Stirring apparatus and method

Abstract

The agitator includes a drive shaft, an agitator shaft, and a coupling device that attaches the end of the drive shaft to the end of the agitator shaft. In some embodiments, the agitator further includes a support bracket configured to transmit a lifting force from the drive shaft to the agitator shaft, bypassing the coupling device. In some embodiments, the agitator also further includes a jack configured to move the agitator shaft and a plurality of protrusions together as a unit. In some embodiments, the method lifts the plurality of protrusions relative to the agitator vessel, such that the lifting force is bypassed from being applied to the coupling device. In some embodiments, the method includes operating the jack to apply the lifting force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 448750, filed on February 28, 2023, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which is relied upon herein and incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to stirring devices and methods, and more particularly, to a stirring device for a glass manufacturing apparatus and a method of lifting a plurality of protrusions relative to a stirring vessel.

Background Art

[0003] Glass manufacturing apparatuses equipped with stirring devices configured to stir molten materials within a stirring vessel are known. Stirring the molten materials within the stirring vessel provides a homogeneous composition of the molten materials, thereby reducing or eliminating inhomogeneities that might otherwise exist within the molten materials.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some embodiments described in the forms for carrying out the invention.

[0005] In some embodiments, a stirring apparatus and method are provided to facilitate lifting a plurality of protrusions relative to a stirring vessel in order to raise the height of the plurality of protrusions within the stirring vessel. In some embodiments, the stirring apparatus may include a jack designed to lift the plurality of protrusions by applying force in the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring apparatus. In further embodiments, a support bracket may be installed before lifting the plurality of protrusions to protect a coupling device that connects the drive shaft of the stirring apparatus to the stirring shaft of the stirring apparatus. In fact, the support bracket is configured to transmit the axial lifting force from the drive shaft to the stirring shaft while bypassing the coupling device in order to protect the coupling device from being damaged by the axial lifting force.

[0006] In some embodiments, the agitator includes a drive shaft configured to be driven to rotate about a rotation axis. The agitator further includes a stirring shaft extending along the rotation axis and a plurality of projections attached to the stirring shaft. The agitator further includes a coupling device for attaching the end portion of the drive shaft to the end portion of the stirring shaft, in which the drive shaft and the stirring shaft are coupled to rotate together about the rotation axis. The agitator further includes a support bracket for axially locking the drive shaft to the stirring shaft in the direction of the rotation axis. The support bracket includes a first end portion removablely attached to a first mounting position of the drive shaft and a second end portion removablely attached to a second mounting position of the stirring shaft. The coupling device is attached to the end portion of the drive shaft and the end portion of the stirring shaft at a position located between the first and second mounting positions. The support bracket is configured to transmit a lifting force from the drive shaft to the stirring shaft, bypassing the coupling device.

[0007] In some embodiments, the stirring device further comprises a first fastener for removably attaching a first end portion of a support bracket to a first mounting position on the drive shaft, and a second fastener for removably attaching a second end portion of the support bracket to a second mounting position on the stirring shaft.

[0008] In some embodiments, the stirring device further comprises a motor having a drive shaft and a rotor attached to the drive shaft.

[0009] In some embodiments, the agitator comprises an agitator shaft extending along a rotation axis and a plurality of projections attached to the agitator shaft. The agitator further comprises a first support member having a through-opening, through which the agitator shaft extends. The agitator further comprises a second support member spaced apart from the first support member in the direction of the rotation axis. The agitator further comprises a motor fixedly mounted on the second support member, comprising a drive shaft and a rotor attached to the drive shaft. The agitator further comprises a coupling device for attaching the end portion of the drive shaft to the end portion of the agitator shaft. The coupling device is configured to transfer torque generated by the motor from the motor's drive shaft to the agitator shaft, causing the agitator shaft to rotate together with the plurality of projections around the rotation axis. The agitator further comprises a jack configured to move the agitator shaft, the plurality of projections, the motor, and the second support member together as a unit with respect to the first support member in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0010] In some embodiments, the agitator further comprises a support bracket that axially locks the drive shaft to the agitator shaft in the direction of the rotation axis. The support bracket comprises a first end portion removablely attached to a first mounting position of the drive shaft and a second end portion removablely attached to a second mounting position of the agitator shaft, and a coupling device is attached to the end portion of the drive shaft and the end portion of the agitator shaft at a position located between the first and second mounting positions.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second support member comprises a support plate having a through-opening, and the pivot axis extends through the through-opening of the support plate.

[0012] In some embodiments, the jack includes a threaded rod, and the relative rotation between the threaded rod and the traveling nut of the jack is configured to move the unit relative to a first support member in the direction of the axis of rotation.

[0013] In some embodiments, the stirring device further comprises a first fastener for removably attaching a first end portion of a support bracket to a first mounting position on the drive shaft, and a second fastener for removably attaching a second end portion of the support bracket to a second mounting position on the stirring shaft.

[0014] In some embodiments, the support bracket comprises a first C-shaped portion and a second C-shaped portion. In some embodiments, the first C-shaped portion is identical to the second C-shaped portion. In some embodiments, the second C-shaped portion is positioned as a mirror image of the first C-shaped portion around the axis of rotation.

[0015] In some embodiments, the agitator further includes a torque sensor having a first portion mounted on the drive shaft. The torque sensor is configured to measure the torque applied to the agitator shaft by the drive shaft. In some embodiments, the first portion of the torque sensor is mounted between a first segment and a second segment of the drive shaft.

[0016] In some embodiments, the coupling device includes a bendable coupler.

[0017] In some embodiments, a method is provided for lifting a plurality of protrusions relative to a stirring vessel, with the plurality of protrusions attached to a stirring shaft connected to a drive shaft by a coupling device. The method includes attaching the drive shaft to the stirring shaft using a support bracket. The method further includes applying force to the drive shaft to lift the drive shaft, the force then being applied to the stirring shaft by the support bracket to lift the stirring shaft together with the drive shaft, and the force being diverted from being applied to the coupling device by the support bracket.

[0018] In some embodiments, attaching the drive shaft to the stirring shaft includes removably attaching a first end of a support bracket to a first mounting position on the drive shaft, and removably attaching a second end of the support bracket to a second mounting position on the stirring shaft. The coupling device is attached to the end of the drive shaft and the end of the stirring shaft at a position located between the first and second mounting positions.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method further includes removing a first end portion of a support bracket from a first mounting position on a drive shaft using a first fastener, and removing a second end portion of a support bracket from a second mounting position on a stirring shaft using a second fastener.

[0020] In some embodiments, a method is provided for lifting a motor, comprising a stirring shaft, a plurality of projections attached to the stirring shaft, and a drive shaft connected to the stirring shaft, as a unit relative to a stirring vessel in the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring shaft. The method involves operating a jack to lift the unit relative to the stirring vessel in the direction of the rotation axis, with each of the plurality of projections being moved from a first height within the internal region of the stirring vessel to a second height within the internal region of the stirring vessel.

[0021] In some embodiments, operating the jack involves providing relative rotation between the threaded rod of the jack and the traveling nut of the jack.

[0022] In some embodiments, operating the jack applies an axial force to the drive shaft in the direction of the axis of rotation, and the axial force from the drive shaft is applied to the stirring shaft while bypassing a coupling device that connects the end of the drive shaft to the end of the stirring shaft.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method further includes attaching the drive shaft to the stirring shaft using a support bracket before operating the jack.

[0024] In some embodiments, the support bracket is attached to the drive shaft by removably attaching a first end of the support bracket to a first mounting position on the drive shaft, and a second end of the support bracket to a second mounting position on the stir shaft, and the connection is attached to the end of the drive shaft and the end of the stir shaft at a position positioned between the first and second mounting positions.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method further includes removably attaching a first end portion of the support bracket to a first attachment position of the drive shaft using a first fastener, and removably attaching a second end portion of the support bracket to a second attachment position of the agitation shaft using a second fastener.

[0026] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein are described in the Detailed Description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the Detailed Description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing General Description and the following Detailed Description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the disclosure.

[0027] These and other features, embodiments, and advantages will be better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] Schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus configured to manufacture glass articles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of an agitation device taken in View 2 of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the agitation device taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view taken in View 4 of FIG. 2, where an end portion of the drive shaft is attached to an end portion of the agitation shaft by a coupling device. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram, showing that the support bracket is installed so as to axially lock the drive shaft to the stirring shaft in the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring device. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the installed support bracket, taken along line 6-6 in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figures 5 and 6 show a top perspective view of the C-shaped portion of the support bracket. [Figure 8] Figure 2 shows an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of the stirring apparatus, and the support bracket is installed as shown in Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figure 8 illustrates an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of the agitator, showing the jacks lifting the agitator shaft and multiple protrusions with the support brackets installed. [Figure 10] Figure 9 illustrates an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of the stirring apparatus, showing that the support brackets have been removed after the stirring shaft and multiple protrusions have been lifted using jacks. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] The embodiments will be described more fully hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. However, this disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown herein.

[0030] This disclosure relates to a glass manufacturing apparatus and a method for producing ribbons from a large amount of molten material. In some embodiments, the ribbon may include a molten portion that can be cooled to a glass portion. A slot draw apparatus, a float bath apparatus, a down draw apparatus, an up draw apparatus, a press rolling apparatus, or other glass manufacturing apparatus can be used to form the ribbon from a large amount of molten material.

[0031] Next, apparatus and methods for manufacturing glass will be described by exemplary embodiments for forming ribbons from a large amount of molten material. As schematically illustrated in Figure 1, in some embodiments, the exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may comprise a glass melting and feeding apparatus 102, a forming apparatus 101 including a forming vessel 153 designed to produce a molten portion 104 of a ribbon from a large amount of molten material 121. For the purposes of this disclosure, the “molten portion” of the ribbon is approximately 10 2 ~about 10 7.6 This is considered a portion of the ribbon containing viscosity within the Poise range.

[0032] In some embodiments, the molten portion 104 of the ribbon can be cooled into a glass portion 103 of the ribbon, which includes a central portion 162 located between a first outer edge 163 and a second outer edge 165 of the ribbon. In addition, in some embodiments, the separated glass ribbon 106 can be separated from the glass portion 103 of the ribbon along a separation path 161 by a glass separator 159 (e.g., a scribe, score wheel, diamond tip, laser, etc.). The separated glass ribbon can then be processed for a desired application, such as a display application. For example, the separated glass ribbon can be used in a wide range of display applications, including liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPDs), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, plasma display panels (PDPs), and other electronic displays.

[0033] In some embodiments, the glass melting and feeding device 102 may include a melting vessel 105 oriented to receive batch material 107 from a storage bin 109. As indicated by arrow 117, the batch material 107 can be introduced by a batch feeding device 111 actuated by a motor 113. The melting vessel 105 can heat the batch material 107 to provide molten material 121. In some embodiments, a clarification vessel 127 may receive the molten material 121 from the melting vessel 105. Bubbles can be removed from the molten material 121 in the clarification vessel 127 by various techniques. In further embodiments, a stirring vessel 129 of a stirring device 131 may receive the molten material 121 from the clarification vessel 127. For example, the molten material 121 can pass through the outlet port 133 in the clarification vessel 127, through the conduit 135, and through the inlet port 137 of the stirring vessel 129 to enter the internal region of the stirring vessel 129. The agitator 131 provides a homogeneous composition to the molten material 121, thereby reducing or eliminating any heterogeneity that might otherwise be present in the molten material 121 exiting the clarification vessel 127. In addition, in some embodiments, a feed container 149 can receive the molten material 121 from the agitator 131. For example, the mixed molten material can pass through the outlet port 139 of the agitator 129, through the conduit 141, and into the feed container 149. The feed container 149 can then feed the molten material 121 into the inlet conduit 151 of the molding vessel 153. The feed container 149 can function as an accumulator and / or flow controller to regulate and provide a consistent flow of the molten material 121 into the inlet conduit 151.

