With Constant Current Patents (Class 209/474)
  • Patent number: 11945167
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a three-degree-of-freedom convenient mobile powder recovery device and a recovery method. The three-degree-of-freedom convenient mobile powder recovery device includes: a powder recovery module, a three-degree-of-freedom adjusting module and a drying and sieving module, wherein the powder recovery module is arranged on the three-degree-of-freedom adjusting module and used to recover powder; and the drying and sieving module is arranged on the three-degree-of-freedom adjusting module, connected to the powder recovery module and used to dry and sieve powder recovered by the powder recovery module. The three-degree-of-freedom convenient mobile powder recovery device has a simple structure, which is convenient to be operated. The height and position of the three-degree-of-freedom convenient mobile powder recovery device can be adjusted automatically, so that the recovery device is suitable for the setting of laser processing systems with various heights in the telescopic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BEIJING
    Inventors: Pei Zhang, Xiaoming Wang, Benli Luan, Min Jiang
  • Patent number: 11945001
    Abstract: A fat screening device includes a cylinder, and a sieve basket. The cylinder includes a feed inlet, an air outlet, a bottom water outlet, and an accommodating space. The accommodating space is in communication with the feed inlet, the air outlet, and the bottom water outlet. The feed inlet is configured to receive a mixture, the bottom water outlet is disposed at a bottom of the cylinder, the accommodating space is configured to accommodate water and fat resulting from stratification of the mixture, and the bottom water outlet is configured to discharge the water. The sieve basket covers the feed inlet and is arranged separately from the air outlet. The sieve basket is configured to screen the mixture to discharge the water and the fat into the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: HSING-CHI MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventor: Meng-Wen Chung
  • Patent number: 11673146
    Abstract: A washing apparatus comprises a screening apparatus having a first screening deck located below a second screening deck, wherein the first screening deck passes material that is larger than the material passed by the second screening deck. A liquid delivery system delivers liquid onto the first screening deck to wash material on the first deck. Material that passes through the first deck is conveyed upwards and delivered onto the second deck for dewatering. The apparatus is able to wash and dewater aggregate material in a single unit with a relatively small footprint and relatively high throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Terex GB Limited
    Inventors: Steven Haslett, Johnston Patterson
  • Patent number: 10989472
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, apparatus and system of drying wet toner particles which includes the use of cooling fluid. The method also includes introducing a heated drying gas into a toner drying chamber to create a circulating flow of drying gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Malachowski, Matthew M. Storey, Eric David Godshall, Peter J. Schmitt, Michael P. Dugan, Daniel Mcdougall Mcneil, David R. Earle, Edmund T. Varga
  • Patent number: 10233616
    Abstract: A guidance system and method for guiding excavation at an excavation site utilizes an excavating machine and an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC) having a first hopper and a second hopper for receiving material. The guidance system can receive first hopper data associated with the first hopper and second hopper data associated with the second hopper and can process the first hopper data and second hopper data to determine a selected hopper for dispensing material. In an aspect, the guidance system can generate a guidance indication to display to the operator of the excavating machine that indicates the selected hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9771214
    Abstract: Metal tableware articles are separated from trash as the trash is deposited into a trash container through a removable cover having brackets supporting a shaft of a magnetic bar assembly for rotation on a horizontal axis. The shaft is rotated from outside the cover by an axially movable rotatable pin having a knob on its outer end and extending through the side wall of the cover for releasably engaging one end of the shaft. When the knob and pin are retracted axially, the bar assembly may be lowered from the cover for cleaning. The bar assembly has axially spaced magnetic plate units each having a pair of generally triangular metal plates with flat corner surfaces and with a panel of magnetic material of the same shape sandwiched between the plates. The bar assembly is spaced above the bottom surface of the cover for protection of the bar assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SpecSmart Foodservice Products, LLC
    Inventors: Eric C. Green, Steven M. Brunner
  • Patent number: 9579659
    Abstract: A classifier and a method of separating material using such a classifier are disclosed. The classifier comprises a mixing chamber having a mixing fluidization floor and a concentration chamber having a concentration fluidization floor. The concentration fluidization floor and at least a portion of the concentration chamber is located below the mixing fluidization floor. The method of separating material using such a classifier comprises delivering material to be separated into a mixing chamber of the classifier, fluidizing the material in the mixing chamber; transferring some of the material to a concentration chamber of the classifier in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, fluidizing the material in the concentration chamber, forming a concentrating fluidized bed in the concentration chamber, separating the material with at least the concentrating fluidized bed and drawing heavier portions of the separated material from the concentration chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventors: David Starr, Taavi Orupold
  • Publication number: 20150060582
    Abstract: A separation apparatus for separating minerals or other particulate matter, including a housing, a particulate inlet, a fluid inlet and an outlet. The separation apparatus separates the minerals or other particulate matter, based on density. This is achieved by ingressing a fluid into the fluid inlet to create appropriate fluidization of the particulate matter within the housing. Low density material may typically be extracted from an upper end of the housing, whilst higher density material may be typically extracted from a lower end of the housing. The invention is particularly useful for separating minerals such as coal from impurities such as silica and pyrites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Rodney Truce, Jian Ning Zhu, Francis Hugh Kidman
  • Patent number: 7275644
    Abstract: An apparatus for segregating particulate by density and/or size including a fluidizing bed having a particulate receiving inlet for receiving particulate to be fluidized. The fluidized bed also includes an opening for receiving a first fluidizing stream, an exit for fluidized particulate and at least one exit for non-fluidized particulate. A conveyor is operatively disposed in the fluidized bed for conveying the non-fluidized particulate to the non-fluidized particulate exit. A collector box is in operative communication with the fluidized bed to receive the non-fluidized particulate. There is a means for directing a second fluidizing stream through the non-fluidized particulate as while it is in the collector box to separate fluidizable particulate therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Great River Energy
    Inventors: Mark A. Ness, Matthew P. Coughlin
  • Patent number: 6688474
    Abstract: According to the invention, a fluidizing gas is introduced upwards into the fluidized bed (3) through a valve grid (2), said stationary fluidized bed (3) containing solids with different grain sizes. A supply pipe (10) is disposed in the area of the fluidized bed, the mouth of said pipe being located above the valve grid (2) and its outlet (12) leading outwards from the fluidized bed (3). Part of the solids located above the valve grid (2) is blown into the supply pipe by a gas jet (13) which is directed upwards and fed separately from the fluidizing gas and pneumatically evacuated from the fluidized bed through the supply pipe (10). Normally, the flow speed of the gas in the supply pipe is at least two times higher than the speed of the fluidizing gas in the fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Hirsch, Andreas Orth, Peter Weber
  • Publication number: 20030098264
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a classifying fluid bed granulator, comprising a granulation chamber with a fluidizing air chamber (7) with a bed floor (10), a ceiling (3c), an end wall (3d), a feed inlet (5), a seed inlet (6), an outlet (4) defined by walls (3a, 3b) for air, and an outlet (9) for produced granules. The granulation chamber is divided into an agglomeration and seed control section (1) and a granulation and classification section (2) where said section (2) is divided into two or more consecutive compartments having an asymmetric design. Section (2) may contain tilted baffle plates (12). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for fluid bed granulation of a feed being a solution, slurry, melt, emulsion, suspension or solids into granules of a desired classified size. Inlet seed particles are given a controlled size in an agglomeration and seed section ahead of being granulated with the feed in a granulation and classification section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Rune Ingels, Luc Vanmarcke, Rudy Nevejans, Roeland Elderson, Jon Gustein Klonteig
  • Patent number: 6467631
    Abstract: An air sifting apparatus is provided for preparatory concentration of raw material including coal, and includes a material feed-in device, a material bed support device, an air jig plenum, and a discharge control device. The material bed support device receives material from the material feed-in device and has a surface having a plurality of openings for a gaseous medium introduced from underneath the material bed support device, which is operable to transport material in coordination with the flow of gaseous medium through the openings to effect loosening and stratification of the material into a layer of relatively heavier material, and a layer of relatively lighter material on the heavier material. The air jig plenum communicates with the underside of the apparatus for guiding gaseous medium thereto and produces constant air flow through the openings of the support device and a pulsating air flow, overlaid on the constant air flow, for pulse impacting material on the support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: allmineral LLC
    Inventors: Walter Strangalies, Walter Jungmann, Richard J. Snoby
  • Publication number: 20020100713
    Abstract: An air sifting apparatus is provided for preparatory concentration of raw material including coal, and includes a material feed-in device, a material bed support device, an air jig plenum, and a discharge control device. The material bed support device receives material from the material feed-in device and has a surface having a plurality of openings for a gaseous medium introduced from underneath the material bed support device, which is operable to transport material in coordination with the flow of gaseous medium through the openings to effect loosening and stratification of the material into a layer of relatively heavier material, and a layer of relatively lighter material on the heavier material. The air jig plenum communicates with the underside of the apparatus for guiding gaseous medium thereto and produces constant air flow through the openings of the support device and a pulsating air flow, overlaid on the constant air flow, for pulse impacting material on the support device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: allmineral Llc.
