Abstract: A method and system for splitting fluid flow in an outlet of a particle separation device is provided. The system may include static or passive mechanisms or subsystems. These mechanisms could also be modular and interchangeable to provide for preset fluid split divisions of 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, . . . etc. In other forms of the presently described embodiments, the system is adjustable and variable. In still another form of the presently described embodiments, the system allows for differential pressure control at the outlets to facilitate the flow of varying size particles or particle bands in the respective channels or paths.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for removing heavy metals such as gold from sand. A mixture of sand and metals is placed in a hollow tube which has an open end, an opposite closed end at a relatively lower position, an exterior, and an interior formed into spiral grooves. The grooves are arranged in a helical fashion so that metal caught in the grooves is carried toward the open end of the tube as the tube is rotated. Water is supplied to the tube to mix with the sand and metal, so that rotation of the tube causes relatively heavy metal to be washed from the sand and water mixture into the grooves. The mechanism can be transported to a location where heavy metals naturally occur in sand or other materials.

Abstract: A washing liquid distribution system includes a spiral separator having a plurality of flights, each flight including at least one receiving cup for distributing liquid onto the flight. A directional outlet nozzle is mounted in cup for providing a horizontal outlet stream of a liquid. The nozzle is both rotatably and releasably mounted in a recess at the bottom of the cup. One or more outlet openings in a variety of geometric shapes to provide the desired outlet stream of wash liquid.

Abstract: A static device and method of making is disclosed for mixing matter flowing therethrough. The invention comprises a tube having a polygonic cross section defining a plurality of corners. The tube is spirally twisted with the plurality of corners forming a plurality of helixes for causing the matter flowing through the tube to rotate in accordance with the plurality of helixes. In a first embodiment of the invention, the static device provides a static mixing device. In a second embodiment of the invention, the static device includes a plurality of apertures defined in the helix for providing a static separating device.

Abstract: A system for delivering the same or differing controllable amounts of washing liquid to several flights of a spiral separator including a housing, a plurality of spaced members having a respective generally vertical passage communicating with fluid in the housing and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. A plurality of fluid passageways respectively communicate with the members to provide the same or differing amounts of liquid to each of the flights. The distributor housing may include a central liquid receiving chamber, a plurality of spaced compartments located in proximity with the chamber, a plurality of passages throughwhich fluid flows into fluid passageways respectively coupled to the compartments, a single flow controller rotatable therein to expose different portions of said passages at every rotation thereby varying the liquid flow to each compartment.

Abstract: A system for delivering the same or differing controllable amounts of washing liquid to several flights of a spiral separator including a housing, a plurality of spaced members having a respective generally vertical passage communicating with fluid in the housing and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. A plurality of fluid passageways respectively communicate with the members to provide the same or differing amounts of liquid to each of the flights. The distributor housing may include a central liquid receiving chamber, a plurality of spaced compartments located in proximity with the chamber, a plurality of passages through which fluid flows into fluid passageways respectively coupled to the compartments, a single flow controller rotatable therein to expose different portions of said passages at every rotation thereby varying the liquid flow to each compartment.

Abstract: A separator pan (18) is set into a rearwardly leaning position (FIG. 6). A lower portion of the pan (18) is positioned inside a bucket (10). The pan (18) is mounted for rotation on a frame (20). The frame (20) includes hooks (42) that hook onto the upper rim (32) of the bucket (10). The support leg or brace (82) projects rearwardly from a lower portion of the frame (20) to contact the sidewall (28) of the bucket (10), and establish a lean angle of the pan (18). The pan (18) is detachable from the frame (20) and the pan (18) and the frame (20) are sized to be placed inside of the bucket (10) so that the bucket (10) can be used for transporting and storing the assembly when it is not being used.

Abstract: A plurality of water cups (80) are mounted at the outer periphery of a rotating gold pan (12). In use, the gold pan (12) is supported in a rearwardly leaning position with a lower edge portion in water. During rotation of the gold pan (12), the water cups (80) collect water as they rotate into and through the water. The water cups (80) lift the collected water as they rotate up out of the water. The water cups (80) release water that they carry into the gold pan (12). The released water helps separate gold particles from other particulate material and moves substantially clean gold particles along the valleys (69) of the bottom wall (52) of the gold pan (12) to a hub cup (54).

Abstract: A traditional gold pan 10 with a flat center base 11 with a spiral sidewall guide 20 from the pan rim 13 to the pan base 11 is pivotably mounted to a stand at its top, adjustably secured in a selective tilt orientation, and continuously rotated by a drive motor.

Abstract: A separator for separating gold particles from ore including a rotatable pan, and frame for mounting the pan through a recessed hub cup assembly at an angle from horizontal. The pan includes a frusto-conical side wall. The pan inner surface also includes a riffle spiraling inwardly from the outer end of the side wall to create loops that spiral to the hub cup. The riffle and the pan inner surface form a slide track in which the gold particles move along the riffle to reach the hub cup. One of the improvements includes a plurality of agitator knobules that are positioned between the loops of the riffle. Another feature is an easily removable insert cup inside the hub cup for easy collection of gold. In use, ore is introduced into the pan during rotation. Particles are agitated by the knobules to separate the particles from the ore and aid the particles down the slide track, moving the particles inwardly along the riffle into the insert cup.

Abstract: A traditional gold pan 10 with a flat center base 11 with a spiral sidewall guide 20 from a vertical pan rim 13 to the pan base 11 incorporates a plurality of obtuse flukes 30 on the spiral extending into the spiral path to disrupt smooth flow of water and mineral matter. A spiralling guide is also provided on the base 11 leading to a cup 60 at the pan center. On the spiralling base guide 40 is a plurality of stratifiers extending from the guide base 40 into an outer spiral path. The pan is continuously rotated by an electric motor linked to the back of the by a belt and pulley.

