Agitating – Method
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-12
2004-08-17
Soohoo, Tony G. (Department: 1723)
Agitating
Method
C366S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06776518
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a container for transporting and storing a volume of field controllable fluid, and more specifically the invention relates to a field responsive material transport and storage container where the container comprises integral means for mixing and remixing the fluid and such integral mixing means prevents exposing the housed field controllable fluid to airborne contaminants such as dust, dirt, and moisture for example.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field controllable materials such as magnetorheological (MR) and electrorheological (ER) fluids generally are used in linear acting and rotary acting devices, which more specifically comprise dampers or shock absorbers, to control the relative motion between device component parts and thereby produce the damping forces required to control or minimize shock and/or vibration in a damped system. Specific examples of devices that are actuated by a field controllable medium generally include linear dampers, rotary brakes and rotary clutches. The devices include a volume of field controllable (MR) fluid which is further comprised of soft magnetic particles dispersed within a liquid carrier. Typical particles are comprised of a carbonyl iron, and the particles have various shapes and sizes. The most preferred particles are frequently spherical with mean diameters between about 0.1 &mgr;m and about 500 &mgr;m. The particles are suspended in carrier fluids which are comprised of low viscosity hydraulic oils, and the like. In operation, the MR fluids exhibit a thickening behavior (a rheology change) upon being exposed to a magnetic field. The thickening behavior may also be referred to as a change in viscosity. The higher the strength of the field applied across the MR fluid, the greater the viscosity and the higher the motion control force or torque that can be produced by the MR device. The MR fluid is designed to ensure that in combination with the specific device, the requisite motion control forces are produced. The carrier fluid, particle size and particle density are specifically selected based on the application where the MR fluid will be used. It is essential to effective operation of the device that the particle density relative to the carrier fluid be maintained substantially constant and relatively free of contaminants. However, maintaining a field controllable fluid that is of a constant particle density and free from contaminants is difficult using prior art containers.
The field controllable fluid is typically transported in a shipping container to a destination where it is transferred to a device actuated by the controllable fluid. A portion of the total volume of the contained field controllable fluid is transferred to the device(s) and any fluid left in the container after the filling operation has been completed is stored in the container until it is needed to fill one or more additional devices. During shipment and storage in the container the field controllable fluid settles. Over time, which may be a couple of weeks for example, as the fluid settles, the stored field controllable MR fluid eventually arrives at an oil rich volume at the top of the container and higher density, iron rich volume located proximate the bottom of the container. A volume comprising a variable density or density gradient may extend between the oil rich and high density volumes of fluid. The density of the field controllable fluid must be maintained substantially constant in order to ensure that the volume delivered out of the container to an object of interest is comprised of the substantially constant density required to achieve effective operation of the device. The required substantially constant density is obtained by remixing the settled fluid before it is discharged from the container.
The field controllable fluid may be shipped in small volume containers, such as gallon containers, and when the fluid is shipped in such containers the fluid may be remixed by simply shaking the container. The container can be shaken using a well known, conventional paint shaker used to mix paint components or if the container is not too heavy, the small container may be shaken by hand. The relatively small container can be kept closed during storage and mixing and only needs to be opened when it is necessary to acquire a volume of the field responsive fluid. As a result, the level of exposure of the field responsive fluid housed in a small container to airborne contaminants is relatively low.
More frequently the field responsive material is shipped and stored in containers that are large, and such containers may be comprised of fifty-five gallon drums or tote containers with a larger volume that the drums for example. It is more difficult to remix the contents of the large containers than it is to remix the contents of the small containers due to the significant weight of the fluid in the large containers. Additionally, the level of exposure of the field responsive fluid housed in a large container to airborne contaminants is high. Commercially available large shipping containers for such fluid must be opened each time it is necessary to remix the field controllable fluid. A discrete mixing element is placed in the container and immersed in the fluid and then the motor for driving the member is connected to the mixing element and the motor is then actuated. During the period when the container is opened, airborne contaminants and other matter are entrained into the container chamber where they become commingled with the field controllable fluid. The commingled contaminants can negatively affect the density and functionality of the field controllable material. Additionally, not only does opening the container offer the opportunity for contaminants to enter the container, but it also offers the material in the container the opportunity to splash or spill out of the container. Loss of a significant volume of material can permanently, negatively affect the density of the material.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present containers for transporting and storing field responsive material. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative container is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention this is accomplished by providing a combination that comprises a container having a first container end, a second container end and a wall extending between the first and second container ends. The container defining a chamber and the first and second container ends are closed. The container further comprises an inlet port and a discharge port; a mixing element located in the chamber; a driven member comprising a first member end made integral with the mixing element and a second member end located outside of the chamber, the second member end including a first coupling means. A motive force supplying means is adapted to be removably located at one container end, and the motive force supplying means comprises second coupling means adapted to be coupled with the first coupling means to drive the driven member and integral mixing element. A volume of a field responsive material is housed in the chamber. The driven member and mixing element remain within the chamber during filling, mixing and remixing and discharging the chamber contents. The chamber is never opened thereby preventing contaminants from relocating into the chamber.
The field responsive material may be comprised of a magnetorheological or electrorheological fluid. Most preferably the mixing element is comprised of a cylindrical squirrel cage. The discharge port may be located along the sidewall, along the second container end or along the lid member that closes the first container end. The lid is maintained at the first container end by a coupling member and removal of the coupling member is prevented by a tamper evidence member.
The foregoing and
Adams Gary W.
Byrd Eric T.
Gartland Scott D.
Kintz K. Andrew
Nixon Donald A.
Lord Corporation
Murphy III Edward F.
Soohoo Tony G.
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