Abstract:
An application for a device for mixing chemicals into a flow of a liquid includes 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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    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. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    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). 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a device that will thoroughly mix liquid chemicals with a liquid carrier. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    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: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a device of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention in operation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front plan view of an end cap of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an end cap of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a device of the present invention is shown. Although not part of the present invention, a water motor  50  is shown. For many lawn chemical companies, water is used to dilute lawn chemicals such as liquid fertilizer and liquid insecticide. The water is either stored in a tank on a truck or provided from a typical water tap. The water motor  50  accepts the water in an inlet pipe  52  and using a diaphram  56 , uses the flow of water to invoke a reciprocal motion of a shaft  58 . Note various water motors are possible. The shaft  58  is coupled to a pump  70  and the pump is fed with a supply of the lawn chemicals from an input line  72 . The water motor  50  provides a proportional chemical supply, in that, as the user accesses a greater flow, the water motor  50  drives the chemical pump  70  at a greater speed, thereby adding a proportional amount of chemicals to the water. 
         [0018]    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. 
         [0019]    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 . 
         [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the present invention is shown. The main cylinder  18  is preferably a cylinder, though in other embodiments, it is of other cross-sectional shapes such as an octagonal cross section, etc. In some embodiments, the number of sides (e.g., 8 for octagon), match the number of channels  35 / 40 , one per side. 
         [0022]    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 . 
         [0023]    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 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view of the present invention is shown. The main cylinder  18  is preferably a cylinder. The main cylinder  18  has a chemical input port  14  for accepting liquid chemicals into the main cylinder  18 , for mixing with water. 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  30  passing through holes  31  in the main cylinder  18  and into holes  33  in the input port  16 . 
         [0025]    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 . 
         [0026]    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 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cross-sectional view of the present invention in operation is shown. Water enters the water motor  50  through an inlet pipe  52  and using a diaphram  56 , the water motor  50  invokes a reciprocal motion of a shaft  58 . The shaft  58  is coupled to a pump  70  and the pump is fed with a supply of the lawn chemicals from an input line  72 . Water exits the water motor  50  through, for example, a pipe  54 . The turbulator mixing chamber  10  input connection  14  connects to the flow of water from the pipe  54  and directs the water flow though the channels  35  in the input port  16 . The water flows through a clearance  37  between the inner wall of the main cylinder  18  and the outer circumference of the input port  16  thereby creating a turbulent flow of water through the main cylinder  18 . The clearance  37  is any clearance that will provide maximum turbulence and does not necessarily comply with the example shown; a narrower clearance is preferred. 
         [0028]    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. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a front plan view of an input and output port of the present invention is shown. For the input port  16 , water flows in through the input connection  14 , then through the channels  35  and into the main cylinder  18  (not shown in this figure). For the output port  20 , the mixture flows through the channels  40 , culminating in the output connection  22 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a side cross-sectional view of an end cap of the present invention is shown. For the input port  16 , water flows in through the input connection  14 , then through the channels  35  and into the main cylinder  18  (not shown in this figure). For the output port  20 , the mixture flows through the channels  40 , culminating in the output connection  22 . Although any number of channels is anticipated, six to ten channels are sufficient. Although the channels are shown interfacing with the input connection  14  and output connection  22  at right angles, other angles are anticipated for providing various levels of turbulence and there is no limitation that all input channels  35  and/or output channels  40  are situated at the same angle, thereby allowing for a variation in the angle and trajectory of the liquid flow. In some embodiments, the channels  35 / 40  are curved toward the main cylinder  18 . 
         [0031]    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. 
         [0032]    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.