US1580752A - Jig - Google Patents

Description

April 13, 192e. 1,580,752

G. L. MILLER JIG Filed Feb. 20. 1924 3 Shee'cs--Sheec l INVENTO ATTO R N EY April 13 1926.

G. L( MILLER JIG Filed F'eb. 20, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hll 'Hh l .mm UH' ATTORNEY April 13 1926.

G. L. MILLER AJIG Y Filed Feb. 20, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

WAT E K LEVEL v ENToR .Iller ATTO R N EY a Ge 4 Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JIG.

Application nled February 20, 1924. Serial No. 654,100.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known-that I, GEORGE L. MILLEm a citizen of the United States, residingl at Shickshinny, in the county of Luzerne and l State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Jig, of which the following 1s a specification.

This invention relates to jigs of the type employed for the separation of minerals .or other material by the utilization ofhthe differences in their specific gravit-ies. The form of the invention herein described is partielllarly well adapted for use in connection with the smaller sizes of anthracite coal for separating the particles of slate therefrom.

The invention has for its objects to irnprove the general construction and arrangement of the separating mechanism, and the means for controlling the discharge of the slate so that its action will be more directly Y responsive to conditions existing within the separating box, and will be more positive 1n its operation than has been the case with jigs as heretofore constructed. l

The separation is aided by the circulation of water, which is forced upwardly through the coal by means of a plunger of improved construction, which forms the subject matter of my companion application; Serial 80 Number G94,101,`led of even date herewith.

With the above and other objects in view which will be more fully explained 'as the description proceeds, the invention consists in various combinations and arrangements of its various parts, which will be more specifically explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention in its preferred form.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 .is a vertical longitudinal section through a jig embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan View of the outlet end of the separating box.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the same taken substantially on the line 4.--4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammaticv illust-ration of the electrical connections for controlling the discharge gate.

Figure 6 is a sectional detail view showing the electric contacts which are ,controlled by the automatic float.

Figure 7 showsv in frQIlt elevation the valved artition through which the water is' forced y the plunger into the chamber underneath the separating box.

Figure S is a detail sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7. I The jig, which is the subject of the present invention, comprises a frame composed of suitabl)y arranged posts 10, connected by longitudinal and transverse bars 11` and supportingv a tank 12 having in its upper ccntral portion a separating box 13, rinto which the coal orlother material to be separated is introduced by means of a. suitable chute 14. T hc tank 12 is maintained substantially full of water, and has at one end a chamber 15,`

which is separated from the remainder of the tank by partitions 16 and 17, and in which chamber 15 is preferably rectangular, and the plunger 18 has a double connecting rod 19, which is 'actuated by means of cams 20 secured to a shaft 21, which may be driven by a pulley wheel 22. The water which is used in the tank 12 is used continuously over and over again, except the small ortion thereof which is discharged with t e coal and slate, and this is replaced by the addition of water through aA pipe 23, overhanging the chamber 15. As the plunger reciprocates, it sets u a circulation of water through the cham er 15so that the water is forced upwardly through numerous perforations 24 in the bottom ofthe separating box 13, from which it flows outwardly through the cut out portions 25 in the sides of the box. The coal is carried out of the box 13 with the water into the lower ends of the. troughs 26, which are arranged, one on each side of the jig, and the coal is delivered therefrom by conveyers 27. The slate is delivered by means hereinafter described to a central trough 28 from which it is carried by a conveyer 29. As the coal settles to the bottom of the water in the troughs 26, the water continues its circulation through chambers 30 back t-o the chamber 15, the sides of the chambers'30 having portions cut out for this purpose, as shown at 31 and 32.

rIhe operation of the plunger 18 forces the water from the lower part of the chamber 15 through a partition 33, and thence upwardl through the separating box as above desem, ed. This parution 33 is made up of reciprocates .a plunger 18 The a skeleton frame-work, having a plate 34 in the center connected to the corners thereof by suitable strips 35, between which are comparatively large spaces 36. l`he pas sage of the water through the openings 36 -is controlled by means of a check valve 37 1n the form of a hollow rectangle, with its opening 38 opposite the plate 34. The valve 37 is mounted on bolts 39, which are surrounded by coiled springs 40 adapted to close the valve and prevent a return flow of water during the upward travel of the plunger 18, but permitting the valve to open upon the downward stroke of the plunger.

