Sifting And Stratifying Patents (Class 209/44)
  • Publication number: 20020100713
    Abstract: An air sifting apparatus is provided for preparatory concentration of raw material including coal, and includes a material feed-in device, a material bed support device, an air jig plenum, and a discharge control device. The material bed support device receives material from the material feed-in device and has a surface having a plurality of openings for a gaseous medium introduced from underneath the material bed support device, which is operable to transport material in coordination with the flow of gaseous medium through the openings to effect loosening and stratification of the material into a layer of relatively heavier material, and a layer of relatively lighter material on the heavier material. The air jig plenum communicates with the underside of the apparatus for guiding gaseous medium thereto and produces constant air flow through the openings of the support device and a pulsating air flow, overlaid on the constant air flow, for pulse impacting material on the support device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: allmineral Llc.
    Inventors: Walter Strangalies, Walter Jungmann, Richard J. Snoby
  • Publication number: 20020074265
    Abstract: A method and equipment for separating particles of gold and other materials with high sedimentation rates in clays, soils, or slurries are provided. The method includes dissolving the clay, soil or slurry in as much water as necessary to have a suspension flow that allows relative movement between the particles to be separated and passing the mixture through the equipment. The equipment for separating the high sedimentation rate particles comprises a three-outlet separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Luis Castro Gomez
  • Publication number: 20010054575
    Abstract: A centrifugal jig has a container mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis (22), separated into an axial region (32) and a peripheral region by ragging material (41) supported by a screen (30). The peripheral region is composed of a series of hutch chambers (34) with reciprocating wall portions (45) located radially outside the screen (30), for repetitively dilating the ragging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Christopher George Kelsey, Ian McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6305549
    Abstract: A vibrating screen assembly of dissimilar materials. A frame is composed of a first material having a coefficient of thermal expansion. At least one screen cloth is composed of a second material. A ratio of the coefficient of thermal expansion first material to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second material is greater than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Southwestern Wire Cloth, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Allen Riddle, Terry L. Baltzer, Bill Howard
  • Patent number: 6286686
    Abstract: A centrifugal jig has a container mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The container is separated into an axial region and a peripheral region by ragging material supported by a screen. The peripheral region is composed of a series of hutch chambers with reciprocating wall portions located radially outside the screen, for repetitively dilating the ragging. The disclosed hutch chamber construction has a reciprocating wall portion which includes convergent wall surfaces that narrow toward the hutch chamber concentrate outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Lowan (Management) Pty Limited
    Inventors: Christopher George Kelsey, Ian McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6138833
    Abstract: A placer gold separating method includes subjecting placer gold-and gold ore-containing sand and gravel layers accumulated on the bottom of the water of a river and placer gold- and gold ore-containing sand and gravel layers formed deep in the ground to excavation or suction excavation by utilizing a water pressure difference. This causes a mixture of the excavated or suction excavation placer gold- and gold ore-containing sand, gravel and water to flow horizontally by the action of a pressure fluid. The placer gold and gold ores are separated by utilizing a specific gravity difference while the mixture is flowing. A placer gold mining boat used to practice this method is provided thereon with a combination of a suction excavation component, a mixture transfer component, a component for separating placer gold by utilizing a specific gravity difference, and a component for discarding the remaining mixture from which the placer gold has been separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Jipangu Inc.
    Inventors: Tamisuke Matsufuji, Haruo Kojima
  • Patent number: 6131741
    Abstract: To improve a method for the treatment of waste or residual waste (1), the waste or residual waste (1) is sorted into a fraction (16) with specifically light material and a fraction (18) with specifically heavy material first by sieving and then followed by sorting by density, preferably by a dry-cleaning table (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Herhof Umwelttechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Bianca-Maria Hagen
  • Patent number: 6079567
    Abstract: A separator (1) for separating dense particulates from slurry includes a sealed housing (2) enclosing a submerged screen bed (33) which allows dense particulates to fall into a hutch (6) from which they may be discharged. The housing has a slurry inlet (4) arranged to deliver slurry to a sump (3) which directs slurry to flow radially over the bed. An annular cavity (23) formed between the housing and bed receives tailings flowing off of the top of the bed. An outlet (7) from the annular cavity allows discharge of the tailings, and a liquid inlet (30) to the hutch provides an upward flow of liquid through the bed. The bed is agitated to assist passage of dense particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Alexander Hamilton Gray
  • Patent number: 6041940
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting metal in materials is disclosed. The apparatus has, in combination, a sifter for sifting materials onto a metal detector plate assembly, the metal detector plate assembly having a metal detector plate in electrical communication with a metal detector alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Michael J. Owings
  • Patent number: 5927509
    Abstract: A self-contained gold separation kit adapted for easy carrying using a shoulder strap uses a single-spring rocker assembly for agitation of stream bed materials for separation of gold. The main kit elements include a sluice box, material tower and collector tray that are contained for carrying within a box, and in use those elements are then rotatably mounted above the carrying box. That box also serves to contain a quantity of water to be used repeatedly in washing out the bed materials, hence the device can be used at a distance away from stream bed. The weight of that water also serves to prevent the device as a whole both from moving about while being rocked and from tipping over. A dipper is included for dipping water over the bed materials, and also a gold pan for the final separation of the gold and a collector tray for collecting tailings from the gold separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Jerome Lord
  • Patent number: 5890600
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for screening pulverized or chip material, such as fibers or wood chips, free from impurities. The material to be screened is fed onto a roll set formed by a number of adjacent, essentially parallel rolls (1) and is brought to an advantageous movement with the help of the rolls (1), whereby material particles of highest density drift downward closest to the surfaces of the rolls and that the material fraction closest to the roll surfaces can escape the rolls via a gap (B) a width essentially larger than the gap width (A) of the preceding roll pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Loviisa Oy
    Inventor: Aarne Laatikainen
  • Patent number: 5785182
    Abstract: A small sluice for final separation of gold from all other materials commonly found in deposits of gravel, sand, etc. including a bottom panel (14) with a plurality of grooves (16), two substantially vertical sidewalls (15), a flared entrance end (13) and device for closing (18) the flared entrance end (13). This sluice is suitable for many uses including the cleanup of concentrates from panning and sluicing operations and for prospecting sampling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Clarence W. Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 5616245
    Abstract: A separator includes a housing, a basket rotatably mounted in the housing and a movable weir member. The basket has an upstream end portion, a downstream end portion and an intermediate tubular portion that includes or forms a screen deck. The weir member is movable between a first position where a portion of the weir member extends radially inward relative to the inner surface of the downstream open end portion and a second position spaced from the first position. In this manner, the weir member forms a movable dam adjacent the downstream end portion of the basket. In operation, feed material is fed into the basket as the basket is rotated. The heavy fractions of the material pass transversely through the basket (i.e., the tubular portion that forms a screen deck) and report to a first outlet from which the heavy fractions are collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: HJS Clem AG
    Inventor: Michael C. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 5527432
    Abstract: Provided are methods of dry recovering useable fiber from paper making sludge. In the methods, paper making sludge is dewatered and dried. The dewatered and dried sludge is then fiberized using a dry fiberizing machine into a fibrous material consisting of fibers and other material including fiber fines, clay, filler material and the like. The fibers in the fibrous material are then separated out in a sifting process. The separated fibers are then ready for use in paper making without further processing. The fiber fines and filler material separated from the fibers is also collected and can be used as filler material in other composite material applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Fiber Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Leuthold, Mark A. Leuthold
  • Patent number: 5524767