Abstract: A separator pan (10) is set into a rearwardly leaning position (FIG. 4 ). A lower portion of the pan sidewall (28) slopes downwardly as it extends outwardly from the pan bottom (12). A spiral rib (32), inside of the pan (10) slopes upwardly as it extends axially outwardly from the interior of the pan (10). Pan (10) is rotated in a direction causing the spiral rib (32) to coil inwardly. Large particles of gold ore, introduced into the pan (10), gravitate out from the pan, owing to the sloping nature of the lower portion of pan sidewall (28). Smaller particles, including small particles of gold, are trapped between spiral rib (32) and sidewall (28) and bottom wall (12) of pan (10). As the pan (10) rotates, these small particles are moved inwardly and into a hub cup (14).

Abstract: A separator pan (10) is set into a rearwardly leaning ng position (FIG. 4). A lower portion of the pan sidewall (28) slopes downwardly as it extends outwardly from the pan bottom (12). A spiral rib (32), inside of the pan (10) slopes upwardly as it extends axially outwardly from the interior of the pan (10). Pan (10) is rotated in a direction causing the spiral rib (32) to coil inwardly. Large particles of gold ore, introduced into the pan (10), gravitate out from the pan, owing to the sloping nature of the lower portion of pan sidewall (28). Smaller particles, including small particles of gold, are trapped between spiral rib (32) and sidewall (28) and bottom wall (10) of pan (10). As the pan (10) rotates, these small particles are moved inwardly and into a hub cup (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a straining apparatus for the separating of solid-liquid mixtures with a downwardly tapering straining basket, the basket inside wall of which has an inclination (.alpha.) increasing from top to bottom, the charging of material to be strained being carried out approximately tangentially at the upper end of the straining basket and the material to be strained flowing downwards helically with radii becoming narrower, the straining basket wall forming at least one helical, inwardly open channel, which is bounded at top and bottom by helical side walls, between which the channel base having straining openings is arranged, the radius of which base decreases from top to bottom and which is inclined with respect to the vertical axis by the angle (.alpha.) in such a way that, in feeding, the inclination is at first small and then increases constantly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for separating powdery materials shaped as balls or pellets. It is characterized by the use of a vibrating screw elevator (4) subjected to vibrations of an amplitude so selected as to produce on the screw turns (5), an upward flow of the particles to be removed, while maintaining a downward flow of the particles to be recovered. The invention provides in particular for the separation of round balls from broken balls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation of granulate materials, in extruded form of different lengths and of the same or different diameter. It is characterized by the use of a helicoidal vibrating elevator subjected to vibrations whose amplitude is chosen so as to cause on the threads of the spiral on the one hand the ascending flow of all the particles and on the other hand the recovery of the finest particles on the outer edge of the upper thread of the spiral and the largest particles on the inner edge of the upper thread of this spiral.

Abstract: To separate minerals, they are mde up into a slurry applied through feed pipe 46 to a vertical-axis spiralinder 32 spinning on its axis to generate 10 g centrifugal force. The spiralinder is also subjected to axial vibration at 5 to 10 Hz. A film of slurry is held centrifugally to the internal surface of the spiralinder and kept in suspension by the vibration. The denser (i.e. higher specific gravity) particles in the slurry tend to be most firmly pinned centrifugally. The lightest particles thus drop first into the trough 44 and are dumped by switchable box 45. The centrifugal spinning is then slowed and the dense particles scoured off by wash water. The whole cycle is then repeated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spiral separator (1) which is used for separating particulate material and which is able, when arranged in a linear array of such separators, to be adjusted in concert with the other separators in the array.Specifically the invention consists in a spiral separator (1) comprising a volute (2); a splitter blade (4) mounted below a discharge section (3) of the volute (2) for selected rotation about a substantially horizontal axis (5) parallel to the direction of flow in the volute (2), splitting being adjusted by the rotation of the splitter blade (2) about the axis (5).

Abstract: A method of effecting practical, simple and economical production of ore-concentrating pads of numerous configurations and sizes. Nails are employed to secure extruded strips to a backing sheet and an underlying support, following which the strips are pivoted about the nails and progressively secured to the backing sheet. The nails are then removed and the resulting pad is vacuum-applied to a concave bowl and adhesively secured therein. The shapes and positions of the strips are such that there is very close sealing engagement beween adjacent strips, after the pad is made into bowl shape, yet there is great elasticity permitting practical vacuum application to the bowl. In one embodiment, the strip-formed pad is used as a mold over which plaster of paris is molded, and the plaster of paris is used as a guide for a tracing machine adapted to make a mold for the mass-manufacture of large numbers of concentrating pads.

Abstract: A method of effecting practical, simple and economical production of ore-concentrating pads of numerous configurations and sizes. Nails are employed to secure extruded strips to a backing sheet and an underlying support, following which the strips are pivoted about the nails and progressively secured to the backing sheet. The nails are then removed and the resulting pad is vacuum-applied to a concave bowl and adhesively secured therein. The shapes and positions of the strips are such that there is very close sealing engagement between adjacent strips, after the pad is made into bowl shape, yet there is great elasticity permitting practical vacuum application to the bowl. In one embodiment, the strip-formed pad is used as a mold over which plaster of paris is molded, and the plaster of paris is used as a guide for a tracing machine adapted to make a mold for the mass-manufacture of large numbers of concentrating pads.