US856612A - Means for separating or classifying ores. - Google Patents

Description

No. 856,612.. PATENTBD JUNE 11, 1907.

l H. E. WETHERBEE. MEANS FOR SEPARATING 0R GLASSIFYING DRES.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 25, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

his allor/zeg PATENTED rUNE 11, 1907.

H. E. WETHERBEE. MEANS FOR SEPARATING 0R GLASSIFYING ORES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Deaf/afar Bilnlok after fully described and particularly set4 UNITED IsTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT E.. WETIIERBEE, oF CLEVELAND, oIIIo, AssIGNoR 0E SIX- TWENTIETHS To WILLIAM BATTLE, oNE-EIGHTII To JAMES E. LEITCII, AND sEVEN-EoRTIETIIs To oYEUs W. MERRELL, ALL oF CLEVELAND, OHIO lMEANS FOR SEPARATINC-lv OR CLASSIFYING OFKES.

110.856,612. Continuation of application Serial No` 252,182, filed March To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT E. WETHER- BEE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Means for Se arating or Classifying Ores, of which the fo owing isa specitication;` the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as'to distinguish 1t from other inventions.

My invention relates to means for separating or classifyingores and particularly to that class of such means which is adaptedto separate or classify a mixture of ores of different specific gravities into constituent ores.

Said invention consists of means hereinforth in the claims.

' Theannexed drawings'and the following g prove description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such dis-4 closed means constituting, however, but one of various. mechanical forms 1n which the vprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure 1 repre# sents a central vertical section of one form of ore se arator embodying my several imfeatures of construction and operation ,1 Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-section of the same taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section thereof ltaken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

The body of my improved separating or classifying device consists primarily of an cylindrical form shown.

outer stationary casing A preferably of the Secured to the lower end of such casing `is conical bottom member A that terminates in a boss a providedwith an opening a. A? suitable discharge pipe A2 is connected with boss a and such opening a therein. The rate of discharge through pipe A2 is controlled by any suitable means as, for example by the inserf tion in the same ofa diaphragm al of any desired size. Formed integral with bottom member A is a spider comprising four arms a2, Fig. 3, that sup orts centrally within the lower portion of t e recentaole inolosnd bv Specification of Letters Patent.

2'7, 1905. This application filed March 25, 1907. Serial No. 364,283.

thereof should be slig Patented June 11,'1907.

casing A a terminally closed, vertical, conduit a. The latter communicates below with a bore or passage c4 in one of the arms' a2, to which is connected'a valve controlled water supply 'pipe A3. The upper portion of the conduit is provided with a plurality of lateral discharge apertures a5, preferably arranged in series-bearing a staggered relation toward each other. Thus, Fig. 1, there are shown three such series of a ertures consisting of two apertures each. he number and arrangement of these apertures, however, is

more or less immaterial although it is desirable that the aggregate cross-section tly greater than that of water supply pipe A3; this in order that the liquid may low from the conduit a3 perfectly freely and not in pronounced jets.

The upper end of casing A is closed by a cap A4 suitably secured thereto and formed with a tangentially disposed discharge orifice a", Fig. 2. duct that portion of the receptacles contents which esca es by this orifice to such point as may be esired. r

Revolubly mounted within casing A. 1s a yhollow member or drum B, formed intermediately of itssends with a heavy transversely disposed artition b that divides said drum into two dhambers, one extendin upwardly, the other downward] Said member rests with partition b centrally disposed `upon the upper closed end of conduit a", a cap a' of brass beingutilized to effect such closure with the object of affording a good bearing upon which to support the member. The under face of the partition 1s formed with a corresponding recess b to receive. such ca If desired, an aperture a 1s formed in this ca and the bearing between the suface of the l)atter and partition b thus lubricated by the water which is thereby admitted into the same. The upper end of the drum, and'hence of the upwardly o ening chamber therein, is closed by means o a disk or plate B rigidly secured thereto and provided with an integral upwardly projecting sleeve b2 that is journaled in a suitable bearing a therefor provided in ca A4 of casing A. Rotation of the drum'B is e' ected bv means A pipe, not shown, serves to confrom suc partition.

