US2776752A - Harvengt - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 8, 1957 E. HAVENGT JIGGING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 195.3

' Jan. 8, 1957 E. HARVENGT JIGGING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1953 Jan. 8, 1957 E. HARvENG-r JIGGING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 22, 1953 Jan. 8, 1957 E, HAQVENG-r 2,776,752

J IGGING APPARATUS 'United States Patent O JIGGING APPARATUS Edmond Harvengt, MoustierasulwSambr-e, Belgium, assignor to Link-Belt Company, Chicago, lili, a corporation of Illinois Applicationlanuary 22,1953', Serial'No. 332,637f' 21 Claims. (Cl. 2094-455) dividual densities or settling rates has been known forA many years and'l need not be discussed inv detail at this time. It, also, is well-'known that the impulse,l or material bed opening or lifting; strokes of the liquid actuating piston are responsible for the major portion' of the.

yclassifying action that is performed on the" material being treated while the return, or suction, strokes of the piston, which cause the particles of the opened' up or lifted bed to be forcibly pulled downwardly towardz the supporting screen at a false or unnatural settling rate, at least partially destroy the accurate classification ofthe material particles that was effected' by the impulse producing strokes.

Prior attempts to overcome the undesirable effect4 of the suction strokes of the piston by the introduction of water into the hutchportion of the washer box or jig have not been entirely successful because they have failed to recognize the importance of accurately measuring the water introduced into the hutch so that the amount forming each charge Will'bear the relationship to the volumetric displacement of the piston that is essential to effect the desired classifying action.

For example, it will be recognized that each impulse producing stroke or" the piston, if the length of the strokes is maintained' constant, will effect the displacementoff a constant" volume-ofv liquid upwardly through the material bed supporting screen, and thatl the extent to which suchconstant volume liquid impulses will open up or lift the bed of' material will depend primarily on the kind of material being treated' andJ ther characteristicsof 'the bed as a wholegthat is, theaverage, and range of, settlingior density rates of the material particles, the thickness of the material bed, and the like. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the most efficient classifying of different' kinds'of materials, and of beds. of materials'having different classifications, can beelected only if an accurate control is exercised over-'the relationship between the bed opening or lifting effect of the impulse producing strokes of the piston andthe extentlto which the effect of the suction strokes of the piston is applied to the bed. 4

To furtherV illustrate, under certain operating conditions, the most eli'cient classification will'be accolrlplishedn by exactly counterbalancing the effect of= the suction strokes, with the result-that they particles; of the opened1 up: or liftedrbed will vbe' permitted to settle entirely in accordance with their individual density or settling rates. Other operating conditions will require the effect of the suction strokes to^ be underialanced; that is, not completely counterbalanced, with th'e'result that the rates at which the individual particles ofv the opened up or lifted bed will actuallysettle will exceed their normal` settling rates. Still other operatingl conditions will require the eii'ect of the suction strokes to be overbalanced; that is, more thancounterbalanced,l with theresult' that the rates at which the individual particles will actually settle will be slower than their normal` settling rates.

To exactly counterbalance the effect o the suction, the amount of liquidl delivered toy the hutch during each suction stroke of the piston must exactlyv equaly the volumetric displacement'of the piston; When the effect of thesuction is underb'alanced, the amount of liquid delivered to the hutch isless than the' displacement of the piston, and when the eiect of the suction is overbalanced, the amount of liquidy deliveredv to the hutch exceeds the' displacement of the piston. It is quite obvious, therefore, that the most ecient classification' of f different kinds'of materials, andof beds having'diierent characteristics, can be obtained only if the amount of liquid deliveredto the hutch duringY each suction stroke bears avery accurate, `and the essential, relationship to the volumetric displacement of the piston, and if such relationship can be varied or changed at the will of the operator to meet the requirementsofthe different operating conditions that maybe encountered.

lt should be apparent that these requirements are not met bythe prior attempts that have been made to solve the suction problem. lnone such general type, the suction counterbalancing charges or" liquid, that are delivered directly to the hutch, are obtained from a water supply line in'whichthepressure'may'vary, andare controlled only by an` intermittently actuated valve. ln the other general type, the charges of liquid are measured by the impulse andv suction producing piston, and', for thatl reason, the amount of liquid forming each charge cannot be varied; or changedat` tliewill of the operator., relative-to the volumetric displacement of :such piston.

