Fines Removal Apparatus and Methods/Systems Regarding Same
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.
41 Citations
128 Claims
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1-57. -57. (canceled)
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58. A fines removal apparatus for use in separation of objects from a feed mixture, wherein the feed mixture comprises the objects and fines, the apparatus comprising:
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an endless belt, wherein at least a portion of the endless belt is movable up an incline relative to horizontal, wherein the incline is adjustable to an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines, wherein the endless belt comprises; an endless base section having a predetermined length, first and second sidewalls, wherein the endless base section and the first and second sidewalls define a channel of the endless belt, wherein the channel is configured to receive the feed mixture therein, wherein each of the first and second sidewalls comprises a flexible sidewall, wherein the flexible sidewall comprises one or more surfaces that define one or more openings adjacent the channel of the endless belt, and further wherein one or more deflection elements are positioned relative to the one or more openings to form substantially flat sidewalls adjacent the channel; and a plurality of obstruction elements, wherein each obstruction element comprises at least one surface portion that extends between a first position and a second position of the endless base section such that the at least one surface portion impedes a flow of fines down the incline when feed mixture is provided in the channel and as the portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline; and a drive apparatus coupled to the endless belt to move the portion of the endless belt up the incline. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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73-86. -86. (canceled)
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87. A method for use in separation of objects from a feed mixture, wherein the feed mixture comprises the objects and fines, the method comprising:
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moving at least a portion of an endless belt up an incline between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is elevated with respect to the first position, wherein the incline is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines, wherein the endless belt comprises an endless base section; providing first and second sidewalls, wherein the endless base section and the first and second sidewalls define a channel; providing a plurality of obstruction elements, wherein each obstruction element comprises at least one surface portion that extends between a first position and a second position of the endless base section such that the at least one surface portion impedes a flow of the fines down the incline when feed mixture is provided in the channel and as the portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline, wherein the at least one surface portion is non-orthogonal relative to the length of the endless base section, and further wherein each obstruction element has a thickness that is 50 percent or less than a maximum cross-section dimension of the objects of the feed mixture; and receiving the feed mixture within the channel, wherein the objects of the feed mixture flow downward toward the first position and the fines move upward toward the second position as the at least a portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline. - View Dependent Claims (88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
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101. A method for use in separation of iron bearing objects having a similar size and shape from a feed mixture, wherein the feed mixture comprises the iron bearing objects and fines, and further wherein the iron bearing objects have a rounded shape and the fines have a constituent size that occupies less than one half the volume in space occupied by one of the iron bearing objects, the method comprising:
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providing an endless belt comprising an endless base section having a predetermined length; providing first and second sidewalls, wherein the endless base section and the first and second sidewalls define a channel; providing a plurality of elongated obstruction elements that extend between a first position and a second position of the endless base section such that the plurality of elongated obstruction elements impede a flow of the fines down the incline when feed mixture is provided in the channel and as the portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline, wherein each of the plurality of elongated obstruction elements is positioned non-orthogonal relative to the length of the endless base section and extends partially across a width of the endless belt; moving at least a portion of the endless belt up an incline between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is elevated with respect to the first position; positioning the endless belt such that the incline is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the iron bearing objects but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines; receiving the feed mixture within the channel; allowing at least some of the iron bearing objects of the feed mixture to flow downward toward the first position over the elongated obstruction elements as the at least a portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline; impeding the downward flow of the fines toward the first position using the elongated obstruction elements as the at least a portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline; and moving the fines upward toward the second position using the elongated obstruction elements as the at least a portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline. - View Dependent Claims (102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113)
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114. A method for use in separation of objects from a feed mixture, wherein the feed mixture comprises the objects and fines, wherein the fines have a constituent size that occupies less than one half the volume in space occupied by one of the objects, the method comprising:
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providing a belt comprising a base section having a length; providing first and second sidewalls, wherein the base section and the first and second sidewalls define a channel; providing a plurality of elongated obstruction elements, wherein each of the elongated obstruction elements extends between a first position and a second position of the base section, and further wherein each of the elongated obstruction elements is non-orthogonal relative to the length of the base section and extends partially across a width of the belt; moving at least a portion of the belt up an incline between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is elevated with respect to the first position; receiving the feed mixture within the channel; allowing at least some of the objects of the feed mixture to flow downward toward the first position over the elongated obstruction elements and forcing the fines downward toward the base section as the at least a portion of the belt is moved up the incline; impeding the downward flow of the fines toward the first position using the elongated obstruction elements as the at least a portion of the belt is moved up the incline; and moving the fines upward toward the second position using the elongated obstruction elements as the at least a portion of the belt is moved up the incline. - View Dependent Claims (115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128)
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Specification