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` of a worm gear b3 splined upon this sleeve and a worm b4 meshi therewith.' The material to be separate is designed to be introduced into the chamber formed by the upper portion of 1the' cylindrical `walls of drum B vand plate B. To this enda'feedpipe C connected with a suitable sourcek of sup ly is im :troduced throufl'hthe bore of sleeve its lower or discharge end is positioned onlyr a short distance above the surface of artitlon b. For the escape of the material rom the drum chamber, a lurality of a ertures b5 are provided in the cy drical'wa soffthedrum substantially on a line-with such uppersurface of partition The length of the drum' is such as to cause it 'to extend from substantially the line of juncture between casing A and conical bottomA to nearly the top of cap A4. It will hence be seen that the upper perforated ortion of conduit a3 is laterally surrounded y the lower portion of the cylin- I drical walls of drum B, as by a flange depend- Iing from partition b. The diameter of the drum is suchas Vto' leave a vertical elongated annular spacebetween its outer surface and the inner surface of casing A. This outer surface of the drum is longitudinally furrowed or grooved from a. point near its top vto a oint near its bottom. The number and dept of the'grooves are'such as to form a plurality of lon 'tudinal ribs or imperforate lades be on the ace of the drum, Figs. land 3. The method of operating my -im roved ore separating device should be fairly o vio us fromV the preceding clescri tion of its struc` ture.

ber or B is driven at the proper speed, which depends upon the character of the material bemg treated as will hereinafter appear,

In such operation t e rotatable memb `means of worm bi Vand worm gear b3.

hile the drum is thuisl more or less ra idly vrotating the ores to be separated are lie into thev upper chamber in sald drum and simultaneously therewith a stream of water is admitted into conduit a3. The latter, escaping through apertures a5, is iirst deflected downl 1- wardly by the lower portion ol' the drums wall but thereu on-immediately -rises and flows upwardly7 lling the aforesaid annular space described asbeing 'left .intermediately y of the drum and casing B. To this ascending annular column of water the ribs b of the rotating drum impart a 4.rotary movement so that the water does not How in a direct but in a helical upward course. Rising to the top'oi casing A, the stream is discharged through orifice a, the latter being disposed to correspend with' the direction of rotation ofthe water. The rotation of the drum, in addition to imparting the above described rotary i motion to the stream oi Water, also serves at the same tune to'centrlfugally discharge the Y material from within the drum outwardly7 through apertures bf" 1n the y,drums walls. Such material as 1t thus emerges from within so that,

l that fills the annular space lying intermediately ofthe drum and casing.

'The heavier ore particles, upon which the force of avity acts more strongly than the vpower oTthe rotating current to keep the same in suspension, graduall settle through thewater to the bottom of t e casing where they are removed through discharge ipe A2. The rate of discharge through the outlet thus provided is of course regulated by the insertion of a diaphragm am of the proper size or by suchother means as mi ht suggest themselves as beingI suitable ,n or this purpose. The water that is prevented from escaping through said outlet necessarily must travel the upward helical course around member B. ,Now the water that is-admitted through in'- let pipe A3 is admitted atjust such Va 1pressure as is sufficient to enable that part t ere,- of which flows through the annular space between said memberB and the casing to wash can all be kept under constant control and regulated as 1s desired; so that, 1f upon ex-v amination ofthe resultant products heilig IOO discharged through pipe A2 and orifice a, v

the separation is iound to be unsatisfactory,

uthe error can be'continuouslv corrected until the ore of desired weight or kind is obtained; In this manner a continuous flow ofpart of lthe water is allowed in an upward direction and. simultaneously a continuousy flow of another partin a second direction. By oo mbinin the eects of these two currents with the e ect' of the rotary member, a rapidly rotating annular column of water having a 'general upward flow is produced .throughout substantially the whole length 'of casing A, while below such column is a relatively quiescent body of water in what maybe termed the settling chamber. In view of the action of the annular column of Water, the corresponding portion of the device may be termed a .sorting column. Obviously the plane of demarcation between the settling .chamber andv sorting column will approximately coincide with'that-of the lower edge of rotating member B. p

It need scarcely be remarked that the wordsseparation and separatonas employed herein, are used in theirordinary or general significance. Technically speaking' my invention may be used elther as a separator.

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. that forni of my invention just illustrated and described as a separator the material l'ed into the machine would have been rpreviously Y sized by screens. The result of the operation in this case is thesegregation `olE particles having dillerent specilic gravities as will be evident. In using the maciiiiie as a classiiier, the material is fed thereto without being screened and the two segregated products will respectively comprise particles having equal settling capacities under free settling conditions. It is ol course understood that if in the handling of any )articular material such substitution should be found desirable, other liquids than water may be used in the machine.

The general process or method of separating or classifying materials exemplified in the operation of the above described apparatus is separately set up and claimed in an application Serial No. 281,882, iled by me October 9, 1905.

Other modes of applying the principle of -my invention may be ein loycd instead ol" the one explained, change eing made as regards-the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the lollowing claims or the equivalent ol" such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and dis-l tinctly claim asniy invention 1- 1. In means for separating ores, the conibination of a stationary receptacle provided openings for the ingress and egress of liquid; a positively-driven rotary member in said receptacle which is separated from the receptacles walls by an. annular space fp'rming a sorting column, said rotary member being adapted to impart a rotary motion to the receptacles contents and to receive and project the ores to be separated into said sorting column intermediate of the top and bottom of the latter; and a source of liquid supply adapted to furnish a stream of liquid flowing upwardly through said sorting column from such ingress opening.

2. In means for separating ores, the combination of a stationary receptacle provided with openings Jfor the ingress and egress of liquid a positively-driven rotary member in said receptacle which is separated from the receptacles Walls by a vertical elongated annular space forming a sorting column inv Which the heavier material is free to descend by gravity, said rotary member being adapted to impart a rotary motion to the receptacles contents and toreceive and horizontally project the ores to be separated into said sorting column; andaJ source of liquid suply adaptedv to furnish a stream of liquid owing upwardly through said sorting column from such ingress opening.

3. In means for separating ores, the com;

4motion egress of l said receptacle which is separated `from the receptacles walls by a vertical elongated annular s )ace lorming xa sorting column in which the heavier material is free to descendby gravity, said rotary member being adapted to impart arotary motion to the receptacles contents and to receive and horizontally project the ores to Vbe separated into said sorting column intermediately ol the `ends ol' the latter; and a source ol" liquid supply adapted to furnish a stream 'of' liquid [lowing upwardly through said sorting column l'rom such ingress opening.

4. ln means i'or separating ores, the combination with a stationary receptacle provided with openings for the ingress and egress ol` liquid and normally open; of a positively-driven rotaryfinember in said receptacle adapted to impart a rotary receptacles contents, said latter member and the receptacles walls being separated by an elongated annular space forming a sorting column in which the separation is ell`ected, said rotary member adapted to receive the ores to be separated and deliver them into said sorting column.

5. In means for separating ores7 the coinbiiiation with a stationary receptacle pro- .vided with an upper and a lower egress opensaid sorting column; said openings being normally open.

6. 4In means for separating ores, the combination with a receptacle provided with an upper and a lower egress opening for liquid and an opening for the ingress ol' such liquid; of means in said receptacle forming an annularspace comprising an upper perpendicular elongated portion forming a sorting column in willich theseparation is ell'eced, and a lower portion forming a settling chamber; said means including a positively-driven rotarymember adapted to impart a rotary to the receptacles contents and located`hori2ontally adjacent to said sorting column, to ether with means for deilecting currents o liquid laterally of such rotary member and prior to the entrance of such ycurrents into the said annular space.

motion to the 7. ln means for separating. ores, the coinbiiiation with a reee}'itacle provided with an upper and lower egress opejning'lor liquid and I an openingl l'or the ingress ol such. liquid; ol' means in said receptacle forming an annular space comprising an upper portion forming a sorting column in which the separation is el'- iiected, and a lower portion forming a settling chamber, said means including a positivelydriven rotary member adapted to impart a rotar)l motion to the receptaeles contents and located horizontally adjacent to said sorting column, such rotary member being adapted to deflect currei'its from belowlaterally ot' said member.

ln means for separating ores, the coinbination with a receptacle provided with an upper and lower egress opeiiingi'or liquid and an opening for the ingress of such liquid; of means in said receptacle lorining an annular space comprising an upper portion forming a f sorting column in which the separation is el"- lieeted, and a lower portion forming a settling chamber, said means including a positivelydriver. rotary member adapted to impart a rotary motion to the reeeptacles contents and located horizontally adjacent to said sorting column; such rotary member being provided with a web or flange adapted to deliect currents from below, laterally oll such rotary member.

