US3006472A - Magnetic separator and method of separating materials - Google Patents

Description

F. H. CLUTE Oct. 31, 1961 MAGNETIC SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF SEPARATING MATERIALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. l2. 1957 Oct. 31, 1961 F. H. CLU-rE 3,006,472

MAGNETIC SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF' SEPARATINC MATERIALS Filed NOV. 12. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VEN TOR. www ff am@ United States PatentO 3,006,472 MAGNETIC SEPARATOR AND METHOD F SEPARATING MATERIALS Francis H. Clute, Rocky Ford, Colo., assignor to The Clute Corporation, Rocky Ford, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Filed Nov. 12, 1957, Ser. No. 695,744 7 Claims. (Cl. 209-214) 3,006,472 Patented y Oct. 31, 1961 ICC scribed, are widely used where it is desired to cause a temporary force action, it will become apparent as this speciicationprogresses, that I have employed these instrumentalities in a novel manner and combined the same with structural components, as well as with certain fundamental principles in a way to produce new and advan- ,tageous results. l

In light of the foregoing, it now becomes apparent that it is not intended that the instant invention be limited to the removal of metallic substances from materials, but contemplates removal of any magnetic substance, for example, seeds, wherein it is desired to present an end product that is free of all foreign matter including those seeds which have for some reason or other, lost all or substantially all, of their germinating characteristics.

The invention is also capable of being logically extended into the color spectrums when the latter is studied obbroad sense, highly developed. In the processes heres tofore known by me, the more valuable minerals are separated from the waste material and from each other by the use of magnets and in the usual type of segregator, it becomes an easy matter to separate the non-magnetic from the magnetic, and the weakly magnetic from the strongly magnetic by weakening or strengthening the magnetic field.

While such broad principles are employed in part in the apparatus forming the subject matter of the instant invention and in carrying out the novel method hereinafter described, no satisfactory means has heretofore been developed for conveying the materials through the magnetic elds, nor has any suitable means been suggested for quickly and easily directing the separated substances to points of use or packaging. In conventional ore separators, -a belt conveyor is employed to carry the ores below a magnet and the latter in turn raises the magnetic ore to another belt at right angles to the rst.

It has been found that when apparatus of the aforementioned nature is employed in the art of magnetic segregation, such belts, revolving wheels or other contrivances, fail to effect proper separation because of inherent defects including not only the adverse results emanating from the existence of static electricity, but tendency of the materials to channel and, therefore, not be adequately and fully attracted toward the source of magnetic energy as is desired.

Accordingly, while magnetic separators have obviously been widely used in separating iron from matters, such as iron filings from those of brass; scraps of nails or wire from wheat, etc.; and iron particles from ore in powder, there has, to my knowledge, never heretofore Abeen developed a satisfactory apparatus or method c-apable of segregating substances other than the metallics which are clear-ly capable of being attracted by a magnetic body.

The instant invention finds its basis in the early comprehensive classification of all substances into magnetics and diamagnetics, coupled with the growth of scientific investigations since that time and the present state of knowledge regarding magnetism. Therefore, the term magnetic substances as herein used is intended to include any and all substances susceptible to the action of a magnetic body, c g. one having the ability to exert a force on such substances.

In this connection, it has long since been recognized that nearly all materials have an inherent ionization and that all substances may be divided into two general classes, namely, conductors and non-conductors. Furthermore, while electromagnets such as those employed in the instant invention and hereinafter more fully derratus of the instant invention, but the novel method therejectively from the viewpoint of a wave phenomenon. To the physicist, all visible and invisible emanations are regarded as electromagnetic waves dilfering essentially in wave length alone. 'With that in mind, it is manifest that substances having characteristics which cause the same Vto produce emanations of difering wave lengths and distinguishable for the most part only -by differences in color, may be separated through use of the instant invention.

With the above basic understanding of the eld to which the instant invention relates and the intended scope thereof, it is now clear that the most important object of the present invention is to provide for better handling of the materials containing theV magnetic substances to be removed therefrom, and for improved means of handling the substances themselves after removal and vwhen it is desired to direct the same to a point remote from the magnetic field and the materials initially handled.

Another important object of the present invention is "to provide an improved magnetic separator that makes use of an air stream for moving the materials through a magnetic field to thereby not only eliminate the inherent diculties above referred to with respect to static charges, but to constantly agitate or disperse the materials through the magnetic field many times during the conveying operation to the end lthat all, or virtually all, of the substances which are to be recovered are, in fact, separated and not permitted to leave the magnetic iield with the bulk of the materials being handled. v

Another importantjobject of the present invention is to provide apparatus capable of carrying out the method of the instant invention which contemplates the temporarycreation of a magnetic field so as to attract the desired substances from the materials, collect the same and ultimately discharge the substances all automatically as the field is alternately created and Vdissipated or eliminated.

A further object of the present invention is to combine the electromagnetic principles above set forth and the air stream means of material conveyance with a gravity discharge of the removed substances in a direction opposite to, as well as laterally from, the direction of ascetn of -the material in the air stream itself.

A still further important object of the present invention is to employ all of the principles yabove set forth in a manner to permit grading, i.e., separate removal of substances from the material dilfering Vmagnetically, all

though yemployment of spaced, magnetic i'ields extending into the airv stream and having diifering intensities, or extent of attraction. Y Many additional objects relating not only to the appaof bermade clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary," vertical, cross-sectional view showing a magnetic separator made according to one form of the instant invention and capable of separating materials pursuant tothe method contemplated thereby.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken o line II--III of Fig. 1.

l FIG. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the electrical components of the separator.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a modified form of magnetic separator capable of carrying out the aforementioned method.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken at right angles to FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevational view partially broken away and in section showing another embodiment of the instant invention.

vIn FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings there is sho'Wnra magnetic separator that includes tubular structure consisting essentially of an kair flow tube 10, vertically disposed and provided with an air inlet opening 12 `irl direct communication with the atmosphere and conveniently disposed at, or forming the lowermost open end of tube 10.

As depicted in FIG. l, the opposite end of tube 10 is coupled with any suitable source of suction not shown, and, thereore, when material to be separated is introduced into the tube 1'0, it will obviously flow vertically toward the source of suction with the air 'stream and under influence thereof. To this end there is shown in FIG. l, an inlet hopper 14 communicating with the tube 10 above the open end 12 thereof, for receiving the material 16 that is directed into hopper 14 by a conduit or the like 18.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 3 there is provided a pair of opposed chambers 20 and 22 alongside the tube 10 and communicating therewith by virtue rof openings 24 and 26 respectively, formed in tube 10. The chambers 20 and 22 are elongated in this .embodiment of the invention and disposed in parallelism with the tube 10. They are presented by use of arcuate pipelike attachments lor extensions 28 and 30 respectively, rigidly secured to the outer face of `tube 10 as by welding. The upper ends of the extensions 28 are provided with closures 32 joining with tube 1.0, but each extension 28 and '30 is provided with a laterally and downwardly eX-' tending outlet spout 34 at its 'lowermost end. lt is to be preferred that the bottom wall 36 of each spout `34, extend inwardly into the tube 10 presenting bailes 38 'tending to deflect the `upwardly flowing material 16 inwardly toward the axis of the tube 10, Vthereby preventing the material 16 from entering the chambers 20 and 22 by the force Vof the lair stream itself.

Each spout 34 is provided Vwith a vertically s-Wingable gate '40 that is normally held closed by force of gravity Vor other yieldable means operably connected therewith.

Opposedmagnetic Iiields within'charnbers l20 and 2'2 a-nd extending into ythe air stream within ltube 10, are created preferably through use of devices 42 'and 44 capable -of transforming electric energy into magnetic ener-gy. lElectromagne'tic "devices 42 and y44 include cores 46 V'of Vsoft 'iron or the like in the usual manner, in .engagement at the ends thereof Awith elongated bars 48 'suitably attached fte corresponding extensions 28 and 301therewithin-of :any desired conguration such as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Manifestly, the bars 48 are made from magnetic material capable of attracting magnetic substances 50 thereto when the separator Vis placed in use. Electromagnets 42 kand y44 'include additionally, conventional `windings 52 operably coupled in the comparatively low voltage circuit shown by FIG. 3 with primary lines 54 and 56 Vthat are Vin turn coupled with va source of electric energy not shown. Obviously, conventional magnetic wire,'provided vwith a Vrelatively thin insulating cover, maybe employed in producing the coils 52 and the power or pull of the 'electromagnets 42 'and 44 will depend upon the current in amperes, as well as the number of turns (ampere turns) which produce the magnetic lines of force. It is recognized in the instant invention that a reduction of current requires a greater number of turns and that with a xed conductor size, the aforementioned insulation of the conductors has much to do with the winding space required for each electromagnet. The winding space will vary iu accordance with the ltype and amount of insulation necessary to provide adequate protection in the over-all -assem-v bly of the separator. Manifestly, by increasing the strength of the current and the number of turns of wire forming a part of the coils 52, the strength of the magnetic eld may be increased and with such knowledge the vstrength may be readily computed.

