EP0045558A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for non-invasive mixing of flowing fluid stream
Assignee: Bayer Corp
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Filing: 1981-06-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-06-09
Abstract
Abstract It is known to non-invasively mix together components of a fluid stream by flowing the stream through a mixing coil in the form of a regular helix. The degree and speed of mixing thereby achieved is insufficient for modern analysis machines. To improve the speed and efficiency of mixing, the present invention provides a mixing conduit (10) having a plurality of bends (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70; 98, 100, 102, 104) so arranged that, as the fluid stream sequentially flows around each bend, the secondary flow pattern therein is changed whereby there is extensive mixing of the components of the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael M. Cassaday
- 👤 John L. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:53
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01F; B01F25/00; B01F25/40; B01F25/42; B01F25/43; B01F25/433; B01F25/4331; G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
1 . A method of non-invasive mixing of two or more components in a fluid which comprises flowing the fluid as a stream through a conduit (10) to establish a secondary flow pattern (30,32) in the stream, characterised in that: the conduit is shaped so as to establish sequentially in the stream, as it flows through the conduit, at least two different secondary flow patterns (74,76; 110,112; 118,120), whereby extensive co-mingling and mixing of the respective components in the flowing streams is effected by the sequential destruction and establishment of the said different secondary flow patterns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
1 . A method of non-invasive mixing of two or more components in a fluid which comprises flowing the fluid as a stream through a conduit (10) to establish a secondary flow pattern (30,32) in the stream, characterised in that: the conduit is shaped so as to establish sequentially in the stream, as it flows through the conduit, at least two different secondary flow patterns (74,76; 110,112; 118,120), whereby extensive co-mingling and mixing of the respective components in the flowing streams is effected by the sequential destruction and establishment of the said different secondary flow patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method according to claim 1, characterised in that: a first secondary flow pattern (Figure 3) is established as the fluid stream flows in at least a first section (50) of said conduit, and a second different secondary flow (Figure 5) is established as the fluid stream flows in at least a second section (52) of said conduit, and the sequential destruction of said secondary flow patterns occurs as the fluid stream flows from one conduit section to another conduit section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that: a first secondary flow pattern (Figure 3) is established at an orientation different from that of a second secondary flow pattern (Figure 5).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 3, characterised in that: different orientations are generally orthogonal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
A conduit (10) for the non-invasive mixing of two or more components in a fluid stream flowing therethrough by establishing in said stream a secondary flow pattern (30,32), characterised in that: said conduit comprises at least one means (50,58,66; 98,102) to establish in a flowing stream a first secondary flow pattern, (Figure 3; Figure 11), at least one means to destroy said first pattern (12,72), and at least one means (52,60,68; 100,104) to establish in a flowing stream a second secondary flow pattern (Figure 5; Figure 12), whereby in use extensive co-mingling and mixing of the said components of the stream is effected by the sequential destruction and establishment of the secondary flow patterns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
A conduit (10) for the non-invasive mixing of two or more components in a fluid stream flowing therethrough by establishing in said stream a secondary flow pattern (30,32), characterised in that: said conduit comprises at least one means (50,58,66; 98,102) to establish in a flowing stream a first secondary flow pattern, (Figure 3; Figure 11), at least one means to destroy said first pattern (12,72), and at least one means (52,60,68; 100,104) to establish in a flowing stream a second secondary flow pattern (Figure 5; Figure 12), whereby in use extensive co-mingling and mixing of the said components of the stream is effected by the sequential destruction and establishment of the secondary flow patterns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A conduit according to claim 5, characterised in that: said means to establish said first secondary flow pattern comprise at least one first section (50,58,66; 98,102) of said conduit, said means to establish said second secondary flow pattern comprise at least one second section (52,60,68; 100,104) of said conduit, and said means to destroy said second secondary flow pattern comprises means (12,72) for connecting said first and second conduit sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A conduit according to claim 6, characterised in that: said first and second conduit sections are generally arcuate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A conduit according to claim 5,6 or 7 characterised in that: said means to establish said second secondary flow pattern are operable to establish said second secondary flow pattern in an orientation different from that of said flow pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A conduit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said first and second conduit sections are generally mutually orthogonal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A conduit (10) for the non-invasive mixing of two or more components in a fluid stream flowing therethrough, said conduit being curved to induce in a stream a secondary flow pattern, characterised in that: said conduit (10) comprises a plurality of bends (52,54,56,58,60,62,64,66,68, 70; 98,100,102,104), each of said bends having respective planes of curvature which are relatively oriented to impart successive changes in the direction of flow of a fluid stream passed therealong, each of said bends being effective to induce a new secondary flow pattern in said liquid stream oriented in respect to the plane of curvature of said each bend.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
102 words
A conduit (10) for the non-invasive mixing of two or more components in a fluid stream flowing therethrough, said conduit being curved to induce in a stream a secondary flow pattern, characterised in that: said conduit (10) comprises a plurality of bends (52,54,56,58,60,62,64,66,68, 70; 98,100,102,104), each of said bends having respective planes of curvature which are relatively oriented to impart successive changes in the direction of flow of a fluid stream passed therealong, each of said bends being effective to induce a new secondary flow pattern in said liquid stream oriented in respect to the plane of curvature of said each bend.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A conduit according to claim 10, characterised in that: said plurality of bends are formed in a tortuous fashion, such that at least selected ones (e.g. 50,52; 52,54; 54,56;) of said bends have non-parallel planes of curvature, preferably substantially orthogonal planes of curvature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A conduit according to claim 10, characterised in that: said plurality of bends are formed in serpentine fashion, such that at least selected ones (e.g. 98,100,102,104) of said bends have planes of curvature located in a same plane or in substantially parallel planes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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