Abstract: A combine harvester having a grain pan arranged to catch a crop stream, the grain pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey the crop stream rearwardly to a rear edge. A cleaning unit including a fan for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed under the rear edge. The grain pan includes a floor profile which defines a transverse profile comprising ridges and troughs. The troughs provide a plurality of longitudinal channels, wherein the ridge-to-trough height increases in the direction of conveyance. Crop material conveyed by the grain pan experiences channels that deepen towards the rear edge of the pan.

Abstract: A two-stage static air classifier has a feed duct through which particles of a granular mixture fall. A classifying louver plate having fins forming upwardly inclined classifying channels is fitted into a side opening in the feed duct. Particles of a set size are drawn by air suction through the classifying channels in the first stage. A separator box having an inlet connected to the outlet of the classifying channels collects the separated particles in a second stage as the entrained particles fall by gravity to the bottom of the separator box while the air streams drawing the particles through the classifying channels pass out the top end of the box. Adjustable baffle plates transversely extending through the box permit control of the quantity of fines collected with the particles at the separator box bottom. Size of the collected particles is determined by the speed of a fan at the top outlet of the separator box.

Abstract: A mail article transportation and stabilization system, and a method of operating the same, for use in conjunction with a camera-based optical character recognition (OCR), bar code reader (BCR), or similar image capture scanning system, comprises a conveyor drive belt for conveying the articles, pieces, or units of mail across a platen assembly within which an optical character recognition (OCR), bar code reader (BCR), or similar image capture camera or the like is positioned and in conjunction with which there is provided a serial array of air plenums for effectively creating an air bearing or air layer upon which the conveyor belt and the articles, pieces, or units of mail are conveyed in a relatively frictionless manner.

Abstract: A two-stage static air classifier has a feed duct through which particles of a granular mixture fall. A classifying louver plate having fins forming upwardly inclined classifying channels is fitted into a side opening in the feed duct. Particles of a set size are drawn by air suction through the classifying channels in the first stage. A separator box having an inlet connected to the outlet of the classifying channels collects the separated particles in a second stage as the entrained particles fall by gravity to the bottom of the separator box while the air streams drawing the particles through the classifying channels pass out the top end of the box. Adjustable baffle plates transversely extending through the box permit control of the quantity of fines collected with the particles at the separator box bottom. Size of the collected particles is determined by the speed of a fan at the top outlet of the separator box.

Abstract: A method of beneficiating coal in a dry process includes separating raw coal from a coal mine into coal fines and larger pieces of coal using pressurized air, separating the larger pieces of coal according to size, removing ash from the larger pieces of coal on an air table, and further removing ash from the larger pieces of coal using a size-discriminating device to obtain a beneficiated coal product. The invention also includes an apparatus for the dry beneficiation of coal. The apparatus includes at least one air separating device, at least one air table, and at least one first and second shakers which separate the coal by size and remove ash from the coal. The air table effectively removes ash from infed coal without the need for a fluidizing media.

Abstract: Culling device for vacuum cleaners and other equipment which is made either as uni-functional (1) or two-functional (16), a part of which enclosure (6) is most frequently made of transparent materials, the device itself being made as tube, handle, part of handle or a specially constructed device which is inserted into the conveying tunnel of a vacuum cleaner (suction pipes), or similar devices. Inside the culling device there are waveformed paralell teeth (4) on a moveable axle (9), so-called culling comb (2), which by an external actuating mechanism (13, 24, 14, 5) is either adjusted so that:a) it rises diagonally into the air path and arrests articles which are carried into the culling device, while they are inspected and, as the case may be, removed (uni-functional culling device), or sucked or otherwise collected into a special collecting compartment (two-functional culling device), orb) it lies down and allows passage for the articles into the vacuum cleaner's accumulation case (its dustbag).

