Apparatus for energy efficient comminution

Claim 2

An improved conical crusher for the comminution of materials, said crusher having a fixed outer cone and a conical head gyrating within that fixed cone, a crushing cavity created between said head and said cone wherein the crushing action takes place when the gyrating head move towards the fixed cone, the crusher further having a feed assembly comprising a feed platform having an underside, a feed inlet and a feed chute downwardly depending from said inlet; wherein the improvement comprises means for directing a plurality of pressurized streams of liquid into said crushing cavity, said means located in spaced relationship above said cavity and including a plurality of flow directing nozzles to direct said liquid at sufficient pressure to flush said comminuted material through said cavity.

Claim 3

The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said means further comprises: a conduit having a diameter and underside and being constructed and arranged to be mounted on said underside of said feed platform and adjacent to said chute.

Claim 4

The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said conduit further comprises: a plurality of spaced apertures having a common diameter reduced in relation to said conduit diameter and located in said conduit.

Claim 5

The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said conduit and apertures are constructed and arranged to direct a flow of liquid towards said head assembly adjacent to where said head gyrates against said bowl so that said cavity is continually moistened.

Claim 6

The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said apertures are located on the underside of said conduit.

Claim 7

The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said nozzle are directed to depend vertically from said conduit.

Claim 8

The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said apertures are fitted with nozzles.

Claim 9

The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said nozzles are segments of small diameter pipe.

Claim 10

The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said conduit forms a loop which encircles said feed chute.

Claim 11

A conical crusher for the comminution of materials, comprising a stationary lower frame assembly, a vertically movable upper frame assembly biased toward said lower frame assembly and having a bowl and a bowl liner, a head assembly including a crusher head including a mantle, said head mounted on a support means for gyratory motion relative to said frame assemblies and crushing action between said bowl liner and said mantle, a gap formed between said head and said bowl liner, said bowl adjustably mounted to said upper frame assembly for vertical movement relative to said frame assemblies and head assembly by virtue of interfacing, helically threaded surfaces of said upper frame bowl, and an eccentric for imparting gyratory motion to said head, a drive means for driving said eccentric, and a feed assembly comprising a feed platform having an underside, a feed inlet and a feed chute downwardly depending from said inlet, the improvement comprising: a liquid spray apparatus located on the underside of said feed platform and constructed and arranged to direct a plurality of pressurized streams of liquid into said gap to flush said comminuted material therethrough, and further including: a conduit having a diameter and an underside and being constructed and arranged to be mounted on said underside of said feed platform and adjacent to said chute, and a plurality of spaced apertures having a common diameter reduced in relation to said conduit diameter and located on said underside of said conduit, each said aperture provided with a depending flow directing nozzle.

Claim 12

A conical crusher for the comminution of materials, comprising a stationary lower frame assembly, a vertically movable upper frame assembly biased toward said lower frame assembly and having a bowl and a bowl liner, a head assembly including a crusher head including a mantle, said head mounted on a support means for gyratory motion relative to said frame assemblies and crushing action between said bowl liner and said mantle, a gap formed between said head and said bowl liner, said bowl adjustably mounted to said upper frame assembly for vertical movement relative to said frame assemblies and head assembly by virtue of interfacing, helically threaded surfaces of said upper frame bowl, and an eccentric for imparting gyratory motion to said head, a drive means for driving said eccentric, and a feed assembly comprising a feed platform having an underside, a feed inlet and a feed chute downwardly depending from said inlet, the improvement comprising: a liquid spray apparatus located on the underside of said feed platform and constructed and arranged to direct a plurality of pressurized streams of liquid into said gap to flush said comminuted material therethrough, and further including: a conduit having a diameter and an underside and being constructed and arranged to be mounted on said underside of said feed platform and adjacent to said chute, and a plurality of spaced apertures having a common diameter reduced in relation to said conduit diameter and located on said underside of said conduit, each said aperture provided with a depending flow directing nozzle.

Claim 13

A conical crusher for the comminution of materials, said crusher having a fixed outer cone and a conical head gyrating within said fixed cone, a crushing cavity between said head and said cone wherein the crushing action takes place when the gyrating head moves towards the fixed cone, the crusher further having a feed assembly comprising a feed platform and a feed inlet, and a means of discharge of crushed material the improvement comprising: means for directing a plurality of pressurized streams of lubricating fluid into said crusher cavity simultaneously with the introduction of said material, said means including a conduit located in spaced relationship from said cavity and provided with a plurality of depending nozzles arranged to direct said fluid at sufficient pressure to flush said comminuted material through said cavity; and means for withdrawing said fluid from said crusher simultaneously with said crushed material.

Claim 14

A conical crusher for the comminution of materials, said crusher having a fixed outer cone and a conical head gyrating within said fixed cone, a crushing cavity between said head and said cone wherein the crushing action takes place when the gyrating head moves towards the fixed cone, the crusher further having a feed assembly comprising a feed platform and a feed inlet, and a means of discharge of crushed material the improvement comprising: means for directing a plurality of pressurized streams of lubricating fluid into said crusher cavity simultaneously with the introduction of said material, said means including a conduit located in spaced relationship from said cavity and provided with a plurality of depending nozzles arranged to direct said fluid at sufficient pressure to flush said comminuted material through said cavity; and means for withdrawing said fluid from said crusher simultaneously with said crushed material.