Mixing apparatus and method
AssigneeThe Maitland Company
InventorRobert M. Rumph
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mixing apparatus including a frame, a housing, and a pair of thrust generators are disclosed. The housing is pivotably mounted to the frame and is movable between a retracted position substantially parallel with the frame and an extended position substantially perpendicular to the frame. The thrust generators are opposingly mounted to the housing and face opposite directions both when the housing is in the retracted position and when the housing is in the extended position. Various mixing and disposal methods are also described.
Claims19
A method for mixing a substance including liquid and solid constituents, the substance being contained in a tank having a floor, at least a portion of the solid constituents being settled on the floor of the tank, the method comprising:
- providing a mixing apparatus, the mixing apparatus including a frame, and a pair of opposing thrust generators pivotably mounted to the frame, the frame including an opening for receiving at least one of the thrust generators therein;
- lowering at least a portion of the mixing apparatus into the tank with the thrust generators in a first position wherein one of the pair of thrust generators is oriented generally within the opening and above the other of the pair of thrust generators;
- after said step of lowering, moving the pair of thrust generators to a second position spaced from the first position;
- with the thrust generators in the second position;
- mixing the liquid and solid constituents of the substance, including the settled solid constituents;
- moving the pair of thrust generators from the second position to the first position;
- and
- removing the mixing apparatus from the tank when the pair of thrust generators are substantially in the first position.
A method for mixing a substance including liquid and solid constituents, the substance being contained in a tank having a floor, at least a portion of the solid constituents being settled on the floor of the tank, the method comprising:
- providing a mixing apparatus, the mixing apparatus including a frame, a pair of opposing thrust generators pivotably mounted to the frame and a floor-contacting members;
- lowering at least a portion of the mixing apparatus into the tank with the thrust generators in a first position, wherein one of the pair of thrust generators is oriented generally above the other of the pair of thrust generators;
- after said step of lowering, moving the pair of thrust generators to a second position spaced from the first position;
- with the thrust generators in the second position and the floor contacting member engaging the floor, mixing the liquid and solid constituents of the substance, including the settled solid constituents;
- moving the pair of thrust generators from the second position to the first position;
- and
- removing the mixing apparatus from the tank when the pair of thrust generators are substantially in the first position.
A method for mixing a substance including liquid and solid constituents, the substance being contained in a tank having a floor, at least a portion of the solid constituents being settled on the floor of the tank, the method comprising:
- providing a mixing apparatus, the mixing apparatus including a first frame portion pivotably mounted to a second frame portion, and a pair of opposing thrust generators pivotably mounted to the first frame portion;
- lowering at least a portion of the mixing apparatus into the tank with the thrust generators in a first position, wherein one of the pair of thrust generators is oriented generally above the other of the pair of thrust generators;
- after said step of lowering, moving the pair of thrust generators to a second position spaced from the first position;
- with the thrust generators in the second position and the first portion of the frame maintaining the pair of thrust generators at a fixed distance apart from each other, mixing the liquid and solid constituents of the substance, including the settled solid constituents;
- moving the pair of thrust generators from the second position to the first position;
- and
- removing the mixing apparatus from the tank when the pair of thrust generators are substantially in the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.