Theprimary object' of this' invention is to provide' a washer' box,r jig, `orfsimilar apparatus, inwhich the effect of thel suction producingstrokes of the liquid actuatingV piston can' be either exactly counterbalanced, underbalanced to any desired extent, or overbalanced to any desired extent, at' the will ofthe operator, byl the introduction to they hutch ofliquid charges that bear a very accurate, andthe essential, relationship to the volumetric displacement of such' piston. A more specilic object' of the invention is to control the effectl of; the' suction producing strokes, in washer boxes, jigs, or" similar apparatus, hy delivering to the hutch charges of liquid which are individually, accurately measured as. a` result of being developed in a chamber, the volumetric capacity of wliich'. can be. varied to make possible the deliveryof charges which bear anyV desiredV relationship to'tlie volumetric displacement of the piston that is employed forproducing the suction strokes;

Still another objecty of the invention is to provideV material classifying apparatus whichlinvolves two washer boxes, or jigs', connected to operate in series, which have their respective liquid impulse producing pistons driven by a common shaft at an angular relationship of 180,

`andin whicha suction balancingcharge'ofv liquid from l a pressure'source" is delivered tok a chamber individual to, and bounded on. one side by, each piston during its lliquid impulse producing stroke so that. the force. of

each charge of liquid that' is applied toeither piston .will counterbalance, or lessen, to a very substantial extent, theamount of' force that must'be applied by said common drive shaft" to the other piston to move it through its simultaneously enacted suction producing stroke, with the result that the power required to operate such a two-unit assembly will be very substantially reduced.

Other obects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

ln the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a two-unit washer box or jig assembly, embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on lines 2--2 of Fig. l,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on lines 3--3 of Fig. 1,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on lines t-d of Fig. 2,

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of wash box or jig unit, and

Figure 6 is a similar view to Fig. 5, and illustrates a further modified form of unit.

in the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown the preferred embodiments of this invention, and rst particularly referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, there is illustrated a two-unit washer box, or jig, assembly, in which the two boxes 10 are connected end-to-end so they will operate in series; that is, with the material to be treated being delivered to the receiving end of one of the boxes by means of the trough 11 while the end product will be discharged from the outer end of the second box by the trough 12.

By particularly inspecting Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that each one of the boxes is provided with a longitudinally extending partition 13 which divides the upper portion into a screen section 14 and a piston section 15. These two sections extend the full length of each one of the boxes.

In each screen section 14 there is positioned a material bed supporting screen 16 of any desired mesh size. The material to be treated, which is delivered by the trough 11, is deposited on the receiving end of the screen 16 0f the left-hand unit, as viewed in Fig. 1, and this material advances longitudinally of the box as it is being classilied. In passing from the rst box to the second box, the material passes over the dividing plate, or weir, 17. which may be adjustable in height to determine the depth of the material bed. From the outer end of the second box, the material is discharged through the opening 18 into the trough 12.

The section of each one of the boxes is provided with a piston 19 that is intended to be rcciprocated through strokes of a desired but constant length by suitable mechanism which will be described at a later point. Each one of these pistons 1.9 is sealed or packed at its periphery by means of a flexible membrane 20. lt will be appreciated that other forms of sealing or packing means may be employed. The top of each one of the piston sections is closed by a wall 21 which cooperates with the associated piston 19 to form a liquid measuring chamber 22. Fig. 1 illustrates the two chambers as being isolated from each other by means of the common intermediate wall 23 of the two boxes. Each one of the two chambers 22 is provided with a breather pipe 24 which prevents the trapping of air in the chamber.

The portion 25 of each one of the two boxes that is located below the screen and piston sections 14 and 15, respectively, constitutes the hutch of the box, and, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the hutch is in constant, open communication with the screen section 14 and the piston section 15. Consequently, when the two boxes are provided with the desired liquid, such as water, to the proper level, the reciprocating movements of the pistons 19 will produce pulsations in the water which will be transmitted to the material supported on the screens 16 of the boxes. In other words, when each piston moves downwardly, it will produce a liquid impulse that will pass from its piston section 15 through the hutch 25 to the screen section 14 and upwardly through the screen 16 and the bed of material that is supported by said screen. The return movements of the pistons, commonly referred to as the suction strokes, would effect a reverse movement of the liquid, to the extent of the volumetric displacement of the pistons, downwardly through the beds of material and the screens 16 if the effects of the suction strokes were not counteracted.

A drive shaft 26, common to both of the units, is supported by suitable bearings 27 mounted on appropriate bracket arms 28 so that the shaft is arranged to ccntrally overlie the two piston sections 15. This shaft has suitably keyed thereto the two eccentric drive units 29 which are employed for effecting reciprocation of the pistons through the jointed connection rods 30. it will be noted by considering Fig. 1 that the eccentrics 29 are positioned on the common drive shaft 26 so the pistons will be reciprocated relative to each other at an angular relationship of The shaft 26 is driven at the dcsired speed by the pulley or sprocket wheel 31 over which may be trained a desired flexible drive member driven by any suitable motor, not shown.

