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Integrated mixing pumpIntegrated mixing pump description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070286745, Integrated mixing pump. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]The present invention generally relates to a mixing system. More particularly, the invention relates to a mixing system for pumping two or more liquids from storage tanks to a supply tank. [0003]2. Background Art [0004]There are numerous situations in which it is necessary to pump a mixture of fluids created from multiple sources. In the chemical industry and the fuel industry, it is desirable to control proportions within a mixture. For example, offshore oil drilling rigs often use water based fluids for hydraulic power for subsea control systems. Hydraulic fluids are typically low viscosity fluids used for the transmission of useful power by the flow of the fluid under pressure from a power source to a load. A liquid hydraulic fluid generally transmits power by virtue of its displacement under a state of stress with low compressibility. [0005]Hydraulic power is often used to actuate subsea tools. One example of a subsea control system that uses hydraulic power is a blowout preventer ("BOP"). A BOP forms a seal around drill string to seal off well-head pressure when an area of high pressure, such as a high pressure gas pocket, has been contacted during drilling. A BOP may use hydraulic fluid to actuate numerous components of the BOP. For example, hydraulic actuators may be used to move BOP rams axially within a bonnet assembly in a direction generally perpendicular to a wellbore axis. [0006]At present, many conventional hydraulic fluids are not suitable for subsea applications due to their low tolerance to sea water contamination or to contamination by hydrocarbons. For example, conventional hydraulic fluids tend to readily form emulsions with small amounts of hydrocarbons. Furthermore, in marine environments, problems may arise due to bacterial infestations in the hydraulic fluid, especially from anaerobic bacteria, such as sulfate reducing bacteria prevalent in sea water. Additionally, though some conventional hydraulic fluids are substantially non-corrosion-resistant, many, in fact, cause corrosion with metals in contact with the fluid. Other conventional hydraulic fluids are reactive with paints, metal coatings, and elastomeric substances. Further, depending on the location of the control systems in which hydraulic fluids are used, the freezing point of the hydraulic fluid may need to be lowered. [0007]Accordingly, in order to create a hydraulic fluid that may be used in a particular system, multiple additives may be combined with a base fluid. The majority of base fluids are potable water. In some instances, a hydraulic or BOP control fluid concentrate may be added to potable water. Control fluid concentrates are additive fluids that may be used, for example, to provide lubricity for moving parts in the control system, prevent corrosion of ferrous metal alloys, provide anti-wear properties, and provide a biocide. A biocide, also known as a bactericide, is an additive that prevents growth of micro-organisms. Commercially available examples of control fluid concentrates include Erifon HD 603HP, provided by MacDermid (Pasadena, Tex.), and Stack Magic, provided by Houghton Offshore (Houston, Tex.). At standard dilution ratios, control fluid concentrates and working fluids may be used at temperatures down to 32.degree. F. (0.degree. C.). In instances having operational temperatures below 32.degree. F. (0.degree. C.), a glycol additive may be used to lower the freezing point of the hydraulic fluid. [0008]These fluids (working and additive fluids) are commonly mixed on a rig and stored in a supply tank. The ratio of the components of the mixture must be accurate enough to provide the right amount of biocide, lubricity, wear, and anti-freeze protection. Incorrect ratios of the components of the mixture may cause premature wear or failure of control system components. Alternatively, excess additive amounts are costly. [0009]Generally, once the ratios of components of a control system fluid are determined for a particular application, the ratio does not change. However, if the ratio is changed, it is usually based on a change in operational temperature to accommodate fluctuations for the need of glycol. [0010]Currently, there are generally two types of mixing systems used to mix multiple fluids into a hydraulic fluid for use in subsea control systems. The first mixing system includes an individual pump and motor for each fluid component. In this system, each component fluid may be stored in a separate storage tank and separate motor driven pumps supply each component fluid to a supply tank. Accordingly, variations in the calibrations of the pumps or variations in the water supply pressure may result in an inaccurate mixture. Additionally, failure of a single motor may result in an inaccurate mixture. Further, as space is limited on ocean rigs, it is often difficult to provide sufficient space for three storage tanks, three pumps, and three motors, in addition to a supply tank. [0011]A second, less common, mixing system includes a single motor with multiple drive belts coupled to multiple pumps. In this system, each component fluid may be stored in a separate storage tank and separate pumps driven by a single common motor with multiple belt drives supply each component to a supply tank. Variations in water supply pressure, however, may result in inaccurate mixture ratio. Additionally, maintenance of the belt drives and pulleys for the belt drives may cause variations in the mixture ratio. Further, as pump calibration is critical to maintaining a desired ration, variations in the calibrations of the pumps may result in inaccurate mixtures. [0012]Accordingly, there exists a need for a mixing system that provides accurate ratios of each component of a mixture. Additionally, there exists a need for accurate ratios of each component of a mixture when fluid inlet pressures may vary. Further, there exists a need for a mixing system that requires a small amount of space on an ocean rig. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0013]In one aspect, the present invention relates to a mixing pump having a power cylinder and a second cylinder, wherein one of the power cylinder and the second cylinder is interchangeable between single and double acting and wherein a working fluid is supplied to the power cylinder under pressure. [0014]In another aspect, the present invention relates to a mixing pump including a power cylinder, a second cylinder, and a third cylinder, wherein a working fluid is supplied to the power cylinder under pressure. [0015]In another aspect, the present invention relates to a mixing pump including a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a piston assembly. Preferably, a first piston of the piston assembly divides the first cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber and a second piston of the piston assembly divides the second cylinder into a third chamber and a fourth chamber. Preferably, a pressurized working fluid is connected to a switching mechanism wherein the switching mechanism is configured to alternately communicate the pressurized working fluid between the first and second chambers of the first cylinder to displace the first piston. Preferably, a first additive fluid is connected to an inlet of one of the third and the fourth chambers of the second cylinder, wherein the pressurized working fluid and the additive fluid are outputted to a supply tank as the piston assembly reciprocates within the fist and second cylinders. [0016]Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0017]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a mixing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0018]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a mixing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0019]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a mixing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0020]FIG. 4 is a chart of volume ratios of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Continue reading about Integrated mixing pump... Full patent description for Integrated mixing pump Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Integrated mixing pump patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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