'The lunger 18 is also provided with a similar s eleton framework 41 at each end, as shown in Figure 2, and the passage of the water through the plunger is controlled by valves 42 (Figure 1) which are similar to valves 37. Inasmuch as the plunger and valves are not claimed specifically in .the present application, but form the subject mattei' of my companion a plicatlon above referred to, a further description thereof 1s deemed unnecessary.

During the operation of the jig, the plunger 18 operates continuously and forces the water upwardly through the perforations 24 in the bottom of the separator box 13, and the coal is held practically in a state of suspension, while the slate and other refuse, being of greater specific gravity, will settle to the bottom of the separator box and work toward the lower end thereof, which is adjacent the partition 43, as shown in Figure 1. The partition 43 is provided with an opening 44 adjacent the bottom of the separator box, and inside this opening 1s a gate 45 supported by means of screw threaded rods 46, which may be raised or lowered by adjusting the nuts 47, so as to' restrict the size of the opening 44, as may be desired. Outside of the opening 44, and spaced a suitable distance from the partition 43, is a second gate 48, which is supported by threaded rods 49, and adjustable vertically by means of nuts 50. Thissecond gate is adapted to regulate the flow of slate through the opening 44, so as to deliver a stream of uniform size. The gate 48 may be adjusted as may be necessary. Outside of the gate 48 is a third gate 51, which is supported by rods 52, these rodsbeing connected at their upper ends to a vertical supporting rod 53 Figure 5) having at its upper end a head 54, which forms the core of a solenoid 55, through which the gate is automatically operated. The second gate 48 prevents the coal from jamming against the outer gate 51, so that the latter always responds quickly to the solenoid. A

The solenoid 55 is adapted to be energized by electric current through the wires 56 and 57, which may be connected to the electra servie@ 111i@ by Ineens 0f the contest fingers 58 and 59 of a three pole switch. The third contact finger of the switch is indicated at 60, and its purpose will shortly be explained. The contact fingers 58, 59

and 60 are connected so as to operate smultaneously, and are normally held open by springs 61 or the like, except when closed by means of an electromagnet 62.

The position Aof the gate 51 is controlled by the solenoid 55, the operation of which is controlled by means of the switches 58 and 59, and these are in turn controlled b the position of a float 63, located near the ower part of the separator box 13, so that its position is determined by the specific gravity of the material surrounding it. The oat 63 is carried at the lower end of a vertical brass rod 64, which is slidably mounted in a bracket 65 and a base 66, which extends across the top of the box 13. Screw threaded rods 67 and 68 are' secured at opposite sides of the rod 64 parallel thereto, and have plates 69 of insulating material adjusta-bly secured thereon. Secured to the plates 69, but out of contact with the rods 67 and 68, are contact fingers 70, 71, 72 and 73, respectively. A disk 74 of insulating material is adjustably supported on the rod 64, and carries a copper ring 75 adapted, when the rod 64 is raised, to bridge the contact lingers 70 and 71, while a similar disk 76 is slidably mounted on the lower portion of the rod 64, and carries a copper ring 77 adapted to bridge the contact fingers 72 and 7 3. The disk 76 is urged upwardly along the rod 64 by an expanslle coiled spring 78, but its upward movement relative to the rod is limited bv a collar 79, which is secured to the rod. Weights 80 may be attached to the upper part of the rod 64 and these may be changed to adjust the action of the float to the particular conditions under which the jig is operated.

During the operation of the jig, as the particles of coal are continuously agitated by the upward current of water through the separator box, the slate will gradually accumulate around the float 63, so that the latter' will be gradually raised. VThe ring 77, actuated by the coiled spring 78, which is comparatively weak, will first contact with the lingers 72 and 73, and a further accumulation of slate will raise the float and rod 64, and the ring 75 will eventually come in contact with the fingers 70 and 71, as shown in Figure 6. This contact may be only momentary, but it will be suliicient to energize the magnet 62 and close the switch, thus energizing the solenoid 55. The circuit, which energizes the magnet 62, extends through the wire 81 and the coil around the magnet, thence through wires 82 and 83, contact finger 71, ring 75, contact finger 70, wires 84 and 85, contact finger 72, ring 77 contact finger 73 94 Wi?? 86 beck t9 the other wire of the line. As soon as the lingers 58 and 59 are closed, the iin erv 60 is also closed, and a circuit is established through wire 81 and the coil of the 'magnet 62, thence through wire 82, linger 60, wires 87 and 85, finger 72, ring 77, finger 73 and wire 86 back to the line. Thus, after the magnet 62 has once been energized it will remain en ergized, although the contact between the ring 75 and the lingers 70 and 71 is broken. The lingers 58 and 59.' will therefore remain closed, the solenoid will remain energized,

and the gate 51 will remain up while the Islate is passing out of the separator box,

until the lfloat 63 and rod 64 are lowered sutiiciently for the collar 79 to contact with the disk 76, and force the ring 77 out of contact with the ingers72 and 73. At this point, the circuit through the magnet 62 will be broken, the switch lingers 58, 59 and 60 will be opened, the solenoid will be deenergized, and the gate 51 will be closed.

The above described operation of the gate 51, solenoid 55 and magnet 62 has been based upon the resumption that the iiow of water through the separator box 13 has been `normal, and the-water therein has been maintained at its normal level. In case the flow of water should decrease or the water level fall below normal, the coal, as well as the slate, would have a tendency to settle to the bottom of the box, and to raise the float 63. In case this should happen, unless some means were provided for preventing it, a

considerable amount of coal would escape along with the slate. I have, therefore, provided a supplemental float 88, which is secured to the rod 64 insuch a position th 'at when the water is at the normal level, its buoyancy will be added to the buoyancy of the float 63, until the ring 75 reaches the fingers and- 71. When, however, the water :falls below its normal level, as mdicated in Figure 5, the weight of the supplemental float 88 in air will bevsulicient to prevent the coal from raising the rod 64 sufiiciently to open the gate 51.

The slate, as it is delivered from beneath the gate 51, is directed by an inclined apron 89 into a pocket 90 from which it is carried by the conveyer 29 to any suitable point o discharge. The coal, which 1s carried through'the cut out portions 25 at either side of the separator box, settles to the bottom of the conveyer trough 26, whence it is delivered by the conveyer 27 to a desired point of discharge. Both the conveyer 27 and the conveyer 29 may be actuated by means of a shaft 91, driven by means. of sprocket gearing 92, from any suitable source of power. Any preferred conveyer mechanism may be used, but since its specific constructionforms no art of the present invention, a more detai ed description thereof 1sk believed to be unnecessary.

From the fore oing description, it will be understood that have provided a jig, the opei'ation of which is entirely automatic, and which will accurately eli'ect the separation of the slate from the coal. The positions of the several gates and the relative ppsitions of the .contact rings and 77 may adjusted according to the character of the coal bein separated. Not only will the position of t e gate 51 be correctly determined to effect the discha'r e of the slate unmixed with. coal during t enormal operation of the jig, but provision has also been made to prevent the escape of any coal with made therein without departing from thesalient features of the invention, or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In; a jig of the character described, the combination of a separator box having an opening near its bottom for the discharge of the heavier particles which settle by gravity in the bottom of the box, a gate controlling said opening, a solenoid associated with the gate and operable when energized to open said gate, a switch controlling the electric circuit through the solenoid, resilient means normally holding said switch open, an electromagnet opera le when energized to close said switch in opposition to said resilient means, a float depending within the box in a position to be raised by an accumulation of the heavier particles in the bottom of the box and having a stem with means thereon for closing Athe circuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised a predetermined distance, and means associated with the last mentioned means for maintaining a circuit through the magnet coil while the float moves downwardly toward its original position.

