Stirring system

Abstract

A modular reactor system comprises a backplane connected to a computer and a thermal control unit. The backplane includes a plurality of seats for releasably holding a plurality of modules. Each module holds a reactor vessel that may be used to conduct experiments. A plurality of laboratory instruments, such as motors, switches, sensors and pumps are included within the backplane and on the reactor modules. These laboratory instruments are utilized to perform work on the contents of the reactor vessels when the modules holding the reactor vessels are positioned in the backplane. A computer is connected to the backplane and controls the laboratory instruments within the backplane and on the reactor modules positioned within the backplane. A thermal control unit provides a thermal control fluid that is delivered to the reactors in the reactor modules when the modules are properly seated in the backplane.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An experimental solution stirrer comprising, 
 a movable motor, and    a motor shaft operably connected to the motor such that when the motor is energized, the motor shaft rotates.    
     
     
         2 . The stirrer of  claim 1 , wherein the movable motor is connected to a gimbal.  
     
     
         3 . The stirrer of  claim 2 , wherein the gimbal is mounted on a support housing of a modular reactor system.  
     
     
         4 . The stirrer of  claim 1 , wherein the movable motor is movable by rotation about two different axes.  
     
     
         5 . The stirrer of  claim 1 , the stirrer further comprising 
 a means for counterbalancing, such that when the motor is moved to a position, the motor is maintained in that position by the means for counterbalancing.    
     
     
         6 . The stirrer of  claim 5 , the stirrer further comprising 
 a mount for mounting the motor, the mount comprising the means for counterbalancing.    
     
     
         7 . The stirrer of  claim 6 , wherein the means for counterbalancing comprises at least one counterbalance arm.  
     
     
         8 . The stirrer of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one counterbalance arm is movable relative to the mount.  
     
     
         9 . The stirrer of  claim 6  wherein the means for counterbalancing further comprises the motor, such that counterbalancing is provided by positioning the motor within the mount.  
     
     
         10 . The stirrer of  claim 1 , wherein the motor shaft is operably engagable with a stir shaft to form a universal joint.  
     
     
         11 . The stirrer of  claim 10 , wherein the motor shaft comprises a telescoping portion.  
     
     
         12 . The stirrer of  claim 11 , wherein the stir shaft is sized so as to be insertable through a lid port on a reactor vessel.  
     
     
         13 . A stirrer system for use in stirring the contents of a reactor vessel comprising, 
 a mount movable by rotation about two different axes,    a motor mounted to the mount,    a motor shaft operably connected to the motor,    a stir shaft, operably engagable with the motor shaft through a universal joint.    
     
     
         14 . The stirrer system of  claim 13 , wherein the mount is a gimbal.  
     
     
         15 . The stirrer of  claim 14 , wherein the gimbal is connected to a support housing of a modular reactor system.  
     
     
         16 . The stirrer system of  claim 13  further comprising at least one counterbalance arm operably connected to the mount.  
     
     
         17 . The stirrer system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one counterbalance arm is movable relative to the mount.  
     
     
         18 . The stirrer system of  claim 13 , wherein the motor shaft comprises a telescoping portion  
     
     
         19 . The stirrer system of  claim 13  wherein the stirrer system further comprising a coupling, the coupling engagable with the motor shaft and the stirrer shaft.  
     
     
         20 . A method of stirring a solution comprising the steps of 
 providing a movable motor with a motor shaft operably connected to the motor,    operably connecting the motor shaft to a stir shaft by use of a universal joint, and energizing the motor.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of operably connecting the motor shaft to a stir shaft comprises the step of 
 moving a telescoping portion of the motor shaft.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the step of providing a movable motor comprises the step of 
 providing a movable motor movable by rotation about two different axes, and the step of operably connecting the motor shaft to a stir shaft comprises the steps of    rotating the motor about at least one of the two different axes from a first position to a second position.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of providing a movable motor comprises the step of providing a motor mounted to a gimbal.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of 
 counterbalancing the movable motor, such that the movable motor tends to remain in the second position.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of 
 providing a stir shaft sized so as to be insertable through a lid port on a reactor vessel, and    inserting the stir shaft into the port of a reactor vessel.