[0034] The feeding device 102 illustrates an embodiment having a single agitator 131 positioned between the clarification vessel 127 and the feeding vessel 149, but a single agitator 131 and / or two or more agitators 131 may be positioned between any two stations in the feeding device. For example, in some embodiments, a single agitator 131 may be positioned between the melting vessel 105 and the clarification vessel 127. In further embodiments, multiple agitators 131 may be provided. For example, a first agitator 131 may be positioned between the melting vessel 105 and the clarification vessel 127, and a second agitator 131 may be positioned between the clarification vessel 127 and the feeding vessel 149. In further embodiments, two or more agitators 131 may be positioned in series without using another station positioned between the multiple agitators 131. For example, referring to Figure 1, a second agitator 131 may be positioned between the illustrated agitator and the clarification vessel 127, so that the molten material leaving the clarification vessel 127 passes through two adjacent agitators 131 before reaching the feed vessel 149. In addition or alternatively, two or more agitators 131 may be positioned between any two stations of the feed vessel 102. For example, two or more agitators 131 may be positioned between the molten vessel 105 and the clarification vessel 127.

[0035] The molding apparatus 101 may include various embodiments for molding a container according to the features of the present disclosure, for example, a molding vessel equipped with a wedge for fusion drawing a ribbon, a molding vessel equipped with slots for slot drawing a ribbon, or a molding vessel equipped with press rolls for press rolling a ribbon out of the molding vessel. By example, a molding vessel 153 shown and disclosed below may be provided to fusion draw a molten material 121 from a bottom edge defined as the base 155 of a molding wedge 157 to produce a molten portion 104 of a ribbon, which can then be stretched into the glass portion 103 of the ribbon and cooled. For example, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 may be fed into the molding vessel 153 from an inlet conduit 151. The molten material 121 may then be molded into the molten portion 104 of a ribbon, at least in part, based on the structure of the molding vessel 153. For example, as shown, the molten material 121 can be extended from the base 155 of the molding container 153 as a molten portion 104 and moved in the direction of travel 164 along the travel path 160.

[0036] Figures 2 to 10 illustrate the features of the stirring device 131 and the method. Throughout this disclosure, the stirring device 131 may include a stirring vessel 129, but in some embodiments, the stirring device 131 is not required to include a stirring vessel 129. For example, in some embodiments, the stirring device 131 can be provided without a stirring vessel 129. In such embodiments, the stirring device 131 may be provided separately and installed with a new stirring vessel or an existing stirring vessel. For example, components of an existing stirring device may be removed, while the stirring vessel of the existing stirring device remains installed in the feeder, and a new stirring device 131 may be retrofitted according to an embodiment of this disclosure. In further embodiments, the stirring device 131 is considered to include a stirring vessel. For example, an existing stirring device 131 may be removed together with the existing stirring vessel and replaced with the stirring device 131 of this disclosure which includes a stirring vessel 129.

[0037] Referring first to Figure 2, the agitator 131 may comprise a stirring shaft 201 extending along a rotating axis 203. Multiple projections 205 are attached to the stirring shaft 201. For example, the multiple projections may be welded to the stirring shaft 201 or otherwise attached. In some embodiments, the multiple projections 205 and / or the stirring shaft 201 may be made from the same material (e.g., platinum, platinum alloy) or other materials that maintain structural integrity while in contact with the molten material 121 (e.g., molten glass). In some embodiments, the projections 205 comprise stirring blades designed to mix the molten material in the stirring vessel 129 of the agitator 131. As shown in Figure 2, the projections 205 can be positioned at a desired height below the free surface 207 of the molten material 121 to provide a desired mixing profile in the stirring vessel 129 of the agitator 131. Aspects of the present disclosure can simplify and reduce the costs associated with adjusting the vertical height of the projections 205 within the stirring vessel 129. In fact, in some embodiments, vertical height adjustment can be performed using jacks. In yet another embodiment, height adjustment of the projection 205 can be performed with minimal downtime of the agitator 131. Thus, the significant downtime and costs associated with long periods during which the agitator 131 is not operated to adjust the height of the projection 205 can be avoided by embodiments of this disclosure.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the agitator 131 may include a platform 209, which may be supported by a support base 210 (e.g., the ground or a ground-supported structure) that is separated from the upper end of the agitator 129 and independent of the agitator 129, so that the weight of the platform 209 and the components supported on the platform 209 does not impose on the agitator 129. In further embodiments, a bearing plate 211 may be provided for mounting a bearing 213 on a through-opening 215 in the platform 209. The agitator shaft 201 may be rotatably supported by the bearing 213 as it passes through the opening in the bearing plate 211 and the opening 215 in the platform 209.

[0039] As further illustrated in Figure 2, the agitator 131 may include a first support member 217 having a through-opening 219, through which the agitator shaft 201 extends. As shown, the first support member 217 may include a circular plate, but in alternative embodiments, it may be provided in a plate having a different shaped outer circumference. The first support member 217 can be mounted on the upper portion of the bearing 213. For example, screws or other fasteners can be used to fix the first support member 217 to the housing of the bearing 213.

[0040] The stirring device 131 may further comprise a second support member 221 separated from the first support member 217 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. As shown, the second support member 221 may comprise a support plate having a through-opening 225. As shown in Figure 3, the second support member 221 may comprise a circular plate that is similar in size and shape to or identical to the support plate of the first support member 217. In some embodiments, the rotation axis 203 may extend through the through-opening 225 of the second support member 221, the through-opening of the first support member 217, the through-opening of the bearing plate 211, and the through-opening 215 of the platform 209.

[0041] The agitator 131 may further comprise a motor 227 that can be fixedly mounted on a second support member 221. The motor 227 may comprise a first segment 229a of a drive shaft 229. As schematically shown in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the motor 227 may comprise a rotor 301 attached to the first segment 229a of the drive shaft 229. The motor may further comprise a stator 303. During operation, the motor 227 is configured to drive the first segment 229a of the drive shaft 229 to rotate around a rotation axis 203. Therefore, as shown, in some embodiments, the motor 227 may comprise a direct-drive rotary motor that does not require a mechanical transmission mechanism (e.g., belt, chain) that may fail under high torque conditions. The compact nature of the direct-drive rotary motor further allows for mounting on the second support member 221 when space for installation may be limited.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the agitator 131 may further include a coupling device 401 that attaches the end portion 403 of the drive shaft 229 of the motor 227 to the end portion 405 of the agitator shaft 201. The coupling device 401 allows the coupling of the drive shaft 229 and the agitator shaft 201 to rotate together around the rotation axis 203. The coupling device 401 is configured to transfer the torque generated by the motor 227 from the drive shaft 229 of the motor 227 to the agitator shaft 201, causing the agitator shaft 201 to rotate around the rotation axis 203 together with the multiple protrusions 205.

