General Signal Corporation

Jonathan C Everdyke

Ronald J Weetman

Dominic Borraccia

Marlin D Schutte

Jeffrey S Gambrill

Frederick W Kehr, Iii

George C McIntosh

Walter C Webster

Thomas A Taylor

In order to extend the life of mixing impellers which circulate materials, and particularly which suspend solids, in the form of particles which erode the blades of the impellers and place a practical limit on impeller speed and/or angle of attack due to increased erosion at high flow velocity (erosion being a function of the cube of the velocity), the blades are constructed from blades into an airfoil configuration which does not limit the thickness of the plates and thereby allows the use of thick plates having extended life. An erosion resistant layer is located at least over the leading edge region of the blade and the shape of the blade reduces velocity of flow over the leading edge; the camber of the blade being maximized midway between the leading and trailing edge. The suction surface of the blade in the region subject to erosion is continuous thereby avoiding discontinuities which form vortices which enhance erosion. Fins, which may be at the tip on the suction side of the blade from midway between the leading and trailing edges to the trailing edge reduces tip vortices thereby further extending blade life in erosion-producing environments.

Erosion resistant mixing impeller

A mixer impeller, which is adapted to mix and blend liquids and liquid suspensions in industrial and commmercial applications and is subject to forces which tend to work the impeller loose from attachment with its driving shaft, is secured to the shaft by collars (locking rings) which are threaded on the ends of hubs from which the blades of the impeller extend. In order to secure the attachment of the collars to the hub, a locking key is inserted between the collar and the shaft. The inner periphery of the collars are tapered outwardly away from the shaft. The neck of the locking key has portions which are deflected against these tapered inner peripheries when a pin is inserted through the neck of the locking key. A ramp on the collar mates with a ramp on the key to prevent reverse rotation (working loose) of the collar. The impeller is restrained against axial movement by the collar and against rotational movement by being keyed to the shaft and restricted by the ramp on the collar. Removal of the key for impeller replacement and maintenance is readily accomplished using the ramps on the surfaces of the collars and shoulder of the key which bear against each other. Upon removal of the locking pin, the inside of the neck deflects inwardly and the key is urged out of the collar, when the collar is unscrewed from the hub.

Mixer impeller shaft attachment apparatus

Apparatus for mixing particulate material carried in separable containers or process modules rotated with the longitudinal axis thereof at an angle other than 90.degree. to the axis of rotation thereof so that the container rotates asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof. The containers have mixing or process bars rotatably mounted therein and extending also at an angle other than 90.degree. so as to be horizontal when the container is in position for asymmetrical rotation during mixing operations. A docking station of the apparatus has a column connected to the drive shaft at the angle other than 90.degree., an upper arm and a lower arm which is connected to the column and to actuators which tilt the lower arm from a horizontal, container receiving position to a position essentially parallel to the upper arm for clamping the container therebetween. A coupling, between the mixing bar and a shaft which rotates the bar, has a detent which provides for automatic engagement and alignment without manual intervention.

Solids mixing apparatus

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Canandaigua, NY, United States of America

Jonathan C Everdyke