초록 ▼

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mixing fluids in a manner that ranges from maintaining the integrity of fragile molecular and biological materials in the mixing vessel to homogenizing heavy aggregate material by supplying large amounts of energy. The variety in mixing ma

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mixing fluids in a manner that ranges from maintaining the integrity of fragile molecular and biological materials in the mixing vessel to homogenizing heavy aggregate material by supplying large amounts of energy. The variety in mixing manner is accomplished using an electronic controller to generate signals to a motor driver in order to control the frequency and the amplitude of the motor, which drives an agitator assembly. The motor may be a stepper motor, a linear motor or a DC continuous motor. By placing a sensor in the mixing vessel to provide feedback control to the mixing motor, the characteristics of agitation in the fluid can be adjusted to optimize the degree of mixing and produce the highest quality mixant, with consistent results.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vibration mixer comprising:an electronic controller; a motor attached to the electronic controller, said motor having a drive shaft assembly comprising a motor drive shaft and drive shaft housing; a mixing vessel; and an agitating assembly extending into the mixing vessel, said agitating assemb

1. A vibration mixer comprising:an electronic controller; a motor attached to the electronic controller, said motor having a drive shaft assembly comprising a motor drive shaft and drive shaft housing; a mixing vessel; and an agitating assembly extending into the mixing vessel, said agitating assembly having vibrational motion and having a connection to the motor drive shaft, wherein said connection is adapted so that the vibrational motion of the agitating assembly expresses as reciprocating motion; wherein the electronic controller comprises an electronic control unit for generating control signals, whereby the control signals provide independent and simultaneous control over frequency and amplitude of vibrational motion of the agitating assembly; and a motor drive unit communicating with the electronic control unit and providing energy to power the motor in accordance with the control signals, wherein the control signals provide independent and simultaneous control over a continuous range of frequencies of the vibrational motion of the agitating assembly, wherein the frequency range has a minimum of about 0.01 Herz and a maximum of about 10 Hz, and wherein the control signals provide independent and simultaneous control over a continuous range of amplitudes of the vibrational motion of the agitating assembly, wherein the amplitude range has a minimum of about 1 micron and a maximum of greater than one meter.