Apparatus and method for isolating materials

• US 20060260986A1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Magnetic Torque International, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Magnetic Torque International, Ltd.
• Inventors: Wise, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US11/455,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20060260986A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 209/225
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/04 with the material carriers in the form of trays or with tables
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/22 with non-movable magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/23 with material carried by oscillating fields; with material carried by travelling fields, e.g. generated by stationary magnetic coils; Eddy-current separators, e.g. sliding ramp

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for separating non-magnetic mineral values from a source containing magnetic material and non magnetic material. The apparatus includes first and second conveyers in overlying relation which counter-rotate relative to one another. One of the conveyers includes a magnetic assembly which cooperates with paddles on the upper conveyer to progressively isolate values from magnetic material. Multiple stages are provided for intermittent magnetic interactions such that the non-magnetic materials are effectively isolated from the magnetic materials.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method of dry separation of non-magnetic metal values from a source material containing the non-magnetic values and other minerals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of spaced apart magnets each for generating a magnetic field directed to an underlying conveyer;

exposing the material on the conveyer to each of the magnetic fields in alternation in a continuous manner as the material is advanced by the conveyer;

p1 forming substantially homogeneous strata of the minerals overlying said non-magnetic values by repeated exposure to magnetic fields followed by the absence of the fields; and

isolating the strata.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the source material includes black sand and minerals.

23-57. -57. (canceled)