EP2135678A1

EP2135678A1 - Linear magnetic separator using foucault currents

Info

Publication number: EP2135678A1
Application number: EP07730452A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raimundo Gutierrez Iglesias
Original assignee: Felemamg SL
Current assignee: Felemamg SL
Priority date: 2007-04-11
Filing date: 2007-04-11
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: EP2135678A4; WO2008125699A1

Abstract

A linear magnetic Separator using eddy currents in which the material to be treated is transported by a vibrating chute or a conveyor belt over the magnetic rotor, in the direction of its axis and forcing the material to run along the entire length of the magnetic rotor a longitudinally and laterally diverting the electric conductor particles by the repulsion generated in their mass by the eddy currents through the action of the alternating magnetic field caused by the rotor as it rotates.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as stated in the title of this descriptive report, refers to a linear magnetic separator using eddy currents that adds, to the function already known of these separators, a series of advantages and characteristics, apart from those inherent to its organization and make-up, that will be described in detail further on, providing an alternative and/or innovating improvement to that already known in this field.
More specifically, the object of the invention consists in a magnetic separator for metals under the principle of eddy currents, destined for the separation of electric conductor metals, aluminium, copper, etc., from a material that is not an electric conductor, particularly regarding low grain size, in which, as an advantage and in a characterising manner, the magnetic rotor is assembled in line with the direction of the moving material to be treated, providing a notable increase in its performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present and as a reference to the state of the technique, it should be stated that the separation of small metal particles, such as low grain size (0 to 3 m/m) aluminium or copper with a conventional magnetic separator using eddy currents, in which the material is presented by a belt over the magnetic rotor, is made by material launching the electric conductor material in the same direction from which the material arrives, extracting it from within the non-conductor material and being collected by a divider that separates it from the rest.
The problem with fine particles (under 3 m/m) is the very short distance these particles can be launched, as the eddy currents generated in their mass, are in accordance with this, very small.
On the other hand and with these grain sizes, the particles tend to have a spherical shape and the currents generated tend to rotate the particle, which re-orientates itself thus avoiding the launching effect.
Therefore, it is necessary to create a high performance magnetic separator for this fine grade material, providing an adequate solution for the problem described, this being the main objective of the invention, regarding which, on the other hand, it should be indicated that the petitioner lacks any knowledge on any other presenting similar technical, structural and configuration characteristics.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The linear magnetic separator using eddy currents proposed by the invention, constitutes in itself an clear novelty in its field since, with its application, it is possible to separate electric conductor metal particles with a size of only a few microns from a non-electric conductor material at high performance level.
The main innovation shown by the separator suggested by the invention consists in presenting the material to be treated over the rotor in the direction of its axis, completely in opposition to that known up to now, where the material to be treated is presented in perpendicular direction to that of the axis of the rotor.
For this, the material is transported by means of a conveyor belt, a vibrating chute, a sloping plane or an alternative transporting element, running above the magnetic rotor in the same direction of its axis. During its run, the small particles of conductor metals are launched in the opposite direction to the rotation of the magnetic rotor and they fall once more on the conveyor belt, once again subject to the strong alternating field generated by the rotor. Again they are launched once more, this effect repeating itself successively and rapidly while they continue being transported along the rotor.
In this way, and providing sufficient length to the magnetic rotor, all the conductor metal particles are moved in a lateral manner over the conveyor belt until they are evacuated laterally, while the non-electric conductor particles continue on the conveyor belt without being affected by this, to be evacuated at the end of the conveyor belt.
On the other hand, it should be highlighted that particles with a spherical shape tend to re-orient themselves, with the launching failing very frequently in a conventional separator. In this invention the particles rotate on themselves to re-orientate themselves with the high frequency magnetic field. This rotation makes them roll along the conveyor belt in the same direction as that of the launching and to be evacuated in the same way via the lateral channelling, together with the rest of the metal particles.
Therefore, the new linear magnetic separator using eddy currents represents an innovating structure, with structural and innovative characteristics unknown until now for this purpose, reasons which together with its practical utility, provide it with sufficient bases to obtain the privilege requested regarding exclusiveness.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS

To supplement the description being made and aiming to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report includes, as an integral part of same, a set of plans, representing the following in an illustrative but not limiting manner:

Figure number 1.- This shows a schematic cross-section view of a conventional magnetic separator using eddy currents (Prior art), in which the transversal layout of the rotor with regard to the direction of transport of the material can be appreciated, and in which, as described previously, the separation of the particles is performed as the electric conductor material is launched in the same direction as that in which the material arrives, extracting it from the non-conductor material and being collected by a divider separating this from the rest.
Figures numbers 2-A, 2-B and 2-C.- These show the respective schematic transversal, longitudinal cross-section views and that from above of an example of the execution of the new linear magnetic separator using eddy currents, in accordance with the invention, in which the material is transported by means of a vibrating feeder, showing the main parts and elements making it up, together with their configuration and layout.
Figures numbers 3-A, 3-B and 3-C- These show the respective schematic transversal, longitudinal cross-section views and that from above of another example or version, in accordance with the invention, in this case including a textile or rubber conveyor belt to transport the material.

