Magnetic refuse separator

Claim 2

A solid waste magnetic separator having a material transport belt, means for generating a magnetic field, and means for supporting said belt for movement through said magnetic field, said magnetic field generating means being characterized in that it comprises: at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located above and near a portion of said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, said assemblies including an upstream assembly an a downstream assembly, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portion of said magnetic assemblies so that said pole shoe means does not have a magnetic orientation of its own but assumes that induced in it by the magnetic assemblies and so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, said pole shoe means having an upstream end terminating beneath said upstream assembly and a downstream end terminating beneath said downstream assembly.

Claim 3

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, first and second means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through the magnetic fields generated by said first and second means, said first magnetic field generating means including at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located near said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, said second magnetic field generating means being downstream from said first field generating means in the direction of travel of said belt, and said second field generating means comprising a magnetic assembly located near said belt and having a field generating portion which has a polarity opposite to that of said first field generating means, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies of said first and second field generating means and extending over the magnetic field generating portion of said magnetic assemblies of said first field generating means so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies of said first field generating means is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, and said pole shoe means also extending to a point between said belt and the magnetic field generating portion of said second field generating means so that the strength of the magnetic field between said second magnetic field generating means and said first magnetic field generating means is signficantly diminished, so that heavier magnetic materials carried by said belt are released from said belt as it approaches said second magnetic field generating means and lighter magnetic materials are carried by said belt until near the end of said pole shoe means.

Claim 4

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, first and second means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through the magnetic fields generated by said first and second means, said first magnetic field generating means including at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located near said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, said second magnetic field generating means being downstream from said first field generating means in the direction of travel of said belt, and said second field generating means comprising a magnetic assembly located near said belt and having a field generating portion which has a polarity opposite to that of said first field generating means, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies of said first and second field generating means and extending over the magnetic field generating portion of said magnetic assemblies of said first field generating means so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies of said first field generating means is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, and said pole shoe means also extending to a point between said belt and the magnetic field generating portion of said second field generating means so that the strength of the magnetic field between said second magnetic field generating means and said first magnetic field generating means is signficantly diminished, so that heavier magnetic materials carried by said belt are released from said belt as it approaches said second magnetic field generating means and lighter magnetic materials are carried by said belt until near the end of said pole shoe means.

Claim 5

The magnetic separator in claim 2 and further comprising means for reversing the polarity of said second magnetic field generating means so that when the polarity of said second field generating means is the same as the polarity of said first field generating means the combined magnetic field remains relatively uniform along said belt so all magnetic materials are attracted to said belt and remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field.

Claim 6

The magnetic separator in claim 3 wherein the magnetic field generating portion of the first of said magnetic assemblies along the path of belt travel has an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape, the field generating portion of the other of said magnetic assemblies downstream from said first magnetic assembly has a width, said pole shoe means has an end located adjacent said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion and having a shape generally conforming to the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, and said pole shoe means downstream from said first magnetic assembly has a width generally conforming to the widths of said downstream field generating portions, said widths being in a plane generally parallel to the path of belt travel.

Claim 7

The magnetic separator in claim 4 wherein the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion is circular and said end of said pole shoe means is circular.

Claim 8

The magnetic separator in claim 4 wherein said first magnetic assembly field generating portion is larger than the field generating portion of the other of said magnetic assemblies in order to attract magnetic materials to said belt and said pole shoe means has an increased width adjacent said first magnetic field generating portion.

Claim 9

The magnetic separator in claim 4 wherein the field generating portion of said second field generating means has an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape and said pole shoe means has a second end having a shape generally conforming to the shape of said end of said field generating portion of said second field generating means.

Claim 10

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, first and second means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through the magnetic fields generated by said first and second means, said first magnetic field generating means including a first mgnetic assembly having a magnetic field generating portion located near said belt, said second magnetic field generating means including a second magnetic assembly having a magnetic field generating portion located near said belt and having reversible polarity, and said second field generating means being downstream from first field generating means in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said first and second magnetic assemblies, ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said first and second magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portions of said first and second magnetic assemblies, and means for reversing the polarity of said second magnetic assembly so that, when the polarity of said second magnetic assembly is opposite to that of said first magnetic assembly, the strength of the mgnetic field between said first and second magnetic assemblies is significantly diminished so that heavier magnetic materials carried by said belt are released from said belt as it approaches said second magnetic assembly and lighter magnetic materials are carried by said belt until near the end of said pole shoe means, and so that, when the polarity of said second magnetic assembly is the same as that of said first magnetic assembly, the combined magnetic field remains relatively uniform along said belt so that all magnetic materials carried by said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field.

Claim 11

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, first and second means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through the magnetic fields generated by said first and second means, said first magnetic field generating means including a first mgnetic assembly having a magnetic field generating portion located near said belt, said second magnetic field generating means including a second magnetic assembly having a magnetic field generating portion located near said belt and having reversible polarity, and said second field generating means being downstream from first field generating means in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said first and second magnetic assemblies, ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said first and second magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portions of said first and second magnetic assemblies, and means for reversing the polarity of said second magnetic assembly so that, when the polarity of said second magnetic assembly is opposite to that of said first magnetic assembly, the strength of the mgnetic field between said first and second magnetic assemblies is significantly diminished so that heavier magnetic materials carried by said belt are released from said belt as it approaches said second magnetic assembly and lighter magnetic materials are carried by said belt until near the end of said pole shoe means, and so that, when the polarity of said second magnetic assembly is the same as that of said first magnetic assembly, the combined magnetic field remains relatively uniform along said belt so that all magnetic materials carried by said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field.

