Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1206954
This invention relates to mixing devices in general and
in particular to a mixing aerator which can be positioned
within a body of a liquid to direct a mixing flow as
desired.
In the mixing of large bodies of liquid, several
different types of mixer~ have been used, such as water
floats and pumps. Generally, the floatation type is not
sufficiently controllable in all directions of flow for
efficient mixing. Further, pumps and the like are
susceptible to clogging and often do not provide sufficient
rate of flow for the efficient mixing required in
equalization ba~in~, as well as oxidation ditches, sludge
holding tanks and other special applicationq. Mixers are
also used in aerated lagoons in which active biological
solids are in equilibrium with an applied waste. The basin
is of ~ufficient depth, normally six to twelve feet and
oxygen is furnished by mechanical aeration to create a
turbulence level sufficient to provide adequate liquid
mixing. As a result of the mixing, uniform distribution of
the waste and di3persion of the oxygen is achieved and rapid
and efficient waste biodegration occurs.
Mixers such as the ~lygt 4500 Submer~ible Mixer have
been employed with generally acceptable results for mixing
in tanks, ponds and lagoons~ However, such mixers are often
not sufficiently controllable in direction of flow for
; maximum efficiency. For example, the Flygt mixer does not
have tilt capability wherein the motor and propeller can be
positioned above the high concentration of bottom settled
solids in a tank and flow thereof created from the bottom of
the tank to loosen packed solids settled out along the tank
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bottom. ~ather, the mixer must be positioned horizontally
as close to the bottom of the tank as possible wherein level
mixing occurs which indirectly tends to stir the tank
bottom.
~ he principal objects of the present invention are: to
provide a mixing aerator which can be easily adjusted to any
depth within a tank, to provide such a mixing aerator which
can be easily adjusted to any horizontal angle or azimuth-
to provide such a mixing aerator which can be easily
adjusted to any vertical plane or tilt angle, to provide
such a mixing aerator which has a submersible motor of
stainless steel construction which is liquid cooled and
liquid lubricated, to provide such a mixing aerator which
increases the degree and uniformity of mixture in a tank,
basin, ditch and the like, to provide such a mixing aerator
which includes air injection for increased mixing of oxygen
within a body of liquid, to provide such a mixing aerator
which injects fluids such as chlorine, alum or polymers
which can be flash mixed with great efficiency, and to
provide such a mixing aerator which is sturdy and efficient
in use and particularly well adapted for its intended
purpose.
According to the present invention there is provided a
liquid circulating apparatus comprising: (a) an upright
beam member for extending into a body of liquid, (b) upper
and lower support means for holding said beam member in said
body, (c) a ~-shaped bracket mounted on said beam member and
including spaced sidewalls and an endwall, (d) a submersible
motor mounted on said bracket and extending outwardly of
said endwall, (e) a propulsion means operably connected to
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and rotatably powered by said motor to effect an outwardly
directed flow in said body of liquid, and (f) means
selectively swingably mounting said bracket to said beam
member includinq sets of front and rear guides extending
between said bracket sidewalls and capturing said beam
member therebetween, said sets of front and rear guides each
including upper and lower guides with said lower rear guide
being selectively removable and replaceable whereby said
bracket swings upwardly against said upper front guide and
said lower rear guide engages said beam member for
controlling upward tilt and direction of flow of said
liquid.
Also according to the present invention there is
provided a liquid circulating apparatus comprising: (a) an
upright beam member for extending into a body of liquid, (b)
upper and lower support means for holding said beam member
in said body, (c) a bracket mounted on said beam member: (d)
a submersible motor mounted on said bracket and extending
outward~y thereof, (e) a propeller operably conne~ted to and
rotatably powered by said motor to effect an outwardly
directed flow in said body of liquid, (f) arm structure
extended outwardly of said motor and ~aid propeller, (g) a
diffusing member mounted on said arm structure and
positioned generally axially of said propeller and in the
flow path thereof, said diffusing member having a fluid
receiving chamber therein, said diffusing member being cone
shaped to diffuse the flow radially outward, and (h) means
for communicating to the fluid receiving chamber within said
diffusing member a supply of fluid to be mixed into the body
of liquid, and (9) means on said diffusing member for
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defining an annular orifice surrounding said diffusing
member and means communicating between the fluid receiving
chamber of said diffusing member and the annular orifice for
flow of f~uid therebetween and outwardly through said
annular orifice in respon~e to the flow effected by said
propeller whereby the fluid is mixed with the liquid in the
body of fluid.
Also according to the present invention there is
provided a liquid circulating apparatus comprising: (a) an
upright beam member for extending into a body of liquid and
having upper and lower ends, (b) support means for said beam
member for holding same in an upright attitude including:
(i) a lower ball pivot at said lower end wherein said lower
end has a concave wall and rotatably engages a ball pivot
extending from a bottom surface of said body of liquid, (ii)
an upper support arm mounted to said upper end and having an
upper pivot means for relative rotation of said beam member
relative to said support arms; and (iii) rotation limiting
means extending between said support arm and said beam
member for setting an amount of rotation; (c) a U-~haped
bracket mounted on said beam member and including spaced
sidewalls and an end wall; (d) a submersible motor mounted
on said bracket and extending outwardly of said endwall; (e)
a propeller operably connected to and rotatably powered by
said motor to effect an outwardly directed flow in said body
of liquid, (f) a winch mounted to said beam member adjacent
said upper end and connected to said bracket in order to
selectively raise and lower said motor to control depth of
placement in said body of liquid, (g) means ~electively
swingably mounting said bracket to said beam member
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including sets of front and rear guides extending between
said bracket sidewalls and capturing said beam member
therebetween, said sets of front and rear guides
respectively including upper and lower guide pins with said
lower rear guide pin being selectively replaceable for
swinging said bracket upwardly against said upper front
guide pin, said bracket including an arcuate arrangement of
guide pin holes through which said lower rear guide pin
~electively extends to abut said beam member and set a
desired upward angle of said bracket, motor and propeller
for controlling upward direction of flow of said liquid.
Further according to the present invention there is
provided a liquid circulating apparatus comprising: (a) a
hollow upright beam member for extending into a body of
liquid and having closed upper and lower ends, (b) upper and
lower support means for holding said beam member in said
body, (c) a submer~ible motor with a propulsion means
mounted on said beam member at a height for positioning in
said body of liquid to effect an outwardly directed flow in
said body, and (d) an arm member connected to and extending
outwardly of said beam member at a po~ition adjacent ~aid
motor and propulsion means, ~aid arm member having a
longitudinal passageway therethrough and connected to a
nozzle attached to said arm member and terminating in the
flow path of said propulsion means, (e) whereby said beam
member comprises a conduit and a reservoir for a source of
pressurized ga~ which is fed through said arm member and to
~aid nozzle for injection into said body of liquid.
Other objects and advantages of this apparatus will
become apparent from the following description taken in
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conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set
forth, by way of illustration and example, certain
embodiments of this invention.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mixing aerator
embodying the present invention and i5 shown in connection
with a portion of a tank wall.
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mixing aerator
and showing upward tilting of a motor and propeller power
unit.
Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the mixing
aerator.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mixing aerator showing
variations of the azimuth or horizontal rirection of the
power unit.
Fig. S is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines
5-5, Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a
mounting bracket taken along lines 6-6, Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 i9 an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of
the power section and showing an alternate embodiment
thereof including a means for injection of fluidc into the
liquid flow path.
Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the mixing aerator
showing a second alternate embodiment thereof.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of the mixing aerator shown in
Fig. 8 and depicting azimuth variation thereof.
Fig. 10 i8 a fragmentary view of the mixing aerator
showing adjustment of vertical plane angle or tilt.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present
invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be
lZQ69S4
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various
forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but ~erely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
Referring to the drawing~ in more detail:
The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a mixing
aerator embodying the present invention. In overview, the
aerator 1 includes an upright beam member or post 2
supported at top and bottom ends and which extends into a
body of liquid such as an equalization basin, oxidation
ditch or sludge holding tank. A power unit 3 includes a
submersible motor 4 driving a propulsion means such as a
propeller S to create a mixing flow or current within a body
of liquid. The power unit 3 is connected to the upright
beam member or post 2 by a bracket 6 which is vertically
movable on the upright beam member or post 2 in order to
adjust to a qelected height.
