US1051662A - Receptacle for separating solids from liquids. - Google Patents

Description

A. J. ARBUGKLE. REGEPTAOLB FOR SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS. I APPLICATION FILED MAY23,1910.

1,051,662,. Patented Jan. 28, 1913.

zoLuMnlA PLANMnM-H' (20.. WASHINGTON. 0. c4

UNITED STATESPAIIENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER JOHN ARBUCKLE. OF JOHANNESBURG, TRANSVAAL.

RECEPTACLE FOR SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS.

To a "whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .ALEXANDER J oun An- BUCKLE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of Johannesbur Transvaal, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Relating to Receptacles for Separating Solids from Liquids, of which the following is a specification.

The improvements comprised in this invention are particularly applicable to the vats, tanks or vessels employed for thickening ore pulp or separating ore in a granular or pulverulent condition from liquids, such as water, or cyanid or other solutions.

The invention may also be utilized in vessels employed for se iiarating the bulk of the water or other liquid from other mixtures of solids and liquids.

lVith the object of obtaining a product of greater, and more or less uniform, consistency, density or thickness, ithas heretofore been proposed to place one or more barriers or obstructions inside the separating vessel below the normal level assumed by the mass of settled solids; and ithas been proposed to construct such barriers or obstructions in the form of serrated or perforated flat, circular plates or disks, convex plates, cones or hemispheres. Vith these devices it is impossible, while the operation of separating the solids and liquids is proceeding, to regulate or adjust the sizes of the passage or passages formed or provided thereby for the solids. Once the device has been installed, and the operation commenced, the size of the said passage or passages has been unalterable without more or less completely emptying the vessel; and with the vessel empty any alteration or adjustment has necessitated alterations in the device or its supporting means, and even then it has not lent itself to any nicety of adjustment.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective device for the purpose stated, which can be readily adjusted in order to regulate, (increase or diminish) the size of the passage or assages for the solids.

The device is such t at any desired adjustment can' be made while the apparatus is in operation.

The device consists essentially of a spi 'al or helical blade, screw or worm combined with means for rotating it within the mass of settled solids in order to raise or lower it therein.

To elucidate the detailed description of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 23, 1910.

drawn to an enlarged scale.

Serial No. 562,913.

my invention 1 append a sheet of drawings wherein- Figure .1 represents an inverted conical separating vessel with the device arranged in operative position therein. Fig. 2 is a view of parts of the device detached and I I Fig. 3 is a plan view oi the spiral blade or screw showing its operating spindle in cross section and the guide bearing for the lower end of the spindle in dotted lines, and Fig. 4; is a plan view of the upper end of an operating spindle, the nut through which it works, and a portion of the girder which supports the nut.

In Fig. l. of the drawings 1 represents the inverted conical separating vessel provided at the bottom with an outlet 2 for the thickened ore pulp and with concentric rim or annular overflow launders 3, 4: around the top or upper edge thereof in which the over flowing sepa'atcd liquid is received, and from which it is conveyed by any suitable means. 5 represents a framework for supporting the vessel 1.

6 see Figs. 1, 2 and 3rcprcsents the spiral or helical blade, screw or worm which is arranged inside the vessel 1 at a suitable distance above the outlet 2, the position in which it is placed being such that when the separation of the solids and liquid is proceeding a quantity of the settled solids is always above it. When the blade or screw is in positionscc Fig. l-there is provided between its outer edge and the walls of the vessel 1 an annular opening or passage through which the thickened pulp or settled solids must. pass to the outlet 2. As will be understood .on consideration of the drawing, the blade or screw 6 also provides a passage 7 between its overlapping portion, through which the thickened pulp may also pass to the outlet 2. In the drawing said helical blade or screw 6 is shown comprising slightly more than one convolution or coil, the extent of the overlap or amount by which it exceeds one convolution being indicated at ain Fig. 3.

The helical blade (3 may be suitably attached to or constructed integral with a hollow core, boss or hub member 8, which serves, as hereinafter explained, for fixing it to its operating spindle 9; or the blade may be fashioned in one piece with the spindle.

The boss or hub member 8 of helix 6 is Patented Jan. 28, 1913.

shown in Figs. 2 and 3 secured to the spindle 9 by means of a key 10; 11 in Fig. 2 representing a collar on spindle 9 upon which boss or hub member 8 rests when fixed.

The spindle 9 which is vertical and disposed centrally of the vessel 1-see Fig. 1- at its lower end and beneath the helix 6 projects through a guide bearing 12 which is riveted or otherwise secured as indicated at 13 to the sides of the vessel 1.

The spindle 9-see Fig. l extends above the top of the vessel 1 and it is provided at its upper end with a screw-thread 1e for a suitable portion 01": its length. The screwthreaded portion let works through a stationary nut or interiorly threaded block 15 which is carried by a girder or beam consisting of the two parallel channel irons 16, 17, connected by the top and bottom transverse straps or plates 18. The beam or girder extends across the top of the vessel 1 and is supported at its extremities upon angle brackets 19 riveted or otherwise secured to the inside of vessel .1 at the top.

20 in Fig. 2 represents bolts for fixing the girder to the angle brackets 19. The nut 15 is of approximately square shape externally and it is constructed at the top on two opposite sides with ribs or projections 21, 22, which rest upon the inner edges of the channel. irons 16, 17. The nut 15 is also constructed on two opposite sides with grooves 23, 2 1; being bolts which pass through the channel irons 16. 17, and engage the grooves 23, 24. The bolts 25 operate to prevent movement of the nut in an upward direction.

The spindle 9 above the screw-threaded portion 14 may as shown be provided with a square end for the reception of a handle, hand-wheel or other device for rotating it.

In order to adjust or alter the position of the helical blade or screw 6 the spindle 9 is rotated by means of a handle or hand-wheel placed on the upper end thereof. This screws the spindle through the stationary nut 15 in an upward or downward direction (according to the direction in which the spindle is rotated) and the spiral blade or screw rotating with the spindle 9 worms or screws its way through the mass of settled material in the bottom of the vessel.

By constructing the device as above described it will be understood that it can be screwed up or down in the mass of settled material while the settlement of said material is proceeding; further, that by raising and lowering the helical blade or screw the quantity of solids which is permitted to pass to the outlet can be regulated as may be desired.

Instead of arranging the spindle 9 to project through the top of the tank 1 it may be arranged to pass through the bottom thereof.

Any other suitable means may be employed for rotating the spindle 9 to raise or lower the helical blade or screw.

W hat I claim as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In combination, a settling tank having a discharge outlet for settled solids in its bottom, and a normally stationary helical blade mounted over said outlet below the normal level of solids in the tank, said blade being slightly spaced from the wall or walls forming the outlet, and adapted to form dis charge passages between said walls and the blade and between the convolutions of the blade, and to prevent the formation of passages through the center of the settled mass.

2. In combination, a settling tank having a discharge outlet for settled solids in its bottom, a normally stationary helical blade mounted over said outlet below the normal level of solids in the tank, said blade being slidably spaced from the wall or Walls forming the outlet, and adapted to form dis charge passages between said walls and. the blade and between the convolutions of the 'blade, and to prevent the formation of passages through the center of the settled mass, and means for raising and lowering said blade.

3. In combination, a settling tank having a discharge outlet for settled solids in its bottom, a normally stationary helical blade mounted over said outlet below the normal level of solids in the tank, said blade being slightly spaced from the wall or walls forming the outlet, and adapted to form discharge passages between said walls and the blade and between the convolutions of the blade, and to prevent the formation of passages through the center of the settled mass, and means for rotating said blade to adjust its position relatively to the out-let.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALEXANDER JOHN ARBUCKLE. i tnesses IV. S. Aves, L. F. HELLIER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained-for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, *Washington, I 0.

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