US4246041A — Method and apparatus for cleaning a rotary agitat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 137 words

In a method of cleaning a rotary agitator extending along the axis of a reactor and having a surface of revolution parallel with the axis of the reactor passing in close proximity to the walls of the reactor, comprising introducing an unconfined jet stream of pressurized liquid from a nozzle through an opening in the reactor wall from near the outside of the surface of revolution over which the agitator sweeps during its rotation into contact with the agitator, the cross-section of the surface of revolution perpendicular to the axis of the reactor being a maximum at every point along the axis, and oscillating the nozzle so that the jet of pressurized liquid introduced through the opening in the reactor wall oscillates in a plane passing substantially through the axis of the reactor while rotating the agitator.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 137 words

In a method of cleaning a rotary agitator extending along the axis of a reactor and having a surface of revolution parallel with the axis of the reactor passing in close proximity to the walls of the reactor, comprising introducing an unconfined jet stream of pressurized liquid from a nozzle through an opening in the reactor wall from near the outside of the surface of revolution over which the agitator sweeps during its rotation into contact with the agitator, the cross-section of the surface of revolution perpendicular to the axis of the reactor being a maximum at every point along the axis, and oscillating the nozzle so that the jet of pressurized liquid introduced through the opening in the reactor wall oscillates in a plane passing substantially through the axis of the reactor while rotating the agitator.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the angle of oscillation of the jet of pressurized liquid is from 30 to 170 degrees.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 118 words

In an apparatus having an agitator extending along the axis of a reactor, mounted for rotational movement about the axis of the reactor and having a surface of revolution parallel to the axis of the reactor passing in close proximity to the walls of the reactor, the improvement comprising a reactor housing having at least one opening in one wall of the reactor, an injection nozzle mounted immediately outwardly of the interior surface of said wall for introducing an unconfined jet stream of pressurized liquid through said opening into contact with the agitator, means for oscillating the nozzle in a plane passing substantially through the axis of the reactor and means for rotating the agitator within the reactor.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 118 words

In an apparatus having an agitator extending along the axis of a reactor, mounted for rotational movement about the axis of the reactor and having a surface of revolution parallel to the axis of the reactor passing in close proximity to the walls of the reactor, the improvement comprising a reactor housing having at least one opening in one wall of the reactor, an injection nozzle mounted immediately outwardly of the interior surface of said wall for introducing an unconfined jet stream of pressurized liquid through said opening into contact with the agitator, means for oscillating the nozzle in a plane passing substantially through the axis of the reactor and means for rotating the agitator within the reactor.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the injection nozzle is mounted for oscillation through an angle of from 30 to 170 degrees.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 which includes a nozzle carrier for support of the injection nozzle and means for mounting the carrier onto the reactor housing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 69 words

A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the means for oscillating the injection nozzle comprises a stationary shaft, means mounting the nozzle carrier on the shaft for rotational movement about the shaft as the axis, a crank rigidly connected to the nozzle carrier, a motor driven cam, and a rod pivotally connected at one end to the crank and at the other end to the cam.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 41 words

A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 6 which includes a source of pressurized liquid, and a hollow shaft about which the nozzle carrier oscillates and which is connected to the source of pressurized liquid for supplying liquid to the nozzle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 60 words

A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the nozzle carrier has three components, namely, a central element rigidly connected to the injection nozzle and two lateral elements rigidly connected to the central element, and an annular space between the shaft and the central element which communicates with the inside of the shaft and with the injection nozzle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 58 words

A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 7 which includes a stirrup-piece rigid with the shaft, a U-shaped beam supporting the stirrup-piece and a plate to which the beam is rigidly connected, said plate having an opening for the passage of a pipe connecting the nozzle to the liquid supply source and for passage of the rod therethrough.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 31 words

A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 which includes a neck tube extending from the reactor and about the opening, and means for mounting the nozzle in the neck tube.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-01-20	1984-07-21	1985-01-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-01-20	1988-07-21	1989-01-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-01-20	1992-07-21	1993-01-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for cleaning a rotary agitator in a reactor

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag