US2438775A - Concentrator having sloping reciprocating table with movable deck - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1948. A, B, BOUWER ET A 2,438,775

CONCENTRATOR HAVING SLOPING RECIPROCATING TABLE WITH MOVABLE DECK Filed Oct. 23, 1945 EQL INVENTORS. fidamB.,BoL/rver' Les/1e Do frn, CLTL BY 5 M ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 30, 1948 UNITED STATES PAT E. OFFICE CONCENTRATOBJ SLQPING RECHE- ROCATING' WI'I H'MOVABLE DECK Adam- Barnard Bouwer and Leslie D'orfman, Johannesburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa Application October 23, 1945;. Serial No. 623,9L- In the Union of South Airi'ca- J uly 20, 1945 .1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to concentrators, for concentrating "minerals and; the like, more particularly to a concentrator having the form of a sloping table reciprocating longitudinally and down the length of which the material to be concentrated is washed, having also means whereby the flowing stream is rendered turbulent not only by the shaking, rocking or swinging of the table, but also by providing cells or pockets, having open tops and broken or slotted wall areas; said cells covering the area of, the table top of the concentrator and providing a surface capable of separating and retaining concentrates.

The object of the invention is to provide the concentrator with a surface of concentrating cells, each cell formed by -the' combination of the openings in afixed' screen and the grooves in a travelling belt forming a top for the table and over which and in close parallel proximity to it the screen is fixed relatively to the belt.

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. I is a side elevation of a concentrator ac cording to this invention,

Fig. II is a side elevation of a small portion of the concentrating surface on an enlarged scale, showing the combined action of the wire mesh surmounting the grooved and travelling surface of the sloping floor of the concentrator.

Fig. III is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a small portion of the table top of the concentrator.

According to this invention the concentrator comprises a frame I carrying a sloping and shaking table 2 with a deck 3 in the form of an endless conveyor belt 4. The belt 4 is provided with a surface 5, preferably of rubber or like flexible material in which are formed grooves 6, furrows or the like, running transversely to the length of the belt 4 and preferably broken up into elongated pockets. The pockets or grooves 6, by which latter term they are hereinafter referred to, are suitably sized and shaped to retain concentrates under the concentrating action of the stream passing down the table 2, as hereafter described. For instance the grooves may be of square cross section with vertical sides. The belt 4 is continuously moved up the slope against the downwardly flowin stream of material to be concentrated and is then passed back under the table top 3. It is washed f-reeof concentrates and returned for a further journey through the active or concentrating zone. The

table 2 is provided with raised edges .1 bet-ween Which-the belt 4-moves. 7 I

Over the whole area of the tabletop 3 of the concentrator isfixed to the table 2? a perforated covering 8,. preferably of stiff wirelmeshhaving openings. 91 in, size equal approximately to the distancev I8 between the. centres oi two or three of the grooves 6 on the moving belt 4} "This perforated covering, .8 should be fixed' relative .to the belt. 4, to theframe I and just clear of said belt 4. so. that the holes 9. in the mesh and the grooves 6; in the belt 4' form in combination a series of' open. topped and slotted sidedcells I'I overthewhole tabletop area.

The movement of the table top surface 3 is up the slope of the concentrating table and against the stream: of material to be concentrated but care. is taken that the .new material fed to the table does notwash the concentrates from the grooves 6. For this reason the edge of the feeding launder I2 is brought as close to the moving table top 3 as possible and the flow of the material onto the concentrator is made gentle. Bafiles or other suitable means being used if necessary. In addition, just above or under the feedin launder I2 the portion of the moving table top 3 may be fed with a stream I3 of clear or relatively clean liquid to ensure that the feed shall pass down the concentrator and not :be carried up under the feed launder I2.

For the efficient working of this concentrator it is necessary that the whole table 2 assembly comprising the edges I, the perforated covering 8, and the portion of the belt 4 on the table top 3 should shake, reciprocate or vibrate. For this reason suitable mechanism I8 is provided, pref erably combined with the endless belt 4 driving mechanism III, for reciprocating the table 2. As shown, by way of illustration, mechanism I 8 comprises an eccentric I9 and pitman 23 connected to the frame I at 2| while table 2 is hung in slings 22. 23 is a bevel gear driving an extensible shaft 24 connected to gears I4. The motor 25 provides the necessary power through suitable belting.

Once the moving belt 4 has passed well under the feed launder I2 it is carried over a driving drum I5 and passes therefrom into a suitable washing tank I 6 under the table 2. The belt surface 5 is suitably washed free from the concentrates and the belt 4 returned to the carrier drum II at the lower end of the table 2 around which it passes for a fresh period of service as atable top 3.

The movement of the belt 4 up between the edges 1 of the table 2 is preferably continuous but the movement may be made step by step.

This invention provides a shaking, sloping table concentrator having a table top 3 formed by a belt 4 having. grooves 6 which, in combination with the openings 9 in mesh 8 provide specially shaped cells II and having means by which a part of the concentrating surface is made to travel continuously up the concentrating table 2, then be removed from the concentrating zone for washing, and reconditioning, and afterwards be returned to the lower end of the table 2 for a further period of service.

The grooves 6 in the surface of the belt 4 are, as stated above, preferably in the form of elongated pockets I. By thus making the grooves 6 short in length they are more readily kept in proper shape. They are more rigid and this is important since any serious distortion is liable to displace concentrates which have settled at the bottom of the cells ll. j c

The form ofthe cells ll making up the surface of this concentrator is important. The liquid in pouring in and out of each cell is made tofboil. Its surface is broken and, for example, no leaf gold is floated. The concentrates 4 ing or for the renewal of corduroy or other cloths.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a concentrator having a long table sloping longitudinally with means for oscillating the table in a longitudinal direction, feedingmeans at the top of the table for passing the material to be concentrated down the length of the table and a surface for the table consisting of cells with open tops, slotted walls and retainin I pockets, said cells comprising a belt mOVing upwardly against the passage of the material passing down the table, grooves in the surface of the belt, an open meshed screen fixed relatively to the moving belt and in close parallel association with the same, said grooves and the mesh of the screen combining toform concentrating pockets.

ADAM BARNARD BOUWER. LESLIE DORF'MAN. 7

REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent: V v.

'UNITED STATES VPATE' 1s s Number Name I Date 817,655 Moore Apr. 10, 1906 1,127,667 Newsom Feb. 9, 1915 2,103,663 Curtis -Dec. 28,- 1937 2,373,452 Bouwer et a1. Apr. 1 0 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS p j Number Country Date Great Britain Nov, 24; 1932

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