Material Separator

• US 20140262977A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew J. Archer
• Original Assignee: Andrew J. Archer
• Inventors: Archer, Andrew J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,333,537 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 209/369
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 1/284 with unbalanced weights
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 1/286 with excentric shafts
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 1/42 Drive mechanisms, regulating or controlling devices, or balancing devices, specially adapted for screens
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 4/08 while the mixtures are supported by sieves, screens, or like mechanical elements

Abstract

A system and method for separating mixed materials employing an angled screen that is moved through a vertically oriented circular path by a single drive element.

Claims

1. A system for material separation comprising:

a drive element coupled to a drive shaft;

and

a deck coupled to the drive shaft and a follower shaft by a plurality of connection points axially and radially offset from the drive shaft and the follower shaft.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the drive element is coupled to the drive shaft through a gear box.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the drive element is an electric or a hydraulic motor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the drive element comprises a single motor.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein a first counter-weight is attached to a first end of the drive shaft and a second counter-weight is attached to a second, opposite end of the drive shaft such that a rotation of the drive shaft rotates the first and second counter-weights.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein a first connection point of said plurality of connection point is at a point on the first counter-weight radially offset from an axis of rotation of the drive shaft and a second connection point of said plurality of connection point is at a point on the second counter-weight radially offset from an axis of rotation of the drive shaft.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein an elevation of a first side of the deck is adjustable relative to a second side of the deck during operation of the system.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the deck comprises a screen that is statically elevated above a tray.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a closed-loop air flow path a portion of which flows over the deck.

10. A method for separating mixed materials comprising:

rotating a drive shaft with a drive element;

transferring the rotation of the drive shaft to a deck through a system of counter-weights attaching the drive shaft to the deck;

rotating the deck about an axis of rotation that is offset from an axis of rotation of a counter-weights;

depositing mixed materials upon the deck; and

separating the mixed materials through rotation of the deck.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of rotating a drive shaft with a drive element comprises rotating the drive shaft with a single drive element.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of rotating a drive shaft with a drive element comprises rotating the drive shaft with a gear box.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of rotating a drive shaft with a drive element comprises transferring a rotation of the drive shaft to a link arm having a first end attached to the drive shaft and a second end attached to the follower shaft.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of transferring the rotation of the drive shaft to a deck through a system of counter-weights attaching the drive shaft to the deck comprises attaching the deck to the system of counter-weights by a plurality of cam arms and output shafts.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of depositing mixed materials upon the deck comprises depositing mixed materials upon a deck having a screen with apertures statically elevated above a tray.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of depositing mixed materials upon the deck comprises depositing mixed materials upon a deck having a first side that is adjustably elevated above a second side concurrently with the step of rotating a deck about an axis of rotation of the drive shaft and an axis of rotation of the follower shaft.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of separating the mixed materials through rotation of the deck comprises circulating air through a closed-loop air flow path over the mixed materials.

18. A system for material separation comprising:

a frame;

a base having a first end pivotally attached to the frame and a second end vertically transposable relative to the first end;

a vertically rotating, horizontally disposed deck attached to the base; and

a closed-loop air flow path that flows over the deck in a first direction and under the deck in a second direction.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a single drive element driving the rotation of the deck.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the deck comprises a screen that is statically elevated above a tray.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the deck is indirectly attached to a drive shaft through an offset attachment to a system of counter-weights rotating about an axis of rotation of the drive shaft.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein a portion of the air flow path flows though the frame.

23. A system for material separation comprising:

one or more drive elements coupled to a drive shaft; and

a deck that is attached to the drive shaft at a plurality of connection points that are axially offset from the drive shaft and that travels around an axis of rotation that is offset from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, a diameter of a rotational travel of the deck greater than or equal to eight inches.