Claim 12

The magnetic separator in claim 8 wherein the magnetic field generating portion of the first of said magnetic assemblies along the path of belt travel has an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape, the field generating portion of the other of said magnetic assemblies downstream from said first magnetic assembly has a width, said pole shoe means has an end having a shape generally conforming to the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, and said pole shoe means downstream from said first magnetic assembly has a width generally conforming to the widths of said downstream field generating portions, said widths being in a plane generally parallel to the path of belt travel.

Claim 13

The magnetic separator in claim 9 wherein the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion is circular and said end of said pole shoe means is circular.

Claim 14

The magnetic separator in claim 9 wherein said first magnetic assembly field generating portion is larger than the field generating portion of the other of said magnetic materials to said belt and said pole shoe means has an increased width adjacent said first magnetic assembly field generating portion.

Claim 15

The magnetic separator in claim 9 wherein the field generating portion of said second field generating means has an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape and said pole shoe means has a second end having a shape generally conforming to the shape of said end of said field generating portion of said second field generating means.

Claim 16

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through said magnetic field, said magnetic field generating means including at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located near said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, the magnetic field generating portion of the first of said magnetic assemblies along the path of belt travel having an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape, and the other field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies downstream from said first magnetic assembly having widths in a plane generally parallel to the path of belt travel, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portions of said magnetic assemblies so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, said pole shoe means having an end located at said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion and having a shape conforming to the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, and said pole shoe means downstream from said first magnetic assembly having a width generally conforming to the width of said downstream field generating portions.

Claim 17

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through said magnetic field, said magnetic field generating means including at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located near said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, the magnetic field generating portion of the first of said magnetic assemblies along the path of belt travel having an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape, and the other field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies downstream from said first magnetic assembly having widths in a plane generally parallel to the path of belt travel, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portions of said magnetic assemblies so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, said pole shoe means having an end located at said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion and having a shape conforming to the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, and said pole shoe means downstream from said first magnetic assembly having a width generally conforming to the width of said downstream field generating portions.

Claim 18

The magnetic separator in claim 13 wherein the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion is circular and said end of said pole shoe means is circular.

Claim 19

The magnetic separator in claim 13 wherein said first magnetic assembly field generating portion is stronger than the field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies in order to attract magnetic materials to said belt and said pole shoe means has an increased width adjacent said first magnetic assembly field generating portion.

Claim 20

The magnetic separator in claim 13 wherein one of said other field generating portions has an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape and said pole shoe means has a second end having a shape generally conforming to the shape of said end of said field generating portion of said second field generating means.

Claim 21

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through said magnetic field, said magnetic field generating means including at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located near said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, the magnetic field generating portion of the first of said magnetic assemblies along the path of belt travel having an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a circular shape, and the other field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies downstream from said first magnetic assembly having widths in a plane generally parallel to the path of belt travel, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portions of said magnetic assemblies so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, said pole shoe means having an end located adjacent said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion and having a circular shape generally conforming to the circular shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, and said pole shoe means downstream from said first magnetic assembly having a width generally conforming to the widths of said downstream field generating portions.

Claim 22

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through said magnetic field, said magnetic field generating means including at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located near said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, the magnetic field generating portion of the first of said magnetic assemblies along the path of belt travel having an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a circular shape, and the other field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies downstream from said first magnetic assembly having widths in a plane generally parallel to the path of belt travel, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portions of said magnetic assemblies so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, said pole shoe means having an end located adjacent said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion and having a circular shape generally conforming to the circular shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, and said pole shoe means downstream from said first magnetic assembly having a width generally conforming to the widths of said downstream field generating portions.

Claim 23

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through said magnetic field, said magnetic field generating means including at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located near said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, the magnetic field generating portion of the first of said magnetic assemblies along the path of belt travel having an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape, and the other field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies downstream from said first magnetic assembly having widths in a plane generally parallel to the path of belt travel, and said first magnetic assembly field generating portion being stronger than the field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies in order to attract magnetic materials to said belt, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portions of said magnetic assemblies so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, said pole shoe means having an end located adjacent said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, said end of said pole shoe means having a shape generally conforming to the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, said pole shoe means downstream from said first magnetic assembly having a width generally conforming to the widths of said downstream field generating portions, and said pole shoe means having an increased width adjacent said first magnetic assembly field generating portion.

Claim 24

A solid waste magnetic separator comprising a material transport belt, means for generating a magnetic field, means for supporting said belt for movement through said magnetic field, said magnetic field generating means including at least two magnetic assemblies having adjacent magnetic field generating portions of the same magnetic polarity located near said belt and aligned relative to each other in the direction of belt travel so that said belt and any magnetic materials attracted thereto pass sequentially through the magnetic fields generated by said magnetic assemblies, the magnetic field generating portion of the first of said magnetic assemblies along the path of belt travel having an end adjacent to and facing said belt and having a shape, and the other field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies downstream from said first magnetic assembly having widths in a plane generally parallel to the path of belt travel, and said first magnetic assembly field generating portion being stronger than the field generating portions of the other magnetic assemblies in order to attract magnetic materials to said belt, and ferromagnetic pole shoe means disposed between said belt and said magnetic assemblies and extending over the magnetic field generating portions of said magnetic assemblies so that the combined magnetic field generated by said magnetic assemblies is relatively uniform along said belt and magnetic materials attracted to said belt remain attracted to said belt as it travels through said combined field, said pole shoe means having an end located adjacent said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, said end of said pole shoe means having a shape generally conforming to the shape of said end of said first magnetic assembly field generating portion, said pole shoe means downstream from said first magnetic assembly having a width generally conforming to the widths of said downstream field generating portions, and said pole shoe means having an increased width adjacent said first magnetic assembly field generating portion.