Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
MIXING IMPELLER HAVING CHANNEL-SHAPED VANES
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a mixing impeller. In particular,
the invention
relates to a mixing impeller having longitudinally curved, channel-shaped
vanes.
Description of the Related Art =
100021 United States Patent No. 5,791,780 to Bakker shows an impeller
assembly for
agitating a fluid contained in a vessel and dispersing a gas introduced
therein. The impeller
assembly includes an impeller having a plurality of generally radially
extending blades,
Each of the blades includes diverging upper and lower sheet-like portions
having generally
radially extending leading edges. The upper and lower portions are joined to
form a
generally V-shaped cross-section with a trailing vertex, The width of the
upper portion of
each blade is greater than the width of the lower portion of the blade such
that the upper
portion leading edge extends krwardly of the lower portion leading edge, thus
producing
an upper portion overhang to capture and disperse rising gas bubbles. The
impeller
assembly further comprises a drive assembly for rotating the impeller
assembly.
(00031 United States Patent No. 5,246,289 to Middleton et al. shows an
agitator
assembly for use in effecting dispersion of a fluid such as a gas in a liquid.
The assembly
comprises a rotor having a rotatably driven shaft mounting a series of scoop-
shaped
blades which are oriented with the mouths of the scoops presented in the
direction of
rotation of the shaft. Each blade is mounted at an angle of attack such that
one end of the
blade leads the other in the direction of rotation. To eliminate gas cavity
formation, each
blade is of a generally streamlined con figuration in section and the ends
thereof are
generally transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotor.
1
CA 2762040 2018-05-17
100041 United States Patent No. 5,037,209 to Wyss shows a stirring
mechanism, with
a plurality of hollow, at least partially conically shaped stifling elements.
These elements
arc provided with two openings, are symmetrically offset and arc fixed on the
stirring
shaft at least approximately tangential to an imaginary circular cylinder
coaxial to the
stirring shaft. In the starting phase, the stirred substance flows laminarly
through the
stirring elements. However, as soon as they have reached a predetermined
minimum
velocity of about 1.3 m/s, the flow inside the stirring elements is forced to
reverse by
dynamic pressure.
=
100051 US 2009/0110559 Alshows an aerating propeller for attaching to
the end of a
=
drive shaft includes blades having a chamber to receive a flow of fluids from
a conduit in
a drive shaft. A trailing face of the blade includes a first opening into the
chamber to permit
the flow of fluids in the chamber to exit the propeller and a tip of the blade
includes a
second opening extending into the chamber to permit the flow of fluids in the
chamber to
exit the propeller. The first opening of the first blade is aligned generally
in the same plane
= with the leading lace of the second blade which follows the first blade
when the=propeller
is rotated.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
100061 The present invention provides, and it is an object of the
present invention to
provide, an improved mixing impeller.
[0007] There is accordingly provided a mixing impeller for an
agitator. The impeller
has a body. The impeller has a plurality of radially spaced-apart,
longitudinally curved,
channel-shaped vanes connected to and extending outwards from the body in a
plurality
of different directions.
[0008] There is also provided a mixing impeller for an agitator. The
impeller has an
axis of rotation and includes an annular body having a top and a bottom. The
impeller has
a plurality of radially spaced-apart, channel-shaped vanes connected to and
extending
outwards from the top and the bottom of the body. Each of the vanes has a
proximal end
2
2762040 2018-05-17
connected to the body and a distal end radially spaced-apart from the proximal
end, At least
one of the vanes is configured to extend axially outwards relative to the axis
of rotation.
At least another of the vanes is configured to extend radially outwards. At
least a
further of the vanes is configured to be at least partially bisected by the
body. The
distal end of a first one of the vanes at least partially fates above the
body. The distal
end of a second one of the vanes at least partially faces below the body. The
distal end
of a third one of the vanes at least partially faces tangential to the body.
=
3
mummAm:ixcir-ugA 2762040 2018-05-17._ _
BRIIT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be more readily understood from the
following
description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only,
with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an agitator assembly, showing a tank in
section,
a motor and gear box assembly mounted to the tank, and an impeller according
to 'a
first embodiment, the impeller being connected to the motor;
Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the impeller shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the impeller shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the impeller shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a side elevation fragmented view of the impeller shown in Figure
1, with
a plurality of vanes being shown angularly spaced-apart from the body of the
impeller;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of an impeller according to a second embodiment;
together
with part of an agitator shatl connected thereto, the impeller having a pair
of conical =
deflectors, only one of which being shown in Figure 6;
Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the impeller shown in Figure 6, both
conical
deflectors are shown;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of an impeller according to a third embodiment;
Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the impeller shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a top plan view of an impeller according to a fourth embodiment;
Figure 11 is a top perspective view of an impeller according to a fourth
embodiment,
4
CA 2762040 2018-05-17
Figure 12 is a top perspective view of an impeller according to a fifth
embodiment;
Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the impeller shown in Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the impeller shown in Figure 12;
Figure 15 to Figure 22 are different shapes of the distal ends of the vanes,
and
Figure 23 to Figure 27 arc shapes of the different vanes.
CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
1000101 Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1. there is shown an
agitator
assembly 10. The assembly has a housing, in this example a tank 11. The
assembly 10
has an actuator, in this example an electric motor and gear box assembly 12
mounted to
the tank. The motor and gear box assembly is conventional and well known to
those
skilled in the art. Its parts and operation per se will theretbre not be
described in detail.
The tank 11 is cylindrically-shaped in this example, and has a top 13, a
bottom 14
opposite the top, and a curved, peripheral side 15 in this example extending
between the
top and bottom. The tank 11 has an interior 16 within which is disposed a
substance
to be mixed, in this example a liquid 17. in another embodiment, the tank may
contain
solid materials or a liquid-solid mixture to be mixed. The agitator assembly
10-may be
used, for example, in the chemical industry or in a waste management system.
100111 The motor and gear box assembly 12 has a stub shaft 18. The
assembly 10
includes a coupling member 19 and an agitator shaft 20. The agitator shaft has
a first
end21 and a second end 22 opposite the first end. The coupling member 19
couples the
first end of the agitator shaft 20 to the stub shaft 16 of the motor. Shaft 20
is thus
rotatably connected to the motor and gear box assembly 12.
[00121 The agitator assembly 10 has a mixing impeller 23 mounted to
the second
end 22 of the shaft 20. The impeller includes a centrally disposed hub 24, in
this
example.The hub has an aperture 26, best shown in Figure 3, configured to
receive the
5
=
CA 2762040 2018-05-17
second and of the shaft. Referring back to Figure 1, the shaft 20 may be keyed
to the huh
24 for connecting to the hub and shaft together. The impeller 23 has an axis
of rotation
25 around which shaft 20 and impeller 23 rotate.
[0013] As seen in Figure 3, the impeller 23 has disc-shaped body 27.
The body
has a top 28 shown in Figures 2 and 3 facing the top 13 of the tank 11 shown
in
Figure 1. Referring to Figure 4, the body 27 has a bottom 29 opposite its top.
The bottom
of the body faces the bottom 14 of the tank shown in Figure I.
[00141 Referring to Figure 2, the impeller 23 has a plurality of
radially spaced-apart,
longitudinally curved, channe]-shaped vanes 30,32, 34, 36, 38, 40,42, and 44.
While eight
vanes are shown in this example, this number of vanes is not strictly required
and there
may be a different number of vanes in other embodiments.
[0015] The vanes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38,40, 42, and 44 extend outwards
from the body
28 in a plurality of different directions. Vanes 30, 32, 34 and 36 arc
radially spaced- apart
by 180 degrees relative to vanes 38, 40, 42 and 44, respectively. The vanes
30, 32, 34,
36, 38, 40, 42, and 44 are channel-shaped and c-shaped in section with a
convex side
and a concave side, as shown in Figure 2 by concave side 33 and convex side 35
for
vane 30.