iis

2. In a jig of the character described, the

combination of a separator box having an opening near its bottoni for discharging the heavier particles which accumulate by trolling said opening, a solenoid associated with the gate and operable when energized gravity in the bottoinof the box, a gate coniso of the box and having a stem with means thereon for closing a circuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised a predetermined distance, and a switch o rable simultaneously with the solenoid switch to establish a branch circuit through the magnet coil which remains closed while the float settles back toward its originalposition, and after the original circuit through the magnet coil is broken.

3. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separator box having a discharge opening near its bottom, a gate con trollin said opening, a solenoid associated with tlie gate and operable when energized to open said gate, a switch controlling the electric circuit through the solenoid, resilient means normally holding tsaid switch open, an electromagnet o erable when energized to close said switc in opposition to said resilient means, a float depending within the box in a position to be raised by an accumulation of the heavier particles in the bottom of the box, a vertical stem having a float secured to its lower end, a contact ring supported on the stem, a second contact ring slidable on the stem, resilient means urging the slidable cont-act ring upwardly, a collar secured to the stem and limiting the upward movement of the slidable ring thereon, an electric circuit through the magnet coil, including two airs of contact lingers adapted to be bridge by the respective contact rings to complete the circuit when the float is raised to a predetermined extent, a branch circuit through the magnet coil, a slidable contact rin including a switch which is closed simu taneously with the closing of the solenoid switch, said branch circuit being operable to maintain the magnet and solenoid active while the float settles back to its original position and after the circuit through the first mentioned contact ring is broken.

4. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separator box having a discharge opening in its side near the bottom, a vertically slidable gate controlling said opening and having a vertical rod secured thereto and extending upwardly, a solenoid located above the gate and having a coro secured to the upper end of the rod so that when the solenoid is energized it will open the gate, a switch controlling the electric circuit through the solenoid, an electromagnet operable when energized to close said switch, means for opening said switch when the electromagnet is de-energized, a float dependin within the box in a position to be raised gby an accumulation of the heavier particles in the bottom of the box, and having a stem with means thereon for closing a circuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised to a predetermined extent, and means associated with the last mentioned means for maintaining a circuit through the ma et coil 'while the float moves downward y toward its original position.

5. In a jig of the character described, the

combination of a separator box having a disenergized, a switch controlling the electric' circuit through the solenoid, an electromagnet operable when energized to close said v switch, means for opening said switch when the ma net is de-energized, a float depending wit in the box in a position to be raised by an accumulation of the heavier particles in the bottom of the box and having a stem with means thereon for closing a circuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised to a predetermined extent, and a switch connected to and operable in unison with the solenoid switch to establish a branch circuit through the magnet coil, which is maintained while the float settles back toward its original position, and after the original circuit through the magnet coil is broken.

v 6. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separator box having a discharge opening in its side near the bottom, a gate controlling said opening, a sole.- noid having a core connected to the gate and operable when energized to open the saine, a float depending within the box in a position to be raised by an accumulation of the heavier particles in the bottom of the box, means operable by the float when raised to energize the solenoid and open the gate, and a supplemental loat secured to the stem of the iirst mentioned ioat near the normal water level, and tending to prevent the rise of the float and stem when the water level is lowered.

7 In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separator box, a solenoid, means operable by the solenoid when energized to cause Athe discharge of slate from the box, a switch controlling the electric circuit through the solenoid, an electromagnet operable-when energized to close said switch, means for again opening the switch when the electric magnet is Cle-energized, a ioat depending within the box in a position to be raised by an accumulation of the heavier particles in the bottom of the box and having a stem with means thereon for closing a circuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised to a predetermined point, and a switch operable simultaneously with the solenoid switch to establish a brauch circuit through the magnet coil,

ico

lll

-which remains closed while the oatsettles j back toward its original position, and after the original circuit through the magnet coil is broken.