PREFERENTIAL EXECUTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures and in accordance with the numbering used, an example of the preferential execution of the linear magnetic separator using eddy currents can be observed in them, including the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.
In this way, as can be seen in figures 2-A, 2-B and 2-C, the linear magnetic separator using eddy currents (1) suggested by the invention is essentially made up by a vibrating chute (2), manufactured out of a non-electric conductor material, such as laminated glass, wood, etc., in order for no heating due to the effect of eddy currents to occur, onto which the product or material to be treated (m) is fed at the input end (3).
This chute (2), by means of the action performed by the rotating vibrators (4) that includes, makes the material (m) advance over and in the direction of the axis (5) of the magnetic rotor (6), which rests appropriately on the bearing supports (7) and which, due to the action of the motor (8), rotates at high revolutions, generally between 1500 and 3000 revolutions per minute, being arranged in such a way for this, as seen in these figures, that the axis (5) is oriented in the same direction as that in which the material to be treated runs along on the conveyor belt element or chute (2).
The magnetic rotor (6) is formed by many longitudinal poles with alternating polarity, in such a way that a very strong, high frequency magnetic field is generated on the surface of the vibrating chute (2), that generates eddy currents in the mass of the electric conductor particles (m').
In turn, these currents generate a magnetic field in opposition to that of the rotor (6), forcing the particle (m') to rotate on itself to re-orientate itself or to be launched slightly in the opposite direction to the rotation of the rotor (6) due to repulsion.
The vibrating chute (2) has, as shown in figure 2-A in transversal cross-section, an area (2a) at a lower level, for the collection of the electric conductor magnetic particles (m'), in such a way that the conductor particles (m') are extracted from the material (m) being transported along the upper area (2b), either by rolling out or by means of short and successive launchings towards the collection area (2a) where they fall and continue advancing towards the end of the vibrating chute (2), where they are selectively collected by a channelling or collection element for this purpose (9), while the rest of the non-conductor material is collected by a different channelling or collection element (10).
Figures 3-A, 3-B and 3-C show an alternative example or version of the linear magnetic separator using eddy currents (1), in which it can be seen how this separator (1) is basically the same as the one described above and shown in figures 2-A, 2-B y 2-C, the difference being that, in this case, it includes a textile or rubber conveyor belt (11) as transporting element to present the material (m) to the magnetic rotor (6).
In this case, the electric conductor particles (m'), that are forced to deviate due to the effect of the rotor (6), leave the conveyor belt 11) laterally, to be collected in a hopper or lateral channel (12), while the rest of the material advances until reaching the end of the belt (11).
Once the nature of this invention has been described adequately, together with the way of putting it into practice, it is considered unnecessary to explain this any further for any expert in this issue to understand its scope and the advantages deriving from it, stating that, within its basic nature, other methods of execution could be put into practice, with details differing from those indicated as an example, and which will be covered in the same way by the protection attained as long as its basic principles are not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

LINEAR MAGNETIC SEPARATOR USING EDDY CURRENTS, destined for the separation of electric conductor metals, aluminium, copper, etc., from a non-electric conductor material, particularly regarding low grading, of the kind made up by a means of transport over which the material to be treated runs (m, located over a magnetic rotor (6) that rotates to create eddy currents in the electric conductor elements to cause a selection or separation of the electric conductor and non-electric conductor particles by means of the repulsion effect between them, characterised by the fact that this rotor (6) is arranged in such a way that its axis (5) is orientated in the same direction as that of the material (m) that runs along the means of transport and, therefore, causing its rotation to be perpendicular to this direction.
LINEAR MAGNETIC SEPARATOR USING EDDY CURRENTS, according to the first claim, characterised by the fact that the means of transport included, to transport the material (m) to be treated over and along the magnetic rotor (6), is a vibrating chute (2) out of a non-electric conductor material, with two transport levels, one for the non-conductor material (2b) and the second one at a lower level (2a) for the electric conductor material diverted by the action of the magnetic rotor (6).
LINEAR MAGNETIC SEPARATOR USING EDDY CURRENTS, according to the first claim, characterised by the fact that, as an option, the means of transport included, to transport the material (m) to be treated over and along the magnetic rotor (6), is a textile or rubber conveyor belt (11), collecting the electric conductor material (m'), falling laterally from the conveyor belt as it is diverted by the action of the magnetic rotor (6), into a hopper or a lateral channel (12).