US2113586A - Air and other separators - Google Patents

Description

April 12, .1938.

G. H. FRASER AIR AND OTHER SEPARATORS 2 Sheets-She et 1 Original Filed April 20, 1932 INVENTOR April I 12, 1 938.

G. H. FRASER 2,113,586

AIR AND OTHER SEPARATORS Original Filed April 20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Apr. 12, 1938 UNlTE SATES Application April 20, 1932, Serial No. 606,407 Renewed January 6, 1936 24 Claims.

This invention relates to separators or classifiers in which a fluid current is used to separate fine from coarse or light from heavy material, and aims to improve such devices.

Such separators usually comprise an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet communicating with the settling chamber, and affording an endless annular current passage up through, out over, down around, and returning in under, the inner casing, through which the current is circulated in the form of a vortex ring by revolving fan blades between the casings.

Material to be separated has been distributed in the separating chamber by a vertically adjustable distributor, this and the fan being rotated by a shaft depended from the drive mechanism above the outer casing.

In central feed types of such separators the drive shaft has been tubular and traversed by a concentric feed pipe for conducting the material to be separated down through the drive mechanism, and in annular feed types of such separators the drive pipe has been surrounded by an annular feed conduit for conducting such material in below the drive mechanism and down around the shaft, either conduit dropping the material on to the distributor for centrifugal distribution.

Variable speed drives for the fan, and nonretary valves without the separating chamber, have been provided for varying the separating current, and a vertically adjustable tailings receiver has been spaced below the inner casing for varying the return current passage below the lower inlet, with interceptors across this passage for cleaning dust from the returning current.

A vertically stationary bearing has been provided for rotatively suspending the blower shaft, and a Vertically adjustable distributor and baffle shaft, and when these have been relatively revoluble separate superposed vertically stationary bearings have been provided for the relatively rotative revoluble parts.

Rotary and vertically stationary adjustment means, revoluble with the suspension shaft for such an adjustable part, and as to which such shaft has been vertically adjustable, has been pro vided for adjusting such part up and down, which has necessitated arrest of revolution of such shaft and of its rotary adjustment means for manipulation of the latter, involving stoppage of operation for adjustment, and repetition of adjustments until tests prove which adjustment pro-i duces the desired result, to improve which one feature of my invention preferably provides non rotary and vertically movable adjustment means, and vertically movable bearing means, for a vertically adjustable distributor, balile or valve, movable axially of such shaft during operation.

Some such separators have rotary distribution means within a lower portion of the separating chamber, comprising a lower distributor plate adjacent and in fixed relation to a hub or lower baffle, the peripheries of which inwardly define the width of the distribution zone or space, and between which the material to be separated is supplied and rotatably discharged across the upward passage within the separating chamber, and these have been coincidently adjustably movable vertically or radially in the same direction and to the same extent at the same time, for vertically or radially varying the zone of distribution, for varying the separation.

Such a lower distributor and its relatively fixed hub or lower baflle have together been vertically adjustable during rotation thereof, for vertically varying said zone without stopping the operation, as shown and claimed in my Patent No. 1,542,050 dated June 16, 1925 and No. 1,992,942 dated March 5, 1935, and in my application Serial No. 714,961 I have shown and claimed such a distributor and its hub or lower baffle each comprising a rotary ring of radially slidable segments which are collectively radially adjustable.

Some such separators have rotary current regulation means in the path of the current for defining the space through which the current may fiow, vertically spaced a substantial distance from said distribution means, for affording a substantial selection chamber in which particles may precipitate therebetween, comprising valve means or baffle means which have been vertically or radially movably adjustable relatively to the distribution means, for vertically or radially varying said space, for varying the intensity of the current, for varying the separation.

One form of a central feed type of air separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,931,533, granted October 24, 1933 on my application Serial No. 153,179 filed Dec. 7, 1926, in which I have shown superposed vertically stationary bearings for the relatively rotatable shafts of vertically stationary distributor, bafile, and blower means, and separate variable speed drives for these shafts, and a non-rotary vertically adjustable annular deflector below the bafiie, as distinguished from the rotary and vertically adjustable annular inward deflector baffle of my present invention; and in which I have shown and claimed a non-rotary material sustainer conical shelf within the tailings receiver and below the return current passage, and spaced below the lower inlet, and rotary uptossers for uptossing sustained material therefrom across the return current passage, and non-rotary downward deflectors above the uptossers and said passage and around said inlet, for intercepting uptossed material and deflecting it downwardly across said passage and into a tailings receiver, as distinguished from the rotary retarder above the return current passage, and adjacent and below the lower inlet, for retarding tailings and re-distributing them above the returning current, of my present invention.

Another example of a central feed type air separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,987,615, granted Jan. 15, 1935 on my application Serial No. 687,359 filed Jan. 19, 1924, in which I have shown and claimed a radially and Vertically adjustable distributor, and its: hub or lower bafiie and its shaft, which are vertically adjustably mounted on a vertically stationary bearing, and a blower shaft which is suspended from a verti cally stationary bearing, and on which is vertically adjustably mounted a rotary baffle, which adjustable parts are adjusted by rotary adjustment means, necessitating stoppage of operation for their adjustment, as distinguished from the non-rotary adjustment means operable to adjust a valve or upper baiiie during rotation thereof of my present invention; and have shown and claimed a manually adjusted non-rotary valve within the lower inlet, requiring interruption of operation for its adjustment, as distinguished from the rotary lower valve adjustable during its rotation of my present invention; and have shown and claimed a weight responsive tailings receiver in operative relation to a speed acceleraator for the blower or distributor, and operative to accelerate the speed of revolution thereof coincidently with increase in the weight of tailings sustained by said receiver, as distinguished from the weight responsive distributor, automatically vertically movable with variations in the weight of the material to be separated sustained by it, or the pressure responsive baflie or valve automatically vertically varied coincidently with variations in the pressure of the current thereag'ainst, of my present invention; and have shown and claimed a vapor outlet within the separating chamber, as distinguished from the vapor outlet without and around the latter, of my present invention.

Another example of a central feed type separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,876,516 dated Sept. 6, 1932, in which I have shown and claimed a vertically adjustable distributor and its hub or lower bafiie fixed on a vertically adjustable shaft suspended from a vertically stationary bearing, and vertically adjusted by rotary adjustment means, necessitating stoppage of operation for such adjustment, as distinguished from the vertically movable distributor bearing below said bearing of my present invention; and have shown and claimed non-rotary radially adjustable current regulation means, as distinguished from the rotary current regulation means adjustably movable during rotation thereof, of m present invention; and have shown and claimed a weight responsive tailings receiver, responsive to variations in the weight of the stream of tailings flowing on toit, in operative relation to speed reducer means drivingly connected to the blower and distributor, and operable to automatically reduce speed of revolution thereof coincidently with variations in the weight of such tailings, as distinguished from the weight responsive distributor vertically variable with variations in the weight of the stream of material to be separated sustained thereby, and the current responsive baflle and valve, responsive to variations in the pressure of the current thereagainst, of my present invention; and have shown and claimed a vapor outlet below the separating chamber and within the tailings receiver, as: distinguished from the vapor outlet without and around the separating chamber, or" my present invention.

Another example of a central feed type air separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,834,095 dated Dec. 1, 1931, in which I have shown upper current regulation means comprising a vertical, rotary, radially adjustable, Valve in the upper outlet, and a rotary vertically adjustable upper bafiie below and adjacent the upper outlet,

radially and vertically respectively adjusted coincidently by rotary adjustment means comprising bell cranks fulcrumed on and rotatable with the fan spokes, requiring stoppage of rotation for variation of the intensity of the current, and have claimed any adjustable rotary current regulation means, as distinguished from the non-rotary adjustment means for upper rotary current regulation means, movably adjustable during rotation thereof, of my present inventionv Another example of a central feed type separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,542,050 dated June 16, 1925, in which I have shown and claimed a vertically adjustable distributor and its hub or lower baffle, and uptosser beaters therearound, which are vertically slidable on a vertically stationary shaft suspended from a vertically stationary bearing, and vertically stationary rotary adjustment means revoluble with the shaft for vertically adjusting the distributor in one direction relatively to the shaft and the bearing and the adjustment means, necessitating stoppage of rotation for adjustment in the other direction, as distinguished from the upwardly and downwardly movable distributor bearing below the stationary bearing, for vertically adjusting the distributor from therebelow in two directions during its rotation, of my present invention.

Anoth r example of a central feed type ail separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,992,942, granted March 5, 1935 on my application Serial No. 459,930 filed. June 9, 1930, in which I have shown the distributor and its hub or lower baffle and shaft revolubly mounted on an upwardly and downwardly movable bearing above the drive gear, and vertically movably suspended from a non-rotary lever connected to a weight responsive tailings cone, which is vertically movably responsive to variations in the weight of the stream of tailings flowing on to it, and is oper able to automatically vertically vary the distributor coincidently with variations in such weight, and have claimed a distributor or bafiie which during rotation thereof is upwardly and downwardly moved by such hearing, or by such lever, or automatically by such a weight responsive tailings weight responsive distributor, automatically vertically moved coincidently with variations in the weight of the mate "ial to be separated sustained thereby, of my present invention.

The adjustment means for adjusting upper rotary current regulation means have been rotatable therewith, and therefore, have necessicone, as distinguished from the tated stoppage of their rotation, and arrest of the separating operation, to permit their adjustment and variation of the intensity of the current. One such rotary adjustment means, for coincidently radially adjusting an upper valve and an upper bafiie when rotation thereof is stopped, is shown and claimed in my companion application Serial No. 584,140 filed Dec. 31, 1931,

and another such rotary adjuster, for coincidently radially adjusting a vertical valve and vertically adjusting an upper baflle when rotation thereof is stopped, is shown and claimed in my Patent No. 1,834,095 dated Dec. 1, 1931.

tnother such. rotary adjuster, for vertically adjusting an upper valve, or a lower annular baflle, when rotation thereof is stopped, is shown and claimed in my companion application Serial No. 514,199 filed Feb. 7, 1931.

part of my present invention to which this application pertains aims to provide for movable adjustment of rotary current regulation means relatively to distribution means without stopping rotation thereof, whereby to permit var J iation of the intensity of the current, and the consequent variation of the separation, without stopping the operation, and is especially applicable to those separators in which the current regulation means is vertically spaced a substantial distance from lower distribution means, for afand during operation, and to provide improved valve and baffle means, and improved means for manually or automatically operating, controlling or adjusting, the distribution means, for varying the Zone of distribution, or the current regulation means, for varying the intensity of the current, and to permit this without interrupting operation.

To this end in carrying out the preferred form of my present improvements as applied to a central feed conduit air separator having a vertically stationary drive pipe around the feed conduit, and having current space variation means in operative relation to its upward passage, for varying the current space, for varying the velocity of the current, comprising a vertically movable valve above the upper outlet and rotary and vertically movable bafiie below the upper outlet, and a rotary and vertically movable lower valve within the lower inlet, and having a rotary and vertically movable distributor above its lower inlet, for varying the height of the zone of distribution; I preferably provide rotary valve means which are vertically adjustable during rotation, and rotary baffle means which are vertically adjustable relatively to the distributor during rotation, and 1 preferably provide automatically counter-balanced means, responsive to variations in the separating current or in the weight of the stream of material supplied to the distributor, for automatically varying such rotary parts with variations in such stream, and 1 preferably provide for differently or reversely simultaneously operating said rotary valve means and said rotary bafiie means during rotation thereof and I provide various other features of improvement, all of which will be more fully hereinafter set forth with refer ence to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in vertical axial section, showing a central supply conduit air separator embodying the preferred form of my present improvements, and

Fig. 2 is a plan View partly in horizontal section on approximately the planes of the lines 2 in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, let A indicate the outer casing, B the inner casing, C the central feed conduit, D the distributor, E the drive mechanism, F the blower, G the settling chamber, H the separating chamber, I its lower inlet, J its upper outlet, K the tailings receiver, L the tailings outlet, M the dust receiver, N the dust outlet, and O the fine interceptor or filter, of an air separator.

These parts may be of any usual or suitable construction for receiving material to be separated, and distributing it in the separating chamber, and causing a separating current to circu ate up through the separating chamber and return through the settling chamber to separate and float fine material into the latter and drop coarse material into the tailings receiver. V

The casing A usually consists of a flat sectional top a, separably fastened to a cylindrical side wall 27 consisting of separably connected sections, carried by legs 0, and having a conical lower part it, separably fitting in a lower dust cone 6, for enclosing the settling chamber G and dust chamber M.

The inner casing B is mounted Within and in spaced relation to the outer casing by connecting brackets f, and usually has an annular top wall or encircling the outlet J, a large cylindrical side wall It encircling an upward passage, shown as a large expansion or selection chamber Q in the upper part of the separating chamber H, a

tapering intermediate side wall 2', a small cylindrical side wall 7' encircling a small lower distribution chamber R, in the lower part of the separating chamber H, and a lower conical wall k encircling the inlet I and spaced above the open upper end of the tailings receiver K. sufliciently to afford a return current or communication passage P in communication between the separating and settling chambers, and between the inner casing and this receiver.

The distributor D is. usually a flat sectionalized rotary ring or disc within the distribution chamber R and opposite and spaced below the feed pipe C, for receiving therefrom material to be separated and centrifugally distributing such material across the space between the periphery of the distributor and the inner wall of the inner casing.

The blower F usually is the rotary current circulation means, and as shown comp-rises substam tially radially extended blades revolving in the space between the top wall a of the outer casing and the top wall 9" of the inner casing, for out- 1,834,095 dated Dec. 1, 1931, which affords a variable top wall for the selection chamber, and is preferably spaced above a vertically adjustable inwardly inclined annular baffle T affording a partition between the distribution and selection chambers, which is shown and claimed as a non-rotary vertically adjustable inward current deflector in my said Patent No. 1,931,533 granted Oct. 24, 1933 on my application Serial No. 153,179 filed Dec. 7, 1926, for causing the separating current to flow from the distribution chamber inwardly into the selection chamber so that it must circulate outwardly in a sinuous path through the latter to pass around the periphery of the upper baiiie, and for affording a variable selection chamber the volume of which increases inits outward extension above the inclined deflector, for facilitating precipitation of large particles into the annular trough shaped tramp pocket Z around the deflector for receiving and down passing grit.

The interceptor usually consists of the rings of circumferentially spaced successive relatively staggered baflles shown and claimed in my Patent No. 1,542,050 dated June 16, 1925, having hollow outer faces extended across and opposed to the path of the returning current, for affording relatively currentless spaces at their outer sides in which particles floating in such current may precipitate and be conducted below the zone of the current.

For a central feed separator the supply conduit usually consists of a conical hopper m above the drive, and a non-rotary feed pipe C depended rom such hopper through the drive mechanism and into the separating chamber.

Fora central feed separator the rotary internal parts are usually carried and rotated by a tubular drive shaft U, rotated by the drive mechanism above the'outer casing and depended therefrom through the outer casing and into the separating chamber and revolubly mounted in an upper bearing V carried within the removable top it of a gear casing W, and a lower bearing X extended below the base 0 of the casing W, for affording spaced radial bearings for the drive shaft U, intermediate of which the shaft is usually fixed on a bevel gear p driven by a bevel pinion q on a drive shaft 1' revolved by a pulley or other drive 3.

The shaft U is usually vertically supported by an anti-frictional ball or roller bearing t, and its speed has been varied to vary the separating current as shown in my said Patent No. 1,987,615 granted January 15, 1935, on my said application, Serial No. 687,359, or it has been vertically adjusted to vary the height of the distributor as shown in my said Patent No. 1,992,942 granted March 5, 1935, on my said application, Serial No; 459,930, or the distributor has been vertically adjusted on the shaft .as shown in my said Patent No. 1,542,950, or the current has been throttled by adjusting the inner baffle S, as shown in my 1 Patent No. 1,894,035 dated December 1, 1931, or by adjusting non-rotary valves externally of the inner chamber for varying the space through which the current may flow.

and preferably it aims to automatically control operation of such parts, and preferably it aims to facilitate adjustment of one or more of the separating elements, and preferably it aims to provide .a rotary seal for preventing upward leakage under the filter baflles; and preferably it aims to more effectively extract fines from the discharge from the separating chamber; and preferably it aims to classify such discharge into a fine grade and to elevate and return such grade to the feed hopper, .and into a coarser grade for coarse product or regrinding.

Any suitable means may be employed for attaining any of these aims, but I prefer to use the construction shown in Fig. 1, which I will now describe in detail as the preferred form of carrying out my present improvements.

The distributor D is preferably vertically adjustably mounted on the vertically stationary shaft U by being suspended by .a connector u from a rotary hub 12 slidably connected or splined to and revoluble with the shaft, so that the height of the distributor may be varied relatively to the distribution chamber Rand the distributor is vertically sustained by a vertically adjustable suspender 20 extended upwardly and suspended from a rotary collar 3; anti-frictionally revolubly mounted on a non-rotary vertically adjustable carrier y above the fan hub e, which latter is set on the shaft U and preferably has a cylindrical portion a around a flanged leakage prevention ring 2' and affording a recess for receiving the carrier 12 and permitting its vertical travel, and has a fiat upper face on which the spokes b are mounted, from which spokes the fan blades 0 depend from'their upper edges so that their inner edges afford a clear valve chamber d extending substantially their entire height above the outlet J.

These suspenders w may be any suitable suspension members extended from the distributor hub v upwardly through and above the fan hub 2, and which are concentric of the shaft U, but I prefer to mount them within this shaft and outwardly of the feed pipe C by forming the shaft with an enlongated and preferably bevel slot e and the suspender as a slidable rod having correspondingly beveled edges fitting slidingly with in this slot, for preventing inward movement of the suspender, outward movement of which is prevented by the hubs v and a and the collar :12. Preferably three suspenders w, and three slots e therefor, are used, and the slots are sufficiently longer than the suspenders to afford clearance for the desired vertical adjustment of the distributor which is effected by vertically adjusting its non-rotary carrier y in any suitable manner.

For effecting such adjustment from without and above the outer casing I preferably fasten the adjuster 1" Within the upper end of the carrier y, so that its lower edge holds down the collar :r and its upper edge projects above the carrier 3 and encircles and movably engages the depended bearing V of the gear case, which serves to guide the carrier in its vertical adjustment.

Preferably the adjuster f is Vertically positioned by a lever g connected to its upper edge and adjusted by one or more screws Ft or set screws ft, for vertically setting the carrier and the distributor it suspends in their desired normal operating position, from which they may be Varied by adjusting the carrier in any suitable Way as by its adjusting screw 71', or set screw f3.

Preferably substantially the entire weight of f "A V- a these parts is approximately counter-balanced by a spring or balance 2" so that they are substantially poised in their vertical position to make them responsive to variations in the Weight of the stream of material to be separated flowing on to the distributor, and they are preferably adjustably counter-balanced for the desired weight of such stream by an adjustable counter-balancing weight 7" adjustable on a balancing beam is hinged to the lever g and as to which the latter is adjusted by the screws h so that the counterbalancing beam may be set horizontally to suit any adjustment of the lever g and exactly balance the weight of the desired stream of material, and respond to variations in such weight to automatically raise the distributor, as such weight diminishes, and lower the distributor as such weight increases, to automatically vary the height of the zone of distribution with variations in the weight of such stream, for vertically varying the distance above the distributor with variations in the quantity of material being distributed.

Preferably the lever g is separably connected to the carrier y by a link m, which is used when the distributor is to be quickly adjusted by a lever or responsively adjusted by a weight balancer, the adjuster f in such case being disconnected from the carrier 1 and moved upwardly out of its path, but for large quantity distribution I prefer to manually positively adjust and poise the distributor, preferably by forming its adjuster f with an internal screw thread and the hearing V with an external screw thread on which the adjuster is screwed up or down by turning it manually by its hand wheel 11, or otherwise to set it and the carrier and the distributor in its desired position and positively maintain them vertically until other adjustment is desirable.

The lower end of the adjuster is detachably fastened within the carrier y for such positive ad justment, and the adjuster is removed and elevated and the lower end of the link m is detachably connected to the carrier :1 for lever adjustment, and the lower end of either of these when attached to the carrier engages the upper face of the collar 0: for holding it down in the carrier.

Preferably I provide a rotary and vertically adjustable upper valve Y having an outer periphery concentrically inwardly of the fan blades, and preferably above the outlet J and below the spokes b, for varying the volume of the intake chamber d for varying the effective area at the influent side of the blower for varying the separating current, which is preferably a ring of flat segmental plates o' separably mounted on spokes p and vertically adjustable through a major portion of the free height of the fan blades to reduce the current inlet to them from their free height to the desired minimum, which valve is preferably sustained and adjusted from above the fan hub z and preferably from below the drivegear p, and preferably through or within the hub and under the bearing i, and preferably manually and automatically adjusted, operated and controlled, preferably similarly to the manner described for the distributor D.

As shown this is accomplished without requiring undue head room by slidingly mounting the valve Y on a vertical guide or impeller q depended from a fan spoke b so that it revolves with the blower, and by vertically adjusting the valve by a lever r, fulcrumed on this guide and sustaining the valve by a link 8' at its outer end and operated through a link 25' by a slide it near its inner end to lower the valve from the slide when it is raised and raise the valve when the slide is lowered, which slide is preferably carried by a vertical adjusted suspender 22' extended upwardly through the fan hub and carried by a a rotary collar w anti-frictionally revolubly mounted on a non-rotary vertically adjustable carrier ac below the gear 12 and under the gear case W, to which carrier is adjusted a tubular or other slidable sleeve 2, the lower end of which holds down the collar w, and the upper end of which encircles and slides on the lower bearing X, on which it is vertically adjusted or slid by a lower lever a2, engaging it and adjusted by an adjustable screw b2 to definitely set the valve, or by automatically counter-balancing it by a spring 1" or the adjustable weight 02 on a balancing beam (12 for automatically varying the valve with variations in the separating current, to resist such variations, for permitting which the valve is set in the desired position by the screw b2 and its lever a? is provided with adjusting screws 62 at each side of the beam 612 which latter is hinged to the lever so that the screws e2 can be set to poise the beam horizontally between them to suit any adjusted position of the lever, and then the screw b2 can be disconnected so that the counter-balancer will poise the valve in any adjusted position and will maintain it respcnsively relatively to variations in the pressure of the separating current within the separating chamber for such automatic control.

Preferably three suspenders o are used and they are vertically slidable in holes b3 in the hub 2.

Preferably the battle S is vertically adjusted from above the fan hub z and from below and without the gear casing on the same principle by similar means to that described, and preferably by the same mechanism that adjusts the upper valve Y, and preferably this bailie is utilized for automatically adjusting itself and said valve, and this is accomplished in the construction shown by slidingly mounting the rotary baflle S on the impeller slide q and suspending it by a link 92, from the inner end of the lever 1", so that the baffle will be moved in opposition to the valve, to the end of increasing the height of the selection chamber and decreasing the current space 712 coincidently with decreasing the volume of the valve chamber d and the effective area of the blower intake, for reducing the circulating separating current simultaneously with increase in volume of the selection chamber.

The relatively great superficial area of the lower surface of the baflie S opposed to the upflowing current beneath it permits utilizing its uplifting tendency for automatic control of such current and its uplift is transmitted through the lever r to lower the upper valve Y and to raise the slide it, suspenders o, collar 20', and

adjusters e, to tilt the counter-balancer c2 and permit the bafile and valve to approach and automatically reduce the current when this becomes excessive, and the counter-balancer tends to restore these parts to their normal operating position and to cause them to fluctuate to the end of maintaining approximately the uniformity of current desirable to the fineness of separation desired.

Preferably the baffle S is formed of a ring of separable fiat segments or plates i2 separably mounted on radially extended angles 9'2, and when automatic variation of the baiile is not desired it may be definitely manually adjusted as by the screw b2.

Preferably my invention provides a rotary and vertically adjustable lower valve Z within the inlet I and adjustable to vary the space between this valve and the inner periphery of the separating chamber through which the return current may flow up below the distributor, and provides for adjusting this valve from inwardly of and above the separating chamber and preferably from above the fan hub and the outer casing, and preferably for adjusting it simultaneously with the upper valve or the baffle, so that it may co-operate with these to afford an additional regulation of the separating current, and this is accomplished in the construction shown by slidingly mounting the valve Z on the impeller q and connecting it by a link Yet with the lever r so that it will move with and preferably to the same extent as the upper valve Y and may be manually and automatically operated in opposition to the movement of the baffle S.

Preferably the valve Z is constructed of a ring of separable conical segments in the form of an inverted truncated cone Z2 separably mounted on radial angles m2 which slide on the guide q.

To contract the space through which the returning current may flow, and to prevent its expanding into the space between the upper part of the tailings receiver and the distributor, my invention preferably provides a partition A between the lower inlet and the tailings receiver, which is preferably rotary and suspended below and revolves with the distributor D and comprises a conical top Wall n2 closing the space between the distributor and the valve Z, and a cylindrical vertical wall 02 encircled by and on which the valve Z slides, and the lower conical ring 102 within and spaced from the tailings cone, so that the returning current is confined in the annular space between the inlet I and the partition A and under the valve Z and the space through which it may inflow to the separating chamber is manually or automatically Varied by the valve Z.

My invention preferably provides for facilitating a second separation of fines from the discharge through the inlet I, and preferably accomplishes this by providing a rotary reverse deflector B spaced inwardly of and extended slightly below the inlet I and in the path'of material projected from such inlet, for deflecting and retarding such material and precipitating it vertically across the returning current so that such current may separate fine material from such precipitated materialand return such fine material into the separating chamber.

According to another feature my invention preferably outwardly inclines the interceptor B to cause it to slightly outwardly deflect the tailings, and utilizes the return current to cause finer particles in such deflected tailings to flow inwardly of the coarser particles thereof, and provides an intermediate material receiver C having an upper edge intermediate the path of such precipitated material and in juxtaposition to divide the finer from the coarser tailings as they are diffused by the returning current flowing through them so that the finer tailings may enter the fine receiver C and be returned to the sepa-' rator by an elevator D for repassing and the coarser tailings may pass through the tailings outlet L for use as coarse product or for regrinding. This provision for returning only fine tailings to the separator permits continuous resepa ration without unnecessarily increasing the circulating load through the separator by returning all the tailings.

According to another feature of improvement my invention preferably provides a rotative intercepted material sustainer shelf as a seal and discharger E for the lower ends of the troughs of the filter O, which is preferably accomplished by a rotary ring which preferably consists of a ring of separably connected segments spaced adjacent the ends of the filter troughs for receiving the dust precipitated from these and centrifugally discharging it, but retaining enough dust during such discharge to close the space between the ends of the troughs against ingress or upflow of air within or between them. The shelf E is preferably carried by spokes q2 from the partition A, which spokes scrape any fine material which may tend to adhere within the upper end of the tailings cone K.

To protect the shelf E and the lower ends of the filter troughs from inflow of current and to afford a settling chamber outwardly of them my invention preferably provides an air dam F spaced from the shelf E to afford a dust passage between them and spaced below the dust chamber to afford an air pocket under it in which air may bank to curve the air descending from the blower toward the filter so that particles flowing in this descending air may precipitate through the air bank into the dust cone as the return current curves to approach the filter.

Preferably the shelf E carries a rotary discharger or scraper T2 for rotatively discharging precipitated material from it and for preventing adherence of dust on the dam F or within or between or on the backs of the filter troughs.

Preferably the deflector T carries a scraper s2 for preventing accumulation of material on the walls It and i. V

Preferably the wall it carries a scraper t2 for limiting adherence of dust on the outer annular bafiie T which scraper is sufiiciently high to clear the highest point of the baffle when it revolves and moves vertically with the adjustment of the distributor shown, and in such case the bafile '1 preferably carries a scraper M for limiting adherence of material within the walls a and k.

Preferably the space between the upper edge of the tailings cone K and the shelf E is sealed as by a rotary grooved ring 02 below the shelf and encircling the: edge and in which dust may be centrifugally held to close the space between them against upfiow of air while permitting a running joint between them.

Preferably the separating chamber is suspended from above by a pipe 202 resiliently mounted on a spring 202 and the filter is suspended by a pipe Z slid through and resiliently supported by the pipe 102, and the tailings cone K is supported by a rod 22 traversing the pipe g2 and resiliently supported by the pipe 102 and all these parts are impactively jarred by a revolving and swingingly dropping hammer G swinging on a wheel H revolved at slow speed by a worm I on the drive shaft 1', as a speed reducer means, for facilitating flow of material through the separator.

Any connection may be used between the lever a2 and the carrier m, but I prefer to use a link y, the end of which may hold down the collar w when the tubules guide a is not used.

In operation when my various features of improvement are used in conjunction in a central feed separator according to the adaptation of my invention shown in Fig. 1, the distributor,

valves and baiiles, may be set in their mean or middle position as shown, to distribute the material to be separated in an intermediate zone,

and to afford medium current passages and separating chamber volume.-

From observation of the fines and tailings discharged the operator will determine if the height of the distribution Zone should be varied, and will manually adjust the distributor accordingly, and then he will determine if the volume of the selection chamber and the space through which the current is permitted to flow should be varied, and will manually adjust the baffle S and the valves Y and Z accordingly.

The sleeve f when used will be used for posi tively adjusting the distributor, and the annular baflie T, and the lever a2 and screw 222 will be used for positively adjusting the baiiie S and positively reversely adjusting the valves Y and Z and when desired adjustment of these is determined automatic variation of them may if desired be attained by adjusting the counterbalancing spring 2" until they are substantially counter-balanced in a corresponding position of the lever all, the adjusting screws c2 of which will then be set to horizontally position the balancing beam 012, the weight at of which will then be adjusted to delicately counterpoise the baflle S and valves Y and Z against the normal current stress to which they are subject during operation in that position, whereupon the screw b2 will be disconnected so that variations in such stress may automatically vary the bafile and valves by tilting the counter-balancing weight, and thus tend to correct such variation of their current. When automatic control of the distributor is desired its adjuster i will be disconnected and screwed up, and its lever o and counter-balancing spring 2" and counter-poising weight 7" will be used by connecting the link m to the carrier y and making similar adjustments to those described for automatically counter-balancing and controlling the upper baffle and the valves, whereupon operation may continue under automatic regulation of the distribution means or the current regulation means respectively. The links 8" and g2 and 702 are disconnectible, so that any of the parts they adjust may be rendered non-adjustable and definitely set in any desired position by fastening such part to the guide q in any suitable manner, as by a set screw J preferably provided for this purpose on each vertically adjustable part.

Separation will take place in the distribution chamber, and selection will. occur as current circulates outwardly over the baflie T into the selection chamber in which large particles will precipitate and escape through the grit well Z, so that the selecting current may circulate and float the desired fineness around the outer periphery of the baffie S and into the fan, from which the outfiowing current will flow downwardly through the settling chamber G into the air pocket around the dam F, where it will form an air bank into which particles may penetrate as the banked air changes the direction of the current and deflects it toward the filter 0, through which and the return passage l the current will flow under the retarder B and be deflected by the partition A upwardly through the inlet I where it will be controlled by the lower valve Z and directed past the periphery of the distributor D above which it will be deflected by the bafile T inwardly and upwardly under the baifle S outwardly under which it will again flow through the selection chamber.

The retarder B will deflect the tailings across the returning current, which will blow the finer particles inwardly over the edge of the fine receiver C while the coarse particles will be projected outwardly into the coarse receiver K.

The finer particles will be conveyed to the elevator D and returned for reseparation, and the coarser particles will be discharged through the outlet L.

The volume of the selection chamber and the speed of the separating current therein will be varied by adjusting the bafiie S or the baille T, or both of them, and the velocity of the current will be controlled by contracting the space above the baffle and below the outlet J, or the space below the lower valve Z or the space below the upper valve Y, or all of them.

The fines precipitated around the dam will descend around this into the dust chamber M, and dust intercepted by the filter will descend on to the rotary shelf E, accumulating sufiiciently thereon to close the clearance space between this and the ends of the filter troughs, but being discharged centrifugally rapidly enough to keep the filter clear, such discharge descending between the outer periphery of the shelf E and the dam F and falling into the dust chamber M.

The partition A will prevent the returning current from circulating into the air space under the distributor and above the tailings receivers, to avoid undue precipitation of fines in such space.

The hammer G will centrifugally and by gravity strike the upper end of the suspenders for the separating chamber, filter and tailings cone, and impactively vibrate or jar these. The high speed of the drive shaft will be reduced by the worm and gear connection between it and the wheel H on which the hammer is pivoted with a lost motion so that it will swing and fall from its lifted position to its striking position and uniformly strike the head of the pipe wt at low frequency.

It will be seen that my invention provides improvements which can be readily and advantageously availed of in whole or in part, and it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular details of construction, arrangement, use, or combination of features, set forth as illustrating its preferred form, since it may be employed, in whole or in part, according to such modifications of any of these as circumstances or the judgment of those skilled in the art may dictate, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The lower ball bearing is shown as sufficiently larger than the upper one to receive a carrier a3 rising within the bearing, and on the fiange of which the ends of the cylindrical sliding suspenders c are fastened to it so that they may slide through holes 123 in the hub z for sustaining and sliding the collar u.

The valve or bafile operating collar u is a construction which may be used for connecting the latter to its lever at the other side of its fulcrum, so that when it descends it will lower the valves and raise the baflle to reduce the current for which purpose the collar is extended past the guide q and it and the lever 1" have inner and outer holes 113 and 03 for connecting the link i to either side of the fulcrum of the lever, for which purpose the collar u. is extended past the guide q and provided with inner and outer holes d3 for reversing its effect on the leverage.

In such use the position of the adjuster serves as an indicator for the position of the parts it adjusts, and may indicate either an open or a closed position of the valves according to which side of the guide q the link t is applied.

To permit elimination of the usual bushings above and below the drive gear 11, while attaining the advantage of vertically spaced bearings for the shaft U my invention preferably uses self centering tapering roller bearings below the gear, and for rigidly radially sustaining the lower one of said bearings I preferably form it with a finished cylindrical outer face fitting siidingly in a cylindrical and socketed guide extension 93 depended from the base 0 so that the lower bearing may be rigidly radially sustained throughout its adjustment, and its adjuster :10 may be operated through the apertures in the extension g3. For enclosing the lower adjuster against ingress of dust I preferably mount a removable sectional dust cover 77,3 around it.

For practically full height travel of the valve Y to flush with the top of the fan blades the valve segments are preferably bent inwardly near their side edges and then laterally at their side edges to clear the height of the spokes b and form between their edges sockets fitting around these spokes at each side of where their edges are fastened to their angles 10, so as to bring the flat part of each plate 0' when in itsuppermost position practically flush with the upper edge of the blades and make all the superficial surface of each blade effective.

The dependent leg of each angle 10 oo-operates with the fan to outblow current, and the dependent leg of the angles i2 as they rotate assist outward flow of current in the selection chamber, but I prefer to make them of limited height, to minimize tendency to whirl the air in the selection chamber to minimize whirling or cyclonic eifect, which is liable to impair the fineness of separation, and to check whirling or cyclonic effect descending from the fan into the separating chamber I prefer to depend non-rotary whirl check vanes K from the top wall of the separating chamber a suitable distance across the minimum space between it and the deflector S, so that these may check whirl and drop any fine material intercepted by them into the path of the current above the deflector, so that such fines will not be lost back into the separating chamber. Being non-rotary and radial these whirl checks avoid the disadvantage of centrifugally agitating the current or beating back any material fine enough'to pass the periphery of the baffle S.

According to another feature of improvement my invention preferably provides a dependent gravity downward projector wall L spaced around the filter O terminating above the dam F for contracting downward current and jetting it toward the dam while permitting it to make a reverse curve between these parts and flow upwardly and inwardly toward the filter, in making which turn it may release vapor from vaporization of the moisture content of the material being separated, which vapor may rise from the current as the current is intercepted by the filter, and preferably my invention provides an annular vapor collection chamber lVI around the filter and within the wall L into which such vapor may riseand the exhaust conduit N in communication from such chamber to a suction or other exhaust device for reducing the pressure within the separator or for withdrawing such vapor therefrom at a point without and above the path of the circulating separating fluid, for which the chamber M makes an annular exhaust chamber between the settling chamber and the filter for exhausting lighter vapors or fluid above the heavier separating fluid during its circulation, or for operating the separator under a partial vacuum.

According to another feature of improvement my invention preferably provides for preventing condensation of such vapors or for heating the apparatus or the separating fluid, or for drying the material or the separating fluid from without the separating chamber, preferably by providing a circular heating conduit 0' without the separating chamber and around the filter and within the wall L, and communicating from without to Within and from within to without the outer casing, which may be a resistant conductor for an electrical current, or a pipe for hot air or steam, communicating to and from any suitable source for any of these for conducting a heating fluid into and out of the separator and providing heat therein intermediate the up and down legs of the vortex ring of circulating separating fluid.

According to another feature of improvement I preferably provide for preventing explosion during separation of explosive materials, or for subjecting the material being separated to treatment or pressure during separation, by providing a source of inert or compressed or other fluid or gas P, as carbon dioxide for separating sulphur, or light helium gas for separating carbon black, and provide a conduit Q in communication from such a source to within the separating chamber and preferably concentric of and within and above the blower F and without and around the bearing, so that such gas may be agitated and mixed with the circulating fluid by the blower and centrifugally outwardly circulated above the separating chamber, to be sufficiently intermingled with the separating fluid to resist explosive action or facilitate precipitation of fines which are heavier than such gas.

For resisting escape of additional gas or pressure, in connection with such introduction my invention preferably provides the usual gravity seals R for the dust tailings and medium fine outlets, so that these may hold sufficient material to resist outflow of fluid.

For preventing damage from overload my in vention preferably provides the separator driveshaft with a yielding and automatically releasing coupling S.

Loss by segregation of gas, when used, is avoided by collection and recirculation, as by collecting light gas in the chamber M and floating it through the pipe N to the conduit Q, or by collecting heavy gas in the cone C and raising it by the elevator D to the hopper m, to return either to the separating chamber.

Although for the purpose of illustrating the improvements claimed herein I have shown anddescribed adjustment means comprising a member below and suspended from blower means, or below a rotary upper valve and above a rotary upper baffie, and disposed inwardly of and below the outer casing and above the zone of distribution, such adjustment means are not specifically claimed herein, being claimed in my companion applications Serial No. 55,423 file-d December 20, 1935, and Serial No. 93,210 filed July 29, 1936, as divisions hereof, and being claimed as mounted in a currentlessspace, or above and radially outwardly of, or as extended radially outwardly of, the upper outlet, in my companion application Serial No. 38,777 filed August 13, 1935, being a continuation in part of my said original application.

What I claim is:

1. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chambenan inner casing within and in spaced relation to said outer casing and enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causinga separating fluid current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, rotary drive means for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber, for

distributing material to be separated by such current, a rotary and, vertically adjustable lower valve within said lower inlet, vertically adjustable during its rotation for varying during its rotation the space through which such current may flow, for varying such separation during its rotation, and valve vertical adjuster means for said lower valve, adjustably operable during rotation of said lower valve and on which said lower valve is rotatably mounted rotatively connected to said rotary lower valve, for vertically adjusting the latter during its rotation, for varying such separation during such rotation.

2. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing within and'in spaced relation to said outer casing-and enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating fluid current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, rotary drive means for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber, for

distributing material to be separated by such current, a vertically movable upper valve adjacent said outlet for varying the space through which such current may flow from said separating chamber, a vertically movable lower valve adjacent said inlet for varying the space through which such current may enter said separating chamber, an adjuster for vertically adjusting said valves, and a vertically movable connection between and connected to said valves for vertically moving said valves together, for simultaneously varying the space through which such current may leave and enter said separating chamber, for varying such separation.

3. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing within and in spaced relation to said outer casing and enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating fluid current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and fioat fine material into said settling chamber, rotary drive means for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber, for distributing material to be separated by such current, rotary and vertically adjustable valve means above said separating chamber, for varying the space through which such current may flow from said outlet, rotary and vertically adjustable baffle means within said separating chamber for varying the space through which such current may flow from said separating chamber to said outlet, and adjuster means for oppositely vertically adjusting said valve means and bafiie means, for similarly varying such spaces, for varying such current, for varying such separation.

4. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around and a return current passage in under said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating fluid current to flow up through and return down around and in under said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, rotary drive means for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber, for distributing material to be separated by such current, an annular retarder above said return current passage and adjacent and spaced inwardly of said lower inlet and in the path of such material descending through such inlet, for intercepting and retarding such material above said return current passage from such falling material, and a divider below said return current passage and spaced below and in juxtaposition to said retarder and below the path of such returning current, for dividing such falling material below the path of such returning current into finer and coarser material.

5. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower current inlet for discharging unseparated material and an upper current outlet for fine material, in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, and a return current passage below said inlet, a tailings receiver below said current passage, for receiving unseparated material from said inlet, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around and in under said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, rotary drive means for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber for distributing material to be separated by such current, and a rotary distributor below and adjacent said inlet and above said return current passage, and above and spaced from said receiver, for receiving above said return current passage unseparated material discharged through said inlet and distributing such unseparated material above said return current passage and into the path of such returning current, for facilitating separation by such returning current of fine material in such discharged material.

6. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber for distributing material to be separated by such current, and an adjustable valve in the path of such current, for varying the space through which such current may flow,

for varying such current, for varying the fineness of such separation, and a vertically movable baflie within said separating chamber and in the path of such current, for varying the volume of said separating chamber, responsive to variations in the pressure of such current against said bafile, and operatively connected to said valves means, for adjusting said valve means with variations in such pressure, for varying such current with such variations, for varying such separation.

7. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber'having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and aifording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, a vertically adjustable baffle within said separating chamber, for varying the volume of said separating chamber, for varying the fineness of such separation, and valve means in the path of such current, for varying the space through which such current may fiow, for varying such current, responsive to variations in the force of such current, and 0peratively connected to said bafile, for varying said baffle with variations in the force of such current, for varying the volume of said separating chamber, for varying such separation with such variations in the force of such current.

8. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flew up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, a vertically movable valve means comprising a vertically movable plate in the path of such current for defining the space through which such current is permitted to flow, and vertically movable for varying such space, for varying such current for varying such separation, and movable valve counterbalancer means operatively connected to said valvemeans and yieldable to variations in the pressure of such current for counter-balancing said valve means, and movable for counter-balancingly facilitating vertical movement of said valve means, for facilitating variations of such space, for facilitating variations of such current, for facilitating variations of such separation.

9. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and afiording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, vertically movable baflle means within said separating chamber, be-

low and adjacent said upper outlet, for defining the space through which such current may flow from said separating chamber,. comprising a vertically movable plate adjacent said outlet and in the path of such current, and vertically movseparating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication'with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to fiow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, vertically movable valve means in the path of such current, for defining the space through which such current may fi-ow, and vertically movable for varying such space for varying such separation, and yieldably resistant valve adjuster means for adjusting said valve means comprising a movable plate in the path of such current and movable in accordance with'the pressure of such current thereon, mov

ably responsive to variations in such pressure, and operatively connected to said valve means for adjusting said valve meanswith variations in such pressure, for varying such space, for varying such current, for varying such separation with such variations in such pressure.

11. In aseparator, anouter casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, adjustable baflle means within said separating chamber, below and adjacent said outlet, for defining the space through which such current may fiow to said outlet, and adjustable for varying such space, for varying such current, for varying such separation, and current actuated bafile adjuster means, for adjusting said baffle means, comprising a movable plate in the path of such current and movable in accordance with the pressure of such current against said plate, movably responsive to variations in such pressure of such current, and operatively connected to said bafile means, for adjusting said bafile means with variations in the force of such current, for varying such space, for varying such current, for varying such separation with such variations in such pressure.

12. In a separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to' flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive'for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber for distributing material to be separated by such current, a tailings receiver below said lower inlet, for receiving unseparated material from such inlet, and having an open upper end spaced below said inner casing, for returning such current from said settling chamber to said lower inlet fine material interceptor means around said lower inlet and said tailings receiver, and across the path of such current, for intercepting material floating in such current, and rotary discharger means around said tailings receiver and adjacent and below said interceptor means for receiving'intercepted material and discharging therefrom such intercepted 7 material.

13. Ina separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber 'for distributing material to 'a' settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and afiording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber for distributing material to be separated by such current, a tailings receiver having an open upper end spaced below said inner casing, for returning such current to said lower inlet and receiving unseparated material from such inlet, fine material interceptor means extended vertically across said return current passage, for intercepting fine material floating in such returning current, having open lower ends for discharging such intercepted material, and intercepted material receiver sustainer shelf means across and spaced below and adjacent said lower ends, for receiving from the latter such intercepted material, and for sustaining such intercepted material in the space below said ends and above said shelf means, for closing such space with suchsustained intercepted material, for resisting flow of such returning current through such space.

15. In a separator, comprising an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, a rotary and verticallyv adjustable distributor within said separating chamber, rotatable for supplying material to be separated by such current, and vertically adjustable for varying such distribution, vertically stationary rotary shaft means above and on which said distributor is adjustably mounted, for rotating said distributor, vertically spaced upper and lower bearing means above said distributor, for revolubly sustaining said shaft means from above said distributor, and vertically slidable distributor suspension means slidable axially of said shaft means and said lower bearing and extended from said distributor upwardly into the space between said bearings, the combination therewith of vertically movable distributor adjustment means disposed in the space between said bearings and by which said suspension means are carried, and vertically movable relatively to said shaft in said space for vertically adjusting said distributor relatively to said shaft means from between-said bearings, for varying such distribution from between said bearing means. a i

16. In a separator, comprising an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and aiiording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, a rotary blower comprising blades rotatable in a horizontal zone for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber for distributing material to be separated by such current, vertically depended rotary shaft means on which said blower means are mounted, for rotating said blower means, vertically resistant bearing means on whichsaid shaft means are mounted, for vertically suspending the latter, the combination therewith of vertically adjustable radial- 1y resistant bearing means below and vertically adjustable relatively to said first bearing means for radially sustaining said shaft means below said first bearing means, vertically adjustable into the zone of rotation of said blades, for radially sustaining said blower means from within such zone, for vertically adjustably radially sustaining said blades from within such zone during said separation.

