Vortex Mixer Suspension with Annular Damper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vortex mixers face instability and imbalance due to varying density and viscosity of materials, leading to vibrations and unwanted movement, particularly when mixing liquids with different properties.

Innovation Solution

An improved suspension system with a pivoting support and annular damper, along with a spring mounting arrangement that includes a V-groove bushing for misalignment recovery and an indexing structure for orientation, provides damping and self-leveling capabilities to maintain stability across different material configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a vortex mixer is used to mix materials with varying density and viscosity, then mixing capability is achieved, but imbalance and vibration occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidbalance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs counterweights positioned opposite the mixing assembly to balance the rotating mass. These counterweights are adjustable in position and mass to compensate for the varying density and viscosity of different materials being mixed, thereby reducing vibration and maintaining balance stability while preserving mixing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system incorporates springs and dampers that allow the mixing assembly to dynamically adapt to different material properties. The spring constant and damping coefficient can be adjusted to optimize performance for materials with varying density and viscosity, enabling the system to maintain stability across different mixing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mixer operates with materials of different density and viscosity, then mixing versatility is improved, but unwanted movement and walking increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing versatilityVSAvoidunwanted movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a suspension system with springs and dampers as intermediaries between the mixing assembly and the base. This intermediary system absorbs and dissipates the forces generated by materials with different density and viscosity, preventing unwanted movement and walking while maintaining mixing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dampers convert the harmful vibrational forces and unwanted movements generated by varying material properties into useful damping energy. By dissipating this energy through controlled deformation, the system transforms the harmful effects into a stabilizing mechanism that enables versatile mixing without walking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the center of volume is offset from the center of rotation, then balance is achieved for one material configuration, but adaptability to different materials is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebalanceVSAvoidmaterial adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs adjustable counterweights and a flexible suspension system that can be dynamically reconfigured for different material properties. The counterweights can be repositioned and the spring/damper characteristics can be adjusted to maintain optimal balance and performance across materials with varying density and viscosity, rather than being fixed for a single configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution effectively reduces resonance frequencies, enhances machine stability, and prevents unwanted movement, ensuring balanced operation during mixing of various liquid materials.

Implementation Method 1

at least one damper element, preferably in an annular concentric orientation to the pivot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

an improved spring mounting bushing arrangement having a bushing with a V-groove accepting an end turn of a helically wound tension spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7520660B2Mixer suspension

Publication Date: 2009.04.21 RED DEVIL EQUIPMENT CO

AI summary

An improved suspension apparatus and method for damping vibration arising in liquid vortex mixers of the type pivotably supporting a mixing frame assembly and suspending the assembly by at least one spring for mixing a liquid coating using both spin and orbital rotational movements. A pivoting support is located between the mixing frame assembly and a base. A damper in the form of an annular ring is used to damp pivoting movement of the mixing frame assembly. Various pivoting mounts may be used to pivotably support the mixing frame on a base. A bushing provides accommodation of a misaligned spring mounting end turn using a V-groove to retain the spring mounting end turn, and may include an eccentric feature to allow adjustment of the spring mounting length.