The liquid chamber 22 for each one of the washer box units receives a very accurately measured charge of liquid during each downward, or impulse producing, stroke of its piston 19 and this charge of liquid is transferred from the chamber 22 to the hutch 25 during each return, or suction, stroke of the piston. The mechanism employed for effecting this delivery and transfer of liquid charges now will be described.

Figs. 2 and 4 disclose the valve housings 32 which are provided for the two boxes. These two housings are interconnected by the manifold pipe 53 to assure uniform ow of liquid to both of the housings. Each housing is provided with a flanged inlet 34 connected to a liquid supply line 35, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 2. These supply lines are to be connected to a suitable source of the desired liquid, not shown, which may take the form of either an elevated storage tank or a water main. In either event, the liquid delivered to the valve housings 32 is under a substantial pressure.

Each one of the valve housings 32 is provided with a first liquid outlet 36 connected to the associated liquid chamber 22. A second liquid outlet 3'/ connects each one ot' the valve housings to the hutch 25 below its associated piston 19. Each valve housing 32 has rotatably positioned therein a valve body 3S mounted on a shaft section 39. The two shaft sections are supported by their respective bearings it while the adjacent ends are con nected by the coupling 41. A drive pulley 42 for both of the shaft sections has trained thercover the cxible drive element 43 which in turn is trained over the pulley 44 mounted on the common drive shaft 26. An appropriate takeaup mechanism 45 is employed for tensioning the drive element i3 and for training the two runs of this element so that they will not engage the adjacent wall of the box structure.

It will be noted, by inspecting Fig. 4, that the valve bodies 3S are arranged at right angles to each other so that while one side of one of the valves is closing the entrance end of the first liquid outlet 36, see Fig. 2, one of the ends of the other valve will be positioned to close its liquid outlet 37. The pulleys 42 and 44 are so proportioned that the shafts 39 for the two valve bodies will make one complete revolution for every two revolutions of the drive shaft 26.

The valve bodies are so shaped and are so rotated in timed relation to the strokes of their pistons 19 that liquid under pressure will be delivered to each liquid chamber 22 during each liquid impulse producing movement of the associated piston 19 while liquid will ilow from said chamber 22 into the hutch 25 during cach return, or suction, stroke of the piston. This reverse flow of liquid willoccur during ,eaehhalf-revolution of,.thel valvebody 38.'. f

boxes are drivenA by a common shaft atan angle. of 180 relative-z to each other,.and.because .liquid-.under pressure is delivered to each chamber 221 during., each impulse producing ,stroke of `its associated pliston19j, the admitted liquid charges Willmateriallyy assist in. drivingthe pistons through. such strokes and in, reducingthe. amount. of power` that must be. applied to the common shaft 26 to eiect the, return, or suction, strokes ofthe pistons. Additionally,..because a charge of"li'quid is-delivered to. the hutch' of each. boxduringgthe suction, or.return,.stroke.of

its associated piston, the amount of powen or force..that

must be exerted to move each piston through such Astroke ismaterially.l reducedi Consequently, if! the liquid. that is admitted to' the' chambers' 22; duringthe impulse producinglstrokes of their associated'pistons 19,' isA atleast at a pressure of'lfrom 75 pounds. to 1`0'0Lpounds per' square inch, Very littleV power is. required `to drive this two-.unit type ofwasl'ier'v box or jig. t

It'is very desirable, in handlingA different kinds -of ma.- terials, and 'material' beds having. ditl'erentl characteristics, to be' able to very accurately control or regulate the amount of liquid`I charge thatis delivered to each hutch 25 durirrgeach'return, or suction, stroke of its piston 19 so that suction action or. et'ect. on the material bed can Because the liquidactuating ypistons 1Q oft.- the; two

be accurately regulated', and, in fact, changed. at the will of the operator. These changes become .necessary to per mit' ther suction actionV to be either exactly counterbalanced, underbalanced to any desired extent, or. overbalanced` to anyl desired extent.- The mechanism employed for accurately regulating or controlling the amount of liquid delivered `to` eachV one ofthe chambers 22", during thc impulse producingjstrokes of its associated pistou 19, now will be explained;

The top Wall Zl'o each one of the chambers 22 has an opening formed therein in which is mounted a cylinder structure 46. Positioned'to' reciprocate ineach cylinder structureisy al plunger 47" which has a joined rod A48 connected thereto, The upperA end of each' connecting rod is suitably,vpivotally attachedy to' a crank pin 49. carried by a mountingplate Sfthat is adjustablyv connected to a drive plate 51 by means of the `slots andv bolts 52 and 53. In otherl words, the off-center, or throw, of the'pins 49 can-'be changed by adjusting the relative positions ofthe two plates Strand 51;

By considering' Figs.- l-y and 2, it will be seen that'the plungers'd? reciprocate in' phase'rclation withV their respective: pistons 19: so the plungers will move into the chambers-ZZWhile the associatedvpistons 19are moving downwardly through their impulse producing strokes; The .plungers 47,' therefore, reduce the capacities -of their respectives chambers 22; during the. periods wheny liquid charges are'. delivered tothese chambers. Byfchanging the 'olf-center: positionsof"thezzcrankipins 49; the` plunger/s 471 maybe causedtoy move ditferentadistanceslinto the associated chambers: 22, and: thereby regulate'` or change the capaeitiesof these chambers. y

Fig.; 5' illustrates diagrammatica-lly. aamodiedformwof Washer' box: or jig.. assembly which' includes. the. box Sei that) has. its upper'portiorr divided by. theA partitiorr- 55' into at screen section S6-fand a piston Section5?. The two sections fand 57, below thebottorn edge; of the partition. 55,' are constantly connectedv by'theshutch'.

A-.suitable screeenl59'is mountedfin thescreen section 56 torsupport the. bed of material'that is to. be'cla-ssitod';

The piston section 57 has mountedftherein a-reciprocating. pistonl) operated by the rody 61 vwhich isr connected bythe eccentric. 62..tothe drive. shaft 63. The, piston has formed therein a liquid'outlet 64 controlled by a valve.65 resiliently, urged toward its closed position by the spring 66. The valve rod.67 is connected. to one arm-1.68ct. a pivoted lever that-liasit's-other arm 69 forkedto straddle the piston rod 61 and engage the actuating pin '70. Be-

causeof this.mechanical.. connection;` the: valve 65. is forced .fromtzitseatyV against. the pressure oi the,. spring 66,21 each. time: the,r piston.. 6.0. is moved. upwardly,. or through its suction stroke.

The. upper portion vof .thepiston section: 57 has .mounted therein. a. plunger 7.1..thatcooperateswith the piston. to forma lliquid chamber; 72.. The .plunger is...conn ectedfto a tubular. rod 71z=whicl1 has `its upper. end; adjustably, con: nected. to an ecentric 73'by means of thethreadedpin'l, the apertured ear 75 andthe locknuts,76.' The. eccentric fis suitably mountedon the shaft 7T that is drivenata one-to-one speed 'ratio from the shaft;63' by means of the sprocket andhain drive .connection 71'?l lt. will be appreciated the plunger.. 71...will be reciprocatedin phase relation withthe. piston 60' so thefplunger will move.. downwardly as the piston moves through" its liquid impulse producing stroke andwill move .upwardly with the pistonas the'latter rmoves through its return, or suction` producing, stroke. Byl adjusting the connection 'ML75-76,' tlrecapacit'y ofjthe chamber '72; formedlbetweenA the piston` 60 and the, plunger 71",'.may be;varied to take'care ofdi'f'erentA operating conditions.

Liquidffr'om-asuitable source' of supply, maintained under any desired pressure, is supplied to the chamber 72 by means of"thepi1' eline-79`rA Thepiston isillustrated inf its lowerrnr'xst2 position; or4 after it hasy completed'its impulse'producingy stroke. Whenv in' this position, the lower end offthesupply lne'79e`is open so that a charge of liquidiwillebe deliveredto the-chamber 72.l The upward movement of 4'the-pistorrtl, duringfits-return', or suction, stroke; Wiilfcause the dischargeend of 'the pipeline 79I to bel closed' andf to remain' closed; until i the-V pistonagain moves downwardlygthrough an irnpulselprodl'rcingstroke; From-r the-v above description;l it fwill" be seen" thatliquid will'be delivered fto'the chamber '72-"during'each-l impulse producing stroke of the piston- 60* and this chargel of liquidwillibe delivered totheflhutcli' ithrough the out- 1et64-asf the piston 60 moves through its next return, or"suotion;,stroke.l Because thel capacity ofth'e chamber 72- can be' regulated" or'changed "by adjusting the Iposi-tion ofi the p1`unger71 relativet to the-piston; the charges of liquid successivelyf delivered to-tbelchamber` 72limay be Very accurately"measured-frelativeV to =tiie` 'volumetric displacementot' the piston, with the. result that' the suction action orefEect-'of' theapiston, on' thebed of" material supporteds'by Itherscreerrs59; may: ber-very accurately regu lated:` to either' exactlycounterbalance th'ef'suction or to effect-r an undenbalanceonranfzoverbalance of 'said'. suction'. Fig. 6*dia'gramrnatically:v illustrates: af further:` modified formv offwfashng box` ort jigwhichr includes the boxr79 that-has,itsrupper'porticnrdivided' 'bylfthez partitionvdinto avscreen. section-81 andra piston-section 82: AlhutclrsSS isl formedrim'thefbox .below theltwo sections 31` andiSZ: T he't screen section r 814 has; suitably mounted therein f a screen'. 83.4 for supportingV theYL bed' of..T materialsr beingclassiiiedin the-:box:

The pistonvsection- 82 has mounted` therein a piston 84reciprocated: by; meansof theffpistonvrod. 85 passing through the: cover| 86fwhich closesrtthe upper endet, the piston-'section 825 and. cooperates: witlnthea piston 8.4A to formf a liquid echamber, 8T; Y Thee piston frod-Sffis pivotallyf connected tothefrocker arm-SSie-Whichiis pi'votallyfsup.-r ported at 89and -is :connected: at.= its opposite end: byfl the rod t'o the Leccentric ildriven iby'fthe; shaftf92,.

During., each; impulse producingtstroke.: of` the.` piston' 84; a; carefully' measured` charge-of liquid. isf delivered t to the-chamber18f7 This charge isv directed.- intoth'er hutch Sii-during eachreturnibr. suction, stroketof the/piston 84.' The'` mechanism-employed forr effecting! therdelivery and: transfert of theseV successive;v liquidV charges inphase relationttovthe;reciprocation of the piston 8.4?V nowfwill befdescribeds. 'j

The. pipef1ine.s93lis intendedI to beconnected at its uppenendwtoany suitablesourceof liquid under pressure and atritslower endtoayalve housing194 formed with 7 a first liquid outlet 95 and a second liquid outlet 96. The outlet 95 connects the valve housing with the chamber 87 while the outlet 96 connects the valve housing with the hutch 83.

Positioned within the housing 94 is a reciprocating valve 97 that is moved through strokes of desired but adjustable lengths by means of the joined valve rod 98 which is adjustably connected at its lower end to the crank arm 99 suitably fastened to the drive shaft 100. The shaft 100 is driven at a one-to-one ratio from the piston reciprocating shaft 92 by means of the iiexible drive connection 101.

During each downward, or impulse producing, stroke of the piston 84, the valve 87 is moved downwardly to uncover the liquid outlet 95 so a charge of fluid will fion.' from the supply pipe 93 to the chamber 87. As `the piston 84 moves through its return, or suction, stroke, the valve 97 is moved upwardly to establish communication between the two outlets 95 and 96 so the charge of liquid previously delivered to the chamber 87 will pass through the valve housing 94 into the hutch 83 to counteract the effect or action of the suction stroke of the piston. I

By adjusting the point of connection between the lower end of the piston-operating rod 98 and the crank arm 99, it will be appreciated that the length ofthe strokes of the valve may be changed. This change will bring about the delivery of a different quantity of liquid to the chamber 87 during each downward, or impulse producing, stroke of the piston 84. Consequently, the extent to which the suction action or effect of the piston on the material supported by the screen 83 may be varied to cause the suction action to be either exactly counterbalanced, underbalanced to any desired extent, or overbalanced to the desired extent.

It is to be understood that the forms of this invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a box having a partition dividing its upper portion into a piston housing section and a screen section, the portion of the box below the partition and said sections forming a hutch in continuous open communication with said sections, a screen in the screen section for supporting material to be classified by liquid impulses passing from the piston housing section through the hutch to the screen section, a piston reciprocating in its housing section to produce said liquid impulses, means including a rotatable shaft for reciprocating said piston throughV strokes of constant length, means for supplying liquid from an external source, means forming a chamber to alternately receive liquid from said supply means and to discharge liquid into the said hutch, valvular means for directing the alternate ow of liquid into and from said chamber, means directly connecting the rotatable shaft of the piston reciprocating means and said liquid flow directing means for positively actuating said latter means in phase relation with the strokes of the piston to bring about the flow of liquid into said chamber during each impulse producing stroke of the piston and the flow of liquid from the chamber into the hutch during each return stroke of the piston, means for controlling the amount of liquid permitted to ow into and from said chamber, means directly connecting the rotatable shaft of the piston reciprocating means to said liquid ow controlling means for actuating said latter means in phase relation with the strokes of said piston, and independently adjustable means included as a part of the aforesaid directly connecting means of the liquid flow controlling means for adjusting the action of the latter means to change the 8 amount of liquid flowing into and from the chamber while the strokes of the piston remain at their aforesaid constant length. t

2. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus as specified in claim 1 further characterized by the means forming the liquid chamber comprising the portion of the piston housing section above the reciprocating piston.

3. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus as specified in claim 2 further characterized by the means for controlling the amount of liquid permitted to flow into and from said chamber comprising a plunger positioned to reciprocate axially of the chamber in phase relation with the piston to reduce the capacity of the chamber While the liquid is flowing into the chamber.

4. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus as specified in claim 3 further characterized by the means for adjusting the action of the liquid flow controlling means comprising an adjustable connection in the means for actuating the plunger to vary the length of the strokes of the plunger relative to the constant length of the strokes of the Diston.

5. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus as specified in claim 4 .further characterized by the valvular' means for directing the alternate flow of liquid into and from the chamber cooperating with a liquid inlet for the chamber connected to the means for supplying liquid from an external source, a liquid outlet for the chamber connected to the hutch, and a valve member operating in phase relation with the piston for alternately opening and closing said liquid inlet and said liquid outlet in reverse order.

6. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus as specified in claim 2 further characterized by the valvular means for directing the alternate flow of liquid into and from the chamber cooperating with a valve housing positioned outside the box and connected to the liquid supplying means, a first liquid outlet for the valve housing connected to said chamber, a second liquid outlet for the valve housing connected to the hutch, and a rotatable Valve member in the valve housing for alternately directing liquid from said housing into the chamber through the first liquid outlet and from said chamber to the hutch through said first and second liquid outlets and the valve housing.

7. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a box, a piston housing arranged with its axis substantially vertical, a piston reciprocating in the piston housing, means including a rotatable shaft for reciprocating said piston, a screen in the box for supporting materials to be treated, the housing above the piston acting as a Chamber for liquid, means for supplying liquid from an external source to said chamber, means for controlling the iiow of liquid from said external source into said chamber and from said chamber into the portion of the box located below the screen, said liquid control means comprising a valve housing, a liquid inlet for the valve housing connected to the liquid supply means, a liquid outlet for the valve housing connected to said chamber, a liquid outlet for the valve housing connected to the box, a single actuatable valve member in the valve housing for alternately connecting said liquid inlet with the liquid outlet to said chamber and the liquid outlet for said chamber with the liquid outlet to the box, and mechanism operatively connected with the reciprocating means for the piston of the box for actuating said valve, said mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft operatively connected to the valve member, and a drive connection between the rotatable shaft of the piston reciprocating means and the shaft for the valve member.

8. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a box, a piston housing arranged with its axis substantially vertical, a piston reciprocating in the piston housing, means for reciprocating said piston, a screen in the box for supporting materials to be treated, the housing above the piston acting as a chamber for liquid, means for supplying liquid from an external source to said chamber,

gevaren means for controlling lthejow of liquid .from .said external .source into --said chamber and from saidchamber into the portion of the box located below the screen, said liquid control means comprising a valve housing, a liquid inlet for the valve housing connected to .the ,liquid supply means, a liquid outlet for the valve housing connected to said chamber, a liquid outlet .for :the valve housing connected V.to the box, a reciprocating valve .in .the .valve housing for alternately .connecting said liquid .inlet with the liquid outlet to said chamber .and .the liquid outlet for said chamber with the liquid outlet .for the box, an operating mechanism for said .reciprocating value operatively connected with the .reciprocating means for the piston .and means for adjusting .said mechanism to modify .the reciprocating movement of ,the valve.

9. A washer box, jig, -orlike apparatus, .comprising a box, a piston housing arranged with its .axis substantially vertical, .a piston reciprocating in .the vpiston housing, means Afor reciprocating .said piston, .a ,screen in .the box for supporting materials to be treated, ,the ,housing .above the piston acting .as a chamber for liquid, means for supplying .liquid from anexternal .source to said chamber, means for .controlling the `tlow .of liquid from said .external source .into said chamber and from .said chamber .into the portion of .the box .locatedbelow ,the screen, .said .liquid control means .comprising a valvehousing, a liquid .inlet `for the valve housing connected to the liquid supply means, .a liquid outlet .for the valve ,housing vconnected to said chamber, a liquid .outlet .for the valve housing connected to th-e box, a :reciprocating-valve .in the valve housing yfor alternately 4connecting said liquidinlet with the liquid .outlet to said chamber-.and `.the .liquid -.outlet for said chamber .with the ,liquid outlet ,for the box, .an operating mechanismfor saidreciprocating valve, .and .an operative connection between .said mechanism .and the reciprocatingmeans for .the piston,.said operative .connection enabling .changes to .be made in the phase .relation between .the reciprocating movements of ,the .piston .and those ofthe valve. n v

