Fluid mixing system with flexible drive line and foldable impeller
AssigneeLife Technologies Corporation
InventorsClinton C. Staheli, Brandon M. Knudsen, Trevor G. Williams, Steven R. Kjar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid mixing system includes a container, such as a flexible bag, bounding a compartment. A flexible drive line is disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a first end rotatably connected to a first end of the container and an opposing second end rotatably connected to a second end of the container. At least one mixing element, such as an impeller, can be coupled with the flexible drive line. Rotation of the drive line facilitates rotation of the impeller within the container.
Claims21
A fluid mixing system comprising:
- a container bounding a compartment, the container having a first end and an opposing second end;
- a drive line disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a length extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the drive line being rotatably connected to the first end of the container and the opposing second end of the drive line being rotatably connected to the second end of the container, at least 30% of the length of the drive line being sufficiently flexible that the at least 30% of the length can be twisted under torsion over an angle of at least 45° without plastic deformation.
A fluid mixing system comprising:
- a container bounding a compartment, the container having a first end and an opposing second end;
- a drive line disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a length extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the drive line being rotatably connected to the first end of the container and the opposing second end of the drive line being rotatably connected to the second end of the container, at least 30% of the length of the drive line having a bend radius wrapped 180° in a range between about 2 cm to about 100 cm;
- and
- at least one mixing element secured to the drive line within the compartment.
A fluid mixing system comprising:
- a container bounding a compartment, the container having a first end and an opposing second end;
- a drive line disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a length extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the drive line being rotatably connected to the first end of the container and the opposing second end of the drive line being rotatably connected to the second end of the container, at least a portion of the length of the drive line being sufficiently flexible that it can be twisted under torsion without plastic deformation;
- at least one mixing element secured to the drive line within the compartment;
- a support housing having a chamber in which the container is at least partially disposed;
- and
- a rotational assembly secured to the second end of the container and rotatably connecting the second end of the drive line to the second end of the container, the rotational assembly being releasably secured to the support housing.
A fluid mixing system comprising:
- a container bounding a compartment, the container having a first end and an opposing second end;
- a drive line disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a length extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the drive line being rotatably connected to the first end of the container and the opposing second end of the drive line being rotatably connected to the second end of the container, wherein the drive line comprises a cable comprised of a plurality of strands.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.