, the pump and motor being supported on a common base or pedestal 3. The

pump l and motor 2 may be of any suitable construction but I prefer to employ a pump of the general character of that shown in Fig. 9. This pump comprises a stator having a cylindrical chamber 5 therein and an impeller 6 driven by the motor shaft 1 by an eccentric pin 8. A stationary vane 9' pivotedin a recess III in the stator projects into a recess H in the impeller to prevent rotation of the impeller about the pin 8.

Upon rotation of the shaft I, the impeller 6 will be oscillated in the chamber 5 and if conduits i2 and i3 are connected to the chamber 5 on opposite sides of .the vane 9, and are connected in a conduit line of flow, liquid may be drawn in at the conduit i2 and expelled under pressure at the 'conduit l3.

Apump having the characteristics just described is preferred because, as will be apparent, the flow therethrough, and therefore the pressure created thereby, is constant and not undulating. Although the homogenizing parts of my'invention to be described will operate with an undulating pressure, I have found that the operation thereof is improved and the homogenizing of liquids thereby is more uniform.if the pressure is not fluctuating or undulating. Furthermore, although I have illustrated the type of pump which I prefer to employ, the pump itself forms no essential part of .the present invention and it is believed that the brief description thereof hereinbefore and the fragmentary illustration thereof in the drawings will be sufiicient.

The intake side of the pump at I2 is connected to a source [4 of liquid to be homogenized. If the liquid is cream, milk, or the like, the source it may be a paste'urizing apparatus. 0n the way from the source ii to the pump, the liquid flows through a. strainer i5. The output side of the pump at I3 is connected by a coupling IE to one side of the homogenizing device'proper. to be described, l'l, theother side of which, by means of a coupling I 8, isconnected to a conduit line i9 and the part 2: is exteriorly threaded as at 25 by which the two parts or pieces 22 and 22 may be threaded together. Each piece 22 and 22 has extending axially thereof similar tubular extensions 22 and 2'l-upon the outer ends of which as at 22-22, preferably like externally threaded coupling portions are provided which may be of well known form by which, in connection with couplings l2 and I2 shown in Fig. 1, a liquid pressure. type conduit connection may be made therewith for conduit communication with interior chambers 22 and 22 of the parts 22 and 22.

Confronting faces 2| and 22 of the. parts 22 and 22, respectively, are formed as'follows. The part 22 has centrally thereof a circular opening 22.

forming the inner termination of the chamber 22; Annular shallow grooves 24 and 22 are formed in the faces 2| and 22 providing-a flat annular-chamber 22 radially spaced from the opening 22 and shallow"grooves 2'! and 22' similarly provide an annular chamber 22 radially outwardly of the chamber 22. Inc faces 2| and 22 whichare in coinciding planes thus engage each other only on planar annular faces 42, 4|, 42 on the part 22, and 42, 44, 42 respectively on the part 22.' These facesare preferably ground coplanar so that when the threaded portions 24 and 22 'are drawn up together, the pressure of the engagement thereof will all come on the faces 42 to 42, thus sealing these faces mutually with liquid-pressure-proof engagement.

'Ihe chamber 22 of the part.22 is .closed inwardly thereof by a wall 42 on the outer surface of which the said annular grooves and annular faces of, the part 22 are formed and in the center thereof is-provided an elevated cone or conoidal projection 41 projecting into the. chamber 22.

A plurality vof relatively large perforations 42-42 in the wall 42 communicate with the annular chamber 22 and with the chamber 22.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and-6 and as indicatedby the dotted lines 42; a plurality of preferably radial grooves 42 are cut in the planar surface 42 effecting communication between the annular chamber 22 and the chamber 22. A plurality of similar grooves 22 'are cut inthe annular surface 44, effecting communication between the chamber 22 and the chamber 22. The grooves 42 and 22 are preferably formed by a milling operation andas shown in Fig. 6 are preferably rectangular in cross-section, although the curvilinear form of Fig. 'l or the triangular form of Hg. 2 may be used; and althou h the grooves are preferably formed in the surfaces 42 of the piece 22, they-may be formed as shown in Fig. 8 in the ways42-42intothechamber22.

corresponding surfaces42 of the piece 22.

In operation of the device liquid from the source M, Fig. 1, is forced by the pump I into the chamber 22, Fig. 2, the stream thereof being divided by the projection 41, and the liquid is then forced outwardly radially through'the passage- The passageways 42-42 being of very small cross-sectional area as will be more fully referred to hereinafter, the liquid will, after flowing therethrough, and-- denly expandor explode due to. the release of pressure thereon into the chamber 22, the com bined action of the'pressure induced flow through the u ways 42 and the'explosion thereof into the chamber 22 effecting homogenizing of the liquid. The liquid then continues to flow out of the chamber22 throughthe passageways 22 and into the chamber 22,-and again the homogenizing action is performed thereon. The liquid,

now homogenized, flows through the passageway 42 into the chamber 22 and thence through the rest ofthe system as hereinbefore referred to.

