Magnetic And Sifting Patents (Class 209/38)
  • Patent number: 11253870
    Abstract: A basket strainer insert having a body with one or more magnets disposed therein. The basket strainer insert includes a baffle that is removable. The movement of withdrawing the baffle from the body allows magnetic debris to be removed. A baffle may be disposed at the center of the elongate intermediate portion of the body. The baffle may comprise a collar and two or more symmetrical lobes, each lobe comprising an upper portion and a lower portion. Alternatively, the baffle may be a hollow shape with a plurality of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Metraflex Company
    Inventors: James R. Richter, Martin I. Rogin, Kathleen Elizabeth Bollito, Daniel R. Kish, Daniel Holbach
  • Patent number: 10814334
    Abstract: A device for separating a metalliferous, lumpy mixture, with a conveyor belt and with a rotating drum in which a fixed magnet system with at least one magnet line is arranged. The separating effect of the device is improved and its complexity is reduced where it is provided that the magnets of the at least one magnet line are arranged such that their poles have the sequence NS SN or SN NS in the circumferential direction, as a result of which the ratio of the maximum radial magnetic flux density to the maximum tangential magnetic flux density on the belt surface, facing the material, in the region of the magnet system is greater than one and, owing to this, the electrically conductive particles are separated out into the first partial stream by radial force action (repulsion).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: IFE AUFBEREITUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Karl
  • Patent number: 10795450
    Abstract: An electronic device with a hover sensor is described where the electronic device has an orientation sensor configured to detect an orientation of the electronic device. The electronic device has a hover pattern recognition component configured to use data sensed by the hover sensor to recognize a hover pattern of one or more objects in a hover space extending from the hover sensor. The electronic device has a processor configured to select an action from a plurality of possible actions in dependence on the sensed orientation and the recognized hover pattern and to trigger the selected action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Abigail Jane Sellen, William A. S. Buxton, Samuel Gavin Smyth, Kenton O'Hara, Richard Malcolm Banks
  • Patent number: 10509018
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 9975120
    Abstract: A chip assembly for use in a microfluidic analysis system, such as a patch clamp apparatus, comprises a chip having an outer wall, a carrier structure comprising an aperture for receiving the chip, the aperture defining an inner wall, wherein the chip is arranged in the aperture with a liquid tight seal between the outer wall of the chip and the inner wall of the aperture. The chip may be sealed and bonded to the carrier structure by means of a bonding material, such as an UV curing adhesive. A through hole in the chip is aligned with the aperture in the carrier structure. A method for manufacturing the chip assembly is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SOPHION BIOSCIENCE A/S
    Inventors: Anders Brask, Jonatan Kutchinsky
  • Publication number: 20150114888
    Abstract: Foundries utilize quartz foundry sand and generate waste foundry sand as a by-product. Frac sand exists with other components within the waste foundry sand. A configuration of machinery processing a flow of quartz waste foundry sand into frac sand includes a screening device separating the flow and providing the frac sand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Francis A. Lesters
  • Patent number: 9016477
    Abstract: A method and system is used to process slag material to yield by-products including a finished iron rich product and a finished low iron fines product. The by-products may include a finished high iron product and a finished medium iron product. The method and system include size classifying the material into a plurality of sized groups prior to using magnetic separation to separate at least one of the sized groups into two portions having differing magnetic susceptibilities. The method and system may include more than one phase of size classifying the material into a plurality of sized groups and using magnetic separation to separate at least one of the sized groups into portions, where the average size of the material remaining after one phase is reduced prior to the subsequent phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Mid-American Gunite, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Keaton, Keith P. Masserant, Lawrence I. Masserant
  • Patent number: 8905242
    Abstract: Methods and systems for incineration ash such as ash from municipal waste incineration plants, purification and recovery of materials and metals. Increased levels of aggregate and metals recovery and purification are achieved and production of residual ash with less environmental contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: John Vandemierden
  • Patent number: 8881909
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of bottom ash is characterized by shredding and physical separation phases. The bottom ash undergoes an oxidation treatment of the amphoteric metals contained therein. After the process, the treated bottom ash can be employed as mineral additive for concretes or hydraulic bonding agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: PETRACEM S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alessandro Quadrio Curzio
  • Publication number: 20140246358
    Abstract: A method for solid waste separation and processing (10) comprising the method steps of: (a) Passing a municipal solid waste (12) to a first size based separation step (14) producing at least a fine organic fraction(16) and a coarse fraction (18); (b) Passing the fine organic fraction (16) to a digestion process (20) by way of a glass and grit separation step (24); and (c) Recirculating the coarse fraction (18) of step (a) through the first size based separation step (14) at least once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: ANAECO LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Richard Gravett, Janusz Krzysztof Fulara
  • Patent number: 8800775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating materials containing a mixture of plastic materials and metal materials, said method including: —crushing the material to be treated; pyrolysis of the crushed material; a first magnetic separation performed on the pyrolysed material providing, on the one hand, a ferrous metal fraction and, on the other hand, non-ferrous residue; —a second magnetic separation performed on the non-ferrous residue providing, on the one hand, a non-ferrous metal fraction and, on the other hand, non-magnetic residue. The invention also relates to a facility for implementing said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Terra Nova
    Inventors: Christian Thomas, Joël Menuet, Gervais Vanhelle
  • Publication number: 20140209516
    Abstract: A dynamic baffle system for a magnetic separator includes a containment barrier secured to a frame and positioned between a rotary screen drum and a magnetic drum. The dynamic baffle system further includes a baffle configured to block an opening of the containment barrier. The baffle is movable between an open position in which media mixture is capable of flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and a closed position in which the media mixture is prohibited from flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and configured to evenly build up on the containment barrier. The dynamic baffle system further includes a sensor and a controller coupled to the sensor and the baffle to control the amount of media mixture flowing from the rotary screen drum to the magnetic drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Michael D. Reaves, David W. Howard
  • Patent number: 8673208
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for refining iron from high-phosphorus content iron ores. The process involves mixing a high-phosphorus iron oxide ore and an alkaline solution of pH between about 12.5 and 13.5, screening the mixture by gravity to separate an alkaline-high-phosphorus solution from a low-phosphorus iron ore; and treating the low-phosphorus iron ore with lime and a natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: C.V.G. Ferrominera Orinoco C.A.
    Inventor: Henry Rafael Bueno Colina
  • Patent number: 8616378
    Abstract: In a method and to an arrangement for treating a light fraction produced during the treatment of plastic-rich waste that is low in metal, at least the following steps are carried out consecutively: the light fraction is stressed by percussion and/or bashing, the light fraction is classified into at least two light fraction classes, at least one light fraction class is separated into at least one dust fraction and at least one other fraction, the separation of the dust fraction taking place over a substantially controlled residence time of the light fraction class in at least one device involved in the separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, Sicon GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Guschall, Daniel Goldmann
  • Publication number: 20130240415
    Abstract: A method and system is used to process slag material to yield by-products including a finished iron rich product and a finished low iron fines product. The by-products may include a finished high iron product and a finished medium iron product. The method and system include size classifying the material into a plurality of sized groups prior to using magnetic separation to separate at least one of the sized groups into two portions having differing magnetic susceptibilities. The method and system may include more than one phase of size classifying the material into a plurality of sized groups and using magnetic separation to separate at least one of the sized groups into portions, where the average size of the material remaining after one phase is reduced prior to the subsequent phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: MID-AMERICAN GUNITE, INC.
    Inventors: Donald E. Keaton, Keith P. Masserant, Lawrence I. Masserant
  • Patent number: 8476545
    Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or to more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20130075307
    Abstract: There are provided devices, systems and processes to treat slurries that include magnetic and nonmagnetic particles suspended in water in such a fashion as to separate certain valuable elements and/or minerals from less valuable minerals or elements. A high intensity magnetic separator includes at least one large rotatable turntable that defines at least one circular channel therethrough in which a matrix material is positioned. The turntable is configured to rotate in a generally horizontal plane about a generally vertical virtual axis, causing the at least one circular channel to rotate through a plurality of intermittent magnetic and nonmagnetic zones generated by a plurality of permanent magnet members. A treatment slurry is directed into the channel or channels in one or more of the magnetic zones as the turntable rotates. A tailings fraction passes through the channel or channels in a generally downward direction in the magnetic zones and is collected in tailings launders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Magnetation, Inc.
    Inventor: Magnetation, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8387800
    Abstract: A system and method to identify and extract metallic items from impacted soil to isolate ordnance-related items is disclosed. A feeder feeds impacted soil onto a first conveyor belt that conveys the impacted soil towards a screener. The screener screens particles from the impacted soil received from the first conveyor belt, and if the particles are smaller than an ordnance-related size of concern, the particles pass through the screener. If the particles are larger than the ordnance-related size of concern, the larger particles are passed onto a second conveyor belt. The second conveyor belt conveys the impacted soil towards a magnet positioned above the second conveyor belt. The magnet is utilized to pull metallic items away from the impacted soil for inspection by an ordnance inspector to determine if a metallic item is ordnance-related. Impacted soil is cycled back to the screener and the magnet in a closed-loop system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Steven Mark Aman
  • Publication number: 20130043167
    Abstract: A vertical ring magnetic separator for de-ironing of coal ash comprises a rotating ring (101), an inductive medium (102), an upper iron yoke (103), a lower iron yoke (104), a magnetic exciting coil (105), a feeding opening (106), a tailing bucket (107) and a water washing device (109). The feeding opening (106) is used for feeding the coal ash to be de-ironed, and the tailing bucket (107) is used for discharging the non-magnetic particles after de-ironing. The upper iron yoke (103) and the lower iron yoke (104) are respectively arranged at the inner and outer sides of the lower portion of the rotating ring (101). The water washing device (109) is arranged above the rotating ring (101). The inductive medium (102) is arranged in the rotating ring (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: CHINA SHENHUA ENERGY COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jianguo Han, Zhaohua Guo, Wenhui Zhang, Cundi Wei, Yongwang Wang, Shaonan Xu, Sa Lv, Hong Dong, Junzhou Chi, Jianmin Zhang, Qingan Nan
  • Publication number: 20120325726
    Abstract: Slurries of magnetic and nonmagnetic particles in water are treated in a high intensity magnetic separator including at least one turntable that defines at least one circular channel therethrough in which a matrix material is positioned. Rotation of the turntable in a generally horizontal plane about a generally vertical virtual axis causes the circular channel(s) to rotate through a plurality of magnetic and nonmagnetic zones generated by magnet members. Treatment slurry is directed into the channel(s) in one or more of the magnetic zones as the turntable rotates. A tailings fraction passing through the channel(s) in a generally downward direction in the magnetic zones is collected in tailings launders. Magnetic particles attracted to the matrix material in the magnetic zones remain in the channel(s) until they pass into an adjacent nonmagnetic zone, where the magnetic particles are washed from the channel(s) into concentrate launders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Lucas Lehtinen, Shawn Henriksen, David Chappie, Travis Edward Cunningham, Danilo Bibancos
  • Patent number: 8186515
    Abstract: Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) requires high-performing tracer materials that are highly magnetic monodispersed particles with fast remagnetization behavior. Known separation techniques only allow for fractionation of magnetic particles based on differences in magnetic volume. Proposed is a separation method, which allows for separation of magnetic particles with respect to their dynamic response onto an oscillating high gradient magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Denis Markov, Hans Marc Bert Boeve
  • Patent number: 8083073
    Abstract: The loader bucket sieve apparatus is clamped between the jaws of the bucket of a bucket loader or the like, without tools or fasteners. Importantly, as the apparatus rests upon a given surface, the loader operator need only place the jaws of the bucket in the appropriate positions and then clamp the jaws together, reversing said procedure when wishing to disengage the apparatus. The apparatus may have straight supports or concave supports, depending upon need and bucket application. The sieves may extend beyond each side of the supports at each side of the apparatus in order to increase work surface beyond the bounds of the jaws. The sieves may be equidistantly spaced and may also be unequally spaced apart. Sieves may be disposed within all the holes or part of the holes of the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Brown
  • Patent number: 8056729
    Abstract: In a method for sorting shredder residues of metal-containing wastes, in particular of vehicle bodies, where the shredder residues are separated into a shredder light fraction and a non-ferromagnetic fraction) and a system for implementing the method, (a) a crude-fiber fraction being generated during the processing of the shredder light fraction and the shredder heavy fraction in preliminary processes and a main process, by extracting at least a ferromagnetic fraction, a fraction containing nonferrous metals, a granulate fraction, and a sand fraction, and (b) the crude-fiber fraction being separated into a metal-containing dust fraction, a fiber fraction depleted in metals, and a metallic fraction in a refining process, using the successive process steps of metal-balling, dust removal, and density separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Daniel Goldmann, Bram den Dunnen, Michael Knust
  • Publication number: 20110240528
    Abstract: A metal recycling separator comprising a shredder having a sloped shaking table disposed entirely within the shredder. The shredder shreds materials into ferrous and non-ferrous materials and the sloped shaking table disperses the ferrous and non-ferrous materials onto a first conveyor belt. Non-ferrous materials are separated from ferrous materials by conveying such through two drum electromagnets, wherein the ferrous material and the remaining non-ferrous materials are transferred to a water receptacle. The water receptacle is filled with water, wherein a part of the remaining non-ferrous materials float out of the water receptacle, and the remaining ferrous materials sink to the bottom of the water receptacle. The ferrous materials and residual non-ferrous materials are then conveyed out of the water receptacle and onto two conveyor belts and a third drum electromagnet. Ferrous material is removed from the two conveyor belts and is also removed via the third drum electromagnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Ariel Ruiz
  • Patent number: 7999012
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system to mechanically destroy printer toner cartridges and reclaim their constituent materials under a water shielded environment while providing a safer and more environmentally friendly recycling system. The present invention is an economical system that provides greater protection from possible fire or explosion and releases less irritating or possibly harmful airborne contamination than the currently available systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Lacee Lamphere, Brian Ibarra, Donald Laffler, James Hardin
  • Patent number: 7935326
    Abstract: To provide a treatment method having excellent purification effect, in which impurities having high ionicity in a silica powder can be removed in a short time, a apparatus thereof, and a purified silica powder. A purification method of a silica powder comprises: making a silica powder into a fluid state; contacting a purified gas to the silica powder in the fluid state at high temperature; and thereby removing impurity components of the silica powder. In the method, the silica powder in the fluid state is positioned in a magnetic field region. Further, the silica powder is contacted with the purified gas, while applying voltage to the silica powder by an electric field generated by moving of the silica powder. Preferably, the silica powder in a fluid state is positioned in the magnetic region of 10 gausses or more, and contacted with the purification gas at a temperature of 1000° C. or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Super Quartz Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Kanda, Yoshiyuki Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20110094943
    Abstract: There are provided devices, systems and processes to treat slurries that include magnetic and nonmagnetic particles suspended in water in such a fashion as to separate certain valuable elements and/or minerals from less valuable minerals or elements. A high intensity magnetic separator includes at least one large rotatable turntable that defines at least one circular channel therethrough in which a matrix material is positioned. The turntable is configured to rotate in a generally horizontal plane about a generally vertical virtual axis, causing the at least one circular channel to rotate through a plurality of intermittent magnetic and nonmagnetic zones generated by a plurality of permanent magnet members. A treatment slurry is directed into the channel or channels in one or more of the magnetic zones as the turntable rotates. A tailings fraction passes through the channel or channels in a generally downward direction in the magnetic zones and is collected in tailings launders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: David Chappie, Martin J. Halverson, Lucas J. Lehlinen
  • Publication number: 20110073529
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering ferrous material from the boiler grit of burnt tires used to create electricity or heat at industrial locations. The system includes a magnetic separator for attracting the ferrous material out of the boiler grit, and a series of conveyors for transporting the ferrous and non-ferrous materials away from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: ALTRA INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dean Sprouse, Tracy Layne Bolware
  • Publication number: 20110017644
    Abstract: Recovering like-type materials from an electronic waste stream. The recovered materials can include, without limitation, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and plastics. Also, printed circuit board materials and precious metals can be recovered. Distinct technologies are combined to achieve the separation of the unique materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas A. Valerio
  • Patent number: 7780011
    Abstract: Mobile metal scrap recovery apparatuses and methods of operating them to remove scrap metal from scrap metal-contaminated soil are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a mobile metal scrap recovery apparatus comprises first and second wheeled components, each of which is road transportable. The first wheeled component comprises a unit for screening the metal scrap-contaminated soil into at least a coarser fraction and a finer fraction. The second wheeled component comprises a magnet separator, an eddy current separator, and a manual picking station. Methods for conducting the business of scrap metal recovery are also disclosed. Such business methods involve the use of a mobile metal scrap recovery apparatus to remove scrap metal from scrap metal-contaminated soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas F. Tuite
  • Patent number: 7770735
    Abstract: A process for beneficiation of trona includes supplying a trona feedstream that is crushed and dried. The trona is then separated into a first size fraction and a second size fraction. Impurities are removed from the first size fraction using at least one magnetic separator. The magnetic separator includes a plurality of stages. Each stage includes a conveyer system including a first end, a second end, and a conveyer belt. Each stage also includes a magnetic roller disposed at the second end of the conveyer system and a splitter disposed adjacent the second end of the conveyer system for separating a fraction of magnetic impurities from the trona to create a beneficiated fraction. At least one conveyer belt is deionized. Airborne dust particles are removed from an area surrounding at least one conveyer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Solvay Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Phillip, William E. Stuble, Mike J. Ventura, Donald M. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7769485