Abstract: Process for the treatment of a hydrocarbon fraction containing metals and comprising the following stages: (a) the said hydrocarbon fraction is treated in the presence of mean density particles (d.sub.o) under conditions for eliminating at least partly the metals contained therein and deposits of said metals on at least one fraction of said solid particles; (b) at least part of the solid particles from stage (a), whose mean density is (d.sub.i) is drawn off; (c) said solid particles from stage (b) are magnetohydrostatically separated by introducing said solid particles into a ferrofluid placed in a non-uniform magnetic field and creating a vertical magnetic field, whose intensity is adjusted in such a way that the apparent mean density (d.sub.af) of the ferrofluid permits the separation of said solid particles into at least one mean density fraction (d.sub.i) below said apparent mean density (d.sub.af) of the ferrofluid and into at least one mean density fraction (d.sub.s) above said mean apparent density (d.

Abstract: A waste material classifier apparatus which employs a rotary trommel for stirring up the waste material in an air stream so that the conglomeration of waste is easily sorted into dirt and small particles easily sifted through the trommel pores, with air sensitive paper and plastic carried out to a collection zone and large, heavy metallic objects thrust out of the trommel and run through both a magnetic separator and an induction conveyor head stock to sort out the metallic trash according to its magnetic and non-magnetic characteristics.

Abstract: An air classifier for separating light reusable materials from a stream of non-shredded solid waste is provided. The air classifier employs two operating phases. The first operating phase, the desired light fraction is entrained in an air stream and is conveyed above the remainder of the solid waste. The waste material is then received by a second conveyor so that the lighter fraction is received on top of the heavier fraction. Thus, the first phase of the apparatus effects mass stratification. During the second operating phase, the light fraction is actually removed from the heavy fraction by a high velocity air stream which is preferably induced by a reducing cross-section portion of the apparatus. The air flow through the apparatus is captured and recycled and the light fraction being separated therefrom in, for example, a cyclone.

Abstract: The secondary grain separator comprises an outer drum (12) constituted by at least two successive perforated lengths (18, 20, 22) having different mesh sizes, a feed chute (24) at the upstream end of the drum for pouring substances into the drum for separation along a vertical tangent, a curved wall (14) situated inside the drum and running from the chute at least as far as the bottom of the drum and defining an annular gap (16) for receiving the substances to be separated, deflector fins (30) inside the drum and inclined relative to the drum axis, and a collecting volute (34) surrounding the drum and including radially extending partitions (40, 42) defining collecting channels (44, 46, 48) facing the various lengths of the drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating relatively large particles from dust particles, comprising an enclosed separating station for separating the large particles from the dust particles. The large particle and dust particle mixture is pneumatically conveyed from a supply source to the separating station. The separated large particles and dust particles are conveyed from the separating station to respective depositories by respective pneumatic conveyors.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating solid granular metallurgical products. A plurality of linearly vibrating screens are housed, one over the other, each inclining more than the one above and each having a smaller mesh opening than the one above and 1.5 to 15 times larger than the desired parting size. The solids are fed onto the uppermost screen at the upper end thereof and are deflected in the direction of inclination of the screen. The finer solids initially fall through freely and on screens having smaller mesh openings and are also deflected in the direction of inclination of the screen. The coarsest solids fraction is withdrawn as overflow from the uppermost screen, finer solids fractions are withdrawn as overflow from following screens, and solids which have passed through all screens are withdrawn as a finest fraction. A gaseous fluid is flowed through at least part of the working space required for screening approximately transversely to the direction in which the solids pass through the screens.

Abstract: Metal contained within soil is separated therefrom by introducing the soil into a tank containing water which is quite turbulent, the turbulence being generated by the fact that the water is introduced into the tank in a swirl and also directly upwardly through the center of the swirl. Vibrator units on the sidewalls of the tank further add to the turbulence. Upon being introduced into the turbulent water, the soil quickly turns to mud which goes into suspension and the suspension so formed is buoyed upwardly by the incoming clean water which rises through the tank. The suspension overflows the tank and is directed to a settling basin where the mud is allowed to settle out. The clean water which remains is recirculated through the tank. The metal, on the other hand, being considerably heavier than the mud, passes downwardly through the tank where it is thoroughly washed by the incoming water. The washed metal passes out of the bottom of the tank and is elevated upwardly by a screw-type conveyor.