I have found that when the passageways 42-22 formed by the said grooves have a cross-sectional area between .008 square inch to .017 square inch, and of approximately 1'," long, a suitable homogenizing effect will be performed whether the grooves are of the rectangular form of Pig. 6 or of the other forms of Figs. 7 or 8. And, as will be obvious, other forms of grooves may be employed, my invention not being limited to any particular cross-sectional area, form, or length of I such groove.

It will furthermore be seen that without complications of structure. the homogenizing effect is of a two-stage type and it will be clearly apparent that other annular groups of small passagescorresponding to the passages 42 and 22 may be provided to add other stages of homogenization or that the eifect can be produced with'a single I stage, for example by omitting the stage performed by the grooves 22.

Whereas, furthermore, the grooves 42 have been made radial because of the convenience thereof in-milling the same. it thereby being made possible to mill directly across the device and by I a single operation mill two aligned diametrically opposite grooves, it will be apparent that the grooves 42 and 22 maybe disposed in directions other than radial. 1

From the foregoing description it will, of course, be apparent that liquid cannot leak along the faces 42 and 42 or 4| and 44 or 42 and 42, because these faces are allcoincid'ental in a single plane. being ground planar for that W and being held in pressure engagement by the screw-threaded connection of the two parts 22 and 22, the screwing movement'of'the two parts being threaded together bottoming on these. surfaces.

As illustrated in Pig. 3, the wall 2| of the chamber 22 adjacent the approach end of the groove 42, is disposed outwardly radially from the inner end ofsaid groove. By this means, as the liquid approaches the open end of the groove 42, which as hereinbefore described, is on an elei vated face 42, the liquid is given a slight swirling movement indicated by the arrow .22. While this swirling movement is not enough to interfere with the free flowing of liquid into and through the eway. grooves 42, it is sufficient, in case there are small particles of foreign matter in the liquid, to carry said particles across and beyond the opening of the grooves 42 and .to prevent their ilowing'thereinto and lodging therein. Any particles which tend to'lodge at the entrance of the groove 42 are continuously washed away therefrom by the swirling liquid.

Apparatus of this-class, as is well known, must be frequently cleaned; With the construction above described, to clean the device II it is only necessary to uncouple it at the couplings l2 and l2andthentounscrewthetwoparts22and22 from each other whereupon the small area pass above described are converted into ilat annular surfaces 42 and asillustratedinflg.

5 and other flat annular surfaces 43 and N with radial or other grooves 49 and 50 therein as illustrated in Fig. 4. All ofthese surfaces being fully exposed to the action of cleansing liquids and utensils such as ordinary brushes may be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and by the simplest processes. All of the other surface portions inside and out of the device, as clearly illustrated, can, furthermore, be readily cleaned and the passageways 48 may be of such large diameter as to admit easily passing therethrough a cleansing brush or the like.

I have found that with a homogenizing device as above described, it is not necessary to employ the high pressures such as 5,000 pounds per square inch ofliquid heretofore necessary to produce a perfect homogenizing action; low pressure such as 150 pounds per square inch will be found suflicient in most cases. And I believe this to be due to ,the fact that the passageways through which the liquid is forced may be made of as small cross-sectional area and as great length as desired and may, after being forced or squeezed through the passageways, be exploded or expanded thereafter, stage after stage, as may be desired.

In order to facilitate the grinding of the annular surfaces 43 and 44 of the part 23, and to facilitate the diametrical cutting of the grooves 49 and 50, the central projection I! may be on a separate piece driven into a suitable recess in the partition 46 of the piece 43 as illustrated in Fig. 3. 4

As stated hereinbefore, my inventionis susceptible of various modifications and is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described, the invention comprehending all changes and modifications which maybe made within the spirit of my invention without sacrificing its advantages and within the scope of the appended claims. t

In the foregoing, the method and apparatus has been described as directed particularly to the homogenizing of liquids. The apparatus, however, may be used without change for performing other processes on liquids, such for example as emulsifying, viscolizing, etc. It has been found that while homogenizing may be performed at high pressures such as are necessary in prior apparatus, emulsifying is in some cases better performed at low pressures. For example, butter and skim milk can be emulsified back into milk or cream, but if the process is performed at high pressures the/butter fat globules will be iiii broken up and the resulting cream will not be suitable for whipping. Again, ice cream mix can be made using wholebutter and skim 'milk or water instead of cream with the usual sugar, gelatin, egg concentrate, etc., and if the whole mix- 00 ture is run through the device above described,

and at the low pressures at which it will operate, the butter and milk or water will be emulsified to a cream consistency at the same time that the mix as a whole is homogenized into a homogeneous smooth mix which when frozen provides ice cream of a much improved consistency and texture.

In some cases, it may be desirable to run the material, to be processed, through the device a number of times successively.

In the following claims the word homogenizing is to be taken in this broader sense as inclusive of such other processes and treatments of liquids, semi-liquids, and the like.

I claim:

6. The apparatus described in claim 1. In a homogenizing device, a pair of walled housing elements adapted to be connected in a liquid conduit flow line, one housing element having a passageway therethrough and laterally of the mouth of the passageway having a pair of annular concentric elevated planar faces thereon providing an annular recess therebetween, the other housing element having a transverse wall provided with a corresponding pair of annular concentric elevated planar faces thereon providing an annular recess therebetween, means to clamp the two housing elements together with the elevated faces in pressure-sealed engagement, the recesses providing a sealed annular chamber, a plurality of generally radial grooves in one of the annular faces providing communication between the said housing elements, and conduit means extending through the said transverse wall effecting communication between the said annular chamber and the housing having the transverse wall.

2. In a homogenizing device, a pair of walled housing elements adapted to be connected in a liquid conduit flow line, one housing element having a passageway therethrough and laterally of the mouth of the passageway having three annular concentric. elevated planar faces thereof providing therebetween two annular recesses, the

other housing element having a transverse wall provided with three corresponding concentric elevated planar faces thereof providing therebetween two'other annular recesses, means to clamp the two housing elements together with the elevated faces in pressure-sealed engagement, the recesses providing sealed annular chambers, a plurality of generally radial grooves extending across one of the annular faces of each pair of engaged annular faces providing communication between the said passageway of the first-named housing element and one of the annular chambers and between said annular chamber and the other annular chamber, and a passageway communicating from the outer annular chamber extending through the said transverse wall effecting communication between said annular chamber and the housing having the transverse wall. 3. The homogenizing device described in claim 10 and in which all of the said surfaces are coplanar.

4. In a homogenizing apparatus, a pair of joined fluid conduit elements having jointly a passageway therethrough comprising a fluid inlet in one element and a fluid outlet in the other, the housing elements supporting respectively mutually contacting surfaces, an outer portion of said contacting surfaces circumscribing and outwardly sealing the passageway at the iuncture of the elements, the passageway comprising branch passages of small cross sectional area distacting surface portion of one element and covered by a corresponding said contacting surface portion of the other element, and means to clamp the two housing elements together and to effect pressure on said contacting surfaces.

5. The apparatus described in claim 4 and in which the housing elements are clamped to each other by mutually meshed threads and the said seal is on annular contacting surface portions co-axial ofthe threads and the grooved surface portions and grooved covering surface portions are annular co-axial of the threads.

4. and in i tions co-axial of the threads and the grooved surface portions and the grooved covering surface portions are planar and annular coraxi'ally with the threads.

'1. The apparatus described in claim 4 and'in which the housing elements are clamped to each other by mutually inter-meshed threads and the said seal is on planar annular contacting surface portions co-axial of the threads and the grooved surface portions and grooved covering surface portions are annular and co-axial with the threads and co-planar with the said sealing surface portions.

8. A homogenizing device comprising a conduit form housing adapted to beconnected in a liquid flow conduit line and to have liquid'forced therethrough under pressure, the conduit housing comprising two parts detachably clamped one upon the other upon mutually engaged surfaces having passages provided therebetween formed by aplurality of-grooves in one of said surfaces disposed in the line of liquid flow and covered by opposite portions of the other surface, and portions of the engaged surfaces outwardly of the passages sealing the juncture of the housing parts, and means communicating with said passages adapted to transmit liquid therefrom to an outlet conduit line. I

9. In a homogenizing device,'a housing comprising two chambers and an intermediate wall and having means for connecting the housing in a conduit liquid flow line for introducing liquid under pressure to the housing on one side of the wall and conducting the liquid from the other 'side of the wall, the housing being formed from two elements each having flnished surface portions' thereon," means to clamp the elements together with one surface upon the other in coincidlng pressure sealed engagement therewith, and

a plurality of passages ex'tending through the wall comprising grooves in one flnished surface porr tion covered by overly portions of. the other finished surface portion.

10.- In a homogenizing device, joined means covered by an opposite portion of the other inner surface, means to conflnedly conduct liquid under pressure through the inner surfaces to the groove and to conflnedly conduct it away there from, and'the' outer pair of surfaces sealing the juncture of the Joined means, and conduit means adapted t'o-conduct liquid transmitted through the groove to a fluid outlet conduit.

11. In a homogenizing device, a pair'of detachably joined elements having a wall therebetween, each of said elements having a co-planar portionsealedly engaged and formed to provide a continuous eway therebetween, means for conducting fluid from a fluid suppiyconduit to said eway through a plurality of relatively small orifices, and means conducting fluid from the eway to a fluid outlet conduit. v JOHN H. GARDNER.

comprising a radial groove in one inner surface

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