Abstract: A diversion assembly for use with a feed material. The diversion assembly includes a plurality of movable gate chutes, a first conveyor, and a second conveyor. The plurality of movable gate chutes are each positionable in a retracted position and an extended position. The first conveyor is configured to carry, for each of any of the plurality of movable gate chutes in the retracted position, a first portion of the feed material to a first area. The second conveyor is configured to carry, for each of any of the plurality of movable gate chutes in the extended position, a second portion of the feed material to a second area. The second area is spaced apart from the first area.

Abstract: A system and method for sizing and separating granular particles within the bulk granular solids by creating a graded granular flow comprising multiple sized fractions with gradation of the particles according to particle size between relatively fine fractions and relatively coarse fractions; and capturing at least a portion of granular flow. The system (11) comprises means (25) for creating the graded granular flow, and means (30) for capturing at least a portion of the graded granular flow. The graded granular flow is split into separate streams, one of which is subsequently captured by intercepting that stream. The intercepted stream may be collected or redirected for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer chute (100) for granular material, comprising a chute body defining a flow pathway (120) for granular material, a raised portion (110) having an inclined surface (111), and a splitter member (130) arranged proximal to the raised portion (110) for, in use, dividing a flow of granular material over the raised portion into first portion in first conduit (100) and a second portion in a second conduit (300). In some embodiments, a channel (150) is disposed between the first and second conduits (100; 300) to transpose a vertical arrangement of first and second portions of granular material within the chute (10). In this way, separation by particle size or density in the flow may be reversed.

Abstract: The system according to the invention for thermally processing lumpy solid material substantially comprises a preheating device, a furnace and a separation or classification device which is arranged therebetween and which has a coarse material outlet connected to the furnace and a fine material outlet. The furnace and the preheating device are connected to each other by means of a gas/solid material line which is arranged so as to be inclined relative to the vertical, the furnace exhaust gases being introduced at the end of the gas/solid material line at the furnace side and the preheated solid material being supplied at the end at the preheater side. The separation or classification device is connected to a bypass line which branches off from the gas/solid material line so that at least a partial amount of the preheated solid material can be branched off via the bypass line by means of gravitational force and can be supplied to the separation or classification device.

Abstract: A microparticle sorting device that automatically and accurately adjusts the positions of a fluid stream and a collection container is provided. The microparticle sorting device including a pair of deflecting plates that face each other with a passage area of a fluid stream therebetween, a camera that captures the image of the fluid stream, and a fluid stream detection light source that emits light parallel to a direction in which the deflecting plates face each other and that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the fluid stream and the light is provided. In the microparticle sorting device, the collection container that receives the fluid stream is mounted so as to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the fluid stream and the light.

Abstract: An optical type granule sorting machine is provided which allows a sensitivity setting to be easily performed by effectively utilizing RGB three-dimensional color space information similar to information obtained via human eyes and which enables signal processing to be substantially simplified.

Abstract: A device and a method of screening for individual balls are provided. The device for screening for individual balls has a supply device, a slope, and a recovering part jointed to a gas-tight chamber, and has a pressure reducing device for decompressing and maintaining the pressure of the gas-tight chamber lower than 1000 Pa in the gas-tight chamber. The supply device is used for supplying the balls, the slope is used for enabling the balls to roll down, and the recovering part is used for recovering the balls from the slope. Further, the method for screening for individual balls includes supplying the balls from the supply device to the slope, rolling the balls down the slope, screening for the balls according to the speed is difference and/or the direction difference of the balls, and recovering the balls in the recovering part, in the gas-tight chamber with the pressure below 1000 Pa.

Abstract: A material sorter using guide rails of various configurations on an inclined panel to assist in sorting mixed density materials into higher density and lower density piles. In some embodiments, the guide rails may be repositioned via actuators or manually to adapt to requirements for different types of mixed-density materials to be sorted. The guide rails may be fixed in various discrete positions. Combinations of diverging and converging guide rails are used in some embodiments. Arrangements of multiple material sorters, each configured for different types of mixed-density materials, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of solid materials includes supplying a stream of a mixture of solid materials to a stationary inclined surface and collecting a plurality of particles at one or more collection ports spaced from and located along the axis of the inclined surface. The mixture of solid materials includes a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles includes rubber particles and plastic particles. The particles of the mixture contact the stationary inclined surface and travel downward along the surface due to gravitational force. The collected particles include a higher percentage of the rubber particles than mixture due to a greater degree of bouncing of the rubber particles due to their higher friction compared with plastic particles. A material sorting apparatus includes a stationary inclined surface, a feeder, and a plurality of collection ports spaced from and located along the axis of the inclined surface.