8. Iii a jig of the character described, the combination of a separator box, a solenoid, means operable by the solenoid when energiz'ed to cause the dischar of slate from the box a switch control 'ng the electric circuit through the solenoid, an electroma net operable when energized to close 'said switch, means for again openin the switch as soon as the electromagnet is eenergized, a float dependingl within the box in a position to be raised y an accumulation of slate in the bottom of the box, a vertical stem having a float secured to its lower end, a

lcontact ring supported on the stem, a second contact ring shdable on the stem, resilient means urging the slidable contact ring upwardly, a collar secured to the stem and Y limiting the upward movement of the slidable ring thereon, an electric circuit through the magnet coil, includin two pairs of contact iingers adapted to e bridged by the l respective rings to complete the circuit when thefioat is raised to a predetermined extent, a branch circuit through the magnet coil and 'slidable contact ring and including a switch whichis connected to and o rable in unison with the solenoid switch, said branch circuit being operable to-maintain the magnet and solenoid active while the float settles back to its ori 'nal osition, and'after the circuit throng the rst mentioned contact ring is broken.

9. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separator box, a solenoid, means operable by the solenoid when energized to cause the discharge of slatefrom the box, a switch controlling the electric circuit through the. solenoid, an electromagnet operable when energized to close said switch, means for again opening said'switch as soon as the electromagnet is de-energized, a Hoat depending within the box in a position to be raised by an accumulation of slate in the bottom 'of the box and having a stem with means thereon for closing a circuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised to a predetermined extent, means associated with the last mentioned means for maintaining a circuit through the ma et coil while the float moves downward toward its original position, and a supp emental iioatable when the float stein is raised to a predetermined extent to cause the discharge of the heavier particles from the box, and a supplemental float secured to the stem near the normal water level`and tending to prevent the rise of the float and stem when the water level is lowered.

11. .In a jigof the character described, the combination of a se arator box having a discharge. opening in its side, a wall extendin ownwardly below said opening a .vertica ly slidable gate inside the box adjacent said opening, a second gate spaced from the side of the box outside thel opening and extendin below said opening and arallel to the ownwardl extending wal to form a downwardly directed passageway, and a third gate outsidethe second 'gate and vertically movable to open or close the passageway beneath the second gate.

12. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a se arator box with an inclined bottom and' avin a discharge o ning in the side adjacent ghe lowest part o the bottom, a wall extending downwardly below said opening a verticall slidable gate inside the box adjacent sai bottom, means for adjusting said gate vertically tu restrict the size of the discharge opening, a second ate spaced from the side of the box outsi e the opening and extending below said opening and parallel to said downwardly extending wall to form a downwardly directed passageway, means for adjusting Va discharge opening in the side thereof, a

wall extending downwardly below said opening a vertical y slidable gate inside the box adjacent said opening, a second gate spaced from the side of the box outside the opening and extending below said opening and parallel to said downwardly extending wall to form a. downwardly directed passageway, a third gate outside the second gate and verticall movable to open or close the passage` way the box, and means automatically actuated by the float to open or close the third gate according to the amount of heavier particles in the bottom of the box.

14. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separator box with an inclined bottom and having a discharge openeneath the second gate, a float inside ies side the opening and extending below said opening and parallel to said downwardly exj tending wall tol form a downwardly directed passageway, means for adjusting said second gate vertically, a third gate outside the second gate and movable to open or close the passageway beneath the second gate, a oat inside the box, and means automatically actuated by the oat to open or close the third gate accordingr to the amount of heavier par- 10 ticles in the bottom of the box.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aixed my signature.

GEORGE LEROY MILLER.

Images