100161 Each of the vanes has a proximal end connected to the body.
This is
shown in Figure 4 for vane 34 by its proximal end 46. The proximal ends of the
vanes
connect to both the top 28 and the bottom 29 of the body 27, with the body
bisecting the proximal ends of the vanes in this example and the vanes
disposed through
radially extending and spaced-apart, curved slots of the body. This is shown
by slot 37
for vane 32 in Figure 2. Each of the vanes tapers towards a distal end which
is radially
spaced-apart from the proximal end, in this embodiment. This is shown by
distal end 50
for vane 34. In this embodiment, the channel-shaped distal ends 50 are smaller
in cross-
section relative to the channel-shaped proximal ends 46. Each vane has a
radius of
curvature r, The radius of curvature r1 at thc proximal ends 46 of the vanes
is
6
CA 2762040 2018-05-17
greater than the radius of curvature r2 at the distal ends 50 of the vanes in
this example.
10017J Referring to Figures 1 and 2, vanes 32, 34, 40 and 42 are
configured to
extend axially outwards from the top 28 of the body 27 and relative to the
axis of rotation
shown in Figure 1. These vanes also extend radially outwards with their distal
ends at
least partially facing the top 13 of the tank 11. These vanes so configured
thus promote
upward movement of the liquid, as shown by arrow of numeral 43 for vane 42 in
Figure
I. Vanes 32 and 40 extend outwards from the top of the body at a greater angle
relative
to vanes 34 and 42. In this example, vanes 32 and 40, as shown by vane 40 in
Figure
5, are angularly spaced-apart from the top 28 of the body 27 at an angle al
equal to 60
degrees. Vanes 34 and 42 are angularly spaced-apart from the top of the body
at an angle
a2 equal to 30 degrees, in this example.
100181 As seen, in Figures 1 and 4, vanes 36 and 44 are configured to
extend
axially outwards from bottom 29 of the body 27 and relative to the axis of
rotation 25
shown in Figure 1. These vanes extend radially outwards with their distal ends
at least
partially facing the bottom 14 of the tank 11. These vanes so configured
promote
downward movement of the liquid, as shown by arrow of numeral 47 for vane 44
in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 5, these vanes, as shown by vane 36, are
angularly
spaced- apart from the bottom 29 of the body 27 at an angle 03 equal to 30
degrees.
Angles al, 0, and 03 are provided by way of example only. Alternatively, one
or more
of the vanes may be angularly spaced-apart from the body 27 by an angle a4
equal to 45
degrees or an angle 05 equal to 80 degrees, ibr example.
100191 Referring to Figures 1 and 2, vanes 30 and 38 are configured to
extend
radially outwards from the body 27, with their distal ends facing the side 15
of the
tank I 1. Each of the vanes, with vanes 30 and 38 in particular, are
configured to
promote centrifugal movement of the liquid, as shown by arrow of numeral 39
for
vane 38 in Figure 3.
(00201 Impeller 23 as herein described, with its channel-shaped,
tapered vanes
7
2762040 2018-05-17
extending in a plurality of directions, may thus enable liquid or other
substances
withinthc tank 11 to be mixed in a more enhanced and efficient manner.
100211 Figures 6 and 7 show an impeller 23.1 for the agitator assembly
10 shown
in Figures 1 to 5 according to a second embodiment. Like parts have like
numbers
and function as the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the addition of
".1".
Impeller 23.1 is substantially the same as impeller 23 shown in Figures 1 to 5
with the
following exceptions.
[0022] Impeller 23.1 is particularly suited for mixing primarily
liquid substances.
The impeller has 12 vanes 30.1, 32.1, 34.1,36.1, 38.1, 40.1, 42.1, 52, 53, 54,
55 and
56 in this example. Each of the vanes is substantially similar in shape. Vanes
30.1,
34.1, 38.1, 42.1, 53 and 55 extend radially and axially outwards from top 28.1
of the
body 27.1 relative to the axis of rotation, with their distal ends, as shown
by distal end
63 for vane 30.1, facing towards the bottom 14 of the tank 11 shown in Figure
1.
