Dynamic delivery line mixing apparatus and method

• US 6,234,666 B1
• Filed: 09/08/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Systems Technologies, Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CTA, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Kolb, Joseph Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US09/392,204
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 366/194, 366/279, 366/607, 366/342, 366/323, 366/319, 366/320, 366/53, 366/64, 366/349, 222/226, 360/117, 360/118
• US Class Current: 366/279
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/054 Deformable stirrers, e.g. deformed by a centrifugal force applied during operation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/1142 of the corkscrew type
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/25 using moving elements, e.g. rotating blades
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/607 Chain-type stirrer

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for dynamic in-line mixing of feedstocks in various delivery systems. The apparatus of the present invention includes an agitator housed within the delivery conduit that is constructed and arranged to impart motion to feedstock passing through the delivery conduit to a discharge device. The method of the present invention is particularly well suited for maintaining metals and other solids in suspension during delivery for specialized coating and/or painting applications. Systems employing the apparatus and method of the present invention are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mixing a feedstock, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated conduit through which the feedstock passes;

an agitator having a non-circular cross section positioned within said conduit to communicate with the feedstock; and

a drive mechanism communicating with said agitator to move said agitator in a substantially helical path within said conduit during delivery of the feedstock through the conduit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated conduit comprises a hose.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said agitator comprises at least one elongated flexible rod.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said at least one elongated flexible rod is rotatably coupled to said drive mechanism to permit rotation of said at least one elongated flexible rod within said conduit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated conduit is selected from the group consisting of a pipe, tube, or braided cable.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said at least one elongated flexible rod is approximately equal in length to said elongated conduit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said agitator comprises nylon.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit comprises polytetrafluoroetbylene.

9. A method of mixing a feedstock during delivery of the feedstock from a supply vessel to a discharge device, said method comprising the steps of:

a) urging the feedstock into a hollow elongated conduit coupled at one end to the discharge device and communicating at the other of its ends with a drive mechanism, said conduit housing an elongated rod having a non-circular cross section and length less than or equal to the length of said conduit, said elongated rod attached to the drive mechanism;

b) passing the feedstock through said conduit and around said elongated rod; and

c) rotating said elongated rod at one of its ends such that said elongated rod moves helically along its length with respect to said conduit to mix the feedstock as the feedstock progresses toward the discharge device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said feedstock comprises a solid and a liquid, said solid being suspended in said liquid as said feedstock is urged into said conduit, and wherein said moving step comprises maintaining said solid in suspension as said feedstock passes through said conduit.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said feedstock comprises a first feedstock and a second feedstock, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of combing and mixing said first and second feedstocks with said agitator as said first and second feedstocks are urged into said conduit.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said first feedstock comprises a solid and wherein said second feedstock comprises a liquid, and wherein said urging step comprises forming a suspension.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said first feedstock comprises a liquid and wherein said second feedstock is selected from the group consisting of a liquid or a gas, and wherein said urging step comprises the step of forming a solution.

14. A system for in-line mixing of a feedstock during delivery of the feedstock to a target, said system comprising:

a supply vessel constructed and arranged to prepare the feedstock;

a conduit connected to said supply vessel to receive the feedstock;

an agitator having a non-circular cross section positioned within said conduit;

a drive mechanism coupled to said agitator to move said agitator in a helical path with respect to said conduit to impart motion to the feedstock;

a discharge apparatus coupled to said conduit for delivering the feedstock to the target; and

a controller connected to said supply vessel, and said drive mechanism for receiving inputs and delivering outputs to control the delivery and mixing of the feedstock.