[0043] In some embodiments, the coupling device 401 may include a fixed coupling device. Alternatively, as schematically shown, the coupling device may include a flexible coupler that can transmit torque from the drive shaft 229 to the stirring shaft 201 even if the shafts are slightly misaligned (e.g., misaligned axially and / or angularly). The flexible coupler may also be beneficial in reducing vibration and / or excessive noise during operation due to the flexible nature of the coupler. In some embodiments, providing a flexible coupler may also help avoid damage and premature failure of the bearings 213 and / or the motor 227. In some embodiments, the flexible coupler may include a metal flexible coupler that includes freely mounted metallic or other rigid parts that slide or rotate relative to each other. In further embodiments, the metal flexible coupler may include metallic or rigid parts that can bend to accommodate misalignment while still allowing torque transmission from the drive shaft to the stirring shaft. In further embodiments, as schematically shown in Figure 4, the bendable coupler 401 may comprise one or more elastic components 407 which may be made from an elastomer material, a polymer material, or other elastic material. As shown, the bendable coupler 401 may comprise a first axial end 409a mounted on an end portion 403 of the drive shaft 229 and a second axial end 409b mounted on an end portion 405 of the stirring shaft 201. As shown, each axial end 409a, 409b may comprise a collar configured to receive the corresponding end portions 403, 405, thereby facilitating a fixed attachment between each axial end 409a, 409b and the corresponding end portions 403, 405.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the agitator 131 may include a torque sensor 231 for measuring the torque applied by the motor 227. The torque sensor 231 may include an inter-shaft rotational torque torsion sensor including a first portion 231a mounted on the drive shaft 229, and the torque sensor is configured to measure the torque applied to the agitator shaft 201 by the drive shaft 229. As shown, the torque sensor 231 may include a first surface fixedly mounted on the lower end of the first segment 229a of the drive shaft 229 of the motor 227, and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface and fixedly mounted on the upper end of the second segment 229b of the drive shaft 229 of the motor 227. As previously stated, the end portion 403 of the lower end of the second segment 229b of the drive shaft 229 may be mounted on the first axial end 409a of the bend coupler 401. The torque sensor may further include a second portion 231b mounted on a second support member 221, and the first portion 231a may rotate relative to the second portion 231b together with the drive shaft 229 and the stirring shaft 201, while measuring the torque applied to the stirring shaft 201 by the drive shaft 229.

[0045] Referring to Figure 8, in a further embodiment, the agitator 131 may include a jack 801 configured to move together a unit consisting of an agitator shaft 201, a plurality of projections 205, a motor 227, and a second support member 221 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203 relative to the first support member 217. In some embodiments, the jack may include a hydraulic jack, a pneumatic jack, or a screw jack. In an exemplary embodiment, the jack 801 includes a first screw jack comprising a first threaded rod 803a having an external thread that screw-engages with an internal thread of a first traveling nut 805a fixedly mounted on the first support member 217. The first bearing 807a is fixedly mounted on the second support member 221, and the first threaded rod 803a is rotatably mounted on the second support member 221, where the first threaded rod 803a rotates freely relative to the second support member 221 without linear translation. The relative rotation between the first threaded rod 803a and the first traveling nut 805a of the screw jack 801 is configured to move the unit relative to the first support member 217 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. The rotation of the first threaded rod 803a can be achieved by a servo motor or other device. Alternatively, as shown, a manual crank 307 (see Figures 3 and 8) can be operated by the user to rotate the first threaded rod 803a.

[0046] In some embodiments, the jack (e.g., a screw jack) may include a single jack assembly. In further embodiments, the jack 801 may include multiple jacks designed to reduce stress concentration. For example, as shown, the jack 801 may comprise two jacks, including the first jack described above, which includes a first threaded rod 803a, a first traveling nut 805a, and a first bearing 807a. The jack 801 may further comprise a second jack, which may be similar to or identical to the first jack. For example, the second jack may comprise a second threaded rod 803b identical to the first threaded rod 803a, a second traveling nut 805b identical to the first traveling nut 805a, and a second bearing 807b identical to the first bearing 807a. The second threaded rod 803b has an external thread that screw-engages with the internal thread of the second traveling nut 805b, which is fixedly mounted on the first support member 217. The second bearing 807b is fixedly mounted on the second support member 221 and rotatably mounts the second threaded rod 803b on the second support member 221, where the second threaded rod 803b rotates freely relative to the second support member 221 without linear translation. The relative rotation between the second threaded rod 803b and the second traveling nut 805b of the screw jack 801 is configured to further facilitate the movement of the unit relative to the first support member 217 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. The rotation of the second threaded rod 803b can be achieved by a servo motor or other device. Alternatively, as shown, the chain 305 can be connected to sprockets 306a, 306b, respectively, mounted on each of the two threaded rods 803a, 803b, with a 1:1 sprocket ratio. Thus, the rotation of the first threaded rod 803a by the manual crank 307 results in the sprocket 306a associated with the first threaded rod 803a transmitting power via the chain 305 to the sprocket 306b associated with the second threaded rod 803b.Therefore, both threaded rods 803a and 803b can rotate together at the same angle when the manual crank 307 is turned. Providing multiple threaded rods facilitates stress distribution and prevents a bending moment from being applied to the second support member 221 when the second support member 221 is lifted relative to the first support member 217.

[0047] It may be desirable to raise multiple protrusions 205 relative to the stirring vessel 129. For example, the mixing profile of the molten material 121 in the stirring vessel 129 can be optimized by adjusting the multiple protrusions 205 to the correct height within the stirring vessel 129. Furthermore, there is a desire to provide adjustment of the multiple protrusions 205 with only minimal interruption of the production campaign, thereby avoiding the time-consuming and expensive procedure of shutting down the production process for a considerable period of time to provide such height adjustment of the multiple protrusions 205. Moreover, enabling height adjustment of the multiple protrusions 205 with minimal interruption of the production campaign can provide more accurate feedback on how incremental adjustments affect the mixing profile of the molten material 121. In fact, relatively small, continuous incremental adjustments can be made, where the mixing profile is monitored after each incremental adjustment, making it easier to narrow down to the optimal mixing profile.

