US3722676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ore separation
Assignee: Mathews Mining Co
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Filing: 1971-08-23
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-08-23
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed herein an apparatus for detecting and separating a desired ore or mineral from a quantity of ore. The apparatus includes a plurality of selectively deflectable flowing fluid streams. The streams are controlled to displace the desired mineral particles from the quantity of ore. Pivotally mounted arcuate tubes normally divert the fluid streams when then are not acting to displace particles, but these tubes are selectively movable to allow the streams to hit desired particles. A screen is used for conveying the ore past the fluid streams in such a manner that the streams may act through the screen to displace the selected particles.
Inventors
- 👤 T Mathews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:58
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03B; B03B13/00; B03B13/02; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/36; B07C5/361; B07C5/362; B07C5/363; B07C5/367; B07C5/368
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for separating first and second solid particles wherein the first type particle has a particular measurable characteristic, comprising means for moving the first and second particles in a uniform path, sensing means for detecting the measurable characteristic of the first type particle and for providing control signals, nozzle means for forming a plurality of flowing fluid streams, and a plurality of separating means responsive to said signals for allowing selective impingement of the flowing fluid streams on the first type of particle to separate the first type of particles from the second type of particle, said plurality of separating means each including an actuator coupled with pivotally mounted arcuate means, said actuator being responsive to a control signal for moving said arcuate means from a normal pOsition to another position for allowing said selective impingement of a flowing fluid stream from a nozzle means on a first type of particle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for separating first and second solid particles wherein the first type particle has a particular measurable characteristic, comprising means for moving the first and second particles in a uniform path, sensing means for detecting the measurable characteristic of the first type particle and for providing control signals, nozzle means for forming a plurality of flowing fluid streams, and a plurality of separating means responsive to said signals for allowing selective impingement of the flowing fluid streams on the first type of particle to separate the first type of particles from the second type of particle, said plurality of separating means each including an actuator coupled with pivotally mounted arcuate means, said actuator being responsive to a control signal for moving said arcuate means from a normal pOsition to another position for allowing said selective impingement of a flowing fluid stream from a nozzle means on a first type of particle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for moving the unseparated ore particles in a uniform path includes perforated conveyor means through which said fluid streams can pass to impinge upon the first type particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the conveyor means has an inclined separation area, said separating means being mounted beneath said conveyor means to cause fluid streams to flow through said inclined separation area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of arcuate means comprises a pivotally mounted arcuate tube, said actuators being actuated by said control signals to rotate each of said tubes independently into and out of the path of a respective flowing fluid stream from said nozzle means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arcuate means includes a plurality of arcuate tubes pivotally mounted and positioned to normally intercept and deflect the respective flowing fluid streams from said nozzle means, and the actuators coupled with said tubes selectively pivot respective tubes out of the paths of said flowing streams.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for separating first and second types of ore particles wherein the first type of ore particles has a measurable property not associated with the second type of ore particles comprising a screen conveyor having an inclined separation section, sensing means extending across the width of said section for detecting the measurable property of the first type of ore particles along said width and providing control signals, means forming a plurality of flowing fluid streams, a plurality of separating means extending along the width of said section on an opposite side of said section from said sensing means, said separating means being responsive to said signals for causing the flowing fluid streams to flow through said conveyor to provide selective impingement of the flowing fluid streams on the first type of particles to separate the first type of particles from the second type of particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for separating first and second types of ore particles wherein the first type of ore particles has a measurable property not associated with the second type of ore particles comprising a screen conveyor having an inclined separation section, sensing means extending across the width of said section for detecting the measurable property of the first type of ore particles along said width and providing control signals, means forming a plurality of flowing fluid streams, a plurality of separating means extending along the width of said section on an opposite side of said section from said sensing means, said separating means being responsive to said signals for causing the flowing fluid streams to flow through said conveyor to provide selective impingement of the flowing fluid streams on the first type of particles to separate the first type of particles from the second type of particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said separating means comprises a plurality of arcuate tubes through which the fluid streams normally pass and which are selectively pivotable to allow fluid streams to flow through said conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said conveyor has a relatively flat section preceeding said inclined separation section, and said sensing means is mounted above said separation section and said separating means are mounted below said separation section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said separating means includes a plurality of actuators coupled with a respective plurality of pivotally mounted arcuate tubes, said actuators being responsive to said control signals from said sensing means to rotate respective tubes independently into and out of the path of respective flowing fluid streams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said separating means are mounted beneath said separation section of said conveyor, and said separating means includes a plurality of pivotally mounted arcuate tubes positioned to normally intercept and deflect the respective flowing fluid streams, and includes actuators coupled with said tubes to selectively pivot respective tubes out of the paths of said flowing streams in response to control signals from said sensing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |