Bioreactor Mixing System Using Electromagnetic Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing systems for bioreactors and similar containers face issues with high costs due to the need for strong permanent magnets, which lead to unnecessary noise, heat, and wear, as well as difficulties in assembly and disassembly, and pose risks to medical implants and require a large drive device height.
Innovation Solution
A mixing system using a three-phase machine with a stator and rotor, where the rotor has a permanent magnet or short-circuit runner, allowing for controlled magnetic fields to generate torque within the container, reducing the need for external drives and minimizing the use of permanent magnets, thus lowering costs and improving assembly and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If strong permanent magnets are used to transmit high torque, then torque transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the permanent magnetic coupling system with an electromagnetic coupling system. Instead of using strong permanent magnets that require complex mechanical coupling structures, the invention uses electromagnetic fields generated by coil arrangements to transmit torque. The stator coils create a magnetic field that interacts with the rotor magnets, enabling torque transmission without requiring complex permanent magnet assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the coupling system by using controllable electromagnetic fields instead of fixed permanent magnetic fields. The coil arrangements can be controlled to generate magnetic fields of varying strength, allowing the coupling torque to be adjusted according to actual mixing requirements rather than being fixed by permanent magnet strength.
2Power
If permanent magnets are designed for maximum torque, then torque transmission is improved, but noise and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control to the coupling system through electromagnetic actuation. The coil arrangements can be dynamically controlled to generate magnetic fields only when and to the extent needed for torque transmission. This eliminates the continuous magnetic attraction of permanent magnets, reducing unnecessary noise and heat generation during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic coupling system operates periodically based on actual mixing requirements. The coil arrangements can be activated only during periods when torque is needed, rather than maintaining continuous magnetic attraction. This periodic operation reduces energy waste, heat generation, and noise compared to continuously engaged permanent magnet couplings.
3Reliability
If high magnetic attraction force is used to prevent coupling slippage, then coupling reliability is improved, but assembly and disassembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical permanent magnet coupling system with an electromagnetic system that offers controlled attraction. The coil arrangements can generate magnetic fields to ensure reliable coupling during operation, but can be deactivated to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly. This eliminates the need to overcome strong permanent magnetic attraction forces during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic parameter changes in the coupling force through electromagnetic control. The magnetic attraction force can be adjusted based on operational needs - strong enough to prevent slippage during mixing, but reducible to allow easy assembly and disassembly. This provides both high reliability during operation and ease of maintenance.
4Power
If strong permanent magnets are used for torque transmission, then drive capability is improved, but drive device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive function and coupling function into a single integrated electromagnetic system. The stator coils and rotor magnets work together in a compact arrangement where the magnetic field generation and torque transmission occur within the same spatial envelope. This eliminates the need for separate permanent magnet assemblies and coupling mechanisms, reducing overall drive device height.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces noise and heat, simplifies assembly and disassembly, minimizes the risk to medical implants, and allows for a more compact design by controlling magnetic attraction based on required torque, enhancing the overall efficiency and safety of the mixing process.
Implementation Method 1
a three-phase machine (10, 11) with a stator (20) and a rotor (30)... During operation of the three-phase machine (10, 11), the rotor (30) rotates inside the container (4)... The rotor (30) has at least one permanent magnet (31) and/or at least one squirrel-cage rotor
Implementation Method 2
During operation of the three-phase machine (10, 11), the rotor (30) rotates inside the container (4)... The rotor (30) has at least one permanent magnet (31) and/or at least one squirrel-cage rotor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a mixing system, in particular a bioreactor and/or a pallet tank, for mixing a fluid and/or solid, having a container (4), wherein the fluid and/or the solid and a rotatable stirring element (3) for mixing the fluid and/or the solid are arranged in the interior of the container (4). The mixing system furthermore has a mixing device (1) for receiving the container (4) and a drive device (2) for driving the stirring element (3). The drive device (2) comprises a stator (20) of a three-phase machine (10; 11), the stirring element (3) comprises a rotor (30) of the three-phase machine (10; 11), and the rotor (30) has at least one permanent magnet (31; 31') and/or at least one short circuit rotor.