Abstract: There is provided a system for treating a combination of a liquid and granular matter, which granular matter is larger than or equal to a minimum grain size and comprises two or more types of granular matter with different densities, wherein at least two of the different types of granular matter have densities being larger than the density of the liquid. The system comprises a stratification machine with a stratification or sorting chamber for holding the combination of liquid and granular matter, which stratification or sorting chamber has one or more side walls. The stratification machine also holds a movable plate arranged within the stratification or sorting chamber, where the moveable plate has sieve openings smaller than the minimum grain size of the granular matter to be treated to thereby maintain the granular matter above or on top of the movable plate.

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.

Abstract: A computer controlled separator device is disclosed. The computer control system monitors the operation of the separator device and makes any adjustments necessary to maintain optimal operation. An operator may input values representing desired operating parameters and/or desired product characteristics of the separator device. Alternatively, these values may be programmed into the computer control system in accordance with optimal product or system standards. The computer control system monitors the operation of the separator device and makes any adjustments necessary to maintain operation in accordance with the selected or programmed values. Specifically, the computer control system may monitor incoming and outgoing product characteristics, i.e. particle weight, particle density, or particle size; and/or operating parameters, i.e. air flow, vibration speed, side tilt, end raise, feed rate, divider knife position and cutout gate position.

Abstract: The monitoring and control of jig separators is effected by monitoring the time variation within a jig cycle of at least one operating parameter of the jig, and manipulating the operating parameter(s) to produce the sought after form of the time variation within the jig cycle. Operating parameters include bed voidage, water level, particle velocity in the bed and water or air pressure.

Abstract: computer controlled separator device is disclosed. The computer control system monitors the operation of the separator device and makes any adjustments necessary to maintain optimal operation. An operator may input values representing desired operating parameters and/or desired product characteristics of the separator device. Alternatively, these values may be programmed into the computer control system in accordance with optimal product or system standards. The computer control system monitors the operation of the separator device and makes any adjustments necessary to maintain operation in accordance with the selected or programmed values. Specifically, the computer control system may monitor incoming and outgoing product characteristics, i.e. particle weight, particle density, or particle size; and/or operating parameters, i.e. air flow, vibration speed, side tilt, end raise, feed rate, divider knife position and cutout gate position.

Abstract: A computer controlled separator device is disclosed. The computer control system monitors the operation of the separator device and makes any adjustments necessary to maintain optimal operation. An operator may input values representing desired operating parameters and/or desired product characteristics of the separator device. Alternatively, these values may be programmed into the computer control system in accordance with optimal product or system standards. The computer control system monitors the operation of the separator device and makes any adjustments necessary to maintain operation in accordance with the selected or programmed values. Specifically, the computer control system may monitor incoming and outgoing product characteristics, i.e. particle weight, particle density, or particle size; and/or operating parameters, i.e. air flow, vibration speed, side tlit, end raise, feed rate, divider knife position and cutout gate position.

Abstract: A gravity separator for the separation of heavier particles from lighter waste material comprises a stack of decks (4) mounted for resonant oscillatory motion within a supporting frame (1). A motor (9) oscillates the decks at their resonant frequency while a distribution system (6) supplies a feed in the form of a slurry to the surface of the decks. As shaking continues, the heavier particles within the slurry are gradually separated from the lighter particles. Optimal separation is provided by a control system which, if necessary, automatically changes the amplitude of oscillation and/or the timing of the stages as separation proceeds, for example in response to outputs of detectors which measure the frequency of oscillation and the power being consumed.

Abstract: The density of the material in the jig bed is measured in consecutive short segments over the jig cycle, the time period of each segment being not greater than one-tenth the cycle time of the jig, to determine the density signature or profile of the jig. By controlling the operating parameters (e.g. inlet and outlet valve opening and closing, underbed flow rate, discharge gate position and jig working air pressure) of the jig, the density signature or profile is maintained within a control envelope for efficient stratification of the mineral.

Abstract: A system for gravity table separation including a gravity table for separating materials and a detector operatively associated with the gravity table for detecting the movement of control particles with respect to the gravity table during its operation. The control particles are of a known characteristic. By calibrating the desired movement of the control particles through the table, any misalignment or deviance of that movement during operation is detected, and adjustments can be made to the operation of the table to bring the control particles back to the desired movement. The separation process can then be controlled to bring about optimum efficiency. Also, the detector can be interfaced with a control component which can automatically adjust the operation of the table in response to whether the control particles are following the desired movement through the table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a percussion jig in which the carrier for material to be separated is freely suspended in the region of its centroidal axis on the piston rod of a hydraulic drive cylinder. This results in a particularly simple construction subject to little wear.

Abstract: A portable, dry-placer mining apparatus is provided with a vacuum chamber which defines a contained region of lower-than-atmospheric pressure which establishes the mode or means for drawing material into the chamber. The material is then ejected therefrom at a rate determined by the differential pressures established internal and external to the vacuum chamber. To prevent material impaction from interferring with the vacuum controlled output flow of material, any tendency of the material toward impaction is disrupted by an air stream flowing therethrough in response to the lowered pressure within the vacuum chamber. The material is output to a vacuum controlled separator device which is vibrated to separate denser from less-dense materials. A vacuum responsive frequency control is incorporated in the vacuum responsive vibratory drive of the separator device. The entire device is easily manually transportable and may be fitted to a conventional backpack frame.