Patent ID: 8764279

Claim:
A static mixer comprising a mixing structure formed within a body, wherein fluid flowing through the mixing structure defines a downstream direction through the mixing structure, and wherein the mixing structure further comprises: a first layer comprising a set of discrete first Y-shaped channels spaced apart along the downstream direction, wherein each first Y-shaped channel comprises a base leg extending in the downstream direction to a branch point at which the main channel separates into a first arm and a second arm; and a second layer comprising a set of discrete second Y-shaped channels spaced apart along the downstream direction, wherein each second Y-shaped channel comprises a base leg extending in the downstream direction to a branch point at which the main channel separates into a first arm and a second arm; wherein fluid flowing in the downstream direction through the first arms of the first Y-shaped channels in the first layer passes to the base legs of the second Y-shaped channels in the second layer, and wherein fluid flowing in the downstream direction through the second arms of the first Y-shaped channels passes to the base legs of successive first Y-shaped channels in the first layer; and wherein fluid flowing in the downstream direction through the first arms of the second Y-shaped channels in the second layer passes to the base legs of the first Y-shaped channels in the first layer, and wherein fluid flowing in the downstream direction through the second arms of the second Y-shaped channels passes to the base legs of successive second Y-shaped channels in the second layer.