US3773174A

US3773174A - Electrostatic processor for ores

Info

Publication number: US3773174A
Application number: US00190987A
Authority: US
Inventors: T Stimpel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-10-20
Filing date: 1971-10-20
Publication date: 1973-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-20

Abstract

An ore processor for separation of metal values from sand and pulverized matter such as found in ores and the like in which a tray has a core with a series of compound openings to admit pressurized air therethrough from an air supply source. Multiple layers of air permeable fabric overly the core on the side thereof opposite from the air input, and transverse rods extend across the layers of fabric at spaced intervals. Air passing through the core and fabric results in agitation of ore placed on the tray and results further in the creation of an electrostatic charge on the cloth which serves to attract metal values.

Description

[ Nov. 20, 1973 ELECTROSTATIC PROCESSOR FOR ORES [76] Inventor: Thomas Stimpel, 3943 Valley Vista Dr., Camino, Calif. 95709 22 Filed: Oct. 20, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 190,987

6/1956 Clint 209/475 9/1968 Tauseron 209/127 R Primary Examiner-Robert Halper Attorney-Robert G. McMorrow [57 ABSTRACT An ore processor for separation of metal values from sand and pulverized matter such as found in ores and the like in which a tray has a core with a series of compound openings to admit pressurized air therethrough from an air supply source. Multiple layers of air permeable fabric overly the core on the side thereof opposite from the air input, and transverse rods extend across the layers of fabric at spaced intervals. Air passing through the core and fabric results in agitation of ore placed on the tray and results further in the creation of an electrostatic charge on the cloth which serves to attract metal values.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHUVPOIQB 3 773 174 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in more detail, an electro- This invention relates to an ore processor employed static processor according to this invention is therein in the separation of metal values from ores.

2. Statement of the Prior Art Mechanical separation of ores as combined with air passage therethrough has been heretofore proposed. A basic patent on such devices is that issued to Clint on an invention entitled Portable Dry Concentrator For Ores, U. S. Pat. No. 2,752,041. In that device, a tray with cross rods is subjected to the introduction of air via a series of core units positioned below the rods. Other patented devices of this type are represented in the following U. S. Pat. Nos.: 71 1,015 Stebbins Oct. 14, 1902; 898,020 Sutton et al. Sept. 8, 1908; 1,843,405 Raw Feb. 2, 1932; 2,245,942 Stump June 17, 1941; 2,283,051 Fuller May 12, 1942; 2,302,870 Kennedy et a1. Nov. 24, 1942; 2,355,375 Herbert Aug. 8, 1944.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides significantly improved process of reclamation of metal values from ores even where the metal values are individually found in extremely fine particles. This value reclamation is a function of the employment of electrostatic process attraction of the ore values arising as a result of the frictional contact of pressurized air streams against layers of cloth. The combined action of electrostatic process attraction and mechanical and pneumatic agitation and pneumatic'fluid bed removal of unattracted particles results in extremely high recovery of metal values.

An objective of this invention resides in the provision of a processor which serves to differentiate specific metal values at collection locations on the tray. To this end, the tray is inclined in use and is provided with vertically spaced collection locations, illustratively in the form of cross rods. Because of the differences in specific gravity of metals, the separated ores are collected at different levels at the collection areas.

The present unit is adapted for operation either by electrical or combustion motor driven air pump, or by hand bellows. Moreover, the entire unit may be made portable for use at ore gathering site locations if desired.

Another objective of the inventionrelates to the provision of an assembly as aforesaid wherein the tray section is readily detachable so that different trays may be substituted where required.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the electrostatic dry processor device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the processor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tray portion of the processon, and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the tray taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4.

generally identified by reference numeral 10. The processor 10 includes a supporting frame structure 12 having a rectangular lower frame 14 with forwardly mounted axle bearings 16 carrying a cross axle 18. The

0 frame forward end is supported on ground wheels 20 carried on the axle 18, and rear legs 22 to support the aft section of the frame. A pair of

forward frame members

24, 26 are pivoted at their lower ends to the lower frame 14 and are clamped in angular adjusted positions by

wing nuts

28 and 30, respectively. Each of the forward frame members has an elongated slot 32 therein for adjustment purposes described below.

The aft ends of the lower frame 14 have vertical brackets 34 secured thereon. Elongated

rear frame members

36 and 38 are pivotally mounted on said brackets. It will be observed in FIG. 1 that the rear frame members are of substantially greater height than the forward frame members. Extending between and interconnecting the forward and

rear frame members

24, 36 and 26, 38 are

side frame members

40 and 42, respectively. The side frame members each have an outward, threaded

lug

44, 46 which extend through the slots 32 of the forward members and are engaged outboard of the members by

wing nuts

48 and 50. The side frame members are secured at their rear portions to the rear frame members on pivots 52. Thus, the frame is adapted for variation as to angularity of the side frame members.

Secured between the

rear frame members

36 and 38 above the pivots 52 is a hopper 54 having hopper walls 56 which converge toward a substantially rectangular lower opening 58. As shown in FIG. I, the hopper is adapted for tilting along with the rear frame members.

In those circumstances wherein hand operation is contemplated, a bellows of the nature shown in the aforesaid patent to Clint may be incorporated in the present arrangement. In such instances, an operating handle 60 is supplied, and the bellows is retained in closed position by a spring 62 which extends from the handle 60 to the upper portion of the hopper.

As shown best in FIG. 3 of the drawing, the

side frame members

40 and 42 have elongated

tray support rails

64 and 66 fixedly secured thereto. The rails each have a leg member 68, '70 and a

foot member

72, 74, the foot members extending inwardly as shown to form ledges to support the tray. A rectangular, open base 76 extends about the frame lower side to define an air space enclosure at the sides and ends of the frame, and a shallow pan 78 is secured thereto by fasteners 80. The pan has an opening 82 at a lower portion thereof, with a depending spout 84.

A source of pressurized air for thepan is required and here comprises an impeller pump assembly 86 of conventional design. The pump is powered by a suitable motor 88 (electrical or combustion) and has a supply hose 90 extending therefrom to the spout 84 of the pan.

A component of the invention of particular importance is the processor tray assembly 92. The assembly 92 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 through 5 of the drawing and includes an open base 94 with side base members 96, 98 a leading base 100 and a downstream member 102 with an engagement lip 104. Similarly, the tray includes

upper side members

106 and 108 spanned at their upstream ends by a cross piece 110 with an angular face 112.

A core 114 is sandwiched between the base 94 and the members W6 110, the core having a series of openings 116 formed therein. The openings 116 are compound in character, including reduced straight sections H8 opening on the side 120 of the core facing the pan 78, and enlarged, concave portions 122 which open on the opposite, upper side 224 of the core. it will be noted in FIG. 4 that the openings are arranged in horizontal and vertical rows, and that they are formed to extend substantially throughout the full extent of the core.

Overlying the upper face of the core is a plurality of layers of fabric material, here three in number, and including a lower layer 126, an intermediate layer 128, and an outer layer 230. The nature of the fabric and the particular mesh employed is a function of the type of material to be processed and is subject to wide variation.

The fabric layers are clamped to the core by the base and side members and by a plurality of transverse rods 132 which extend at spaced intervals between the

members

106 and 108. At the downstream end of the tray a flange 134 of inverted L-shape is fixed in place.

The tray assembly is releasably held in place on the frame by swivel mounted

clamps

136 and 138 with suitable

wing nut fasteners

140, 142. A shield 2% is provided at the downstream end of the tray between the side frame members to direct the flow of expelled waste materials.

in operation, pressurized air is introduced into the pan 78 from the pump 86 or by other optional air supply means The air under pressure is thus expelled through the openings 116 of the core and by virtue of the configuration of the openings a vortex is created at the face 124 of the core which introduces the air through the layers of fabric in a swirling fashion. This frictional contact of the air moving through the fabric layers results in the formation of an electrostatic charge in the immediate area of the layers of fabric. Additionally, as in the case of the aforesaid Clint patent, the cross rods I32 create riffle barriers extending transversely of the tray. Material containing metal values, such as sand and pulverized ore, is introduced through the hopper 54 from which it gravitates onto the tray surface. The movement of air through the core, combined with the attraction of the metal values to the electrostatically charged fabric layers has been found to result in a separation of the metal values from sand and other waste materials and to provide significant recovery of said metal values. As indicated above, inclination of the tray structure results in differentiation of recovery of the metal values at the area of the respective cross rods 132.

I claim:

1. An electrostatic processor for mineral values from mineral containing ores with the ores in finely divided, dry condition, the processor comprising:

a tray support structure including a frame, the frame having side frame members and forward frame members, the side frame members being adjustably engaged on the forward frame members to change the angle of the side frame members relative to the forward frame members;

the frame being portable and being supported on ground wheels;

a feed hopper for said ores secured to the frame at a location remote from the forward frame members;

the side frame members having elongated tray engagement rails secured thereto, said tray engagement rail having vertical leg members and inwardly directed, horizontal foot members;

a substantially rectangular open base secured to the foot members of the rails;

a pan secured to said open base and underlying the same, said pan having an opening therein with a depending spout;

an air supply pump assembly, including an impelier pump and a motor therefor, and having a supply hose extending from said pump and secured to the spout of said pan;

clamp means on said frame to releasably engage a tray assembly in the frame;

a tray assembly mounted in the frame and engaged by said clamp means, the tray assembly including an open base, a core, a plurality of layers of mesh fabric material, outer side rails and a header, and a plurality of transverse rods extending between said outer side rails over said layers of mesh material; and;

a core having a plurality of openings formed therein, the openings being enlarged on the face of the core adjacent the layers of material whereby air is expelled from the pan through said openings for propulsion through the mesh resulting in an electrostatic charge in the area of said material.

Claims

1. An electrostatic processor for mineral values from mineral containing ores with the ores in finely divided, dry condition, the processor comprising: a tray support structure including a frame, the frame having side frame members and forward frame members, the side frame members being adjustably engaged on the forward frame members to change the angle of the side frame members relative to the forward frame members; the frame being portable and being supported on ground wheels; a feed hopper for said ores secured to the frame at a location remote from the forward frame members; the side frame members having elongated tray engagement rails secured thereto, said tray engagement rail having vertical leg members and inwardly directed, horizontal foot members; a substantially rectangular open base secured to the foot members of the rails; a pan secured to said open base and underlying the same, said pan having an opening therein with a depending spout; an air supply pump assembly, including an impeller pump and a motor therefor, and having a supply hose extending from said pump and secured to the spout of said pan; clamp means on said frame to releasably engage a tray assembly in the frame; a tray assembly mounted in the frame and engaged by sAid clamp means, the tray assembly including an open base, a core, a plurality of layers of mesh fabric material, outer side rails and a header, and a plurality of transverse rods extending between said outer side rails over said layers of mesh material; and; a core having a plurality of openings formed therein, the openings being enlarged on the face of the core adjacent the layers of material whereby air is expelled from the pan through said openings for propulsion through the mesh resulting in an electrostatic charge in the area of said material.