Patent ID: 7070317
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: B01F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of mixing fluid comprising: isolating a fluid to be mixed in a container; providing a mixing structure comprising a shaft extending along an axis, a support mounted to said shaft for rotation therewith, a number of vanes mounted for rotation with said support and extending outwardly from said support, said vanes having an inner edge and an outer edge, said vanes having a first end and a second end, a first portion of each of said vanes at said first ends thereof positioned closer to said axis than a second portion of said vanes at said second ends thereof, said vanes spaced apart from one another and defining openings there between through which fluid may flow, said vanes at said first ends thereof positioned closer to one another than said vanes at said second ends thereof; positioning said structure in said container containing fluid to be mixed; and rotating said mixing structure within said fluid within said container, drawing said fluid into said mixing structure, expelling said fluid radially outward towards said inner edges of said vanes at said first portions thereof, shearing said fluid as it impacts said inner edges of said vanes and passes through said opening between said vanes, and trapping undispersed materials when such materials are present within said fluid at said second portions of said vanes within said mixing structure.