US3479015A - Fluid blending apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 18, 1969 L. P. JENSEN FLUID BLENDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16

United States Patent O 3,479,015 FLUID BLENDING APPARATUS Leland P. Jensen, 378 Little Harrison St., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 Filed Feb. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 705,988 Int. Cl. B01f 7/06, /12

U.S. Cl. 259-110 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention pertains to a fluid blending apparatus which is mountable in either a stationary tank or in an over-the-road tank trailer. The apparatus includes a propeller installation which is mounted in a baflle, or wall, that sectionalizes the interior of the tank into compartments. A plurality of openings are formed through the bafi'le to allow fluid communication between the sections. The propeller installation is operable to cause the contents of the tank to flow from one compartment to another compartment thus causing either a blending, or continuous agitation of the contents therein. This invention is par ticularly adapted to blend liquid feeds, such as molasses and vitamin additives, or liquid fertilizers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The field of art to which this invention pertains is generally the art of mixing or blending mechanisms that are mountable in storage or transportable containers, and are adaptable to mix or blend the contents in the container.

Description of the prior art A search of the subject matter of this invention disclosed concrete mixers, mechanisms for unloading bulk materials such as sugar, pulverized coal, flour, and grains for containers, and mixing mechanisms for mixing dry materials with aqueous solutions. Generally, these mechanisms utilize augers or paddles disposed within the containers, for agitating or moving the contents. Neither of these systems are particularly adapted to the blending of materials having a low viscosity.

Until recently there has not been a demand for a fluid blending apparatus as the development of refinements in the use of feed with additives and fertilizer compositions was comparatively unknown. Agricultural research has pointed out the need for the utilization of these compositions as different conditions and areas require variations in feeds and fertilizers.

Consumers are demanding greater variety in the composition of fertilizers and feeds. This demand creates a tremendous burden on the suppliers storage facilities as each blend or composition must be separated from other compositions. Many suppliers install mixing facilities at the storage site thus enabling each order to be mixed before shipment, however this system often creates delay in shipment because of operating schedules of the mixing equipment. Furthermore, adequate mixing mechanisms for low viscosity materials are not available or are too slow in operation.

Auger-type or paddle-type mixers are cumbersome and heavy. Storage capacity of a tank with either of these mechanisms is drastically reduced. In over-the-road tanks, the weight of these mechanisms reduces the effective capacity of the tank because of legal weight restrictions of vehicles. Also, in many instances the condition of the road or field necessitates that lighter mixing mechanisms or lighter loads be used if the vehicle is to negotiate across or along them.

Therefore a propeller type mixing apparatus adapted "ice not only to mix or agitate compositions in stationary tank containers as well as on-the-road containers, not only effectively accomplishes the mixing action but also is economical to manufacture, extremely economical in operation, and simple but rugged in construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the fluid blending apparatus, employs the principle of compartmentalizing a tank with a baflle or wall, having a plurality of openings formed therethrough, and mounting a motor operated rotatable propeller in one of the openings in each of the baffles.

The object of this invention is the provision of a fluid blending apparatus adapted to be mounted in the interior of a storage tank or in an over-the-road tank trailer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fluid blending apparatus which is light in weight and which is compact.

A further object of ths invention is the provision of a fluid blending apparatus which is extremely effective in blending two or more components into a homogeneous mixture.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fluid blending apparatus adapted to be mounted in a tank trailer which can blend various components of a mixture and/or maintain the mixture in an agitated condition.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a fluid blending apparatus adapted to be mounted in a tank trailer wherein possible contamination of the contents of the tank is effectively reduced or eliminated.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid blending apparatus utilizing a plurality of propeller installations mounted on a common shaft which is extremely simple in construction thus allowing for easy replacement of components and repair of parts.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a fluid blending apparatus which is light in weight, compact in construction, economical to manufacture, extremely functional in use and simple but rugged in construction.

These objects, and other features and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent upon reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section of a tank trailer and tractor incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view in section of the trailer;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view taken along the lines 4-4 in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, a semi-tank trailer is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1, connected to a conventional truck tractor 11. The trailer 10 includes an elongated, horizontally disposed, fluid tight, tank 12 having substantially cylindrical walls 13 secured, as by welding, between a front end wall 14 and a rear end wall 16. The tank 12 is mounted, at its rear end, on a frame 17 supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels 18. The front end of the tank 12 has a coupling 19 secured to the underside side thereof, which is releasably attachable to the chassis 21 of the tractor 11 in a conventional manner.

A closable opening, not shown, is formed in the top of the tank 12 for purposes of loading, and is of suflicient size to permit access to the interior of the tank 12 to allow for cleaning maintenance and repairing. Mounted on top of the tank 12 (FIG. 1) and surrounding the opening is a platform 22 adapted to support a person. Access to the platform is provided in the form of a depending ladder 23, partially shown in FIG. 1, attached to the platform 22. One or more discharge conduits (not shown) are fluidly connected to the bottom of the tank 12 to permit the withdrawal of the contents therein.

Radially mounted within the tank 12 are a plurality of longitudinally spaced, convex baflles 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As each of the battles 24 are identical, only one Will be described, with like reference numerals used to identify like parts. Each baflie 24 (FIG. 2), near the periphery thereof, has a plurality of arcuately spaced openings 26 formed therethrough. A manhole 27, of sufficient size to permit the passage of a person therethrough is formed in the center of the baflle 24. A cutout 28 is provided at the bottom of the baffle 24 to permit the flow of fluid along the bottom of the tank 12. The baffle 24, with openings 26, manhole 27 and cutout 28 is provided in over-the-road tank trailers to support the outer walls 13 of the tank and to prevent a sudden shift of the contents in the tank during rapid acceleration and deceleration of the tractor and trailer.

Mounted within the tank 12 is the fluid blending apparatus of this invention, as shown generally at 31 in FIG. 1. The apparatus 31 includes a propeller installation 32 (FIG. 2) which is mounted in each manhole 27. As each propeller installation 32 is identical, only one will be described, with like reference numerals indicating like parts.

The propeller installation 32 (FIGS. 3 and 4) includes an annular shaped propeller housing 33 which is inserted into and secured, as by welding, to the edges 34 of the bafl'le which forms the manhole 27. A quartet of arcuately spaced, radially extending shaft supports 36 are disposed across each face of the housing, with the outer end of each secured to the housing 33, as by a bolt assembly 37. The inner ends of the shaft supports 36' are attached to a radial and thrust bearing 38. As best shown in FIG. 3, the bearings 38, on both faces of the housing, are axially aligned. Journaled in the bearings 38 is a rotatable propeller shaft 39 which extends outwardly on both sides of the housing 33. A propeller 41, adapted to rotate in the housing 33, is mounted on the shaft 39' between the bearings 38.

Both the front end walls 14 (FIG. 1) and the rear end wall 16 have a centrally disposed opening formed therethrough, in each of which is secured a radial and thrust bearing 42, similar to the bearing 38. Each of the bearings 42 have seal fittings (not shown) for preventing the contents of this tank 12 from leaking therefrom or from being contaminated. These bearings 38 and 42 are disposed in axial alignment, as best shown in FIG. 1.

A first shaft 43 (FIGS. 1 and 3), having an axially drilled hole 44 (FIG. 3) formed in one end thereof is mounted on the one end over the rearward disposed propeller shaft 39, and secured thereto by a key 46 or the like. The other end of the first shaft 43 is journaled in the rear end wall bearing 42. Detachably secured to the outer surface of the rear end wall 16 and disposed over the other end of the first shaft 43 is a protective cover 47 (FIG. 1). A second shaft 48, identical to the first shaft is detachably secured on one end thereof to the propeller shaft 39 of the forward disposed propeller installation 32 and journaled on the other end in the front end wall bearing 42. It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the second shaft 48 projects outwardly from the front end wall.

