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US 8,684,592 B2Granted
Magnetically coupled system for mixing
AssigneeAlgenol Biofuels Inc.
InventorsHarlan Miller, III, George Meichel, Edward Legere, Edwin Malkiel, Robert Paul Woods, Oliver Ashley, Joseph Katz, Jason Ward, Paul Petersen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a mixing system comprising a magnetically coupled drive system and a foil for cultivating algae, or cyanobacteria, in an open or enclosed vessel. The invention provides effective mixing, low energy usage, low capital expenditure, and ease of drive system component maintenance while maintaining the integrity of a sealed mixing vessel.
Claims20
A magnetically coupled mixing system comprising:
- a mixing vessel;
- a liquid disposed within the mixing vessel;
- a drive conduit;
- a drive element disposed within the drive conduit and adapted to move in a longitudinal direction within the drive conduit;
- a follower member having a first distal end and a second distal end, wherein the follower member is disposed around the perimeter of at least a portion of the drive conduit and is adapted to move longitudinally along the drive conduit;
- a magnetic follower element disposed within the follower member, wherein the magnetic follower element is adapted to couple magnetically with the drive element and is proximally disposed outside the drive conduit;
- a foil having a surface shaped or configured to provide hydrodynamic lift, wherein the foil is disposed at least partially in the liquid, and wherein vertical mixing of the liquid is achieved by movement of the foil along a linear path in the mixing vessel;
- and
- a support member connecting the foil and the follower member.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.