US1448310A - Apparatus for grading and washing heavy material - Google Patents

Description

Mar. 13, 1323.

E. D. MERWIN APPARATUS FOR GRADING AND WASHING' HEAVY MATERIAL Filed Feb. 24;, 1921 2 sheets-sheet 1' v mum/10R gala/ g Mar. 13, 1923.-

- "1,448,310 E. D. MERWIN Filed Feb. 24, 1921 w '2 sheets-sheet 2 [aye/2e fl' Mara/12m av ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 13, 1923.

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EUGENE MERWIN, orssnarr a wasnmeron.

APPARATUS non saenrnc nn wasnr ve nnavrivrarnnr'an. I

Application filed rem-n r 2a; 1921. SeriaI No. M240 1.

To all who me t may concern Be it known that I. EUGENE D. AIERVIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of lVashingtony have invented a certain new The object of (my improvement is to provide apparatus wherein the grading of materials with respectto size and specific gravity will be accomplished by permitting them to settle through a current of water that is flowing at substantially right angles to the of movement of the particles of" direction material. I

Another object is to provide'apparatus of this nature including a grader box of substantially'V-shaped cross section having at' its-forward end a plurality of horizontal slots arranged one aboveanother and communicating with an externally" disposed pressure tank whereby a plurality of horizontal sheets of water will be discharged into the inlet end of the grader box;

A further object is to provide apparatus end a presof this nature having at its inlet sure box for water that is divided into an upper and lower compartment and to further provide a vertically adjustable pressure tankthat is connectedwith the lower" compartment of the pressure boxso that water maybe introducedat higher pressure in the lower portion ofthe grader box than it is in the upper portion of such grader box,

the water that is introduced in the lower compartment being always fresh, clean water while the water that is introduced into the upper compartment being, in'some 1nstances water that has already been used. A 'further'object is to provide mechanism for deriving power from material and water that are delivered froma higher elevation to the machine, which power is used for operating certain parts'of the machine.

A still further'obje ctis to providenovel and'eflicient-valve mechanism for drawing in my prior application on thegraded material from. the bottom of I as will appear from the followingdescripthe above andother objects in "view tion; the invention consistsin the novel constructlon, 1 adaptation. and 'Lcombln-ation of parts of a grading and washing machine as and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure. 1 is'a view in vertical section substantially on the longitudinal medial plane of a grading} and washing apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a sec will be more clearly hereinafter described 2, 2' of Fig. 1,-certain parts being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 'is'an enlarged. view partly in" cross section and partly in 'elevation showing parts of thevalve mecha-f' nism by which the material isremov'ed from v the bottom of the grader box. isa sectional view of a rotary screen substantially on a broken line 4-,4- of Figal. F 'ig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View substantially on a broken line 5, Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a crossbar that isused on the top of the grader box and Fig. 7 is a view in elevation with'pa'rts broken away of an ov'er shot' waterwheel.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views;

*tional view substantially on' th'e broken line Y 1 so 5 of-Fig; 2.

Beferrlrig" to the drawings, I havefshown a substantially V-shapedgrader: box comprising two downwardly convergent side o0 v memberslO that are provided 'with end are j further provided. with a bottom" plate i 20 having perforations 1 or [valve openings atregular intervals through which ma 21. "serial may be drawn off.

- The grader box may 'be's upported within a suitably erabl constructed of channel and" angle bars, The grader box is "be opened and closed by'a' slide lT'w'liich is designed frame 13 which is" pref-' provided at its" forward end with an enternallydisposed water resecured to and may be operated by a rod 18 that projects outwardly through the side of the pressure box.

The bottom 20 of the grader box is held securely in contact with the side plates by vertical tie rods 22 whose ends project through perforations 23 in bars 24: that extend across the top of the box. The bars 24: are preferably provided near each end with a plurality of perforations 23 as-shown in Fig. 6 so that the widthof the top of the grader box may be varied. The end plates 11 and 12 are'held tightly in contact with the ends of the side plates 10 by longitudinally arranged tie rods 25.

Packing strips 26 are preferably provided between the side plates 10 and the end plates 11 and 12 and bottom plate as more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

The side plates 10 and the end platesll and 12 are formed of metal plate and the side plates 10 are preferably reinforced by externally disposed channel bars 27.

The end plate 11 at the forward end of the machine is provided with a plurality of relatively narrow horizontal slots 28 arranged one above another and adapted to permit sheets of water to be discharged from the pressure box into the grader.

The end plate 11 is also provided opposite the lowermostcompartment of the pressure box with a slot 30 that is preferably larger than the slots 28 so that a somewhat stronger current of water may be created in the lower portion of the grader box adjacent to the inlet end.

The lower compartment of the pressure box is connected by a flexible pipe or hose 31 with a pressure tanlr32 which is supported by a stem 33 that telescopes into a base member 3a in such a manner that the height of the pressure'tank 32 may be adjusted to vary the pressure within the lower compartment of the pressure box. Water may be supplied to the tank 32 througha hose 35.

