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US 12,128,371 B2Granted
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
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims26
A fluid mixing system comprising:
- a container bounding a compartment, the compartment being configured to hold a fluid;
- an elongated drive line or drive shaft at least partially disposed within the compartment of the container, the drive line or drive shaft being rotatable relative to the container;
- and
- a first impeller disposed within the compartment of the container, the first impeller comprising:
- a hub secured to the drive line or drive shaft, the hub having a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough;
- a flange radially outwardly projecting from the hub and projecting radially outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis of the hub, the flange comprising a stop projecting therefrom with a key projecting from the stop, wherein the stop has a greater width than the key;
- and
- a plurality of blades being pivotably coupled to the flange, each of the plurality of blades comprising:
- an elongated arm extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the elongated arm comprising an axle disposed at the first end of the elongated arm, wherein the first end is pivotably coupled to the flange by the axle so that the elongated arm pivots about a rotational axis, the rotational axis being disposed parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the hub;
- and
- an enlarged blade head disposed at the second end of the elongated arm.
8 more elements
A fluid mixing system comprising:
- a container bounding a compartment, the container having a first end and an opposing second end and comprising a collapsible bag formed from one or more sheets of polymeric film;
- a drive line disposed within the compartment of the container, 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;
- and
- a first impeller disposed within the compartment of the container, the first impeller comprising:
- a hub secured to the drive line;
- a flange radially outwardly projecting from the hub, the flange comprising a stop projecting therefrom with a key projecting from the stop, wherein the stop has a greater width than the key;
- and
- a plurality of blades being pivotably coupled to the flange, each of the plurality of blades comprising:
- an elongated arm having a first end and an opposing second end, the elongated arm comprising an axle disposed at the first end of the elongated arm, wherein the first end is pivotably coupled to the flange by the axle;
- and
- an enlarged blade head disposed at the second end of the elongated arm.
8 more elements
A fluid mixing system comprising:
- a container bounding a compartment, the compartment being configured to hold a fluid;
- an elongated drive line or drive shaft at least partially disposed within the compartment of the container, the drive line or drive shaft being rotatable relative to the container;
- and
- a first impeller disposed within the compartment of the container, the first impeller comprising:
- a hub secured to the drive line or drive shaft, the hub having a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough;
- a flange radially outwardly projecting from the hub and projecting radially outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis of the hub, the flange comprising a stop projecting therefrom with a key projecting from the stop, wherein the stop has a greater width than the key;
- a retainer at least partially encircling the hub, the retainer being spaced apart from the flange along the central longitudinal axis of the hub so that a slot is formed between the retainer and the flange;
- and
- a plurality of blades being pivotably coupled to the flange, each of the plurality of blades comprising:
- an elongated arm extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the elongated arm comprising an axle disposed at the first end of the elongated arm, wherein the first end is pivotably coupled to the flange by the axle with the axle of the first end being disposed within the slot between the retainer and the flange;
- and
- an enlarged blade head disposed at the second end of the elongated arm.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.