    Inventors: Walter Strangalies, Walter Jungmann, Richard J. Snoby
  • Patent number: 6425485
    Abstract: A process is described for separating particles based on differences in mass after the selective attachment of air bubbles to reduce the density of one or more of the components of the feed. A novel feature of this process is aeration of a hindered-bed of solids in a fluidized-bed separator to create particle/bubble agglomerates that can be separated based on the principal of gravity. This approach offers an improvement in process efficiency that cannot be achieved by other processes. Air and water are mixed in a shear device before the aerated fluidized water is introduced to the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Eriez Magnetics
    Inventors: Michael J. Mankosa, Gerald H. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 6422392
    Abstract: A process for removing ammonia from fly ash during processing on an inclined fluidized bed. The process begins by introducing a mixture of particulates having ammonia adsorbed therein into an inclined fluidized bed. Concurrently, a fluidizing gas is pre-heated and is also introduced into the fluidized bed. The mixture is then processed along the fluidized bed with the pre-heated fluidizing gas to achieve bubbling fluidization of the particles. This causes segregation by which a dense fraction settles downward and a light fraction rises upward in the bed. Ammonia in the particles is desorbed by the pre-heated fluidizing gas. The fluidizing gas is then scrubbed after the processing step to remove the desorbed ammonia. The process may also include the use of acoustic enhancement whereby an acoustic field is imposed on the fluidized bed to improve fluidization and segregation of the particles and to increase the efficacy of ammonia removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Edward Kenneth Levy
  • Patent number: 6216367
    Abstract: A sluice comprising a series of sequential, interconnected chutes, each inverting a stratified slurry, discharges the slurry in each chute over a mesh screen in a subsequent chute and eventually out of the sluice, with each incremental stage designed to treat smaller matter. An array of cones is disposed on each chute bottom over which the slurry passes, each cone in the array having an opening oriented downwater and including a ridge over-hanging its opening also oriented downwater, such that heavy matter settling from the mineral matrix is drawn into the cone. Below the cone array is a perforated mat. Also below the array, beginning at the minor's moss mat and extending downwater, is a textured mat, typically with upstanding ribs transverse to the chute water flow that also tends to capture settling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: George E. Tubbs
  • Patent number: 5996808
    Abstract: A process and device for separating different types of particulates from a mixture, which is especially suited for separating unburned carbon from raw fly ash. The process entails separating raw fly ash by size into a fine component and a coarse component (the coarse component having typically higher levels of unburned carbon). The coarse, high carbon, fly ash component (or optionally both components) are processed through an inclined fluidized bed to produce an upgraded coarse component with reduced unburned carbon. An acoustic field is imposed on the inclined fluidized bed(s) in order to enhance the bed's ability to fluidize and segregate the unburned carbon. The upgraded coarse and fine components are then mixed to yield a final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventors: Edward Kenneth Levy, James Walter Parkinson, Barbara Jean Arnold, John Sigmund Salmento
  • Patent number: 5975309
    Abstract: A fluidized-bed classifier has a vessel defining a space divided into an upper fluidized-bed chamber and a lower gas chamber by a perforated dispersion plate having the shape of a funnel. Rising currents of a gas, such as air, are blown through the dispersion plate into the upper fluidized-bed chamber to produce a fluidized bed of a particulate material over the dispersion plate. The lower gas chamber is divided into a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber by a partition plate. The gas is supplied into the first air chamber so that rising gas currents of a velocity necessary for fluidizing coarse particles contained in the particulate material fed into the vessel are blown from the first air chamber through the dispersion plate into the fluidized-bed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Mitsuda, Seisuke Sawamura, Ryuichi Okamura, Hiroshi Ueda, Fuminori Ando, Kanzaburo Sutoh, Mitsuaki Murata, Tsutomu Hirobe
  • Patent number: 5669509
    Abstract: A method for separating coarse particles from TiO.sub.2 powder in a fine powder composition by the steps of: providing a system in which a source of the fine powder composition communicates with a minimally fluidizable bed of the fine powder composition within the system; delivering the fine powder composition from the source to the bed; imparting energy into the bed and delivering a fluidizing gas to the bed at a rate to cause the TiO.sub.2 powder and coarse particles of the fine powder composition to separate into a TiO.sub.2 powder phase and a coarse particle phase; removing the TiO.sub.2 powder from the system; and removing the coarse particles from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Larry G. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5526938