Further, the upright beam member or post 2 is rotatable
through a rotary qupport means 7 for controlling azimuth of
the path of fluid flow from the power unit 3. Preferably,
the bracket 6 is tiltable on the upright beam member or post
2, Figs. 2 and 10, for imparting a vertically angled
direction of current or flow to the body of liquid.
In the illustrated example, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the
upright beam member or post 2 is mounted adjacent a cide
wall 10 of a suitable basin, pond, ditch or the like and
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rests upon the basin bottom 11.
The exemplary upright beam member or post 2 is of
square tubing structural steel having opposite side surfaces
13 and 14 and front and rear surfaces 15 and 16, ~ig. 5.
The beam member post 2 has opposite upper end and bottom end
portions 17 and 18 with the upper end portion 17 extending
above the æurface of a body of liquid retained by the basin
side walls 10 and bottom 11 and the bottom end portion 18
supported upon the basin bottom 11. Upper and lower pivot
means are mounted at the upper and bottom end portions 17
and 18 and enable rotation about the longitudinal axis of
the upright beam member or post 2 for adjusting the azimuth
or direction of thrust of the power unit 3.
For the lower pivot means, a ball pivot is preferably
employed, Fig. 2, which configuration includes a concave
wall within the bottom end portion 18, such as of converging
pyrimidal shape 20 into which is received an upstanding ball
pivot 21. The ball pivot 21 includes a circular ball head
22 supported upon a base member 23 including an upwardly
extending truncated cone portion 24 and a surrounding flange
25.
The upper pivot mean~, Fig. 2, includes a cylindrical
~haft 27 suitably supported in an upright relationship by
6tructures set forth below and secured to a plug or block 28
within the upper end portion 17.
A support structure 30 holds the beam member or post 2
in an upright relationship and, in the illustrated example,
includes converging legs 31 and 32 which have respective
foot pads 33 attached to upper edges of the basin side wall
10.
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Upper ends of the legs 31 and 32 join at a pivot
support arm 35 which includes an end journal 36 which
rotatably receives the pivot shaft 27. A rotation limiting
means 38 extends between the support legs 31 and 32 and the
beam member or post 2 for setting the amount of azimuth
rotation. In the illustrated example, the rotation limiting
means 38 includes an arm 39 extending at a right angle from
the shaft 27 and rotatable therewith as the beam member or
post 2 turns. An end portion 40 has a bore therethrough
which receives a removable lock pin 41.
Further comprising the rotation limiting means 38 is a
plate 43 secured as by welding to the pivot qupport arm 35.
The exemplary plate 43 is semi-circular in configuration and
has an arcuate series of bores 44 positioned in arcuate
alignment with the sweep of the arm 39 whereby the lock pin
41 can be engaged in a selected bore 45 to control the
azimuth of the power unit 3, Fig. 4.
The power unit 3 i8 mounted to the upright beam member
or poat 2 and in the embodiments of Figs. 1-7, the bracket 6
provides a mounting connection between the power unit and
the beam member. The exemplary bracket 6 is U-shaped and
has opposite side walls 46 and 47 and a front end wall 48,
Fig. 5. The bracket 6 i~ preferably movably engaged with
the beam member or post 2 and, referring to Figs. 3 and 5,
is of a tran3verse dimension greater than the beam member 2
and includes a plurality of means facilitating sliding
action, such as guide pins. In the illustrated example, the
bracket 6 i~ fitted with front upper and lower guide pins 50
and 51 and rear upper and lower guide sets or pins 53 and
30 54. Each of the guide pins 50, 51, 53 and 54 in an elongate
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1206954
bolt of suitable diameter to provide relatively smooth,
catch-free sliding upon the front and rear surfaces 15 and
16 of the beam member or post 2. Additionally, slides or
bumpers 56, such as of nylon, are interposed between the
bracket side walls 46 and 47 and the beam member side
surfaces 13 and 14.
Means facilating tilting extend between the bracket 6
and the beam member or post 2 and in the illustrated
example, include an arcuate series of pairs of bores 58
which extend through the opposed bracket side walls 46 and
47. The rear lower guide pin 54 is selectively removable
and engageable through opposite pairs of the serie~ of bores
58 to set the tilt of the bracket 6, Fig. 2. In all
position~ of upward tilt, the lower rear guide pin 54
engages the front ~urface 15 of the beam member 2 and serves
as a block to prevent further rearward movement, or return
to horizontal orientation, as cau~ed by the weight of the
power unit 3.
The power unit 3 with its motor 4 and propeller 5 is
mounted to the bracket 6 and extend outwardly thereof, and
in the illustrated example, the motor 4 is connected to a
mounting block 60 secured as by welding to the front end
wall 48 of the bracket 6. The motor 4 is mounted upon the
block 61 as by bolts or the like and extends outwardly
thereof at a right angle to the bracket 6. A gear reduction
unit 61 is axially aligned with the motor 4 and reduces
motor speed to the propeller 5.
A shroud 63 in the form of a cylindrical wire cage
extends over the area of the propeller 5. The ~hroud 63 is
supported by upper and lower mounting rods 64 and 65
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threadably mounted to the bracket end wall 48 and extending
outwardly at a right angle. Rods 64 and 65 connect at an
outward end to a ring 66, Fig. 2 to which the shroud 63 is
attached.
Means for controlling the depth or height of the power
unit 3 are provided and in the illustrated example include a
winch arrangement attached to the bracket 6. A hand winch
69 with a crank handle 70 is operably connected to a cable
71 which is connected at its remote end to the upper ~
mounting rod 64. The winch 69 is equipped with locking
means such as a clutch or ratchet whereby the bracket 6 can
be raised or lowered to a selected depth position and
retained in that position.
In the example of the aerator shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a
gas injection means is provided and includes a flexible line
or hose 73 leading from a ~ource of compressed gas (not
shown). The line or hose 73 extends along the upper
mounting rod 64 of the bracket 6 and terminates at a nozzle
74 positioned immediately adjacent the propeller 5 and in
the liquid flow path. Various gases such as oxygen, carbon
dioxide and the like are in~ected into the liquid body
through the nozzle 74.
In the alternate embodiments shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9,
the propeller 5 directs a flow of liquid toward an apex 76
of a diffusing member 77 which directs the flow outwardly.
Liquid flow around the diffusing member 77 cooperates with a
flow of a selected material outwardly through a suitable
orifice or orifices 78 and into the body of liquid 80 that
the liquid and material mix together during turbulent flow
created by the propeller 5.
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The diffusing member 77 is mounted on arms 80, Fig. 7,
projecting fro~ extended ends of the upper and lower
mounting rods 64 and 65 and is positioned in axial alignment
with a propeller 5. The diffusing member 77 is cone-shaped
to provide resistance while diffusing or diverting the
liquid flow outwardly, thereby facilitating dispersal of
mixed material, such as solids, liquids or gas. The
diffusing member 77 has an included angle in the range of
between 60 and 90 degrees.
A selected material to be mixed with the body of liquid
is communicated to a fluid or material receiving chamber 81
within the diffusing member 77. A tube or hose 82 is
suitably connected to the fluid receiving chamber 81 for
flow of a selected material from a source of supply to the
fluid receiving chamber 81 in the diffusing member 77. The
portion of the conical diffusing member 77 between the apex
and within the fluid receiving chamber 81 has a plurality of
circumferentially spaced port~ or orifices 78 for flow of
the treating material from the fluid receiving chamber 81.
A venture eductor formin~ member in the form of a cone-
shaped cap or second diffusing member 84 is mounted on the
previously described diffusing member 77 and defines an
annular orifice surrounding the first described diffusing
member 77. The second diffusing or cap member 84 is spaced
from the diffusing member 77 thereby defining a space or
means communicating the orifices 78 with the flow of
selected material between the material receiving chamber 81
and the annular orifice 85 in response to outwardly directed
flow effected by the propeller 5 whereby the selected
material is mixed with the body of liquid.
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The illustrated cap member 84 has a wall that has an
angular relation or included angle corresponding to that of
the diffusing member 77 and is preferably spaced from and
parallel therewith. The wall of the diffusing member 77 and
wall of the second diffusing member 84 cooperate to define
an annular venture passage arranged 90 that flow of liquid
passing the annular orifice 85 will draw the treating
material from the chamber 81 and into the turbulent liquid
flow.
In the alternate embodiment showing gas injection Fig.
8, the power unit 3 is connected directly to the upright
beam member 2. The upper plug or block 28 is tubular or
hollow for insertion of a tubular pivot shaft 27 which has
an interior pa~sageway 87 communicating with the interior of
the beam member 2. The upper mounting rod 64 is also
tubular or hollow at 90 and communicates with the interior
pas~ageway 87 for flow of ga~. The ga~ injector nozzle 88
is connected to the upper mounting rod 64 and projects into
the flow path of the propeller 5 for purposes of ga~
injection.
At it~ upper end portion 17, the beam member 2 has a
fluid tight fitting to the bearing block 28 and the shaft 27
ha~ the interior pas~ageway 90 extending the length thereof
and connected to a ho~e 91 which is in turn connected to a
~ource of pressurized gaq. Thus, the gas i~ routed through
the in~ide of the beam member 2 and the beam member 2 also
act~ a~ a re~ervoir for the gas.
In thi~ e~bodiment, the power unit 3 i~ variable in
height and horizontal plane azimuth although the vertical
plane or tilt angle i8 not variable.
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Yet another alternate embodiment is depicted in Figs.
11 through 13 wherein like numerals to the embodiments shown
in Figs. 1-12 indicate like features. In the embodiment
shown in Figs. 11-13, the beam member or post 2 is tubular
in shape and ha~ a ball pivot arrangement at the bottom end
portion 18, comprising a lower pivot means. The upper pivot
means at the upper end portion 17 includes a first clamp 95
having separable halves and confronting flanges 96 pulled
together into a gripping relationship by fasteners.
The support structure 30 maintaining the beam ~ember or
po3t 2 in an upright relationship includes a ~ingle vertical
leg 98 such as formed of p~pe material secured at its bottom
end to a top ~urface of the wall 10. A second clamp 99 is
fitted onto the leg 98 and similarly includes separable
halves and confronting flanges 100 pulled together into a
gripping relationship by fasteners. A ~top 102 at a top end
of the leg 98 limits upward movement of the second clamp
99 .
A telescoping arm 104 extend~ between the leg 9~ and
the beam member or poat 2 and has opposite ends secured to
the respective first and second clamps 95 and 99. The
telescoping arm 104 includes an extensible member 105 and a
~leeve member 106 retained together by a fastener, such as a
bolt, 107. The bolt 107 extends through selected aligned
pairs of a plurality of bores through the extensible member
105 from bores in the end of the sleeve member 106. By
adjusting the length of the telescoping arm 104, the angle
ot tilt of the beam member or post 2 varies in order to
further vary the tilt of the power unit 3 and the direction
of liquid flow therefrom.
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A tiller 109 projects rearwardly from the beam member
or post 2 from a location above the clamp 95 and serves as
an aid in rotating the post 2 in order to vary the azimuth
of flow.
In the example shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the power unit
3 includeæ an elongate nozzle 111 in the form of a tubular
member having an end in flow communication with the
propeller S. The nozzle 111 has one ènd portion 112 forming
a flange affixed by bolts 113 to the outer mounting ring 66
and an inlet 115 for the gas line 73. Converging interior
walls 116 in the nozzle 111 form a con~triction and join
with outwardly flaring walls 117 to form a venturi. A
tubular member 118 extendæ downætream a ~hort diætance from
the constriction and form~ an area 119 of reduced pressure
immediately following the constriction. Gas inlet ports in
the form of bores 120 extend through the wallæ 117 and into
the reduced presæure area 119 whereby the flow of liquid
thorugh the venturi tends to pull the gaæ through the ports
120 for efficient mixing of air or other gas with the
liquid.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of the
present inventlon have been illuætrated and described
herein, it i8 not to be limited to the specific formæ or
arrangement of parts deæcribed and ~hown.
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