Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Sifting – Conveying
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-01
2001-05-01
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Sifting
Conveying
C209S242000, C209S272000, C209S307000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223905
ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
This invention relates to separators and more particularly to separators comprising an continuous separating assembly for separating out a first solid particulate component from a mixture thereof with a liquid and a second solid particulate component which is of bigger particle size than the first solid component.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,240 assigned to Delkor Technik (Pty) Ltd there is disclosed a separator including an endless travelling cloth supported by a plurality of longitudinally spaced, parallel rollers. An important limitation of this separator is that it can be charged with the mixture along the top run only of the cloth. Furthermore, due to deformation of the cloth about the end rollers, very fine (i.e. in the order of minus 300 microns) screen material cannot be used with this separator.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a separator, a separator assembly, and a method of separating with which the applicant believes the aforementioned disadvantages may at least be alleviated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a separator for separating out a first solid particulate component from a mixture thereof with a second solid particulate component which is of bigger particle size than the first solid particulate component, the separator including:
a separating assembly including an articulated train of classifiers moving along a trajectory, each classifier including a first classifying element for allowing the first particulate component therethrough and for stopping the second particulate component;
a first mixture feeding means for feeding the mixture onto the separating assembly;
a first receiving means for receiving the first solid particulate component;
the separating assembly extending between the first mixture feeding means and the first receiving means; and
a first collection region located downstream along the trajectory from the first mixture feeding means, for receiving the second solid particulate component.
The train of classifiers may be mounted to move about first and second spaced support assemblies, so that the trajectory is a closed trajectory including a first elongate section extending from the first assembly to the second assembly; and a second or return section extending from the second assembly to the first assembly.
The first support assembly may include one of a sprocket assembly and a guide assembly; and the second support assembly may include a sprocket assembly.
The separating assembly may be mounted on a rectangular frame supporting the support assemblies, so that the first and second sections extend parallel to one another with the first section above the second section.
The first mixture feeding means may be provided above the first section towards the first support assembly and the first receiving means may include a plurality of transversely removable modular sumps provided between the first section and the second section.
The separator may further include a second mixture feeding means provided above the second segment towards the second support assembly; and a second receiving means including a plurality of transversely removable modular sumps provided below the second segment.
The mixture may, in use, be fed via the first and second mixture feeding means simultaneously, so that it is screened in either of the first and second segments of the trajectory and so that the first particulate component is received in either of the first and second sump arrangements.
The first and/or second mixture feeding means may include an elongate conduit defining a plurality of outlet ports spaced along the length thereof.
The conduit may be housed in an elongate housing having an open bottom; and an inverted V-shaped deflector may be mounted in the housing below the conduit, so that outlet channels onto the separating assembly are defined on either side of the deflector.
Each classifier in the train of classifiers may include a panel including a screen segment. However, preferably each classifier in the train of classifiers includes a pan assembly including first and second back-to-back pans separated by the first classifying element.
The first classifying element of each pan assembly may include a fine screen segment.
The first and second pans of each pan assembly may further include a coarser screen segment spaced from said first fine screen segment and extending substantially parallel to said first fine screen segment.
The pan assemblies of the train of pan assemblies are preferably separated by transversely extending junction regions.
The first fine screen segment of each pan assembly may form part of a modular screen unit which is removably receivable between two adjacent junction regions. The modular screen unit may include the first fine screen segment and tightening means for the screen segment secured or securable to the segment and manipulatable to cooperate with a wall of the pan assembly to tighten the segment.
The tightening means may include at least one elongate curved hook formation secured to a peripheral region of the segment and at least one inflatable member locatable in a channel defined by the elongate hook formation so that, in use, it is located between the hook formation and the wall of the pan assembly and so that upon inflation of the inflatable member, the segment is tightened in the pan assembly.
The frame of the separator may include first and second tracks extending along said first and second sections respectively of the trajectory. Each track may include transversely spaced longitudinally extending first and second elongate track elements and the separator assembly may be supported on the tracks by spaced wheels mounted on a continuous train of axles. Each track element may provide undulations thereon and the undulations on the first track element of each track is preferably out of phase with the undulations of the second track element of that track, thereby to rock the separating assembly and agitate the mixture thereon, in use.
The frame of the separator may further include agitating sprayers along the first and second sections of the trajectory for agitating the mixture on the separating assembly.
Adjacent axles in the continuous train of axles may be linked to one another by link elements extending between the adjacent axles. Preferably, first and second link elements are provided between end regions of first and second adjacent axles to link the end regions thereof. Each link element may include first and second bushes towards first and second ends thereof for respectively receiving said first and second axles.
The first and second pans respectively of each pan assembly may include transversely spaced first and second side walls. The first side wall of the first pan may removably be secured to the first side wall of the second pan and the second side wall of the first pan may removably be secured to the second side wall of the second pan.
The first and second side walls of the first pan and the first and second side walls of the second pan may permanently be secured at their respective ends to respective transversely extending leading and trailing end walls of the first and second pans. The side walls may be welded to the ends walls.
The first and second side walls of the second pan of each pan assembly are preferably removably secured to the link elements, thereby to secure the separator assembly to the link elements. Preferably, flanges on the first and second side walls of the second pan of each pan assembly are secured to flanges on the link elements.
A transversely extending weir element may be secured to the trailing end wall of each second pan of each pan assembly.
The frame of the separator may further include sprayers in the region of the first and second collection regions, to wash the second solid component off the assembly and into said first and second collection regions.
Also included within the scope of the invention is a separating assembly for a separator including a continuous train o
Altmann Werner Hartmut
Buisman Reindert
Kenyon & Kenyon
Schlak Daniel K
Walsh Donald P.
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