    Abstract: A system for classifying and cooling particulate material produced by a fluid bed boiler comprises a vertical housing having an inlet for incoming particulate material and a first outlet for discharging exhaust and a second outlet for discharging solids. A fluidized bed of material is contained within the housing and is located directly above a bed of material. A gas distribution grid provides air to both beds for cooling the particulate material, and temperature measurement is used along with flow measurement to control gas velocity through the beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: David L. Kraft, Michael J. Szmania
  • Patent number: 5392922
    Abstract: A high capacity dry separation apparatus with air-heavy medium fluidized bed having a separation chamber (3) with a fluidized bed above an air distributor (4), a scraper conveyer (2) in the separation chamber (3) having a double-scraper structure made up of two columns of scrapers moving side by side, and a sink discharge outlet (8) at one end of the separation chamber. An up-floating materials discharge outlet (11) and a feed inlet (12) are arranged on opposite sides of the separation chamber (3). An inclined inner circulator (7) for heavy medium is provided in the separation chamber and includes an air inlet tube (13), a cone-shaped buffer chamber (14), a sieve layer (15), a multilayer fabric (16) and a sintered metal plate (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: China University of Mining and Technology
    Inventor: Qingru Chen
  • Patent number: 5388704
    Abstract: An air distribution plate for incorporation into a material conveyor or a material separator has a plurality of apertured zones alternately arranged along the length of the plate. The apertures in the first series of zones are inclined in the direction of the desired flow of material in the case of the conveyor and in the direction of the desired air flow in the case of the separator and the apertures in the second series of zones incline in the opposite direction by the same amount. Each zone in the second series of zones has fewer apertures than the zones of the first series of zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Christopher P. Morris
  • Patent number: 5299694
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling pulverulant material in fluidized bed form. The material is fed into the upper part of a two-part container, whose lower part consists of two independent volumes separated from the upper part by a porous wall comprising two horizontal parts at different levels. A pressure gap is created between the two separate volumes, and the evolution of this gap enables clogging to be detected. When the pressure differential exceeds a predetermined value, the porous wall is cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Pechiney
    Inventor: Rene C. Rambaud
  • Patent number: 5197398
    Abstract: Processes and arrangements that provide for the separation of pyrite from coal in a fluidized bed. The processes provide for more efficient and complete stratification of the bed materials in a vertical direction, so that the very top layer of the fluidized ved is coal having a reduced pyrite content. The process includes feeding the coal to be cleaned on top of a layer of magnetite. The process also includes fluidizing the bed until bed-bubbling separation occurs in the absence of steady-state conditions. The cleaned top layer of coal having a reduced pyrite content is then separated from the refuse coal in the bottom of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Edward K. Levy, D'Agostini Mark, Damir Latkovic, James W. Parkinson
  • Patent number: 5087351
    Abstract: A modified fluidized bed separates materials differing in weight by as little as one percent. A fluidized bed is formed by directing air through vanes on an underside of a screen. Products, such as peanuts, delivered to a central portion of the screen are initially separated so that lighter weight products float on the fluidized bed and are drawn by gravity toward a lower end where a second separation takes place. The lightest products at this second end are listed over an exit weir by a controllable air jet. Desired products are not ejected and are collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Golden Peanut Company, a Georgia General Partnership
    Inventor: Howard E. Valentine, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5071541
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting a mixture of particles containing a first group of particles of substantially uniform size and density and a second group of particles of substantially the same size as the particles of the first group and of different density than the particles of the first group. The noted mixture is supplied to a reservoir in which it is fluidized so that the particles gather into different levels in accordance with their density. The particles are then removed from the reservoir at their different levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: R. Bruce Thompson
  • Patent number: 5048693
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles with small density differences utilizing a flotation stream. A separator is provided in which a flotation stream continuously flows through a trough and is used to effect the separation of a mixture of articles having small density differences into several groups. Each density group of the mixture of articles to be separated is introduced at the head of the flotation stream at a selected depth. In one embodiment, the flotation stream may be comprised of a fluidized bed which is created by forcing a gas upwardly through a fluidization medium such as sand. In another embodiment of the invention, the flotation stream may be formed from a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: World Agrosearch, Ltd.