There is also illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, one type of arrangement that may be employed to alternately energize and ie-energize the magnets 42 and 44. It includes switch means 58 and 60 within the circuits for Vmagnets 42 and 44 respectively, and having a rotatable cam of the like 62 located therebetween and driven by a prime mover 64 that is likewise operably coupled with the lines 5-4 and S6. Upon closing the master switch means 66 to energize the electric motor 64 and close the circuits for the magnets 42 and 44, the cam means 62 will be placed into continuous operation and as node 68 of cam means 62 alternately engages the switches 58 and 60, the circuits for the magnets 42 and 44 will be alternately de-energized. Although, as shown in FIG. 3, both magnets 42 and '44 are normally energized and the circuits therefor are only momentarily de-energized during continuous rotation of the cam means 62, nodal means 68 may be formed in such manner as to at all times maintain one ofthe magnets de-energized during the alternate energization and de-energization of the two circuits. This fact is mentioned because it is contemplated that either `of the magnetic fields shall be of sulicient intensity to remove all of the magnetic substances 50 from the material 16 that are capable of being attracted from the air stream when a field of predetermined intensity is created.

`In operation, therefore, material 16 is continuously fed into the tube 10 and is carried upwardly in the'air stream to traverse the magnetic field or fields as the case may be. MagneticV substances will move into Ithe chambers 20 and 22 when both magnets y42 and `44 are energized by virtue of the attractive power of the magnetized bars 48 and such substances 50 will collect on the inner faces of the bodies 48 as the remainder of the material continues to rise and flow toward the source of suction.

Air is normally prevented from entering the tube 1-0 via spouts 34 since the gates 40 are normally closed. However, when the magnets 42 and 44 are .de-energized to demagnetize the bodies 48 and thereby eliminate the fields, the substances 50 will fall by gravity into the corresponding spouts 34 and ultimately discharge therefrom as Vthe weight of the substances 50 swing gates 40 to the open position.

Manifestly, the time factor, ie., the time necessary for :bodies l48 to become demagnetized, thereby releasing the substances 50, `and the time that is required for the substances 50 to gravitate through spouts 34, will govern the lnature of the node V68 and, therefore, the length of time that either .of the switches y58 or `60 is held open thereby. It is for this reason that it is hereinabove pointed out that it may -be more desirable to only energize lone of the magnets ata time and to provide a eld intensity such as to not require energization of both magnets in order to remove all of the substances V50 from the material 16. `On'the other hand, there is an advantage in'using opposed tields operating in opposite directions in order to assure complete removal of such Vsubstances 50 as may be desired.

In connection Vwith Vall of the above, it is to 'be noted that there is virtually Va complete absence `of static electricity, since the movement of the material is directly away from the earth and does not therefore V-sev'er as many lines of magnetic force with as much VelQGty, but

such that may exist will have no adverse effect upon the attractive power of the two magnets which are rendered temporarily magnetic by the passage of a current of electricity through the coils of wire 52 surrounding cores 46. Furthermore, when an air stream is created within a circular tube such as hereinabove described, there is an inherent tendency to whirl or continuously disperse all of the substances 50 through the materials 16 during the ascent in tube 10. Such action of separating the substances 50 within the air stream enhances the action of the fields and permits the same to prevent loss of the substances 50 by passage from the fields to the source of suction.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated one way in which the principles of the instant invention may be incorporated in a material separator in the nature of that disclosed and claimed in my U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,808,151, dated October 1, 1957, such disclosure being incorporated herein by reference for a better understanding of the way in which the magnetic separating means of the instant invention cooperates with the air separating principles of said patent.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings the numeral 100 designates broadly the separator of said patent having three passages therein for flow of air upwardly from inlet V102 as described in said patent. Conduit 104 is employed to direct materials into hopper 106 and, therefore, into the vertically moving air stream precisely as contemplated in FIG. l. Spouts 108 and associated gates 110, may be identical in form and purpose to Spouts 34 and gates 40 illustrated in FIG. l. The cyclonic action developed in the suction leg causes each particle to separate from every other particle and therefore prepares the material for magnetic separation, overcoming the disadvantages found in belts, revolving wheels, etc., wherein the material to be separated tends to channel.