Interconnecting adjacent pairs of propeller installations 32 are interconnecting shafts 49 which are detachably secured on one end to the propeller shaft 39 and on the other end to a universal joint 51, or the like, which is connected to the propeller shaft 39 of the adjacent propeller installation. A motor 52, mounted on a motor support 53 which is secured to the outer surface of the front end wall, is operatively connected to the forward end of the second shaft 48. A hydraulic pump, or the like, not shown, mounted on the tractor 11 is operable to drive the motor 52, which in turn rotates the shafts 4s, 39, 49 and 47.

In operation, the energization of the motor 52 causes the propellers to rotate thus mixing the products contained in the tank. The rotation of the propeller pulls the products through the housing 33 from one section of the tank into another section thereof thus maintaining continuous agitation of the contents therein. As the fluid is forced from one compartment into an adjacent compartment the displaced fluid is replaced by fluid flowing from the adjacent compartment through the openings 26 to the one compartment.

The universal joints 51 are provided to allow disassembly of the shafts 49 and the propeller installations 32 for maintenance and repair. The motor 52 and bearing 42 are mounted on the end walls 14 and 16 thus allowing for repair or replacement without disassembly of the apparatus. Furthermore a seal (not shown) is provided on both end walls at the opening through which the shafts 49 project thus preventing the contamination of the contents of the tank.

Although the description hereinabove has primarily related to over-the-road tanks it is also posisble to utilize the blending system in a stationary tank. Thus by sectionalizing the tank by one or more bafiles having a plurality of openings formed therein and mounting a propeller installation as described hereinabove in the baffle sufficient agitation can be accomplished to either completely mix the contents in the tank or to maintain an agitated condition thus preventing either setting of the contents or the settling out of one of the additives.

I claim:

1. A fluid blending apparatus for mounting in a tank adapted to contain fluid, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart batfles disposed in the tank for separating the tank into a plurality of compartments, said bafiles each having a manhole and at least one opening formed therethrough thus allowing fluid communication between said adjacent compartments;

rotatable propeller means mounted in each of said manholes; and

power means operatively connected to each of said propeller means for rotation thereof thus causing the fluid to move between said adjacent compartments.

2. A fluid blending apparatus as defined in claim 1,

wherein said propeller means includes a propeller housing mounted in said manholes, at least one shaft support disposed across each face of said housing, a rotatable propeller shaft journaled in said shaft supports, and a propeller secured to said shaft.

3. A fluid blending apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said power means includes an elongated first shaft mounted in axial alignment with one of said propeller shafts and having one end therof detachably secured to an end of said one propeller shaft and having the other end thereof extend through the wall of the tank; interconnecting rotatable shafts disposed between adjacent propeller shafts, each of said interconnecting shaft detachably secured at one end to one end of one of said propeller shafts and detachably secured at the other end to one end of the adjacent propeller shafts; and a motor disposed outside of the tank on said other end of said first shaft, said motor operable to rotate said propeller shafts through said first shaft and said interconnecting shafts.

4. A fluid blending apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said power means includes a second shaft mounted in axial alignment with said first shaft and said interconnecting shafts and detachably secured on the forward end therof to said propeller shaft mounted adjacent the wall of the tank opposite the wall through which said first shaft extends, the rear end of said second shaft extending through the opposite wall.

5. A fluid blending apparatus for mounting in a tank adapted to contain fluid, the apparatus comprising:

a baflle disposed in the tank for separating the tank into compartments, said baflle having a manhole and at least one opening formed therethrough, thus allowing fluid communication between said compartments,

rotatable propeller means mounted in said manhole, said propeller means including a propeller housing mounted in said manhole, at least one shaft support disposed across each face of said housing, a rotatable propeller shaft journaled in said shaft support, and a 15 other end, said motor operable to rotate said shaft thus causing the'fiuid to move between said compartments, and a second shaft mounted in axial alignment with said first shaft and detachably connected on the forward end thereof to said propeller shaft on the end opposite said propeller shaft one end having the rear end thereof extending through the wall of the tank opposite the wall through which said propeller shaft other end extends.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1941 Fell 25968 X Tolman 259-68 X FOREIGN PATENTS 21,912 1/1901 Great Britain.

ROBERT W. JENKINS, Primary Examiner U.S.Cl. X.R. 25969, 97

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