Abstract: A dust hood for a dust control system includes a first hood body and a second hood body. The first hood body and the second hood body are each selectively movable between an assembled position and a disassembled position. In the assembled position, the first hood body is adjacent to the second hood body. In the disassembled position, the first hood body is spaced apart from the second hood body.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a combined dry sorting bed, the sorting bed is arranged with an inclination, and the inclination between the longitudinal extending of said bed surface and horizontal plane is from ?2° to +4°, and the inclination between the lateral extending of said bed surface and horizontal plane is from 0° to +15°. By reasonable setting of the angle of inclination, the material being separated spiral overturn continuously on the sorting bed under the influence of the rising air currents and the force of vibration, with the result that the light material in the upper layer is separated under the influence of weight. The material is sorted for many times during the circularly movements, the product with different content of ash can be obtained. This invention also relates to a combined dry sorting device that comprises frame, sorting bed, vibrator and air supply device.

Abstract: A gravity separator with improved efficiency comprising a gravity table with pins at the feed area and a flow channeler. The pins create space in the bed of material to be separated which increases stratification of the weight fractions. The flow channeler creates flow paths of the fractions which do not cross and therefore the fractions do not slow each other from feed to discharge.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed classifier has a vessel defining a space divided into an upper fluidized-bed chamber and a lower gas chamber by a perforated dispersion plate having the shape of a funnel. Rising currents of a gas, such as air, are blown through the dispersion plate into the upper fluidized-bed chamber to produce a fluidized bed of a particulate material over the dispersion plate. The lower gas chamber is divided into a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber by a partition plate. The gas is supplied into the first air chamber so that rising gas currents of a velocity necessary for fluidizing coarse particles contained in the particulate material fed into the vessel are blown from the first air chamber through the dispersion plate into the fluidized-bed chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating heavy particles of material from lighter particles, e.g. for separating impurities from powdery or fragmental material, such as fibers or chips. The apparatus includes a carrier surface (1) which is pervious to gas, onto which the material (2) to be treated is supplied, as well as a device for applying gas impacts through the carrier surface (1) to the material (2) to be treated. The apparatus includes special valve elements (4) disposed below the carrier surface (1) to produce gas impacts.

Abstract: A pneumatic jigging screen device has an air chamber for generating pulsation which is connected to a compressed air source. An air outlet is provided. An air inlet valve in the form of a disk valve is connected between the compressed air source and the air chamber and includes a valve rod. An air outlet valve in the form of a disk valve is connected between the air chamber and the air outlet and includes a valve rod. A first pneumatic valve drive is coupled to the valve rod of the air inlet valve. A second pneumatic valve drive is coupled to the valve rod of the air outlet valve. A first electromagnetic control valve is connected between the first pneumatic valve drive and the compressed air source. A second electromagnetic control valve is connected between the second pneumatic valve drive and the compressed air source.

Abstract: A process for continuously separating relatively coarse particles from a suspension of a mixture of particles in a liquid wherein the suspension is caused to pass through a screening medium which is rotating in its own plane so that the coarse particles are retained on the surface of the screening medium; characterized in that atmospheric pressure above the screening medium is caused to be in excess of the pressure below that medium.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating grain material and for sorting out heavy inclusions from a product flow, particularly stones from gain material, in which the product flow is fed to an inclined layering table and guided so as to be substantially layered thereon. The layering table being acted upon by air flow and oscillated in such a way that the heavy inclusions lying directly thereon are conveyed up the table and guided away separately at the higher end. The feeding of the product flow is effected by way of a feed duct which opens to into the area of the higher end of the table and feeds the product into the separating zone of the product layers as a flow across the widest possible surface area, the separating zone being located in the area of the higher end of the table. The table has air guides for circulating. On an upper side, a closed hood is arranged and on an end side, a product feed portion is arranged. In the middle thereof, an outlet suction portion coupled to the closed hood is arranged.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for separating grain mixture, e.g. for separating heavy inclusions, such as stones (28), from grain product, in which the product is guided via an inclined oscillating layering table surface, through which air flows, so as to be substantially layered and the layering air is guided as recycle air, wherein the recycle air used for the layering of the product is guided through separate guides for the inlet and outlet air, and the guides are oscillated jointly with the layering table surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles with small density differences utilizing a flotation stream. A separator is provided in which a flotation stream continuously flows through a trough and is used to effect the separation of a mixture of articles having small density differences into several groups. Each density group of the mixture of articles to be separated is introduced at the head of the flotation stream at a selected depth. In one embodiment, the flotation stream may be comprised of a fluidized bed which is created by forcing a gas upwardly through a fluidization medium such as sand. In another embodiment of the invention, the flotation stream may be formed from a liquid.

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: A rotary piston valve arrangement, for a pneumatic settling tank, including rotary piston valves disposed in a common housing, with a first rotary piston valve being designed for the control of an additive stroke, and a second rotary piston valve being designed for the control of a discharge position. To reduce the amount of air required for controlling the settling tank, an element is provided for periodically shutting off the passage of air between the air inlet opening of the first rotary piston valve and the settling chamber during the time interval of an intake position of the first rotary piston valve and a simultaneous discharge position of the second rotary piston valve.

Abstract: An aeration separator for separating lighter and heavier materials in a separation chamber in which the material flows through a downwardly sloping passage in the lower region of the separation chamber toward a lower discharge while air flows upwardly through the material to aerate and agitate it to separate the lighter particles and direct them to an upper discharge.

Abstract: A separator suitable for processing agriculture products in a fluidized bed flowing through an inclined trough under the influence of gravity. The fluidization medium is recirculated from the output end of the trough back to the input end thereof using a recirculation drum horizontally disposed laterally encircling the output end of the trough and supported for rotation about its own longitudinal axis. The inner surface of the drum includes an endless series of receiving pockets for collecting sand below the output end of the trough and lifting it thereabove. A damper at the output end of the trough is used to accelerate the establishment of the fluidized bed therein by temporarily obstructing the flow of fluidized bed. An ultrasonic sensor is used to determine the depth of the trough and based thereon to control the rate at which fluidization medium is provided thereto.

Abstract: A gas is forced upwardly through a fluidization medium, such as sand, producing a fluidized bed which flows under the influence of gravity through an inclined trough. The separation of the side walls of the trough decreases in the direction of flow of the fluidized bed increasing the depth thereof. The apparent density of the fluidized bed is maintained substantially uniform, regardless of the increase in depth, by correspondingly increasing the pressure of the air forced through the medium in a manner corresponding to the depth thereof. A gas distribution plate beneath the fluidization medium having a higher resistance to the flow of gas than the layer of fluidization medium thereabove contributes to the maintenance of a substantially uniform apparent density in the fluidized bed despite variations in its depth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating minerals such as coal in a jig bed having a downwardly opening air chamber beneath the bed wherein the chamber has an air compartment at the upper end retaining a cushioned pillow of air between each jig pulsation with controlled air admitted and relieved from the chamber so that when air is relieved, the water rising in the chamber compresses the air at the upper end and a cushion of air is retained so that with admission of pressurized air, the cushion aids in forcing the column of water from the chamber, particularly at the beginning of operation of the jig.

Abstract: The present invention is a gravity separator for classifying particulate matter as to weight. The invention herein uses a screened vibrating deck having a flow of air therethrough for separating the particulate matter placed thereon. The air flow is provided by a fan, located centrally of the housing below the deck and, which fan rotates about a vertical axis. Movement is imparted to the deck by a drive rod connected to an eccentric shaft. The eccentric shaft rotates about an axis transverse to the fan shaft. A single drive motor is used to operate both the eccentric shaft and the fan.

Abstract: An elutriator (1) for separating different grades of leaf vegetable material comprises an elutriation zone (17) disposed above a flow distributor, and gaseous supply means (13) for supplying a gaseous medium to the elutriation zone (17) through the flow distributor. The flow distributor is adapted to provide a substantially uniform flow of gaseous medium to the elutriation zone (17), and the velocity of air delivered to the zone is greater than the terminal velocity of at least one grade of the material to be separated.

Abstract: A wet jig mechanism for handling coal or other minerals wherein a container receives a slurry of water and coal and the water is pulsed by delivering an alternate charge of compressed air beneath the surface of the water and alternately venting the area beneath the surface with the alternate pulsing and venting controlled by a pulsing valve having valve chambers with one chamber having ports connected beneath the surface of the container and to a source of compressed air in the other chamber connected beneath the surface of the liquid in the container and vented to atmosphere with the ports being controlled by butterfly valve plates in each chamber mounted on a common shaft and the chambers having liners or bushings rotatable to control the ports and time and duration of opening of the ports.

Abstract: An electronic control method and apparatus for controlling the sloughing strokes in sloughing machines for coal and other minerals, has a stroke frequency generator which supplies recurrent signal codes to parallel-connected inlet and outlet stroke generators. Power amplifiers are connected to the stroke generators for amplifying command pulses therefrom, the pulses being supplied to inlet and outlet valves of the machine. A signal code is supplied from the stroke frequency generator through a divisor in a freely selectable clock sequence to the outlet stroke generator or alternatively the divisor releases the command pulse from the outlet stroke generator to the outlet valve in a freely selectable clock sequence.

Abstract: Separating elements (14) arranged about a central shaft (1a) rotate in common about the main axis (A) and individually about their longitudinal axes (B). A centrifugal distributor (6) distributes fine-grain mineral mixture mixed with fluid uniformly to the separating elements (14). In each separating element (14) the partial material flow (2a) is set in rotation about the longitudinal axis (B) by entrainment vanes (18) arranged in a first separating element section (15a) and the heavy fraction is centrifuged on to the separator wall (16a). In the second section (15b), formed as conical tubular worm conveyor, which contains no entrainment vanes, the heavy fraction is transported to the collecting chamber (21) and discharged through first discharge openings (22), the fine-grain mineral mixture being fluidized in pulsation on the separating wall (16b) by the combined rotating movements and the heavy fraction being concentrated.

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.

Abstract: An arrangement for a rotary cylindrical piston-type slide valve for pneumatic jigging machines includes a housing of symmetrical design including a double rotary piston slide valve portion and a rotary slide valve single portion mounted in a symmetrical arrangement provided for each of the washing compartments.

Abstract: A jigging machine comprises at least one pulsation chamber, particularly for finest grain sizing of coal or other minerals which traverse the jigging machine on the jig bed which is shorter in the direction of motion of the minerals that at right angles to the direction of motion, whereby the jigging machine is designed as a bottom-pulsed machine. The jigging machine comprises curved lateral walls whose curvature is such that only tensile stresses occur in the walls, is designed suspended in an upper frame, and has the pulsation chamber disposed immediately below the jig bed which rests on cross tie rods.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for feeding and discharging air for pneumatic jigs, includes feeding and discharging pressure air to and from air chambers, which are opened at their respective lower ends, and which are formed in water-filled tanks, to vertically vibrate water in the water tanks, and separate a pulverulent body on the water. The air feeding and discharging steps are carried out repeatedly, and with having overlapping periods. The apparatus comprises an outer cylindrical casing, and an inner casing provided rotatably in the outer casing, the outer casing being provided in a circumferential wall thereof with a communication port communicated with air pipes opened into the air chambers. A plurality of air ports communicate with an air feeding unit which is capable of feeding air of a plurality of different pressures to the air chambers, and a discharge port is provided.

Abstract: A wet jigging mechanism for handling coal or other minerals including a mineral containing tank, a pulsed air chamber opening downwardly into the tank, a compressed air source with a conduit and a vent conduit with valves in the conduit, the valves including pivotal butterfly valves on a shaft with a swing flap operator operated by the compressed air to move the butterfly valve and the swing wing engaging a variable positioned rubber stop damper at the open position of the butterfly valve, and a rubber seat for the butterfly valve in closed position acting as a damper.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating dust, dirt and the like from particulate material utilizes a flow of carrier fluid which passes through the particulate material on a grid or screen. The heavier particulate material falls through the grid while the lighter material as well as the dust, dirt and the like are entrained in the fluid and carried upwardly. A portion of the entrained material precipitates out of the carrier fluid into a vertical collecting bin whereupon it is discharged into another flow of carrier fluid. A sensor within the collecting bin senses the level of the collected precipitated material and reduces the velocity of the carrier fluid when the material in the collecting bin exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: Virgin ore in granular form is enriched by air flotation classification separating at least a large part of the gangue. Suspension of the ore is effected immediately as supplied to the inlet section of the classification trough by copious upward flow of air from the air-diffusing floor plates after which separation is accomplished as the suspension flows through the trough. An adjustable gate in the partition which separates the inlet section of the plenum from the classifier section is adjusted to maintain a relatively very high pressure and consequent copious air flow as compared with the pressure of the plenum from which air is supplied in more moderate quantities to the diffuser floor of the classification trough downstream of the partition. The trough is free of any obstruction that would impede the flow of gangue to its discharge end. Flotation air is supplied to the plenum only at the inlet section and a bleeder valve regulates the total flow to the air-diffusing floor plates of the apparatus.