    Inventor: Arthur Zaltzman
  • Patent number: 4946044
    Abstract: An aeration separator for separating lighter and heavier materials in a separation chamber in which the material flows through a downwardly sloping passage in the lower region of the separation chamber toward a lower discharge while air flows upwardly through the material to aerate and agitate it to separate the lighter particles and direct them to an upper discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Kennedy Van Saup Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Havrilla
  • Patent number: 4913807
    Abstract: Method and apparatus (10) are provided for separating and classifying particles (48,50,56) by dispersing the particles within a fluid (52) that is upwardly flowing within a cone-shaped pipe (12) that has its large end (20) above its small end (18). Particles of similar size and shape (48,50) migrate to individual levels (A,B) within the flowing fluid. As the fluid is deflected by a plate (42) at the top end of the pipe (12), the smallest particles are collected on a shelf-like flange (40). Ever larger particles are collected as the flow rate of the fluid is increased. To prevent particle sticking on the walls (14) of the pipe (12), additional fluid is caused to flow into the pipe (12) through holes (68) that are specifically provided for that purpose. Sticking is further prevented by high frequency vibrators (70) that are positioned on the apparatus (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Charles D. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 4865722
    Abstract: A separator suitable for processing agriculture products in a fluidized bed flowing through an inclined trough under the influence of gravity. The fluidization medium is recirculated from the output end of the trough back to the input end thereof using a recirculation drum horizontally disposed laterally encircling the output end of the trough and supported for rotation about its own longitudinal axis. The inner surface of the drum includes an endless series of receiving pockets for collecting sand below the output end of the trough and lifting it thereabove. A damper at the output end of the trough is used to accelerate the establishment of the fluidized bed therein by temporarily obstructing the flow of fluidized bed. An ultrasonic sensor is used to determine the depth of the trough and based thereon to control the rate at which fluidization medium is provided thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventors: Max Ririe, Devon Albert, Lynn F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4861464
    Abstract: A gas is forced upwardly through a fluidization medium, such as sand, producing a fluidized bed which flows under the influence of gravity through an inclined trough. The separation of the side walls of the trough decreases in the direction of flow of the fluidized bed increasing the depth thereof. The apparent density of the fluidized bed is maintained substantially uniform, regardless of the increase in depth, by correspondingly increasing the pressure of the air forced through the medium in a manner corresponding to the depth thereof. A gas distribution plate beneath the fluidization medium having a higher resistance to the flow of gas than the layer of fluidization medium thereabove contributes to the maintenance of a substantially uniform apparent density in the fluidized bed despite variations in its depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: State of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture
    Inventors: Arthur Zaltzman, Zeev Schmilovitch, Brahm P. Verma, Aharon Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4790487
    Abstract: A continuous granulator includes a granulator body for continuously processing powdered materials into granules, and a screw conveyor for discharging the produced granules from the granulator body, the screw conveyor including a pneumatic classifier for separating or classifying the produced granules while they are being conveyed. The pneumatic classifier includes a porous lower portion of the screw conveyor which permits passage of streams of pressurized air therethough into the interior of the screw conveyor. With this construction, discharging conveyance of the produced granules and classification of the produced granules can be carried out concurrently at the same station and hence the granules of a uniform grain size can be produced at an increased rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Okawara Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tetsuo Noguchi, Masao Tanaka, Hiroshi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 4755284
    Abstract: An elutriator (1) for separating different grades of leaf vegetable material comprises an elutriation zone (17) disposed above a flow distributor, and gaseous supply means (13) for supplying a gaseous medium to the elutriation zone (17) through the flow distributor. The flow distributor is adapted to provide a substantially uniform flow of gaseous medium to the elutriation zone (17), and the velocity of air delivered to the zone is greater than the terminal velocity of at least one grade of the material to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Hambra Machinery Limited
    Inventors: Derrick W. Brooks, Christopher P. Morris
  • Patent number: 4646759
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the separation and classification of tobacco into two fractions, e.g., into heavies and lights. A stream of fluid is employed to produce a stratified bed of the tobacco, preferably in cooperation with vibration of the tobacco, in which the tobacco is supported by the fluid and is stratified as a function of particle size, density and weight. The stream entrains the tobacco particles located at the top of the stratified bed and removes them to a suitable receptacle, where they are received and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Thatcher, Louis R. Turano
  • Patent number: 4589981
