Patent ID: 6422737
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: B01F,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for mixing dissimilar fluids, or fluids having different densities, comprising:(a) a material container defined by a tubular member having a bore shaped for closely receiving a piston, said material container having a pressure end, the pressure end having an end cap sealably attached, and a mixture end having a base plate sealably attached, the end cap having a port adapted for connecting a conduit for supplying pressurized gas to the port, the base plate having a first port adapted for connecting a conduit for supplying sample components to said to material container and a second port adapted for connecting a conduit for unloading mixed sample components from said material container, and also having an inlet bore and an outlet bore for communicating sample fluids between said material container and a pump, (b) a piston shaped for a close fit and slidably mounted within said tubular member so that the piston divides the material container into a pressure end and a mixing end, said piston assembly having at least one resilient sealing ring, (c) a pump sealably attached to the base plate, said pump communicating with the mixing chamber through an inlet bore originating in the mixing chamber and terminating at said pump, for introducing sample components therein, and an outlet bore originating at said pump and terminating in the mixing chamber for discharging mixtures therefrom, the inlet bore and the outlet bore being directed so that the discharging mixture causes a turbulent mixing action within the mixing chamber, (d) a source of compressed gas suitably connected to the first port in the end cap by a suitably sized conduit, (e) a source of power suitably connected to the pump.