Abstract: There is here disclosed a resin pellet store device including a silo (1) in which resin pellets are stored; an discharge route for ON-SPEC products (2) through which resin pellets having a low content of foreign substances stored above the vicinity of the lowermost part in the silo (1) are discharged as ON-SPEC products from the silo (1); and another discharge route for OFF-SPEC products (3) through which resin pellets having a high content of foreign substances accumulated in the vicinity of the lowermost part in the silo (1) are discharged as OFF-SPEC products from the silo (1). In consequence, the resin pellets having a high content of foreign substances to be treated as the OFF-SPEC products are clearly sorted out in the silo and discharged therefrom to reduce the content of the foreign substances in the ON-SPEC products. Moreover, the OFF-SPEC products are discharged through another route to avoid the contamination of a downstream facility.

Abstract: A method for separating mixtures of solid materials includes incorporating a ferromagnetic particulate material into a mixture of solid materials and, after the incorporating step, separating the mixture of solid materials into at least two groups based on the magnetic and frictional properties of the different components of the mixture of solid materials. The ferromagnetic particulate material can differentially incorporate into or adhere to different components of the mixture of solid materials. The different components of the mixture have different frictional properties and, after the incorporating step, the different components have different magnetic properties.

Abstract: A classifier for classifying particulates entrained in a flowing stream of gas is configured such that a change of direction of gas flow causes particles to impinge upon a target, heavier particles being trapped in a downwardly extending fluidized trap. The classifier is easily constructed, has no moving parts, and can take the place of sifters and other equipment traditionally used for classifying such product streams.

Abstract: A spin isolation apparatus comprising a particle source for emitting particles having spins, a receiving section for receiving the particles emitted by the particle source, a magnet for separating the particles into first particles having positive spins and second particles having negative spins, and a trajectory restricting section for isolating the first and the second particles received by the receiving section through restricting trajectories of the first particles and/or the second particles is provided. By applying this apparatus, particles having spins whose every sign is either one of the two signs can be mass-produced.

Abstract: In an arrangement which including a motor-driven system for the separation of non-magnetisable metals, vibrations and resonances which generally are present in such arrangement, are eliminated. This is accomplished by utilizing a drum mounted on and rotating about a stator, within which a magnetic rotor fitted with permanent magnets is eccentrically arranged and mounted on said stator. The stator is provided with a balance weight for mass balance.

Abstract: A classifier for classifying particulates entrained in a flowing stream of gas is configured such that a change of direction of gas flow causes particles to impinge upon a target, heavier particles being trapped in a downwardly extending fluidized trap. The classifier is easily constructed, has no moving parts, and can take the place of sifters and other equipment traditionally used for classifying such product streams.

Abstract: A process for separating particles of different sizes comprising projecting a stream of particles into a fluid medium; allowing the particles to develop differing trajectories in the fluid medium; providing at least two separate collection areas for different average size particles from the stream of particles; and collecting particles along said different trajectories.

Abstract: An air separator system for separating shredded trash into relatively light material and relatively heavy material. An air stream is provided at an end of a conveyor. A splitter plate system comprises a rotating cylinder supported by a frame, and a splitter curtain hanging below the cylinder. The amount of light material which make it over the cylinder into a collection area can be controlled by adjusting at least one of a speed of the conveyor, an angle of the conveyor with respect to horizontal, an angle of the airstream with respect to the angle of the conveyor, a pressure of the airstream, a position of the airstream relative to the end of the conveyor, a distance between the bar and the conveyor, and a height of the bar with respect to a height of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closed air circulation system for an apparatus used for sorting wood chips, containing chips in a variety of sizes and/or fines particles, in a wood chips processing chamber, in separate fractions by means of a gas flow, which is delivered from one or more nozzle chambers by way of a nozzle slit into the wood chips processing chamber and which applies an impulse action to the processing-bound wood chips sliding along an inclined support surface. Air is circulated from the wood chips processing chamber by way of a dedusting cyclone into said one or more nozzle chambers. The wood chips processing chamber is maintained at a negative pressure by regulating the volume of air removed from the chamber. A conduit extending between the wood chips processing chamber and the one or more nozzle chambers is open to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A method for separating objects, such as stones, wherein each object is dropped through a predefined path, such as a drop tube. Then, for each object, the time when the object passes through a predefined point in the path is determined, as are selected characteristics, such as the color, of the object. The characteristics of the object are matched, if possible, to various criteria and, depending on the criteria to which the object is matched, a diverter gate is activated to divert the object from the predefined path to an appropriate collection bin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: An illumination source for a machine vision viewer for a sorter that provides a flow of articles along a scan line includes an elongated, cylindrical shroud with illumination sources mounted interior of the shroud. The illumination sources are arranged longitudinally within the shroud and are angularly spaced along the inner circumference of the shroud. Linear slots running parallel with the shroud axis are provided in the shroud for the subject articles to enter and exit the shroud. A linear slot running parallel with the shroud axis is provided for receptors to view the articles passing through the shroud. The cylinder interior is otherwise uniform and light reflecting. An alternative embodiment of the shroud comprises two shroud arc components with openings between the arcs to allow articles to pass between the shroud arc components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method making stratified paper by redistributing the pulp suspension inside the headbox nozzle using acoustic radiation waves. Acoustic radiation forces fractionate fibers based on fiber radius. The acoustic radiation waves separate the fibers by pushing the coarse and longer fibers to the inner area while fines and smaller fibers remain in the outer area. This has a similar effect of multi-layer stratification headbox, and provides paper with a smoother surface.

Abstract: A color-based sorting apparatus comprising, a material supplying device provided so as to discharge and supply the grains stored therein, a color detecting device detecting a color of each of the grains passing through a setting region, a sorting processing section operating to change a transference path for defective grains, a control device, which determines whether each of the grains to be sorted is defective or not based on a detection signal from the color detecting device, and when it is determined that one of the grains is defective, the control device activating the sorting processing section, and a feeding roll disposed between the material supplying device and the color detecting device and rotating around an axial line thereof to cause the grains to be sorted, which are supplied from said material supplying device aligned in an axial direction, to freely fall down toward the color detecting device.

Abstract: A magnetic metal removing device for color sorting apparatus includes a hollow feeding roll. Within a hollow portion of the feeding roll, a magnet is arranged such that it closely opposes to a part of an inner surface of the hollow feeding roll to form a magnetic force active surface on the corresponding outer surface of the feeding roll. Magnetic metal mixed in raw granular objects is attracted on the magnetic force active surface. The magnetic forced active surface changes to a magnetic force inactive surface as the feeding roll rotates. The magnetic metal caught on the feeding roll is released from the magnetic forced inactive surface and colleted by a collecting device.

Abstract: A launcher (17, 50, 60) and an associated process for compressible materials (42) includes a frame (22), at least one upper roller (1), at least one lower roller (2) located below the at least one upper roller (1) within the frame (22), a transport mechanism (9) for transporting feed material between the at least one upper roller (1) and the at least one lower roller (2) and a rotational mechanism that is operatively connected to the at least one upper roller (1) and the at least one lower roller (2).

Abstract: A valve device is disclosed for controlling the delivery of gas from a pressurised source, suitable for use in a pneumatic ejector in sorting apparatus. The device comprises a housing defining a valve element chamber with an input for connection to a source of pressurised gas. A body in which at least one output duct is formed, has an end face in the chamber with a valve seat thereon surrounding the output duct or ducts. A valve element overlays the valve seat, and means are provided for moving the element between a closed position in engagement with the valve seat and an open position spaced from the valve seat. Additional abutment surfaces can be provided for engagement with the valve element on closure. At least one pocket is formed in one of the juxtaposed body end face and the valve element, which pocket forms a cushion of gas as the element moves towards its closed position. The pocket or pockets or additional pocket or pockets can be formed on one or more abutment surfaces spaced from the valve seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for sorting wood chips, said apparatus having a feeder for supplying the wood chips onto a sloping support surface so that the chips slide along the support surface and over a slit extending across the support surface. A flow of gas through the slit providing an impulse action to the chips as the chips pass over the slit. Alongside the impulse-action generating gas flow discharging from the slit is mounted a baffle/guide plate for controlling turbulence created by the gas flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a stream of particles comprises a charging device for injecting a net charge into a plurality of particles and a collector adjacent the charging device. The collector is grounded and arranged so that the charged particles disperse and collect on the collector according to a characteristic of the particle, such as size. A method of separating a stream of particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for sorting articles includes a feed conveyor for launching the articles across an airspace toward a first destination. A light source shines light energy on the articles in the airspace. A collector collects light energy reflected from the articles. A deflector is provided for deflecting selected articles toward an alternative destination as the articles fly across the airspace. A control system is operably connected to the collector and the deflector for actuating the deflector in response to a sensed parameter, such as an electromagnetic radiation frequency spectrum, of the light energy collected in the collector. Preferably, this system is utilized with a retro-reflector located on an opposite side of the airspace from the light source and the collector. This system also preferably includes the use of a multi-plexer which allows a single analyzer unit to be utilized to analyze light signals from each of a large plurality of collector units of the collector.

Abstract: A method is proposed for selecting, counting, and validating articles, in particular pharmaceuticals, which method is based on considering the articles, moved in a continuous flow, as non-integral until the integrity characteristics are detected by detecting means. The detection operates deflecting means for deviating the integral articles to pre-selected containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco includes a plurality of separating chambers, each including a separation chamber and having a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow. A covered, high speed conveyor of projects the tobacco across the upward flow of air in each chamber in conjunction with additional make up air from the covered, high speed conveyor. Lighter particles of tobacco are carried upward and exit the chamber via a separating mechanism. Heavier particles of tobacco fall onto an integral conveyor and are discharged from the chamber onto another covered, high speed conveyor connecting it to the next chamber. The separating chambers are mounted in line in a configuration to suit the tobacco being processed.

Abstract: A pre-separator for separating out large particles from a fluid flow has a housing forming an interior chamber with an inlet and an outlet, and a separator plate in the chamber between the inlet and outlet. The separator plate has a surface facing the inlet that is provided with a liquid carrying tank into which the flow is directed when it enters the interior chamber through the inlet. The separator plate has a series of nozzle openings therethrough adjacent its periphery to the outside of the tank. The nozzle openings adjacent the periphery of the separator plate overlie a surface of the housing adjacent the outlet. The pre-separator thus has two impaction stages that permit use across a wide range of flows. The separator plate and the housing have surfaces which are tapered so that liquid in the housing can be drained out when the housing is inverted.

Abstract: A method and device for the electrostatic separation of chaff from grain. An nonconductive continuous belt moves a mixture of grain and chaff past an ionizing electrode, which imparts an electrical charge to the grain particles and the particles of chaff within the mixture.

Abstract: A granular material sorting apparatus comprises a transfer device for causing material grains to fall down, optical detector units mounted along the falling-down locus of the material grains, an injection nozzle device for injecting air to the material grains, and a control unit for controlling operation of the injection nozzle device in response to detection by the optical detector unit. The optical detector units and the control unit optically detect and discriminate colored grains different in color from good material grains and foreign matters in similar color to the good material grains or transparent, which are mixed in the material grains, and activate the injection nozzle device in a predetermined period of time after the detection to remove the detected bad grains. The control unit sets different injection times and different injection delay times depending whether the bad grains are colored grains or foreign matters.