Abstract: This application discloses a separator for separating granular materials according to specific weight including an air permeable reciprocatory deck for supporting a bed of the granular material thereon and defining an elongate discharge opening therefrom through which a certain separated fraction of the granular material is to be discharged after separation; a fan forcing air upwardly through the air permeable deck and the bed of granular material carried on the deck to fluidize the bed and cause the granular material in the bed to separate according to the specific weight thereof as the deck is reciprocated; and a pneumatic pressure operated gate selectively covering the discharge opening so as to selectively control the flow of the granular material therethrough in response to the pneumatic pressure in said bottom air plenum with the gate selectively varying the effective length and height of the opening in response to the pneumatic pressure below the deck.

Abstract: A mixture of botanical fines and sand is separated by a porous separating medium horizontally disposed within an enclosed chamber in which an upflowing stream of gas carries out the separation. The porous separating medium is comprised of a pair of opposed rotatively movable juxtaposed porous members with means for rotatively adjusting the porous members so as to change the flow through area in the porous separating medium. As a gas flows up through the porous separating medium, only the sand passes down through the porous medium and the gas entrains the botanical fines portion of the mixture above the porous members removing the botanical fines with the gas stream. Control of the velocity of gas up through the porous medium as well as the prevention of botanical fines from flowing with the sand down through the porous medium is determined by the adjustments of the rotatively mounted porous members.

Abstract: A mixture of botanical fines and sand is separated by a porous separating medium horizontally disposed within an enclosed chamber in which an upflowing stream of gas carries out the separation. The porous separating medium is comprised of a plurality of particles constrained in a close-packed array between two opposed retaining members. While the gas flows up through the array of particles they are subjected to vibration, the separation being primarily determined by the flow of gas through the array and mobility of the particles. The separation is primarily controlled by altering the volume constraining the particles in the array which affects both the velocity of gas flow and the mobility of the particles.

Abstract: A settling machine for upgrading materials, particularly for upgrading coal, comprises at least one settling chamber filled with water and having a jig screen covering at least a part of the chamber arranged at the water level. The chamber is also connected laterally of the jig screen to a plurality of different pressure sources and the connections are such that pressures may be superimposed on the liquid of the chamber to cause a pulsation thereof for the separation of the material contained on the jig screen. With the method of the invention, the pressure is connected via control lines having control valves which may be adjusted to get a number of settling strokes per minute by pressure surges which may be set to the range of between 20 to 50 settling strokes per minute for one of the control valves, and for the other control valve, may be arranged between 150 and 250 settling strokes per minute.

Abstract: Material treating apparatus including one or more pneumohydraulic vibrators. The apparatus includes a container with cells separated by at least one valve lying on a supporting frame, the valve having a movable valve element which is urged toward its valve-closed position by springs. On one side of the valve there is an air cell connected with a source of air under pressure, and on the other side of the valve there is a second cell containing a liquid or a liquid suspension of material to be treated. When the air cell is subjected to air under pressure the movable valve element vibrates and generates intensive vibro-pulsation turbulent streams in the liquid material in the second cell.

Abstract: A bed of fluidized material is used to separate seeds on the basis of specific gravity. The bed may be a rotating annulus and it may have one or more layers of micro-balls at the bottom. Means for rotating the annulus and various discharge means are disclosed.