[0048] The coupling device 401 provides excellent strength for transmitting rotational torque. However, in some embodiments, the coupling device 401 may have relatively weak tension. Therefore, some coupling devices 401 may be damaged when attempting to lift the multiple protrusions, as they are not designed to withstand the large forces required to successfully lift the multiple protrusions 205.

[0049] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a support bracket 501 configured to axially lock a drive shaft 229 and a stirring shaft 201 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. For example, as shown in Figures 5 to 9, the stirring device 131 may include an embodiment of the support bracket 501 that axially locks the drive shaft 229 to the stirring shaft 201 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. As shown in Figure 6, after installation, the support bracket 501 may comprise a first end portion 601 that is removablely attached to a first mounting position 603 of the drive shaft 229 and a second end portion 605 that is removablely attached to a second mounting position 607 of the stirring shaft 201. As further illustrated in Figure 6, a coupling device 401 is attached to the end portion 403 of the drive shaft 229 and the end portion 405 of the stirring shaft 201 at a position located between the first mounting position 603 and the second mounting position 607.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first and second mounting positions 603, 607 may each be provided with through holes as shown in Figure 6. In some embodiments, as shown, the through holes may extend through the rotation axis 203 and perpendicular to the rotation axis 203 to help avoid bending moments that would otherwise occur by offsetting the mounting positions from the rotation axis 203.

[0051] In some embodiments, a first fastener 609 can be removably attached to a first end portion 601 of the support bracket 501 at a first mounting position 603 of the drive shaft 229, and a second fastener 611 can be removably attached to a second end portion 605 of the support bracket 501 at a second mounting position 607 of the stirring shaft 201. As shown, in some embodiments, the first end portion 601 of the support bracket 501 may have at least one upper bracket hole 602a, 602b aligned with a through hole in the first mounting position 603, and the first fastener 609 (e.g., a first pin) is sized to pass through the first upper bracket hole 602a, the through hole in the first mounting position 603, and the second upper bracket hole 602b. As shown in Figure 6, a cotter pin, nut, or other locking device may be provided to prevent accidental detachment of the first fastener 609.

[0052] In further embodiments, the second end portion 605 of the support bracket 501 may include at least one lower bracket hole 606a, 606b aligned with a through hole in a second mounting position 607, and the second fastener 611 (e.g., a second pin) is sized to pass through the first lower bracket hole 606a, the through hole in the second mounting position 607, and the second lower bracket hole 606b. As shown in Figure 6, a cotter pin, nut, or other locking device may be provided to prevent accidental detachment of the second fastener 611. While the first and second fasteners 609, 611 are exemplified as pins, in further embodiments the fasteners may include screws, bolts, or other fasteners.

[0053] In some embodiments, the support bracket 501 may comprise a first C-shaped portion 615a and a second C-shaped portion 615b. As shown, the first C-shaped portion 615a may be identical to the second C-shaped portion 615b. In further embodiments, different C-shaped portions may be provided, but providing identical C-shaped portions can help reduce inventory requirements and simplify installation. Each C-shaped portion 615a, 615b may comprise an upper portion 617 and a lower portion 619 connected together by an intermediate portion 621. The upper portion 617 and lower portion 619 of each C-shaped portion 615a, 615b may extend inward to a plane of symmetry 701 containing the axis of rotation 203 when installed. As shown in Figure 7, the pair of upper end surfaces 618a, 618b of the upper portion 617 may be identical to each other and positioned on opposite sides with respect to an upper central semicircular recess 618c. Similarly, the pair of lower end surfaces 620a and 620b of the lower portion 619 can be identical to each other and positioned on opposite sides with respect to the lower central semicircular recess 620c. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pair of upper end surfaces 618a and 618b and the pair of lower end surfaces 620a and 620b can be positioned to extend within the same symmetrical plane 701 after installation.

[0054] Next, a method for lifting a stirring shaft 201, a motor 227 comprising a stirring shaft 201, a plurality of protrusions 205 attached to the stirring shaft 201, and a drive shaft 229 connected to the stirring shaft 201 as a unit with respect to the stirring container 129 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203 of the stirring shaft 201.

[0055] The method may include operating the jack 801 to lift the unit relative to the stirring vessel 129 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203, so that each of the multiple protrusions 205 is moved from a first height within the internal region of the stirring vessel 129 (see Figures 2 and 8) to a second height within the internal region of the stirring vessel 129 that is higher than the first height (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0056] Referring first to Figure 8, in some embodiments, operating the jack 801 may include providing relative rotation between the first threaded rod 803a of the jack 801 and the first traveling nut 805a of the jack 801. In the illustrated embodiment, a manual crank 307 can be operated to rotate the first threaded rod 803a, thereby moving the first threaded rod 803a upward in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203, which is due to the mating engagement between the external thread of the first threaded rod 803a and the internal thread of the first traveling nut 805a, which is fixedly mounted on the first support member 217. Furthermore, the first threaded rod 803a is rotatably mounted on the second support member 221 by a first bearing 807a, which is fixedly mounted on the second support member 221. The first bearing 807a operates to allow relative rotation between the first threaded rod 803a and the second support member 221, but to prevent relative translation. As a result, operating the manual crank 307 to rotate the first threaded rod 803a, and consequently moving it upward in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203, also moves the second support member 221 upward relative to the first support member 217 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiments, operating the jack 801 can further operate an optional second jack by providing rotation between the second threaded rod 803b of the jack 801 and the second traveling nut 805b of the jack 801. In the exemplary embodiments, a manual crank 307 can rotate the first and second threaded rods 803a, 803b simultaneously. A chain 305 can transmit power from the manual crank 307 to rotate the second threaded rod 803b. In some embodiments, the threads of the first and second threaded rods 803a, 803b can be identical in pitch, and the drive sprockets 306a, 306b associated with each threaded rod can have a 1:1 sprocket ratio, so that the rotation of the manual crank 307 results in identical rotation of the first and second threaded rods 803a, 803b. Therefore, the manual crank 307 can be operated to rotate the first and second threaded rods 803a, 803b simultaneously, moving them together upward by the same distance in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203, which is due to the mating engagement of the external threads of the first and second threaded rods 803a, 803b with the internal threads of the corresponding first and second traveling nuts 805a, 805b, which are fixedly mounted to the first support member 217, respectively. Furthermore, the second threaded rod 803b is also rotatably mounted to the second support member 221 by a second bearing 807b fixedly mounted to the second support member 221. The second bearing 807b allows for relative rotation but operates to prevent relative translation between the second threaded rod 803b and the second support member 221. As a result, operating the manual crank 307 to rotate the first and second threaded rods 803a and 803b, and consequently moving them upward in the direction of the rotation axis 203, also moves the second support member 221 upward relative to the first support member 217 in the direction of the rotation axis 203 223.

[0058] Therefore, an upward force is applied to the second support member 221 by the first threaded rod 803a and the second threaded rod 803b (if provided), causing the second support member 221 to translate away from the first support member 217 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. The translational movement between the second support member 221 and the first support member 217 is achieved by a first set of guide rods 809a, 809b, which are fixedly mounted to the first support member 217 at their lower ends 811a, 811b and slidably mounted to the second support member 221 via collars 813a, 813b. Furthermore, the first set of guide rods 809a, 809b facilitates alignment between the first support member 217 and the second support member 221. The first set of guide rods comprises two guide rods 809a and 809b, but in further embodiments, the first set of guide rods may include a single guide rod or three or more guide rods.

[0059] Furthermore, proper alignment between the first support member 217, the second support member 221, and the platform 209 can be achieved by a second set of guide rods 815a, 815b, which are fixedly mounted to the platform 209 at their lower ends 817a, 817b, slidably mounted to the first support member 217 via collars 819a, 819b, and slidably mounted to the second support member 221 via collars 821a, 821b. The second set of guide rods comprises two guide rods 815a, 815b, but in further embodiments, the second set of guide rods may include a single guide rod or three or more guide rods.

[0060] Since the motor 227 is fixedly mounted on the second support member 221, operating the jack 801 to move the second support member 221 upward results in the jack 801 applying an axial force to the drive shaft 229 in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. Subsequently, the axial force from the drive shaft 229 is applied to the stirring shaft 201. Thus, moving the second support member 221 upward using the jack 801 results in the motor 227, the drive shaft 229 of the motor 227, the stirring shaft 201, and the projection 205 moving correspondingly upward from a first height to a second height higher than the first height.

[0061] In some embodiments, the method for lifting the multiple protrusions 205 relative to the stirring vessel 129 is performed while a coupling device 401 connects the end portion 403 of the drive shaft 229 to the end portion 405 of the stirring shaft 201. Certain coupling devices 401 may fail under tension due to the axial force applied by the jack 801. Therefore, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8, the method may include setting up a support bracket 501 before operating the jack 801 so that the lifting force subsequently applied by the jack 801 is transmitted from the drive shaft 229 to the stirring shaft 201, bypassing the coupling device 401 via the support bracket 501.

[0062] Installing the support bracket 501 may include attaching the drive shaft 229 to the stirring shaft 201 using the support bracket 501. Attaching the drive shaft 229 to the stirring shaft 201 may include removably attaching the first end portion 601 of the support bracket 501 to the first mounting position 603 of the drive shaft 229, and removably attaching the second end portion 605 of the support bracket 501 to the second mounting position 607 of the stirring shaft 201. After being removably attached, as shown in Figure 6, the coupling device 401 is attached to the end portion 403 of the drive shaft 229 and the end portion 405 of the stirring shaft 201 at a position located between the first mounting position 603 and the second mounting position 607. In this way, the coupling device 401 is isolated from axial stress when lifting the protrusion as the support bracket 501 acts to bypass the force from the drive shaft 229 to the stirring shaft 201.

[0063] The first fastener 609 can removably attach the first end portion 601 of the support bracket 501 to the first mounting position 603 of the drive shaft 229, and the second fastener 611 can removably attach the second end portion 605 of the support bracket 501 to the second mounting position 607 of the stirring shaft 201. For example, the upper bracket holes 602a, 602b of the first end portion 601 of the support bracket 501 can be aligned with the holes at the first mounting position 603, while the lower bracket holes 606a, 606b of the second end portion 605 of the support bracket 501 can be aligned with the holes at the second mounting position 607. Next, a first fastener 609, such as an illustrated pin, is inserted through the aligned upper bracket holes 602a, 602b and the hole at the first mounting position 603, and then locked in place to removably attach the first end portion 601 of the support bracket 501 to the drive shaft 229. A second fastener 611, such as an illustrated pin, is inserted through the aligned lower bracket holes 606a, 606b and the hole at the second mounting position 607, and then locked in place to removably attach the second end portion 605 of the support bracket 501 to the stirring shaft 201.

[0064] Installation of one embodiment of the support bracket 501 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. To install the support bracket 501, the first C-shaped portion 615a can be placed relative to the second segment 229b of the drive shaft 229 and the stirring shaft 201, so that the first semicircular outer periphery of the second segment 229b of the drive shaft 229 is received in the upper central semicircular recess 618c of the upper portion 617 of the first C-shaped portion 615a, and the first semicircular outer periphery of the stirring shaft 201 is received in the lower central semicircular recess 620c of the lower portion 619 of the lower portion 619 of the first C-shaped portion 615a. The second C-shaped portion 615b can then be positioned as a mirror image of the first C-shaped portion 615a. In fact, the second C-shaped portion 615b can then be positioned relative to the second segment 229b of the drive shaft 229 and the stirring shaft 201, so that the second semicircular outer periphery of the second segment 229b of the drive shaft 229 is received in the upper central semicircular recess 618c of the upper portion 617 of the second C-shaped portion 615b, and the second semicircular outer periphery of the stirring shaft 201 is received in the lower central semicircular recess 620c of the lower portion 619 of the second C-shaped portion 615b. The upper bracket holes 602a and 602b can then be aligned with the hole at the first mounting position 603 of the drive shaft 229. Next, the first fastener 609 (e.g., a pin) is inserted through the aligned hole and locked in place by a locking device, e.g., an illustrated cotter pin 610a, to releasably lock the first end portion of the support bracket 501 onto the second segment 229b of the drive shaft 229. Similarly, the lower bracket holes 606a, 606b can be aligned with the hole at the second mounting position 607 of the stirring shaft 201. Then, the second fastener 611 (e.g., a pin) is inserted through the aligned hole and locked in place by a locking device, e.g., an illustrated cotter pin 610b, to releasably lock the second end portion 605 of the support bracket 501 onto the stirring shaft 201.

[0065] After installation, the pair of upper end surfaces 618a, 618b of the first and second C-shaped portions 615a, 615b and the pair of lower end surfaces 620a, 620b of the first and second C-shaped portions 615a, 615b can extend within the same symmetrical plane 701. Furthermore, after installation, the circumferential surface of the second segment 229b of the drive shaft 229 is received within the upper central semicircular recess 618c of the upper portion 617 of the first and second C-shaped portions 615a, 615b, such that the upper portion 617 of the support bracket 501 surrounds the circumferential surface of the second segment 229b. Furthermore, after installation, the circumferential surface of the stirring shaft 201 is received within the lower central semicircular recess 620c of the lower portions 619 of the first and second C-shaped portions 615a and 615b, such that the lower portion 619 of the support bracket 501 surrounds the circumferential surface of the stirring shaft 201.

[0066] After the support bracket 501 is installed (see Figure 8), the manual crank 307 can be operated to rotate the threaded rods 803a and 803b, driving them upward in the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. Driving the threaded rods 803a and 803b upward also results in a force being applied to the drive shaft 229, lifting it up. This force is then applied to the stirring shaft 201 by the support bracket 501, lifting the stirring shaft 201 and the attached projection 205 together with the drive shaft 229. This force is diverted from being applied to the coupling device 401 by the support bracket 501. As shown in Figure 9, the projection 205 can be lifted until the desired height of the projection 205 in the stirring vessel 129 is achieved. As shown in Figure 9, after the projection 205 reaches the desired height, the second support member 221 can be locked to the guide rods 815a and 815b by applying the locking clamps 901a and 901b, thereby locking the projection 205 at the desired height. Furthermore, the second support member 221 can be locked to the guide rods 809a and 809b by applying the locking clamps 903a and 903b, thereby further locking the projection 205 at the desired height. As shown in Figure 10, once the projection 205 is locked to the desired height in the stirring vessel 129, the support bracket 501 can be removed, the motor 227 can be started again, and the rotation of the stirring shaft 201 together with the projection 205 can be resumed to mix the molten material 121 in the stirring vessel 129.

[0067] In some embodiments, the method may further include lowering the projection 205 in the stirring vessel 129 to achieve a lower desired height. In such embodiments, the support bracket 501 can be installed as considered above, and the manual crank 307 can be rotated in the opposite direction to cause the threaded rods 803a, 803b to rotate in the opposite direction. The reverse rotation of the threaded rods 803a, 803b results in lowering the threaded rods 803a, 803b in the opposite direction to the direction 223 of the rotation axis 203. Lowering the threaded rods 803a, 803b results in lowering the projection 205 in the stirring vessel 129. After the desired height is achieved, the support bracket 501 can be removed, and the motor 227 can be started again to restart the rotation of the stirring shaft 201 together with the projection 205, allowing the molten material 121 to be mixed in the stirring vessel 129.

[0068] The method of the present disclosure discussed above includes a method of lifting the multiple protrusions 205 relative to the stirring vessel 129 by applying force to the drive shaft 229 and lifting the drive shaft 229. The force is then applied to the stirring shaft 201 by the support bracket 501, lifting the stirring shaft 201 together with the drive shaft 229. The force is diverted from being applied to the coupling device 401 by the support bracket 501. In some embodiments, as discussed above, the force can be applied by a jack 801. In further embodiments, the force can be applied while the stirring device 131 is being repositioned relative to the stirring vessel 129. For example, a crane or other lifting device can be used to lift the stirring device 131 relative to the stirring vessel 129 to remove components of the stirring device from the stirring vessel (e.g., to service the removed components of the stirring device 131). When lifting the components of the stirring device 131 from the stirring vessel 129, the coupling device 401 can be protected using the support bracket 501. Furthermore, the support bracket 501 can be used to protect the connecting device 401 while retrofitting an existing stirring device. For example, the components of the existing stirring device 131 can be removed from the existing stirring vessel. A crane or other lifting device can then move the components of the stirring device 131 of this disclosure and install them into the existing stirring vessel 129 while the support bracket 501 protects the connecting device 401.

[0069] As used herein, the terms “the,” “a,” or “an” mean “one or more,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless the opposite is explicitly indicated. Therefore, a reference to, for example, “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise.

[0070] Where used herein, the term “approximately” means that quantities, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not, and do not need to be, exact, and may be approximate and / or greater or less, as desired, to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. Where the term “approximately” is used in describing a range value or endpoint, this disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint being referenced. Whether or not a range number or endpoint in the specification cites “approximately,” the range number or endpoint is intended to include two embodiments: those modified by “approximately” and those not modified by “approximately.” It will be further understood that each endpoint of a range is significant, whether in relation to other endpoints or independently of other endpoints.

[0071] As used herein, the terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and their variations are intended to note that the described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to represent a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Furthermore, as defined above, “substantially similar” is intended to represent two values ​​that are equal to or approximately equal to each other. In some embodiments, “substantially similar” may represent values ​​that are within about 10% of each other, for example, within about 5% of each other or within about 2% of each other.

[0072] As used herein, the terms “comprising” and “including,” and their variations thereof, should be construed as synonymous and open unless otherwise indicated.

[0073] While various embodiments have been described in detail with respect to certain exemplary and specific embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure should not be considered limited to such embodiments, as numerous modifications and combinations of the disclosed features are envisioned without departing from the following claims.

Claims

1. A stirring device, A drive shaft configured to rotate around a rotation axis, A stirring shaft extending along the aforementioned rotation axis, Multiple protrusions attached to the stirring shaft, A connecting device for attaching the end portion of the drive shaft to the end portion of the stirring shaft, wherein the drive shaft and the stirring shaft are connected so as to rotate together about the rotation axis, In the direction of the rotation axis, a support bracket for axially locking the drive shaft with respect to the stirring shaft, the support bracket comprising a first end portion removablely attached to a first mounting position of the drive shaft and a second end portion removablely attached to a second mounting position of the stirring shaft, the connecting device comprising a support bracket attached to the end portion of the drive shaft and the end portion of the stirring shaft at a position positioned between the first mounting position and the second mounting position, A stirring device wherein the support bracket is configured to transmit lifting force from the drive shaft to the stirring shaft, bypassing the connecting device.

2. The stirring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting device includes a bendable coupler.

3. The stirring device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a first fastener for removably attaching the first end portion of the support bracket to the first mounting position of the drive shaft; and a second fastener for removably attaching the second end portion of the support bracket to the second mounting position of the stirring shaft.

4. The stirring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support bracket comprises a first C-shaped portion and a second C-shaped portion.

5. The stirring device according to claim 4, wherein the first C-shaped portion is identical to the second C-shaped portion.

6. The stirring device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second C-shaped portion is arranged as a mirror image of the first C-shaped portion with respect to the axis of rotation.

7. The stirring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a torque sensor having a first portion mounted on the drive shaft, wherein the torque sensor is configured to measure the torque applied to the stirring shaft by the drive shaft.

8. The stirring device according to claim 7, wherein the first portion of the torque sensor is installed between the first segment of the drive shaft and the second segment of the drive shaft.

9. The stirring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a motor having the drive shaft and a rotor attached to the drive shaft.

10. A method for lifting multiple protrusions relative to a stirring vessel, wherein the multiple protrusions are attached to a stirring shaft connected to a drive shaft by a coupling device, and the method is The drive shaft is attached to the stirring shaft by a support bracket. A method comprising applying force to the drive shaft to lift the drive shaft, wherein the force is then applied to the stirring shaft by the support bracket to lift the stirring shaft together with the drive shaft, and the force is diverted from being applied to the coupling device by the support bracket.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein attaching the drive shaft to the stirring shaft includes removably attaching the first end portion of the support bracket to the first mounting position of the drive shaft, and removably attaching the second end portion of the support bracket to the second mounting position of the stirring shaft, and the connecting device is attached to the end portion of the drive shaft and the end portion of the stirring shaft at a position located between the first mounting position and the second mounting position.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: attaching the first end portion of the support bracket to the first mounting position of the drive shaft using a first fastener; and attaching the second end portion of the support bracket to the second mounting position of the stirring shaft using a second fastener.

13. A stirring device, A stirring shaft extending along the axis of rotation, Multiple protrusions attached to the stirring shaft, A first support member having a through-opening, wherein the stirring shaft extends through the through-opening, and the first support member A second support member is provided, separated from the first support member in the direction of the rotation axis, A motor fixedly mounted on the second support member, comprising a drive shaft and a rotor attached to the drive shaft, A connecting device for attaching the end portion of the drive shaft to the end portion of the stirring shaft, wherein the connecting device is configured to apply torque generated by the motor from the drive shaft of the motor to the stirring shaft, causing the stirring shaft to rotate together with the plurality of protrusions around the rotation axis, A stirring device comprising: a stirring shaft, a plurality of protrusions, a motor, and a jack configured to move the second support member together as a unit with respect to the first support member in the direction of the rotation axis.

14. The stirring device according to claim 13, wherein the second support member comprises a support plate having a through opening, and the rotating shaft extends through the through opening of the support plate.

15. The stirring device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the jack comprises a threaded rod, and the relative rotation between the threaded rod and the traveling nut of the jack is configured to move the unit relative to the first support member in the direction of the rotation axis.

16. The stirring apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the connecting device includes a bendable coupler.

17. The stirring device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising a support bracket that axially locks the drive shaft with respect to the stirring shaft in the direction of the rotation shaft, the support bracket comprising a first end portion removablely attached to a first mounting position of the drive shaft and a second end portion removablely attached to a second mounting position of the stirring shaft, and the connecting device being attached to the end portion of the drive shaft and the end portion of the stirring shaft at a position positioned between the first mounting position and the second mounting position.

18. The stirring device according to claim 17, further comprising: a first fastener for removably attaching the first end portion of the support bracket to the first mounting position of the drive shaft; and a second fastener for removably attaching the second end portion of the support bracket to the second mounting position of the stirring shaft.

19. The stirring device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the support bracket comprises a first C-shaped portion and a second C-shaped portion.

20. The stirring device according to claim 19, wherein the first C-shaped portion is identical to the second C-shaped portion.

21. The stirring device according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the second C-shaped portion is arranged as a mirror image of the first C-shaped portion with respect to the axis of rotation.

22. The stirring device according to any one of claims 13 to 21, further comprising a torque sensor having a first portion mounted on the drive shaft, wherein the torque sensor is configured to measure the torque applied to the stirring shaft by the drive shaft.

23. The stirring device according to claim 22, wherein the torque sensor is installed between the first segment of the drive shaft and the second segment of the drive shaft.

24. A method for lifting a motor, which comprises a stirring shaft, a plurality of protrusions attached to the stirring shaft, and a drive shaft connected to the stirring shaft, together as a unit with respect to a stirring container in the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring shaft, wherein the method is A method comprising operating a jack to lift the unit relative to the stirring vessel in the direction of the rotation axis, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is moved from a first height within the internal region of the stirring vessel to a second height within the internal region of the stirring vessel.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein operating the jack includes providing relative rotation between the threaded rod of the jack and the traveling nut of the jack.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein operating the jack applies an axial force to the drive shaft in the direction of the rotation axis, and the axial force from the drive shaft is applied to the stirring shaft while bypassing a connecting device that connects the end portion of the drive shaft to the end portion of the stirring shaft.

27. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, further comprising attaching the drive shaft to the stirring shaft using a support bracket before operating the jack.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the support bracket is attached to the stirring shaft by removing the first end portion of the support bracket from the first mounting position of the drive shaft and removing the second end portion of the support bracket from the second mounting position of the stirring shaft, and the connection is attached to the end portion of the drive shaft and the end portion of the stirring shaft at a position located between the first mounting position and the second mounting position.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising: attaching the first end portion of the support bracket to the first mounting position of the drive shaft using a first fastener; and attaching the second end portion of the support bracket to the second mounting position of the stirring shaft using a second fastener.

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