E). ln means l'or separating ores, the coinbination with a receptacle provided with an upper .and a lower opening 'lor the egress of liquid andan opening for the ingress of liquid; of means located in said receptacle forming an upright annular space comprising an upper portion in coininunication with said upper opening and a lower portion in coinniunication with said' lower opening, said means including a positively-driven rotary member horizontally adjacent to said upper portion of the annular space, adapted to iinvpart a rotary motion to the receptacles contents and adapted to receive and horizontally project the ores to be separated into said annular space, said openings for the ingress and egress of liquid being normally open, and said rotary member being concentric with the upper portion of the receptacle.

l0. In means for separating ores, the combination otl a receptacle comprising an upper cylindrical portion and a. lower portion having its interior in direct communication therewith, said receptacle provided with openings for the egress ot liquid and respectively in communication with said upper andilower portions, together with an opening for the ingress of liquid located below said upper portion; of a positively-driven rotary member having a y vertical axis and located in said upper portion, said member provided with projecting bladesv having their longitudinal outer edges parallel with the walls of such upper portion and horizontally adjacent thereto throughout substantially their entire length, said blades being removed from said wall a substantial distance l'o'rmiiig a l'ree annular space wherein the heavier particles ol ore may descend by gravity unobstructed; and means intermediate ol` the upper and lower portions of said receptacle and adapted to deilect upward currents ol'V liquid laterally of said rotary member. l

l i. .In means lor separating ores, the coinbination oll a stationary receptacle provided with openings for the ingress and egress of liquid, a positively-driven rotary member in said receptacle adapted to imparta rotary motion to the receptacles contents, said latT ter member and the receptacles walls being separated by an upright annular space forming a sorting column in which the material is separated and in which the heavier inaterial is free to descend by gravity, said rotary member being provided with an interior passage and with lateral openings coinniunicating with said passage and with said sorting column intermediate of the top and bottom ol the latter, said rotary member being adapted to receive in said interior passage the ores to be separated and to project the saine therefrom through said laterahopenings into said sorting column; and a source of liquid supply adapted to furnish a stream of liquid flowing upwardly through said sorting colun'm from such ingress opening.

l2. In means for separating ores, the combination of a stationary receptacle provided with openings for the ingress and egress of liquid; a revoluble member in said receptacle having a vertical aXis and provided with an interior passage together with a plurality 'of projecting blades running in the direction of such axis, said revoluble member and the receptacles walls being separated by an upright annular space-forming a sorting column in whichv the material is separated and in which the heavier material is free to descend by gravity, said interior passage communicating with said sorting column intermediately of said blades and at points intermediate of the top and'bottom of said revoluble member; and a source of liquid supply' adapted to furnish a stream of liquid flowing upwardly through said sorting column from such ingress opening. l

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13. In .means for separating ores, the combination with a receptacle com rising an upper cylindrical portion and a ower'portion having its interior in direct communication therewith, said receptacle provided with openings for the egress of liquid andrespeetiveljr` Y in communication with said upper and lower portions, together with an opening for the ingress of liquid located `below said upper portion; of a positively-driven rotary member having a vertical axis and located in said outer edges parallel Wit upper portion, said member rovided With I space wherein the heavier particles of ore proJe'ctlng blades havingl thelr longitudinal may descend by gravity unobstructed. 1c

the Walls of such u per portion and horizontally adjacent t ereto throu hout substantially their entirev le h, said b ados being removed from said wa s a substantial distance forming throu hout their length a free annular perpendicu ar Signed by me, this 21st day of March, 1907.

' HERBERT E. WETHERBEE. y Attested by-r D. T. DAyIEs,

JNO. F, OBEnLIN.

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