Abstract: Apparatus and method for sorting scrap metal pieces dependent on the type of metal therein. The apparatus includes a conveyor and a feeding arrangement to feed the scrap metal pieces on to the conveyor, together with an X-ray fluorescence detector to examine each metal piece and determine the type of metal as a result of the characteristic X-rays emitted. A respective control signal is utilized to move pegs on the conveyor so as to permit the respective metal piece to exit from the conveyor along a respective path and to enter a bin for that particular type of metal. In this way scrap metal pieces of different metal are collected in different bins for subsequent processing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 1980
Date of Patent:
March 2, 1982
Assignee:
Resource Recovery Limited
Inventors:
Reginald H. Clark, John D. MacArthur, Michael Sayer, William D. Wilder