Mixing device and method of mixing
View Patent ↗The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.
1. A method of mixing fluid comprising:
isolating a fluid to be mixed in a container;
providing a mixing structure comprising:
a shaft extending along an axis;
a first support mounted to said shaft for rotation therewith, said first support having a top side and a bottom side, a number of first vanes mounted for rotation with said first support and extending outwardly from said top side of said first support, said first vanes having an inner edge and an outer edge, said first vanes having a first end and a second end, said first vanes spaced apart from one another and defining openings there between through which fluid may flow, said first ends of said first vanes connected to said first support and said first vanes at said second ends thereof defining a first open end of said mixing structure; and
a second support selectively connected to said first support, said second support having a top side and a bottom side, a number of second vanes mounted for rotation with said second support and extending outwardly from said bottom side of said second support, said second vanes having an inner edge and an outer edge, said second vanes having a first end and a second end, said second vanes spaced apart from one another and defining openings there between through which fluid may flow, said first ends of said second vanes connected to said second support and said second vanes at said second ends thereof defining a second open end of said mixing structure;
connecting said second support to said first support, whereby said second vanes extend in generally an opposing direction from said first vanes;
positioning at least a portion of said mixing structure in said container containing fluid to be mixed; and
rotating said mixing structure within said fluid within said container, drawing said fluid through said first and second open ends into said mixing structure, expelling said fluid radially outward towards said inner edges of said first and second vanes, shearing said fluid as it impacts said inner edges of said first and second vanes and passes through said opening between said first and second vanes, and trapping undispersed materials when such materials are present within said fluid with said first and second vanes.
2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein a first portion of each of said first vanes at said first ends thereof is positioned closer to said axis than a second portion of said first vanes at said second ends thereof, and wherein a first portion of each of said second vanes at said first ends thereof is positioned closer to said axis than a second portion of said second vanes at said second ends thereof.
3. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least two of said first vanes and at least two of said second vanes are spaced no more than about 0.3 inches apart at one or more portions thereof.
4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said undispersed materials comprise semi-solid globules of said fluid.
5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first vanes and second vanes are curved between their inner and outer edges.
6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connecting step comprises fitting one or more pins extending from said top side of said second support into corresponding openings in said first support.
7. A method of mixing fluid comprising:
isolating a fluid to be mixed in a container;
providing a mixing structure comprising:
a shaft extending along an axis;
a first support mounted to said shaft for rotation therewith, said first Support having a top side and a bottom side, a number of first vanes mounted for rotation with said first support and extending outwardly from said top side of said first support, said first vanes having an inner edge and an outer edge, said first vanes having a first end and a second end, said first vanes spaced apart from one another and defining openings there between through which fluid may flow, said first ends of said first vanes connected to said first support and said first vanes at said second ends thereof defining a first open end of said mixing structure; and
a second support selectively connected to said first support, said second support having a top side and a bottom side, a number of second vanes mounted for rotation with said second support and extending outwardly from said bottom side of said second support in generally an opposing direction from said first vanes, said second vanes having an inner edge and an outer edge, said second vanes having a first end and a second end, said second vanes spaced apart from one another and defining openings there between through which fluid may flow, said first ends of said second vanes connected to said second support and said second vanes at said second ends thereof defining a second open end of said mixing structure;
disconnecting said second support from said first support to reduce the size of said mixing structure;
positioning at least a portion of said mixing structure in said container containing fluid to be mixed; and
rotating said mixing structure within said fluid within said container, drawing said fluid through said first open end into said mixing structure, expelling said fluid radially outward towards said inner edges of said first vanes, shearing said fluid as it impacts said inner edges of said first vanes and passes through said opening between said first vanes, and trapping undispersed materials when such materials are present within said fluid with said first vanes.
8. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein a first portion of each of said first vanes at said first ends thereof is positioned closer to said axis than a second portion of said first vanes at said second ends thereof.
9. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein at least two of said first vanes are spaced no more than about 0.3 inches apart at one or more portions thereof.
10. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said undispersed materials comprise semi-solid globules of said fluid.
11. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said first vanes are curved between their inner and outer edges.