    Abstract: A dry fluidized bed sorting device comprises a sorting deck arranged with an inclination to make a vibrating motion and continuously supplied with a fluidized bed used as media, while being supplied with materials to be sorted, a large number of separation promoting pieces planted on the bottom of the sorting deck and bent to the downstream side, and a separation plate arranged at a boundary portion for separating the materials to be sorted into deposits and flotages and located on the downstream side of the sorting deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignees: Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Metal Co., Ltd., Senko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakatsu Kumagai, Yoshihisa Fujita
  • Patent number: 5476177
    Abstract: A material classification device for separation of solid materials, having a relatively high specific gravity, from a stream of fluid and solid material. The device is particularly suited for the extraction of gold from alluvial material. The device generally comprises an open conduit that has a first opening and a second opening therethrough. A container is attached to the bottom of the conduit so that the openings are in fluid flow communication with the container. A portion of the flow of fluid and materials passes through the first opening and is captured in the container. A tube passes into the container with an aperture therein so that a fluid may be passed into the container to agitate the material collected therein freeing the lighter material so that it can exit the container out the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Howard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5462172
    Abstract: A nonferrous material sorting apparatus comprises a screening device for screening nonferrous materials to be sorted into materials of a plurality of size ranges, a first sorting device for sorting the nonferrous materials of the minimum size range according to the weight ratio by an inclined vibrating air table supplied with air, and a second sorting device for sorting the nonferrous materials of the size range larger than the minimum size range according to the size in specific gravity of the nonferrous materials relative to constituent materials of a fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignees: Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Metal Co., Ltd., Senko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakatsu Kumagai, Yoshihisa Fujita
  • Patent number: 5421461
    Abstract: Panning apparatus for separating gold or other minerals or gemstones from soil, gravel or other like materials, the apparatus including a main frame and a secondary frame which supports an upper separating tray assembly and a lower separating pan. The secondary frame is supported for pivotal movement relative to the primary frame and may be oscillated by a motor. A liquid supply tube is arranged to direct water onto the upper tray assembly so that a slurry of materials passes from the upper tray assembly of the lower pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Josef Ruzic
  • Patent number: 5375720
    Abstract: An air concentrator for dry separation of gold and other heavy minerals from alluvial deposits comprises a housing having a number of open-topped chambers arranged in a ring-like configuration and surmounted by a screen having rings thereon forming annular arms radiating from a hub sweeps over the screen beds. Air under pressure is fed sequentially and cyclically to the chambers by a rotary valve located centrally of the ring of chambers. The deposit is fed over the hub and is swept outwardly over the beds on the screen by the wiper arms, where it is fluidized by pulses of air from the subjacent chambers enabling particles of gold and heavy minerals to settle down to the bottom of the beds by gravitational stratification, and if sufficiently small, pass through the screen for collection through spigots in the bottom of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Resource Trend Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith Piggott, Raymond J. Feuerriegel
  • Patent number: 5273162
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating high density materials from less dense materials suspended in a fluid within a conduit. A pump generates carrier fluid motion which is fed through the conduit. Solids from a placer deposit are mixed with the carrier fluid and induced through a suction hose, then into two positively sloped separating chambers that are arranged in tandem in the conduit. The first separating chamber is cylindrical in shape, and motion of the fluid through the chamber is linear. The second separating chamber's cross section shape is rectangular, with a parabolic flow path. The second stage separator floor is variably banked, with the angle of bank and curvature increasing toward the discharge end. Solids, that are mixed with the carrier fluid, are forced along the flow path by dynamic drag of the fluid. Less dense solids travel up the positive slope at a greater velocity than more dense solids. The larger and slower moving dense solids are trapped in two sumps in the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: GAPC Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Riherd
  • Patent number: 5255787
    Abstract: A lead shot recovery device is disclosed for reclaiming lead shot from a slurry of material taken from lake bottoms. In one embodiment, the device includes a sluice box having an open bottom riffle bed through which can pass a net upward liquid flow. The cooperative action of the upflow and the riffles causes lead shot to fall through the riffle bed and into a collection pit from which the lead shot can be continuously removed. A method for recovering lead shot using the recovery device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: John Sims
  • Patent number: 5190158
