# US 7,740,398 B2 · Dynamic mixer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,740,398 B2 - Document ID: US7740398B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/538,787 - Filed: 2006-10-04 - Published: 2008-04-10 - Granted: 2010-06-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-10-04 - Assignees: Fluid Research Corporation - Inventors: David J. Cline; Truc S. Tang; Richard T. Naruo; Stephen P. Gordon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7740398B2 ## CPC - B01F 27/071: {Fixing of the stirrer to the shaft} - B01F 27/0722: {perpendicular with respect to the rotating axis} - B01F 27/0724: {directly mounted on the rotating axis} - B01F 27/11251: {having holes in the surface} - B01F 35/165: {Making mixers or parts thereof} - B01F 35/213: of the properties of the mixtures, e.g. temperature, density or colour - B01F 35/2131: {Colour or luminescence} - B01F 35/22141: {Speed of feeding of at least one component to be mixed} - B01F 35/22142: {Speed of the mixing device during the operation} - B01F 35/51: characterised by their material - B01F 35/514: {the mixing receptacle or conduit being transparent or comprising transparent parts} - B01F 35/54: {Closely surrounding the rotating element} - B01F 2101/2805: {Mixing plastics, polymer material ingredients, monomers or oligomers} - B01F 2101/30: Mixing paints or paint ingredients, e.g. pigments, dyes, colours, lacquers or enamel - B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06) ## Abstract A dynamic mixer includes a housing structure having a mixing chamber, having an inlet opening through which a material or materials to be mixed is passed into the mixing chamber and an outlet. A mixer rod has mixing rod portion disposed in the housing structure and a plurality of mixing paddle portions each having a mixing surface. The mixing rod is adapted for attachment to a drive unit which imparts a rotational mixing force to the rod. In one exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a mixer, the housing structure includes a hollow tubular structure with first and second open ends, a hollow T fitting having a first opening attached to the first end of the hollow tubular structure, a second opening opposed to and in alignment with the first opening and a third opening transverse to the first and second openings, and a coupler fitting attached to the second open end of the tubular structure. An end cap structure is attached to the second opening of the T fitting for supporting the rod drive portion for rotation and sealing against material leakage. A support structure is positioned at the second open end of the tubular structure and secured in place by the coupler fitting, to support the drive rod while permitting material flow out the open second end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dynamic mixer, comprising: a hollow housing structure having a generally cylindrical mixing chamber and an inlet opening through which a material or materials to be mixed is passed into the mixing chamber, said hollow housing structure comprising a hollow tubular structure with first and second open ends, a hollow T fitting having a first opening attached to said first end of the hollow tubular structure, a second opening opposed to and in alignment with the first opening and a third opening transverse to said first and second openings, the third opening providing said inlet opening, and a coupler fitting attached to said second open end of the tubular structure; a mixing rod having a mixing rod portion disposed in said housing structure; a plurality of separate mixing paddles each having a mixing surface, the separate mixing paddles attached to the mixing portion of the mixing rod; the mixing rod having a drive portion extending from said first open end of the tubular structure and said T fitting and adapted for attachment to a drive unit which imparts a rotational mixing force to the rod; an end cap structure attached to said second opening of the T fitting for supporting the rod drive portion for rotation and sealing against material leakage; a support structure positioned at the second open end of the tubular structure and secured in place by the coupler fitting, said support structure for supporting the drive rod while permitting material flow out the coupler fitting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said mixing surfaces of said plurality of mixing paddles have at least one opening formed there through to allow the material or materials undergoing mixing to pass through. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said mixing portion of said mixing rod has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape having first and second pairs of opposed rod surfaces. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The mixer of claim 3, wherein said mixing paddles are attached against respective surfaces of the first and second pairs of opposed rod surfaces. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The mixer of claim 4, further comprising attachment structures for attaching the mixing paddles to the mixing portion of the mixing rod, said attachment structure comprising at least one threaded bolt and nut fastener passed through a transverse opening in the rod. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said hollow tubular structure is fabricated of a plastic material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The mixer of claim 6, wherein said plastic material is a transparent material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said hollow tubular structure is a metal tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said T fitting is adhesively attached at a first end of said tubular structure, and said coupler fitting is adhesively attached to said second end of said tubular structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said plurality of mixing paddles each has a substantially flat mixing surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The mixer of claim 10, wherein said paddles are attached to the mixing rod portion of the mixing rod in an angularly staggered arrangement wherein adjacent paddles are angularly offset relative to each other and arranged such that the flat mixing surfaces of the paddles are substantially parallel to the mixing rod axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said hollow tubular structure and said T fitting are each fabricated of a rigid plastic material, and said support structure includes a fitting fabricated of a rigid plastic material, and said T fitting and said support structure are adhesively attached to said tubular structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The mixer of claim 12, wherein the mixer is adapted to mix a plurality of materials, and wherein said plurality of materials are selected from the group consisting of multi-part epoxies, silicones, polyesters, urethanes, acrylics, and components to be mixed together to provide a composite color. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said plurality of mixing paddles includes a mixing paddle adapted to provide an axial propulsion force to the material or materials undergoing mixing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, wherein said plurality of paddles includes at least one paddle comprising a hub portion having a cross-sectional configuration adapted to receive there through the mixer rod, and wherein said means for attaching comprises said hub portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The mixer of claim 15 wherein said cross-sectional configuration of said hub portion interacts with surfaces of said mixing portion of said rod to prevent rotation of said at least one paddle relative to said rod. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The mixer of claim 15, wherein said at least one paddle includes opposed ribs formed in a unitary structure with the mixing surfaces from a sheet material to a configuration that will mate with the mixer rod configuration and interact with surfaces of the mixing portion of the mixer rod to prevent rotation of the paddle relative to the rod. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The mixer of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for sensing a parameter of the material or materials at or adjacent an output of the mixer and providing an electronic sensor signal indicative of the sensed parameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The mixer of claim 18, wherein the parameter sensed is a color parameter of the material or materials undergoing mixing. ### Claim 20 A dynamic mixer, comprising: a hollow housing structure comprising a hollow tubular structure with first and second open ends, a hollow T fitting having a first opening attached to said first end of the hollow tubular structure, a second opening opposed to and in alignment with the first opening and a third opening transverse to said first and second openings, the third opening providing an inlet through which a fluid to be mixed is passed into the mixer, and a coupler fitting attached to said second open end of the tubular structure; a mixing rod having a mixing rod axis and a mixing rod portion disposed in said housing structure; a plurality of separate mixing paddles each having a mixing surface; means for attaching the separate mixing paddles to the mixing portion of the mixing rod; the mixing rod having a rod drive portion extending from said first open end of the tubular structure and said T fitting and adapted for attachment to a drive unit which imparts a rotational mixing force to the rod; an end cap structure attached to said second opening of the T fitting for supporting the rod drive portion for rotation and sealing against material leakage; a key structure positioned at the second open end of the tubular structure and secured in place by the coupler fitting, said key structure for supporting the drive rod while permitting material flow out the coupler fitting. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The mixer of claim 20, wherein said mixing surfaces of said plurality of mixing paddles have at least one opening formed there through to allow the material or materials undergoing mixing to pass through. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The mixer of claim 20, wherein said mixing portion of said mixing rod has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape having first and second pairs of opposed rod surfaces. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The mixer of claim 22, wherein said mixing paddles are attached against respective surfaces of the first and second pairs of opposed rod surfaces. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The mixer of claim 20, wherein said hollow tubular structure is fabricated of a plastic material. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The mixer of claim 20, wherein said hollow tubular material includes a transparent portion allowing viewing of the material or materials undergoing mixing. ### Claim 26 A dynamic mixer, comprising: a hollow housing structure having a generally cylindrical mixing chamber, and an inlet opening through which a material or materials to be mixed is passed into the mixing chamber, said hollow housing structure comprising a hollow tubular structure with first and second open ends, a hollow T fitting having a first opening attached to said first end of the hollow tubular structure, a second opening opposed to and in alignment with the first opening and a third opening transverse to said first and second openings, the third opening providing said inlet opening, and a coupler fitting attached to said second open end of the tubular structure; a mixing rod supported for rotation about a mixing rod axis in said housing structure, said mixing rod having a mixing portion; a plurality of mixing paddles each having substantially flat mixing surfaces, the plurality of paddles attached to the mixing rod portion of the mixing rod in an angularly staggered arrangement wherein adjacent paddles are angularly offset relative to each other and arranged such that the flat mixing surfaces of the paddles are substantially parallel to the mixing rod axis; an end cap assembly disposed at or adjacent said second opening of the T fitting for supporting the rod at a rod bushing portion and for sealing against material leakage; a support structure disposed at or adjacent said second open end of the tubular structure for supporting the rod for rotation while permitting material flow out said second open end; the mixing rod having a drive end extending from said first open end of the T fitting and adapted for attachment to a drive unit which imparts a rotational mixing force to the rod. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The mixer of claim 26, wherein said mixing surfaces of said plurality of mixing paddles have at least one opening formed there through to allow the material or materials undergoing mixing to pass through. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The mixer of claim 26, wherein said mixing rod has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape having first and second pairs of opposed rod surfaces. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The mixer of claim 28, wherein said mixing paddles are attached against respective surfaces of the first and second pairs of opposed rod surfaces. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The mixer of claim 26, wherein said hollow tubular structure is fabricated of a plastic material. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The mixer of claim 26, wherein said housing structure includes a transparent portion. ### Claim 32 A dynamic mixer, comprising: a hollow housing structure having a generally cylindrical mixing chamber, opposed first and second openings and an inlet opening through which a material or materials to be mixed is passed into the mixing chamber, said hollow housing structure comprising a hollow tubular structure with first and second open ends, a hollow T fitting having a first opening attached to said first end of the hollow tubular structure, a second opening opposed to and in alignment with the first opening and a third opening transverse to said first and second openings, the third opening providing said inlet opening, and a coupler fitting attached to said second open end of the tubular structure; a mixing rod and paddle structure supported for rotation about a mixing rod axis in said housing structure, said mixing rod and paddle structure having a rod mixing portion and a plurality of mixing paddle portions protruding from the rod mixing portion, each mixing paddle portion having at least one mixing surface; an end cap assembly disposed at or adjacent said second opening of the T fitting for supporting the rod and paddle structure at a rod bushing portion and for sealing against material leakage; a support structure disposed at or adjacent said second open end of the coupler fitting for supporting the rod and paddle structure for rotation while permitting fluid flow out said second open end; the mixing rod and paddle structure having a drive end extending from said first open end of the tubular structure and the T fitting, and adapted for attachment to a drive unit which imparts a rotational mixing force to the rod and paddle structure. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The mixer of claim 32, wherein said hollow tubular structure is fabricated of a plastic material. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The mixer of claim 32, wherein said hollow tubular structure includes a transparent portion.