Mixer apparatus for mixing a high-viscosity fluid and mixer shaft for such mixer apparatus

An apparatus comprising:

• a shaft having a length dimension;
• a plurality of blades mounted relative to said shaft along the length dimension of said shaft, a lowermost blade of said plurality of blades being pivotally mounted so as to be movable between a first position pivoted upwardly and a second position pivoted outwardly, the plurality of blades above the lowermost blade being pivotally mounted to said shaft and being movable between a retracted position pivoted downwardly and a deployed position pivoted outwardly;
• and
• a base affixed to an end of said shaft, said base having a width or diameter greater than a diameter of said shaft.

A mixer apparatus for mixing high viscosity fluids, the mixer apparatus comprising:

• a mixer shaft having a plurality of sets of blades affixed thereto, a lowermost set of blades of said plurality of sets of blades being pivotally mounted so as to be movable between a first position pivoted upwardly and a second position pivoted outwardly, the plurality of sets of blade comprising:
• a first set of blades disposed adjacent a bottom of said mixer shaft;
• a second set of blades disposed on said mixer shaft in spaced relation to and above said first set of blades;
• and
• a third set of blades disposed on said mixer shaft in spaced relation to and above said second set of blades;
• a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to said mixer shaft so as to rotate said mixer shaft;
• a hydraulic pump connected by a fluid circuit to said hydraulic motor, said hydraulic pump adapted to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to said hydraulic motor;
• an electric motor drivingly connected to said hydraulic motor;
• and
• a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to said fluid circuit so as to supply hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic pump.