    Abstract: The present invention is a gold pan with classifier which, when used in combination or independently thereof, provides a prospector with an apparatus that enhances metal recovery. The gold pan utilizes an elongated elliptical shape with inclined side walls of various heights with ribs and steps placed along at least a portion of each wall. The elliptical shape allowing a prospector to use the pan as a scoop or a catch basin. The classifier also employs an elongated elliptical or rectilinear shaped base which is operatively associated with the gold pan. In the middle of the classifier is a circular grid being concave and made of a cross hatched type screen wherein all parallel ridges are raised. The classifier sits on top of the gold pan in an interlocking fashion and can be used to shovel slurry into the classifier having a narrow undercut space to prevent slurry from entering the gold pan area directly but allowing water removal by titling the combination in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Robert E. Remias
  • Patent number: 5183354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for in situ recycling of aggregate surfacing used in power substations. An unsuitable aggregate surfacing contains a mixture of coarse and fine aggregate which results in an undesirably low surface resistivity. The first step of the process is to remove the unsuitable surfacing to a depth of approximately four to eight inches, thereby exposing an area of subgrade. The fine aggregate is then separated from the coarse aggregate. Next, the fine aggregate is replaced on the exposed area of the subgrade and compressed. Finally, the coarse aggregate is replaced on the fine aggregate. The process efficiently recycles the aggregate surfacing while on site at the substation, thereby eliminating the high cost of purchasing and transporting new aggregate surfacing, and disposing of unsuitable aggregate surfacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: SCM Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger G. Wright, Leon J. Lindbloom, Lewis C. Midlam
  • Patent number: 5114569
    Abstract: A centrifugal jig of the type in which a feed slurry is introduced into a rotating chamber bounded radially by a screen provided with ragging on its inner surface. The ragging is repetitively dilated in a circumferential sequence while the container rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Lowan Management Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Christopher G. Kelsey
  • Patent number: 5108584
    Abstract: A machine is employed for recovering heavy metals, such as gold, from placer ore. The machine employs a cylindrical, annular outer drum mounted for rotation at an inclination to the horizontal and including at least one spiral vane extending the length of its inner surface. A cylindrical, annular inner barrel is mounted within the drum and has an upper fragmentation section, an intermediate trommel section, and a lower discharge section. A spray of water is directed into the inner barrel and a water spray bar is located in the annulus between the inner barrel and the outer drum. A sluice box is located to receive an input discharge from the upper end of the outer drum. The ore is separated into large tailings that are discharged from the lower end of the inner barrel and fine, light tailings from the outer drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Raymond Brosseuk
  • Patent number: 5043059
    Abstract: A concentrator comprises a beneficiating member (7) a shaft (9) of which is arranged with an eccentricity relative to the hub (5) of a base (3), and a drive mechanism (2) imparting to the beneficiating member (1) movement about a radius equal to the eccentricity. The housing (14) of the beneficiating member is cylindrical accommodating tapered separating trays (16) arranged one under the other and having by-pass ports (22) of a flow area reducing from the upper to the lower tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Inventor: Grigory M. Ponomarev
  • Patent number: 4998986
    Abstract: A centrifugal jig screen with a rotating hutch is supplied with inwardly directed pulses by overlapping fluid supply nozzles and pulse blocks coaxially arranged about the jig axis. Fluid not directed to the hutch interior in sharply defined pulses is diverted into a surrounding shroud, permitting the incoming fluid flow to be substantially uninterrupted during jig operation. Wedge surfaces about the hutch prevent buildup of separated materials as the are discharged from the hutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Trans Mar, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Campbell
  • Patent number: 4997551
    Abstract: A concentrator comprises a beneficiating member (1) in the form of a bowl with a tapered bottom (2) a concavity of which is provided with a discharge hole (13), and a drive mechanism (5) a hollow drive shaft (8) of which accommodates eccentrically a shaft (10) carrying the beneficiating member (1) executing a circular movement about a radius equal to the eccentricity. In cross section the bowl is elliptical and is connected to a base (3) by flexible elements (12), whereas the concavity of the tapered bottom (2) is offset relative to its shaft (10). A tray (14) for finally concentrating the material is provided under the discharge hole (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Grigory M. Ponomarev
  • Patent number: 4971684
    Abstract: A size grading unit and a gravity grading unit in a grinding preparation installation form an oscillating unit and are arranged one above the other so that a V-shaped space exists between them. The product flow transfers as a carpet or veil falling from the size grading unit at the V apex to the gravity grading unit located below. Air flows through the V-shaped space but not through the size grading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Gebruder Buhler AG
    Inventor: Roman Mueller
  • Patent number: 4962858
    Abstract: What is disclosed is method and apparatus for alleviating the problem with cleaning of sluice boxes. The invention is characterized by continuous cleaning of an endless belt onto which the heavy metal concentrate is projected by a conventional sluice boxes, shaker screens and the like, and eliminating the down time of the apparatus for cleaning, as in the prior art. This down time is approximately fifty percent of the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: John C. Newman