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the process of segregating undesired mail using an incoming mail sorter are described and in certain examples, systems including those for using information feed-forward and/or feedback systems for making selective physical delivery decisions in the process of sorting and delivering incoming physical mail are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Miller, Luis A. Sanchez, George M. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7743926
    Abstract: A magnetic separator for a mineral feed comprising, a rotatable drum having an attraction surface, an inlet for receiving a stream of the mineral feed and directing it past the rotating drum, means for generating a magnetic field to attract magnetic components in the feed to the attraction surface, a first zone for take off of non-magnetic components of the mineral feed, and a second zone for take off of the magnetic components, wherein the magnetic field generating means are adapted to subject the magnetic components to at least one reversal of polarity of the magnetic field as the drum rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: GEKKO Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Alexander Hamilton Lewis-Gray
  • Publication number: 20100047912
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for coating, singulating, aligning, ablating, and indexing a number of seeds for testing is described. The apparatus has a carrier designed to hold seeds in a predetermined alignment for ablating a seed sample from a seed portion, the seed portions are indexed to the seed samples. The carrier is then located on the apparatus which delivers the seed samples from the carrier to a collector for laboratory testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: JOSHUA L. MONGAN, JASON COPE, GARY A. SANDAHL
  • Patent number: 7651870
    Abstract: A device for treating an analyte using magnetic beads is provided wherein the surfaces of the magnetic beads are effectively available as a whole. The device comprises a housing having a channel therein, through which channel the analyte is moved; a pair of electromagnets which are oppositely arranged in such a manner that the channel is interposed therebetween; a moving means for moving the pair of electromagnets along the channel while the electromagnets are facing the channel; and a controlling means for controlling magnetic forces generated by the electromagnets. The device is characterized in that the magnetic forces of the electromagnets are alternately generated with time. This will cause the magnetic beads to collide successively with the inner surface of the channel, which in turn gives a more efficient dispersion of the magnetic beads even if they are clustered or agglutinated to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Horita
  • Patent number: 7615382
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic sifter that is small in scale, enables three-dimensional flow in a direction normal to the substrate, allows relatively higher capture rates and higher flow rates, and provides a relatively easy method of releasing captured biomolecules. The magnetic sifter includes at least one substrate. Each substrate contains a plurality of slits, each of which extends through the substrate. The sifter also includes a plurality of magnets attached to the bottom surface of the substrate. These magnets are located proximal to the openings of the slits. An electromagnetic source controls the magnitude and direction of magnetic field gradient generated by the magnets. Either one device may be used, or multiple devices may be used in series. In addition, the magnetic sifter may be used in connection with a detection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shan X. Wang, Nader Pourmand, Robert L. White
  • Publication number: 20080314802
    Abstract: Mobile metal scrap recovery apparatuses and methods of operating them to remove scrap metal from scrap metal-contaminated soil are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a mobile metal scrap recovery apparatus comprises first and second wheeled components, each of which is road transportable. The first wheeled component comprises a unit for screening the metal scrap-contaminated soil into at least a coarser fraction and a finer fraction. The second wheeled component comprises a magnet separator, an eddy current separator, and a manual picking station. Methods for conducting the business of scrap metal recovery are also disclosed. Such business methods involve the use of a mobile metal scrap recovery apparatus to remove scrap metal from scrap metal-contaminated soil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas F. Tuite
  • Patent number: 7438187
    Abstract: A magnetic separation apparatus for separating metallic material from a granulated stream of mixed metallic and nonmetallic material comprises a vibratory conveyor having a trough assembly mounted on a suspension system and coupled to a motor for causing the suspension system to vibrate. The trough assembly includes an upper trough having at least two sections aligned in a predetermined direction of material flow and a lower trough extending in the same direction as and beneath the upper. The upper trough includes one or more gaps of a predetermined width so as to permit material to fall onto the lower trough. Each trough is arranged so as to feed a different output collection point. At least one of the gaps between a downstream section of the upper trough and an upstream section of the upper trough includes the downstream section positioned at a height lower than the upstream section thereby forming a vertical drop between the two sections with the gap positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Action Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew T. LaVeine
