Fluid mixing systems with adjustable mixing element
AssigneeLife Technologies Corporation
InventorsMichael E. Goodwin, Nephi D. Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid mixing system includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber. A flexible bag is disposed within the chamber of the support housing, the flexible bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment. An impeller is disposed within the chamber of the flexible bag. A drive shaft is coupled with the impeller such that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the impeller. A drive motor assembly is coupled with the draft shaft and is adapted to rotate the drive shaft. An adjustable arm assembly is coupled with the drive motor assembly and is adapted to move the drive motor assembly which in turn moves the position of the drive shaft and impeller. An electrical controller can control movement of the adjustable arm.
Claims13
A method for mixing a fluid, the method comprising:
- operating a mixing element at a first speed at a first location within a compartment of a container so that the mixing element mixes a first volume of the fluid within the compartment to conform to a fluid mixing parameter;
- dispensing a first additional fluid into the compartment of the container to form a second volume of the fluid;
- automatically relocating the mixing element to a second location upon sensing the second volume of the fluid within the compartment;
- and
- operating the mixing element at a second speed at the second location so that the mixing element mixes the second volume of the fluid within the compartment to conform to the fluid mixing parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.