Improvements in Agitators.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 6th May, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Agitators.
I, RICHARD SMITH, of Sherbrooke, in the County of Sherbrooke, Province of
Quebec, Dominion of Canada, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in agitators or mixing apparatus pro-
vided with a central feed and a circumferential discharge, whereby a thorough
boiling motion can be produced to more effectually mix the particles in process
and thereby make a homogeneous liquid, as paints, pulp, and like substances.
The drawings herewith presented show in Fig. 1a plan, Fig. 2 a side elevation
and Fig. 3 a vertical section on linex in Fig. of a mixing apparatus embodying
my invention.
As before premised this invention relates to that class of mixing apparatus in
which a central feed is combined with a circumferential discharge, and my improve-
ments relate to the peculiar construction, whereby the circulation or boiling action
is increased and rendered more thorough. In the present instance I have shown
at 2 a revoluble aunular plate which is concave in cross-section and of varying
curvature, this being the least at the circumference, and preferably increasing
towards the inner portion in order to cause an outward flow of those particles
which may rest upon its upper surface.
The under side is furnished with pendant vertical blades 4 tangentially disposed
see Fig. 1. and of considerable depth, while the upper side is equipped with similarly
disposed ribs 5 of much less depth.
Said plate is adapted to revolve, about a conical casting or deflector 6, which is
to be bolted down, wherever the apparatus is to be used, especially in vats employed
in paper mills for the storage of paper or wood-pulp, and where it is particularly
desirable to prevent the particles composing it from settling, so as to maintain the
whole as a homogeneous mass. Said deflector extends up within the rotary plate
which fits over it, and serves as a bearing for a driving shaft 7 which is stepped
thereupon.
To connect this annular plate 2 with the shaft I have provided arms 8. 8.
preferably radially disposed and cast integral with or bolted to the plate at one
extremity and with a central hub 9 at the opposite extremity. These arms are
positioned in the central opening 10 which serves as the feed orifice. In the present
instance the hub is interiorly screw-threaded and engages the lower end of the
shaft, likewise screw-threaded. Moreover these arms or interconnecting webs are
made as warped surfaces after the manner of propeller or screw-blades, and
coöperate with the conical deflector before mentioned.
Thus it is evident from the position of said arms during rotation of the apparatus,
that their function is to eject and crowd the liquid particles in contact therewith
against the conical deflector at the same time imparting radial movement outwardly,
which motion is superinduced by the action of the blades on the underside of the
plate 2. Furthermore such particles as can not pass through and into the central
feed opening 12, but which rest upon the upper side of said annular plate are
operated upon by the ribs 5, and the peculiar dished surface of said plate. Thus
every element in shape and function tends to force the liquid particles from the
center outwardly. Whether said particles pass through the feed opening to he
subsequently operated upon by the arms 8, 8, and blades 4, or whether they contact
upon the upper side of the annular plate, there is a conjoint effect to impart to the
particles a radial action with an upward motion.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1st. In an agitator the combination with a rotary shaft, and a series of helical
surfaced arms affixed thereupon, of a single imperforate annular plate mounted
upon the outer extremities of said arms, and a series of tangential blades secured
to the underside of said plate and extending from the inner edge of said plate.
outwardly, substantially as and for purposes specified.
2nd. In combination with a rotary shaft and a conical deflector as a step for said
shaft, a concave annular plate, a series of blades attached to the under side, à
series of ribs upon the upper side thereof, and a series of arms composed of
warped surfaces, which interconnect said plate with a central hub, substantially as
explained.
3rd. In combination with a stationary conical deflector, a revoluble shaft, and a
series of helical arms attached thereto, a circumscribing annular plate of varying
curvature in cross-section, and the tangential blades and ribs attached thereto, which
coöperate with the deflector, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of February 1893.
RICHARD SMITH.