At the lowermost end of the separator 100, there is provided a pair of magnetizable bars or bodies 112 disposed one on each side of the air stream within chambers 114 and 116. Manifestly, electromagnetic means (not shown) is employed for each bar 112 respectively in engagement therewith in a manner similar to FIG. l.

The voperation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is, therefore, essentially the same as above described with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. In other words, during ascent of the material, substances will be removed therefrom by the magnetic attraction of bars 1112 and when the latter are demagnetized, such magnetic substances collected on the bars 112 will gravitate to the spouts 108.

However, it is to be noted that further separation is made within the separator 100 in accordance with differences in specific gravities as taught by my aforementioned patent. Therefore, with a given amount of material flowing into the combined magnetic and air separator shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a rather large number of substances differing magnetically, as well as by weight, may be separated and graded, presenting products having various uses all depending upon the field to which the invention is to be adapted.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings I have shown how either the separator 10 or 100 might be still further modified to extend the uses and eiciencies thereof so far as grading is concerned.

Air ow tube 200 is vertically disposed as in the case of FIG. l, air emanating from the atmosphere entering via inlet 202 and traveling toward `a source of suction now shown. Here again, the material to be separated may be fed into hopper 204 in any suitable manner.

Two or more magnetic separating assemblies broad-ly designated'by the numerals 206 and 208, may be provided for the tube 200 and spaced vertically therealong. Since the assemblies 206 and 208 are identical, only one will be described. A plurality of vertically disposed, elongated, magnetizable bars or bodies 210 are arranged 6 in surrounding relationship tothe tube 200, preferably equally spaced, and, therefore, since four of such bars 210 are provided for each assembly 206 and 208 respectively, air spacing may be Bach bar 210 is magnetized through employment of one or more electromagnets 212 for each bar 210 respectively, substantially as shown in FIG. 1. Each bar 210 is disposed within a corresponding chamber 214 for creating a magnetic field therewithin which extends into the air stream of tube 200. Similarly, each bar 210 has an associated outlet spout 216 having a normally closed gate 218 precisely as previously described.

One or more electric circuits similar in nature to that shown in FIG. 3, may be provided to energize the elec tromagnets 212 and means provided therein for alternate magnetization of associated bars 210 and periodic elimination of their magnetic fields.

In this connection it may be desirable in each unit 206 `and 208 respectively, to first magnetize one pair of opposed bars 210 and thereupon demagnetize the same while the other diametrically opposed pairV of bars 210 are magnetized.

In any event, the purpose of providing a series of the assemblies 206 and 208 is to permit the creation of magnetic fields of differing strengths or intensities which may, if desired, become progressively stronger as the uppermost of the series of assemblies is approached.

Thus, electromagnets 212 for the assembly 208 may be chosen so as to produce a relatively low intensity magnetic field so as to remove one class 'of magnetic substances. The next succeeding unit 206 thereabove will be capable of producing a magnetic field of higher intensity so that the substances removed therefrom differ from those removed by each of the fields in the unit 208. In all other respects the separator shown in FIG. 6 may operate essentially the same `as the embodiments previously described.

