US800528A - Ore washer and concentrator. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

N. B. WINTER. ORE WASHER AND CONCENTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 17, 1904.

No. 800,528. PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905. N. B. WINTER.

ORE WASHER AND GONGBNTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.17, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2' ame/Mon 6w 7 nezwnanawzer NELSON B. l/VINTER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ORE WASHER AND CONCENTRATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1905.

Application filed November 17, 1904. Serial No. 233,167-

lb all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELSON B. WINTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore WVashers and Concentrators, of which the following is a specification.

The intent of this invention is to devise a novel mechanism for the separation and concentration of ore by the combined action of centrifugal and gravitative forces, assisted by mechanical agitation and the disintegrating and differentiating action of water upon the slimes or mass.

In its organization the separator embodies a circular concentrating-table of dished form having a central cone-shaped distributer and graded annular inclines or planes which progressively increase in inclination from the center outward to neutralize wholly or in part the effect of centrifugal force and the currents of water on the material, with the result that the latter is more evenly distributed over the surface of the dished concentratingtable and the heavier particles retained, whereas the lighter particles are driven 01f.

For a full description of the inventionand the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical central section of an ore-concentrator embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the dished concentrating-table, parts of the annular ribs being broken away. Fig. 4: is an end view of an agitatorbar, showing the manner of attaching a vertical amalgamated plate thereto. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of an agitator-bar, showing a blade in elevation and the means for attaching the latter to said bar.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The concentrating-table upon which the separation of the ore is effected is indicated at 1 and is of circular and dished form and comprises a central portion 2 of conical form and a series of graded inclines or planes 3, 4, and 5 of annular form. The concentrating-table is preferably constructed of plate metal, and the conical part 2 is strengthened by braces 6, which incline in an opposite direction. A sleeve is provided at the center of the table and is connected near its ends to the upper portion of the cone 2 and to the lower ends of the braces 6. The sleeve 7 receives the vertical shaft 5 and is held thereto by means of a set-screw 8. Rotary motion is applied to thevertical shaft 5 from any source of power in any determinate way. The centrally-disposed cone 2 acts as a distributor or a deflector to impart initial outward movement to the material as it is received upon the concentrating-table. A spout9 is arranged to deliver the ore, slimes, or conglomerate mass upon the center portion of the table. Hence the advantage of the cone 2 for effecting outward movement of the mass in the operation of the separator. The annular inclines or planes 3, 4, and 5 are upwardly flared and are graded, the inclination of each being more pronounced from the center outward to offset the action of the currents and the centrifugal force attenda nt upon the operation of the separator, so as t9 retain the native ores and metals and permit the lighter articles-such as'gravel, sand, and mud-to pass over the outer edge of the table.

A series of ribs 10 of annular formation have a concentric arrangement upon the concentratingtable and extend from the upper side thereof at an inward inclination, so as to form an acute angle with said table. The ribs 10 gradually increase in height from the center outward, and their upper edges are inwardly deflected, as shown at 11, to form retaining lips or flanges for holding the material upon the table until proper separation thereof has been effected. It is well known that the portions of arotating part travel proportionately faster according to their relative distance from the center or axis of rotation. Hence the centrifugal action and currents are proportionately greater toward the outer edge of the table, and in order to prevent a too rapid discharge of the material the table is composed of flaring graded inclines or planes, and the ribs 10 are progressively increased in height from the center upward. Annular grooves or channels 12 are formed at the base ITO of the respective ribs 10 and constitute plates to-theagitator-bars, and in the simplest troughs or pockets in which the concentrates lodge and are out of the path of the material required to be separated andconcentrated.

These annular pockets or troughs 12 may be formed in any manner by having them arranged at the lower edges of the ribs 10 and at the angle formed between said ribs and the table. The concentrates are positively direct ed therein and prevented from displacement either by centrifugal action, the currents of water, or the moving of the mass over'the table.

A distributer or-fender l3 is'arranged atthe outer edge of theconeentratingmable and consists of an annular declining plane which 1 serves to evenly and quickly distribute the material when thrown from the table'andat' the same time prevents'its being drawn under the table toward the center bythundercur rent produced by the revolutions thereof. This distributer or fender may be 'an integral part of the concentrating-table or may be attached thereto, as found most advantageous. A series of agitator-bars 14 are arranged above the dished concentrating-table and con form approximately thereto, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1. These bars 14 havea radial arrangement and in the"preferableconstruction are fixed with reference to the concen" tratmg-table and are supported fromany suit-' able framework (notshown) by means-of hangers 15. Each of the agitator-bars is'provided in its length with agitators 16, which consist of blades or paddles having rounded shanks fitted into openings of theagitator so as to effect lateral movement of the ma terial upon the concentratingvtable in the Theagitators are provided in sufli'cient number'and are disoperation of the separator.

posed at such relative inclination-as to overlap, thereby insuring theiracting upon every portion of the material upon the' concentrating-table. For catching float-goldamalga mated plates 18 are arranged above the con-'- centrating-table and are preferably attached to the agitator-bars 14. The plates 18 have a vertical and a radial disposition andmay be of copper or other metal commonly used in ore-concentrators for receiving amalgam, by

means of which particles of the precious metals floating in the water are collected." The amalgamated plates are of tapered form to admit of their upper edges beingapproximately parallel with the-levelof the waterand their lower edges conforming to the'outline of the agitator-bars, so as to fit close thereto.

Any means maybe employed for securing the constructi'onthe lower edges of the plates are bent laterally and apertured to receive bolts or like fastenings which are let into the agitator-bars.

A collector 19 of annular form encirclesthe concentrating-tables and is upwardly flared and overlaps the distributer and fender 13and is amalgamated, so as to catch any float-gold that may escape the amalgamated plates'18." The upper edge 'portion'of the collector 19 extendsabove the surface of the water in which the-concentrator is immersed and "operates so as to intercept and gather float-goldwhi'ch might otherwise'be lost; The collector '19 is'prefei'ably stationary and is attached to the framework (not shown) by means of arms 20.

' In the practical and successful operation of the concentrator the latter is submerged in Water containedin a tank or reservoir, and 7 rotary-motion is impartedto the shaft 5 from any'suitable source of power, the speed being regulated to insure distribution of the slimes,

conglomerate-mass,"or'materialto be separated, dueallowance being made for centrifugal force 'andthe action of the currents of water'on'the'material." The ore is fed to the stirred bymeans'of the blades or paddles 16 and is disintegrated by the action of the water,

the latter also assisting in separating the mass accordingto the 'diiference in the specific gravity of its constituent element. The flaring graded inclines or planes of the concen* trating-table retard the outward movement of the mass proportionate to its'distance from the axial line of rotation, the retarding being further effectedby the action'of the graded ribs 10; The concentrates accumulate near the surfaceofthe table, whereas the lighter particles are carriedoutward by centrifugalaction and finally are thrown from the table, the distributer 13assisting their discharge and preventing them from being drawn un der the tableby-undercurrents due to rotation thereof. The-metal and heavy ore gravitate toward the center of the table, as Well as accumulate in the 'angle troughs' or pockets 12, from which theyare removed at intervals in theaccustomed manner. that may be separated iscollected by coming in contactwith the amalgamated plates 18 or by the-'collector 19,as will be readily comprehended.

Having thus describedthe invention, whati' is claimed 'as'new is 1. In anore-coneentrator, a circular concentrating-tableof dished form-adapted to have rotary movement imparted thereto and comprising a concentric series of annular planes each inclined outward and upward from the preceding at a greater pitch in progressive order from the center outward, and annular ribs projected upward from said table at the juncture of the respective annular planes and gradually increasing in height from the center outward, and having inner flanges at their upper edges overhanging the outer edges of the adjacent inner planes to form deflecting-lips.

2. In an ore-concentrator, a circular concentrating-table of dished form adapted to have rotary movement imparted thereto and comprising a concentric series of annular planes each inclined outward and upward from the preceding at a greater pitch in progressive order from the center outward, annular grooves in the table at the juncture of the respective annular planes, and ribs extended upward from the inner edges of the respective annular planes about in line with the outer edges of said grooves.

3. In an ore-concentrator, a circular concentrating-table of dished form adapted to have rotary movement imparted thereto and comprising a concentric series of annular planes each inclined outward and upward from' the preceding at a greater pitch in progressive order from the center outward, annular grooves in the table at the juncture of the respective annular planes, ribs extended upward from the inner edges of the respective annular planes about in line with the outer edges of said grooves, and having inner flanges at their upper edges to overhang the said grooves.

4. In an ore-concentrator, a circular concentrating-table ot' dished form adapted to have rotary movement imparted thereto and comprising a concentric series of annular planes each inclined outward and upward from the preceding at a greater pitch in progressive order from the center outward, annular grooves in the table at the juncture of the respective annular planes, ribs extended upward from the inner edges of the respective annular planes about in line with the outer edges of said grooves and inclined inward to overhang said grooves provided at their upper edges with inner flanges.

5. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a rotary concentrating-table provided at its outer edge with a declining distributer, and an oppositely-inclined annular collector located wholly above and overlapping the said distributer.

6. In combination, a rotary concentratingtable provided at its outer edge with an inner deflecting-flange and an outer declining distributer, and an oppositely-inclined annular collector arranged above and overlapping said distributer and encircling the concentratingtable. 1

7. In combination, a rotary concentratingtable of dished form comprising a centrally-disposed cone-shaped distributor and a series of flaring graded inclines, radially-disposed agitator-bars located above the table and conforming thereto, and amalgamated plates of tapered form attached to the agitator-bars, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NELSON B. WINTER. [L. s.]

Images