Abstract: The invention relates to a water treatment device comprising a mixing tank comprising an inlet path (12) for an effluent to be treated, an optional inlet path (13) for reagents, a stirring source (14) for generating a turbulent stir in a given volume of said tank, an extraction path (15) for discharging sludge, and an extraction path (16) for treated effluent, and further comprising above and adjacent to the given volume, but below the treated-effluent outlet path, a settling structure (17) comprising a plurality of ducts extending from the bottom to the top and arranged in the form of a baffle so that no particle can flow through said layer along a rectilinear path.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to classify gravel and recover gold. The apparatus includes a bucket attached to a higher pressure water feed and a lower pressure water line. A make-up water supply is connected to the higher pressure water feed. A classifier assembly is attached to the bucket and configured to filter larger material from smaller material. The smaller material includes gold particles and gravel. A gold concentrator plate is connected to the bucket and configured to segregate the gold particles from the gravel. Water enters the higher pressure water feed and travels through the make-up water supply running across the gold concentrator plate and causing gold particles to be caught in the gold concentrator plate. Water additionally travels through the lower pressure water line with the gravel transporting the gravel away from the bucket.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed herein is a device for processing minerals and a method for its use, which device and method employ gravimetric principles to separate values in a feedstock from gangue, thereby allowing recovery or concentration of the values. The invention includes a table that receives and holds the feedstock, a chassis for supporting the table, and a mechanism for imparting a specific motion to the table, the motion being referred to as “compound cyclic,” which is a reciprocating, rectilinear, to-and-fro motion parallel to or coincident with the working axis of the table, combined with a simultaneous, continuous, and smooth vertical up-and-down motion that eliminates vertical jolting, jarring, or bumping.

Abstract: This application concerns the separation of fine granular mixtures that may occur when the grains are suitably vibrated within fluid. In particular, the present invention provides a method of separating a particulate mixture comprising different particle types, comprising subjecting a supported particle bed comprising a fluid and said particulate mixture to a vibration thereby to effect separation of the particulate mixture into strata each of which is preferentially rich in substantially one particle type. Apparatus for effecting the above method also provided.

Abstract: Panning apparatus for separating gold or other minerals or gemstones from soil, gravel or other like materials, the apparatus including a main frame and a secondary frame which supports an upper separating tray assembly and a lower separating pan. The secondary frame is supported for pivotal movement relative to the primary frame and may be oscillated by a motor. A liquid supply tube is arranged to direct water onto the upper tray assembly so that a slurry of materials passes from the upper tray assembly of the lower pan.

Abstract: A gravity separator for the separation of heavier particles from lighter waste material comprises a stack of decks (4) mounted for resonant oscillatory motion within a supporting frame (1). A motor (9) oscillates the decks at their resonant frequency while a distribution system (6) supplies a feed in the form of a slurry to the surface of the decks. As shaking continues, the heavier particles within the slurry are gradually separated from the lighter particles. Optimal separation is provided by a control system which, if necessary, automatically changes the amplitude of oscillation and/or the timing of the stages as separation proceeds, for example in response to outputs of detectors which measure the frequency of oscillation and the power being consumed.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treatment of flowing slurries of particulate material mixed in liquid employ a wide, elongated downwardly-slanted, metal tray with upturned edge flanges, cable-suspended for unrestrained vibratory flexing and undulation. The tray is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted on its underside, and the flowing slurry is delivered to the upper tray end, flowing lengthwise down the tray in a shallow flowing sheet. Ultrasonic vibratory energy coupled through the tray to the flowing slurry has a "microscopic scrubbing" action on all particles and agglomerates, breaking the surface tension on the particle, cleaning particle surfaces, and separating different constituent particles and coatings of gels, slimes, algae, clay or mud. Mixtures of fine particles of coal or other valuable minerals with ash, clay, rock or sand particles are separated with unexpected efficiency by these techniques.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treatment of flowing slurries of particulate material mixed in liquid employ a wide, elongated downwardly-slanted, metal tray with upturned edge flanges, cable-suspended for unrestrained vibratory flexing and undulation. The tray is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted on its underside, and the flowing slurry is delivered to the upper tray end, flowing lengthwise down the tray in a shallow flowing sheet. Ultrasonic vibratory energy coupled through the tray to the flowing slurry has a "microscopic scrubbing" action on all particles and agglomerates, breaking the surface tension on the particle, cleaning particle surfaces, and separating different constituent particles and coatings of gels, slimes, algae, clay or mud. Mixtures of fine particles of coal or other valuable minerals with ash, clay, rock or sand particles are separated with unexpected efficiency by these techniques.

Abstract: A jigging machine, particularly a movable sieve jigging machine, for the preseparation of deads from valuable material comprises an oscillatory jig bed in the housing filled with separating fluid and comprises deads and valuable material discharge devices located therein, as well as an oscillatory drive for the jig bed. The jigging machine is suitable for underground mining operations in that the outer dimensions of the jigging machine, with respect to the height and width theeof, are designed smaller than the tunnel cross-section of an underground mining operation. A relatively low structure is achieved by designing the housing as a flat trough towards a deads discharge end with the deads discharge being provided as a rising conveyor parallel to the bottom of the trough. Advantageously it is achieved that the quantity of deads to be conveyed is reduced and a considerable saving is provided in terms of energy and expense.

