Abstract: A method of installing a vibratory conveyor into a confined space includes fabricating a modular vibratory apparatus as individual subassemblies, comprising at least first and second side wall subassemblies, first and second end wall subassemblies, at least one cross-member subassembly, a mounting bracket subassembly, a drive subassembly, and a liner subassembly. The method also includes transporting the individual subassemblies to an installation site as separate subassemblies, and attaching the individual subassemblies to each other to define an assembled modular vibratory apparatus using a bolting technique at the installation site.

Abstract: A vibratory crushing apparatus includes at least one trough having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a wall defining a material-receiving space having a first cross-sectional area. The apparatus also includes at least one crusher disposed in the trough, the at least one crusher having an outer surface that conforms to an inner surface of the wall about a circumference of the crusher, and a second cross-sectional area that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area so as to define a gap between the outer surface of the at least one crusher and the inner surface of the wall. Further, the apparatus includes a vibration generator coupled to the at least one trough to cause material to move between the inlet end and the outlet end and to cause the at least one crusher to move relative to the wall of the trough.

Abstract: A separator system may include a first trough having an inlet end, a downstream, outlet end and a trough floor, a first screen section supported in the trough spaced from the trough floor, the first screen section having a first end and a second downstream end, a material-retaining surface disposed at the downstream end of the first screen section, the material-retaining surface disposed at an angle relative to the first screen section to limit the movement of material across the first screen section, and a vibratory generator coupled to the trough. The separator system may alternatively or in addition include a gate disposed at the end of the screen section, the gate having a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying hot ash may include a frame, a trough supported on the frame to receive a quantity of hot ash, the trough including a trough wall with a plurality of semi-circular steel plates that define a surface of the trough wall and a plenum disposed beneath the semi-circular steel plates, and a vibratory generator operatively coupled to the trough. The conveyor may also include a first plurality of apertures in the trough wall in fluid communication with the plenum, and a plurality of baffles spaced above the first plurality of apertures in the trough wall, the baffles defining a second plurality of apertures through which air exiting the first plurality of apertures may pass in a direction along the surface of the trough wall.

Abstract: An attrition mill for reclaiming foundry sand from deposited material having lumps of used foundry sand and included material includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving the lumps of used foundry sand and included material. A base is disposed within the housing and has an elevated end defining a reject outlet adjacent a reject end of the mill and a lower end, and a discharge wall is positioned adjacent the base lower end to define a sand outlet adjacent a sand end of the mill. A resilient support is attached to the housing, and a vibratory drive is attached to the housing and includes first and second eccentrically loaded motors.

Abstract: A system, which may be used to perform simultaneous grinding and intimate mixing of edible fat-based slurries or emulsions, may include a cylindrical drum having a central longitudinal axis and a curved inner surface and mounted on springs, and a motor and tuned mass coupled to the cylindrical drum to vibrate the cylindrical drum about a center of vibration that is offset from the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum. The system includes at least one pair of partition plates disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum to divide the cylindrical drum into at least two process zones, the partition plates of the at least one pair having matching apertures and moveable relative to each other between alignment and misalignment. The system may be used, for example, in chocolate manufacture.

Abstract: A conveyor may include a conveyor includes a frame, a trough supported on the frame, and a vibratory generator operatively coupled to the trough. The trough has a trough wall with a first plurality of apertures, and a plurality of baffles are spaced above the first plurality of apertures in the trough wall, the baffles defining a second plurality of apertures through which air exiting the first plurality of apertures may pass.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a curved deck defining a conveying surface for supporting the object, the deck having an inner edge and an outer edge. A housing has an inner wall coupled to the deck inner edge and an outer wall coupled to the deck outer edge, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber and the inner wall defines a central chamber. An inlet air plenum may be provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures may be formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, the apertures arranged in an air distribution pattern. The conveyor also includes an outlet opening communicating between conveyor and central chambers. The conveyor further includes a catch floor extending across the central chamber, the floor having a discharge opening formed therein.

