Patent ID: 6827479
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: B01F,F04B

Abstract:
A uniform small particle homogenizer for a liquid product comprising:a) a hydraulic system having a pair of hydraulic cylinders and a direction control valve in communication with each hydraulic cylinder, which activates each cylinder in an opposed reciprocating sequence, b) a pair of single-acting product flow intensifier cylinder pump pumps driven by the hydraulic system, wherein each of the intensifier cylinder pumps have a power stroke side and a suction stroke side, and are each rigidly affixed onto each hydraulic cylinder such that wherein when the hydraulic cylinder reciprocates linear action is transferred to the intensifier cylinder pumps, c) a pair of proximity sensors interfacing with each intensifier cylinder pumps detecting forward and rearward position, d) a product reservoir in fluid communication through an inlet check valve to each product flow intensifier cylinder pump, which provides a liquid product thereunto, e) a outlet check valve connected to each intensifier cylinder pump, thus creating a pump action of the liquid product form each intensifier cylinder pump to elevate the product pressure, and f) an interaction chamber having at least a pair of nozzles in fluid communication with the pressurized product form both cylinder pumps, wherein said opposed action of the product cylinder pumps produced a constant product flow rate that approaches complete uniformity of particle size sequentially exiting the nozzles, and g) an electronic microprocessor control system having means for monitoring and regulating the reciprocating sequence of the hydraulic cylinders, timing means for controlling the sequential operation of each intensifier cylinder pump such that the power stroke of each cylinder pump is timed to alternately produce a flow of product through the pump with a precisely timed flow overlap period from alternating pumps since the power stroke takes a longer time than the suction stroke, control by the microprocessor of the instant each alternating power stroke is started, a constant product flow-rate entering the interaction chamber is achieved to eliminate large variances in pressure therefore achieving uniformity in product particle size.