Patent ID: 6193409
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: B01F,F16J,Y10S

Abstract:
An agitator for a tank, said agitator having an impeller and a drive shaft and seal assembly allowing for clean-in-place operation with said agitator mounted through a sidewall a tank, the drive shaft having an inboard end and a longitudinal shaft axis, the impeller being operatively connected to inboard end of the shaft for agitating fluid within the tank in response to rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis, said drive shaft and seal assembly comprising a stationary seal for contacting the tank sidewall and a rotary seal mounted to said shaft and positioned for contacting said stationary seal, said rotary seal having a spring captured between a pair of end caps, one of said end caps being fixedly mounted to said shaft and the other of said end caps being located nearest said stationary seal, and a shaft mounted pusher positioned outboard of said stationary seal so that as said shaft is moved into position for clean-in-place operation said pusher mechanically engages said stationary seal and separates it from said sidewall and as said shaft is moved into operation position said rotary seal mechanically engages said stationary seal and the spring urges them together and against the sidewall, said stationary seal comprising a compound construction including a bonded metallic portion and an elastomeric portion being positioned to contact said rotary seal.