Abstract: A separator system may include a first trough having an inlet end, a downstream, outlet end and a trough floor, a first screen section supported in the trough spaced from the trough floor, the first screen section having a first end and a second downstream end, a material-retaining surface disposed at the downstream end of the first screen section, the material-retaining surface disposed at an angle relative to the first screen section to limit the movement of material across the first screen section, and a vibratory generator coupled to the trough. The separator system may alternatively or in addition include a gate disposed at the end of the screen section, the gate having a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a separation deck free of stepwise changes in elevation between a first end and a second end, the separation deck comprising a plurality of spaces through which a constituent material may pass, a plurality of scrubbers disposed on the deck, the plurality of scrubbers having a first end disposed at a higher elevation than the deck in at least a first state, and a vibratory generator coupled to the deck. The mixed material moves over the deck and the scrubbers from the first end to the second end by the motion imparted by the vibratory generator. Components of the mixed material move relative to each other as the components move over the scrubbers, thereby causing the constituents material attached to the components of the mixed material to separate and pass through the spaces in the separation deck.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object has a first housing wall with a first wall support and a second housing wall with a second wall support. A deck has a first lateral edge engaging the first wall support and a second lateral edge engaging the second wall support, so that the deck extends along a deck path and defines a conveyor surface adapted to receive the object. A force assembly is mechanically coupled to the deck and applies a force that bends the deck into an arcuate cross-sectional profile.

Abstract: A three mass vibratory apparatus for processing work material includes a bed defining a transport surface for receiving the objects, an elastic amplifier having a first end connected to the bed and a second end, and a drive base connected to the elastic amplifier second end. A linear actuator is mounted on the drive base and adapted to generate a linear vibratory force that is amplified by the elastic amplifier thereby to move the bed in a vibratory motion, so that the work material moves in response to the vibratory motion of the bed. The bed defines a first mass, the drive base and linear actuator define a second mass, and the reciprocating weight defines a third mass, the first, second, and third masses being isolated from rigid coupling to one another.

Abstract: A vibratory material separating apparatus has at least two plateau conveying surfaces interrupted by a drop out opening. A composite mixture is conveyed by a vibrating action beyond the first conveying plateau and over a foraminous section in the first conveying plateau adjacent the drop out opening. Air is directed upwardly through the foraminous section to break apart the composite mixture, and an air supply formed by an air duct is also directed angularly in relationship to the plane of the first conveying plateau to further break apart the composite mixture and to propel particles of predetermined density and/or dimension to the landing area on the second conveying plateau. The air duct is adjustable between a first position and a second position to form an air stream having an adjustable and width. In another aspect, a separating tube is located between and spaced from the first and second conveying plateaus, within the drop out opening.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a curved deck defining a conveying surface for supporting the object, the deck having an inner edge and an outer edge. A housing has an inner wall coupled to the deck inner edge and an outer wall coupled to the deck outer edge, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber and the inner wall defines a central chamber. An inlet air plenum may be provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures may be formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, the apertures arranged in an air distribution pattern. The conveyor also includes an outlet opening communicating between conveyor and central chambers. The conveyor further includes a catch floor extending across the central chamber, the floor having a discharge opening formed therein.

Abstract: A two mass vibratory apparatus for processing work material includes a bed defining a transport surface for receiving the objects, an elastic amplifier having a first end connected to the bed and a second end, and a base connected to the elastic amplifier second end. A linear actuator is mounted on the base and adapted to generate a linear vibratory force that is amplified by the elastic amplifier thereby to move the bed in a vibratory motion, so that the work material moves in response to the vibratory motion of the bed.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a spiral deck enclosed in a housing having passageways for allowing air flow between adjacent deck tier segments. In addition, the conveyor may include two concentric spiral decks operably coupled to one another, wherein a vibratory force is capable of simultaneously advancing objects both up the first spiral deck and down the second spiral deck.

Abstract: An attrition mill for reclaiming foundry sand from deposited material having lumps of used foundry sand and included material includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving the lumps of used foundry sand and included material. A base is disposed within the housing and has an elevated end defining a reject outlet adjacent a reject end of the mill and a lower end, and a discharge wall is positioned adjacent the base lower end to define a sand outlet adjacent a sand end of the mill. A resilient support is attached to the housing, and a vibratory drive is attached to the housing and includes first and second eccentrically loaded motors.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for separating a liquid from a liquid-laden solid material. The apparatus includes an inclined trough having a base with a first end and a second elevated with respect to the first end. A deck is attached to the trough base, the deck defining support points positioned above the base spaced from one another by a distance sufficient to support the solid material above the deck, and passages located between the support points to allow liquid to flow to the deck. A vibratory drive is attached to the trough and oriented impart a conveying motion toward the trough second end. Solid material deposited onto the deck is advanced toward the second end by the conveying motion while the liquid flows along the trough base toward the first end under gravity.