    Abstract: Fluidized bed systems for segregating cleaning or classifying particulate matter of differing physical properties such as particle density or size. Multiple stage beds preferably operate in a partially fluidized state and the classification structure provides for full peripheral discharge of both floats from the upper portion of each bed and sinks from the lower portion of each bed to alleviate the tendency of fluidized medium to both short circuit the particles of the upper stage and restrict the flow of particles from the upper stage to the lower stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Joy Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Hari B. Barari, Lance A. Mullins
  • Patent number: 4565326
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for removing veneer coating shards from granular, medicinal formulations which are being reworked. The formulation is ground up, sifted to remove the smaller pieces which do not contain veneer shards, and then placed into an air suspension under an inverted funnel-like separator cone. The separator cone has air outlets for the air suspension apparatus, as well as a vacuum inlet, adjacent its upper end. The light veneer shards ride up the sloped walls of the separator cone, and they are sucked into the vacuum inlet, thereby removing them from the granulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: E. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: Willard D. Varley
  • Patent number: 4546552
    Abstract: Solids comprising a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed are transported in a direction transverse to the flow of the fluidizing fluid exiting the bed by contacting at least a portion of said solids with fluidizing fluid which enters the bed with a velocity component in the direction of solids flow; i.e. the transverse flow direction. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidizing fluid entering the bed is passed through a distribution means containing propulsion passages slanted in the desired direction of solids flow which serve to orient the fluidizing fluid in the transverse flow direction. Use of this invention eliminates the need for the costly and inconvenient pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical transport devices employed in the prior art. Solids attrition and elutriation are also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Robert P. Cahn, Jeffrey H. Siegell
  • Patent number: 4521303
    Abstract: A mixture comprising non-magnetic solids is separated according to the density difference of its components by contact with a separating medium comprised of a fluidized bed of magnetizable particles which is stabilized by a magnetic means. The separating medium circulates in a closed loop within a contacting vessel or zone such that at least two portions of said separating medium flow in essentially opposite directions transverse to the flow of the fluidizing fluid exiting the medium. This invention is particularly effective for separating mixtures of coal or for separating coal from other solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Alfonza Hicks, Jerry E. Hankins
  • Patent number: 4431530
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a desired, relatively light fibrous fraction from admixture with foreign bodies, such as sheaths, metal parts, plastic parts and the like and having parts, such as stems, rind remnants, leaf parts and the like. The apparatus comprises structure which causes separation by gravity and which conveys the mixture past a separation location and floats the relatively light fibrous fraction from the mixture in an upwardly directed air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Trutzschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Walter Syben
  • Patent number: 4330400
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating dust, dirt and the like from particulate material utilizes a flow of carrier fluid which passes through the particulate material on a grid or screen. The heavier particulate material falls through the grid while the lighter material as well as the dust, dirt and the like are entrained in the fluid and carried upwardly. A portion of the entrained material precipitates out of the carrier fluid into a vertical collecting bin whereupon it is discharged into another flow of carrier fluid. A sensor within the collecting bin senses the level of the collected precipitated material and reduces the velocity of the carrier fluid when the material in the collecting bin exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Inventor: Willibald Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4326635
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a refining apparatus which incorporates an updraft passing through a surface, which surface has permeable and impermeable regions, in combination with a vibrator, to serve as a device to fluidly suspend a mixture of materials above the surface so that the heavier constituents of the mixture of materials tend to migrate to the surface and remain upon the impermeable regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Inventor: Wayne H. Collins
  • Patent number: 4322287
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for separating and sorting solid bodies of different densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: The State of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture
    Inventors: Arthur Zaltzman, Amos Mizrach, Zeev Schmilovitz
  • Patent number: 4274947
    Abstract: A multi-constituent mixture of particles is fluidized within an elongated container with a gas permeable base. Opposing horizontal motions are induced in the upper and lower strata of the fluidized material by means of moving baffles mounted on endless chains within the confines of the container. A potential difference established between a horizontal electrode located in the upper part of the container above most of the bed surface, and the base of the bed induces electrostatic forces on the tribo-electrified particles, thereby affecting the distribution of the vertical composition of the mixture in the bed.The combination of the opposing horizontal motions and vertical segregation results in a horizontal concentration gradient. The particles thus separated are removed from the ends of the bed by, for example, flowing over weirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Inventors: Jan M. Beeckmans, Ion I. Inculet
