US1568761A

US1568761A - Ore concentrator

Info

Publication number: US1568761A
Application number: US683806A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter E Mendenhall
Original assignee: UNION METALS EXTRACTION COMPAN
Current assignee: UNION METALS EXTRACTION Co; UNION METALS EXTRACTION COMPAN
Priority date: 1923-12-31
Filing date: 1923-12-31
Publication date: 1926-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1943-01-05

Description

' Jan. 5, 1926. 1,568,761

W. E. MENDENHALL ORE CONCENTRATOR Filed Dec. 31, 1925 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESS s Arromutv Jan. 5 1 926.

W. E. MENDENHALL ORE CONCENTRATOR Filed Dec. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M mu m Eww T lllllhu hyvlvi ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER E. MENDENI-IALL, OF LAKE CITY, COLORADO. ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION METALS EXTRACTION COMPANY, LAKE CITY, CQLORADO, .A. CORPORATEGN OF COLORADO.

ORE CONCENTRATOR.

Application filed December 31, 1923. Serial No. 683,806.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WALTER E. MENDEN- HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lake City, in the county of Hinsdale and State of Colorado, have invented: a 'new and useful Improvement in Ore Concentrators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an ore concentrator by means of which metals, minerals and othenval uable materials may be rccovered from alluvial deposits, sand, gravel, crushed ore Or the like, and a rich concentrate obtained which will justify transportation to some available point for final treatment and separation. I

The principal object of the invention is to provlde improved mechanism by means i of which the separation is effected without the use of Water, the separation being effected by utilizing the difference in the specific gravity in the constituent parts of the material. This feature is of especial value in arid! regions and in other places where Water is difiicult to obtain.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide concentrating means including a plurality of riflies arranged in series of banks and set at such a steep inclination that the material to be treated will barely flow down over the riflles unaided, the riflies being provided with transverse channels, and means provided for jarring the riflies so that the particles having the greatest specific gravity will settle to the bottom of the channels while the remaining portions pass on over the riffles. Each riifle may also be provided at one side with a slot extending throughout its length through which the concentrate may be delivered.

The invention consists further in certain details of construction and combinations of elements which will be more fully explained in the followingdescription taken'in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the invention viewed at an angle perpendicularto the plane of the rifiles. g

Fig.2 is a central longitudinal section thereof. v

Fig. 3 is a transverse section. on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view illustrat' ing the jarring means at the upper end of the device.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view showing the lateral jarring means. 7

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of. Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail View of one bank of rifiies.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing a series of riflies of modified construction.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the riflie frame is mounted upon a base 10 and includes longitudinal side bars 11 and 12 connected at the top and bottom by cross bars 13 and 14, respectively, between which the rifile box is mounted and supported by transverse rider bars 15.

The riffle box includes a rectangular frame 16 having a plurality of longitudinal partitions 17 between which the riifles are secured, the rifiies being supported by longitudinal cleats 18 in spaced relation to a bottom 19, of suitable material such as sheet metal for receiving and delivering the concentrate.

As clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the rifHes are arranged in a series of

banks

20, 21 and 22, each bank consisting of a plurality of riflies arranged one above the other.

The several banks are arranged side by side and each riifle is provided with a series of transverse channels 28, the channels progressively increasing in width from one bank to the next.

treated; This adjusting means may be in the form of screws, as indicated at 24:,

screws being provided at the upper and lower ends so that the inclination maybe either increased or diminished, as necessary.

As the material flows downwardly over the riflies, the latter arejarred rap dly so that the particleshaving' the greatest spe The rifiles having the channels of smallest width are preferably wider than eific gravity will gradually work their way downwardly into the channels 23. It is preferable that the riflles be subjected to jarring both longitudinally and laterally. The means which I have provided for offecting this purpose includes a plurality of stems 25 extending longitudinally above the rifile frame and supported in a head 26, the pins being extended through and guided by the upper cross bar 13. The pins 25 are preferably provided at their lower ends with iron shoes 27 which are urged into contact with the upper side of the frame 16 by coiled springs 28 acting between the cross bar 13 and head 26. ear plates 29 are preferably provided in the frame 16 against which the shoes 27 engage. A shaft 80 is journaled in the sides of the supporting frame and provided with tappets or cams 31 for rapidly raising and suddenly releasing the stems 25 to permit the same to strike against the rifiie frame and jar it. Suitable buffers 32 of rubber or the like are provided on the foot piece ll, which are designed to give a slight resistance to the jar of the striking stems to prevent too sharp an upthrow of the material collected in the channels 23.

Similar stems 33, arranged horizontally and supported by a head 34, are actuated in a similar manner by springs 35 and cams 36 on a shaft 37 to transmit a lateral jar to the riitle frame. The shaft-s 37 and 30 are connected by bevel gearing 3S and driven by a drive pulley 39 or other suitable means which may be arranged on either one of the shafts. Coiled buffer springs 40 are preferably provided on the side of the frame 16 opposite the jarring stems In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8., each of the

ritlles

20, 21 and 22 is spaced at one side from the adjacent partition 18 to form a slot ll through which the concentrate is gradually discharged from the channels 23. The lower ritlles project beyond the upper ril'l'les as shown at 42, so that the material, as it is discharged from one of the spouts l3 will be distributed to the several riiiics of each bank. The ore concentrate, as it is discharged through the slots 41, will drop onto the bottom 19 and be discharged at the lower end thereof through a suit-able chute it, while the worthless portion of the material will be discharged over the lower endsof the riftles and may be removed to a dump.

It will be understood that as many rifiics may be used as desired; depending-upon the capacity of the desired plant and upon the nature of the: material to be treated. In Fig. 9. l have shown a modification in which, in addition to the banks-of rifiles 20 21 and 22, a fourth bank 45 is added in which the channels 23 are very fine. this structure being' particularly adaptedtor the treatment of line silt or sand. In this figure, the slots at the sides of the rillics have been omit ted. The operation of this form of riille will be the same as the other form except that the operation will be stopped at intervals, in order to remove the concentrate from the riflies. while in the form wherein the slots ll are provided. the operation may be carried on continuously while the concentrate is continuously delivered by the floor l!) and chute 44-.

Any suitable means may lEQ provided for delivering the n'laterial to the several riflies. one form of such mechanism being shown in Fig. 1. wherein a rotatable sizing screen id is provided into which the material is poured throi 'h a chute 47. Screens 4-8 49 and of suitable sized mesh, may be provided for sizing the n'iaterial, as many d'iierent screens being provided as there are rillles. The material, as it passes through the screens will be transferred through the several chutes 13. to the respective hanks o l' ritlies.

In the practical operation of the invention, a plant will be provided with a suitable number of ritlies to provide the desired capacity, the rill'les being of the several sizes adapted best to deal with the particular kind of material being treated. The jarring stems ant 33 and the

springs

28 and 35. will be adjusted to deliver blows of the desired strength. and the inclination of the rillie frame will be adjusted by the thumb screws so as to give the best results for the character of the ore being treated.

The rili'les and the framework supporting the same may be constructed of wood, steel or any other material which is economical. cfiicient and durable. lVhcn properly installed and adjusted. the invention will, produce a rich concentrate by the mechanical application of the law of gravity without the use of water.

\Vhile I have shown and described the specific details of the mechanism by means of which the principles of the invention are carried out. it is apparent that numerous modifications may be made therein so long as there is no material departure from the salient features of the invention.

hat is claimed is:

1.. In an orc conct-uitrator. the combination of a bank of rillles set at an inclination and having transverse channels. frames in which the riflies are mounted. the rillics being spaced from the frames at one side to pio vide a slot. at the side of each rifiie through which the concentrate is discharged. means for adjusting the inclination of the rifiles in accordance with the material being treat-- ed so that the latter will barely flow down the inclination unaided, and means for jarring the ritlics while the material flows over he sam arranged one above the other, said riftles having transverse channels in their upper faces, means for adjusting the inclination ofthe riiiies in accordance withthe material being treated so that the latter will barely flow down the inclinationunaided, means for delivering material to ,all the rifiles simultaneously, means for jarring the riffles while the material flows over the same, and

frames in which the riffies are mounted, each riffle being provided with a slot at oneside thereof through which the concentrate is discharged.

:1. In an orc concentrator, the combination of an inclined frame containing riflles, means for striking sharp blows against the end of the frame to jar the riflies in the direction in which the ore passes over the same, other means for striking sharp blows against the side of the frame to jar the riifles laterally, and means connecting both of said jarring means for simultaneous operation.

(i. In an ore concentrator, the combination of a plurality of superposed frames conraining rifiles set at an inclination and having transverse channels, means for feeding material to the upper ends of said frames, means for adjusting the inclination of the frames in accordance with the material being treated so that the latter will barely flow down the inclination unaided, and means for striking blows longitudinally and laterally against the frames to jar the same ,while the material flows over them.

In an ore concentrator, an inclined frame containing a plurality of riflles, jarring members mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in the plane of the frame, a shaft having cams operable upon rotation of the shaft to retract the jarring elements, and springs operable to advance said elements and cause them to strike against the frame as soon as they are released by the cams.

6. In an ore concentrator, the combination of a frame set at an inclination and having transverse channels forming riifles, means for adjusting the inclination of the frame in accordance with the material being treated so that the latter will barely flow down the inclination unaided, and means for striking blows longitudinally and laterally against the frame to ar the riflies while the material. flows over the same.

7. In an ore concentrator, the combination of plurality of riilles set at an inclination and each having transverse channels across its upper face and a longitudinal slot through one side thereof, means for adjusting the inclination of the rifiies in accordance with the material being treated so that the latter will barely flow down the inclination unaided, means for delivering material to all the rifiles simultaneously, and means for jarring the riflles longitinlinally and transversely while the material flows over the same.

8. In an ore concentrator, a series of banks of riflles set at an inclination and arranged side by side, the riffles of each bank being arranged one above the other, said riflies having transversely-extending channels, the width of the channels increasing progressively from one side to the other of the series, means for grading the material into different sizes proportionate to the width of the channels and delivering the same to the respective riffles, and means for jarring the rifiles as the material flows over the same v 9. In an ore concentrator, a plurality of rifiies arranged in banks side by side, the rifiies of each bank being superposed and spaced apart, each riffle being provided with transverse channels, the width of the channels increasing progressively from one bank to the next, means for grading the material into different sizes proportionate to the width of the channels and delivering the same to the respective rifiies, and means for jarring the rifHes as the material flows over the same.

10. In an ore concentrator, a plurality of banks of superposed-fillies having transverse 9 channels in their upper faces, the several banks being arranged side by side and the width of the channels increasing progressively from one bank of rifiles to the next, frames for supporting the rilflesand provided with slots adjacent the riffies at one side whereby the concentrate may be continuously delivered from the channels, means for grading the material into different sizes proportionate to the width of the channels and delivering the same to the re spective riffles, and means for jarring the rifiles longitudinally and transversely as the material flows over the same.

11. In an ore concentrator, a plurality of inclined rifiles having transverse channels therein, the channels of certain of said. riffies being of different width than those of certain of the other ritiles, means for separating the ore into different sizes and. delivering it to the respective rittles according to the different sized channels, and means for jarring the rililes as the ore passes over the same.

12. In an ore concentrator, an inclined frame containing a riille, spring-held jarring members adapted to deliver blows to the frame, a shaft having cams operable upon rotation of the shaft to rapidly re- 7 tract the arring elements against the action of the springs and to suddenly release the same to strike against one side of the frame, yieldable buffers in constant contact with the other side of the frame, and means for rotating said shaft.

13. In an ore com-entratior, an inclined rectangular frame containing a plurality of riflies arranged side by side and having transverse channels, the channels in each riffle being of different width than the channels in the adjacent rifiie, spring-held jarring members at the top and one side of the f 'ame adapted to deliver blows to the frame, a pair of shafts arranged at the top and one side of the frame respectively, and having cams operable upon rotation of the shafts to rapidly retract the jarring elements against the action of the springs and to suddenly release the same to strike against the frame, spring buffers in constant contact with the opposite side of the frame, and soft cushions at the bottom of the frame against which the same rest by gravity, and means for rotating said shaft.

14 In an or'e concentrator, an inclined rectangular frame, spring-held jarring members at the top and one side of the frame adapted to deliver blows to the frame, a pair of shafts arranged at the top and one side of the frame respectively, and having cams operable upon rotation of the shafts to rapidly retract the jarring elements against the action of the springs and to suddenly release the same to strike against the frame, spring buffers in constant contact with the opposite side of the frame, and cushions at the bottom of the frame against which the same rest by gravity, and means for rotating said shafts.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signaturo'.

WALTER E. MENDENHALL.