Mixer apparatus for mixing a high-viscosity fluid

Abstract

A mixer apparatus for mixing a high-viscosity fluid has a mixer shaft with a plurality of blades affixed thereto, a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the mixer shaft so as to rotate the mixer shaft, a hydraulic pump connected by a fluid circuit to the hydraulic motor so as to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor, an electric motor drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to the fluid circuit so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. The plurality of blades are pivotally mounted to the mixer shaft.

Claims

1. A mixer apparatus for mixing high viscosity fluids, the mixer apparatus comprising: a mixer shaft having a plurality of blades affixed thereto; a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to said mixer shaft so as to rotate said mixer shaft; a hydraulic pump connected by a fluid circuit to said hydraulic motor, said hydraulic pump adapted to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to said hydraulic motor; an electric motor drivingly connected to said hydraulic pump; and a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to said fluid circuit so as to supply hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic pump, said plurality of blades comprising: a first set of blades positioned adjacent an end of said mixer shaft opposite said hydraulic motor; a second set of blades positioned in a location on said mixer shaft spaced above said first set of blades; and a third set of blades positioned in the location on said mixer shaft and spaced above said second set of blades and below said hydraulic motor.

2. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, said hydraulic motor positioned at an upper end of said mixer shaft.

3. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, said hydraulic motor having a variable speed of between 0 and 750 rpms.

4. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, said hydraulic motor having a quick-release fitting thereon, said quick-release fitting releasably connecting to said hydraulic circuit.

5. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, said plurality of blades being pivotally mounted to said mixer shaft.

6. The mixer apparatus of claim 5, said plurality of blades being movable between a first position against said mixer shaft and a second position extending outwardly of said mixer shaft.

7. The mixer apparatus of claim 6, said plurality of blades and said mixer shaft having a diameter less than two inches when in the first position against said mixer shaft.

8. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, said electric motor being a one horsepower motor.

9. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pressure gauge cooperative with said hydraulic circuit, said pressure gauge indicating a pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said hydraulic circuit.

10. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a hydraulic proportioning valve cooperative with said hydraulic circuit so as to control a rate of hydraulic fluid flow in said hydraulic circuit.

11. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, said hydraulic pump and said electric motor being located remote from said hydraulic motor and said mixer shaft.

12. The mixer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a bracket assembly affixed to said hydraulic motor, said bracket assembly adapted to attach said hydraulic motor and said mixer shaft to a high-velocity fluid-containing drum.

13. A mixing system comprising: a container having a high-viscosity fluid therein; a mixer shaft extending downwardly into said container and into the high-viscosity fluid in said container, said mixer shaft having a plurality of blades affixed thereto; a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to said mixer shaft so as to rotate said mixer shaft in said container; a hydraulic pump connected by a fluid circuit to said hydraulic motor, said hydraulic pump adapted to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to said hydraulic motor; an electric motor drivingly connected to said hydraulic pump; and a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to said fluid circuit so as to supply hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic pump, said container being a drum having a cover, said cover having a bunghole formed therein, said mixer shaft and said plurality of blades extending through said bunghole, said plurality of blades being pivotally mounted to said mixer shaft, said plurality of blades movable between a first position residing along said mixer shaft and a second position extending outwardly of said mixer shaft, said plurality of blades being in said second position when said hydraulic motor rotates said mixer shaft, said bunghole having a diameter, said plurality of blades and said mixer shaft having a diameter less than the diameter of said bunghole when said plurality of blades are in the first position residing against said mixer shaft said plurality of blades comprising: a first set of blades positioned adjacent an end of said mixer shaft opposite said hydraulic motor; a second set of blades positioned in a location on said mixer shaft spaced above said first set of blades; and a third set of blades positioned in the location on said mixer shaft and spaced above said second set of blades and below said hydraulic motor.

14. The mixing system of claim 13, said high-viscosity fluid having a viscosity of greater than 2000 cps.

15. The mixing system of claim 13, further comprising: a bracket assembly affixed to said hydraulic motor and extending outwardly therefrom, said bracket assembly removably affixed to a top rim of said container so as to support said hydraulic motor in a location above the high-viscosity fluid in said container.

16. The mixing system of claim 13, further comprising: a pressure gauge cooperative with said hydraulic circuit, said pressure gauge indicating a pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said hydraulic circuit; and a hydraulic proportioning valve cooperative with said hydraulic circuit so as to control the rate of hydraulic fluid flow in said hydraulic circuit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the mixer apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing they hydraulic motor, mixer shaft and blades of the mixer apparatus of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the mixing system of the present invention as used in association with a drum.

(4) FIG. 4 is an perspective view of a drum having an alternative embodiment of the mixing system of the present invention affixed thereto by a bracket assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the mixer apparatus 10 of the present invention as employed with a container 12 containing a high viscosity fluid 14 therein. The mixer apparatus includes a mixer shaft 16 having a plurality of blades 18 affixed thereto. A hydraulic motor 20 is drivingly connected to the upper end of the mixer shaft 16 so as to rotate the mixer shaft 16. A hydraulic pump 22 is connected by a fluid circuit 24 to the hydraulic motor 20. The hydraulic pump 22 is adapted to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure through the hydraulic circuit 24 to the hydraulic motor 20. Electric motor 26 is drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump 22. A hydraulic fluid reservoir 28 is connected to the fluid circuit 24 so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump 22. A pressure gauge 30 is cooperative at the hydraulic circuit 24. The pressure gauge 30 indicates a pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit 24. A hydraulic proportioning valve 32 is cooperative at the hydraulic circuit 24 so as to control a rate of hydraulic fluid flow in the hydraulic circuit 24.

(6) The hydraulic motor 20 is positioned at an upper end of the mixer shaft 16. The hydraulic motor 20 is a variable speed motor. The variable speed hydraulic motor 20 can rotate the mixer shaft 16 at a rate of between 0 and 750 rpms. The hydraulic fluid in the fluid circuit 24 is pumped by the hydraulic pump 22 through the entry line 34 of the hydraulic circuit 24 and returns through the return line 36 of the hydraulic circuit 24 back to the reservoir 28.

(7) In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the mixer shaft 16 extends downwardly from the hydraulic motor 20 into the high-viscosity fluid 14 within the container 12. The plurality of blades are illustrated as extending radially outwardly of the mixer shaft 16. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of blades 18 will be foldable blades. These foldable blades can move between a first position that resides against the mixer shaft 16 and a second position (illustrated in FIG. 1) that extends outwardly of the mixer shaft. The rotation of the mixer shaft 16 by the hydraulic motor 20 causes the blades to move from the first position to the second position. The hydraulic motor 20 can also be a submersible motor so that the entire assembly of the hydraulic motor 20, the mixer shaft 16 and the blades 18 can be located within the high-viscosity fluid 14 in the container 12. In FIG. 1, the hydraulic motor 20 is illustrated as located above the top of the container 12.

(8) The electric motor 26 is drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump 22. As can be seen in FIG. 1, a shaft 38 of the electric motor is connected to a shaft 40 of the hydraulic pump 22. The electric motor 26, in the preferred embodiment, is a one horsepower motor that operates from 110 volts and twelve amps of power. As such, in the present invention, the high torque provided by the hydraulic motor 20 is caused by the driving of the hydraulic pump 22 by the small electric motor 26. It can be seen that the hydraulic pump 22 in the electric motor 26 are located remotely from the hydraulic motor 20 and the mixer shaft 16. As such, the heavier components of the electric motor and the hydraulic pump do not need to be transported and placed into proximity to the container 12. It is only necessary to extend the hydraulic circuit 24 from the hydraulic pump 22 to the hydraulic motor 20. Quick-release couplings can be used so as to secure the entry line 34 of the hydraulic circuit 24 to the hydraulic motor 20 and to secure the return line 36 of the hydraulic circuit 24 to the hydraulic motor 20.

(9) A hydraulic fluid reservoir 28 is connected to the fluid circuit 24 so as to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic motor 20. The reservoir 28 also serves to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump 22. The pressure gauge 30 is located in proximity to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 28 so as to sense and display the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the fluid circuit 24. The proportioning valve 38 is also located between the pressure gauge 30 and the reservoir 28 on the hydraulic fluid circuit 24 so as to control the rate of hydraulic fluid flow through the hydraulic circuit 24.

(10) Importantly, the mixer apparatus the present invention utilizes the electric motor 26 that is coupled to the hydraulic pump 22. The hydraulic pump 22 then pumps the fluid to the hydraulic motor 20 that positioned at the top of the container 12. The hydraulic motor 20 is coupled to the mixer shaft that then turns multiple blades 18 within the high-viscosity fluid 14 so as to generate the mixing.

(11) In the present invention, the mixer shaft 18 can rotate between 0 and 750 rpms. It is easily achievable to increase the size of the hydraulic pump 22 so as to increase the maximum rpms of the mixer shaft 16. It is also possible to drive multiple mixers from a single hydraulic pump. One hydraulic pump can be sized to properly drive up to five hydraulic mixers.

(12) In comparison with electric motors, the mixer apparatus 10 of the present invention is of lesser weight and is easier to install. The electric motor mixers are very cumbersome to lift in and out of the drum. With the mixer apparatus 10 of the present invention, the approximate weight will be of approximately fifteen pounds in comparison to an electric motor mixer of close to fifty pounds.

(13) FIG. 2 shows an isolated view of the hydraulic motor 20, the mixer shaft 16 and the plurality of blades 18. It can be seen that the plurality of blades 18 are pivotally secured to the mixer shaft 16. FIG. 2 shows blades 42 and 44 that are illustrated as extending in the second position radially outwardly of the mixer shaft 16. The blades 46 are illustrated in the first position extending along and adjacent to the mixer shaft 16. Within the concept of the present invention, the outer diameter of the mixer shaft 16 and the plurality of blades 18 when the blades are in the first position should be less than two inches. This will allow the mixer shaft 16 and the plurality of blades 18 to be introduced into the container 12 through a bunghole (illustrated hereinafter).

(14) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, there is a first set of blades 50 positioned at an end of the mixer shaft 16 opposite the hydraulic motor 20. A second set of blades 52 is positioned in a location on the mixer shaft 16 in spaced relation above the first set of blades 50. A third set of blades 54 is positioned at a location spaced above the second set of blades 52 and below the hydraulic motor 20. The use of these three sets of blades enhances the mixing capability of the mixer apparatus 10. As was stated hereinbefore, when high-viscosity fluids are stored for a period of time in a container, the high-viscosity fluids can separate. The heavier materials will naturally sink toward the bottom of the container while the lighter materials will be at the upper portion of the container. As such, the first set of blades 50 can thoroughly mix those heavy materials adjacent to the bottom of the container. The third set of blades 54 can effectively mix the lighter materials located in the upper portion of the container. The second set of blades 52 thoroughly mixes the material in an area adjacent to the interface of the lighter and heavier materials. The turbulence created by the first and third sets of blades will allow the second set of blades to more thoroughly mix in the area adjacent the interface. As such, this configuration can provide a very thorough mixing.

(15) The mixer apparatus 10 can provide very high torque in order to effectively rotate the mixer shaft 16. As such, this can overcome the high-viscosity of the fluid in the container. The capacity of the hydraulic motor 20 is only limited by the power of the hydraulic pump 22. As such, unlike electric motors, the mixer apparatus 10 of the present invention is able to effectively mix these high-viscosity fluids, in particular, those fluids having a viscosity of greater than 2000 cps. Since the hydraulic motor 20, the mixer shaft 16 and the plurality of blades 18 are lightweight, the mixer apparatus can be easily implemented for the mixing of high-viscosity fluids.

(16) There are quick-release couplings 60 and 62 on the hydraulic motor 20. These quick-release couplings allow an operator to easily connect the hydraulic circuit 26 to the inlet and the outlet of the hydraulic motor 20. They also provide a very secure connection so as to avoid any release of hydraulic fluid at the point of the connection.

(17) FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the mixer apparatus 10 in association with a drum 70. The container 70 has a cover for lid 72 at the upper end thereof with a bunghole 74 formed therein. A bung 76 can be threaded to the bunghole 74 so as to close the interior of the container 70.

(18) In order to use the mixer apparatus the present invention, is only necessary to remove the bung 76 from the bunghole 74. The mixer shaft 16 has its plurality of blades 18 in the first position residing along the outer diameter of the mixer shaft 16. As such, the mixer shaft 16 and the plurality of blades 18 will have an outer diameter that is less than the diameter of the bunghole 74. As a result, the blades 18 and the shaft 16 can be easily inserted into the interior of the drum 70. Gravity will maintain the plurality of blades in the first position during insertion through the bunghole. The hydraulic motor 20 is located at the top of the mixer shaft 16 and can reside at the top of the bunghole 70 when the shaft 16 of the blades 18 are installed for the purpose of mixing.

(19) FIG. 4 shows another approach to the use of the mixer apparatus of the present invention. There is shown a drum 80 that has an open top 82. In certain circumstances, the drum 80 can include a removable cover. The cover can be removed so as to expose the high-viscosity fluid within the drum 80. The mixer apparatus 10 has a bracket assembly 84 affixed thereto. In particular, the bracket assembly 84 is secured to an underside of the hydraulic motor 20. The bracket assembly 84 can be placed on the top edge 86 of the drum 80 so that the mixer shaft 16 and the blades 18 will extend within the interior of the drum 80. A suitable fastener 88 can be rotated so as to secure the downwardly extending flanges of the bracket assembly 84 against the outer surfaces of the drum 80. A wide variety of other bracket configurations, fasteners, and connections can also be utilized within the concept of the present invention.

(20) The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.