PULSED GAS MIXING APPARATUS

Abstract

A pulsed gas mixing apparatus is provided. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus may include a mixing plate having a top side that is substantially smooth, and a bottom side that includes a plurality of ribs. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus may also include a supply tube configured to be coupled to the mixing plate and supply a mixing gas that is used to mix the contents a container in which the pulsed gas mixing apparatus is installed.

Claims

1. A pulsed gas mixing apparatus comprising: a mixing plate having a top side and a bottom side; wherein the top side of the mixing plate is substantially smooth; and wherein the bottom side of the mixing plate includes a first plurality of ribs.

2. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first plurality or ribs radiate outwardly from a center of the mixing plate to an outer edge of the mixing plate.

3. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mixing plate comprises one or more feet coupled to one or more of the outer edge of the mixing plate and one or more of the first plurality of ribs.

4. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixing plate is substantially circular.

5. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first plurality of ribs is substantially triangular-shaped having a first height near the center the mixing plate that is greater than a second height near the outer edge of the mixing plate.

6. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more feet are disposed along the outer edge of the mixing plate.

7. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more feet are disposed where a rib of the first plurality of ribs intersects with the outer edge of the mixing plate.

8. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more feet are disposed on one or more ribs of the first plurality of ribs.

9. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixing plate is conically-shaped.

10. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of ribs are substantially equidistantly-spaced from each other.

11. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one rib of the first plurality of ribs is a spiral rib.

12. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a supply tube configured to be coupled to the mixing plate, and to supply a mixing gas.

13. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the supply tube comprises a second plurality of ribs, wherein each of the ribs of the second plurality of ribs extends circumferentially around the supply tube.

14. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the supply tube further comprises a third plurality of ribs that are spaced axially along the supply tube from the second plurality of ribs.

15. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the ribs of the third plurality of ribs extends circumferentially around the supply tube.

16. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the number of ribs in the first plurality of ribs equals the combined number of ribs in the second and third pluralities of ribs.

17. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a bottom plate that is coupled to one or more ribs of the first plurality of ribs so that the first plurality of ribs are disposed between the mixing plate and the bottom plate.

18. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 17, wherein a diameter of the bottom plate is approximately equivalent to a diameter of the mixing plate.

19. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a bottom plate that is coupled to one or more of the feet so that the first plurality of ribs are disposed between the mixing plate and the bottom plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a pulsed gas mixing plate apparatus according to the related art.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates another pulsed gas mixing plate apparatus according to the related art.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a pulsed gas mixing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a pulsed gas mixing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a pulsed gas mixing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the following exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments may be embodied in various forms without being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Descriptions of well-known parts are omitted for clarity.

[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a pulsed gas mixing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment may include a substantially circular plate 300 that may be made of plastic, steel, or other rigid materials. For example, the plate 300 may be made of molded plastic. The plate 300 may include one or more ribs 301 disposed on the bottom side of the plate. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the plate 300 includes eight ribs 301 extending in a radial direction from the center of the plate 300, however the plate 300 may have any number of ribs 301.

[0020] The ribs 301 on the bottom side of the plate 300 may function to divide the gas flow into approximately even divisions, which may reduce the risk that the bubble will have an irregular cross section and/or that multiple small bubbles will be created. In addition, the tube 305 which supplies the mixing gas may also include ribs 306 to further ensure the equal division of gas flow. The tube 305 may have the same number of ribs 306 as the plate 300, or may have a different number of ribs than the plate 300. In addition, the tube 305 may have ribs 306 that extend different distances along an axial length of the tube 305. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the tube 305 may include four ribs 306 that continue up the supply tube 307 for several inches, and four ribs 306 that continue up the supply tube 305 by a shorter distance. The tube 305 may be made of plastic or steel, and is preferably a compressible plastic tube.

[0021] FIG. 4 depicts a mixing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, the plate 400 may be conically-shaped to further ensure air flow balancing. The conical shape allows for a slight build of air pressure to resist air flow in sections of the plate 400 that are already receiving additional air flow. The conical shape also ensures that small bubbles do not prematurely roll off the edge of the plate 400. The mixing apparatus of this exemplary embodiment may include four ribs 401 that reinforce the conically-shaped plate 400, although a different number of ribs may be used. The apparatus may also include one or more feet 402 extending downward from the outer circumference of the plate 400. The one or more feet 402 may elevate the plate 400 an appropriate distance from the floor of the container. The one or more feet 402 may be pressed against the floor of the container by the compressive force of the gas tube 405. Although the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 is depicted with four ribs, the plate 400 may have greater or fewer ribs. In addition, the plate 400 may have any number of feet 402, and is not limited to the specific exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, the one or more feet 402 may be located anywhere along the circumference of the plate 400, or may be located on the bottom side of one or more ribs 401 within the circumference of the plate 400.

[0022] By dividing the gas flow, the ribs 401 balance the pressure and flow of the gas across the surface of the plate 400. The resulting consistent buoyancy force maintains the plate 400 in a level position that is roughly parallel with the bottom of the container. Balancing the gas flow and maintaining the plate 400 in a level position produces a more consistent and efficient bubble.

[0023] Although the ribs of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 extend radially from the center of the plate, the apparatus may include spiral ribs, or ribs that in some manner index 180 degrees from the center of the plate to the edge of the plate. This configuration would distribute minute variations in pressure from the high pressure side of the plate to the low pressure side, further leveling the plate.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows pulsed gas mixing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the pulsed gas mixing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment is similar to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment includes a top plate 500 and ribs 501, but also includes a bottom plate 502 disposed below ribs 501. The tube 505 supplies the mixing gas through the top plate 500 and engages the ribs 501 and bottom plate 502. The bottom plate 502 directs the flow of the mixing gas laterally toward the edges of the top plate 500, and limits the amount of mixing gas that exits the top plate 500 from below. The ribs 501 divides the mixing gas into approximately even divisions as the mixing gas is channeled toward the edges of the top plate 500.

[0025] Although the inventive concepts of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.