US3786919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for concentrating ore pulps
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a centrifugal ore concentrator characterized by a spirally wound tunnel-forming member wound about a rotatable core into which an ore pulp is introduced. As the ore pulp gravitates, or is preferably forced, through the whirling spiral, the heavy minerals that have migrated to the outside of the tunnel under the influence of the centrifugal action are drawn off and separated from the lighter gangue particles that are similarly drawn off from the inside. The invention also encompasses the novel method of concentrating ore pulps which comprises feeding the pulp through a rotating spirally disposed tunnel with a pulsating action, dividing the stream and drawing off the heavier material from the outside and the lighter material from the inside.
Inventors
- 👤 D Deringer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:22
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0442; B04B2005/0457
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
The centrifugal ore concentrator which comprises: tunnelforming means defining a helicoidal passage having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other mounted for rotation about a vertically-disposed axis; pump means connected to deliver an ore pulp under pressure into the inlet of the tunnel-forming means while it is rotating; drive means connected to the tunnel-forming means operative upon actuation to rotate same at a speed sufficient to bring about centrifugal separation of the heavier of two solid fractions suspended in the ore pulp circulating therethrough; gate-forming means disposed within the tunnelforming means downstream of the inlet for dividing the ore pulp stream into an inside branch in which are suspended the major portion of the lighter of the two solid fractions and an outside branch containing primarily the heavier solid fraction; means defining a concentrate launder disposed adjacent the outlet of the tunnel-forming means; tubular means for removing the outside branch of the pulp stream from said tunnel-forming means and transferring same to the concentrate launder connected into the tunnel-forming means adjacent the gate-forming means for rotation therewith; and, a fluid line rotatable with the tunnel-forming means connected to introduce fluids therein at one or more points, said fluid means being connectable to a stationary supply of fluid under pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
The centrifugal ore concentrator which comprises: tunnelforming means defining a helicoidal passage having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other mounted for rotation about a vertically-disposed axis; pump means connected to deliver an ore pulp under pressure into the inlet of the tunnel-forming means while it is rotating; drive means connected to the tunnel-forming means operative upon actuation to rotate same at a speed sufficient to bring about centrifugal separation of the heavier of two solid fractions suspended in the ore pulp circulating therethrough; gate-forming means disposed within the tunnelforming means downstream of the inlet for dividing the ore pulp stream into an inside branch in which are suspended the major portion of the lighter of the two solid fractions and an outside branch containing primarily the heavier solid fraction; means defining a concentrate launder disposed adjacent the outlet of the tunnel-forming means; tubular means for removing the outside branch of the pulp stream from said tunnel-forming means and transferring same to the concentrate launder connected into the tunnel-forming means adjacent the gate-forming means for rotation therewith; and, a fluid line rotatable with the tunnel-forming means connected to introduce fluids therein at one or more points, said fluid means being connectable to a stationary supply of fluid under pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
The centrifugal concentrator as set forth in claim 1 in which: a shaft having a hollow inlet end, a hollow outlet end and a drum-like enlargement iNtermediate its ends is journalled for rotation in vertically disposed relation; a main fluid line is carried by the drum-like enlargement for rotation therewith; one or more branch fluid lines interconnect said main line and the interior of said tunnel-forming means; and, in which the hollow outlet end of the shaft is connected to receive fluid under pressure from a stationary source thereof while rotating and deliver same to the main fluid line.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
71 words
The method of separating the heavier particulate fraction from a fluid suspension containing both heavy and light fractions which comprises: pumping the slurry under pressure with an intermittent pulsating motion through the coils of a whirling helicoidal passage, dividing the slurry stream into two branches, one flowing along the inside wall of the passage and the other flowing along the outside wall thereof, tapping off the outside branch and collecting same.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
71 words
The method of separating the heavier particulate fraction from a fluid suspension containing both heavy and light fractions which comprises: pumping the slurry under pressure with an intermittent pulsating motion through the coils of a whirling helicoidal passage, dividing the slurry stream into two branches, one flowing along the inside wall of the passage and the other flowing along the outside wall thereof, tapping off the outside branch and collecting same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 which includes the steps of dividing the stream at more than one place within the passage, tapping off the outside branch immediately downstream of each such division, and collecting the outside branches while keeping same separate from one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 which includes the step of continuously diluting the slurry while it circulates through the passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |