Double-cone pumping device

Abstract

The invention relates to a double-cone pumping device, designed to provide for flow of the liquid product only on the outer side of the rotating cones, making it compatible with mixing of particulate-containing liquid products; and specifically advanced for high pumping capacity in mixing-agitation applications in food processing. The double-cone pumping device comprises two cones that are axially symmetrically arranged with their large bases abutting, and rotatable around the axis, and an axial shaft that connects to driving means. The invention also relates to a use of this pump in processing of liquid food.

Claims

1. A method for the processing of liquid food, the method comprising pumping the liquid food using a double-cone pumping device comprising two cones comprising a first cone and a second cone, each of the two cones having a large base, the two cones are axially symmetrically arranged with the large base of the first cone laying on a first face of a flat disc, and the large base of the second cone laying on a second face of the flat disc, the first cone and the second cone extending from the flat disc in opposite directions from each other, the pumping device comprising at least two rotating vanes comprising a first vane extending along the first face of the flat disc from a first end of the first vane connected to the large base of the first cone to a second end of the first vane positioned at a periphery of the flat disc, the at least two rotating vanes further comprise a second vane positioned symmetrically to the first vane along the first face of the flat disc on an opposite side of the first cone from the first vane, the at least two rotating vanes are rotatable together around the axis, and the double-cone pumping device comprises an axial shaft that connects to a driving member.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two rotating vanes further comprise a third vane and a fourth vane, the third vane and the fourth vane extending along the second face of the flat disc on opposite sides of the second cone relative to each other, and the first vane and the second vane are located symmetrically to the third vane and fourth vane.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least two rotating vanes on the flat disc extend entirely along at least one of the two cones in a spiral configuration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the two cones form a physical body that is empty or has an internal closed cavity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the two cones form a physical body that is not hollow.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the two cones are made out of one piece of material.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a circumference of the flat disc is greater than a circumference of the large base of the first cone.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a ratio of the circumference of the large base of the first cone to the circumference of the flat disc is between 0.5 and 0.875.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a full view of a double-cone pumping device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a geometry of a double-cone pumping device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) By comparison, the double-cone pumping device 1200 in FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention both allows pumping of fluids containing particulates of any size and ensures a large pumping capacity. Pumping device 1200 is made of rotating cones 1220 that are full bodies (as opposed to hollow). Rotating cones 1220 are directly connected to a rotating disc 1230 that additionally displays rotating vanes 1240 on each one of its sides. Unlike rotating double-cone devices (featuring hollow cones) on the market, which are mainly intended for comminution or micronization, the pumping device 1200 is solely designed for an efficient pumping that generates a strong internal motion inside a processing vessel.

(4) Referenced to the state-of-the-art, there are four major points of differentiation characterizing the pumping device in FIG. 1: First, rotating cones 1220 are full physical bodies. Second, rotating cones are directly connected to a rotating disc 1230. Third, rotating disc 1230 displays rotating vanes 1240 or blades on each side of the rotating disc. And fourth, as a result, the flow induced by the pumping device 1200 is entirely external to the rotating device, allowing for handling of particulates of any size. The two cones and the flat disc may be separate part or made out of one piece.

(5) In another embodiment, while entirely preserving the external flow feature of the double-cone pumping device 1200, the combined physical body made of the two cones can be empty or can have an internal closed cavity, in order to reduce the total weight of the device. This does not change any of the external geometry of the double-cone pumping device, while the flow remains strictly on the outside of the device.

(6) In yet another embodiment, the vanes on the rotating flat disc 1230 extend entirely along the rotating cones 1220, in a spiral configuration, to further increase the pumping capacity of the double-cone pumping device.

(7) FIG. 2 is an illustration to the geometry of the double-cone pumping device, whereby the range within which the dimensions can vary is limited only by the intended purpose of the pumping device, the design power of the device, the mechanical resistance of construction materials, etc. In the particular example of FIG. 2, the rotating cones have a large base diameter A and a small base diameter B; the rotating disc has a diameter C; and an overall height of the double-cone pumping device is D. It is preferred that A is in the range from 5 to 35 cm, B is from 1 to 15 cm, C is from 10 to 40 cm, and D is from 15 to 55 cm. In a particular preferred embodiment the A/B=5, A/C=0.5, and A/D=0.4.

(8) The double-cone pumping device is installed within a processing vessel by means of a shaft, eventually associated with driving means such as a gear box and a motor drive to transfer the torque from the motor to the pumping device. Furthermore, the motor drive can have a variable frequency drive to allow rotational speeds in the range from 10 RPM to thousands RPM. The location of the pump shaft can be axially in the processing vessel, or sidewise, coming from the top end of the processing vessel, from the bottom end of the processing, or from any side of the processing vessel.

(9) Any reference to prior art documents in this specification is not to be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

(10) Although the invention has been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification.