US1336963A - Combination concentrator and classifier - Google Patents

Description

A. E. KEABLES. COMBINATION CONCENTRATOR AND cLAssmER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22 I919.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

A TTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. KEABLES, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION CONCENTRATOR AND GLASSIFIER.

Application filed May 22, 1919.

b all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. Knxnnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combination Concentrators and Classifiers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combination concentrator and classifier.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, substantial and easily operated machine for concentrating and classifying metal bearing sands and ores and particularly a machine for separating fine gold and other valuable metals from black sand and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described, which includes a series of revolving screens of varying diameter and mesh, through which the material to be classified or separated, is passed. Further, to provide means for maintaining the screens and material handled submerged in water when the machine is operated and also to provide means for collecting the material separated.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section through the machine.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of same on line 22, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates a box-shaped container in which is mounted a series of revolving screens generally indicated at 2 and 3. Extending longitudinally through the box and journaled in bearing members a and 5, is a shaft 6 upon which the cylindrical screens 2 and are mounted. The screen 2 consists of a cylinder 7 which is supported with relation to the shaft by means of a series of radially disposed arms or spokes 8; said screen is not continuous but serves as a covering for a series of angularly disposed openings formed in the center portion of the cylinder, as indicated at 9. The screen indicated at 8 is similarly supported by means of a cylinder 9 and merely serves as a covering for a series of openings 10 formed therein, said cylinder 9 being secured with relation to the cylinder '7 by a head member 11 at one end Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1.3, 19.20.

Serial No. 298,972.

and by a series of arms 12 at the opposite end. Secured with relation to the exterior screen cylinder 9 is a cylinder 13 which in this instance serves the function of an amalgamating pan. Both ends of the cylinder 13 are closed by head members 1 1, said head members also serving the function of supporting the amalgamating pan with relation to the cylinders shown at T and 9 respectively.

Formed in the forward end of the cylinder 7 which supports the several screens indicated at 2, is a central opening 15, into which extends a feed spout 16. Said spout passes through the end of the box and is connected with a feed hopper 17 of suitable construction. Formed within the box and supported by the bottom portion of same are a series of partition members such as indi- -ated at 18, 19 and 20 and formed in the bottom of the box between said partitions are a series of discharge openings 21 which may be opened or closed by means of plugs or spigots not shown.

In actual operation I prefer to support the box on a timber frame such as shown at 23, to permit the box, together with the cylinders mounted therein, to assume a slightly tilted position to permit the material admitted to feed by gravity through the cylinders. Material is delivered to hopper 17 and discharges from the same through the spout 16 into the forward end of the cylinder 7. It will thus pass over the screens 2 and all fine material will therefore pass through the screens while the coarser material will discharge through the end of the cylinder 7 between the end of the box and the partition member 20, from where it may be removed through the spigot opening 21. All fine material passing through the screens 2 will enter the cylinder 9 and it is here found that a considerable quantity of material will pass through the screens 3 and enter the amalgamating pan 13, the remaining material being permitted to discharge through the open end of the.cylinder 9 into the space formed between the partition members 19 and 20.

Three classifications of material are thus obtained: first, that discharged by cylinder 7; secondly. that discharged by the cylinder 9; and third, that which is received by the amalgamating pan 18. An annular opening is formed at one end of the amalgamating pan, as indicated at 25, this opening being provided for the purpose of permitting the material received thereby to freely discharge into the chamber formed between the partition members 18 and 19. For instance, when handling black sand or like material, it can readily be seen that a considerable quantity of fine black sand will enter the amalgamating pan. This sand would accumulate rapidly and would consequently fill the same unless it could freely discharge, as shown. All fine gold contained will, however, be retained as a considerable quantity of quick silver is placed in the amalgamating pan to catch the fine gold and thereby prevent its escape.

The machine shown in the present instance may be used for a variety of purposes; for instance, first, it may serve the function of a screening machine where different grades of materials are required. Secondly, it may be employed as a classifier in mills or the like where it is desirable to separate the ground or crushed ores into grades of different sizes. Third, it may be, and has been, employed for the purpose of handling placer and beach deposits where considerable fine gold is encountered as all fine gold will work-outwardly and finally enter the amalgamating pan where it is absorbed by the quick silver contained.

From actual experience I find that the separating action is exceedingly efficient as the screens are maintained in constant rotation during the operation of the machine by means of a pulley 26 or the like. The constant rotation produces sufiicient centrifugal action to throw the material outwardly against the screens provided and it furthermore produces an outward circulation of water which washes and forces the fine materials through the screens, thus obtaining a quick and efiicient separating action.

I further find that the wear on the screens is materially reduced as the screens and material handled is maintained in a submerged condition during operation. This is of considerable importance as it substantially reduces the weight of the material handled, thereby relieving the screens of excess wear. Packing or clogging of the screens is similarly prevented. When handling different materials, I find that the speed of rotation may be varied; for instance, certain crushed ores will stand a comparatively high speed while other materials require a considerable reduction in speed, practical experience with different grades of material being the only safe method of determining the quantity to be delivered and the speed with which the screens should be revolved. Water may be delivered to the box in any suitable manner; for instance, by a small pump or any other suitable means. I have therefore not illus trated such mechanism in the present instance. I

While a more or less specific structure is here shown, I wish it understood that varia-' tions may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims; similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate ,or the material handled may require, the

size and mesh of the screens employed being similarly varied to suit difierent materials.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. An inclined box-shaped container having transverse partitions of different height extending upwardly from the bottom, a power shaft journalcd longitudinally within the container, a plurality of cylinders mounted concentrically on said shaft and having inclined screens fixed at intervals in the periphery, the inner cylinder extending beyond the outermost partition and the outer cylinder discharging between said partition and the next interior one, and means to supply material to the inner cylinder and discharge the collections from each of said in closed spaces.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, an inclined segmental container having partitions extending upwardly from the bottom, a longitudinally journaled shaft, concentric cylinders of different lengths hav ing screens formed at intervals in the sides, means to supply material into the upper end of the inner cylinder and the lower end of said cylinder discharging beyond the lowermost partition and the outermost and shorter cylinder terminating to discharge into the next interior compartment, and a closed cylinder surrounding the outer of said screen cylinder having an annular channel at its lower end and discharging into a third compartment of the container.

3. A concentrator and classifier including two inclined concentric rotary cylinders having diagonal interrupted screens in their peripheries, an exterior closed cylinder having an annular channel around its lowest end, a shaft around which said cylinders are disposed, and an inclosing container with partitions forming compartments into which the longer inner and the shorter outer screen cylinder and the closed exterior cylinder respectively discharge, means to supply material to the higher end of the inner cylinder to pass through the outer ones, and controlled discharge openings in the successive container compartments.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT E. KEABLES.

Vitnesses Tnno. OASTBERG, W. W. HEALEY.

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