These vanes thus promote downward movement of the liquid.
100231 Referring to Figure 6 and 7, vanes 32.1, 36.1, 40.1, 52, 54 and 56
extend
radially and axially outwards from the bottom 29.1 of the body 27.1 relative
to the axis
of rotation, with their distal ends, as shown by distal end 59 for vane 32.1
in Figure 7,
facing towards the top 13 of the 10 tank 11 shown in Figure 1. These vanes
thus promote
upward movement of the liquid.
[0024] Each vane is longitudinally curved and channel-shaped with a flat,
quadrilateral top and bottom and a curved side which is longitudinally convex
on the side
facing the top and the bottom and longitudinally concave on the side facing
away from
its top and bottom. For vane 32.1, this is shown in Figure 6 with vane 32.1
having a side
60, top 62 and bottom 64.
[0025] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the impeller has a pair of centrally
disposed
deflectors 86 and 88, mounted to the top 28.1 and bottom 29.1 of body 27.1,
respectively.
8
2762040 2018-05-17
Each deflector is substantially the same as the other and therefore only
deflector 86 will
be described in detail. As seen in Figure 7, deflector 86 is generally conical
in shape
and, in particular, has a concave frustoconical outer surface 90 in this
example. Referring
to Figure 6, the deflector's proximal end 92 abuts top 28.1 of body 27.1, and
is larger in
radius relative to its distal end 94. As seen in Figure 7, the deflector 86
has a central
aperture 96 extending from end 92 to end 94 and configured to receive agitator
shaft 20.1,
as shown in Figure 7, with the deflector snugly receiving the shall at end 92
of the
deflector.
f00261 Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the deflector 86 is curved and
continuous in
profile and provides a smooth path for the liquid to be agitated to pass
therealong from
the top 28.1 of the body 27.1, along the surface 90 and to the outer surface
of the shaft
20.1. In a like manner, deflector 88 is also curved in profile and provides a
smooth
path in profile between the bottom 29.1 of the body and the deflector's
corresponding
concave, conical surface 100. Deflector 86 is configured to direct liquid in
an axially
downward.and radially outward direction, as shown by arrow of numeral 101 in
Figure
7. Put another way, deflector 86 is configured to direct liquid downward and
outward
towards portions of the proximal ends 53 of the vanes disposed above the body
27.1,
driving the flow of liquid out through the distal ends 53 of the vanes.
Referring to
Figure 7, deflector 88 is configured to direct liquid an axially upward and
radially
outward direction, as shown by arrow of numeral 103, towards portions of the
proximal
ends of the vanes disposed below the body 27.1, driving the flow of liquid out
through
the distal ends of the vanes. The deflectors may be welded to the body 27.1 or
frictionally
engage with the shaft 20.1.
[00271 Figures 8 and 9 show an impeller 23.2 for the agitator assembly
10 shown
in Figures I to 5 according to a third embodiment. Like parts have like
numbers
and function as the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the addition of
".2".
Impeller 23.1 is substantially the same as impeller 23 shown in Figures I to 5
with the
following exceptions.
9 =
CA 2762040 2018-05-17
[0028] Fach vane has a straight section at its proximal end and has a
smooth
transformation to the c-shaped distal end.
[0029] As seen in Figure 8, shaft 20,2 has a flange 102 connected to
its second
end 22.2, by welding in this example. The flange has a plurality of radially
spaced-apart
apertures 104. The body 27.2 has a plurality of corresponding apertures, and
the flange
102 is connectable to the impeller 23.2 by way of a plurality of connectors
passing
through said apertures. In this example the connectors are in the form of
bolts and nuts
106, though they may be rivets, for example, according to another embodiment.
100301 Figures 10 to Ii show an impeller 23.3 for the agitator
assembly 10 shown
in Figures 1 to 5 according to a fourth embodiment. Like parts have like
numbers and
function as the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the addition of ".3".
Impeller
23,3 is substantially the same as impeller 23 shown in Figures 6 to 7 with the
following
exceptions.
[00311 All impeller vanes are attached to the bottom 29,3 of the body
28.3 and
configured both to extend axially outwards relative to the axis of rotation
and to extend
radially outwards to below the body.
100321 Figures 12 to ]L4 show an impeller 23,4 for the agitator
assembly 10 shown
in Figures 1 to 5 according to a fifth embodiment, Like parts have like
numbers
and function as the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the addition of
".4".
Impeller 23.4 is substantially the same as impeller 23 shown in Figures 1 to 5
with the
followingexceptions.
[0033] Impeller 23.4 has a plurality of radially spaced-apart,
vertically-
aligned connector plates, as shown by plate 108 in Figure 14, connected to and
extending
radially outwards from the hub 24.4. Body 27.4 is also centrally connected to
and extends
around hub 24.4. The body is relatively small compared to the embodiments
shown in
Figures 1 to 13, Referring to Figure 13, each of the plates has a first
portion 110
CA 2762040 2018-05-17
that extends through a respective one of the radially spaced-apart slots 37.4
of the body.
Each of the plates 108 also has a second portion 112 that extends tangential
to the circular
outer edge 109 of the body 27.4. The second portions are bent relative to the
first
portions and both the first and second portions are generally rectangular in
shape in
this example. Theconneetor plates 108 may function to reinforce body 27.4 and
impeller
23.4 generally.
100341 Each of the vanes 30.4, 32.4, 36.4, 38.4, 40.4 and 44.4 has a
proximal
end that is flat, as shown by end 114 for vane 32.4 in Figure 12. The
connector plates 108
connect the proximal ends of the vanes to the body 27.4. This connection may
be by way
of welding, for example, though this is not strictly required and other ways
of connecting
the vanes to the connector plates are possible. Each of the vanes 30.4, 32.4,
36.4, 38,4,
40.4 and 44.4 has a distal end that is c-shaped in cross-section, as seen in
Figure 14 by
distal end 116 for vane 32.4. The vanes fully extend outwards from the body
27.4 and do
not directly connect with the body_
[00351 Figure 15 to Figure 20 show different shaped channels at the distal
ends.
Figure 15,17, 19,21 show closed channels at the vane distal ends, as examples,
including
round, rectangular, polygon, or elliptical. Figure 16, 18, 20, 22 show
partially opened
channels at the vane distal ends.
100361 Figure 23 to Figure 27 shows different configurations of the
impeller
vanes. Figure 23 shows an impeller vane similar to those shown in Figure 1 to
Figure 4
with the exception that the vane is not-tapered, the proximal end 46 and the
distal end
50 has same size and shape. The radius of curvature rl of the vane proximal
end is
equal in size to the radius of curvature r2 of the vane distal end.
[00371 Figure 24 shows a vane substantially identical to those vanes
shown in
Figures I to 5. Figure 25 shows a vane substantially identical to those vanes
shown in
Figures 8 to 9. The vane is configured to have a straight section at its
proximal end and
transformed to c-shaped distal end.
11
CA 2762040 2018-05-17
[0038] Figure 26 shows a vane configured to have a straight plate
section at its
proximal end and a closed channel at its distal end. The edge 46 has an angle
of 30 to
60 degree to the body surface.
100391 Figure 27 shows a vane similar to Figure 26 with the exception
that its distal
end is tapered.
100401 It will be appreciated that yet further variations arc possible
within the
.scope of the invention described herein. For example, as mentioned above, the
number
of vanes may vary. Also, the angular positioning of the vanes may vary. The
vanes
may connect at their proximal ends to the top, the bottom, or both the top and
bottom of
O the body of the impeller. The vanes may be fully curved or partially
curved. The vanes
may be formed with a plurality of plates welded together.
[0041] It also will be understood by someone skilled in the art that
many
of the details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended
to limit
the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the
following claims.
12
CA 2762040 2018-05-17