Material that is to gravel, ores,- from a chute 36 into a receptacle or box 37 that is supported on the frame 13 above the inlet end of the machine. The box 37 is divided into two compartments 38 and 39 by a partition wall l0 which is preferably cut away as shown at 41 in Fig. 2 to permit water with which the material is washed down the chute 36 to pass from the compartment 38 into the compartment 39. The box 37 is provided on one side with two discharge openings 41 and 42 that communi be graded as sand,

cate with the compartments 38 and 39 respectively and that each have sliding doors or gates 43 associated therewith by which such discharge openings ll or 42 may be partially or entirely closed.

Mounted on suitable bearings 4A between or the like, may be delivered.

the bottom of the box 37 and the top of the grader box is a shaft e 5 upon which two overshot wheels 4&6 and r? are secured.

The wheel l? is arranged to receive water thatissues from the opening 42 and to discharge such water directly into the top of the pressure box le-while the wheel 46 is arranged to receive material and a small amount of water that. issues from the opening 41 and to discharge such material and water onto an inclined plate 48 by which the said material. is directed through an opening 50 into the upper end of the grader box. The compartments or buckets of the wheel L6 are preferably shaped substantially as shown in Fig. 7 so that they will distribute the material evenly across the plate 48 from which such material will slide in an evenly distributed sheet into the water of the grader box.

A baii'll'e plate 51 is provided opposite the opening 50 to direct the discharging material. downwardly. such baiiie plate being adjustably supported by rods or bolts 52 that extend upwardly through slots 53 in'brackets5 l.

The grader box is provided at its outlet end adjacent said upper edge thereofwith a discharge opening 55' that communicates with the interior of a rotary screen 56 through which all water that is discharged from the grader box must pass. The screen 56 is mounted on a horizontal shaft 57 that is provided with a gear wheel 58 that meshes with another gear wheel 59 on the shaft 45 so that the screen 56 will be constantly rotated by power derived from water and material that are delivered onto the overshot wheels 46 and 4:7.

The screen 56 is of very fine mesh and through so that the water that issues from the outlet 55 will be relieved of all solid matter that would tend to settle and-may safely be discharged into anordinary sewer or if desired may be pumped to a higher elevation and again used for washing material down the chute 36.

The rotation of the screen 56 keeps it clean at all. times and prevents it from clogging as a stationary screen would do. 7

The grader box is provided at the discharge end and adjacent the bottom thereof with a hopper shaped receptacle 60 that serves to catch thefiner silt and clay that settles at the discharge end of the box and the receptacle 60 is tapped by a pipe 61 having a suitable valve 62 which may be opened at intervals to draw off or permit the discharge of the-settlings. v i

The valve openings 21 which are arranged at regular intervals along'the bottom of the grader box are adapted to be closed by spherical valve members or balls 63 that are secured on stems 64: that project downwardly are each pivotally connected at one end with a downwardly projectingrigid stem 66 and that are each provided at the other end with Y a flattened portion 67 arranged to be en- I gaged by a cam 68 on a shaft 70. The cams 68 are distributed around the shaft 70 so that some of such cams will be operating at all times thereby keeping a fairly constant torsion onthe shaft By the above described arrangement it will be seen that each of the spherical valve members 63 will be lifted from its seat once at each complete revolution of the shaft 70 and will thereby permit the 'discharge of material that has collected around such valve member.

The material will settle in such amanner as'to form a cone-shaped receptaclearound each of the valve members 63 and at each opening of a valve member a small amount of the material that has collected around the sides thereof will be discharged but the valve member will not remain open-long enough to permit the dischargeiof any considerable amount of water.

The, useof a'spherical valve disposed within the grader box and arrangedto be lifted off its seat overcomesthe'very grave difliculty of sliding valves with their consequent excessive wear and friction where they are subjected to the action of sand and where lubrication is not possible.

The shaft 70 may be'provided at'the for ward end of the machine with a belt pulley 71 that is connected'by a belt 72 with another belt pulley 73 on the shaft so that the shaft will be driven whenever material is being delivered tothe grader box.

A discharge trough or flume 74; is pref-l erably disposed lengthwise of the machlne below the valve openings 21and is inclined downwardly from the head toward the discharge end of the machine so that material that drops into such trough will be washed .toward and discharged fromthe lowerend thereof.

In'addition to the trough 74 I have pro vided another receptacle or trough .75 disposed at one side of the center of the machine and arranged to receive materialfroin relatively short inclined trou hs 76 .one of m C I which may be supportedbelow each of the discharge openings 21.

When the machineisused for washing and grading sand a number of the troughs T6 at the inlet end of the machine will preferably be removed as shown in Fig. 1 thereby allowing the washed and graded sand from a number of the valve openings 21 at the head end of the machine to discharge di rectly into the inclined trough 74. Sufth cient water will be discharged with the sand to cause such sand to be washed down the receptacles.

'of the particles, the particles of I terial beingordinarily carried Oy erandd s v second time. i I v Ifdesired, anovershot wheel similar to the;

of the machine in suchv a. manner that the inclined trough 74. and discharged mm the land lower end thereof. The finer sanchclay, etci,

near the lower end of the machine into the A different grade of sand will be delivered will be discharged from the valve openings from each 'offthe'valve openings Ql'and'if it'is desired to-preserve these dilferent'grades separately transverse inclined troughs/(6 may be arranged loelow-each valve opening and may be mad'e'to deliver into separate: I

In the washing and grading of sand for ordinary commercial purposes,

it will not be necessary to preservethe'se various grades separately, hence all of the grades thatare suitable for commercial use will be allowed to discharge into the trough 74 while the finer sand will be conducted v the troughs76 into the receptacle 75.

hen the sandgis graded'by screening it is graded with respect {to size only. but when it is -gr'aded by the hydraulic processhereindescribed it is graded and also with r'e'spect'to the specific gravity? lighter mawith res pect to size I charged with the refuse v e In preparing sand for commercial use it; has also been found desirable to wash such sand thoroughly to remove organic matter which is ordinarily found therein. This'machine affects a thorough washing of the sand atthe same time the sand; is being. graded therebyjremoving all organic matter d The*i \:o

water that is introducedinto the'low'er tompartment of the fresh, p I strata of fresh, clean-waterythat the Sand;

pressure tank *lt is always 4.

from the machine,

clean water and it'gi's through this T I The water that issues from manner-55 after passing through the screen 56*is practically discharged into a conduit" 7.7 which may? conduct such water toa suitable pump, not shown by which it maybe elevated and ea rermiaed to wash down lthe fiume 36": delivered int If the supply "of water 1 at "a with material that-is being such" flume. higher elevationthan the machine isplentis 1 fiil the water discharge water wilhpassthereover. and the power generated by such; wheel Inaybef used s i t in. ir eti suth seen er:

grading any material that is heavierthan reefromfsolid inatterfand be f i i i fllOy.

pbvmaay will .notxbe usedthe' I e wheel maybe mounted at the outle'tfend water and while it has been referred to as particularly advantageous for washing and grading sand for commerciahpurposes it must'settlejust prior to -its-being .dischanged" 9- i and separating ores a riflle 78 is placed just below the slot 30 and above the valve 63 next adjacent theinlet end otthe machine,

which riiile serves to direct the heavier materials toward the inlet end oi the machine so that such heavier materials will be dischargedirom the first valve opening 21.

l-Vhen the machine is usedtor classifying ores, I also provide on the end wall 12 at the discharge end or the machine a plurality of transverse shelves 80 upon which differpressure tank p 'compartment, means for delivering water ent grades of very fine material will tend to settle.

In addition to washing and grading sand and separating oresthis machine is useful for other purposes, as for instance, it may be useditor grading grains where it is not a. disadvantage to have such grains subjected to the action ot'water.

- From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings the" advantages of the construction and method of operation of this apparatus will be readily apparent, but while l have described the principle of operation. of the invention together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment t erect it will be understood that the structure shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made as are-within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatusot the class described comprising a grader box, a pressure tank at one end of: saidgraderbox, a perforated wall separating said grader box lIOHl said pressure tank,-a partition wall dividing said into an upper and a lower into said upper'compartment and separate I means for delivering waterv at higher pressureto said lower compartment. 2. Apparatus ot the class described comprising a- "\!-shaped grader box, a pressure tank at one end of saidgrader box, a wall separating said pressure tank from said grader box said wall having a plurality of horizontal slotsarranged one above another, a partition wall dividing said pressure tank into an upper and a lower compartment,

- means fordelivering water to said upper compartment, and separate means for delivering clean water at a'higher pressure to said lower compartment. i

3. Apparatus of the class described combox, a pressure tank at one ores,

1,44as1o end of said grader box, a wall separating said pressure tank and said grader box, said wall having transverse slots spaced one above another, a partition dividing said pressure tank into an upper and a lower compartment, a valve in said partition for controlling the flow ot water therethrough, means for delivering water to said upper compartment, and a vertically adjustable water supply tank connected compartment whereby the pressure of the water delivered to said lower compartment may be varied.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a grader box. a pressure tank at one end, of said grader box, a wall separating said pressure tank from said grader box, said wall having a plurality of horizontal slots arranged one above another, a partition dividing said pressure tank into an upper and a lower compartment, a material receptacle arranged above said pressure tank and divided into two compartments by a part1- upper end of said pressure with said lower tank, a verti cally adjustable fresh water tank and meansfor delivering water from said fresh water tank into the lower compartment of said pressure tank.

5. A. grading and washing machine comprising a V-shaped grader box, a pressure tank at one end of said municating with said grader box by a plurality of horizontal slots arranged one above another, an inclined plate at the top of said tank and arranged to deliver into said grader box, a bathe plate supported for vertical and horizontal adjustment in front of the location at which said inclined plate delivers, overshot bucket wheels arranged above said pressure tank and said inclined plate respectively, a material receptacle arranged above said overshotbucket wheels and divided into two compartments by a partition wall that is cut away to permit water to overflow from one to the other of said compartments, means for delivering material and water into one of said com- EUGENE D. MERVVIN.

grader box and com

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