Abstract: A stabilizing system stabilizes light-weight articles carried on conveyors for automated bulk processing equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the light-weight articles, such as, for example, tobacco leaf products or wood chips, are moved and stabilized along a conveyor from a first infeed end to a second discharge end where they are projected in-air along a trajectory through an illumination station and sorting station. An enclosed off-belt housing is provided within which the light-weight articles are projected along a controlled trajectory to be processed by the optical inspection and sorting systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for acoustic fiber fractionation using a plane ultrasonic wave field interacting with water suspended fibers circulating in a channel flow using acoustic radiation forces to separate fibers into two or more fractions based on fiber radius, with applications of the separation concept in the pulp and paper industry. The continuous process relies on the use of a wall-mounted, rectangular cross-section piezoelectric ceramic transducer to selectively deflect flowing fibers as they penetrate the ultrasonic field. The described embodiment uses a transducer frequency of approximately 150 kHz. Depending upon the amount of dissolved gas in water, separation is obtained using a standing or a traveling wave field.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for acoustic fiber fractionation using a plane ultrasonic wave field interacting with water suspended fibers circulating in a channel flow using acoustic radiation forces to separate fibers into two or more fractions based on fiber radius, with applications of the separation concept in the pulp and paper industry. The continuous process relies on the use of a wall-mounted, rectangular cross-section piezoelectric ceramic transducer to selectively deflect flowing fibers as they penetrate the ultrasonic field. The described embodiment uses a transducer frequency of approximately 150 kHz. Depending upon the amount of dissolved gas in water, separation is obtained using a standing or a traveling wave field.

Abstract: A droplet-deflection flow sorter images a series of droplets, analyzes the image to determine droplet spacing, and alters flow velocity to achieve a desired spacing. Cells in a suspension are forced by gas pressure into a narrow conduit to serialize them and then out a nozzle that includes a "window" that allows cells of interest to be characterized. Droplets breaking off from the exiting jet are imaged by a video system including a strobed light source and a video camera. Droplet spacing is determined by locating the centers of gravity of the droplets. The centers of gravity are located by processing the droplet images to produce line segments corresponding to volumetric droplet slices, with the relative volumes of the slices being proportional to the squares of the line segment lengths. This approach determines droplet center positions and thus spacing more accurately than non-imaging methods, especially with aspherical droplets and droplets with satellites.

Abstract: A sorting machine for separating substandard items from a continuous stream of products is disclosed wherein the ejector that removes the detected substandard items includes an ejector finger and an actuator. The ejector finger includes a flexible elongate base member fixedly attached with respect to the product stream and a contactor normally withdrawn from the product stream when standard products are in the stream and for entering the product stream to eject a detected substandard item. The actuator flexes the flexible elongate base member to move the ejector contactor so that it enters the product stream for ejecting each detected substandard item. The flexible elongate base member make the ejector more resistant to wear from environmental conditions. A flexible sorting machine ejector mounting mechanism is also disclosed which removes costly mounting mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem from tobacco particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco which comprises a plurality of tobacco particle separating units, each including a separation chamber each a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow therein. A tobacco particle projecting mechanism is provided in each chamber for projecting tobacco particles across the generally upward air flow therein with each having structure for directing tobacco particles in cooperating relation therewith to be projected thereby. Mechanisms are provided for receiving the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow, the heavier particles moving downwardly within the air flow within each chamber and discharging the particles therefrom.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting and aligning articles to be sorted in an automated bulk processing system is disclosed. The conveyor comprises one or more product-carrying lanes, each lane comprising two side belts separated by a central product-carrying belt. Each of the side belts is raised with respect to the product-carrying belt, thereby guiding articles on to the product-carrying belt. In a preferred embodiment, the product-carrying belt has two product-carrying surfaces and is provided with a 180.degree. lengthwise twist whereby the product-carrying surfaces are alternately presented on the upper surface of the conveyor system for each complete belt travel cycle. The 180.degree. lengthwise twist is maintained in position by a belt guide or comb located on the underside of the conveyor system.

Abstract: A dynamic landfill recycling system has wheels attachable to a plurality of refuse processing sections in one or more semi-trailer or other vehicular units. A refuse receiving section has a dump bed or one or more vehicular refuse bins to accept new refuse from refuse trucks or optionally to accept old refuse from old refuse sites for processing, A primary conveyor belt is slanted upwardly towards a vibratory feeder. The primary conveyor is rotated rapidly to throw the refuse in an arc onto the vibratory feeder where the throwing action causes the refuse to spread out as it falls. The vibratory feeder is slanted downwardly at an angle which causes vibrated refuse to fall towards a bottom end and a bag cutter that is positioned above and intermediately between ends of the vibratory feeder to further expose and scatter the refuse on the vibratory feeder. A magnetic separator belt conveys the scattered refuse upwardly to a magnetic pulley wheel which separates ferrous from non-ferrous materials.

Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of discrete particulate solid materials of disparate composition and a system utilizing such apparatus is described in which the material to be processed is caused to slide under the influence of gravity along a straight inclined surface to achieve a substantially uniform velocity and thereafter along an arcuately formed surface where, due to the existence of different coefficients of sliding friction between the mixture fractions, disparate velocities are achieved by the respective particles whereby particles of the respective fractions are separately collected on a velocity basis. The described apparatus utilizes a slide surface of different material and/or a water spray to produce the disparate velocities between the particles of the respective mixture fractions. Deflector plates of various forms may be employed to prevent contamination of the clean product fraction due to bouncing of materials of the waste product fraction from the slide surface.

Abstract: A trash separator that sorts bottles and cans from other, non-recyclable refuse. This separator consists of a slide 4 with an inlet 1 for all refuse at the top and an outlet 3 for the refuse at the bottom. The refuse is separated because the size and weight of the bottles and the cans is such that they attain a higher velocity sliding down the slide than the other refuse. These faster moving bottles and cans are sent on a trajectory that lands them in a far receptacle 7 while the remainder of the refuse, which is slower moving, falls into the receptacle 8 that is closest to the terminal end of the slide. The apparatus is a molded plastic cover that sits atop the receptacles and can easily fit in the kitchen, garage, office or on a street corner. It is designed to make recycling more convenient, sanitary and enjoyable.

Abstract: A sorting machine for separating substandard items from a continuous flow of fungible items is disclosed wherein the ejector means for removing the detected substandard items includes an air blast nozzle having a built-in end means for creating a pressure differential in the blast to keep particle dust from rising and quickly causing the optical window in front of the detector sensor or sensors to coat and become opaque. The pressure means is preferably a tab or other surface at a right angle to the nozzle or parallel to the product flow, its direction being on the opposite side of the nozzle from the window. By minimizing dust build-up on the window, down time of the sorting machine for window cleaning is minimized.

Abstract: A device and method for separating particles by mass is provided in which the particles are entrained in an airstream and are ejected into a collection zone where they will fall under the influence of gravity, but will separate longitudinally by mass with the most massive particles traveling the farthest. As an enhancement to the separation, an apparatus for forming at least one air curtain perpendicular to the ejection direction is provided which causes the falling particles to separate into discrete groups.

Abstract: Mixed pieces of different non-ferrous metals are sorted by initially moving the pieces through a high density, rapidly changing magnetic flux field, and immediately thereafter, freely moving the pieces along unsupported forwardly and downwardly directed trajectories resulting from the momentum of the pieces, the force of gravity and the magnetically induced repulsive forces developed in the pieces by the flux field. The magnitude of the magnetically induced repulsive forces differ for different non-ferrous metals so that the lengths of the trajectories of generally similar size and shape pieces vary accordingly for separating pieces formed of different metals. The magnetic field is provided by a horizontally axised, rapidly rotating, hollow, liquid cooled, iron wall drum having magnets affixed to its outer surface. The magnets are arranged in rows that are formed of numerous, tile-like, small, permanent magnets which are positioned end to end, with their like polarity ends adjacent.

Abstract: A particle separating apparatus is disclosed comprising a particle container. The particle container has an interior wall which defines a particle receiving chamber. The container has an opening exposing the chamber. The container is mounted to rotate about an axis generally coaxial with an axis of the opening. A conduit is provided for admitting a flow of particulate matter into the chamber through the opening. A plurality of apertures extend generally radially from the interior and through the container. Stabilizing mechanisms in the form of stabilizer blades are provided within the chamber with cushioned edges disposed closely adjacent to the interior wall with the edges extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation. A lifting mechanism is disposed within the chamber having lifting plates disposed to rotate within the chamber and urge particulate material from a closed end of the chamber toward the opening and promote uniform distribution axially within the interior of the container.