  • Patent number: 4229289
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for conduct of fluidized bed reactions having an improved grate wherein at least one substantially continuous open slot sufficiently wide for passage of heavy solid particles is provided for preferential removal of heavy particles from the fluidizing chamber. The apparatus and process is particularly useful in coal gasification applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventor: John G. Victor
  • Patent number: 4215151
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device for roasting an agro-food product in the form of grains.The process consists of fluidizing an auxiliary body in the form of fine solid particles in an enclosure 1, and putting the grains of the product to be roasted in flotation in the fluidized bed of particles of which the temperature is adapted to roasting, to generate the roasting by the effect of the shocks of the fine particles of the auxiliary body with the grains of the product.The invention can be applied particularly for the roasting of grains of a product such as coffee, cocoa, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: Agence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche (ANVAR)
    Inventors: Gilbert M. Rios, Henri Gibert, Jean Crouzet, Jean-Claude Vincent
  • Patent number: 4155313
    Abstract: Solid particles comprising combustible matter (e.g. coal) associated with or contaminated by inert matter (e.g. ash, rock) is segregated in a segregation zone into low density/small size and high density/large size fractions. The low density/small size fractions are passed to a utilization zone for conversion of the combustible matter. The high density/large size fractions are size reduced (e.g. by grinding) and either returned to the segregation zone, or passed at least in part, directly to the utilization zone. The conversion of the combustion matter proceeds more efficiently as a result. The segregation zone may operate by fluidized size/density segregation and in the utilization zone, the combustible matter may be at least partially combusted, preferably in a fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Gerald Moss
  • Patent number: 4152245
    Abstract: In an oil shale retorting process, hot heat-carrying solids are cycled to a retort zone to mix with and retort crushed oil shale, thereby producing gas, oil products, and a mixture of heat-carrier solids and spent shale solids. The spent shale solids contain some rock solids which have a heavier particle weight than the heat-carrier solids. The heat-carrier solids are separated and recovered from the spent shale for recycle through the process. In one stage of the separation procedure, a mixture of heat-carrier solids and rock solids is fed to a gas fluidized bed classifier which is constructed and operated in a way such that rock solids are preferentially separated from the heat-carrier solids. The separation stage is especially suited to spherically-shaped heat-carrier solids in a size range between about 0.14 centimeters (0.055 inch) and 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch) and having a surface area of between 10 and 150 square meters per gram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Yahio A. K. Abdul-Rahman, Herbert B. Wolcott, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4138219
    Abstract: Apparatus for the regeneration of fluidized solid catalyst including a regeneration chamber adapted to hold a fluidized solids bed, oxygen containing gas source communicating with the chamber, a tangential inlet communicating with the regeneration chamber to impart a swirling motion to spent catalyst entering the regeneration chamber and a free standing drawoff conduit disposed within the regeneration chamber, the drawoff conduit having an upper, open end in communication with the solids bed, the open end being formed by an obliquely truncated, outwardly flared portion of the conduit, the high portion of said truncated conduit lying closest the spent catalyst inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Colvert, John P. MacLean, Dale Williams, Henry B. Jones
  • Patent number: 4127476
    Abstract: A process and system for the segregation and separation of mixed office-paper-waste material which comprises: shredding the waste material to a uniform size; forming a fluidized bed of the shredded waste material in a vertical column by an upwardly flowing, high-volume, low-pressure air stream, to divide the material into distinct layers in the column; and separating and removing the layers from the column with lateral airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignees: Fred D. Iannazzi, Richard P. Crowley
    Inventor: Fred D. Iannazzi
  • Patent number: 4116823
    Abstract: A vessel is provided for stripping oil from char particles of different density recovered from a pyrolysis of organic solid waste. The lower end of the vessel is of reduced diameter with a plurality of gas jets which direct gas inwardly and upwardly to direct stripping gas through the particles. A standpipe extends upwardly from the bottom of the vessel and terminates above the gas inlet jets. A gas outlet is provided at the top of the vessel. The particles are introduced at an intermediate level in the vessel. The top of the standpipe is covered with a screen mesh for limiting the size of particles which can enter the standpipe. The gas fluidizes the particles of different density which tend to concentrate at different levels in the fluidized bed because of their density differences. The standpipe terminates at a selected level within the fluidized particle bed which results in a desired mixture of the particles of different density being withdrawn from the fluidized bed through the standpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Occidental Petroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Charles K. Choi