Abstract: A support frame is provided for support in a body of water with the level of the water disposed, generally, at a predetermined level on the frame and a mount is provided and supports a generally horizontal sample support screen therefrom. The mount includes portions thereof horizontally spaced apart about the support screen and inward of corresponding peripherally spaced portions of the support frame. A purality of elongated, coiled expansion springs extend and are connected between the mount portions and the aforementioned corresponding peripherally spaced portions of the support frame in at least a partially tensioned state and support the mount and screen from the frame. Lift structure is connected between the frame and the mount operative to intermittently direct and release upward thrust on the mount and the expansion springs support the screen, when the latter is in a static condition, at a level at least slightly below the aforementioned predetermined level.

Abstract: A material separating system is disclosed having one or more pendantly supported tables with head motion devices for imparting reciprocatory motion to each of those tables to separate material mixtures supplied to the tables into at least two fractions in accordance with the specific gravity of the materials so that one fraction includes particles essentially all of which have specific gravities above some predetermined value while the other fraction particles are substantially all below that predetermined specific gravity value. Associated with each vibrator and the table or tables reciprocated by that vibrator is a remotely actuable device for modifying the attitude of the table or tables and therefor also the predetermined specific gravity value.

Abstract: A portable, dry-placer mining apparatus is provided with a vacuum chamber which defines a contained region of lower-than-atmospheric pressure which establishes the mode or means for drawing material into the chamber. The material is then ejected therefrom at a rate determined by the differential pressures established internal and external to the vacuum chamber. To prevent material impaction from interferring with the vacuum controlled output flow of material, any tendency of the material toward impaction is disrupted by an air stream flowing therethrough in response to the lowered pressure within the vacuum chamber. The material is output to a vacuum controlled separator device which is vibrated to separate denser from less-dense materials. A vacuum responsive frequency control is incorporated in the vacuum responsive vibratory drive of the separator device. The entire device is easily manually transportable and may be fitted to a conventional backpack frame.

Abstract: An improved continuous run sluice box having a sonic vibration and ultrasonic vibration means for concentrating gold or other precious metals while eliminating the loss of black sands containing other valuable fines normally accompanying the use of conventional sluices. The sluice includes a novel type riffle construction including a vertical wall and a sloping wall leading to a collecting area having a nylon cloth screen positioned between coarse and fine metallic screens which facilitates both the collection of the fines and the release of the same during flushing operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous flow classification and specific gravity separation of relatively fine, heavy sands from gravel and dirt aggregate comprises an elongated channel having an apertured top plate which defines an upwardly facing flume and a cavity. The flume is adapted to have a flow of water bearing the aggregate introduced at its upstream end to flow over the top plate so that the relatively smaller, heavier material falls through the apertures into the cavity. An inclined table is positioned in the cavity below the top plate, the angle of inclination of the table being adjustable. The table has a trough defining side portions and terminating in a downstream extension for discharging tailings, the extension having an opening communicating with the sump portion of the cavity. An adjustable weir diverts flow of a selected heavier portion of the material from the trough into the cavity sump.

Abstract: A sand separator has two sloping decks. Each receives a sand suspension for separation, and both are continuously smoothly reciprocated horizontally, transversely to the slope direction. The separator follows a cycle of operations whereby sand suspension is fed to each deck in turn, is separated by the reciprocation and is flushed off to bins collecting separate time-intervals of flushings.

Abstract: A continuous run sluice box having vibrating and sonic vibration means for concentrating gold or other precious metal, while eliminating the loss of black sands normally accompanying the use of conventional sluices. The sluice box is provided with a sonic vibrating means, and it is mounted for rotation about its own peripheral axis. The sluice includes two parallel channels disposed on either side of a main floor, so that the uppermost channel may be in use, while the lowermost channel is cleaned by directing streams of water and sonic vibration against the clogged riffles, thereby eliminating down time normally involved in periodic cleaning.

Abstract: A method of reverse stratification of solid particulate material, in which heavy particles move upwards and lighter particles move downwards. The material intended for stratification is supplied as a water-solids mixture moving at the bottom of a vessel. The material is submitted to vibration so that the quantity of material intended for stratification with respect to the quantity of water is in the ratio of 1:0.2 to 1:0.5 by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to vibratory material handling apparatus and more particularly to a dual exciter system derive for vibrating the apparatus wherein the exciters are positioned on either side of the center of gravity of the apparatus and direct vibrations at obtuse and acute angles, respectively, through the center of gravity of the apparauts, the arrangement being much whereby the vibratory force exerted by each exciter may selectively be varied so as to cause the apparatus to vibrate vertically, or displaced from the vertical, so as to convey in one direction or the opposite direction. The arrangement is such that the spring system connecting the exciters to the material-handling apparatus acts as isolation springs when the vibration generator associated therewith is inoperative, and as tuned natural frequency systems when the vibrator is actuating.

Abstract: A riffled ore concentrating table of the reciprocating type is connected to a table support by ball bearings. The table support has one of its edges pivotably connected to one edge of a base member and the other of its edges supported by the other edge of the base member in a manner such that the elevation of one edge of the table may be adjusted with respect to the other edge of the table.

Abstract: A gold sluice includes an elongated semicylindrical trough having angular corrugations therein for imparting a longitudinal turbulent flow to water moving gravitationally therethrough. The longitudinal spiral turbulence of the water promotes separation of heavy particles from a placer material placed at an upstream end of the trough. Gold, being a heavy metal, will settle into the corrugation grooves along the trough. The sluice further includes laterally projecting flanges on opposite longitudinal side edges of the trough for preventing the trough from overturning laterally. The sluice is formed of a single sheet of lightweight material with the semicylindrical trough extending integrally therein and with the corrugations formed integrally within the trough. The corrugations are angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the semicylindrical trough configuration.