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US5087379A
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Ultrasonic vibrator tray processes
Assignee: HUNICKE DAVID S dba ADVANCED SONIC PROCESSING SYSTEMS
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Filing: 1990-03-02
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Granted: 1992-02-11
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Expires: 2010-03-02
Abstract
Abstract Processes and apparatus for treatment of flowing slurries of particulate material mixed in liquid employ a wide, elongated downwardly-slanted, metal tray with upturned edge flanges, cable-suspended for unrestrained vibratory flexing and undulation. The tray is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted on its underside, and the flowing slurry is delivered to the upper tray end, flowing lengthwise down the tray in a shallow flowing sheet. Ultrasonic vibratory energy coupled through the tray to the flowing slurry has a "microscopic scrubbing" action on all particles and agglomerates, breaking the surface tension on the particle, cleaning particle surfaces, and separating different constituent particles and coatings of gels, slimes, algae, clay or mud. Mixtures of fine particles of coal or other valuable minerals with ash, clay, rock or sand particles are separated with unexpected efficiency by these techniques. In a second embodiment, a second reflection tray is provided superimposed on the first tray.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Morton
- 👤 Harold V. Fairbanks
- 👤 James Wallis
- 👤 Raymond L. Hunicke
- 👤 Joseph Krenicki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:53
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B01D21/28; B01D21/283; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/16; B03; B03B; B03B1/00; B03B9/00; B03B9/005; B03C; B03C1/00; B03C1/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
The process of treating with vibratory energy a flowable slurry of particulate materials mixed in a liquid comprising the steps of providing a first laterally extended downwardly elongated treatment zone bounded by an adjoining flat boundary surface and a laterally extended downwardly elongated reflection surface located over the treatment zone, coupling vibratory energy through said boundary surface to cause the slurry to vibrate in a direction substantially perpendicular to its length and to its width at a frequency between about 10 kHz and about 50 kHz, while the slurry flows downward through the downwardly elongated treatment zone toward a lower exit end thereof, and thereafter conducting the treated slurry to a separation zone where the particulate materials are separated from the liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
The process of treating with vibratory energy a flowable slurry of particulate materials mixed in a liquid comprising the steps of providing a first laterally extended downwardly elongated treatment zone bounded by an adjoining flat boundary surface and a laterally extended downwardly elongated reflection surface located over the treatment zone, coupling vibratory energy through said boundary surface to cause the slurry to vibrate in a direction substantially perpendicular to its length and to its width at a frequency between about 10 kHz and about 50 kHz, while the slurry flows downward through the downwardly elongated treatment zone toward a lower exit end thereof, and thereafter conducting the treated slurry to a separation zone where the particulate materials are separated from the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the treatment zone is downwardly elongated in a slanting diagonal direction relative to the vertical, and the boundary surface underlies the treatment zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process defined in claim 2 wherein the slanting treatment zone descends at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 25 degrees from the horizontal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein all of the steps are performed simultaneously and continuously, whereby a continuous slurry treatment is achieved in the treatment zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the particulate materials include mineral fines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the particulate materials include mineral fines and ash particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process defined in claim 6 wherein the mineral fines are fine coal particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the liquid is a water solvent containing a substance chosen from a group consisting of organic solvents or the elements mercury and gallium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process defined in claim 7 wherein the particulate materials also include clay particles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process defined in claim 1 further including the step of coupling vibratory energy through the elongated reflection surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the particulate materials include tar, sand and clay particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the particulate materials are mineral particles and the liquid is salt water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the particulate materials are minerals in sewage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the particulate materials includes metal particles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process defined in claim 14 wherein the metal particles are precious metal particles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process defined in claim 14 further including the step of adding a chemical additive to the liquid slurry.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process defined in claim 14 wherein the chemical additive permits amalgamation of the metal particles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process defined in claim 1 further including the step of adding an enzyme to the slurry.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process defined in claim 18 wherein the enzyme is an enzyme activated carbon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the slurry is degassed during treatment thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-10 | 1995-08-12 | 1996-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-10 | 1999-08-12 | 2000-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-08-12 | 2004-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |