Apparatus for mixing streams of gas and powder utilizing a vortex

A powder spray applicator apparatus comprising

• a spray nozzle;
• a first conduit configured to carry a first gas stream;
• a second conduit configured to carry a second gas stream;
• a mixing device for combining the first gas stream and the second gas stream into a mixed gas stream, the mixing device having an input opening connected to the first conduit for receiving the first gas stream, a secondary input opening connected to the second conduit for receiving the second gas stream, and an output opening connected to the spray nozzle for outputting the mixed gas stream to the spray nozzle;
• the mixing device defining a mixing chamber including a pre-mixing portion and a vortex mixing portion, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with the input opening and the output opening;
• the mixing device defining a primary gas path along which the first gas stream moves, the primary gas path extending from the input opening to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber;
• the mixing device defining a secondary gas path along which the second gas stream moves, the secondary gas path extending from the secondary input opening to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber, the secondary gas path being in communication with the primary gas path at the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber;
• and
• the mixing device comprising:
• a mixer body defining at least one of the portions of the mixing chamber;
• an outer gas guide positioned in the mixer body and being configured to guide the second gas stream through the premixing portion of the mixing chamber to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber;
• an inner gas guide at least partially positioned in the mixer body and being configured to guide the first gas stream through the premixing portion of the mixing chamber to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber, the inner gas guide having a discharging end at the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber, the primary gas path being substantially linear between the input opening and the discharging end of the inner gas guide and having a substantially uniform width from the input opening to the discharging end of the inner gas guide;
• and
• wherein a portion of the inner gas guide is positioned in the outer gas guide in a substantially concentric relationship with the outer gas guide to form an annular gap between the inner and outer gas guides, the annular gap forming a portion of the secondary gas path about the primary gas path to create a vortex in the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber to mix the first and second gas streams.

A mixing device for combining a first gas stream and a second gas stream into a mixed gas stream, the mixing device having an input opening for receiving the first gas stream, a secondary input opening for receiving the second gas stream, and an output opening for outputting the mixed gas stream;

• the mixing device defining a mixing chamber including a pre-mixing portion and a vortex mixing portion, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with the input opening and the output opening;
• the mixing device defining a primary gas path along which the first gas stream moves, the primary gas path extending from the input opening to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber;
• the mixing device defining a secondary gas path along which the second gas stream moves, the secondary gas path extending from the secondary input opening to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber, the secondary gas path being in communication with the primary gas path at the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber;
• and
• the mixing device comprising:
• a mixer body defining at least one of the portions of the mixing chamber;
• an outer gas guide positioned in the mixer body and being configured to guide the second gas stream through the premixing portion of the mixing chamber to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber;
• an inner gas guide at least partially positioned in the mixer body and being configured to guide the first gas stream through the premixing portion of the mixing chamber to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber;
• and
• wherein a portion of the inner gas guide is positioned in the outer gas guide in a substantially concentric relationship with the outer gas guide to form an annular gap between the inner and outer gas guides, the annular gap forming a portion of the secondary gas path about the primary gas path to create a vortex in the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber to mix the first and second gas streams;
• wherein the inner gas guide includes a peripheral wall extending from the input opening of the mixing device to the vortex mixing portion of the mixing chamber;
• and
• wherein the peripheral wall of the inner gas guide includes an inner tube and an outer shielding tube, the inner tube being positioned in the outer shielding tube.