Inline fluid mixing device

Claim 2

A fluid mixing device for installation in a fluid-carrying conduit, which comprises: an elongated housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; connecting means at either end of said housing for fluid-tightly connecting the device to a fluid conduit; a plurality of apertured mixing elements positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship within said housing, each of said mixing elements comprising a solid body having a crosssectional configuration substantially conforming to the interior shape of said housing, a length of at least about onefourth of its width, and having a plurality of angularly disposed longitudinal apertures extending its length; and means for maintaining said mixing elements in fixed longitudinal positions within said housing.

Claim 3

The device defined in claim 1 including a fluid conduit connection in the side of said elongated housing for connecting an additional fluid conduit laterally into said housing.

Claim 4

The device defined in claim 2 wherein said side connection is located intermediate the inlet end of said housing and said mixing elements.

Claim 5

The device defined in claim 1 wherein said apertures in said mixing elements are disposed at an angle of from about 30* to 75* from the center longitudinal axis.

Claim 6

The device defined in claim 1 wherein said apertures in said mixing elements are substantially uniformly disposed in said elements.

Claim 7

The device defined in claim 1 wherein the apertures in adjacent mixing elements are angularly displaced in opposite directions to cause a reversal in the rotational direction of flow of fluids passing therethrough.

Claim 8

A fluid mixing device for installation in a fluid-carrying conduit, which comprises: an elongated tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; connecting means at either end of said housing for fluid-tightly connecting the device to a fluid conduit; a fluid conduit connection in the side of said elongated housing for connecting an additional fluid conduit laterally into said housing; a plurality of apertured mixing elements positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship within said housing, each of said mixing elements comprising a solid cylinder adopted to fit within said housing and having a length from about one-fourth of its diameter to about equal to its diameter, said cylinder having a plurality of uniformly disposed longitudinal apertures extending the length thereof, said apertures being disposed at an angle of from about 30* to about 75* from the center longitudinal axis; and means for maintaining said mixing elements in fixed longitudinal positions within said housing.

Claim 9

A fluid mixing device for installation in a fluid-carrying conduit, which comprises: an elongated tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; connecting means at either end of said housing for fluid-tightly connecting the device to a fluid conduit; a fluid conduit connection in the side of said elongated housing for connecting an additional fluid conduit laterally into said housing; a plurality of apertured mixing elements positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship within said housing, each of said mixing elements comprising a solid cylinder adopted to fit within said housing and having a length from about one-fourth of its diameter to about equal to its diameter, said cylinder having a plurality of uniformly disposed longitudinal apertures extending the length thereof, said apertures being disposed at an angle of from about 30* to about 75* from the center longitudinal axis; and means for maintaining said mixing elements in fixed longitudinal positions within said housing.

Claim 10

The device defined in claim 7 wherein the apertures in adjacent mixing elements are angularly displaced in opposite directions to cause a reversal in the rotational direction of flow of the fluids passing therethrough.

Claim 11

The device defined in claim 8 wherein each of said mixing elements are of a length equal to about one-half of their diameter and wherein said apertures are disposed at an angle of about 45* from the center longitudinal axis.

Claim 12

A fluid mixing device for installation in a fluid-carrying conduit, which comprises: an elongated tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; connecting means at either end of said housing for fluid-tightly connecting the device to a fluid conduit; a fluid conduit connection in the side of said elongated housing for connecting an additional fluid conduit laterally into said housing; a plurality of apertured mixing elements positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship within said housing, each of said mixing elements comprising a solid cylinder adapted to fit within said housing and having a length equal to about one-half of its diameter, and having a plurality of longitudinal apertures, extending the length of said cylinders, said apertures being uniformly disposed at an angle of about 45* from the center longitudinal axis, and the apertures in adjacent mixing elements being angularly displaced in opposite directions to cause a reversal in the direction of rotation of the fluids flowing therethrough; and tubular spacers adapted to fit within said housing and placed between said mixing elements to maintain said elements spaced apart in said housing.

Claim 13

A fluid mixing device for installation in a fluid-carrying conduit, which comprises: an elongated tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; connecting means at either end of said housing for fluid-tightly connecting the device to a fluid conduit; a fluid conduit connection in the side of said elongated housing for connecting an additional fluid conduit laterally into said housing; a plurality of apertured mixing elements positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship within said housing, each of said mixing elements comprising a solid cylinder adapted to fit within said housing and having a length equal to about one-half of its diameter, and having a plurality of longitudinal apertures, extending the length of said cylinders, said apertures being uniformly disposed at an angle of about 45* from the center longitudinal axis, and the apertures in adjacent mixing elements being angularly displaced in opposite directions to cause a reversal in the direction of rotation of the fluids flowing therethrough; and tubular spacers adapted to fit within said housing and placed between said mixing elements to maintain said elements spaced apart in said housing.