l0. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a box, a piston housing arranged with its axis substantially vertical, a piston reciprocating in the piston housing, means for reciprocating said piston, a .screen Tin the box for :supporting materials `to `be treated, the housing above the piston acting as a chamber 'for liquid, means for supplying liquid from an external source to said chamber, means for controlling the flow-of liquid :from said lexternal source into said chamber -a-nd froml-said chamber into .the portion ot the box located below the rscreen, said liquid control means comprising a valve housing, a liquid inlet for the valve housing connected to the liquid supplying means, a liquid outlet for the valve housing connected to said chamber, a liquid outlet for the valve housing connected to 4the box, and a rotatable valve in the valve housing for alternately connecting said liquid inlet with the outlet to said chamber and the outlet for said chamber with the outlet for the box, and means operatively connected to said piston reciprocated 4means for moving said valve substantially in phase relation with the strokes of said piston, said last mentioned means comprising a shaft for rotating the Valve, and a drive connection between the piston reciprocating means and the valvev shaft.

ll. A washery box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a box, a piston housing arranged with its axis substantially vertical, a piston reciprocating in the piston housing, means for reciprocating said piston, a screen in the box for supporting materials to be treated, the housing above the piston acting as a chamber for liquid, means for changing the capacity of said liquid chamber, means for supplying liquid from an external source to said chamber, means for controlling the liow of liquid from said external source into said chamber and from said chamber into the portion ot the box located below the screen, said liquid control means comprising a valve housing, a liquid inlet for the valve housing connected to the liquid supplying means, a liquid .outlet for the valve .housing .con- .nected to said chamber, a .liquid outlet for the valve housing connected to the box, and a rotatable valve in the valve housing for .alternately connecting said .liquid inlet with .the outlet to said chamber .and the outlet for said chamber with the outlet for .the box, .and means operatively .connected .to .said `.piston reciprocated .means for moving said valve substantially inphaserelat-ion with the strokes of said piston, .saidlast mentioned .means comprising a rotatable shaft for the valve, .and .a drive .connection between the lpiston reciprocating .means and 4the valve shaft.

l2. .A washer box, jig, or Vlike apparatus, comprising y.a box, a piston housing arranged with its axis substantially vertical, a vpiston .reciprocating in the piston housing, means for reciprocating .said piston, a screen in the box for supporting materials .to be treated, the ,housing above vthe v.piston acting .as a vchamber for liquid, .a plunger reciprocating in the liquid chamber to control the capacity Aof said chamber, means .operatively connected to ,said piston reciprocating means for moving the plunger in phase relation with .the ,reciprocations of said piston, means foradjusting said connecting means .to change .the lengthfof the strokes of .the plunger relative -to the .length of the strokes of the piston, means forsupplying liquid from an .external source ato said chamber, means for icon- .trolling the iowfof liquid .from said external source into said chamber and from said chamber .into the portion of the box located .below the screen, said .liquid control means comprising .a valve housing, a liquid inlet for .the valve housing connected .to .the liquid supplying means, a .liquid outlet for .the valve .housing connected to said chamber, ,a liquid outlet .for .the valve housing connected to the box, ,and a rotatable valve in the valve housing for alternately connecting said :liquid inlet with the .outlet to said chamber and .the outlet forsaid chamber with :the outlet for the box, and means operatively connected to said piston reciprocated means rfor moving y.said valve substantially lin phase .relation with the strokes of said piston, said .last mentioned means comprising .a rotatable shaft for the valve, and a'drive connection between the piston .reciprocating means .and .the valve shaft.

.1-3. A washer box, jig, orvlike apparatus, .comprising a box, a piston housing inthe box, .a piston .reciprocated in the housing, .means .for rreciprocating said piston, .a screen in the box for supporting materials to be treated, a .chamber 4in said box formed as an extension of .the piston housing, A:a plunger .in said box having a working face forming a wall Aof said chamber, means kfor supply# ing liquid to said chamber, means for .discharging liquid from said chamber into said box, means under the control of the piston reciprocating means for controlling the supply of liquid to said chamber and the liquid discharge from said chamber into said box, and means for controlling the position of the plunger in said housing.

