Patents by Inventor Bruce Andrew Firth

Bruce Andrew Firth has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method And Apparatus For Determining Particle Parameter And Processor Performance In A Coal And Mineral Processing System
    Publication number: 20090245588
    Abstract: An image (100) of particulate material, such as an X-ray image of coal, is captured and processed to determine a parameter of the material, such as particle density or particle size distribution. The performance or efficiency of a processing system, such as a dense medium separator, can be evaluated by determining parameters of the material before entry to and after exit from the processing system. The parameter is determined by comparing image characteristics (relating to statistical features), to a predetermined set of image characteristics. If the image (100) is obtained by transmission of radiation through the material, accuracy can be improved by measuring the thickness of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew Vince, Bruce Andrew Firth, Shenggen Hu
  • Method and apparatus for determining particle parameter and processor performance in a coal and mineral processing system
    Patent number: 7542873
    Abstract: An image (100) of particulate material, such as an X-ray image of coal, is captured and processed to determine a parameter of the material, such as particle density or particle size distribution. The performance or efficiency of a processing system, such as a dense medium separator, can be evaluated by determining parameters of the material before entry to and after exit from the processing system. The parameter is determined by comparing image characteristics (relating to statistical features), to a predetermined set of image characteristics. If the image (100) is obtained by transmission of radiation through the material, accuracy can be improved by measuring the thickness of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Andrew Vince, Bruce Andrew Firth, Shenggen Hu
  • Apparatus and method for selective separation of hydrophobic material
    Patent number: 5855769
    Abstract: Hydrophobic material is selectively separated from an aqueous feed by forming gas bubbles in a flow of the feed, forming hydrophobic material/gas bubbles aggregates by motionless mixing and separating the aggregates as a froth by use of centrifugal action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Bruce Andrew Firth, Philip Kwadwo Ofori