Patent Application
20090166449
This invention relates to the field of mixing chemicals and more particularly to a device for thoroughly mixing liquid chemicals with a liquid carrier such as water.
For certain applications, various chemicals must be mixed with a carrier such as water before use or application. For example, when treating a lawn with fertilizer or insecticide, the concentrated liquid fertilizer or insecticide is mixed with water and the combined mixture is applied to the lawn with a spraying device. It is important that the liquid fertilizer or insecticide be mixed thoroughly with the water to prevent “burning” of the lawn or uneven application that might result in a striped lawn (darker where fertilizer is applied and lighter where no fertilizer is applied).
Previously, for lawn application, a stream of water drives a chemical pump. The device that converts the flow of water into a reciprocating motion to drive the chemical pump is known as a water motor. The water motor drives the chemical pump in relationship to the flow of water, thereby providing an amount of chemicals proportional to the flow of water. Previously, chemicals flowing from the output port of the chemical pump were simply injected into the water conduit at the exit of the water motor where the sprayer is attached. This simple method of mixing the liquid chemicals with water proved to be less than effective, delivering an uneven mix of chemicals and water due to the pulsed delivery of the liquid chemicals and a lack of turbulence in the delivery system.
What is needed is a device that will thoroughly mix liquid chemicals with a liquid carrier.
In one embodiment, a device for mixing chemicals into a flow of a liquid is disclosed including a mixing chamber and an input port at a first end of the mixing chamber. The input port has an input connection for accepting a flow of the liquid and a plurality of input port channels. The input port channels direct the flow of the liquid from the input connection to the mixing chamber at an angle with respect to an inner wall of the mixing chamber. Located close to the input port is a chemical input orifice for accepting a chemical into the mixing chamber. Located at a distal end of the mixing chamber is an output port that has an output connection for discharging a mixture of the liquid and the chemical and a plurality of output port channels. The output port channels direct a flow of the mixture angularly with respect to the inner wall of the mixing chamber to the output connection.
In another embodiment, a method of mixing chemicals into a flow of a liquid is disclosed including providing a turbulator mixing device comprising a mixing chamber with an input port at a first end. The input port has an input connection for accepting the flow of the liquid and a plurality of input port channels. The input port channels direct the flow of the liquid from the input connection to the mixing chamber at an angle with respect to an inner wall of the mixing chamber. Located close to the input port is a chemical input orifice for accepting a chemical into the mixing chamber. At a distal end of the mixing chamber is an output port that has an output connection for discharging a mixture of the liquid and the chemical and a plurality of output port channels. The output port channels direct the flow of the mixture angularly with respect to the inner wall of the mixing chamber and out the output connection. The method continues with providing a flow of the liquid into the input port; providing the chemical into the chemical input orifice; and directing the mixture from the output port onto a target of the application.
In another embodiment, a device for mixing chemicals into a flow of a liquid is disclosed including a mixing chamber and a device for accepting a flow of liquid into the mixing chamber that has a device for accepting the flow of the liquid (e.g., an input port) and devices for channeling the liquid into the mixing chamber directing the flow of the liquid at an angle with respect to an inner wall of the mixing chamber. Another device accepts a chemical into the mixing chamber. Another device situated at a distal end of the mixing chamber outputs a mixture of the liquid and the chemical from the mixing chamber and has a device for discharging the mixture and devices for channeling the mixture from the mixing chamber to the device for discharging the mixture angularly with respect to the inner wall of the mixing chamber.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
Throughout this description, an example of a lawn care application is used, mixing lawn chemicals proportionately with water before applying to a lawn. This is meant to be an example and the present invention is applicable to other situations where two liquids are mixed.
Referring to
Prior to the present invention, the output 74 of the chemical pump 70 was directly coupled to the output coupling 54 of the water motor 50. This configuration did not provide a thorough mix of lawn chemicals with the flowing water. for example, the lawn chemicals would stream on one side of the flow or, since the chemical pump 70 is a reciprocating pump, periods of chemical flow would be followed by periods of no chemical flow.
To rectify this situation and the lawn care problems that result, a turbulator mixing chamber 10 is provided. The turbulator mixing chamber 10 provides a chamber in which the chemicals are mixed thoroughly with the water by eddy currents. An input port 14 of the turbulator mixing chamber 10 interfaces with the source of water (in this case the output 54 of the water motor 50). The water travels through agitation tubes in the input end 16 of the turbulator mixing chamber 10, providing turbulent water within the main cylinder 18 where the lawn chemicals are inserted through a connection interface 12. As the water and the lawn chemicals travel down the main cylinder 18, they thoroughly mix. An output port 20, similar to the input port 16, is at a distal end of the main cylinder 18, further agitates the water and lawn chemicals and directs the water flow out an output orifice 22. It is anticipated that a conduit 24 such as a hose is attached to the output orifice 22.
In the preferred embodiment, the input port 16 and output port 20 are affixed to the main cylinder 18 with screws 30, although in other embodiments, the input port 16 and output port 20 are affixed to the main cylinder 18 with other means known in the industry including, but not limited to, rivets, welding, electrostatic welding, adhesive, pins, etc.
Referring to
The main cylinder 18 has a chemical input port 14 for accepting liquid chemicals into the main cylinder 18, for mixing with water (or other fluid). In general, the input port 16 and output port 20 are symmetrical, though this is not a requirement. Water flow enters the turbulator mixing chamber 10 through the input connection interface 14 of the input port 16. Within the input port 16, the water is directed through channels 35 to an outer circumference of the input port 16, where the input port 16 resides within the main cylinder 18. As will be seen, there is a clearance between the outer circumference of the input port 16 and the inner circumference of the main cylinder 18 in which the water flows from the input port 16 into the main cylinder 18, thereby causing turbulence and eddies. In some embodiments, the main cylinder 18 is affixed to the input port 16 by screws (not shown) passing through holes 31 in the main cylinder 18 and into holes 33 (preferably threaded or self-tapping) in the input port 16.
Water exiting the turbulator mixing chamber 10 passes through the output port 20 (similar to the input port 16). Within the output port 20, the water is directed over the outer circumference of the output port 20 and into channels 40. The channels 40 culminate in the output orifice 22 (not visible) for delivery outside of the turbulator mixing chamber 10. There is a clearance between the outer circumference of the output port 20 and the inner circumference of the main cylinder 18 in which the water flows from the main cylinder 18 to the output port 20 output interface 22, thereby further creating turbulence and eddies. In some embodiments, the main cylinder 18 is affixed to the output port 20 by screws (not shown) passing through holes 31 in the main cylinder 18 and into holes 33 (preferably threaded or self-tapping) in the output port 20.
Referring to
Chemicals are pumped into the main cylinder 18 through an orifice 12. The orifice is situated at a location on the wall of the main cylinder 18, preferable near the input port 16 or at a location on the wall of the main cylinder 18, preferably between the mid-point of the main cylinder 18 and the input port 16.
Water exiting the turbulator mixing chamber 10 passes through the output port 20 (similar to the input port 16). Within the output port 20, the water is directed over the outer circumference of the output port 20 and into channels 40. The channels 40 culminate in the output orifice 22 for delivery outside of the turbulator mixing chamber 10. There is a clearance between the outer circumference of the output port 20 and the inner circumference of the main cylinder 18 in which the water flows from the main cylinder 18 through the output port channels 40 to the output port 20 output interface 22, thereby further creating turbulence and eddies. In some embodiments, the main cylinder 18 is affixed to the output port 20 by screws 30 passing through holes 31 in the main cylinder 18 and into holes 33 in the output port 20.
Referring to
The lawn chemicals from the pump 70 are directed through a feed tube 74 through an orifice 12 and into the main cylinder 18, preferably near the input port 16. The water and chemicals mix thoroughly as they travel down the main cylinder 18 and are forced through the output clearance 39 between the inside surface of the main cylinder 18 and the outer circumference of the output port 20. From there, the mixture exits through the output port 20 channels 40 where they culminate in the output port interface connection 22. From there, the mixture flows through an attached conduit 24 for application to the lawn. The clearance 39 is any clearance that will provide maximum turbulence and does not necessarily match the example shown; a narrower clearance is preferred.
Referring to
Referring to
Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.
It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
