US696606A

US696606A - Ore-concentrator.

Info

Publication number: US696606A
Application number: US3474800A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert H Stebbins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1900-10-29
Filing date: 1900-10-29
Publication date: 1902-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 1919-04-01

Description

URE CDNCENTRATOB. (Application ld Oct. 29, 1 BOO.

Z//enfor of the incasement will carry in their circular llniirnn @rares Parent reiten,e

ALBERT II. STEBBINS, OF Ll'lTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

oasoonoisnranron.

SEECFILGATlN forming part or Letters Patent No. 696,606, dated April 1, 1902.

Application filed October Z9, 1900. Serial No. 34,748. (No model.)

T0 all 'LU/bont 'lit 777,04/ cm2/cern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT II. S'rntsnins, a citizen of 'the United States, residing at Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore-Conventrators, of Whichthe following is a siwcilication.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to ore-voncentrnnn's tur effecting a separation ol' the valuable particles ot' ore from their adhering impurities, and more par ticnlarly to that type ot' such machine wherein the ore, preferably in a finely-divided com dition, is subjected to the action ot' flnidrurrents, whichserve to eliminate the light valueless particles and carry the saine away from the heavy or valuable particles.

It is a Well-known fact that the particles of comminuted or finely-ground ores vary in size and shape and often in specific gravities, and to facilitate the subsequent treatment of such particles it is desirable that those of similar size and like specific gravities shall be collected in a group and separated from those of different size and unlike specific gravities and that theladhering or intermixed impurities be separated from all the groups thus segregated. With these and other general objects in View] have invented aform of ore-concentrator having an incasement of grad ually-increasing size from one end to the other and in Which the divided or finely-ground ore is subjected to the action of air or other iuid caused to circulate in substantially circular or spiral currents of graduallydecreasing strength or carrying capacity from the smaller to the larger end ot' the incasement, so that While the Huid-currents near the smaller end` or spiral course nearly all the material fed to the machine the same fluid-currents at a point more `remote from said smaller end will be so far reduced in strength by reason of the increased size of the incasement that many of the heavier particles will no longer be snstained and will fall in to a receptacle provided for the purpose, the lighter values and impurities still continuing to he held insuspension and circulated by the redncedcurrent4 until the gradual and successive weakening of the huid-currents permits the lighter and then the lightest values to settle or fall, while the im purities are carried outof the machine.

ly this operation not only are the valuable particles or portions of ore separated from the accontljianying sand, dirt, or otherim pnrities, but the valuable particles are themselves separated into groupY according to their size or relativLx specific gravit ies, and thus collected for i'nrther treatment.

The machine which forms the subject of my present invention is primarily designed for the treatment of ground or finely-divided ores or like materials, but may be applicable fortreatmentnt materialsinottici-conditions, and while l describe the operation of the de vice by the use ot' airblasts for effecting the separation `outlined it is obvious that any duid may be used with advantage, according to the character of the material being treated. 7o

My invention as above generally indicatedll consists of the parts and combinations, as will be hereinafter mnt-e particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

ln the drawings, Figure l is a plan View of a coucentrator embodying my invention, part of the wall being broken away at one end to disclose the construction within. Fig.. 2 is a side elevation of a concentrator embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a cross *section ou line m Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view ot' the distributing pipe and chute. Fig. 5 is a cross section of a modification.

The Concentrator in the present embodiment of my invention comprises an incasementA, preferably of funnel shape-that is, of. gradual increasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other, the smaller end ct being closed, while the larger end d' is open. Extending lengthwise of the incasementA is a distributing-pipe B, the length of which may be more or less, as desired; but, as shown, the distributing-pipe extends continuously nearly the entire length of the incasement A and is connected to any suitable fluid-supplying means, not necessary to show, by the connection B,preferably,though not necessarily, located to convey the fluid blast into the distributing-pipe B, near one end thereof. The distributingpipe B is connected to the ineasement A by the introduction-chute C, arranged, preferably, tangential to the incasement, which is provided With an opening C to receive the end walls of the chute. It will IOO be noted that the cross-section of the incasement is substantially circular and that the wall thereof at the point where the chute C connects with the incasement A is carried out of its circular course, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby forming at the bottom of the incasement a supporting-incline c2, onto which the particles of ore may fall and the blast of air from the chute C be directed.