    Inventors: John C. Newman, Lloyd A. Molby
  • Patent number: 4953709
    Abstract: An apparatus for sorting lightweight from heavy material in mixtures of solid materials containing lumpy, granular, and pulverous constituents substantially comprises an upright slim container having a lower portion into which material for sorting is introduced. Pulsating air flows are introduced from the exterior into the container, resulting in an upward flow of pulsating air which loosens the material for sorting and produces a fluidized bed. Simultaneously, the apparatus is vibrated up and down in a linear manner by vibrators to assist in loosening the material. The lightweight material floating in the air stream is conveyed to a discharge channel at the top end of the container, whereas heavy material rapidly sinks down to a tubular member into which a second pulsating air flow is introduced in order additionally to sort the heavy material in a last treatment stage inside the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Kaufmann GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 4936978
    Abstract: The present invention provides containers or storage bins for separate storage of the seeds of each size fraction in the course of their postharvest ripening, interposed between the primary and secondary seed cleaners and connected to the secondary cleaner through a conveyer, which effects a separate feed of the seeds of each size fraction for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventors: Anatoly I. Bortnikov, Vasily D. Shaforostov, Vladimir G. Matjusha, Vladimir I. Efimchenko, Leonty I. Tolstonosov, Jury T. Shkuratov, Valentin V. Alshits
  • Patent number: 4898666
    Abstract: A centrifugal jig of the type in which a feed slurry is introduced into a container rotating about a vertical axis in a region radially bounded by a screen. The screen is preferably substantially parabolic in shape. Ragging is provided on the screen's inner surface and water is provided in the hutch region on the opposite side of the screen. The water in the hutch region is pulsed repetitiously to dilate the ragging and pulsion of the hutch water is achieved at an interface such as a diaphragm interface or an air/water interface. The interface is positioned substantially wholly beyond the projected free surface of the feed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Lowan (Management) Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Christopher G. Kelsey
  • Patent number: 4863588
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated set of riffles includes a network of spaced-apart tubular riffle bars arranged to lie above a collecting surface in a riffle box. A plurality of generally downwardly directed apertures is formed in each riffle bar, and a flange extends generally upwardly along the length of the riffle bar. An inlet of each riffle bar is connected to a source of water or other fluid. In operation, water or other fluid that is supplied to the riffle bars passes forcibly outwardly through the apertures and is subsequently constrained to flow outwardly through the spaces between adjacent riffle bars to prevent undesired accumulation of particles between adjacent riffle bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Lindsay G. Herron
  • Patent number: 4839034
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided to separate heavier metal particles from lighter particles gangue in a fluidic medium by gravity and fluid flow. A vertical container provides a lower fluid input chamber that communicates through a medial structure providing a plate defining a plurality of valve ports, a screen, and a plate defining a plurality of holes to an upper chamber carrying particulate material to be beneficiated. Pressurized water flows upwardly through the medial structure to separate more dense metal bearing particles in the medial structure and gangue exits from a central orifice defined in the medial portion of the separating structure. The apparatus uses small amounts of water which may be recycled. The beneficiator is unusually efficient in recovering particulate gold from alluvial sands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Carl H. Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 4715949
    Abstract: A heavy metal separator for removing heavy metal particles and flakes from ore. It has a feed hopper which feeds a slurry of ore over an inclined screen in a separation chamber. The smaller particles pass through the screen into a second section of the separation chamber. The larger particles wave downwardly off the lower end of the screen into a first section of the separation chamber. A stream of water is directed by baffles upward through the second section counter current to the flow of materials. The water washes the less dense waste material out of the second section into the first section. The fine heavy metal particles and flakes, being more dense, settle downwardly to a collection point at the bottom of the second section. The larger concentrates and fine waste material move downwardly through the first section to an outlet, where they pass into a second separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventor: David L. Watts
  • Patent number: 4696353
    Abstract: A mud cleaning system for recovering barite from drilling mud coming from an oil well, the mud being made up essentially of barite particles having a specific gravity of 4.2 or more, and a particle size mostly finer than 200 mesh, drill cuttings having a specific gravity of 2-3, and varying particle sizes ranging from about 200 mesh to 1/2 inch or more, and water. This system includes a first sieve bend (32), a second screen member (10) in series therewith, and a spiral separator (54), in series with the screens. The sieve bend is provided with a vibrator (18, 20), and water sprays (16, 34) act in conjunction with the sieve bend and the second screen to aid in the separation. The slurry leaving the spiral separator is screened to remove the ultra fine particles and the water is recycled. The system inherently washes potentially environmentally hazardous substances off the drill cuttings prior to their discharge from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: W. S. Tyler, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven A. Elmquist, Leonard E. Boesger