17. In a separator, comprising an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber havingia lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around said inner casing, rotary blower comprising fan blades rotatable in a horizontal zone for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary vertically extended shaft on which said blower is mounted for rotating said blower,

current, vertically resistant bearing means for said shaft means, for vertically suspending said shaft means, and vertically adjustable radially resistant bearing means vertically adjustable relatively to said shaft means and below and vertically adjustable relatively to said first bearing means and into the zone of such rotation and radially resistant guide means for said vertically adjustable bearing means in operative relation to and mounted above the latter and extended vertically into such zone for radially 'adjustably sustaining said radially resistant bearing means within such zone, for radially resistantly and adjustably sustaining said vertically adjustable bearing from within such zone.

18. Ina separator, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber and affording an endless current passage up through and down around saidinner casing, a rotary blower for causing a separating current to flow up through and return down around said inner casing to separate and float fine material into said settling chamber, a rotary drive for rotating said blower, a distributor within said separating chamber for distributing material to beseparated by such current; current interceptor means around said lower inlet and in the path of such returning current, for intercepting and resistantly passing such returning current to said lower inlet, a dependent wall around said inner chamber and inwardly of said settling chamber and spaced around and above said interceptor means and said inlet, for defining below said wall an inward passage for such current from said settling chamber to said inlet, and affording within said wall and above and around said interceptor means and said inlet a vapor collection chamber for collecting vapors rising from such current around said interceptor means, and a vapor discharge conduit in communication from within said wall above said interceptor means to without said outer casing, for discharging such vapor from above said interceptor means to externally of said outer casing.

19. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current pas sage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, blower means in communication with said passage, for upfiowing a separating current therethrough, for the separation of fine material therein, lower distribution means within said passage, for the supply and distribution of material to be separated therein, and vertically spaced, rotary, current space variation means adjacent said outlet and in the path of said current, for defining the space through which said current may flow, vertically spaced a substantial distance above said distribution means, for afiording a substantial vertical chamber theretween, rotatable for rotatably discharging fine material, and movably adjustable relatively to said distribution means for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying said separation; the combination therewith of non-rotary adjustment means for said space variation means, revolubly connected to and in operative relation to the latter, movably adjustable during rotation of the latter, and operable to adjust said space variation means relatively to said distribution means during rotation of the former, and thereby to vary said space and said velocity and the separation during said rotation and without stopping the operation.

20. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith and affording a communication passage in communication with said chambers, blower means in communication with said upward passage, ior upflowing a separating current therethrough, for the separation of fine material therein, distribution means within said upward passage, for the supply and distribution of material to be separated therein, and rotary current space variation means in operative relation to one of said passages and in the path of said current, for defining the space through which said current may flow, rotatable for rotatably discharging material, and movably adjustable for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying thev separation, the combination therewith of nonrotary, movably adjustable, adjustment means for said rotary current space variation-means, revolubly connected to and in operative relation to and movably adjustable during rotation of the latter, movably adjustable relatively to the latter during said rotation, and operable to movably adjust said space variation means relatively to said adjustment means dur ing rotation of the former, and thereby to vary said space relatively t said movement of said adjustment means, for varying said velocity and the separation during said rotation and without stopping the operation. I

21. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith and affording a communication passage in communication with said chambers,

blower means in communication with said upward passage for upflowing a separating current therethrough, for the separation of fine material therein, distribution means within said upward passage, for the supplyand distribution of ma- 1 terial to be separated therein, and rotary current space variationmeans in operative relation to one of said passages andin the path of said current, for defining the space through which said current may flow, rotatable for rotatably dis, charging material, and movably adjustable for varyingsaid space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying the separation, the combination therewith of non-rotary, movably adjustable, adjustment means for said rotary current space variation means, revolubly connected to and in operative relation to and movably adjustable during rotation of the latter, movably adjustable, reversely to the latter during said rotation, and operable to movably adjust-- said space variation means, reversely to said adjustment means during rotation of the former, and thereby to vary said space reversely to said movement of said adjustment means, for varying said velocity and said separation during said rotation and without stopping the operation.

22. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, blower means in communication with said passage for upfiowing a separating current therethrough, for the separation of fine material therein, distribution means within said passage, for the supply and distribution of material to be separated therein, and a rotary valve adjacent said outlet and in the path of said current, for defining the space through which said current may flow, rotatable for rotatably discharging material, and movably adjustable for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying the separation, the combination therewith of non-rotary, movably adjustable, adjustment means for said valve, revolubly connected to and in operative relation to and movably adjustable during rotation of said valve, and operable to movably adjust said valve during rotation thereof, and thereby to vary said space and said velocity and said separation during said rotation and Without stopping the operation.

23. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, blower means in communication with said passage, for upfiowing a separating current therethrough, for the separation of fine material therein, distribution means within said passage, for the supply and distribution of material to be separated therein, and a rotary, movably adjustable, upper baiile below and adjacent said outlet, for defining the space past said baffle through which said current may flow, rotatable for rotatably discharging material, and movably adjustable, for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying the separation; the combination therewith of non-rotary, movably adjustable, adjustment means for said baflle, revolubly connected to and in operative relation to and movably adjustable during rotation of said rotary, movably adjustable, baffle, and

operable to movably adjust the latter, and thereby to vary said space and said velocity and said separation during said rotation, and without stopping the operation.

24. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, blower means in communication with said passage for upfiowing a separating current therethrough, for the separation of fine material therein, distribution means within said passage, for the supply and distribution of material to be separated therein, rotary, vertically adjustable, valve means above said outlet, and rotary, reversely vertically adjustable, bafile means below and adjacent said outlet, in the path of said current, for defining the space between said valve means and said bafile means through which said current may flow, rotatable for rotatably discharging material, and reversely vertically adjustable, for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying the separation; the combination therewith of non-rotary, movably adjustable, adjustment means common to said valve means and said baifie means, revolubly connected to and in operative relation to and movably adjustable during rotation of said rotary, vertically adustable, valve means, and said rotary, reversely vertically adjustable, baffle means, and operable to reversely vertically adjust said valve means and said bafile means during said rotation, and thereby to reversely vary said space, for varying said velocity and said separation during said rotation and without stopping the operation.

GEORGE HOLT FRASER.

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