Preferably some distance above the supporting incline d2 the incasement is provided with a slit c3, which may extend substantially the length of the incasement and forms the outlet or discharge opening for the concentrates. Exfending downward from the slit, on either sidelthereof, is a flange c4, projecting into the concentrate-boxes D, which may be closed at or near their ends by doors d, free to swing outward, as shown, to permit the concentrates to be discharged, but adapted to close and prevent the ingress of air should the moving air-currents in the incasement create a suction or partial vacuum in the concentrate-box. The concentrate-boxes D extend throughout the length of the outlet or discharge slit a3, and the partitions d between the boxes serve as braces to support and strengthen the wall of the incaseinent on opposite sides of the slit.

The ground or divided ore is introduced into the incasement A, at the small end thereof, by means of a hopper E or other desired or usual means and is at once caught by the incoming blast of air which issues from the introduction-chute C and passes into the incasement substantially tangential therewith, striking first and with the greatest energy the supporting-incline a2, on which much of the material being treated will fall. Under the lifting force of the incoming blast of air the mass of material is started in a circular path around the interior of the funnel-shaped incasement, some of' the heavier particles being forced up the incline over the edge of the discharge-opening a3, while others are carried past said opening and falling back under the influence of gravity pass into said opening a3, the lighter particles and impurities being given a gyratory motion While suspended by the air-currents. As the gyratory motion of the air-currents carries the material to the larger cross-'sectional areas of the incasement `those particles which were before held in suspension by the force of the blast are now permitted to settle under the decreased action of the blast and eventually nd their way into the discharge-opening a3, as above indicated. It will be noted that the distributing-chute C delivers the air or Huid blast into Jthe lower portion of the incaseinent and directly over and upon the supporting-incline d2, and such blast as it enters the incasement being strongest at this point will lift and pick up any settlings that may lodge upon the supportingincline to eventually carry them up the inoline into the discharge-opening del. lIt will be noted that I have provided flanges projecting downward from the discharge-Opening c3 into the concentrate-boxes, the purpose of this being to overcome to some extent the iiuctuating movements that are liable to occur through the discharge-opening c3 under the Varying pressures exerted by the gyratory air-currents in the incasement, and to further prevent this back-and-forth movement of aircurrents through the discharge-opening a3 I may provide the concentrate-boxes with a door, as d, which upon the creation of a partial vacuum in the box would be closed, as will be evident.

Preferably located at intervals along the distributing-chute C are partitions c, which serve the double purpose of acting as braces to hold the introduction-chute in shape and as wings to guide the air into the funnel or iucasement at a direct right angle or such other angle as may be desired to get the best circular motion. These partitions may be located at any desired intervals in the introduction-chute, depending largely upon the character of material to be treated and the character of blast introduced or the character of motion desired to be given to the material within the funnel or incasement.

Preferably within the funnel at any desired intervals I place spiral flanges or guide-pieces f, which may extend more or less around the interior of the funnel and project inward from the wall thereof a suitable distance to act as a guide giving to the air-currentstheir circular movement. In the form shown `in Fig. 3 the fianges f are crescent-shaped'and extend only part wayaround 'the funnel on the side thereof opposite the distributingchute; `but it will be understood that these flanges may be longer or shorter, as desired, their purpose being to assist in holding the aircurrents from too rapid longitudinal movement of the funnel and to guide them into circular paths. These flanges or Wings act also as braces for the funnel, especially when the latter is made of light metal, as may be found sometimes desirable.

In the modified construction shown by Fig. 5 the incasement is provided with two discharge-openings 7c 70, and the number of said openings, it will be obvious, may be varied as desired; but in any event said dischargeopenin gs should lead to separate concentrateboxes K K', into which project the flanges on opposite lsides of the openings. It will be obvious that when two or more dischargeopenings are employed the Vconcentrates in passing up the supporting-incline will be `more liable to pass through one of the discharge-openings, so as to more readily separate the concentrates from their lighter-.impurities.

The disposition of the distributing-pipe and its connection with the source of supply and distribiting-chute should be such that the iuid or airexerts its greatest force in the small end of the funnel `or incasement, and from thereA the exerted force shoulddecrease IOO IIO

eeeeoe proportionately as the fun nel is traversed to its exit end.

The partitions cl' between the concentrateboXes serve to brace the Walls ,of the funnelshaped incasement Where the same' is provided with the discharge-opening a3.