  • Patent number: 4671867
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention mainly relates to the technical areas of foundry, manufacture of parts by casting metal in moulds.The process consists in that after moulding the parts and stripping them from the moulds which were broken, during a first cycle the mixture resulting from the knock-out is recovered. This mixture being stored. This mixture is directed from the storage place to an intermediate container; then the mixture from the intermediate container is fed up to a sieve grading separator unit allowing to separate the grains or particles in several different grading batches; each one of these batches is directed to a separating table designed for separating chromite from silica; the chromite on the one hand and the silica on the other hand are recovered in containers.This invention mainly applies to the recovery of components of different densities, especially chromite and silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Centre Stephanois de Recherches Mecaniques Hydromecanique et Frottement
    Inventors: Gabriel Battie, Yves Bonnel
  • Patent number: 4642180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved portable lightweight apparatus for the separation of gold and similar metals from pulverized ore, sand, debris and the like. More particularly, the invention is a portable lightweight apparatus which uses currents of air to separate gold from sand and debris, in which the apparatus includes in combination a frame, an optionally detachable screen rack, an optionally detachable hopper, an inclined riffle board which contains holes through which air currents jet and an attached bellows to provide the currents of air to separate the gold particles from the debris, and a means to operate the bellows one side of which is in combination with the riffle board and a means to operate the bellows. In one instance, one solid side of the bellows is the bottom of the riffle board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Inventor: Norman H. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 4615797
    Abstract: The electrostatic recovery of gold in the drywasher is improved by providing means to scavenge the waste heat from the internal combustion engine that powers the air blower. This preheats the intake air to the air blower, whereby the equilibrium temperature of the compressed air delivered to the partially fluidized bed of ore particles on the riffle table is raised about 50.degree. F. above ambient temperature. The layer of fabric underlying the bed of particles is maintained at bone dryness, the ore particles are dried, and the electrostatic forces operate under most favorable conditions at low relative humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Wayne G. Keene
  • Patent number: 4592833
    Abstract: A portable sluice box for classification of mineral particulate from detritus or placer deposits containing the same is comprised of an infeed table including upstanding sidewalls and a bottom wall for receiving and confining a charge of mineral-containing deposits for fluid compelled movement along a path lying in a material handling plane generally coincident with the bottom wall of the table; a classification table member, including upstanding sidewalls and a foraminous separation plate having downwardly depending, opposed marginal skirts for proximal engagement with the sidewalls of the separation table interiorly thereof, the separation plate also lying within the material handling plane; a plurality of riffles disposed transversely in a laterally and longitudinally extending spaced array between the skirts, defining a series of upper flow channels intermediate the separation plate and the top edge of the riffles and a lower, mat channel intermediate the bottom wall of the classification table and the bo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Inventor: Vernon Perdue
  • Patent number: 4574046
    Abstract: A centrifugal jig to beneficiate ore by separating a heavier particulate fraction from a lighter particulate pulp. The jig provides a rotor with a vertical cylindrical jig screen rotating in a fluid filled hutch to support a vertical jigging bed. The jigging bed is pulsed sequentially as it is rotated past plural spaced pulsing elements positioned in the hutch externally of the jigging screen. Pulsing may be by pressurized air in the form of fine bubbles, by pressurized fluid or a combination of both. Pulp material is fed at the bottom of the jigging screen to move upwardly thereacross with the lighter gangue material exiting above the screen for exhaustion and the heavier mineral bearing fraction exiting through the screen for subsequent recovery from the bottom periphery of the hutch area. The jig may be used as a bedded centrifuge or in the fashion of a traditional jig especially as when provided with ragging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Earnest A. Sprow
  • Patent number: 4543180
    Abstract: A device for separating fine articles as sand from a sludge containing ultrafine articles comprises a continuously rotated substantially horizontal drum having a helical web at the peripheral inside thereof. The mass flow to be separated is deposited in the drum at a place spaced from both ends of the drum. The drum moves the sand at the bottom of the drum to the discharge end thereof, where a water feeding system is arranged providing an oppositely directed fresh water flow which mixes with said ultrafine particles forming a sludge. The sand is elevated at the discharge end of the drum by a plurality of buckets and discharged via an inclined discharge chute through an outlet opening of the drum. The sludge is discharged through the opposite front wall opening through which the mass flow is fed within a feeding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Stetter GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Riker
  • Patent number: 4525270
    Abstract: Heavy minerals such as gold, silver, platinum, etc., along with gemstones such as diamonds, rubys, sapphires, etc., occuring in nature in the free state or having been mechanically released by crushing, screening and/or sorting into a free state, can be separated from the common material, into which they are mixed, by applying water to the mixture of materials and allow their different specific gravities to separate them into the bottom of a grooved trough. In the novel mineral concentrator described, to minimize the loss of water, a recirculating pump re-uses the same water from a reservoir repeatedly. The free minerals and gemstones settle out of the main water flow and are trapped into grooves and other pockets and crevices. Some of the pump's water flow is allowed into a feed hopper to wash down the hopper's walls, and in conjunction with shaped apertures in the hopper bottom, automatically regulate the flow of material entering the main trough or sluice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: John C. McCann
  • Patent number: 4523989
    Abstract: The obdurate hard cake, loaded with gold particles, that forms on the bottom and four sloping walls of the reciprocating deep rectangular jig pan by the compaction and dewatering of the suspended solids is eliminated, and the recovery of gold is significantly improved by a combination of:1. a rectangular pressurized water manifold spaced slightly above the plane of the pan bottom and provided with at least one row of jet orifices directed at the bottom;2. four steeply sloped walls at a dihedral angle of about 65.degree. with the plane of the open top of the pan;3. a V-bottom with the valley aligned parallel to the flow of slurry;4. a broad skimmer blade on the spillway gate, oriented coplanar with the surface of the slurry and directed backwardly against the flow;5. a connecting rod in the drive train which is resiliently biased, in thrust and in pull directions, by adjustable spring means;6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Keene Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph G. Graefe
  • Patent number: 4472269
    Abstract: A sluice box classifier for a sluice box of a gold mining dredge includes a trough and a rim secured to an underside of the trough. The rim anchors the trough to a standard size container. The trough is formed of four walls and a bottom, and is at least as wide as a lower end portion of the sluice box from which collected overburden is received. The bottom includes a center panel and two floor panels which slope upwardly from opposite sides of the center panel to meet opposite sidewalls of the trough. The floor panels funnel overburden deposited into the trough from the sluice box to the center panel where a plurality of openings in the center panel allows the smaller pieces of overburden to pass through into the container. A portion of a front wall of the trough is bent outwardly of the trough to cooperate with an angle member so as to form a slot which connects the trough to the sluice box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: D & K Detector Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Swick
  • Patent number: 4416768
    Abstract: Ground ore is processed in a series of three spiral concentrators wherein the initial spiral is operated to reject a tailing of a predetermined low value, the second spiral is operated to maximize the removal of locked middlings, and the third spiral is operated to obtain a concentrate of a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Quebec Cartier Mining Company
    Inventor: Sami S. Nosseir
  • Patent number: 4397503
    Abstract: A continuous belt traverses a river through channels on the river bed and carries intercepted material to the river banks for separation of precious metals and gemstones therefrom. Method and apparatus claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Inventor: Harry K. Williams
  • Patent number: 4387019
    Abstract: A method for reclaiming aluminum cans from municipal refuse is disclosed. The method includes a first screening operation to remove materials substantially larger than the cans, a second screening operation to remove material substantially smaller than the cans, a magnetic separation to remove ferrous metals, a friction-gravity separation to remove lightweight materials, an air separation to remove heavy materials and a final reclamation of aluminum cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Dale, Walter G. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 4371435
    Abstract: A placer mining sluice for separating relatively heavy particulate valuable materials from relatively light waste material. The mining sluice includes an inverted generally V-shaped grizzly screen having first and second sides which slope downwardly and outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the screen. First and second panels are positioned at opposed ends of the screen to close off the ends of the screen. A deflector pan having opposed first and second ends is positioned beneath the grizzly screen to extend between the first and second screen sides and between the first and second screen ends. The first end of the pan contacts the first panel. A tray is positioned beneath the deflector pan and screen at an angle relative to the horizontal with the uppermost tray end beneath the second end of the deflector pan. Material passing through the screen passes over the deflector pan second end onto the uppermost end of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Inventor: Colin Eckersley