14. A Washer box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a box, a piston housing in the box, a piston reciprocated in the housing, means for reciprocating said piston, a screen in the box for supporting materials to be treated, a chamber in said box formed as an extension of the piston housing, a plunger in said box having a working face forming a wall of said chamber, means for supplying liquid to said chamber, means for discharging liquid from said chamber into said box, means under the control of 'the piston reciprocating means for controlling the supply of liquid to said chamber and the liquid discharge from said chamber into said box, and means for reciprocating the plunger to modify the volume of said chamber.

l5. A Washer box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a box, a piston housing in the box, a piston reciprocated in the housing, means for reciprocating said piston, a screen in the box for supporting materials to be treated, a charnber in said box formed as an extension of the lpiston housing, a plunger in said box having a working facev liquid to said chamber, means for discharging liquid from said chamber into said box, means under the control of the piston reciprocating means for controlling the supply and the discharge of the liquid into and from said chamber, and means for reciprocating said plunger in said housing, said latter reciprocating means being adjustable to vary the length of the strokes of the plunger.

16. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus,`comprising a box, a piston housing in the box, a piston reciprocated in the housing, means for reciprocating said piston, a screen in the box for supporting materials to be treated, a chamber in said box formed as an extension of the piston housing, a plunger in said box having a Working face forming a wall of said chamber, means for supplying liquid to said chamber, means for discharging liquid from said chamber into said box, valve means under the control of the piston reciprocating means for controlling the supply and the discharge of the liquid into and from said chamber, said valve means including a rotatable member, and adjustable means for reciprocating said plunger.

17. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a box, a piston housing in the box, a piston reeiprocated in the housing, means for reciprocating said piston, a screen in the box for supporting materials to be treated, a chamber in said box formed as an extension of the piston housing, a plunger in said box having a Working face forming a wall of said chamber, said Working face having a substantially reduced arca as compared with that of the piston, means for supplying liquid to said chamber, means for discharging liquid from said charnber into said box, valve means under the control of the iiston reciprocating means for controlling the supply and the discharge of the liquid into and from said chamber, said valve means including a rotatable member, and adjustable means for varying the length of the strokes of the plunger.

18. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus, comprising a pair of joined boxes, each box having a partition dividing its upper portion into a piston section and a screen section with the portion of the box below the partition and said sections forming a hutch, a screen in each screen section for supporting material to be classified by liquid impulses developed in the piston housing section, a piston reciprocating in each piston housing section to produce said material classifying liquid impulses, a driven shaft common to both boxes, drive connections from said shaft for reciprocating the two pistons at a 180 angular relationship, means for supplying liquid under pressure from an external source, means forming `the portion of each piston housing section above its piston into a chamber to alternately receive liquid from said supply means and to discharge liquid into the hutch of its box, valve means associated with each box for directing the alternate flow ef liquid into and from its chamber, and a drive connection from said common shaft to each valve means for actuating the valve means in phase relation with the strokes of its piston to bring about the ow of said liquid under pressure into the chamber above the piston during each impulse producing stroke of the piston and the ow of liquid from the chamber into the hutch below the pis ton during each return stroke of the piston.

19. A Washer box, jig, or like apparatus as specified in claim 18 further characterized by means associated with each box for controlling the amount of liquid permitted to ilow into and from its chamber comprising u plunger positioned to reciprocate into and out of the chamber in phase relation with the piston to reduce the capacity of the chamber during each impulse producing stroke of the piston.

20. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus as specified in claim 18 further characterized by a plunger for each box positioned to reciprocate into and out of the chamber, a drive connection from said common shaft for each plunger to reciprocate the plunger in phase relation with its piston to reduce the capacity of the chamber during each impulse producing stroke of the piston, and means for adjusting each of said drive connections to change the length of the strokes of the plunger.

2l. A washer box, jig, or like apparatus as specited in claim 18 further characterized by the valve means for directing the alternate ow of liquid into and from its chamber comprising a housing positioned outside the bor` and connected to the liquid supplying means, a first liquid outlet for the housing connected to the chamber, a second liquid outlet for the housing connected to the hutch, and a rotatable valve in the housing for alternately directing liquid from said housing into the chamber through the first liquid outlet and from said chamber into the hutch through said first and second liquid outlets and said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 1,184,049 Tipper May 23, 1916 2,122,039 Logue June 28, 1939 2,328,402 Tuthill Aug. 31, 1.943

FOREIGN PATENTS 8,015 Great Britain Dee. 9, 1893

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