  • Patent number: 7331467
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating non-magnetic mineral values from a source containing magnetic material and non magnetic material. The apparatus includes first and second conveyers in overlying relation which counter-rotate relative to one another. One of the conveyers includes a magnetic assembly which cooperates with paddles on the upper conveyer to progressively isolate values from magnetic material. Multiple stages are provided for intermittent magnetic interactions such that the non-magnetic materials are effectively isolated from the magnetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Magnetic Torque International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard J. Wise
  • Patent number: 7188730
    Abstract: A screening system designed to provide separation of multiple fractions of New Screens Fines. News Screens Fines (“NSF”) contain a mix of compressed, unmarketable recyclables that are generally less than four inches in size created as a by-product of current Material Recovery Facility (MRF) plant designs used to process single-stream recyclables. The NSF separation system uses a series of primary and secondary classification apparatus to separate materials into marketable products that meet legislative requirements. A series of screens, conveyors and air moving systems are designed to separate waste from fractions of glass, plastic and ferrous metals that can be sold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: Michael C. Centers, Stephen A. Young
  • Patent number: 7183104
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system for collecting biological samples from air including a collection assembly to store at least one biological sample and a separator to remove selected particles from the air prior to entry into the collection assembly. In one embodiment, the selected particles are magnetic and the separator includes at least one magnet to attract the particles from the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Clifford A. Megerle
  • Patent number: 7090080
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing free wire reclamation from a granulated stream of mixed metallic and nonmetallic material comprises a vibratory conveyor having a trough assembly mounted on a suspension system and coupled to a motor for causing the suspension system to vibrate. The trough assembly includes upper and lower vibrating troughs extending parallel to one another, the upper trough including at least one gap of a predetermined width. Each trough is arranged so as to feed a different output collection point, and at least one declumping zone comprising at least one perforated deck is situated in-line with the upper and lower troughs. A magnetic separator is arranged above the gap in the upper trough so as to pick up free metal. Rubber granules fall through the gap and are deposited in a receptacle, while metal is deposited on the upper trough which feeds a separate receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Action Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew T. LaVeine
  • Patent number: 6994219
    Abstract: A particulate feed comprising a first particle type and a second particle type is separated by providing a separation apparatus having a separation vessel having a top and a bottom, and wherein the separation vessel includes inwardly sloping side walls. A magnet structure has a first pole positioned exterior of and adjacent to each of the side walls of the separation vessel, and a second pole positioned above the separation vessel. A mixture of the particulate feed and a ferrofluid is introduced into the separation vessel, and the particulate feed is separated into a first particle fraction comprising a majority of the first particle type, which sinks in the separation vessel, and a second particle fraction comprising a majority of the second particle type which floats in the separation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Gregory Roth, Richard Frederick Halter
  • Publication number: 20040217040
    Abstract: An improved air jig apparatus and method is disclosed in which a dry magnetic separator is used to separate paramagnetic and ferromagnetic minerals from the dust component of coal cleaned with the air jig. The cleaned product of the dry magnetic separator is combined with the cleaned product of the air jig thereby improving both the quality and the quantity of the unmodified air jig product. The dry magnetic separator may be of a variety of types including but not limited to separators made from permanent magnets, electromagnets, and superconducting magnets, each of which may also employ triboelectric and/or aerodynamic means to enhance the separation of the dust material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: EXPORTech Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin R. Oder, Richard S. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6730161
    Abstract: A finely ground powder comprising a mixture of fly ash and a compound selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts, alkali and alkaline earth metal oxides, and metakaolinite. Preferably, the amount of said compound is 0.4 to 1% by weight of the powder. A composition comprising Portland cement and finely ground powder, said finely ground powder being a mixture of fly ash and a compound selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts, alkali and alkaline earth metal oxides, and metakaolinite. A method for the treatment of fly ash comprising the step of subjecting a mixture of fly ash and a compound selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts, alkali and alkaline earth metal oxides, and metakaolinite, preferably in which the fly ash has been treated for removal of carbon and in particular to increase the amount of crystalline phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Process Research Ortech, Inc.
    Inventors: Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan, Ramamritham Sridhar, Noel Paul Mailvaganam, V. Mohan Malhotra
  • Patent number: 6722503
    Abstract: In a coal preparation plant which receives a raw coal feed and separates the raw coal feed into a clean coal feed and a refuse feed, an apparatus is provided for receiving and mixing the raw coal feed with water. The inventive apparatus includes a deslime screen assembly including a feedbox, magnetic separator and a deslime screen. The feedbox receives the raw coal feed and directs the raw coal onto the deslime screen for separation into coarse and fine sized raw coal fractions. The magnetic separator is provided which is integrally formed with the feedbox. The magnetic separator receives an input slurry of magnetic solid particles and water from the coal preparation plant, and separates the magnetic solid particles from the input slurry. The overflow tailings slurry output by the magnetic separator from which magnetic solid particles have been removed is received directly by the feedbox and mixed with the raw coal feed particles received thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sedgman, LLC
    Inventors: Larry A. Watters, Daniel S. Placha
  • Publication number: 20040035756
    Abstract: The magnetic susceptibility of one or more plastic articles is enhanced to enable their separation from a waste stream using magnetic separators. An amount of paramagnetic material is added to the plastic formulation to influence magnetic susceptibility without affecting the properties associated with the function of the plastic article. The material is preferably selected from a group consisting of magnetite, ferro-silicon and ferromagnetic particles (e.g., iron filings). The amount or material can be varied in the range of between 0.05% and 5% by weight of the plastic formulation. The plastic with altered magnetic susceptibility and a method separating that plastic from a waste stream are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Mankosa, Gerald H. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 6684763
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for crushing and sorting cans to collect waste cans in an optimal weight-to-volume ratio are provided. The method includes determining whether or not an object is supplied to a can crushing device and whether or the supplied object is a can by a proximity sensor installed at a can supply unit, and when it is determined that the supplied object is a can, opening an opening/closing plate installed at the can supply unit, thereby supplying the can into a crushing/sorting/discharging unit, and crushing/sorting/discharging for crushing the supplied can by a crushing plate installed in the crushing/sorting/discharging unit, sorting the crushed can using an electromagnetic force applied to the crushing plate by electromagnets mounted on the crushing plate, in accordance with the material of the can, and then discharging the sorted can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Chang-Geun Park
  • Patent number: 6655530
    Abstract: The household waste treatment requires neither incineration nor disposal in landfills. Two processing sub-systems, first one for combustibles and the other or second one for incombustibles, cooperate with each other as a single system for recycling the waste. The first sub-system deals with combustible waste to yields products for fertilizing and/or conditioning soil. In the process, what are inappropriate to the production of the soil fertilizing and/or conditioning products are sent to the second sub-system, which deals with incombustible waste. This sub-system sorts the incombustible waste materials into various kinds of recyclable products. Combustibles among the incombustible waste materials are sent to the first sub-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Nakamura, Yoshihiko Watanabe, Kazufumi Watabe
  • Patent number: 6464082
    Abstract: Glass cullet such as recycled municipal waste is processed to substantially eliminate contaminants including light weight paper and polymer, ferrous and nonferrous metal and also ceramics, pyroceramics, tempered glass, stones and assorted silicates that have properties approximating those of glass. In a series of washing and sorting steps, different mechanical, chemical, electromagnetic, and thermal processes cause distinct materials in the cutlet to react differently, whereupon the contaminants are selectively removed and the glass is processed on. The cullet is crushed; ferrous and nonferrous metals are detected and diverted, a screening station sizes cullet particles and routes larger sizes back for additional crushing. An air blower entrains and removes light fractions and dust. A wash station entrains and removes dirt and soluble material. In a flow of sized particles, further metal and ceramic (non-glass silica) detection devices divert portions of the flow sensed to contain non-glass materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Eftek Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin S. Kimmel, Neal A. Hawk, Meredith A. Keller, Frank Whitmore