Abstract: A particle concentrator and method of operation are disclosed wherein the concentrator includes a concentrator deck, preferably having an inverted frustoconical configuration with substantial portions of the deck being vertically inclined, an eccentric drive for producing rotary oscillating movement of the deck with low density and high density particle outlets respectively formed on an axially central portion of the deck and a peripheral portion of the deck. Riffle elements are angularly formed on the deck to facilitate particle separation with a mechanical stop limiting travel of the deck in a direction selected for propelling the higher density particles along the riffle elements toward the high density outlet. The concentrator may be operated either dry or submerged under standing liquid, with annular inclination of the deck, angular pitch of the riffle elements and height of the riffle elements on the concentrator deck being selected to facilitate classification and separation of the particles.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for a jaw crusher having converging and opposed jaws defining a space for passage of material to be crushed. An improved assembly for imparting oscillatory vibration to at least one jaw comprises multiple eccentric means arranged in vertically spaced apart relation and synchronously operated by split drive means for producing more uniform and consistent operation of the crusher under different load conditions. Another improvement comprises at least two eccentric masses arranged in laterally spaced apart relation on the one jaw by separate shafts which are independently mounted by separate bearings whereby the size of both the eccentric masses and bearings is proportionately reduced to permit crusher operation at increased rates of rotation.

Abstract: A jaw crusher has converging and opposed jaws defining a space for passage of material to be crushed. An improved design for supporting the jaws in floating relation on a frame structure of the crusher includes: upper and lower elongated resilient members connected with the frame structure and upper and lower reaction members connected to each jaw for respective interaction with the elongated resilient members, the upper and lower reaction members being substantially diametrically opposed to each other for permitting oscillatory movement of the jaws while at the same time limiting travel of the jaws in all directions on the frame structure. The improved jaw with upper and lower reaction members as described above facilitates drop-in assembly of the jaws in the crusher.

Abstract: A jaw crusher is disclosed wherein opposed jaws converge downwardly to form a passage for material to be crushed, the jaws being supported on a frame structure by resilient floating mounts connected in series with each other and between the respective jaws and the frame structure. Each resilient floating mount preferably includes a wheel and pneumatic tire arranged coaxially within a relatively larger cylindrical track. Balanced eccentric masses are supported on each jaw for uniformly driving them in oscillatory vibration. The jaws are configured so that when lower portions of the jaws are generally parallel in order to achieve fine crushing, the upper jaw portions form a converging angle of approximately seven to sixteen degrees in order to achieve enhanced crushing particularly in combination with the balanced eccentric masses and the series connected resilient floating mounts.

Abstract: Vibratory crushing apparatus is disclosed including a mandrel support housing suspended on a frame structure and providing floating support for a vertically arranged mandrel. Upper and lower collar housings are arranged upon the mandrel support housing and define upper and lower faces for crushing interaction with the mandrel. A shaft extends along the mandrel axis on bearings with opposed eccentric masses attached to its ends by hinges. The circumferential face on the upper collar is tapered for receiving relatively large materials to be crushed. Components of the crusher are of modular construction to facilitate repair and maintenance and a cylindrical ring secured to a central portion of the mandrel functions in combination with the upper and lower collar members to form a passage for conducting material to be crushed through the apparatus.

Abstract: A vibratory crusher and method of operation are disclosed wherein an elongated mandrel has a rotatable shaft extending along its axis with eccentric masses mounted in balanced and opposed offset relation on opposite ends of the shaft, the mandrel being supported in a manner permitting floating gyratory motion of its ends which are arranged in spaced apart relation within first and second relatively fixed reaction collars or cones, the shaft being driven in rotation whereby the eccentric masses cause the ends of the mandrel to gyrate relative to the reaction collars or cones for producing a vibratory crushing effect therebetween.

Abstract: Two sources of water with a temperature differential of say 20.degree. F. flow alternately through heat exchanger tubes to expand and contract a working liquid that has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, the whole working cycle being carried out below the boiling point of the working liquid. With check valves preventing reverse flow, the expansion and contraction of the working liquid provides a high pressure hydraulic output which may be used to drive a hydraulic motor. To provide substantially steady output flow, four banks of heat exchangers may be operated sequentially with hydraulic accumulator means smoothing out the flow pulsations. Each bank has a four-stage operating cycle and electrical circuitry controls the four banks simultaneously to cause the four different stages to occur in certain of the four different banks in staggered relation for producing a substantially constant overall hydraulic output.

Abstract: A rotary manifold valve mechanism for sequentially connecting a plurality of fluid flow ports with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, in which a stationary valving element has connections respectively with the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and an operatively associated rotatable manifold is provided with the flow ports. In one form of the invention the valving element is stationary and positioned within the manifold element which is drivingly rotated by a connected shaft, while in a modified form the valving element is positioned outwardly of the manifold element which in this case comprises the shaft and wherein the flow ports are formed on the shaft periphery.

Abstract: A fluid operated engine having a pair of spaced apart disc-like plate members respectively fixedly secured to a pair of drive shaft sections having adjacent ends interconnected by a universal joint, a plurality of pressurized fluid actuated axially expansile and retractile devices extending between and being connected to corresponding circumferentially spaced points of said members, a valve mechanism for sequentially controlling the flow of actuating fluid to and from said devices, said shaft sections being rotatably supported in tiltable bearing supports selectively adjustable to vary the angular relation of the interconnected shaft sections and selectively position the connected plate members respectively in different angular nutating relationships to cause shaft rotations in opposite directions at varied speeds, and in a parallel non-nutating relationship in which the shaft remains stationary.