In the same cases it may be desirable to contract the outlet at the large end of the funnel in order to increase the effectiveness of the air-currents in carrying the light impurities out ofthe machine, and as one means of accomplishing this result I may employ a detachable cone or other shaped flange or funnel m, having a rim m to fit over the end of the casing, the smaller end of the flange or funnel m preferably, though not necessarily, projecting into the interior of the concentrator, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. l.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secu re by Letters `Patent, isi l. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other, said incasement being closed at its smaller end, a feed-hopper leading into the funnel-shaped incasement at its smaller end, a fluid-distributing chute tangentially arranged with reference to said incasement and leading into the same, an outlet for the concentrates, located in the Wall of the incasement above the lowest portion thereof, and a series of concentrate-boxes in communication with said outlet, whereby as material'i'ed into the incasement at its smaller end is given a spiral or gyratory motion Within the incasement and moved toward the larger end thereof, the concentrates or heavier parlincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other, said incasement being closed at its smaller end, means to feed material to said incasement, a distributing-pipe, a fluiddistributing chute connected to said pipe and extending substantially the length of said incasement and being tangentially connected thereto to produce Within said incasement circular fluid-currents, and an outlet for the concentrates.

et. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end 1o the other, said incasement being closed at its smaller end, means. to feed material into said incasement, a distrihitting-pipe and a fluid-distributing chute extending substanstantially the length of said inmtsement, and the chute being arranged tangential thereto, a discharge-outlet for the concentrates extending substantially the length of the incasement and a series of concentrate-boxes in communication with said outlet.

5. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shapedincasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other, said incasement being closed at its smaller end,'means to feed material into said incasement, adistributing-pipe and a tlnid-distrilmting chute extending substatitially the length of said incasement, and the chute being arranged tangential thereto, a discharge outlet` for the concentrates arranged in the wall of the incasement above the bottom thereof and opposite the distributing-chute.

G. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other and having a supporting-incline, means for feeding material into said incasement near the smaller end thereof, a distributing pipe, a distributingchute connected thereto and arranged tangentially to the incasement to direct a blast of air directly onto and over the supporting-incline thereof, a discharge-outlet arranged in the Wall of the incasement above the supporting-incline and on the side thereof opposite the distributingchute.

7. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other and having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe and a distributing-chute extending substantially the length of said incasement, the said chute being connected tangentially thereto to direct a blast of air onto the said supporting-incline, a dischargeoutlet in the Wall of the incasement opposite the distributing-chute and a series of concentrate-boxes in communication with the said outlet.

8. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other and having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe andadistributing-chute eX- tending substantially the length of said incasement, the said chtite being connected tangentially thereto to direct a blast of air onto the saidsupporting-incline, a dischargeoutlet in the Wall of the incasement opposite the distributing-chute, and a series of concentrate-boxes, said outlet having flanges. projecting into the concentrate-boxes.

9. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of afunne'l-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasingcross-sectional area from one end to ICO IIO

the other and having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe and a distributing-chute extending substantially the length ot said incasement, the said chute being connected tangentially thereto to direct a blast of air onto the said supporting-incline, a dischargeoutlet in the'wall of the incasement opposite the distributing-chute, and a series of concentrate-boxes having self-closing and normally closed doors, said outlet having i'langes projecting into the concentrate-boxes.

10. 'In an o1e-concentrator,the combination of a funnel-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other and having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe and a distributing-chute eX- tending substant-ially the lengt-h ofthe incasement, the said chute having partitions therein and connected tangentially to the incasement to direct a blast of air onto the said supporting-incline, a discharge-outlet in the side Wall of the incasement opposite the distributing-chute and a series of concentrateboxes in communication with said outlet.

A11. In an ore-concentrator,the combination vof a funnel-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other and having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe and a distributing-chute eX- tending substantially the length of the incasement, the said chut-e having partitions therein and connected tangentially to the incasement to direct a blast of air onto the said supporting-incline, a discharge-outlet in the side Wall ot" the incasement opposite'the distributing-chute, a series of anges projecting inward from the Wall of the funnel and a series of concentrate-boxes in communication with said outlet.

l2. In an ore-concentrator,the combination of an incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the'other and having a supporting-incline, means for feedingmaterialintohesamenearthesmaller end thereof, a Huid-distributing chute connected thereto and arranged tangentially to the incas'ement to direct a fluid-blast directly onto and over the supporting-incline, and a discharge-opening in the AWall of the vincasement opposite the tangential inlet andabove the supporting-incline so that material falling down the Wall of the incasement after being projected above the discharge-opening by the incoming blast will pass through said discharge-opening.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ALBERTII. STEBBINS. Witnesses:

ALEX C. HULL, EUGENE B. JETT.