Another important feature of the instant invention has to do With the way in which the process of separation above described tends to dry the materials because of the movement thereof within air a-t a reduced pressure. Manifestly, this aids in the preparation of the material for proper and satisfactory separation Again with respect to node 68 shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, many forms and types thereof may be selected to suit the desires of the operator, for example, both circuits may be energized for of the cycle of rotation of element 62 and deenergized for 175 of rotation thereof. It may be desirable in many applications to energize both circuits for a predetermined period of time and thereupon during the remainder of the cycle to energize the two circuits alternately. These suggested modifications of the invention and others come Within the spirit thereof and it is therefore desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of separating from granular' materials, substances contained therein and possessing the property of being attracted by a magnet, said method comprising the steps of magnetizing a plurality of spaced magnetic cores, the intensities of the magnetic forces in the magnetic fields produced by the magnetic cores being different; feeding said materials into an air stream; directing said materials through said fields in successive order and along a path of travel remote 'om the cores to pull the substances out of said path of travel; demagnetizing said cores to eliminate thel fields; and directing the substances attracted by the cores to separate points remote from the fields and remote from said path of travel.

2. The method of separating from granular materials, substances contained therein and possessing the property of being attracted by a magnet, said method comprising the steps of producing a vertically rising air stream; feeding said materials into the air stream for movement thereby; magnetically attracting said ascending substances out of .the air stream and .collecting the same on opposed, upright surfaces remote from said air stream; and altere nately releasing said substances rst .from One surface and then vfrom the other surface .for gravitational flow from said surfaces to points remote from the air stream.

3. The method of separating from granular materials, substances contained therein and possessing the property of being attracted by a magnet, said method comprising the steps .of producing a vertically rising air stream; ,feeding .Saidrmaterials into-the air stream for movement thereby'; magnetically attracting certain of said ascending substances out of the air stream land collecting the same on a first pair of opposed, upright surfaces remote from said air stream; magnetically attracting additional ascending' substances of differing Amagnetic .c'haracterisitcs out of the air stream and collecting .the same on a second pair of opposed upright surfaces disposed above said tirst pair of surfaces and .remote from said air stream; and releasing said substances for gravitational flow from said surfaces t0 yseparate points remote frem the surfaces and the air stream.

4. Apparatus for separating from granular materials, substances vcontained therein and possessing the property of being attracted by a magnet, said apparatus comprising a magnetic core; means for producing an air stream, means for feeding said materials into said air stream; means for directing said materials through the magnetic .lield produced by said core and .along a path of travel remote from said .core whereby said substances are attracted by said core and move out of said air stream into .engagement with said core; means for demagnetizing said core to eliminate the field; and means for directing the substances attracted by the core along a course remote from the path o-f travel -to a point remote from the field.

5. Apparatus for separating from granular materials, substances contained therein and possessing the property -of being attracted by a magnet, said apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced magnet-ic cores, the intensities of -tne magnetic `forces in the magnetic tields produced by the .cores being different; means for producing an .air stream; means for feeding said materials into said air stream;

means for directing said materials'through .said .fields in successive order and .along a path of travel remote .from the fcores; means .for demagnetizing said cores to eliminate the fields; aud means for directing 'tbe substances attracted .by the cores to separate points .remote :from the fields 6- Apparatus .for separating from granular materials, substances ycomallied .therein and possessing .the Property of being attracted by a magnet, Said apparatus comprising mbularstruct-ure adapted .to receive a vertically rising .air stream; .means .tor feeding said materials into said structure for movement by said .air stream; an upright surface adjacent said .structure cxteriorly' thereof vand remote from said air stream; electromagnetic means disposed to mag,- netically attract said .ascending substances out of tbe air stream .and .collect the same on said upright surface as said air stream continues to use; and means for dcenersizing said electromagnetic means .to release said substances .for gravitational .llow .along a course ,remote from tbe .air stream to a point .remote trom .said surface 7.. Apparatus V.for separating from granular materials, substances contained therein yand possessing the property of being attracted by a magnet, .said apparatus comprising an upright .tube adapted to receive .an .air stream; means for directing said materials int o the tube for ascent therethrough under the inllucnce .of the torce .of .said Vair stream; structure presenting a chamber laterally `remote from said air stream communicating With the tube; an upright .mag-uetizable member in said chambersrelectromagnetic means for magnetizing said member to create a magnetic tield extending .into the air stream; .and means for .deeeting said l aseending substances to a point remote from the lair stream upon deenergization .of Said electro.- magnctic means .and consequent .release of substances col.- .leeted on .said ,member for gravitational llow therefrom.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,012,488 Wedge Dec. 1-9, 1911 1,491,600 Fernow Apr. 22, 1924 1,729,095 Crist Sept. 24, 1929 2,471,078 yOgorzaly May 24. 19.49

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